Erin Your response about China was tremendously helpful. Regarding currency, we have the information on guide tips, there are ATMs, and major places should accept credit cards. What cash amount do you recommend for China and Hong Kong? Thanks so much.”

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Answer 1

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for the kind words. I'm the only Mom who has been on the China Adventures by Disney trip, feel to ask me anything.

Regarding money - Excluding cash for guide tips, my family of five (two adults, three teenagers) brought about $600 in cash in Chinese currency and about $250 in Hong Kong currency. We didn't use anything close to all of that, with one exception which I'll get to.

The only things you'll really need cash for are taxis, if you plan to use them during your free time, and shopping at stalls and tourist spots. Particularly near the Great Wall and at Guilin, there are dozens of small vendors offering snacks and souvenirs. Most are inexpensively priced and poor quality (think Nassau straw market), but you're bound to end up getting at least a few trinkets, if only to practice your negotiating skills. If you're planning a long pre or post trip stay in Asia, or if you're planning on doing lots and lots of trinket shopping you may need more. Larger shops where you may want to buy quality silks, pearls, or jade generally accept credit cards.

We did end up getting some extra cash from an ATM to pay for one extraordinary off-book opportunity at the panda research center in Chengdu. We chose to make a donation to the panda research center in order to hold and interact with real juvenile pandas - it's like hugging a large teddy bear, only live. This is not part of the Disney tour, but they will give you time to this. Approximately half of our tour chose to do this optional activity. The experience costs approximately 2000 yuan per person (about $325) and they only take cash. We got our cash from a local ATM (the guides can point where these are). This is obviously pricey, but we felt like it was a once in a lifetime chance to interact with an endangered species. Some families had just one of the parents participate with the kids to economize a bit.

I'm happy to help if you need more info.

Erin Your response about China was tremendously helpful. Regarding currency, we have the information on guide tips, there are ATMs, and major places should accept credit cards. What cash amount do you recommend for China and Hong Kong? Thanks so much.”

Meet the Panelist: Erin, New York

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