Travellers checks/credit card/ATM?

[cjeong]

Trying to decide which will be the best to use at WDW.

When using travellers checks do they charge a transaction fee for using the checks? Where can they be used? eg hotel, restaurants, shops, taxis etc.

Has anyone heard of credit card fraud at WDW. Will is be safe to use here? Do they charge any transaction fees to use credit card?

What about ATMs? Has any one used it at WDW? Is there ease of access to funds throughout WDW?

What are the pros and cons of these? Any bad experiences with any of these?

 

[sperk99]

Easiest way is to link a credit or check card to your resort card and use that. It's good for EVERYTHING!!!!!

 

[RebelHawk]

We always charge things back to our rooms and carry a little bit of cash in case we just want to grab a quick soda or snack.

We have never had a problem (other then sticker shock when we have gotten our bill at the end of the week) and will keep doing it as it is hands down the easiest way at WDW.

 

[pampam]

I prefer travelers cheques to atm or charge cards. There is a fee each time you use atm and even for most charge cards I believe. I would rather not have any surprises at check out, and it's easier for me to budget when I use travelers cheques. Many places have fee free travelers cheques. Ask around. There is no service charge when you use them. They are treated very much like cash. I have used them everywhere, even taxies. I usually cash them at my resort however, as needed. Usually $50 at a time. Off site you may be asked for identification as well, however I have never been asked at Disney.

Once, many many years ago, we had just finished having dinner at the Top of the World. A lovely meal. Duck l'orange, chilled strawberry soup etc. I'm sure you get the picture. I paid with TC but the but the restaurant manager came back. She wanted to know which resort I was staying at. It seemed the TC's were in Canadian $ and the banks were closed, so she didn't know what the rate of exchange was. I said no, they were in US $. I looked and was I ever surprised! Sure enough, they were in Canadian $. I was able to bill the meal to my room at the Poly. The bank had made a mistake, and I had TC's that were in the wrong currency. So, now, when I sign the TC's I make sure they are in US $.

Another time, not too long ago, I lost my TC's about an hour after I arrived in Orlando. What a way to start a vacation! Anyway, I reported them lost, and had replacement TC's in my hand early the next morning. It was just like on the commercials. I shudder to think what it would have been like if I had lost my charge card or bank debit card. I find TC's very worry free.

 

[cjeong]

Thank you everyone for your advice... looks like travellers checks are the best way to go. Will still have my credit card handy if needed.