Hi Chelsey!
Welcome back to planDisney! I am always happy to discuss ways to save money for a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort!
Since our girls' first trip to the magic, they have saved their change to pay for souvenirs, so they always have a change jar. Although you technically may be able to use your change to purchase a Disney Gift Card at
select locations at the Walt Disney World Resort, I would not recommend it, especially, as you indicate, Disney is encouraging cashless transactions to protect the health and safety of guests and Cast Members.
Disney Gift Cards are sold in a number of places. I would take my change to a local bank and deposit it or exchange it for bills and then purchase that gift card prior to arrival. We can find Disney Gift Cards in our local grocery stores or you could
purchase them online from shopDisney. Since we fly, I cannot imagine trying to pack any large amount of change and I would not want to risk traveling with it either. With my gift cards, I love being able to manage them and
check the balances online.
My advice, purchase that gift card just before you leave and if you are uncomfortable with managing it online, take a photo of the front and back of the card and save your proof of purchase in case the gift card goes missing. Also, as one who has misplaced a gift card in the past, I advise you to bring a small envelope to carry it in if you do not already have a secure (and memorable) location for it. I also use post-it notes to write down the gift card balance and then wrap a post-it note around each card when carrying multiple gift cards.
Chelsey, I trust that you have made your
Disney Park Pass reservations,
advanced dining reservations, and reviewed the
operating procedures as you prepare for your visit. I am sending a little pixie dust trusting that you will be able to purchase that gift card and put it to good use while visiting!
Magic and memories,
Donyell