Large Amounts of Money

[seashoreCM]

>>> too $770 from my...

Can you get more/bigger credit cards for use at Disney and on other trips?

I guess travelers checks are an acceptable way to go, assuming the promise of quick easy replacment in case of theft, as seen on old American Express TV commercials, is still there.

You don't have to wait for the bill to arrive before paying down credit cards.

Are Visa gift cards replaced if lost or stolen? I know Home Depot gift cards are not.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I was going to ask about the Visa gift cards, too. I heard on the commercial that they are replaceable. I am thinking about putting our "cash" on two, one for me and one for DH, and not having to worry about losing the debit card or having the number stolen. Anyone done this?

 

[Brise Nannie]

FYI i was traveling with my little neices and nephew and had $30 in $1.00 disney dollars and bribing them to be good worked great.

I may have to try that tactic with my DGSs although I have to say whenever we go to FL (be it WDW or other location) they are different kids...very well-behaved. I keep joking it has to have something to do with the weather/sunshine. Hopefully I won't need too many $1 Disney Dollars during our trip.


famsen: What a nightmare! Sorry you had such an awful experience but I'm glad you were able to get things resolved. DH and I have gotten notification of possible compromises on 2 of his cc's and it has made me very nervous about doing any electronic transactions. My friends laugh at me because I don't bank online. Call me Goofy [no offense ] but I have to tell ya I don't relish the idea of trying to resolve a situation like you experienced.

 

[fey_spirit]

Ok, I have three problems that I was trying to fix, and with the advice of those here - I think I've come up with a solution to all three.

1.) The problem of not wanting to keep large amounts of cash handy, or risk my debit card while on vacation. Soultion? Charge my room card.

2.) Ok so I use my room card - but not everyplace takes the room card (Or any other charge card). Solution? Carry all souvineer and tip money in cash (So about 40 dollars a day)

3.) When using the debit card or the like I have a bad habit of losing track of how much I've spent, in an atmosphere like Disney I can only assume the problem would be compounded for me. Soultion? Purchase a bit of the play money that is obviously fake, but comes in denominations matching the real money I have on hand. When I use the debit card I can simply remove that amount of money from the play money and dispose of it - giving me a solid idea of how much I have left. The only part of this I haven't quite figured out yet is how to handel change.

 

[joshsmom]

Ok, I have three problems that I was trying to fix, and with the advice of those here - I think I've come up with a solution to all three.

1.) The problem of not wanting to keep large amounts of cash handy, or risk my debit card while on vacation. Soultion? Charge my room card.

2.) Ok so I use my room card - but not everyplace takes the room card (Or any other charge card). Solution? Carry all souvineer and tip money in cash (So about 40 dollars a day)

3.) When using the debit card or the like I have a bad habit of losing track of how much I've spent, in an atmosphere like Disney I can only assume the problem would be compounded for me. Soultion? Purchase a bit of the play money that is obviously fake, but comes in denominations matching the real money I have on hand. When I use the debit card I can simply remove that amount of money from the play money and dispose of it - giving me a solid idea of how much I have left. The only part of this I haven't quite figured out yet is how to handel change.

Sounds like you have it mostly figured out!!! I use my room card for EVERYTHING and it is WONDERFUL!!! Never have to worry about losing cash somewhere. And, its a great convenience to be able to go to the Guest Services desk and ask for a printout of expenditures for the day (or every couple of days). The nice people at ASMo saw I was getting close to my $500 limit last year and "charged it out" for me so I was set with another $500. My room key was backed by my Disney Visa so I also got more points!! I know, I know, they are but a small percentage compared to other rewards cards, but I use the points and I like it. But I digress . . .

Again, sounds like you're ready to go! Have a GREAT trip!!!

 

[tmli]

I have stayed at disney resorts (various categories) for 14 seperate trips in the last 5 years. I have never travelled with my cc I prefer to have cash/travellers cheques so I know exactly what I have for the trip and budget accordingly. I have ALWAYS put the majority of my funds on my room key (leaving some cash in pocket)...at times as much as $1500....of which I was always given full credit for. The only time I would have to go back to the front desk was about every second day when i would get a print out to check for errors...or when i would get within $50 they would give me a courtesy call to let me know. Upon checkout they refund whatever is owing.

I have stayed value, moderate, deluxe and dvc. It was my understanding the maximum limit was for CC because they don't actually charge the card til the end of the stay....they pre auth at the beginning to the maximum for that resort, they then would have to charge it to the card and pre auth for a second amount and so on. When they have the cash in there hands its a sure thing. My cruises have worked the same way.

 

[DizziDezi2]

I dont like to carry my bankcard in case I lose it- or overspend, then its 25 bucks for each transaction. I always get a AAA travel visa card when I go places. Its Visa, so excepted everywhere, has a predetermined limit (so I cant go over budget), it automatically adds 15% to sit down restaurants, and I can always add more on to it. I think its a one time 10 dollar fee to get one. I love them, plus they are replaceable if you lose them.

 

[kdzgon]

Just a minor point: traveling (in the resort (s) or to the parks) without any cashwhatsoever can be a bit inconvenient. More than once we needed cash - for tips, laundry and at a place that either did not take the room charge OR the machine was down. For instance, we paid cash for bottles of water rather than find another cart or wait in another line, etc.

 

[jjarman]

Ok, I have three problems that I was trying to fix, and with the advice of those here - I think I've come up with a solution to all three.

1.) The problem of not wanting to keep large amounts of cash handy, or risk my debit card while on vacation. Soultion? Charge my room card.

2.) Ok so I use my room card - but not everyplace takes the room card (Or any other charge card). Solution? Carry all souvineer and tip money in cash (So about 40 dollars a day)

3.) When using the debit card or the like I have a bad habit of losing track of how much I've spent, in an atmosphere like Disney I can only assume the problem would be compounded for me. Soultion? Purchase a bit of the play money that is obviously fake, but comes in denominations matching the real money I have on hand. When I use the debit card I can simply remove that amount of money from the play money and dispose of it - giving me a solid idea of how much I have left. The only part of this I haven't quite figured out yet is how to handel change.

You have made my day. I have been wondering how I would handle our money on our trip in March. What I usually do is get travelers checks for all but about $200 which I keep in cash. I put equal amounts of travelers checks in envelopes for each day. At the end of the day the left over money goes into a "Fun Money" envelope that I use for extras or take home. I have never had trouble using Travelers Checks but I am getting a little leary about the inroom safes. I know I can get the Travelers checks replaced but what a hassle. I am going to put all but about $100 of our money on our room key and use monopoly money to help me keep track. Thanks.

 

[Simba22]

we use our debit card, credit card, and Disney Rewards card. all three are accepted just about everywhere...including some of the small snack cart vendors (we bought churros and water at a cart in May and paid with a debit card.) Cash is just to risky to me

 

[Disney4Drew]

Can I put a Disney Gift Card down for charges to my room key? I have over 200.00 in gift cards, so this may be easier than carrying them all around! Thanks!

 

[Karnak]

We carry a small ount of cash with us and charge everything else to the room key. I like the charge summary that we get when we check out.

Me too. That seems like the best way to go to me.

 

[BlindTyldak]

last time i travelled to Disney with travellers checks was 8 years ago or so. Has anything changed where now the stores won't redeem them or anything, or do they only cash them at guest services now or something similar? I see a lot of folks talking about putting them on their room cards (I've dealt with wonky cards too many times to do that!) but never anyone just taking the checks to the parks.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

last time i travelled to Disney with travellers checks was 8 years ago or so. Has anything changed where now the stores won't redeem them or anything, or do they only cash them at guest services now or something similar? I see a lot of folks talking about putting them on their room cards (I've dealt with wonky cards too many times to do that!) but never anyone just taking the checks to the parks.

I've used them exclusively on several trips and not had a problem anywhere, even outdoor food stands. They are still more common than you might think, and I never once got a second glance or any "what is this?" question.

I often get mine in packs of $20's, and that works great in the parks. The cash back keeps a small bit of green in your pocket as well, so it's really the best of both worlds for me.

I've done the same with Disney Dollars and had the same experience. The only payment method they have phased out at the parks are checks; they really don't take them anymore for purchases in stores or restaurants.

Don't worry, you'll be fine!

NED

 

[Micca]

The beauty of carrying cash at WDW is that every 30-40feet you are carrying
a "safer" amount.

 

[joshsmom]

The beauty of carrying cash at WDW is that every 30-40feet you are carrying
a "safer" amount.