AKL Cashless Test Run

A grand or two? I mean, if you are paying for cash. Let's say you spend 100-200 at the parks between say breakfast/lunch and some souvenirs. Not hard to do. Then, go out for a nice dinner, you are out another 100-300 bucks, pretty easily. Plus do any shopping that evening, well, goes up from there. While I agree and understand this will affect some people, I can't believe its a very large percentage.

Plastic is easier, more convenient, has perks, does require staff to figure out how to give change, faster, and the way of the future. Now like I said, i won't notice as I use plastic for everything. I'm just saying, its got to be a small percentage of folks who will notice this change.

texas211;2510322 wrote: A grand or two? I mean, if you are paying for cash. Let's say you spend 100-200 at the parks between say breakfast/lunch and some souvenirs. Not hard to do. Then, go out for a nice dinner, you are out another 100-300 bucks, pretty easily. Plus do any shopping that evening, well, goes up from there. While I agree and understand this will affect some people, I can't believe its a very large percentage.

Plastic is easier, more convenient, has perks, does require staff to figure out how to give change, faster, and the way of the future. Now like I said, i won't notice as I use plastic for everything. I'm just saying, its got to be a small percentage of folks who will notice this change.

I usually take a break in the afternoon. So, I take what I will need with me in the morning. Then I will take what I need with me at night. I don't do a ton of shopping while I'm in the parks. I will generally look through all the parks to see what I like. Near the end of the trip, I see what things I still really want and what things don't really hold their appeal any more. Then I will make a "shopping day" and go get the things I want. The only exceptions to this are things I know I specifically want before I leave - such as my son's "First Christmas Together" ornament as his wedding present. I get those pretty early in the trip, so that I don't forget to get them. It cuts down on a lot of impulse buys.

Additionally, I don't carry all of the cash around by myself. I don't expect the people I travel with to be attached to my hip, so they get their amount for the day to buy what they need to buy - souvenirs, food, drinks, etc.

I admit that I am in the minority. I was married to an accountant and trusted him with our finances. We went through a nasty divorce where I discovered we had a lot of credit card debt. Since I made the majority of the money, I got the majority of the debt. Now that I have gotten myself out from under that, I never want to go back. Plus, with my memory problems, it is much easier for me to keep track of things in my hand instead of a credit card charge that disappears until the end of the month (and yes, I can keep receipts, but I will forget that I have them).

While it may be a small percentage of people, I don't see any real reason to alienate them.

Well, yeah, for you, your system of cash works. I'm not saying its not useful for some. However, I bet you could come up w/ a system that works just as well. Especially if Disney would make it easier to track your spending realtime w/ a MB, through the Disney App or something. Besides, you dropped the overspending husband, so its down to you to control spending. Sounds like you have that down pat.

But, I'm just saying, statistically, probably a small group (really small), and something that is just the way of the future anyways. And yes, Disney doesn't mind alienating a few small percentage of folks. You have to. Any decision will always alienate a few folks. They know most folks will adapt to whatever change.

I compare it to my spending in any given day.
Breakfast, 30-40 bucks. Coke/water/coffee break at the park, 10 bucks, lunch, 30-70 bucks, bought me some new sunglasses at MK- 300 bucks, water/coke-10, 50- misc souvenirs, dinner, 100 bucks, drinks 100 bucks. I think that is pretty common for a lot of folks. So I just assume put it on my card. Else, I'd have to fly down with 5k in cash (when you think of room costs, car rental, etc) and I just don't want to hassle w/ that.

Before everyone jumps on the "that's elitist" bandwagon. Lets not forget, going to WDW is an elitist activity in itself.

texas211;2510343 wrote: Especially if Disney would make it easier to track your spending realtime w/ a MB, through the Disney App or something. activity

You can now view all your room charges on the MDE app. I was also able to get my room number there before I got the text.

texas211;2510343 wrote: Well, yeah, for you, your system of cash works. I'm not saying its not useful for some. However, I bet you could come up w/ a system that works just as well. Especially if Disney would make it easier to track your spending realtime w/ a MB, through the Disney App or something. Besides, you dropped the overspending husband, so its down to you to control spending. Sounds like you have that down pat.

But, I'm just saying, statistically, probably a small group (really small), and something that is just the way of the future anyways. And yes, Disney doesn't mind alienating a few small percentage of folks. You have to. Any decision will always alienate a few folks. They know most folks will adapt to whatever change.

I compare it to my spending in any given day.
Breakfast, 30-40 bucks. Coke/water/coffee break at the park, 10 bucks, lunch, 30-70 bucks, bought me some new sunglasses at MK- 300 bucks, water/coke-10, 50- misc souvenirs, dinner, 100 bucks, drinks 100 bucks. I think that is pretty common for a lot of folks. So I just assume put it on my card. Else, I'd have to fly down with 5k in cash (when you think of room costs, car rental, etc) and I just don't want to hassle w/ that.

Before everyone jumps on the "that's elitist" bandwagon. Lets not forget, going to WDW is an elitist activity in itself.

Everyone has their own style of vacationing. I wouldn't call it elitist. It is just what you enjoy.

If that system works for you, then that is great. I have found a system that works for me. Others have to find their own way. If Disney chooses to alienate them, that is their choice. There are a lot of people who are unhappy with Disney's direction, but I'm sure Star Wars land will bring in enough people to make up for the ones who are unhappy enough to leave.

Cinderelley;2510383 wrote: Everyone has their own style of vacationing. I wouldn't call it elitist. It is just what you enjoy.

If that system works for you, then that is great. I have found a system that works for me. Others have to find their own way. If Disney chooses to alienate them, that is their choice. There are a lot of people who are unhappy with Disney's direction, but I'm sure Star Wars land will bring in enough people to make up for the ones who are unhappy enough to leave.

Totally agree! If that's the case then vacationing in general is an "elitist activity." We recently went to NYC for a couple days and it was not cheap between transportation, lodging, food, shopping and a couple tours, attractions or shows and it is easily as expensive as Disney per day, per person. Even if we were to go to nearby Hershey Park for an overnight, although perhaps more economical, it's not cheap by any means if you stay at a Hershey hotel.

baldburke;2510391 wrote: Totally agree! If that's the case then vacationing in general is an "elitist activity." We recently went to NYC for a couple days and it was not cheap between transportation, lodging, food, shopping and a couple tours, attractions or shows and it is easily as expensive as Disney per day, per person. Even if we were to go to nearby Hershey Park for an overnight, although perhaps more economical, it's not cheap by any means if you stay at a Hershey hotel.

I would argue that destination vacations (NYC unless you live in NYC), WDW, Hawaii, etc. Are somewhat elitist. I view if you have the opportunity and means to go to WDW, as somewhat elite anyways. Especially those that go more than once (like the vast majority of folks on intercot).

But that wasn't my point. I just know that some were going to jump on my way of looking at "use plastic" was elitist.

To stay on topic, I bet very few who go to the premium tier resort, like AKL, will notice or care about the cash option. In the future, it benefits Disney to drive folks to MB usage (of some sort), gift cards or plastic, or likely some other option yet to be released.

I do not like this at all. I don't have a credit card and use cash for everything

joanna71985;2510548 wrote: I do not like this at all. I don't have a credit card and use cash for everything

If you don't have a credit card how do you book/ reserve your room?? I was under the impression that a credit card was required for that.

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Hog;2510551 wrote: If you don't have a credit card how do you book/ reserve your room?? I was under the impression that a credit card was required for that.

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Well, I live in Orlando (so that isn't necessary). But if I wanted to, my dad would book for me (and I would pay him back)

Some very interesting points regarding the future of "cashless" at Disney. To be honest, I'm surprised it took this long. It's just becoming more and more prevalent. It'll be interesting to see how the pilot goes. I'm sure folks at the AKL are expecting to get an earful at some points during the pilot, from folks who are not happy.

We don't view it as a major issue for us - but that's us! In reality, I have to think that 95%+ of families going there have a credit card or debit card - unless you're still personally going into the bank to deposit and withdraw cash every time, instead of using an ATM. But it will be an adjustment for some who might use cash as a budgeting tool. I'm afraid I can admit to many moons ago when we used travelers cheques as a budgeting tool - and a safe way to bring cash on vacation. Well, those days are long gone - hardly anyone takes them anymore! But now, instead of buying $1,000 worth of travelers cheques (as an example), we leave the $1000 in the bank, monitor our credit card, and pay the bill with the $1000 when it comes. And with the ability to check your Disney balance and/or credit card balance during the trip (with Disney-supplied wifi), you really can monitor your spending regularly anyway.

And who knows - maybe there will be enough negativity coming out of the pilot that they'll rethink it. But based on what we're seeing other places, it seems likely this will be the norm for Disney and other places in the future.

We had a family dinner this past Sunday which I paid for in cash. It made me think of this thread. :rolleyes:

texas211;2510545 wrote: I would argue that destination vacations (NYC unless you live in NYC), WDW, Hawaii, etc. Are somewhat elitist. I view if you have the opportunity and means to go to WDW, as somewhat elite anyways. Especially those that go more than once (like the vast majority of folks on intercot).

But that wasn't my point. I just know that some were going to jump on my way of looking at "use plastic" was elitist.

To stay on topic, I bet very few who go to the premium tier resort, like AKL, will notice or care about the cash option. In the future, it benefits Disney to drive folks to MB usage (of some sort), gift cards or plastic, or likely some other option yet to be released.

I can see how that type of vacationing can be viewed as elitist. Disney World can be very expensive, especially when you can go do a staycation or local area destination for next to nothing. What we view as the norm definitely is not the norm for everyone.

I wouldn't call your way of using your card as elitist either. You just have a better grasp of budgeting than most people do. Want to come to WDW as my accountant? lol

Cinderelley;2510659 wrote: We had a family dinner this past Sunday which I paid for in cash. It made me think of this thread. :rolleyes:

I can see how that type of vacationing can be viewed as elitist. Disney World can be very expensive, especially when you can go do a staycation or local area destination for next to nothing. What we view as the norm definitely is not the norm for everyone.

I wouldn't call your way of using your card as elitist either. You just have a better grasp of budgeting than most people do. Want to come to WDW as my accountant? lol

But it was just jello and chicken salad from the cafeteria right? Employee discount.. 10 bucks Even I keep ten bucks in my wallet.

Easy. Though I do tend to lose a bit of that control at Epcot during the FW festival.. mmm.

Cinderelley;2510331 wrote: I usually take a break in the afternoon. So, I take what I will need with me in the morning. Then I will take what I need with me at night. I don't do a ton of shopping while I'm in the parks. I will generally look through all the parks to see what I like. Near the end of the trip, I see what things I still really want and what things don't really hold their appeal any more. Then I will make a "shopping day" and go get the things I want. The only exceptions to this are things I know I specifically want before I leave - such as my son's "First Christmas Together" ornament as his wedding present. I get those pretty early in the trip, so that I don't forget to get them. It cuts down on a lot of impulse buys.

Additionally, I don't carry all of the cash around by myself. I don't expect the people I travel with to be attached to my hip, so they get their amount for the day to buy what they need to buy - souvenirs, food, drinks, etc.

I admit that I am in the minority. I was married to an accountant and trusted him with our finances. We went through a nasty divorce where I discovered we had a lot of credit card debt. Since I made the majority of the money, I got the majority of the debt. Now that I have gotten myself out from under that, I never want to go back. Plus, with my memory problems, it is much easier for me to keep track of things in my hand instead of a credit card charge that disappears until the end of the month (and yes, I can keep receipts, but I will forget that I have them).

While it may be a small percentage of people, I don't see any real reason to alienate them.

We vacation in a similar way. We're at the point now where we don't do too much impulse buying on our trips to Disney, so cash in the parks works for us. I don't know. I guess I was taught (by my parents and by experience) to bring cash along when we travel, and in everyday life, as well. I always made sure my kids had at least $25 in their pockets when they got old enough to be out in the world without us or on outings with other families, school functions, etc. I don't feel comfortable if I have to rely on plastic in case of an emergency or some unforeseen circumstance arises. As for vacations, the cash we bring is never all in one place. Some is left in the room safe and each one of us carries a bit with them. I know some people don't think this is a "safe" way to travel but it works for us. Actually, our debit and credit cards have been compromised so many times, over the years. This makes me much more nervous than the prospect of a little cash getting lost or stolen. At least with cash, it stops there and I feel more in control.