Holiday in Florida - Spending Money Question

carolinehulse84

Hi, I was wondering if somebody could help me with the following question.

My boyfriend and I are going to Orlando in Florida in April for two weeks and we have set up a Nationwide Flex Account which means that we will be able to draw out cash from ATM's abroad with no loading charges or card fees. Obviously we are going to take a small amount of US Dollars ($100) with us so that we have some cash for as soon as we arrive but we were planning that for the rest of the holiday we just draw our money out of cash machines in oreder to get the best possible exchange rate.

My question is - are there lots of cash machines around on International Drive, the Disney parks and the Universal parks that we get our money from or would we actually be better changing our money before we go?

Thanks

vivatifosi

Hi caroline,

There are ATM's all over. I have personally used the one at Seaworld, they are all over Disney, see:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/atm_locations.htm
They are also in the front of the Universal parks.
On I Drive I'm pretty sure that they are at the main retail locations. I can't remember if they are still there (Florida changes quickly) but they even had drive in ATMs at the Sun Bank opposite Disney Marketplace.

I didn't have a Nationwide account, but I did find it quite expensive (though very convenient) to use the ATMs. From what I can work out talking to Floridians, there isn't a free network of ATMs in the same way as here - you get cash out from your own bank or pay a small fee as well. In that respect they may charge a couple of dollars handling.

However you can buy almost anything with a credit card. In America it is common not to sign the slip for smaller transactions (say $10 or less), so don't be surprised if that happens. Equally you may be asked for ID for amounts of $50 and up.

So get cash on your card by all means, but if they are charging a flat fee for getting money out, try and plan to get a fair bit out at a time. Check with your hotel as most of the places we've stayed have had in room safes so you can leave large amounts of cash behind.

Hope this is helpful.

scoop99

I did exactly the same last year. I used ATM's at the parks and also in supermarkets on I-drive.
However, I was charged a couple of dollars each time I took money out, not by Nationwide but the ATM companies. Like previous post, I was surprised at first that when paying by card they very rarely asked you to sign.
Not like this country.

MrsE_2

One thing that always worries me about relying on ATMs for holiday money.

You ever lost your card in a faulty machine?
You ever lost your card?

What would happen in either of these situations?

moonrakerz

MrsE wrote: »

One thing that always worries me about relying on ATMs for holiday money.

You ever lost your card in a faulty machine?
You ever lost your card?

What would happen in either of these situations?

I always take two cards for different accounts, my Nationwide (hols only) and my First Direct (working current account).
If you take cash or traveller's cheques you could lose those just as easily

If you are in Florida look for the green sign for Publix supermarkets, their ATMs are free.

duchy

Travellers cheques have a replace within 24 hours policy however so do have a bit more of a security blanket in those circumstances. Losing cash chances are you'd have to wait til you got home to claim...and most policies have a fairly low "actual cash" cover.

MrsE_2

moonrakerz wrote: »

I always take two cards for different accounts, my Nationwide (hols only) and my First Direct (working current account).
If you take cash or traveller's cheques you could lose those just as easily

If you are in Florida look for the green sign for Publix supermarkets, their ATMs are free.

Yes but its one thing loosing by your own fault, ie mislaying something. That you can take major steps to avoid, by being careful.

But you can loose a card in a machine, while taking all the care in the world. Its something you can't avoid.

What if people don't have the funds to double up their holiday spends in two accounts to take two cards?

What if they don't have any spare cash, just their holiday money.

I wouldn't like to go on holiday relying on my bank card & for it to get swallowed in a machine. I take it, but NOT as my primary source of holiday money.

Broken_hearted

If you don't have the money then you should stay at home.

MrsE_2

Broken_hearted wrote: »

If you don't have the money then you should stay at home.

How rude:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Are you talking to me:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I'm suggesting that people may not have double holiday funds to spread around multiple accounts in case their card gets swallowed.

If a family are taking 2k to Florida, they might not have ANOTHER 2k to put in another account incase the card to that account gets swallowed in a machine.

What is it with nasty/spiteful/sarcastic snipes on here.

Make you feel good to get up & make caustic remarks to people on the internet does it?
Why don't you go & pick a fight with someone in real life little person?

moonrakerz

MrsE wrote: »

How rude:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Are you talking to me:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I'm suggesting that people may not have double holiday funds to spread around multiple accounts in case their card gets swallowed.

If a family are taking 2k to Florida, they might not have ANOTHER 2k to put in another account incase the card to that account gets swallowed in a machine.

What is it with nasty/spiteful/sarcastic snipes on here.

Make you feel good to get up & make caustic remarks to people on the internet does it?
Why don't you go & pick a fight with someone in real life little person?

The point may have been made none too diplomatically, but you seem to be overly worried about using an ATM card. I have not "lost" a card for about 25 years.
I may lose it on my next holiday, but (as I said) I could lose cash or travellers cheques - I could be struck by lightning ! Life is full of risks, the trouble is people exaggerate the little ones whilst ignoring the big ones.

I will be a little more diplomatic - If you think that the risks of your being stranded in downtown Miami without any money are that great, perhaps you should consider staying at home.

PS: How do you take your holiday money ?

MrsE_2

moonrakerz wrote: »

The point may have been made none too diplomatically, but you seem to be overly worried about using an ATM card. I have not "lost" a card for about 25 years.
I may lose it on my next holiday, but (as I said) I could lose cash or travellers cheques - I could be struck by lightning ! Life is full of risks, the trouble is people exaggerate the little ones whilst ignoring the big ones.

I will be a little more diplomatic - If you think that the risks of your being stranded in downtown Miami without any money are that great, perhaps you should consider staying at home.

PS: How do you take your holiday money ?

CASH!!! & I use the room safe.

Yes it does worry me, having cards swallowed. No I haven't had it happen for years (if ever to me personally).

No I don't need to stay at home, thank you.

Of course I bring cards too, a CC for car hire.

But I like the comfort of cash on holiday, its always acceptable & I get no nasty surprises when the statement comes in with the exchange rate, nor do I risk any "funny" goings on with my cards using them abroad. As this does go on. Turkey & Cyprus have odd things happen with cards.

EDITED to say, yes you could loose cash or TC's, but you need to mislay them or have them stolen. They won't disapear into a hole in the wall.