Money question

[Sam02]

My sister does not have credit cards or debit cards and doesn't want them either. If she puts a cash deposit on her KTTW card so she can still use it to buy things at the parks w/out carrying cash and then has money left over at the end of the trip, how does she get the refund?

Will it be credited back to her account, given to her at checkout, something else? Thanks for the help.

 

[santa's surpriz]

She actually has a spending limit of $1000 on her KTTK card. She can then pay off by check, cash, or charge. I am not sure she will need to post a credit when she gets there though. I can't remember what I did, but before check out I remember paying off my balance so that my credit card would not be charged.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm not trying to be mean, but the above post is incorrect.

A room charge account must be backed up by something before it can be set up. You don't just say you want a room charge and then figure out how to pay for it later.

At time of check-in, they'll ask if you want to set up a room charge. If you do, you can back up a room charge with a credit card, debit card, cash, travelers checks, or even Disney Dollars.

If you use plastic to back it up, they will swipe the card and run a charge of zero dollars and zero cents, just to make sure the card is valid and is attached to an active account. They don't even check if you have sufficient available credit/bank balance. The card won't be charged until you reach your room charge limit (more on that later) OR until it's some time after midnight in the wee hours of the morning of your check-out day.

Any time prior to the time your card is charged, you can go to the front desk and pay down your account by any means you wish (in other words, you can do like santa's surpriz did ... use plastic to back up the room charge, but pay it off with cash before the card gets charged, if you like).

If you back up the room charge with cash, travelers checks or Disney Dollars, you must hand over that currency at the time you set up the account. If you don't reach your limit, when you check-out you will be refunded unused funds in U.S. dollars.

Now, about room charge limits ....

The maximum limit is dictated by level of resort. At Value resorts, the maximum room charge limit is $500. At Moderates it's $1,000, and at Deluxes it's $1,500. If you set up a room charge, the front desk CM will automatically set it to that resort's maximum amount, HOWEVER, you can request to set the limit at a lower amount. Not all CMs know this, and if they give you a problem, nicely ask them to check with a supervisor, because it can be done (I've done it twice at 2 different resorts, but both times the CM checking me in told me it can't be done that way, until I asked her to check it out).

So to directly answer your question, Sam02, your friend can put down cash to set up her room charge, and when she goes to the front desk to check out of the resort on her last day, she will get an immediate cash refund for every penny that was NOT consumed by her room charges.

 

[CleveRocks]

I forgot to mention something about the room charge limits. If you meet your limit, you can simply set up another room charge. It's not like that limit is a limit for your entire vacation.

You can set up another room charge by going to the front desk. But even more conveniently, you can just call them if you want. This comes in handy when you are in one of the parks when you reach your limit!!!

Another note: At any time, as often as you like, you can go to the front desk and get an up-to-the-minute itemized print-out of your room charge activity. It will list the location, date, time, card number, and total amount of your purchases. It will not list every individual item you bought ... if you buy 4 items in a single transaction, it will list the total amount of that transaction.

 

[Sam02]

Thanks for the replies! I love my sister to death but sometimes she amazes me with her lack of common sense. She thought if she put "x" amount of money on her room but didn't spend it all then she would be out the money. She was thinking it was similar to the dining plan.....use it or lose it. :brick:

I will pass on the news that she will get an immediate refund, she'll just see it as spending money for the trip home.

 

[maryszhi]

i honestly never knew there was a limit, but knew you needed something to back it up

 

[fosse76]

The maximum limit is dictated by level of resort. At Value resorts, the maximum room charge limit is $500. At Moderates it's $1,000, and at Deluxes it's $1,500.

I find this to be offensive and classist at the most extreme level. Just because someone is staying at the Pop Century doesn't mean they can't afford to stay at the Grand Floridian. This is grotesque stereotyping. One of my closest friends is obscenely wealthy, yet he prefers to stay at the Pop Century because he likes it. And the reverse is also true...just because someone is staying at the Grand Floridian doesn't mean they can afford it, let alone additional room charges. For Disney to impose limits based on such perceptions is disturbing.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I find this to be offensive and classist at the most extreme level. Just because someone is staying at the Pop Century doesn't mean they can't afford to stay at the Grand Floridian. This is grotesque stereotyping. One of my closest friends is obscenely wealthy, yet he prefers to stay at the Pop Century because he likes it. And the reverse is also true...just because someone is staying at the Grand Floridian doesn't mean they can afford it, let alone additional room charges. For Disney to impose limits based on such perceptions is disturbing.

So how would you set the limits? Or would you make it unlimited, and increase the potential for overcharging and thus longer lines at the main desk?

Wouldn't a guest at the Grand Floridian possibly be offended at a $500 limit?

Disney did plenty of research before setting limits, they weren't chosen arbitrarily.

 

[Philo]

I find this to be offensive and classist at the most extreme level. Just because someone is staying at the Pop Century doesn't mean they can't afford to stay at the Grand Floridian. This is grotesque stereotyping. One of my closest friends is obscenely wealthy, yet he prefers to stay at the Pop Century because he likes it. And the reverse is also true...just because someone is staying at the Grand Floridian doesn't mean they can afford it, let alone additional room charges. For Disney to impose limits based on such perceptions is disturbing.

I totally agree that the resort you stay in might not represent your personal wealth but you can guarentee that most people who have enough disposable income will stay at a delux resort because of all the extra features. Those who can't afford or can't justify the additional cost of a delux will stay in a cheaper resort.

Whilst it may be stereotyping, it's a fair assumption that those in a value resort have less disposable income than those in a delux and hence will spend less and thus a lower limit can be set.

 

[devoy1701]

I find this to be offensive and classist at the most extreme level. Just because someone is staying at the Pop Century doesn't mean they can't afford to stay at the Grand Floridian. This is grotesque stereotyping. One of my closest friends is obscenely wealthy, yet he prefers to stay at the Pop Century because he likes it. And the reverse is also true...just because someone is staying at the Grand Floridian doesn't mean they can afford it, let alone additional room charges. For Disney to impose limits based on such perceptions is disturbing.

I think the way they set it up is probably the easiest way... It's common sense to think that someone staying at a Value resort is on a tighter budget than someone staying at a Deluxe resort.

The same goes for me as well...I had a much larger budget on my Wilderness Lodge Vacation than I did on my All Star Music Vacation.

Why do you automatically jump to conclusions and shout that Disney is being stereotypical....you're coming off as one of those people who likes to pick fights just because the opportunity is there...

 

[fosse76]

I think the way they set it up is probably the easiest way... It's common sense to think that someone staying at a Value resort is on a tighter budget than someone staying at a Deluxe resort.

That's my point though. It's stereotyping. I can personally afford to stay at any of the hotels on property, but that doesn't give Disney the right to assume on what I can or cannot afford based on my resort choice.

Why do you automatically jump to conclusions and shout that Disney is being stereotypical....you're coming off as one of those people who likes to pick fights just because the opportunity is there...

Because it's being very stereotypical. All the replies confirmed that people in general assume that people at the moderates make less than those at the Deluxes, and that both make more than those in the Values. I can guarantee that it's not always the case. While one can generally speak about the type of income people at the resorts have, you get into trouble when you try to apply it individually. As I said in my first post, my friend (whose income probably exceeded the combined income of everyone staying at the resort) is extremely wealthy and he prefers the Pop Century. Yet if he wanted to charge things to his room, Disney would only let him have up to $500.

So how would you set the limits? Or would you make it unlimited, and increase the potential for overcharging and thus longer lines at the main desk?

The could make it equal throughout the resort. These hotels are all owned by the same company, there is no reason for them to have separate limits.

Wouldn't a guest at the Grand Floridian possibly be offended at a $500 limit?

You don't think someone at a Value resort might be offended by such a small limit? Or is it ok to offend them because they aren't paying as much?

 

[k.hunter30]

I'm sure Disney just didn't put different limits to the different resort levels on a whim. When dealing with something as serious as credit, they most likely have a great amount of demographic and financial data which guided them in setting specific limits.

 

[Monty]

I wouldn't be offended at being offered a lower limit vs. a higher limit. The limit just determines when they will bill your CC and start a new limit. Whether they bill in $500, $1,000 or $1,500 increments is irrelevant to me.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Yet if he wanted to charge things to his room, Disney would only let him have up to $500.

yes, then he would need to call the front desk and authorize a payment and he could charge more. Minor inconvenience.

Or is it ok to offend them because they aren't paying as much?

You could talk to 100 different guests and get 100 different answers for what amount would offend them. In the end, a procedure needs to be set for the front desk staff, and most likely they looked at their demographics, surveyed the guests, and established standards. Yes, some will be offended, most will not.

Such is life.

 

[Montyboy]

I find this to be offensive and classist at the most extreme level.

Disney based the limit on the price of the room.

There are much higher levels of offensive and classist. Save the superlatives about social injustice for a real crime... A call to the front desk will solve this problem.

Edit: I have a better idea. We just won't tell the people in the value resorts that the guests at the other resorts have a higher room limit - they'll believe it because they're not too bright. (See? That's a higher level of offensive.)

Fosse, ask your rich friend if he is offended by a $500 limit.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I'm not trying to be mean, but the above post is incorrect.

A room charge account must be backed up by something before it can be set up. You don't just say you want a room charge and then figure out how to pay for it later.



So to directly answer your question, Sam02, your friend can put down cash to set up her room charge, and when she goes to the front desk to check out of the resort on her last day, she will get an immediate cash refund for every penny that was NOT consumed by her room charges.

Mr. Eric,
Not to sound mean....If you read my post I said, I did not want the card charged so I paid at the desk. As a matter of fact I paid half by check and half by debit card. So yes you can pay for it by any means you wish, as long as you do it before check out otherwise the original form of payment will be charged. (The part that I do not remember is providing my credit card up front, I probably did but cannot say with certainty.)

 

[fosse76]

I totally agree that the resort you stay in might not represent your personal wealth but you can guarentee that most people who have enough disposable income will stay at a delux resort because of all the extra features. Those who can't afford or can't justify the additional cost of a delux will stay in a cheaper resort.

Whilst it may be stereotyping, it's a fair assumption that those in a value resort have less disposable income than those in a delux and hence will spend less and thus a lower limit can be set.

It shouldn't matter though. I have already given you two examples of people who can afford a deluxe and willingly chose a value, so your point is moot. It is absolutely stereotyping that Value guests make less than Moderates and Deluxe guests. And Disney may very well have reached a conclusion that it is true...but EVERY stereotype can be proven true. But that doesn't matter.

Disney is assuming that people who are staying in the Deluxe resorts will need more credit than those in the Values. Did they ever think that maybe some people stay in the Values so that they could spend MORE money in the parks? I am sure I could find hundreds or thousands of examples of people who stay in the Values so they can spend more in the parks itself, and I am sure I can find an equal number of examples of people who stay in the Deluxe who forego extra expenditures in the parks so that they can stay at a Deluxe. Personally, I stay in the Values because I am there to go to the parks. I could care less if my hotel looks like it was built in the jungle. If I want to stay at a carribbean beach resort, I'll go to the carribean. So, as far as Disney is concerned, I am not worthy enough to have more than $500 in credit with them. Absurd. If the hotels were privately owned individually then the point would be moot, but they are all wned by Disney, so they have no legitimate reason to not have the same limit for everyone. If the Value guests have to be inconvenienced, why can't the moderates or Deluxe?.

 

[DisneyJoe]

You're blowing this completely out of proportion, but you don't care, none of our answers will satisfy you.

Disney makes the rules at their resorts. If you don't like them, don't go there.
Other hotel chains tell me how much I can charge to my room. The Four Seasons may give me a larger limit than the Motel 6. Yes its a stereotype - and its life.

You can charge more than $500 at a value resort, but its a stop-gap safety measure so that there aren't overcharges or customer service issues. Once you hit $500, call and authorize another $500.

Someone at a Deluxe with a $1500 limit will be just as inconvenienced when they hit their limit.

Yes, Disney is making an assumption based on the majority of their guests, their visitation habits, and their spending habits. SO WHAT?

 

[CleveRocks]

Mr. Eric,
Not to sound mean....If you read my post I said, I did not want the card charged so I paid at the desk. As a matter of fact I paid half by check and half by debit card. So yes you can pay for it by any means you wish, as long as you do it before check out otherwise the original form of payment will be charged. (The part that I do not remember is providing my credit card up front, I probably did but cannot say with certainty.)

And if you read MY post, you'd have realized that I did, in fact, understand what you did:

Any time prior to the time your card is charged, you can go to the front desk and pay down your account by any means you wish (in other words, you can do like santa's surpriz did ... use plastic to back up the room charge, but pay it off with cash before the card gets charged, if you like).

So yes, I fully understood what you wrote.

 

[CleveRocks]

It shouldn't matter though. I have already given you two examples of people who can afford a deluxe and willingly chose a value, so your point is moot. It is absolutely stereotyping that Value guests make less than Moderates and Deluxe guests. And Disney may very well have reached a conclusion that it is true...but EVERY stereotype can be proven true. But that doesn't matter.

Disney is assuming that people who are staying in the Deluxe resorts will need more credit than those in the Values. Did they ever think that maybe some people stay in the Values so that they could spend MORE money in the parks? I am sure I could find hundreds or thousands of examples of people who stay in the Values so they can spend more in the parks itself, and I am sure I can find an equal number of examples of people who stay in the Deluxe who forego extra expenditures in the parks so that they can stay at a Deluxe. Personally, I stay in the Values because I am there to go to the parks. I could care less if my hotel looks like it was built in the jungle. If I want to stay at a carribbean beach resort, I'll go to the carribean. So, as far as Disney is concerned, I am not worthy enough to have more than $500 in credit with them. Absurd. If the hotels were privately owned individually then the point would be moot, but they are all wned by Disney, so they have no legitimate reason to not have the same limit for everyone. If the Value guests have to be inconvenienced, why can't the moderates or Deluxe?.

I mean no offense at all, but I believe that you ARE blowing this all out of proportion. Actually, I believe you are seeing something that isn't there. You are thinking that Disney is being discriminatory. (you incorrectly used the word "stereotypical" ... one who discriminates does so based upon group stereotypes, whereas one who is acting in a stereotypical manner is acting in a way consistent with a group stereotype [in this example, a Value resort guest who can't afford more than $500 in expenses]).

Anyway ... here's the point:

Disney has three levels of resorts. Each succeeding higher level of resort has more amenities, more conveniences, that the next lower level. A higher room charge limit is just another example of an added amenity. They are NOT saying, "You peasants in the Value resorts can't afford a higher spending limit, or else you wouldn't have to stay in a Value resort." A higher room charge limit is just another amenity offered to people who are willing to pay more, just like any other amenity at the resorts. If you look at it that way, perhaps you won't be so offended.

There are loads of differences between the 3 levels of resorts beyond the size of the rooms.

For example, bus stops at Value resorts are not covered (if you are waiting in line for the bus, you are exposed to rain and hot sun). Bus stops at Moderate and Deluxe resorts are covered.

Value resorts don't have ceiling fans. Moderate resorts do.

Value resorts have 1 sink. Moderate resorts have 2 (except for CSR).

Value and Moderate resorts have full-size beds (except, of course, for king-bed rooms). Deluxe resorts have queen-size beds.

Value resorts have only a food court. Moderate and Deluxe resorts also have at least one sit-down restaurant (except for POFQ).

Value and Moderate resorts have exterior corridors (you are exposed to the elements). Deluxe resorts have interior corridors (for the most part).

Value and Moderate resorts can order pizza in the room, but nothing else. Deluxe resorts have full room service available, not just pizza.

Value resorts have Luggage Assistance, which must be scheduled, and is not available 24 hours a day. Moderates and Deluxes have on-demand and round-the-clock Bell Services.
Value resort guests must bring their room towels to the pool. Moderate and Deluxe resort guests get unlimited pool towels at their pools so they don't have to carry their room towels to the pool.

Is Disney discriminating against Value guests and assuming that they like being exposed to the weather, that they don't deserve bigger beds or better air flow in their rooms, that they can't afford room service, that they can't afford to tip a Bell Services CM and don't deserve extra towels? OF COURSE NOT!

By offering more amenities and more conveniences at higher levels, DIsney is enticing people to spend more. Disney makes more money of people spend more money.

The room charge limits are just one item in a long list of amenities that "grow" as the level of resort grows. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you want to see class warfare, I guess you'll find it. But Disney is not discriminating regarding perceived incomes and perceived spending abilities. They are simply offering an increased convenience to people who are WILLING to pay for it.