Hey, Allison! This is such a great question, so I am glad you stopped by today. Let's first chat about the current
Credit Card Authorization Policy and then I have a few quick tips to share with you. Per the policy that went into effect in February of this year, an initial authorization hold for the remaining balance of your Disney Resort Hotel reservation plus an extra $100 will be placed on your stored payment card on the day of your arrival. This payment card can be stored during
Online Check-In or upon your arrival at your resort. Whenever you charge over $100 in purchases back to your room, such as by tapping your MagicBand to complete payment at a dining or merchandise location, then another $100 authorization hold will be placed on that stored payment card. So, say by the end of day three of your stay, your guest folio shows that you have reached $105 in room charges. The system will then automatically put another $100 hold on your card's account. If you have an extended stay, then Walt Disney World Resort will push an actual, full payment in the amount of your guest folio balance every five days plus on your check-out day. So, if you have an eight-day stay, then you will see a payment on your payment card account on day five for that day's current balance and on day eight for the remaining balance.
From my experience, the authorization holds show up on my credit card as "Pending" charges. They never actually go through and finalize, as these holds simply "fall off" after a few days. From what I understand, banking institutions vary in how long they keep authorization holds active on an account, so you may want to check with your bank or credit card company. Since it does take a bit of time for those holds to fall off, I highly recommend that you do not use your debit card, but rather a credit card. If you do not have a credit card or do not want to have to worry about having the authorization holds on your account, then you can simply choose to not store a payment card. You will then just need to keep a payment source with you in the parks. Personally, I like to use Disney Gift Cards.
I hope this helps explain the holds for you! Please let us know if you have any other questions about it and we will be happy to help!
Brandy