Magic Band vs cash

[yankebabie]

i usually use cash while at Disney as I feel that I am in better control of what I spend. But it’s a pain & prob not so safe to carry. So wondering if I use my magic band is there an app I can use to keep track of purchases as I go along

 

[mousehockey37]

It may be a pain, but ask for a receipt anywhere you make a purchase.

 

[yankebabie]

Yes thought of that but was hoping there was an app out there where I could put amount right into app and track as I go without too much trouble

 

[Marionnette]

i usually use cash while at Disney as I feel that I am in better control of what I spend. But it’s a pain & prob not so safe to carry. So wondering if I use my magic band is there an app I can use to keep track of purchases as I go along

You should be able to see your room folio on the MDE app.

 

[Alesia]

You could use a note taking app.

 

[yankebabie]

Oh i didn’t know that about MDE app. Even though I am going with other people & am under their app??

 

[Marionnette]

Oh i didn’t know that about MDE app. Even though I am going with other people & am under their app??

I cannot say. I have always been the planner for our group, so no one else has an MDE account.

 

[davper]

If you are going with others under the same reservation, I would pay everything out of pocket rather that use the band.

Less confusion and less chance of hurt feelings when no one wants to claim a charge.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I use my MDE app, not sure about being on someone else's MDE app. Is it friends or family that has you under their reservation? Depending on the relationship, I'd steer clear of billing to your MB unless it was my own card on file. If you have your own CC on file then I would do MB, I like my disney vacations since we don't have to use a CC or cash, it's just so much easier. But if you pay OOP as you go, just keep receipts and make notes in your phone app to keep a running total.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Additionally, you can go down to the desk at the resort every day or two and pay off your balance, or just ask for a copy of your bill.

 

[disorganizedchaos]

Additionally, you can go down to the desk at the resort every day or two and pay off your balance, or just ask for a copy of your bill.

This is what we've done. I go at the end of every day and use gift cards toward my balance. In the past, some CMs have allowed me to "over pay" and put, for example, a $200 gc on our account before charges were incurred. Some say it's not possible. Not really worth the fight unless its our last night. Our last day we typically use gcs/cash just so there aren't any surprise charges.

 

[Epcot242]

I've never used MDE to keep track. I usually end up getting receipts and then try to tally on my own somehow. Where in the app can this be accessed? I'd love to just keep track that way.

 

[Marionnette]

I've never used MDE to keep track. I usually end up getting receipts and then try to tally on my own somehow. Where in the app can this be accessed? I'd love to just keep track that way.

1. When you open the app, click on the icon that you've chosen to represent yourself (it will be at the bottom of the screen, in the middle).
2. On the next screen, tap See All Plans which is located just under My Plans.
3. Tap your resort reservation on the next screen. View Charges will appear a little more than halfway down the page.

 

[scrapquitler]

Yes thought of that but was hoping there was an app out there where I could put amount right into app and track as I go without too much trouble

Just use the notes on your phone.

 

[tvguy]

i usually use cash while at Disney as I feel that I am in better control of what I spend. But it’s a pain & prob not so safe to carry. So wondering if I use my magic band is there an app I can use to keep track of purchases as I go along

I had my Magic Band get caught on my coat and fall off in line on a ride. Thankfully a person in line behind me saw it happen and alerted me. So I'm not so sure the Magic Bands are a whole lot safer. I kept it in my pocket...with my cash...from that time on. Either way I kept receipts, which would work for either Magic Band or Cash purchases if you want to track your spending. You could always text yourself every time you spent something. No need for an App that way.

 

[georgina]

The magic band requires a 4 digit pin to make purchases, so it would be safe even if lost.

OP, I would buy gift cards to pay with, then you will get a receipt every time with how much is left on the gift card. You can manage gift cards on the website and transfer more money to it as needed, and if it is registered and you lose it you can log in and transfer the money to another card immediately.

 

[Judique]

The magic band requires a 4 digit pin to make purchases, so it would be safe even if lost.

OP, I would buy gift cards to pay with, then you will get a receipt every time with how much is left on the gift card. You can manage gift cards on the website and transfer more money to it as needed, and if it is registered and you lose it you can log in and transfer the money to another card immediately.

Yes, the magic band requires a pin so using it to buy something has safety features.

I like Georgina's suggestion. Use gift cards.

It appears you are going as the guest of someone and that they have the room reservation. They would have to authorize you to have charging privileges on your magic band to begin with. And then allow you to set up your credit card for those charges.

I've found it's easier for me to have people pay their miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs) without charging to my room, so I recommend they get discounted gift cards.

 

[yankebabie]

Well I have found a great app to use while I am there to track my spending. Very simple app that I can punch numbers in as I go along and it will keep a running total called the budget vacation tracker . That’s all I needed. Also I will put my cc on my magic band so I can use that. Thanks for all your suggestions!!!

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

I think you can load a gift card on to a magic band and spend that way. So no cash need to carry cash and you don't need to worry about overcharging.

 

[Belleofthehouse]

Someone correct me if this is wrong, but I think you can get a print out at your resort front desk of charges on your magicband.