So who else travels with cash, at WDW?

[alisigns]

I have all of my Disney money in savings right now so that I don't have to go into debt. However, I do have a credit card that offers rewards on money spent, and why not take advantage of that? Because my credit card is also through my bank, I can transfer from my savings to the card as needed to pay it off and put the whole trip on rewards while immediately paying it off as well.

With regards to cash, I plan to have separate envelopes for the parking fee each day and take them along as the day comes and maybe $40-50 each day for those little things that can't be paid for with CC.

Just my little thoughts and plan.

 

[KMcCP]

I am also a gift card hoarder to cover our spending. I start buying them as soon as we book our trip. It worked out great last time we went in 2012. We used our KTTW cards for everything and I paid it off every few days while there. I'm planning on doing that again when we arrive this weekend, only using the magic band instead of course. I do however usually carry a $20 bill with me just in case we need cash for something.

 

[lustergirl]

I bring a little cash but also use a prepaid debit card through Amex. Loading money on it is free and I save throughout the year.
I have an app on my IPhone and check the balance all the time to keep track.

 

[nkereina]

I do attach my credit card to my MB for purchases, but I also carry around $300 cash in small denominations for tips. I use this for the DME driver, bell services, as well as at TS meals. We do DDP, so for TS meals, I find leaving cash as tips much easier than trying to do it with gift cards or charging back to the room.

 

[chelseabun76]

I plan on carrying enough cash for tips, and then a bit extra for snacks. I don't like the idea of shopping and losing track of what I am spending because I can't see the total as I go, I'm not great with money I'm a shopper. So I am thinking of taking cash and putting it in the safe, and paying off at the desk at the end of each day so I can see better what I'm spending.....

 

[nanceliz]

I like to carry cash or travelers checks. I use my debit card normally but at Disney, it's easier to know where my money stands and how much I have left to spend if it's cash.
I tend to spend more using debit card

 

[wdw&sonny]

CC linked to MB. I rarely use cash in real life. Capital One rewards add up each year to pay for 1 or 2 days of the trip. Have never carried a balance either.

 

[Crazyhorse]

We are straight cash people too. Leaving tomorrow , and have $1500 cold hard cash in our pockets. Keep in mind though, that $350.00+ will be spent right out of the gate. Round trip home airport transportation and three trips with Tony Hinds in Orlando that need to be paid in full tomorrow.

We also don't carry a CC card balance and what with all these identity thefts happening, restaurant chains included, who wants to take a chance with a CC?
We have two big ticket meals, Yachtsmen and Narco's so will likely use the MB but otherwise, cash. Booze, snacks, whatever. We're cash people at home too, gas station/Groceries, etc. Amongst our friends, we're in the minority.

 

[JaimeA]

In Disney and in real life I might have $20 on me. Usually less. I use CC for everything.

 

[SarahJC]

I usually carry $50.00 or so into the park with me. I rarely bring my CC into WDW unless it's for an ADR... I've always been skeptical about linking or storing information about my CC onto MB.. I never do online banking either.. lol. Call me crazy, I'm just old school.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

I carry small amounts of cash for tipping and such, but that's it. I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying too much cash around.

 

[allie_to_you]

I can't possibly be the only one who uses cash on a Disney vacation.

We are a cash only family. Long before our trip starts, I create envelopes for everything we will need cash for (parking, spending money, restaurants/tips, etc.) along with a spreadsheet listing all our charges. As I fill up the envelopes, I enter the amounts in my spreadsheet so I can see at-a-glance how much more we have left to save.

Then, when trip time comes around, all I have to do is pull out my envelopes and I have the money on hand. This works especially good for the restaurants, as I pre-calculate the amount the meal will be with tip, so all I have to do is pull out an envelope once we get the ticket and I don't have to do any additional calculations of figuring up how much we will owe.

 

[Virtucomp]

We use credit cards and gift cards for trips. Minimal cash because I can't replace cash if I loose it.

I've had credit cards for 30 years. The few times someone stole my card number were....

A Refrigerator Repair Man
A credit card that I did not bring on my Disney Trip so it was stolen from the last place I used it.
A temporary card that they issue to me and someone on the west coast at the same time. (oops).

The credit card company took care of all of the charges so it cost me nothing.

I've lost more cash that money from credit cards.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm late to this party, but after reading about police asset seizure laws, my interest in carrying large amounts of cash is greatly reduced.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I tend to carry a small amount of cash on me per day, in case I come upon a situation that I can't use my debit card. I have never linked a card to my room (or now MB) because I have always stayed with a lot of friends, and I didn't want to be responsible for their frivolous purchases. Next trip it is only myself and my boyfriend and I am sure we will link a card to the room and just pay it at the end of the day or the next morning before we head out. We rarely buy souvenirs but are big on eating, so we will have to keep an eye on that.

Besides my debit card and some cash, I always take one credit card in case of an emergency....or an emergency souvenir that was out of the preplanned budget!

 

[Webpixie]

Hate carrying cash, it's dirty and I seem to lose it easier. CC or a Disney Reward card with disney dollars on it...

If you are worried about going over a budget I would take that cash and buy a Visa gift card instead. That way you will only spend what you have and if you lose it it can be replaced. Keep a small cash amount on you for "emergencies" and just charge everything with the Visa.

 

[pmaurer74]

We use cash only for tips for the concierge.. that is all.

 

[Rose23]

We're combo folks. We do cash and Disney gift cards that we have purchased throughout the year to use at the Disney parks. At Giant Eagle, you get serious gasoline points when you purchase the gift cards. With over 29 trips, we've never charged anything to our room.

I also don't like the credit card number being linked to my MagicBand.

Do whatever works for you. )

 

[crbrnc]

I can use my Disney Rewards card for purchases? I was going to buy a gidt card with
it. Never knew its good for purchases. What about food? We are doing OOP.

Thanks!

 

[Webpixie]

Oh heck yeah! Disney reward card is basically a CC with disney dollars on it. Charge for tickets, food, snacks, hotel charges, hotel rooms...etc.

You have to actually get a Disney Rewards Card and transfer your disney reward dollars to it. You can get one online and it requires a $10 transfer right off the bat, BUT if you go to Downtown Disney you can go to the Visa desk there and they will give you one immediately, no waiting. They do have a short expiration date on the cards, and if they expire with dollars on them they are lost. I usually transfer a small amount, use it up, transfer more use it up. That way I am not accidentally left with $20 on a reward card and trying to find something I don't need to spend it on -lol-

On the other hand, if you transfer all your Disney Reward Dollars to the card, and it is about to expire, if you "lose" it close to your expiration date the Visa desk will give you a new one to replace it, which just so happens to have a new expiration date on it. YMMV.

Always nice to transfer a few hundred dollars or more to a rewards card for a weekend trip....

I can use my Disney Rewards card for purchases? I was going to buy a gidt card with
it. Never knew its good for purchases. What about food? We are doing OOP.

Thanks!