Why get Disney Dollars?

[vossjemi]

Pls excuse my ignorance, but I see so much mention of Disney Dollars, I just wanted more info about them.

1)Are they necessary to purchase things in the park?
2)If not, why do people get them? Just for fun?
3)Do they act like cash?
4)Where all can you spend them?
5)Where can you purchase them?

And, pls tell me anything else you can about them. Thanks.

 

[rkmassa]

For us it is a way to keep from spending money before we go. We buy Disney dollars and put them away. Can't spend them like regular money, so we are never tempted to use them. The money will be there when we go. Now if we had "regular" money. I might say...Oh I will spend only $20 and put it back later. Most of the time I would not put it back. Helps us save better. Also same for the kids. They can't spend their money either in between trips if it is Disney Dollars they are saving.

We get them at the Disney Store, which is over an hour away. They spend like cash in the parks. You can use them for anything.

 

[Lynn4Mel]

We are going down to celebrate my daughters birthdays and going to give them Disney Dollars for their birthdays as their present. Then when we are down there they can spend their own money and not so much of ours. This way maybe their "Gimmie Gimmie Want Wants" will be a little more under control. When we get home if they have any left they can use it at the Disney Store.

 

[weluv M&M]

We love them because it is a great tool to use on "travel day"...Our kids know that each time they do what they know that they are supposed to do ie. getting dressed, making bed, etc., on the day that we travel to Disney, that they will be rewarded with Disney$. Throughout the day if they keep up in the airport, help with the luggage, don't kick the seat in front of them on the plane etc. then they are again rewarded!!!They love it and I love how agreeable it makes them that day. They also have Their own "budget" of Disney$ to spend in the parks. They do spend like cash. When you purcase something with them you receive the change back in regular cash.

 

[WillCAD]

Pls excuse my ignorance, but I see so much mention of Disney Dollars, I just wanted more info about them.

1)Are they necessary to purchase things in the park?
2)If not, why do people get them? Just for fun?
3)Do they act like cash?
4)Where all can you spend them?
5)Where can you purchase them?

And, pls tell me anything else you can about them. Thanks.

1) Nope, Disney accepts cash and credit cards.

2) Mostly just for fun, but also as a way to set aside money for their trips, because the only place you can spend them is at Disney stores, parks, and resorts.

3) Yup, they come in $1, $5, and $10 notes, each equal 1 to 1 with US dollars, and they are used just like cash in Disney stores, parks, and resorts. In fact, when you spend Disney Dollars, you get regular old US money back in change.

4) Any Disney-owned store, park or resort anywhere in the United States.

5) You can buy Disney Dollars from any Disney Store in the US, or from WDW Mail Order - (407) 363-6200, or from Guest Relations at any of the WDW parks or resorts in the US.

For more info and images of Disney Dollars, see my DD$ web page:
WillCAD.org - Disney Dollars Page

 

[vossjemi]

Thanks Guys! Love the website willcad! That's a great idea of giving the kids the $ for good behaviour! I'll have to use that one!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

For us, it has been a way to save money and not sneak a few bucks out prior to the trip. We usually buy a certain amt of disney dollars and put them in an envelope and let it build up to add to our spending money when thr trip to WDW comes around. Often family and friends will throw a few disney dollars into birthday or holiday gifts when they know we are plannign a WDW trip. We got a lot of disney dollars from family on the holidays preceeding our wedding since we were doing half our honeymoon at WDW.

 

[mimif1]

We got a bunch of Disney dollars and every month we post extra jobs that can be done to earn Disney dollars. The kids have regular chores that are done because they are part of our family that they don't get paid for. Only jobs over and above are paid for. Who knew that my kids would pick up trash from the roadside for hours on end? And that they would find bags upon bags of it! Yuck! I can think of some pretty awful chores that nobody wants to do, but put a Disney dollar price on it, and they fight over who gets to do it! They also have the option of going through their old toys and trading them for Disney dollars. I also make extra homework practice packets that the girls can do to reinforce any new concepts they are learning at school. Each packet is worth a certain amount and it has to be completed to earn any money. I've never seen so much willingness to practice multiplication and division facts in my life! My kids know that I'll buy some things at Disney, but if there is something they really want, they better save those dollars!

 

[ladydancer]

FYI....Just went to the Disney store yesterday to purchase Disney Dollars for grandkids brithday's next week-end. Was told they do not have any because Disney is changing there dollars because of the anniversary. So was given a number to call to see if they had any that could be sent to me. I didn't bother to call because there brithday's are in 6 and 8 days respectively.

Thought it would be nice to give them the dollars as I am taking them to WDW in April.

 

[HollyJoy]

We got them for our girls as a fun thing. Also, I stole a couple for my scrapbook!

 

[NJDisneymom]

I've had a terrible time getting disney dollars since January. Every disney store in my area is sold out (I've called 5 of them). Our trip is in May but my son's birthday is next week and I was hoping most people would give him disney dollars.

I agree with the other posters about them being fun for the kids. Mine love to "earn" Disney Dollars before our trips.

 

[Mamu]

When my GrandChildren are planning a trip I always purchase Disney Dollars as Gifts. They love receiving them.

They do make a nice gift for someone who is planning a Disney Trip. Next time you are looking for something to buy that person who needs nothing how about some Disney Dollars.

 

[madalex]

We use the Disney dollars as the children's "budget" for souvenirs during the trip. They decide what to spend and once the Disney dollars are gone, no more souvenirs!

However, I also like the idea that others have posted about using them as a reward for the children for chores and good behavior. That way, they can be in charge of their own destiny, to a certain extent.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

WillCad pretty much covered the bases, but I too have to weigh in on how much I enjoy them.

Often times, I buy my food-budget in Disney Dollars when I arrive, then I pay for all food with them (from a bottled water to dinner at the Brown Derby). I put all the cash-change I get (I usually just carry 10's of DD) in an envelope at the end of the day. Then, at the end of the trip whatever I have left over in Disney Dollars or in that envelope, and I spend on some treat at the end of the trip (a hat, or book maybe - something special to remember the trip by).

In that way it helps me to budget, but it also helps the magical feeling of being in WDW to not handle cash so much. There is just something nice about handing someone a picture of Minnie Mouse and getting some food or pin or whatever. It's still money, so it's not so much to convince yourself you aren't spending money, but just a little extra magic in your day.

You won't have a single problem using them absolutely anywhere on property - from valet parking to paying your resort bill, or any stand, kiosk, or counter that takes cash. You can also transfer them back to real cash if you need (I hear there are limits though - like $100 and you have to have the original purchase reciept), but I've never had to do that. I usually buy DD's for what I know I'm going to spend, and take the rest in travelers checks/debit cards.

N.E.D.

 

[lsteadman]

they are certainly not a necessities but they are a nice gift to give children. Your Visa, Mastercard, and/or Amex will do just fine....then there is always good ole' green backs.

The Disney store at the Mall of America still only has 5's as well.