Hi David!
Welcome to planDisney! The quick answer to your question is yes, most Disney-owned and operated restaurants and merchandise locations will accept cash if you need or prefer to use that method of payment.
To keep Disney Cast Members safe, and the theme parks opened, contactless payment is preferred and strongly encouraged, but I do know that some families feel more comfortable using cash. Do be aware there may be some third-party locations, that are not Disney-owned and operated, that may not accept cash, but those should be very few. You may also find that some quick-service dining locations that use Mobile Order may not be able to accommodate walk-up cash payments, particularly at busy times. Mobile Ordering is used not just for contactless payment reasons, but to regulate the number of Guests inside the restaurant to safe levels, and available slots may be filled by Guests using Mobile Ordering before you arrive at the dining location. There are several locations in each theme park where Mobile Order is not available or required and so these would be good options for cash payments. Try
The Friar's Nook at Magic Kingdom,
La Cantina de San Angel at Epcot,
The Trolley Car Cafe at Disney's Hollywood Studios or
Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
An alternate suggestion would be to consider using a Disney Gift Card. Disney Gift Cards can be purchased online, or you could purchase them using cash at many local retailers such as Walmart, Target, and national grocery chains. Disney gift cards can be combined up to $1,000 on the
Disney Gift Card Website. Using a Disney Gift Card would allow you to pre-purchase your budgeted amount of spending money so you would not need to use a credit card, and you would still be able to use contactless payment in the parks, and
Disney’s Mobile Order Service for dining.
I hope this helps as you plan your visit, David! Please let us know if you have any additional questions as your trip approaches.
- Kate