Traveler's Check's, Credit, Debit, Cash for Parks?

[cheerdancer11]

My parents keep bugging me about this, they don't know how I should carry money around the parks. I'll be there for 4 days for a school trip. What's the best way to bring money for Disney, and are there ATM machines in the parks? Also, I have a Commerce Bank account, so do you think if I get a debit/atm card from there will it work at the parks? Thanks for your advice as always

 

[megrod74]

I use all 4. The bulk of my money is in Traveller's checks, so I don't have to worry about losing them or having them stolen. As I cash them, I have cash. Usually not much. Then as a backup I have my debit and credit cards. I think if you stick to TC's and a backup cc you'll be good.

I think the ATM's are Bank One.

 

[mar2728]

I think debit cards work great. Both of my girls started them up when they went to college. They use it whenever they buy most anything so they don't have to have much cash on them. And it isn't a credit card so they know they have to have the money in order to buy whatever. We are going to Disney in a couple of weeks and both my girls (18 & 24) will bring their cards and just a small amount of cash. The great thing about a card is you can use it to purchase items or you can go to an ATM and draw cash if really needed.
I also use my debit card for everything. When I go down next week I will only bring a little cash for those small items you buy...drink, snack etc. I personally wouldn't hesitate to debit anything over $5.

 

[megrod74]

As a follow-up - The only thing about a debit card is it's harder to budget. I like the TC's or cash to divide into envelopes for each day. If you aren't like me and don't need boundaries then you can just stick to the debit card. Ask your bank about fees when using another bank's ATM.

 

[IluvXU]

I personally enjoy travelers checks because I know they are paid for! No nasty credit card bills other than the room expenses. However it is awfully nice charging to the room key.. until the big bill at the end.

 

[LovePug]

I use my Disney Visa almost exclusively, but it's money that's already saved and ready to pay for after the trip. I like the thought that I'm already earning Rewards for my next trip . I take a small amount of cash for the rare times I need it because I can't use the card.

 

[shellybaxter]

I voted "other" because I don't carry cash, I just use my room key charge. Will you be staying onsite?

 

[Ilovestitch]

I mostly use traveler's cheques- they are free, accepted everywhere and help me control my spending unlike credit cards.

Also, say your wallet was lost or stolen, the traveler's cheques can be replaced w/in 24hrs. I doubt you could replace a credit card that fast.

 

[bugsy]

I plan to use room charges wherever possible. will take a very small
amount of cash for miscellaneous incidentals...other than that,room
charge definately, will do the same for our 4 night post WDW at US.
5 WEEKS FROM NOW OUR SFO TO MCO PLANE TAKES OFF!!!

 

[kandeebunny]

I'm in the Disney Visa camp. I always pay in full when the bill comes, but I like the thought that I am earning money to go back with. I also carry travellers checks too. I *never* carry my checkbook on vacation though. I dislike carrying more than $20 in cash.

 

[Leota]

I use a combo of CC, ATM, Cash & room charge. I used to get Traveler's Checks but now I just use the ATM instead, although I hate the $2.50 charge!

 

[ladydancer]

I take tc. When I check in I write out most of my tc and put the money on my room key.

 

[eleanor]

I take travellers checks and pay the bill the night before we leave. The rooms are already paid for.Some cash for tips and snacks. I use my room key but pay up before we leave.

 

[mar2728]

Well, it looks like I am in the minority here regarding using debit cards. If I weren't going to use a debit then my second choice would be to charge it to the room. For my trip, I would rather have no charges when I check out of the hotel...nothing more to take care of or pay when I get home either.

For a high school girl (the original poster) or as in my college age daughter's cases, I feel that the debit card is an excellent way for them to start using their money wisely.
My girls are very comfortable using it... probably because it is so easy. But I like that they don't have to have much cash with them when ever they go anywhere. (I am always worried that someone will grab their purse or that they will set it down trustingly somewhere while eating etc. Plus, girls don't always want to carry a purse and carrying folded money and cash can be a problem...remember this is a teenager!) And if the original poster ever needed more money for an emergency or if she came across that one item that she never expected to come across....she can always ask Mom or Dad to put money in her bank account back home to cover the item! This worked out well for my girls when they were in college. I would add to their account from home for monthly expenses or college expenses as they came up and they could just use their card as needed at college right on campus.

But mostly my thinking for the original poster of this message was that it would be good to have a debit card anyways....and learn to start managing her money. Good practice for real world and college!

Whatever you decide....have a great time...and try not to spend too much...I know that will be hard!

 

[LoraJ]

I like to use my room key
And I am undecided about which card to have it attached to.

 

[cheerdancer11]

thanks for everyone's advice! my friends just got back from ireland and also had good luck with debit cards. i'm going to have my dad take me to get one sometime this week.

 

[CarolA]

I would use the Debit card option or Traveler's checks.
Please don't carry lots of cash as it can disappear and you would have no way to recover.

 

[sk!mom]

We travel with a credit card, debit card, and a small amount of cash.

Credit Card is used whenever possible (easier to track expenses and safe against theft or loss because it can be quickly canceled.)

Debit card in case I need more cash.

Small amount of cash in case I can't use one of the other two.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I use 3 of the 4. The majority of my money is in Traveler's Cheques. Once I cash them, then I have cash. I begin to spend that cash and work the Traveler's Cheques again. My debit card is ONLY there as an emergency back-up or for "bigger" purchases. DH and I don't use credit cards. We haven't in 3 years and we're keeping it that way because as of April of this year, we are debt free!!!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

I do not like debit cards because if a mistake is made in a transaction,your bank account can be out the money for a long time, and other checks can bounce.

The discipline needed in managing one's money using a debit card can easily be applied instead to making sure a credit card bill is paid off in time (you can telephone toll free anytime to find out your balance) and avoid any finance charges and never really be in debt.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm