We are taking our son and a friend for his 15th bday. This will be the first trip where we have let him separate from us and I'm wondering what's the best way to let him have money and not lose it. He doesn't want a wallet. Should I give him cash or maybe a Disney gift card or Visa gift card?
Can you set him up with a specific amount to charge back to the room? I would think this would be the safest option. A gift card, once lost, is almost the equivalent of losing cash.
Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
faline@intercot.com
The trip that my grandkids were 15 and 14 we set them up with room charging, with a set limit. I don't recall what the limit was, but it was the amount of money they had saved to spend at Disney. Maybe $100 each.
They had both been to WDW several times and managed their cash on a daily basis. They did very well with their room charging privileges. The 15 yo boy had fifty cents left on his while the 14 yo girl was over about $13 but her mother covered it for her. She was so embarrassed, she cried and cried. We figured it was a good lesson.
Jan
I think working out something with room charges works best, too. We actually didn't set a spending limit with our kids as teens. We told them that we trusted them to be reasonable, and actually they were. They spent less than we expected them to spend and saved big souvenir purchases until they could consult with us. I think having the freedom but knowing they had our trust was enough to make them spend wisely.
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
I think a card would be a great idea.
it will help him plan knowing how much he can spend, and might be a very small introduction in to planning for his life ahead.
Have A Magical Day-1970-1989-offsite, 2002-DLR, 2003-DLR, 2005-Sports, 2007-All Music, 2008-POP, December 12-21 2009-Pop, January 16-18, 2010-Disneyland. Disney Sports-Feb 1-6, 2012, Disneyland-December 7 and 8, 2012, DIsney Pop-Feb 1-5, 2013 (my son's first trip.)
I believe we started giving DS limited room charging abilities when he was 12 . . . it was such a big deal to him that we trusted him with this privilege that he has never abused it. :mickey:
Carol (aka KylesMom)
INTERCOT Staff: Mousellaneous & Trip Reports
Last Trip: ICOT 15
Happy A/P Holder 2002 - 2011
Agreed...the magic bands are a great way to go cashless. By 15 they should be old enough to understand what a spending limit entails. Good luck!
Beth & David
09/82 Treehouse Villas, 06/86 BVP, 10/95 CBR, 10/99 DI, 08/03 PORS, 10/05 POP, 11/06 AKL, 09/09 POLY, 10/10 Wonder, 05/11 Dream/PORS, 08/13 POLY, 11/13 GF, 04/15 POLY, 11/15 BLT, 11/16 Aulani, 03/17 BLT, 08/18 BLT, 07/19 AKL, 06/21 BLT
I agree! If you're staying on-site, room charging is the way to go. We've allowed DD to charge since she was about 12 or so, and she takes it VERY seriously. It is easy to review the bills, so there are no surprises.
If you're not on-site, a GC is great, since it shows the declining balance, and has no fees, etc. (and, if there is anything left, you can spend it on anything at Disney).
Heather aka ibelieveindisneymagic
INTERCOT Staff
Engaged at the castle!
My Disney Home is POFQ
KylesMom;2439837 wrote: I believe we started giving DS limited room charging abilities when he was 12 . . . it was such a big deal to him that we trusted him with this privilege that he has never abused it. :mickey:
Ditto.
Mar'14 DCL..Nov '13 POP..Jan '13 CBR..Mar'12 Swan/Dolphin..Nov '11 Universal/legoland, one night @ WDW..Oct '10 POP..April '09 Swan/Dolphin..Jan '09 AKL..Apr'08 offsite..Jan/Feb '08 offsite..Dec '08 HiltonHeadResort..Oct '07 Pop.. July '07 VB..May '07 DCL.Oct '06 FtWcabins.May '06 POP.Jan '06 POFQ
