Making General park purchases?

[Sam_Snr]

Hi,

I'm heading for my first trip to Disneyworld in Feb.

I was wondering how you guys(Canadians) handle paying for things.

I know from experience that my bank card rarely works in the US, except a few places along the US/Canadian Border.

so how you you go about for spending money. put it all on a credit card? Charge it to your room, pay it off at the end? Travelers cheques? etc etc

 

[ABCanada]

Other than minor items such as tips we charge everything to our room and pay off the room with a US charge card.
With the fluctuating exchange rates we do this to avoid converting too much cash and then having to convert it back. We find that the exchange rate charge on the Canadian charge cards is very high. Using the US card allows us to convert the money when we feel the rate is 'decent'.
Disadvantage is that you risk not realizing how much you have spent but we are fairly thrifty so this is not an issue for us.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. I know if you have a TD debit card, it works in most US places now.I just usually find a debit machine and take out so much money for a day or two.

 

[fan1080]

We take cash and credit card. Generally, we don't spend alot, mostly food, charge as much as we can to the room, and pay it off before leaving with cash/credit card.

 

[Sam_Snr]

My bank card usually works at ATM's in the US. So i'll probaby take some out day to day.

but I will probably charge most things to our room. I figure that way we can stop by the front desk and get a print out of our charges for that day and keep track of our expenses.

I'll bring a credit card along in case of emergencies.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[highland3]

We charge just about everything to our room. I use my secret stash (shhh) of cash to pay it down after a few days.

 

[LittleFlounder]

For my last 2 trips, I bought U.S. money before I left home. I then charged everything I bought to my room and payed it off using my U.S. cash (kept in the room safe. I like not having to carry any money in the parks. Whatever I charge to my room, over the amount of U.S. cash I brought, I charged to a credit card.

 

[sk8jdgca]

i bought a gift card with traveler's cheques which worked out well-if you are staying onsite, you can put cash onto your room key-very handy

 

[disneyfreak89]

My bank card usually works at ATM's in the US. So i'll probaby take some out day to day.

Just be careful of the bank charges for withdrawing from a US debit machine. The machine itself usually charges a fee ($2-$3) then your bank will charge you as well ($2-$3). If you do it too often you'll be paying ALOT of bank fees!

Bring a bit of cash and some travellers cheques. The resorts are great for cashing them for you. Also, it would be in your best interest to get a US Mastercard. We used our regular MC last fall and we swear they tacked on another 5-10% exchange! Never again!!!

 

[Applemomma]

Also, it would be in your best interest to get a US Mastercard. We used our regular MC last fall and we swear they tacked on another 5-10% exchange! Never again!!!

Okay, it may be a dumb question but HOW do Canadians get a US card? I'll be in the States three times as it turns out this year and this would be really handy......could you get a Disney Visa?

 

[Debbie]

No Disney Visa for us. I have a US Mastercard through Bank of Montreal. You have to go into the bank to apply, but it doesn't take long to get. I find it really convenient, too, for shopping online or ebay purchases.

 

[Winue]

We did travellers cheques and cash. I like the idea of TC then buying a gift card when there. And did I read the above correctly?... the resorts will cash travellers cheques???

 

[tone.def]

No Disney Visa for us. I have a US Mastercard through Bank of Montreal. You have to go into the bank to apply, but it doesn't take long to get. I find it really convenient, too, for shopping online or ebay purchases.

I have one too! Best thing ever! Never have to worry about exchange rates when making purchases.

 

[disneyfreak89]

No Disney Visa for us. I have a US Mastercard through Bank of Montreal. You have to go into the bank to apply, but it doesn't take long to get. I find it really convenient, too, for shopping online or ebay purchases.

That's EXACTLY what we did....of course it helps if you actually bank at that particular financial institution.....if you don't, check out your own bank to see if they offer a US MC.

And did I read the above correctly?... the resorts will cash travellers cheques???

Yes, you read correctly! We were there last fall and they will cash up to $200 a day for you. Its a great convenience!

 

[Cdn Gal]

Charge to our room and then pay by MC so we get airmiles

 

[Winue]

I looked into the US credit cards last night, and almost all were a 19.5% interest rate I think I'll stick to cash & travellers cheques!!!

 

[disneyfreak89]

I looked into the US credit cards last night, and almost all were a 19.5% interest rate I think I'll stick to cash & travellers cheques!!!

Yes, like with any credit card, its only an advantage if you can pay it off right away. Since we have the funds already, by using our US MC we're saving the extra exchange rate our 'regular' MC would be charging us.