What form of money do you bring to WDW??

[BTDTGB]

We charge the room and tickets on Disney Visa, bring a little cash, and use the Disney rewards points accumulated since our last trip to pay for daily expenses.

We pay all of our house hold bills on the Disney Visa, at least the ones that don't charge to pay with a credit card, and as a result normally have enough points to cover food, drinks, snacks, and other expenses for three people over seven days. If you use a credit card and have not switched to a Disney card you are really missing out on some great savings.

 

[I Love Pluto]

ATM and cash get us through our vacation. We leave our cc number so that we can have express checkout, but we don't use it.

 

[disneychickforever]

where do you get Disney Dollars? I would love to give some to my sister for our upcoming trip.

 

[ZoZo]

Last year, went to WDW and stayed at Shades of Green. While this hotel is on WDW property, it is not officially part of the WDW "system," so you can't charge things to your room. (They also will not deliver purchases to your room there.)

In addition, there were four unrelated adults staying in the same suite. Rather than try to have everyone charge things to the room (and try to figure out whose charges were whose), we all took care of our own purchases.

My solution was to use American Express travelers' checks (the paper ones) in large denominations ($50). Kept most of them in the room safe, and took them out as needed. If they're lost, you can get replacements.

That said, next time I go I will try using an AMX travelers' check card. I couldn't find a place to get one for an amount less than $500, so that didn't work last year -- but I'm going to try it again next time! You can use it like a debit card (pre-load the money on the card), but it's not tied to your bank account (fewer worries if lost or stolen). Plus, you can still have it replaced if you lose it.

 

[mom2jcc]

ZOZO----
-----So no charging for us to the room!! That settles things....thanks for the reminder!!

 

[DIS4MYGIRLS]

Disney Visa all the way.... earning Disney dollars for future travel to Disney

 

[Kiddeokee]

I think I am sticking with the Travelers Checks/Cash. The charge it to the room just sounds tooooooooo convenient. Plus, then I can limit myself each day. I will get a book of one dollar bills for tips, and TC & off to fun (extra Travelers Checks can be kept in the safe.) No credit card for me

I'm SOOOOO Excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only 2 more days of Work and then a day of pampering & packing then it's OFF to DISNEY WORLD!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I certainly don't think that's the norm. In almost 20 trips using our credit card for room charges, we've never had anything like that happen.

Whether it's the norm or not, I can't say. All I can speak to is our experience, and that's why we'll never use that service. If it works for you, that's great!

 

[kimbac3]

I have decided to use Visa gift cards for my kids spending money. I am toying with the idea of getting one for my spending money too. I like the idea of cash but not the idea of carrying cash. I always end up with like 50 ones and it just gets crazy! I used my debit card last year and it worked great. What didn't work great for me was having to enter every transaction in my check register!! Do you realize just how many purchases you make over a 10day vacation?!?!?!? It was crazy!!
So now with 37 days to go I still don't know what I'm doing. By the way I'm not staying onsite so the room charge won't work for me.

Keep the tips and ideas coming!!
Kimba

 

[ShellyMouse]

That said, next time I go I will try using an AMX travelers' check card. I couldn't find a place to get one for an amount less than $500, so that didn't work last year -- but I'm going to try it again next time! You can use it like a debit card (pre-load the money on the card), but it's not tied to your bank account (fewer worries if lost or stolen). Plus, you can still have it replaced if you lose it.

where do you get these? do you have to go online? can you get one, and add to the balance weekly? they sound great!

i usually get the paper traveler checks. but the card would be so much nicer b/c i could get one for me AND one for dh. last year he was too busy to go to the bank with me to sign them all, and then was peeved when he couldn't use them. i would just give him cash after i "broke" one. grrrrr! MEN!

anyway, i would love to know where to get one, thanks!!

 

[plotmom]

where do you get these? do you have to go online? can you get one, and add to the balance weekly? they sound great!

i usually get the paper traveler checks. but the card would be so much nicer b/c i could get one for me AND one for dh. last year he was too busy to go to the bank with me to sign them all, and then was peeved when he couldn't use them. i would just give him cash after i "broke" one. grrrrr! MEN!

anyway, i would love to know where to get one, thanks!!

I just ordered an American Express travel card for my upcoming trip. I got it online at AmericanExpress.com. It cost $14.95 per card and took about 7 days to arrive. I believe there was a $200 minimum to start on the card but I could be wrong. You can add to the balance whenever you want and use it like a debit card or atm card.

 

[mom2jcc]

Is there a expiration date at all on the American Express card?

 

[jenelope]

This trip, I'm planning to do some cash for tips and small expenses, some traveler's checks to change to cash when it inevitably runs out, and my credit union-issued Visa for the bulk of it. That way I can transfer my vacation expenses from my vacation savings club account to my Visa as soon as I return.

I've saved cash as Disney Dollars and as traveler's checks on various trips, and I have to say I prefer traveler's checks. They come in larger denominations and are refundable if lost or stolen. It's not always easy or quick to get the money back, but if I lost Disney Dollars- that's it, they're gone.

Visa also makes a card version of traveler's checks. I think some terms might vary depending on where you buy it from, but I know AAA Michigan sells them with a minimum initial card load of $300, with a $4.95 card activation/purchase fee. On the other hand, National City bank has it with a minimum $100 load and a $7.95 (non-personalized) to $12.95 (personalized and mailed to you) purchase/activation fee.

 

[plotmom]

Is there a expiration date at all on the American Express card?

There is an expiration date on the physical card but not the funds. If the card expires and you still have funds on it you can get a replacement card (similar to the process when your credit card expires). I hope that makes sense

 

[Boston5602]

I put down a CC at check in and charge to my room ( although at times I have gone hog wild and not payed any attention to the final amount going to be due , this is not good <G> )

Its real convenient .

At Walgreen's and CVS they sell lots of different cards so I think next year I'll get a VISA or AMEX card at CVS and give those to the kids for their spending money. The AMEX card is a one time deal , but the VISA card can have value added on to it.

 

[Disney Doll]

A Disney VISA Rewards card, some cash, and the rest via ATM.

 

[deekaypee]

Most of our vacation is paid up front; we use CCs for hotel and major purchases. We carry cash for the daily expenses, including souvies. We don't carry balances on our CCs, so we do what we can to avoid the Disney imperative to buy more stuff than we need. (Don't ask how many pairs of MM ears I own! )