Easiest way to pay at F&W without a Magic Band??

[iujen94]

A friend and I are heading to the Food and Wine Festival next weekend. We are staying at the Swan, so my understanding is that we can't use Magic Bands to charge to our room at the kiosks. What's the best option otherwise? Seems like I could take cash (not ideal to carry a bunch of cash and wind up with tons of change to carry around) or use a credit card each time (not thrilled about tons of small charges). The option I'm thinking about is getting a Disney gift card - maybe even at the Disney store before I leave, and using it basically like a debit card? Is this a good option? Any other suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[Kae]

A friend and I are heading to the Food and Wine Festival next weekend. We are staying at the Swan, so my understanding is that we can't use Magic Bands to charge to our room at the kiosks. What's the best option otherwise? Seems like I could take cash (not ideal to carry a bunch of cash and wind up with tons of change to carry around) or use a credit card each time (not thrilled about tons of small charges). The option I'm thinking about is getting a Disney gift card - maybe even at the Disney store before I leave, and using it basically like a debit card? Is this a good option? Any other suggestions? Thanks!!

I think they still have Disney gift card that are on a wrist cord. makes it super easy

 

[erionm]

I think they still have Disney gift card that are on a wrist cord. makes it super easy

They do and those have a bar code on the back of the card that the CM at the kiosks can scan with a handheld reader. You don't even need to take them off your wrist.

 

[Hikergirl]

We paid by using gift cards. I originally had 3 separate ones but I just put the minimum on the wrist one when we got there and transferred over the balances to it. I loved that each receipt let you know the remaining balance. I also used a GC to purchase the tasting sampler vouchers. If you are planning on buying higher priced alcoholic drinks, you can use those for some extra savings. The coupons were super easy to use. If you are just getting the food items, the sampler isn't worth it.

 

[PSUGuy]

Ditto the Gift Card and apparently you get a free-bee if load one with $200.
Bill From PA

 

[AngiTN]

I'm using the F&W Disney wrist card for our trip (also staying at Swolphin)

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Disney gift card is the best option. The wristband card, you don't even have to take it off, they will scan it while it's on your wrist. But you can only get that one while you are there, you can't buy it while you are still at home.

 

[Accident]

The sampler one is kind of large like your wearing a notebook around your neck... I haven't priced anything out but what I was interested in eating the first time I went through food and wine this year, it all ended up being right about $5 with only 1 exception. You need it to average out where it's more then $6 to save any money with it (I think, my head hurts and math is annoying sometimes).

I'm doing a second pass tonight to hit some kiosks that the line was just too long to even consider trying last weekend. I'm crossing my fingers an all parks close almost the same time weeknight works in my favor for F&W crowds.

 

[AngiTN]

Do they still have a limited edition card? I have a vague memory of one that runs $200 and had a $200 value on it and was only sold at the Festival Center
We never gave it serious looks in the past since we'd always stayed on site but this time we are not so I'm planning to get one. I'd like to go on and get the special one, if they have it. But I won't trek all the way back there if they don't.
We'll go back near there to get our AP Glass but not till our 3rd day

 

[MakiraMarlena]

for the 8 item sampler, including tax, not including the lanyard and pin, the food item value should be $7.75 per item to break even.

The most expensive kiosk food item is a tie: the lobster roll, and the Le Cellier beef filet at $7.75 each. The grilled lamb chop is $7.25. All the other kiosk items are under $7. A few are priced between $6 and $7.

Best value on the sampler is mixed drinks! Some of those are pretty expensive.

They do have a special limited edition gift card. It is a regular sized gift card. If you load it with $200 you receive a special edition lanyard and medallion. But you can also get the regular wristband gift card which you can load with as little as $15.

 

[AngiTN]

for the 8 item sampler, including tax, not including the lanyard and pin, the food item value should be $7.75 per item to break even.

The most expensive kiosk food item is a tie: the lobster roll, and the Le Cellier beef filet at $7.75 each. The grilled lamb chop is $7.25. All the other kiosk items are under $7. A few are priced between $6 and $7.

Best value on the sampler is mixed drinks! Some of those are pretty expensive.

They do have a special limited edition gift card. It is a regular sized gift card. If you load it with $200 you receive a special edition lanyard and medallion. But you can also get the regular wristband gift card which you can load with as little as $15.

Thanks. With DH and I there for 5 days we need $200 plus on a card so I'm good with the SE one.

 

[Hikergirl]

The sampler one is kind of large like your wearing a notebook around your neck... I haven't priced anything out but what I was interested in eating the first time I went through food and wine this year, it all ended up being right about $5 with only 1 exception. You need it to average out where it's more then $6 to save any money with it (I think, my head hurts and math is annoying sometimes).

I'm doing a second pass tonight to hit some kiosks that the line was just too long to even consider trying last weekend. I'm crossing my fingers an all parks close almost the same time weeknight works in my favor for F&W crowds.

I didn't wear the sampler one, I didn't even bring the lanyard part with the big card to the park. I just put the coupons in my wristlet.

 

[BrianL]

It's Gift Cards. The CMS will appreciate you using them too as they are the easiest for everybody. I never use the wrist ones, but always bring one dedicated only to F&W kiosks.

 

[GeneralTso]

The lanyard is huge and silly. Just break off the little coupons and use them. I carried the lanyard in my bag.

 

[Baptist]

I'm shocked. Why not use a credit card? You don't have to pre-pay anything. It's the most secure way to pay and you don't have to carry a lot of cash. Plus, you can easily track all of your charges. Am I missing something?

 

[Accident]

I'm shocked. Why not use a credit card? You don't have to pre-pay anything. It's the most secure way to pay and you don't have to carry a lot of cash. Plus, you can easily track all of your charges. Am I missing something?

time.. a quick scan and your off to wait at the next spot for your food.. cc's take enough time need you to sign (not much room to do that).. it actually gets annoying really fast going from booth to booth with a credit card..

 

[CMNJ]

I'm shocked. Why not use a credit card? You don't have to pre-pay anything. It's the most secure way to pay and you don't have to carry a lot of cash. Plus, you can easily track all of your charges. Am I missing something?

The OP said they weren't thrilled with the idea of a ton of small charges. If you sample a lot over the course of a weekend that could be annoying when you have to look through your credit card statement at the end of the month.

 

[Takket]

I always buy a gift card because they are fast and easy and I hate handling cash (ever seen the reports about how many germs are growing on money?)

But I've never heard or seen these wristband cards. Where do you get those? Whenever I buy a giftcard it is always at a cash register and they just have the little credit card sized ones. I could be saving even more time if I'm not fumbling around in my wallet for the gift card!

 

[CMNJ]

I always buy a gift card because they are fast and easy and I hate handling cash (ever seen the reports about how many germs are growing on money?)

But I've never heard or seen these wristband cards. Where do you get those? Whenever I buy a giftcard it is always at a cash register and they just have the little credit card sized ones. I could be saving even more time if I'm not fumbling around in my wallet for the gift card!

I think they only sell them at Epcot for flower and garden and food and wine festivals

 

[Takket]

I think they only sell them at Epcot for flower and garden and food and wine festivals

ohhhhhhhhhhhh well we do F&G every spring so I'll have to see if I can find one next year!