HELP! Too Many Disney Dollars?

cinderellamom12 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 11:24 AM

Hi All, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
Seems like a stupid problem but I would like some help. Going to Disney in 5 weeks. Our hotel, tickets, disney dining are paid for. However, we got $500.00 in Disney DOllars for Christmas. Maybe I am naive, but will a family of four spend this in souvenirs and extra stuff not included inthe dining plan.
Also, do you get cash back if you dont spend a whole bill. For example, you buy something for $5 but give them a $20?
Any additional information you guys can provide would be great!
Thanks
Cindarellamom12

Mickey Crazy · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 12:14 PM

It is always easy to spend money at WDW !
I would not worry about Disney dollars. They are treated just like money and you can always exchange them dollar for dollar for the real thing. Just ask a CM where to do the exchange.

WaltDisWiz · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 12:28 PM

you can excange them for cash value at anytime.

cinderellamom12 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the info. It's kind of a relief. At the disney store they wouldn't give me cash back and when I called the WDW hotline they said I would get Disney Dollars back as change. By the way, please remind me what a CM is. I just don't want to blow the money just because it is "Disney Dollars" if I can turn them in for cash towards the rental car etc.

Mickey Crazy · #5 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinderellamom12

Thanks for the info. It's kind of a relief. At the disney store they wouldn't give me cash back and when I called the WDW hotline they said I would get Disney Dollars back as change. By the way, please remind me what a CM is. I just don't want to blow the money just because it is "Disney Dollars" if I can turn them in for cash towards the rental car etc.

A CM is short for Cast Member. All employees at Disney are called CM's .
And yes when you pay in Disney Dollars they will give change in Disney Dollars. But as I said just ask to see how and where to exchange .

Mad_Hatter · #6 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 08:19 PM

Try giving some of the DD to the kids for their own spending....this is a great way to learn about budgeting, sharing, saving, etc.

Also, use them to get each kid a World Shocase Passport in the first world you go to [Canada or Mexico] in EPCOT!! These are great....

[I could SO send $500 on booty and extra goodies in the parks.] Try thinking about using them for something grand...an extra day at the parks or a room upgrade. Maybe a special tour or magical experience....riding horses at the campgrounds or putt-putt. If you've got the car budgeted already, I'd advise you to splurge - after all the givers of the DD dollars will want to know what Magic you got with it and I know I'd feel let down if you used it to pay for the car....

cinderellamom12 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 08:43 PM

Good idea with the kids. However, they are only 4 and the majority of the DD are theirs from birthdays and christmas $400. They are great kids and don't ask for much, but I can't justify that much in souvenirs! I guess anything left over can be spent later at the disney store!
Can't wait. We leave 5 weeks from today. We just got home from Disney on ice and now I am so excited! Just can't wait!

Mad_Hatter · #8 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 09:10 PM

Perhaps DD don't expire? If not, save some for next time.

[I didn't mean give it to the kids for them all to spend....but perhaps the larger bulk of it would enable you to add something to your vacation. Tickets to the Luau or Hoop Dee Doo. Mad Tea party at Grand Floridian or even Fairy Godmother in-room baby sitting for a meal outwith hubby....]

tnkrbl · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 04:31 PM

I would not worry about having any left over. Even with the dining plan, there will still be snacks and drinks and such you will want. It was nice the first year we went to WDW, we had WAY over budgeted. So, we didn't worry with what we were spending, we all got what we wanted pretty much the whole trip. It was great to just be able to get the things that the kids asked for (to an extent of course!) Just have fun with it! That's why it was given to you! Have a great trip!

MickeyMouse · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 08:34 PM

cinderellamom12,
I would not look a gift horse in the mouth. I would be very grateful to have that much money to spend in WDW. I could easily spend that and more in WDW. You are so lucky to have that much for spend in WDW. I had nothing close to that to spend when I went.

cinderellamom12 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey crazy

It is always easy to spend money at WDW !
I would not worry about Disney dollars. They are treated just like money and you can always exchange them dollar for dollar for the real thing. Just ask a CM where to do the exchange.

I tried to exchange them yesterday at MGM at guest services and they would not exchange them! Not a big deal because I know they will eventually get used up. However, I just wanted everyone to know that they may enounter problems.

Good luck!

elgentry · #12 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 03:30 PM

I was there in January and exchange mine at the POR Hotel Store with no problems what so ever. Also I always got change in real dollars not DD I used them.

Mickey Crazy · #13 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinderellamom12

I tried to exchange them yesterday at MGM at guest services and they would not exchange them! Not a big deal because I know they will eventually get used up. However, I just wanted everyone to know that they may enounter problems.

Good luck!

I am sorry to hear that they would not exchange the dollars for you. Did they give you a reason? I have not had that problem in the past.
I also checked the official Disney site. The policy listed is that you can purchase and exchange Disney Dollars at all four parks at Guest Services.They also stated that most of the resort guest services can also sell and exchange. My guidebooks also show the same statement.
I hope our other members do not have this problem. I would suggest that if they do buy the Dollars that they confirm at the place of purchase that they will also exchange them back to U.S. currency.

cinderellamom12 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey crazy

I am sorry to hear that they would not exchange the dollars for you. Did they give you a reason? I have not had that problem in the past.
I also checked the official Disney site. The policy listed is that you can purchase and exchange Disney Dollars at all four parks at Guest Services.They also stated that most of the resort guest services can also sell and exchange. My guidebooks also show the same statement.
I hope our other members do not have this problem. I would suggest that if they do buy the Dollars that they confirm at the place of purchase that they will also exchange them back to U.S. currency.

Hi Crazy Mickey,
They just asked where they where purchased. Here (Mgm) or else where. I told them that they were purchased from Disney Stores.
He said that their policy was that they don't exchange them. I only had $25 left but I was hoping to put the cash back into the vacation fund for our next trip. It's not big deal.

However, I would love to find thir policy on this just to bring it to their attention. Where did you see it? I did find that there were several discrepancies during our vacation. Our hotel said we could park at other hotels with no time limit. We would get to the other hotel and they wouldn't let us park etc.
They just need to get their policies consistant!

Disney~Princess · #15 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 11:07 PM

Is there such a thing as TOO many disney dollars? hehe I wouldnt think so. I think my family could very easy spend that money. When we go to WDW we usually spend at least 500.00 on odds and ends for the 4 of us. Have fun!

29 MORE DAYS UNTIL OUR 14TH DISNEY TRIP!