AKL Cashless Test Run

[PopPhan]

It seems inconsistent (although perhaps understandable) for them to say they are "cashless", yet allow you to apply cash to your room account. That, in essence, means they accept cash at the front desk. Will they also accept cash to purchase gift cards? I have to think that that, at least, has to be a possibility somewhere in Jambo House.

Visitors to the Lodge will be the ones most likely affected by this.

Steve

Why would you think that?

Certainly they would want to take cash at the front desk, but if they could do away with cash at all other registers within the resort they could save a boatload of money themselves and not have to worry about transferring cash through the resort to 'reload' all the registers, or collect 'cash drops' throughout the day.

I do agree that visitors, those not actually staying at AKL, could be affected, but how many actually go visit with the intention of spending cash? A large portion of the visiting public are now using the MB or some sort of payment app to take care of their spending.

I took cash with me every day of my last trip and spent a grand total of $0.00 of it in 8 days. Everything went on my MB and I was very happy with the experience. Did not overspend and still got everything I wanted (i.e. souvenirs) or needed (i.e. food, drink, snacks, etc.) while I was there.

Overspending is going to happen with or without cash. That is a concern for the person spending to maintain their composure.

As far as gift cards are concerned, I don't see why they wouldn't allow those to be 'charged' to your MB just like anything else. OR, they could not sell gift cards at AKL and you would have to go somewhere else for them. How many people actually BUY gift cards AT the resort?

[Giggy]

From a non-US perspective I try to avoid using credit or debit cards as there is a charge for using them abroad, so for me cash has always been the easier option. There re are now pre-paid travel cards which WDW do accept but if no all other places accept them (some stores, toll booths) it becomes a case of working out how much money you want in each form.

As a family when we went last year I had all of my own spending money in cash but we did have a shared fund on a card so the money was quite well split between the two.

[#1donaldfan]

I like cash. I still take any and all cash I can, although I rarely see it !! hahaha !!! Kidding !! Paperless everything is the way the trend is heading us these days. I would wager that if you had no other form of payment, they'd still take the green !!

[baldburke]

Other than handing out some tips we are generally cashless while onsite at WDW so I'm all for this.

[Cinderelley]

Then use a credit card. I'd be willing to guess that between cards and magic bands, should cover most people.

Using a credit card is not a good financial decision. Yes, a lot of people use them, but that doesn't make it a good decision.

[Mendelson]

Using a credit card is not a good financial decision. Yes, a lot of people use them, but that doesn't make it a good decision.

This seems to make a few assumptions about credit cards. My "credit card" is actually a debit card, tied to my checking account. I know it's technically a debit card but for practical uses and in this example it's the same as a credit card. For a traditional credit card, someone could simply charge everything to the card and pay it off as soon as he got home, incurring no interest.

Agreed that it's not good practice to carry balances on CCs, but using a credit card isn't always a bad thing.

[1DisneyNut]

Using a credit card is not a good financial decision. Yes, a lot of people use them, but that doesn't make it a good decision.

I use credit cards to pay for everything. I pay most of my bills with credit cards. The only ones I don't are the ones that charge an additional fee for paying with cards. I pay my credit card balance in full EVERY month so I actually have a zero balance. I have never paid them a penny in interest. What actually is not a good financial decision is going and paying for vacations or buying things with credit cards when you do not actually have the funds on hand to cover them. Paying interest on these things will eat your finances up and that is what typically leads people into a debt spiral and eventually bankruptcy. However, credit cards are actually excellent financial tools when used properly.

There are a couple of reasons I use credit cards for everything.
1)Convenience. It doesn't get much easier than setting bills to autopay using your credit card as payment.

2)Security. I don't use debit cards for anything anymore. I haven't used my debit cards in probably at least 2 years. The reason is these companies have data breaches all the time and your card information gets stolen. I have had my card information including debit cards compromised so many times I can't count them all. I don't want them having access to my actual real funds in my checking or savings account through a debit card. With credit cards, if there is a fraudulent charge, I mark it fraudulent and it is immediately removed from my account and they handle it from there. I do not have to worry about getting my money back because they never had my money to begin with. Credit cards provide a level of security between scammers and thieves and your actual money.

3)My cards have cash back or other reward options but I only do the cash back because I can save it and eventually use it for whatever I choose. Each year I receive in the neighborhood of around $3000 in cash back rewards which I have been saving and putting in a savings account. I have quite a bit of money in that savings account now.

With all of that said, I still do not agree with them trying to go no cash accepted. It might work 95% of the time in certain places where they have a captive customer base such as resort restaurants and gift shops but outside of those special circumstances it will be a complete failure. For instance, if they try to go no cash in the parks including gifts shops and snack stands it will be a mess. Offsite visitors quite often use cash at these places still and that will not stop anytime soon. Also, I have had multiple instances where their system was having issues and it would not allow me to use my magic band for purchases. I have also been on vacation and the visa credit card system go down and cards would not work. I have had a credit card get compromised and the account locked down and could not use that card while I was on vacation (I have other cards that I could use so it wasn't a problem for me but I know people that do not have credit cards and only have one bank account and debit card so if it gets locked, they would be screwed if they couldn't use cash). I typically carry between $1000 and $2000 in cash with me on trips just in case an issue arises where for whatever reason I can't use a card. I have had to use cash multiple times while at WDW as recently as my last trip.......it happens and it will continue to happen.

In my opinion, trying to force customers to not use cash will be a failure for the majority WDW. Why try to force it anyway, there is a progression towards less and less cash use so just allow it to run it's course and the amount of cash being handled will drop to a manageable degree anyway.

[texas211]

So do folks just walk around w/ huge wads of cash? Its not like WDW is the cheapest place in the world to have a good time. Pretty easy to drop 40-50 bucks every time you stop, on the low side.

[mrte62]

Think of how much money will be made when Magic Bands are offered for people staying offsite......

[Cinderelley]

So do folks just walk around w/ huge wads of cash? Its not like WDW is the cheapest place in the world to have a good time. Pretty easy to drop 40-50 bucks every time you stop, on the low side.

Define "huge wads of cash". There's a safe in the rooms that you can keep your cash in. If I'm expecting to be paying for a lot of people at a nice sit down restaurant, then I may have what some would consider a "huge wad of cash".

[texas211]

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.

[Cinderelley]

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.

[texas211]

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.

[VWL Mom]

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.

[Cinderelley]

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.

[baldburke]

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.

[texas211]

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.

[joanna71985]

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

[Hog]

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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[joanna71985]

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)