general costs - how much money do we need?!

Is it possible to get a credit card that connects to your Disney (or SunTrust, whatever) bank account? Or won't they do so due to foreign nationality/being there for only a year?

 

I think I read somewhere about needing to be a US citizen to get a credit card there

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong though

 

they gave the disney cms (i.e. non-operating participants) little cards when i arrived which was good as it meant we didn't have to cash checks

 

Okay... So I gonna have to bring a credit card from my home country. Thanks

 

No you just need an American address to get a credit card in the States.

 

do people set up a bank account in the usa or do you just use your home country bank?
what if i want to use debit to pay for somethings? is it too hard to use your home bank account in the USA for a year? when I cross the boarder to go shopping (im from Canada) I just use debit but is it annoying if your going to be there for a year?

 

Your debit card co will charge you exchange rate fees for every time you use your card. That adds up to A LOT of fees over a year. You can open a USA account, and I suggest you just do that. Get your wages in dollars, keep them in dollars, spend them in dollars... no exchange issues

 

that sounds like a good idea to me with the american bank account!!! x

 

ya. i think i would get an american bank account. did anyone have any problems with like left over money and transfering it to their normal bank account?

 

how long does it take to get the american bank account set up and running with the paychecks going into it?

 

I read somewhere that disney now issue you with cards almost like a disney debit card that all your wages go directly onto that you can spend anywhere? Does any one know anything about it? I can't find the thread I read it on but that sounds too good to be true!?

Heading out in 75 days! Toooo excited!

 

ohhh that would be perfect......that would make life so much easier!!!! If anyone knows please tell all the details!!!!

Thanks
xxxxx
p.s exciting for 75 days I go in 90!!!!! xxx

 

I'm assuming that the card you're talking about is the Visa debit card you get if you open a checking account with the Disney bank, Partners. In your first few days in Orlando you'll be given a presentation about the bank and given the chance to open an account with them. If you do, then you can organise it so that your paychecks go directly into your account and then you can use your debit card anywhere that accepts it, which is most places!

 

a disney debit card, thats cool.

 

I hope we get to choose the design of the card hahaha... after the program and once it expires it will go straight to my Disney Year Scrapbook ... that if I get the Disney Card.

 

The Partners card they issue everyone is crap. Doesn't have your name or most of the details you need for ordering online for example and none of the cash machines let you withdraw without charging. I went to Walmart and opened a suntrust account where you get a proper Visa Debit card with online banking and at least one or 2 cash machines that dont charge you for using

 

To be fair the only problem I've ever had with my paycard is when I tried to buy my universal pass online, and that got sorted. But I heard a story where someones details got stolen, and someone spent loads of their money in Maine, and Partners wouldn't give the money back because it's not a bank account... So an account with Suntrust etc. is more secure.

 

Which bank is best to open an account with??

My friend who did ICP this year showed me his debit card that disney give you, it looks so dogy, no chip or pin, just a swipe, his name wasn't on it either! if u lost it and someone used it, they would be able to wipe your card celan out of money!

only 9 days till i go!! eeek!

 

Suntrust. Go to Walmart with just your Disney ID and passport and you can open a full bank account with them Most banks asks for a social security number but Suntrust dont

 

Plus if you're one of the poor suckers who has bills to pay back home while you're here, it's much easier to transfer funds back home with Suntrust than it is with the Disney paycheck card. No idea whether or not Partners has the same abilities, but it is just as secure.