How do you spend $$ at Disney?

[littlejewel]

I am wondering if one of these options are the best bet for how to spend money at Disney:
1. Purchase gift cards at Sam's Club, charge everything to the room, then pay off balance with gift cards.
2. Pay cash for everything.
3. Use our Disney Visa card to pay for everything and then pay it off when we get home.

How do you spend money when you go to Disney? Thanks!

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

Wow, great question.

I pay for as much as possible ahead of time such as getting a Dining Plan, MEmory Maker, tours, etc stock up on snacks and water, so when I arrive I really am budgeting for merchandise for my daughter and I, any alcoholic drinks, and meal tips. What I have for about 2 years now which really works for me is I have a Green Dot debit card that about 6 months before my trip, I start to deposit like $50 a month on it and I never request a PIN so Im not tempted to withdraw. I also don't carry it around with me, so Im not tempted to use it. Anyhoo, I bring that card and that card only with me (unless IM renting a car, then I have to bring my regular Credit Card) and will usually have close to $1000 on it by that time. I link that card to my account at check-in and then use my magic bands to charge everything, keep all the receipts keep daily track of what I spend. My target is $50-$100 a day. But this way, Im not touching bill or mortgage money, and will always have leftover when I get home. I do also bring cash with me for personal tips, and emergency, etc.

 

[darrengs]

It's not an easy answer. For example there are some shops and restaurants that will give you discounts if you pay with your Disney Visa. So I usually use my Disney Visa there and charge back to my room and then if I have reward pojnt or gift card use that at the front desk to pay down the charges.

 

[v.t.]

It's not an easy answer. For example there are some shops and restaurants that will give you discounts if you pay with your Disney Visa. So I usually use my Disney Visa there and charge back to my room and then if I have reward pojnt or gift card use that at the front desk to pay down the charges.

That is what I do. I use my Disney Visa to pay for the reservation and pay the credit card off early enough to receive the points. I then get the points transferred to a gift card which I use at the front desk to pay for the extra charges to the room.

 

[dansdad]

I buy gift cards at Target throughout the year until I have enough to pay for a trip, saving 5%. Once trip is booked, I continue to but gift cards which we use for meals, tips, souvenirs, etc. While on site we charge everything back to the room and use the gift cards to pay off the balance. Our last couple trips we have spent less than $100 cash. That was tips for mousekeeping, bell services, ME driver, cab rides, etc.