I am trying to figure out which is the best way to pay for all the goodies while visiting the parks. We are staying at ASMu so we will have our room keys which I heard can have your credit card conveniently attached to them. I also heard a rumor that at the end when you check out they give you an itemized bill detailing everything you bought on your room key. I like the idea of that but wonder what is easier...is using my debit card and just getting receipts at every stop easier or is the room key? When you use your room key do you still have to sign for things like you are using a credit card? Do they ID you? What about using Disney gift cards or Disney dollars instead? Anyone have any advice as to which is the best/most convenient route?

Personally, I've heard of issues with attaching debit cards to room charging (there was a thread recently on the topic). If you're using a credit card attached to your room charging, it's just as easy to use vs a credit card for the actual purchases. You do have to sign for it, but they don't check ID. I don't believe I've ever been asked for ID when I use a credit card in the park, either. But you should have your ID with you anyway, in case there's an issue.

Disney dollars and gift cards are good if you want to 'prepay' for stuff - but there are no protections if they're lost/stolen. I've also used travelers checks with no problem at Disney, but a lot of other places are getting tighter on honoring them, and I haven't used them at Disney for a few years.

What kind of probelms have you heard about, do you know where I can view this thread? I was kind of hoping that attaching the debit card would work, I love the idea of the itemized bill...

Here's the thread (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=108037&highlight=debit) (I searched the WDW forums for the word 'debit' in the title)

I had looked at that thread before for my answer and hadn't seen it but by skimming more closely I think I get the basic idea...debit can be used but could cause problems, however I also read, and please correct me if I am wrong, that if you have a VISA debit, which I do :) then it will work just fine! I hope this is the case because as I said before, I think this will be nice and convenient, and not to mention helpful when figuring out where all my money went!

We had our room key attached to our credit card and just used the room key for everything. We found it to be very convenient.

Not sure if we're talking about the same thing with the term "debit card", but if you mean a card that is connected to your checking or savings account where money is automatically taken out when you use it, I would suggest against it. I'm not a fan of debit cards to begin with because if they're fraudulently used, your money is immediately taken and it can take a while for it to be investigated and your money returned. If you use a credit card, you can dispute a charge, but you don't have to pay it while they're investigating. I've just heard too many stories about how easy it is for people to take all the money out of accounts using fake debit cards.

Ill let the other thread that Drince speak for itself when it comes to the whole debit vs credit vs cash discussion. It would be best to keep that discussion there.

As for actually paying for the different things at the parks, I tend to use my room key almost exclusively. Its just a matter of preference and it can be used pretty much anywhere in the parks that has a card reader. We supplement this with our Disney Rewards Card for being a Disney Visa card holder. The only times I use the credit card itself is when I know I can get a discount, etc. (Like at the World of Disney.) My take is that the fewer people that actually handle my credit card, the better.

We hold on to all our receipts and do a quick tally of the charges at the end of the night so we have an idea of what we spent.

For us, that is THE big perk of staying at the resort! We love the convenice on the one card for everything!

I only have a credit card for buying things on line - (I am a debit card user, don't like debt) but had the credit card attached to our room key at WDW and thought it was an excellent idea. Only had to carry one card, the bill which was accurately itemised was hung on our door when we checked out and I didn't have to do a thing. This year, now I know how it works I have changed less £'s into $'s and put some money on my credit card in advance, so it's all paid for before I spend and I won't come home to any nasty surprises.

Sorry to divert the thread but can anyone help me with this. We have chip and pin in the UK where you need a 4 digit number to use your CC. I've forgotton mine as I never use it in shops. As I recall this won't matter in Florida, I'll just have to sign for it when I check into the Disney hotel right? Thanks.

Sorry to divert the thread but can anyone help me with this. We have chip and pin in the UK where you need a 4 digit number to use your CC. I've forgotton mine as I never use it in shops. As I recall this won't matter in Florida, I'll just have to sign for it when I check into the Disney hotel right? Thanks.
We only need a PIN when using a debit card as a debit card, so it shouldn't be an issue for you. I would, though contact your CC company now to see if they can reset it for you so that you have it 'just in case'

I prefer cash. :fez:
But in March we had one room key attached to charging priveledges just in case.
I would be nervous to try to keep my spending in check if I handed off a room key for all my purchasing while on vacation. :)

We leave credit card info with Disney at check in, then use our KTTW card for all charges. This year I may use cash for DDP tipping, but the card for everything else.

I have my Disney Rewards card with my VISA points applied to my room account at the front desk, so it offsets some of the room charges for the trip.

Best part, if there are multiple people charging to the room, each persons charges are separated. So not only do you know at a glance how much you spent (we check at the front desk for a printout every couple of days), but also who spent it!

This year I may use cash for DDP tipping, but the card for everything else.
...
I have my Disney Rewards card with my VISA points ...
Why bother with the cash if you have the DRC? **Cough** POINTS! **Cough**
:)

Best part, if there are multiple people charging to the room, each persons charges are separated. So not only do you know at a glance how much you spent (we check at the front desk for a printout every couple of days), but also who spent it!

Wow, really? That's great! So both of us can use our respective cards and know who spent what? Thanks, I had no idea!

we used our KTTW for everything and it worked really really well for us. we didn't get to the limit (I think the WL limit is $1500) so they didn't charge our card with the total until we checked out on day ten and that was especially great for us because instead of having multiple transactions with all the attendant foreign-currency conversion fees, there was just the one transaction and thus the one fee. the bill was itemised and we just kept our receipts as we went along - it took about 10 minutes on the morning we checked out for me to run through the bill and make sure everything was ok. what i really loved was that it made our entire ten day trip almost entirely cashless; except for mousekeeping tips and the occasional taxi, we didn't use cash the whole trip. you can even use the KTTW at the ice cream carts!

I had looked at that thread before for my answer and hadn't seen it but by skimming more closely I think I get the basic idea...debit can be used but could cause problems, however I also read, and please correct me if I am wrong, that if you have a VISA debit, which I do :) then it will work just fine! I hope this is the case because as I said before, I think this will be nice and convenient, and not to mention helpful when figuring out where all my money went!

I had my visa debit card attached to my "key to the world" card with out any problems. The hotel will give you an itemized list of purchases and you can get them daily or at the end of your trip. Hope you have lots of fun on your trip:D

..that was especially great for us because instead of having multiple transactions with all the attendant foreign-currency conversion fees, there was just the one transaction and thus the one fee.

I hadn't even thought of that perk. Super helpful for people traveling from places outside the United States!

I am still a bit confused about the Debit/Visa card thing...my Debit card has the Visa logo and I know when I use it to pay it can be run as debit or credit, so can I use this card on my KTTW card or would I be better off using just a straight credit card?

I am still a bit confused about the Debit/Visa card thing...my Debit card has the Visa logo and I know when I use it to pay it can be run as debit or credit, so can I use this card on my KTTW card or would I be better off using just a straight credit card?
My opinion... have a regular CREDIT card associated with your KTTW card. Use the KTTW card as much as possible around WDW. At the end of your trip, pay for your KTTW charges with your DEBIT card.

At the end of your trip, pay for your KTTW charges with your DEBIT card.

Are you saying that even though my ceredit card is attached to the room key and is the one being "charged" when I use it, it is not actually charged until I check out? So therefore, when I do check out, I can say "instead of using the credit card you have here, I would like to pay with my debit card." And they will let you? That is intersting!

Correct... here are the specifics:
- If you have charging privs on your KTTW card, you are given a certain credit line
- That credit line is usually $500 for Value resorts, $1000 for Moderates and $1500 for Deluxe's.
- If you hit that limit, the card you have on file will automatically be charged with your current balance. You can prevent this from happening by keeping track of your purchases and having guest services at your resort zero out your account before you hit that limit by applying your current balance to your debit card.
- Be it the night before or the morning of check out, you can visit guest services and zero out your balance with your debit card as well. I personally prefer to check the night before just so that I dont have to waste daylight hours in line.

Hope that helps.

Thanks! I finally think I understand! Lol, not that it was that hard. :)

I've even gotten inventive on checkout and put $500 on this card, $300 on that card, etc. Sometimes you gotta spread out that credit!

I've even gotten inventive on checkout and put $500 on this card, $300 on that card, etc. Sometimes you gotta spread out that credit!

LOL!!! I hear that, with today's economy who isn't strapped?

I love using the room key. No need for a full wallet, just one card! No need to wait in line to have your bag checked if you only have your KTTW and a camera!!!