Options for Room-Charging Privileges for Children?

[barbarossa_hoosier]

One year from today, we'll be on our first cruise. Our girls will be 10 and 9. We would like to give them as much freedom/autonomy as appropriate for their age, including the ability to purchase a reasonable amount of items while on-board (popcorn for movies, ice cream in the new ice cream shop, small souvenirs, etc).

Is there any way that we can control their room-charging privileges? Can we monitor charges in real-time, and then remove privileges once they reach our pre-determined limit? Can we somehow set them up to use a pre-paid Disney gift card associated with the account? Any other ideas?

(I did try to search this one, but my forum search-fu seems to be failing me.)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

One year from today, we'll be on our first cruise. Our girls will be 10 and 9. We would like to give them as much freedom/autonomy as appropriate for their age, including the ability to purchase a reasonable amount of items while on-board (popcorn for movies, ice cream in the new ice cream shop, small souvenirs, etc).

Is there any way that we can control their room-charging privileges? Can we monitor charges in real-time, and then remove privileges once they reach our pre-determined limit? Can we somehow set them up to use a pre-paid Disney gift card associated with the account? Any other ideas?

(I did try to search this one, but my forum search-fu seems to be failing me.)

You can't put a limit on their charging, only turn it off. Every time a KTTW card is used to charge something, it's listed on the onboard account by name (of KTTW holder). Certainly you can check the account on a daily basis to see how they're doing. And turn off the charging when needed.

OR, if you're talking about them buying souvenirs in the shops, a Disney Gift card can be used directly in the shops. The ice cream shop/popcorn/snacks those have to be charged on a KTTW card.

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

You can't put a limit on their charging, only turn it off. Every time a KTTW card is used to charge something, it's listed on the onboard account by name (of KTTW holder). Certainly you can check the account on a daily basis to see how they're doing. And turn off the charging when needed.

OR, if you're talking about them buying souvenirs in the shops, a Disney Gift card can be used directly in the shops. The ice cream shop/popcorn/snacks those have to be charged on a KTTW card.

This sounds perfect. We want the girls to have the opportunity to exercise responsibility, with a minimal amount of risk. I think we can combine the two (room charging privileges monitored/turned off at a certain limit), and a gift card to pick out a nice souvenir.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Honestly, your girls will probably surprise you on how responsible they are. Their ability to buy things is pretty much limited to snacks, ice cream (Vanelopes) and the shops. My older sons only ever bought popcorn or a drink for the movies. There were no huge charges for things, which I had expected. Talk to them about what's okay to buy and what needs permission first. That will go a long way.

But yeah, go to guest services and ask for a copy of your bill. Each person's charges are listed individually, based on the KTTW card that was used.

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

Honestly, your girls will probably surprise you on how responsible they are. Their ability to buy things is pretty much limited to snacks, ice cream (Vanelopes) and the shops. My older sons only ever bought popcorn or a drink for the movies. There were no huge charges for things, which I had expected. Talk to them about what's okay to buy and what needs permission first. That will go a long way.

But yeah, go to guest services and ask for a copy of your bill. Each person's charges are listed individually, based on the KTTW card that was used.

Oh, they're already very responsible. But I believe that they best develop that responsibility by being given opportunities where they can choose to succeed or fail, and I think the cruise will be an ideal such opportunity. I want them to have a lot of fun and to enjoy some freedoms and experiences they wouldn't get otherwise, but I also want it to be a learning/growing experience for them.

 

[PurplePencil]

Another option is getting them a gift card and putting it on there charging account. Everyday check how much is left (minus gratitudes) and let them know how much they have left to spend

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

Another option is getting them a gift card and putting it on there charging account. Everyday check how much is left (minus gratitudes) and let them know how much they have left to spend

How do we do this? As I understand it, all KTTW cards in a given room are tied to the same credit card on the account. Is there some way to set the girls up with a separate charging account, somehow?

 

[PurplePencil]

How do we do this? As I understand it, all KTTW cards in a given room are tied to the same credit card on the account. Is there some way to set the girls up with a separate charging account, somehow?

I believe you go to Guest Services and ask to put it on the girls accounts. @PrincessShmoo correct me if I'm wrong. I know it is possible because different families in the same room can have different credit cards.

 

[Dug720]

I believe you go to Guest Services and ask to put it on the girls accounts. @PrincessShmoo correct me if I'm wrong. I know it is possible because different families in the same room can have different credit cards.

I think the issue is minor children I believe have to be attached to an adult's account.

If the gift cards cannot be put on the cards, perhaps the kids could have the cards for the gift shop and have the rest of the money in cash and when they charge something they hand over that amount of cash to mom and dad?

 

[chaseg03]

One year from today, we'll be on our first cruise. Our girls will be 10 and 9. We would like to give them as much freedom/autonomy as appropriate for their age, including the ability to purchase a reasonable amount of items while on-board (popcorn for movies, ice cream in the new ice cream shop, small souvenirs, etc).

Is there any way that we can control their room-charging privileges? Can we monitor charges in real-time, and then remove privileges once they reach our pre-determined limit? Can we somehow set them up to use a pre-paid Disney gift card associated with the account? Any other ideas?

(I did try to search this one, but my forum search-fu seems to be failing me.)

Although it's not what your asking, I'm 14 and my parents put NO limit. They use it for trust and they give us more freedom next cruise. Just a suggestion. Sorry if I'm sounding like I'm trying to parent you. Anyways yes you can set limits.

 

[chaseg03]

Honestly, your girls will probably surprise you on how responsible they are. Their ability to buy things is pretty much limited to snacks, ice cream (Vanelopes) and the shops. My older sons only ever bought popcorn or a drink for the movies. There were no huge charges for things, which I had expected. Talk to them about what's okay to buy and what needs permission first. That will go a long way.

But yeah, go to guest services and ask for a copy of your bill. Each person's charges are listed individually, based on the KTTW card that was used.

I have to agree with this. Although Imdont know your kids, my parents trust me and I spend at most $75 for a 4 night cruise. I go to vanellopes a lot, a lot of that has to do with an CM I met a few cruises ago. It's crazy he remembered me. I would really buy nothing else.

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

Although it's not what your asking, I'm 14 and my parents put NO limit. They use it for trust and they give us more freedom next cruise. Just a suggestion. Sorry if I'm sounding like I'm trying to parent you. Anyways yes you can set limits.

To the contrary, I appreciate you sharing your experience! Thank you.

This is exactly the kind of arrangement I want for my girls.

 

[Bethany10]

a Disney Gift card can be used directly in the shops

good to know thanks.

How do we do this? As I understand it, all KTTW cards in a given room are tied to the same credit card on the account. Is there some way to set the girls up with a separate charging account, somehow?

Not separate accounts, but can you take a gift card to guest services and have it applied to the room account? Let's say my mom wants to give DD $50 on a disney gift card for the trip. DD knows she has $50 she can spend anyway she wants to on the ship. She spends her money (using her KTTW card) and I go to guest services and apply the funds to our account to pay off "her" portion of the bill.

Yes it's all one big bucket of costs/money I myself MUCH prefer giving DD the actual gift card to use as it truly sets her limits then and there, but it would be another option. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here as I'll have to come up with plan B if I am.

My concern is we're going to be going to Universal after the cruise, and her love is Harry Potter. I want her to be able to make the decision to save or spend her vacation funds knowing she'll have Potter merch calling her name once we get back to Orlando. I don't want to lock her in with a gift card if she doesn't want to spend on the boat.

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

Yes it's all one big bucket of costs/money I myself MUCH prefer giving DD the actual gift card to use as it truly sets her limits then and there, but it would be another option. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here as I'll have to come up with plan B if I am.

In our case, I'm not much worried either way. We could give them each a $50 gift card to spend in the shops, and tell them they can spend $50 on their KTTW cards, all however they want - or just tell them they each have $100 to spend on their KTTW cards. That will be a LOT of money for each of them (and at the same time, some of the prices will cause quite the sticker shock).

I trust them enough not to go into Tiffany's

 

[MaleficentRN]

Honestly, your girls will probably surprise you on how responsible they are. Their ability to buy things is pretty much limited to snacks, ice cream (Vanelopes) and the shops. My older sons only ever bought popcorn or a drink for the movies. There were no huge charges for things, which I had expected. Talk to them about what's okay to buy and what needs permission first. That will go a long way.

But yeah, go to guest services and ask for a copy of your bill. Each person's charges are listed individually, based on the KTTW card that was used.

Three cruises with my kids since they were 11 and 13. Always gave them charging privileges. You know how much they've spent? Nothing. Not a dime. I don't even think they've gone into a gift shop on our trips. They were just so busy doing other things to spend any money. My husband on the other hand...