News Disney to pilot electronic-only transactions at its resort hotels

[willtravel]

Does WDW accept checks anywhere?

 

[peter11435]

Does WDW accept checks anywhere?

No

 

[aprincessatlasst]

It's true that many people only use cards for most of their transactions, but many others don't, and accepting cash at a major tourist destination is a pretty basic guest service.

There are/were many things that you would think is "pretty basic guest service" that we just don't see or won't see anymore.

 

[WDWTrojan]

here in the states credit card fraud is rampant. Bank of america told me when I opened my account in Myrtle Beach, SC to NEVER use my debit card and be very careful using a credit card anywhere here. I am in a touristy city and skimmers are routinely put on gas station and grocery store self service machines. I've been hacked 3 times since I moved here 9 months ago. So I use cash everywhere I can. Our chip enabled places arent up to snuff with europe either. I worked for Marriott and now Hilton and none of the hotels were chip enabled yet so we are way far behind europe regarding ccard security.

Thankfully you are completely protected using your debit card, thanks to Regulation E. Bank of America doesn't want you to use it because they have to eat the cost in many cases.

 

[disney4life2008]

Disney Cruise Line has been like this for years, maybe even since it launched. Like other have said you can charge everything to the room and then just pay cash at the front desk. If you’re just visiting the resort as a day guest I’m assuming front desk would have a way to sell you a gift card for use if necessary.

Umm all cruise lines are like this.

 

[Capsin4]

This might be an issue for international guests. It's common (at least in my country) to buy cash dollars when the exchange is rate is decent and to use cash rather than a credit card to pay better tax on the money exchange rate (also because this way you control the exchange rate you're paying, which you can;t do with a credit card), as international credit cards tend to input a steeper tax on dollar purchases

You should be able to buy debit cards when you get the US.

 

[Jon81uk]

This might be an issue for international guests. It's common (at least in my country) to buy cash dollars when the exchange is rate is decent and to use cash rather than a credit card to pay better tax on the money exchange rate (also because this way you control the exchange rate you're paying, which you can;t do with a credit card), as international credit cards tend to input a steeper tax on dollar purchases

Coming from the UK I make sure I have a credit card with no fee for international use and that is the card I link to my room account. I get a promotion giving me the dining plan for free so I don't pay for food in general at Disney and all tips I charge back to the room account. In fact the only thing I used cash for at Disney last trip was pressed pennies. At Universal/Seaworld I did use cash for fast food meals, but when at Premium Outlets all my shopping went on card too, used very very little cash last trip.

If some people can't get a credit/debit card with no fee maybe one solution could be that the front desk accepts cash, so you charge back to your room and pay it off before the last night. This will at least reduce the number of people handling cash.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Coming from the UK I make sure I have a credit card with no fee for international use and that is the card I link to my room account. I get a promotion giving me the dining plan for free so I don't pay for food in general at Disney and all tips I charge back to the room account. In fact the only thing I used cash for at Disney last trip was pressed pennies. At Universal/Seaworld I did use cash for fast food meals, but when at Premium Outlets all my shopping went on card too, used very very little cash last trip.

If some people can't get a credit/debit card with no fee maybe one solution could be that the front desk accepts cash, so you charge back to your room and pay it off before the last night. This will at least reduce the number of people handling cash.

They do offer the ability to pay your room folio with cash or put a cash deposit down, charging against that. However, the people this will really effect are international travelers who wish to use US currency as a way to avoid conversion fees or kids/poorer/elderly clientele who, either choose not to get a card, are unable to do so for some reason or who don't trust using plastic. Whether you think these reasons are stupid or not, there are a lot of people who still need to pay cash. I just can't imagine the scenario when some family from a foreign country goes to pay their bill at Boma in valid USD and they won't accept it.

 

[peter11435]

I just can't imagine the scenario when some family from a foreign country goes to pay their bill at Boma in valid USD and they won't accept it.

I’m sure they will make the policy abundantly clear to guest through signage and verbally before seating and dinning takes place so that it never gets to that point.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Umm all cruise lines are like this.

I know it’s common practice on cruise lines, I was just sharing my experience from my time as a crew member on DCL dealing with guests using a cashless system, and to point out that there’s already a Disney “property” that has this in place.

 

[ThistleMae]

While I love the Magic Bands for payment, it's safer to use a credit card where not only can I dispute charges individually (instead of the whole bill at the end), I can also see all my transactions in real-time and even go back and handle it right there if they charged me twice for something.

Yeah, I don't use my MB for any transactions at the parks. If I'm going to buy something, I use my credit card. I never use cash for anything, even a small transaction. I rarely have cash, other than for tolls when I have to travel. And...for fresh produce at those small farm stands. Then sometimes I don't have the cash to buy a pint of blueberries...LOL!

 

[ThistleMae]

I think the variety is pretty good. And I'd resort hop to AKL just for zebra domes!

MMMMM...Zebra Domes!

 

[ThistleMae]

Thankfully I've never been subjected to credit card fraud...but I know if I do my credit card company will take care of it. I put everything on my card. I check it each monthly. Any regular bills I have are paid on the credit card as well. I get points every month that I can apply to any of my travel. I have no international fees if I go out of the country. I feel very safe using my card except when I go off shore to the Island stops when I cruise. I would only use cash there....so I bring a small amount, but rarely buy on the Islands. I don't know why I'm more paranoid about the Islands, but I am.

 

[jaklgreen]

Many, MANY places will not accept bills larger than a $20. Generally the accepted (but never posted) reason for this is a concern of a major loss if they accept a counterfeit $50 or $100... couldn't any vendor just make the same concern regarding ANY denomination of cash?

That is not why food places do not take bigger bills. They have smaller transactions and most people pay with a card now so the amount of smaller bills they keep for change is limited. The last thing you want is some guy to come in and buy 1 cup of coffee and hand over a $100 bill wiping out all of the change in your register. At the beginning of the day you start out with only $1,$5s and a few $10 bills.

 

[Dutch Inn '76]

I'm sorry to see this. I still like to pay part of my expenses with cash. It's a way to limit the heartburn when the cc bill arrives - and many times it's just easier.

 

[jaklgreen]

When I read this it actually gave me the creeps! What happens if this is rolled out for the entire property and you don not have any type of electronic way to pay!? Disney is that case, is limiting those who can vacation at Disney! BUT I see Disney offering their own type of card that guests can dump their vacation cash on when they get to property and use it that way! Disney own their own Credit Union, they could work a deal through Vista Credit Union!

If you are staying on property then you can just charge it all back to you room and then go to guest services and pay them with the cash. The problem is with day guests.

 

[jaklgreen]

I don't like this at all. I am a cash user on vacation and most of the time as I use the envelop system. It helps me with my budget. I allow myself a certain amount of money per day and once it is gone, it is gone. This is much harder to keep track of with any type of card. I really do not want to convert the cash into multiple gift cards. What a pain! Also, what about little kids. My daughter brings her own money to spend on vacation and that is usually cash. Yes, we could put her cash on a Disney gift card but that means she has to spend it all at Disney. Most of the time she comes home with money left because she is frugal. Not a fan!

We just pay for what they kids want and they pay us back. Simple

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

We just pay for what they kids want and they pay us back. Simple

I hear what you are saying but now that my daughter is older, I am in the process of teaching her to be more independant. She is very introverted and doesn't like to order for herself in resturants or talk to people in general. If she wants to purchase something she needs to go up to the cashier with her money, talk to the cashier and purchase the item. I am not always going to be there to talk for her and I take every opportunity to teach these lessons including on vacation. I am also trying to teach her the value of a dollar, earning your own money and spending it wisely. Having me pay for things and paying me back isn't teaching her in the same way in my opinion.

 

[flynnibus]

That is not why food places do not take bigger bills. They have smaller transactions and most people pay with a card now so the amount of smaller bills they keep for change is limited. The last thing you want is some guy to come in and buy 1 cup of coffee and hand over a $100 bill wiping out all of the change in your register. At the beginning of the day you start out with only $1,$5s and a few $10 bills.

It is why in large... especially in tourist areas. Large bills represent large liability. It's normal for fraudsters to launder their fake bills with normal small transactions to get fresh, legit tender. There is zero recourse or recovery for a vendor who takes a fake bill. They have to eat it.

Change is easily planned for - just increase your til size or have supervisors available to restock.

 

[rael ramone]

Does WDW accept checks anywhere?

*Travelers* checks..... unless something has changed in the past few months, yes. And unless something has changed in the past few months, they are free at AAA in the U.S.

And I'd bring some down with me as my *cash* for the times that only cash works (tips, tolls, cart's that are off the grid).... And to covert them to greenbacks I found the best place is hotel gift shops - sometimes picking up souvenirs, etc. - often after dinner. So Zawadi Marketplace was often the place where they got used.

TC's are another budgeting tool.

But Budgeting Tools Make Baby Mickey Cry.