Money in the parks?

[babesboo99]

I was wondering how much money do people bring to the parks . We will be there 7 days at BCV the end of October and I was wondering how much should I bring for souvenirs. We have the DxDDP so we don't have to worry about food.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I don't typically carry a large amount of money on me, maybe $30 or so. I use cash to pay for smaller purchases (a soda or snack here and there) and my credit card for larger purchases. If my credit card is lost/stolen, I can quickly call my card company and have them cancel the card. But if cash is lost or stolen, it's just gone.

 

[ebradley23]

We typically don't carry any. We use the card attached to our reservation to charge purchases using our magic bands. The only time it's been an issue is when my son wanted a balloon. Those are cash only. Maybe this year I'll remember to bring cash one day to get him one. Poor kid.

 

[Klayfish]

That depends 100% on your desire for what you want to buy? Wanna buy the jewel encrusted replica of the Castle? Bring $35,000 cash...just don't sit on your wallet.

I'm not a big cash carrier anyway, and all places take credit/debit cards. I tend to carry $40-$80 cash on me to use as needed.

 

[NeuroCindy]

I don't know if anyone can answer how much you should bring for souvenirs since we don't know your financial situation. Bring what you're comfortable with spending.

ETA: I used my credit card or magic band, not cash.

 

[Accident]

I've had days where I spent nothing and other days where we got so wet I was buying new wardrobes, something hot to drink, and then there is that "must have that" thing you didnt' even know they made..

I'm more comfortable when I have backups so I'll have a credit card or two and some cash..

 

[Richard M Nixon]

The only time I ever used cash at Disney was to tip the valet and for entry into Jellyrolls.

 

[mom2rtk]

I highly recommend always having at least a little cash on you. It's not unheard of for Disney IT systems to crash and leave you unable to use your magic band for a while. If that happens when you are in line to buy lunch, it could be problematic.

 

[Grym]

I'd take an "emergency" small amount of cash like (~$50 or something) just in case an electronic system or something is down in order to temporarily survive the day and get back to the hotel. Otherwise, just magic band for payment in the parks and credit card in case of unexpected expenses outside of the park (like a medical emergency or something).

 

[Mikie]

Ditto @mom2rtk, but I never thought about it for a full meal. . . I bring maybe 40-50 just in case we need drinks and the MB scanners aren't working (has happened to me a couple times. Once, I had no cash and the very kind CM took pity on my cute son and I and gave us a couple drinks). My family of five would still be in a bind if I was waiting to buy a whole CS lunch and discovered we couldn't use plastic or MB - $40 doesn't go that far at WDW!

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Don't forget to factor in dining gratuities and other potential tipping situations. Also drinks, if you partake.
I prefer to use a cc in situations like this as well and just carry a little cash for incidentals.

 

[tobikaye]

It really depends on how many souvenirs and what kind you want to buy. I have spent anywhere from $20 to $750 on souvenirs during a week-long trip. The $750 was when I was doing Christmas shopping and bought a few larger priced items than I normal.

On a normal trip, I might plan about $100 for a week (per person), now whether I stick to that or even spend that much could change. I am not one for a lot of souvenirs so I am likely to buy a shirt, mug or headband. Even then, it has to be something very unique that I cannot buy at a Disney Store or online.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I typically carry a small amount of cash, and a cc. Prior problems with charging to my room left a bad taste.

With DDP and assuming no problems, you'll still need to pay a tip, for alcohol, and any non plan extras (not that you'll need any with deluxe dining) at each meal. It can be charged to your room , or you can use cash or cc.

We don't spend much on souvenirs these days, but that part is up to you, and how you'd pay. I think much of the merchandise is way overpriced these days. You COULD spend thousands each day if you wanted. The World Showcase is full of shops with all kinds of international goods.

Otherwise, - tipping isn't supposed to be debated on the DIS- but you may wish to tip bell services, housekeeping, or other services you use. Some folks opt to use a taxi here and there. If you are going between two resorts, it can be much faster than taking two buses.

If you want to use pressed penny or pressed quarter machines, you'll need some cash/change.

I haven't done laundry at WDW in a while!

 

[Accident]

You'll want some change and/or singles if your collecting pressed pennies or quarters from the machines.. not all penny machines are near a change machine but the ones that are, you'll get $1.01 from the machine for a dollar.

Also the shooting gallery requires cash.

 

[nerdydisneygirl90]

In the past I'm taken 20-40 dollars then had gift cards/disney visa points cards. It all depends on what you want for souvenirs.

 

[scrapquitler]

I was wondering how much money do people bring to the parks . We will be there 7 days at BCV the end of October and I was wondering how much should I bring for souvenirs. We have the DxDDP so we don't have to worry about food.

I usually only carry about $20 because I almost always charge everything to my room, but I like to have at least a little cash on me in case the system goes down, which has happened from time to time. But I don't think that was really your question....our souvenir budget is that we usually buy ourselves one thing each on our trip, so less than $50 per person, but sometimes we buy a couple extra things, and sometimes we don't buy anything. For example when we went to DL this spring (our first and perhaps only trip) we spent about $300 because we bought a hat, a hoodie, a stuffed mickey and 4 tshirts for the three of us.

 

[RedOne3781]

I only carry maybe $50 in cash at a time, at the very most. My remaining cash is either in the safe in the room or hidden very well in my luggage upon check in. The rest is either Disney gift cards or charged back to the room via Magic Band. I just don't feel comfortable carrying around a lot of cash. If it gets lost it's gone forever. Gift cards can be registered/linked and replaced if lost.
As for how much to save/bring total? That's something only you can decide based on your budget.
Last summer I brought a total of $250 with me for a week. My friend brought $3000.
I came home with $100. She spent everything.

 

[mickeygirl78]

I bring my Disney visa rewards card, Disney visa credit card and a small amount of cash ($30-$40) with me into the parks.

 

[TellTheHubbyLater]

You'll want some change and/or singles if your collecting pressed pennies or quarters from the machines.. not all penny machines are near a change machine but the ones that are, you'll get $1.01 from the machine for a dollar.

Also the shooting gallery requires cash.

LOL. The shooting gallery wipes out our whole cash budget for a day!!

 

[Bellhop97]

I would suggest around $100.00 .. again it all depends on what you need to buy.. and if there's an emergency...better to be safe than sorry..