How do you handle giving a child money for an extended trip(he's going by himself)?

[pat fan]

My DS will be going to WDW in April with his schools chorus/band.They will be gone 10 days and he needs to have his food and spending money but I don't really want to give him several hundred dollars in cash that could be lost/stolen. has anyone else had this problem?Any suggestions?

 

[crazyme5kids]

You could get travelers checks. We gave my daughter a pre-paid credit card for her recent trip to Spain.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I've had to do this several times. It depends on the kid. My dd I just gave the money to, but had her divide it up and put it in several different places.
My son I give him the minimum he would need and divide it up and put it in different places, but I also gave him a debit card that he didn't know the password to. This I had him tape to the inside of his suitcase. If he needed extra money he could call and I would give him the password.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

also, a prepaid phone card for his calls home would be a worthwhile investment.

 

[TEENEE]

My son will be taking a phone card, small amount of cash and Visa Buxx when he goes to Europe in June.

 

[Carl]

Teenee, will a phone card purchased here work in Europe? I've used phone cards in Europe, but I've bought them there. You might want to purchase some Euros for him from your bank, so he'll have some money to use when he gets there.

 

[Soccer Princess]

When I went to WDW with my band my freshman year, my mom gave me 2/3 in cash and the other 1/3 in traveler's checks. If they are staying on property you could also give him some in Disney Dollars. Whatever you give it to him in, make sure he puts it in a few different places. He'll have a great time!

 

[pat fan]

Thanks for the replies.

I had thought of traveler's checks,but I didn't know if he'd find them too much of a pain. Or if they would hassle him, being under 18 and all(don't know why, but some people do ).

TENNEE...what are Visa Buxx?

Soccar princess....No,he's not staying on site.They will be traveling to WDW & Universal,though.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I've used traveler's checks on three separate trips around the country and have never once been hassled, or even asked for ID. That being said, I believe people aren't supposed to have traveler's checks if they don't have photo id...even a school id will work. They are probably the best form of money, if he has an id.

 

[nativetxn]

My son went to Germany with his orchestra when he was 15. His spending money was divided 50/50 cash and traveler's checks.

 

[jsmith]

TEENEE-if you are giving your son phone cards purchased in the us to use in Europe two things to remember-get a global card and activate it before he leaves. Make sure that the 1800 number he will dial for access works in Europe because many of them do not
To answer the original question-when my oldest went to DC for close up when he was 15 he took some cash and his debit card. he is extrodinaryly fiscally disiplined and the debit card was on his own account. he did not use it at all, but he took it

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by pat fan
Thanks for the replies.

I had thought of traveler's checks,but I didn't know if he'd find them too much of a pain. Or if they would hassle him, being under 18 and all(don't know why, but some people do ).

TENNEE...what are Visa Buxx?

Soccar princess....No,he's not staying on site.They will be traveling to WDW & Universal,though.

My DS15 has had a Visa Buxx card for a few years now, here's the website that explains it: http://www.visabuxx.com/

You might want to look into it ASAP since his trip is next month. I don't remember how long it took to process when we ordered DS's card.

 

[MyDisneySig]

...with my DS going next month with the band. I haven't completely made up my mind, but I have considered a couple of things. I haven't ruled out travelers checks, but not convinced, either.

I checked with WDW and anybody can use the Disney Rewards card that we earn with the Disney Visa. I specifically asked about teens and they said it was fine, since no ID or pin required. That being said, the idea of losing the card is a little scarey, but it is a possible alternative to cash.

Another thought was a pre-paid mastercard. One of our banks offers this as a gift card. It looks and acts just like a mastercard with a number and all. It does not have a name on it, so no ID or pin, but can be used anywhere credit or debit cards are used. I also checked about their use in WDW and was told they are accepted. I walked in to the branch and purchased several for Christmas gifts and they worked out fine. They do, however, have an expiration date of about six months. And like the Disney Rewards card, there is a phone number to call in case of loss. I've thought of splitting his funds between two cards, so that if one is lost it wouldn't mean the possible loss of all his funds!

Perhaps you have a bank that offers this?

I may end up doing some combination of the cards and cash for DS, but still thinking about it.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Have you considered purchasing some of the Q&C Meal Vouchers? That way most of his meals would be covered without him having to carry as much cash around. Also, depending on the size of the group, you might be able to get the vouchers for everyone in the group direct from Disney.

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by SeaSpray
My DS15 has had a Visa Buxx card for a few years now, here's the website that explains it: http://www.visabuxx.com/

You might want to look into it ASAP since his trip is next month. I don't remember how long it took to process when we ordered DS's card.

I, for one, think the VisaBuxx card is INVALUABLE. Our DD18 has had one for over 3 years now and you can load money on it online, you can be notified via email whenever he/she makes a purchase, they can use it as an ATM (with a pin #) to get cash, etc.

It's wonderful. There is a yearly fee, but I think it's only about $15.

She used it when she went to Europe a few years ago and she has used it ever since for gas, food, etc. She will probably continue to use it through college when she needs some help with finances.

We endorse it enthusiastically!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

Our ATM card is connected to both our savings and our checking accounts. When we go on vacation, I put the vacation spending money into the savings account, and then use the ATMs when I need it.

 

[aprilgail2]

My god daughter is oging to WDW with band next week, her mom is giving her several hundred dollars in cash to take along with her. Its less likely she would lose that than a tiny credit card.

 

[pat fan]

Thanks again for all your suggestions. After talking it over with DS to see what he is most comfortable using,we've decided to split it between cash and travelers checks.I am also getting a credit card (one of mine with a $0 balance) in his name for EMERGENCY's!Not to bring something very $$$ home to his friends Thanks again, and if your in WDW third week of April, check out the Mohawk Trail High chorus at Epcot and say "HI" to my baby for me!