Graham,
Thanks for asking your question to planDisney!
I just called
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, and they informed me that they will charge your credit card on file when you hit a balance of $1,500 US (approximately £1200 at the time of this answer). Now please know that the cast member pointed out that the limits had recently been adjusted, so you will want to confirm the exact amount with the front desk when you arrive. Policies can change, and they are more than glad to let you know what the limit might be during your stay.
As to the preferred method of payment, you really have to select what you are most comfortable doing. My household has gone mostly cashless of late, so I will end up paying for my account with a combination of the credit card on file, and any gift cards that I happen to have accumulated throughout the year.
BONUS TIP
One very important note to be sure of. If you are redeeming any gift cards to your account, I do not recommend that you put all their balances over to your resort hotel account at the start of the trip. Why? Well, Disney cannot refund any of those transfers to you, so if you put $100 of a gift card onto your resort balance and only spend $90 of that, you lose the $10 balance. I suspect that a prepaid travel card may work in a similar fashion.
When I go, I put down only that amount that I know I will spend, and every couple of days I will return to the front desk and use more cards as I get closer to spending that credit balance. Oh, and remember that you can always check your balance from your
My Disney Experience app!
Please write us back if you have any follow-up questions.
Have a Magical Vacation!
Doug