Money in the parks?

[starsweeper]

I usually pull $200-250 out of the ATM at home and get $10-20 in quarters for tolls on the drive. I use my magic band for most purchases and save cash for any vendors that can't accept magic bands (system down, etc). We don't use DDP because we often split meals, which saves money. I generally allow my 4 kids to buy 3 things each (1 large, 2 small) on a 5-6 day trip, so that's something every other day. I usually buy a Christmas ornament to remember the trip, so we spend about $300-400 on souvenirs for 5 people.

 

[loves to dive]

I spend about $300 per trip on souvenirs but that is because I almost always buy a mask in Italy which can run from $50 to $300 and almost always buy the current D&B purse and according to the size that can run from $130 - $300. I don't think I've ever been when I haven't had to buy one shirt of some kind, either long sleeve because I'm cold or a tshirt because I just have to have it.

I normally have around $300 of cash on the trip but I only carry about $40 into the parks, the rest is in the safe in the room. I always carry a CC with me as well, I never charge back to my room, I've found it's just too easy to spend too much when I do that and when I have to take out the CC that gives me time to think if I really need that purchase. I also always have an ID and my AP discount card. I have never, not once, charged to my MB but that's because I don't assign a pin to it because of the whole not charging to the room/the machines go down when I've tried (maybe twice)/and I can't ever remember the pin.

 

[Hopefully]

Someone mentioned it, but you mentioned you are on the DxDDP. You will need to factor in tips, they are not included. And with the DxDDP that can add up fast.
I only carry about $20 into the parks for just in case and I charge back to my room with my Magic Band. We buy very few souvenirs these trips now.

 

[HelloMimi]

On our last 5-day trip, I spent $20 on souvenirs, while my little sisters spent about $150 between them, so definitely don't rely on what other people are spending to gauge how much you will need. If you set a souvenir budget for yourself, you'll know exactly how much to take beforehand.

As others have mentioned, it's also a good idea to take extra cash for "emergencies." During that same trip, we waited in two different lines when the computer system went down, once for a churro cart and once at Wolfgang Puck Express in Disney Springs. At the churro cart, you had to have exact change since they couldn't even get their register to open, and at WPE, if you were staying at a Disney resort and didn't have cash, they were asking people to write down their card and room information so their cards could be charged later.

 

[babesboo99]

All make sense. I think I will just bring enough cash for the tips and I will just use my card . I forgot I can use the MB now for charges thank you to everyone .

 

[phabric]

We are on the dining plan so food is paid for and will use Magic Band for the tips.

Are there places in the park that only takes cash?

 

[babesboo99]

I would like to know that as well. Do you tell the waiter your using your MB for the tips how would that work?

 

[BrianL]

I only carry Itchy & Scratchy money in the parks because it's, y'know, fun.

Too bad nowhere in the parks actually accepts it.

 

[gap2368]

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 do not really carry cash on me I have what ever was in my wallet when I left and to be honest I can not remember the last time I needed or used cash for anything. I think even the CM selling bollons on main street take plastic ( not 100% sure) I think you would be fine with 30 or so a day or if you have kids 10-15 per-kid a day and then some for the adults

 

[ellie05]

The only cash we bring is for tips, so for bell staff and mouse keeping. Tips at restaurants are charged back to the room. We don't take cash out with us in the parks. We charge everything back to the room. We do have a credit card with us and our IDs. The only reason we have other credit cards with us is because our phone cases are our wallets. There are trips we only had our MB and never had an issue.

As far as how much money... Well that depends how much you like shopping.

 

[Amelia :)]

If you are using deluxe dining plan, I assume you will be having 1 or 2 table service meals, so bring enough cash for a decent tip! Souvenirs I would pay by card personally

 

[pooch]

I think it's partly a generational thing. Us oldie but moldies tend to have cash, young whipper snappers not so much. I always bring $50 in cash to the parks, although I use my credit card/visa rewards for most purchases. I never put a cc on my MB, as mentioned earlier, too easy to over spend. I use cash for small purchases mostly under $10 or so. Some days I use none of it, some days all of it. I replenish as needed every morning.