We spotted a change happening around Disney World, and we’re not sure how we feel about it.
Cashless snack cart
It looks like cashless snack carts are popping up in the Disney parks, giving folks the option of paying with credit or debit cards, Disney gift cards, or mobile payments. Here’s what you need to know.
Heads up, Disney World visitors! It looks like Disney is phasing out cash at select snack carts. We spotted this change in Magic Kingdom, at the Main Street, U.S.A. popcorn cart. There are signs posted near the registers of the snack cart advising folks that it’s a “cashless location,” and that credit cards, Disney gift cards, and mobile payments are the only options here.
Cashless popcorn cart at Magic Kingdom
We also noticed the same sign located at the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom. Cash is no longer accepted at either location.
Ananadapur Ice Cream Truck
We expect to see this trend continue at other Disney World snack carts, so make sure you keep an eye out for these signs on your next trip. We’re not sure Disney would make ALL of the snack carts cashless, but it’s possible.
While making things cashless will likely speed up lines and service at some of these carts, sometimes you just want to pay with cash! This is especially true if it’s a small purchase that you don’t feel like putting on a card — like a popcorn refill or a soda, for example. Sometimes cash is just easier, but we’ll be interested to see how this changes things around Disney World, if it does at all.
Keep an eye out at snack carts!
We’ll be on the lookout for more cashless snack carts around Disney World. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more.
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I’m amazed it didn’t happen sooner! Busch Gardens and SeaWorld went completely cashless a couple of years ago. And you’re right….it is annoying to charge a couple bucks and I don’t think it makes the line go faster. Some people, like me, will just pass by and no longer buy quick, cheap snacks or souvenirs anymore. Charging will just be for major purchases and sitdown dinners.
This is especially frustrating for international guests who can get charged huge fees for card transactions every time
We started years ago picking up Disney gift cards before a trip and using them instead of cash
I’ve been to a hotel that won’t take cash and I knew that this was coming but I don’t like it at all! Big brother is really here now! We’re being tracked 🙌
I HATE IT. I understand because it’s clean and the vendors don’t have to touch dirty sweaty money. I will purchase less. Also I’ll be brining more of my own food and drinks in my Igloo Back Pack. It’s a hassle, but this is getting out of control, prices and cashless.
I have gone cashless for years at WDW. Why carry a wad of cash when one or two credit cards, or a MagicBand will do the trick. Most folks carry a lot of other things, so why not shed what is not absolutely necessary?
Won’t it cost Disney money for the credit card purchase? I wonder what per cent they are charged for each purchase?
Purchase a Disney gift card before you go. It’s not a deal breaker. Walmart target Walgreens lowes Home Depot has them to purchase. Also you can get them online. They are useful for children to stay on budget.
The problem is that when things go down you’re basically dead in the water and I hate that !
I KNOW I don’t like it. If an establishment doesn’t trust an employee to handle cash, why should I trust them with my credit card? I pay off my credit card balance every month so I reserve it for mostly large transactions. I walk away from snack venues at WDW when they insist on credit cards.
There are pluses and minuses to this move, but most of the world is moving that way. I charge pretty much everything to the card attached to my MDE account, accessed with my MB+. I take a credit card, ID, and a twenty to the parks with me but rarely use anything but the charge function on my MB+. I often have one or two gift cards that we may use to pay for purchases, but not on every trip. Those who prefer cash or who are here from overseas can purchase Disney gift cards and use those, essentially cash in plastic form. While banks do charge a small fee per transaction, handling cash comes with costs too, including making sure each location has sufficient funds to make change and picking up excess cash throughout the day, plus counting and depositing it each day, so Disney is likely to be happy to lose the need for extra staff to manage that.
I simply wont use the cashless carts! I refuse to pay interest from them and my bank this is utter BS
I have to admit that I prefer cashless . No matter what the banks ding international travelers with credit card fees or when you exchange for american money. So not having to dig through stuff for cash is a positive thing for me. I get points to fly so it works out
Agree with Mary and that was my first thought – i still carry a small amount of change with me to the parks despite being cashless in case something happens or something goes down – would suspect then it just won’t be open if it can’t be cashless.
Correct, if you have to use a credit card you incur fees and for those international people they have 2 to 3 types of transcational fees with just ONE charge. I no longer charge anything to my room, with my magic band, because then I’m charged multiple resort fees.