Disney Dollars are a form of corporate scrip sold by The Walt Disney Company and redeemable for goods or services at many Disney facilities.
Similar in size, shape and design to the paper currency of the United States most bills bear the image of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, or a drawing of one of the landmarks of the Disneyland Resort or the Walt Disney World and are accepted at the company's theme parks, the Disney cruise ships, the Disney Store and at certain parts of Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Caribbean.
History
Disney Dollars were first issued in May 1987,[1] and originally came in one and five dollar denominations. In 1990, Disney added a 10 dollar bill.
Disney Dollars come in series of A and D, the former created for the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and the latter for the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. In 2005, both resorts released a $50 bill designed by Disney artist Charles Boyer to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. Since 2005 they have also issued have T series for the Disney Stores.
Special editions are sometimes sold to Disney Cast Members as a form of incentive.
Since October 4, 2009, Disney Dollars are no longer sold by Disney Stores.
On May 14, 2016, Disney announced that they would discontinue printing and distributing Disney Dollars, but existing issues will remain 'legal tender' at all Disney locations in the United States where they were normally used and they will not expire.[2]
Use
The bills are redeemable for goods or services at the Disney theme parks, the Disney cruise ships (only for prepayment of the cruise, call in advance to arrange payment), Disney's Castaway Cay port of call and the Disney Stores, unless indications to the contrary are printed on the individual bills.
They are often kept as souvenirs or collected by Disney memorabilia fans, but at Disney resorts they can also be exchanged back to U.S. currency.
Security features
Disney Dollars are created with anti-counterfeiting features such as microprinting, and hard to scan/copy reflective ink and imprinting on the front and back of the bill. In addition the bills are printed with serial numbers and letters which are unique to each bill. The Dollars have small bits of glitter scattered on them.[3]