Disney Visa Card with it?

[FrostyRocket6]

We are going to Disney the first part of September for a week long trip, the thought has crossed our minds on what to do as far as spending money. We already have all our vacation money set aside for our trip, but the thought of using our debit card so many times every day all week makes me wonder if it wouldn’t be easier to get a Disney Visa, use it on our trip and pay it off when we get back to avoid any fees. Would it be worth the hassle of getting a card just to avoid using a debit card so much?

 

[loves to dive]

I'm not a big fan of getting more credit cards, even if you don't use them. I would say buy some gift cards before you go and use them or even a pre-paid visa card so if you don't use everything on it, you can use it outside of Disney. I tend to buy gift cards from Sam's when they are on sale. I never use my debit card at Disney, just too easy to steal. I have a cash back credit card that I charge everything on and pay off every month so that is what I use. It is the only credit card I have.

 

[DLgal]

Do you not have any other credit cards? I would not suggest using a debit card for numerous trip expenses...more chances to have the card compromised.

Credit cards are a much more secure way to pay for things in general, so I suggest applying for a rewards card that will work with your lifestyle, be that the Disney Visa or something else.

 

[FrostyRocket6]

I'm not a big fan of getting more credit cards, even if you don't use them. I would say buy some gift cards before you go and use them or even a pre-paid visa card so if you don't use everything on it, you can use it outside of Disney. I tend to buy gift cards from Sam's when they are on sale. I never use my debit card at Disney, just too easy to steal. I have a cash back credit card that I charge everything on and pay off every month so that is what I use. It is the only credit card I have.

I hadn’t thought to get some prepaid cards so that may be an option, I called and they said my limit starting out would be low and I couldn’t ask for an increase until a few months, so I tossed that idea. I mean thinking the prepaid cards might be the best option.

 

[FrostyRocket6]

Do you not have any other credit cards? I would not suggest using a debit card for numerous trip expenses...more chances to have the card compromised.

Credit cards are a much more secure way to pay for things in general, so I suggest applying for a rewards card that will work with your lifestyle, be that the Disney Visa or something else.

No we tend to stay away from credit cards unless an emergency, just a personal preference. My limit would be to low starting out and I couldn’t ask for an increase in time for our trip so I’m thinking of getting some prepaid cards.

 

[DLgal]

No we tend to stay away from credit cards unless an emergency, just a personal preference. My limit would be to low starting out and I couldn’t ask for an increase in time for our trip so I’m thinking of getting some prepaid cards.

Are you staying in a Disney resort? Prepaid cards have fees. And if you lose them, you're up a creek.

 

[FrostyRocket6]

Are you staying in a Disney resort? Prepaid cards have fees. And if you lose them, you're up a creek.

Yes staying onsite, what about Disney gift cards? Buying a few gift cards to use vs multiple debit card transactions? Can you use those throughout the parks and resorts for dining and shopping?

 

[DLgal]

Yes staying onsite, what about Disney gift cards? Buying a few gift cards to use vs multiple debit card transactions? Can you use those throughout the parks and resorts for dining and shopping?

I was going to say just use magic bands and charge everything to the room. But then I remembered they have a new policy on that and they will charge incrementally as you spend. Still, though, might be a safer option in the long run. Give them your debit card at check in and they will link it so you can use magic bands rather than taking the debit card out for every transaction. As long as you are okay with multiple charge offs/preauthorizations to your debit card as you go, this is the best option.

You can also use Disney Gift Cards at MOST places (some places are not Disney owned, especially at Disney Springs, but you can use magic bands at those places).

 

[starry_solo]

If you get the Disney Visa, make sure to sign up for one with a referral code that gives you a $200 statement credit after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening

You can check out Disney Pin Forum for referral codes (hope I can mention that)....

 

[starry_solo]

If you get the Disney Visa, make sure to sign up for one with a referral code that gives you a $200 statement credit after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening

You can check out Disney Pin Forum for referral codes (hope I can mention that)....

One more thing, I only use the Disney Visa card for purchases typically at DLR, WDW, or the Disney Store. If you don't have an AP (and I don't currently have one) and purchase $50+ of merchandise, you can get 10% off with the Disney Visa card.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

One important consideration about Disney gift cards is that they're the equivalent of cash. So if they're lost or stolen, your money is gone. I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying gift cards with high values around during my trip. I only use them to pay things off before the trip.

 

[klangl6]

If you are planning on getting Disney gift cards and you have a Target Redcard, you can save 5%. Last trip, I got 1 physical card and then would occasionally buy the e-gift cards, then would go to the disney gift card site and combine them all. Was really convenient to use magic band and then visit guest services at resort and pay down balance with the card so nothing was placed on my credit card.

So that may be something that you want to consider.

 

[SharonZ]

If you can get a credit card and use your magic band, I'd go that route. If there is an issue it's much easier to dispute on a credit rather than debit card and multiple charges during the day at Disney on a debit card may trigger a red flag. I'd had to have my debit card temporarily frozen, if that was my only source of money.

 

[KPK02090]

One important consideration about Disney gift cards is that they're the equivalent of cash. So if they're lost or stolen, your money is gone. I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying gift cards with high values around during my trip. I only use them to pay things off before the trip.

You can register your gift cards on the site disneygiftcard.com - you can combine cards to have a value of up to $1000 on a card. If you lose a card you can just transfer the balance to a different card. It makes it much easier to carry around the gift cards, knowing if I lose one, the money isn't gone.

 

[Judique]

We are going to Disney the first part of September for a week long trip, the thought has crossed our minds on what to do as far as spending money. We already have all our vacation money set aside for our trip, but the thought of using our debit card so many times every day all week makes me wonder if it wouldn’t be easier to get a Disney Visa, use it on our trip and pay it off when we get back to avoid any fees. Would it be worth the hassle of getting a card just to avoid using a debit card so much?

First of all enjoy your visit! I can't wait to get back in November.

Sounds like you don't have any credit cards. It's definitely a good idea to stay away from credit problems. However, credit cards are one of the safer ways to travel. You said that they offered you a low credit limit. That's a great place to start. Get the low limit card and use a combo of the card, your debit and some discounted gift cards. That way everything isn't in the same pot and if something goes wrong, you have something to rely on. Don't charge what you can't repay in one month. The best way for you to use credit cards is for you to collect rewards without paying interest - this takes a lot of self restraint when on a budget.

I am heavily into the use of credit cards for rewards, but when I charge, I watch the online account for it to post and I pay it off. Money was gone when I charged it and now money is gone from my checking - that way I can manage not running up a substantial balance.

Keeping low limits on your credit cards also reduces the risk of over charging. When I get a new card and they offer me 25K of credit, I will send a message to get that reduced. Can't spend what I don't have the ability to spend. I travel with my credit cards, bank card, disney gift cards and whatever other discounts work for me, such as discounted gift cards for Trex, Yak and Yeti, Rainforest Café - Sam's and Costco sells them usually around 20% off, plus a Landry's card can get you a table fairly fast. Also, if you do Starbucks, they are in every park.

 

[MrsPete]

I considered getting a Disney VISA for about 30 seconds ... then I realized that my "everyday card" offers better rewards, which are good in lots of places I frequent on a weekly basis.