Hi there Stephanie! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. We're so glad you're here with your planning question. I'd be happy to assist you.
Isn't the
Disney Visa Card wonderful? My son enjoys helping me pay for things with my "Mickey card" as he calls it. I love accumulating rewards and redeeming them during my Walt Disney World vacation. On a recent trip, I was able to pay for all of our dining using my Rewards Dollars. It was magical!
For me, the biggest advantage to using a
MagicBand is the ability to travel nearly hands-free through the Disney theme parks. I can leave my valuables in my resort room safe and be on my way. Currently, you are only able to link a credit or debit card to your MagicBand for charging purposes, but I have a strategy to ensure that my purchases are ultimately covered by my Disney Visa Rewards Dollars first, and credit card second.
Once I arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort, I charge everything with my MagicBand. I leave my
Disney Visa Rewards Redemption Card in my resort room safe. Every couple of days, I visit the front desk of my resort hotel and pay down my MagicBand charges with my redemption card and any Disney Gift cards I have. I do this so that the credit card on file is never actually charged until the evening before check out day. Keep in mind that your credit card on file will likely be charged the evening before you check out, so be sure to use that redemption card before that time.
I hope my strategy makes sense, and that you are able to do something similar on your own vacation. Be sure to familiarize yourself with some of
the perks associated with the Disney Visa Card available during your visit. There are select restaurants and merchandise locations that offer discounts as well as exclusive character meet and greets. My family always makes a stop at the Disney Character Experience located in the Disney Visa Photo Spot next to
Journey Into Imagination With Figment. We have some fantastic photos and memories of my kids interacting with Pluto and Minnie Mouse at this private character encounter.
Stephanie, I wish you and your family a fantastic vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort. If anything else comes up before you travel, be sure to drop by and see us again.
You've got a friend in me!
Betsy