[magickingdom05]

Hi,

Well I'm getting down to the last few days before my trip and almost have everything done. I'm finishing up my vacation washing and will start folding stuff Monday.

Since I can pay for my resort balance and put money on my room key for food and souveniours, would you get TC, cash or both. CBR already said that I could do everything with TC, but is there anything that I would need cash for other than the towncar.

[Disneyfever]

We always take a little cash and then get money, as needed, from the ATM machines.

[bali]

I always go with enough cash to get me from the airport to the hotel, and do everything else with my ATM card (doubles as a credit card that takes money directly from my checking account). There are ATM machines at all resorts and in all parks, so there's really no reason to carry around too much cash at one time; and you can use your card/room key for just about every purchase at WDW (excluding some of the small food carts).

Traveler's cheques just seem like such a bother, you know? They can be replaced if lost, yes, but most credit cards can recover funds, too.

[Allyson]

In order to aid in sticking to our budget, we took about 1/4 cash and 3/4 TC...(nothing scientific about that ratio...just what we decided on). We took the CC for emergencies, but didn't use it. That just worked best for us...of course everyone has different situations....just go with what feels right for you and your family!!

[chiasgirl]

I don't think you need to bother with Traveler's Cheques. I think they are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Charge everything to your room and you shouldn't need much cash either. Take your ATM card in case you run low and you should be fine.

[magickingdom05]

bali,

I have one of those MC debit cards as well and was hoping to use it, but have heard horror stories about hotels putting a huge hold on your card, making some of the funds not available. I would also like to use this to put funds on my room key, so I don't have to carry cash around

Have you found this to be true at WDW?

[Disneyfever]

I use a debit card with the Visa logo on it. The money comes directly out of my checking account. I have never had any problems at any of the ATM machines with it.

[jodilt]

I used TC on my first visit in '96 and found them to be a pain. Now I charge to my room key whenever I can, and keep a little cash for the rest of the time. The only problem I have had is that the front desk sets a limit on your credit card and your room key will stop working as a credit card at that point. However, all you have to do is go back to the front desk and have them start a new folio for you and you can charge again. (I know I should be embarrassed to know this, but I spend a lot at WDW!!!)

[magickingdom05]

What I was thinking is paying my $600 balance with TC and put $1000 (max at CBR) on room key with TC. CBR already said it was ok to do this and then for any extra's I will use my MC debit card.

[gingles]

Originally Posted by magickingdom05

What I was thinking is paying my $600 balance with TC and put $1000 (max at CBR) on room key with TC. CBR already said it was ok to do this and then for any extra's I will use my MC debit card.

Sounds good. I'm one of those who has to carry at least some cash in case everything else doesn't work.

One advantage of TC's is the budgeting trick of putting a set amount of spending money aside in envelopes for each day (you wouldn't want to bring THAT much cash).

Everyone should be VERY careful about checking in with a debit card. My brother and his wife checked in to a hotel once and just handed the clerk their debit card to get the room, intending to switch payment to their credit card when they checked out. The hotel put about a $1000 hold on their debit card (i.e., checking account) and they went home to find a bunch of NSF's. Aaaah!

[gingles]

Originally Posted by jodilt

I used TC on my first visit in '96 and found them to be a pain. Now I charge to my room key whenever I can, and keep a little cash for the rest of the time. The only problem I have had is that the front desk sets a limit on your credit card and your room key will stop working as a credit card at that point. However, all you have to do is go back to the front desk and have them start a new folio for you and you can charge again. (I know I should be embarrassed to know this, but I spend a lot at WDW!!!)

I do agree that your debit Visa is much easier to deal with than TC's.

[magickingdom05]

gingles,

Normally I wouldn't get so many TC, but since they will all be used up during the checking in process and putting money on my room key, the TC will be gone. I just don't want to risk, having WDW put a huge hold on my checking account using my debit card and then not beable to get the money out I need.

[cinderbella]

We bring a very small amount of cash $100 maybe...and bring about 20-30 to the parks each day...we usually pay for everything with our room key....

[magickingdom05]

cinderbella,

It will be so nice not having to dig for cash, just pull out the room key. Plus anything I buy, I can have sent back to my room at CBR instead of draging it around with me, except of course my Mickey Ears.

[bali]

Jason, I've never had a problem with them putting a hold on my card; but, just in case, I'd call CBR and ask them what their usual policy is. They should be able to tell you if a hold on funds will be used or not, and then you can decide for or against the TCs for check-in. By the way, if you're going to use TCs, I like your idea of using them only for paying the cost of the room at check-in; you don't want to be carrying those things around all the time.