Currency -- The U.S. monetary system is very simple: The most common bills are the $1 (colloquially, a "buck"), $5, $10, and $20 denominations. There are also $2 bills (seldom encountered), $50 bills, and $100 bills (the last two are usually not welcome as payment for small purchases). All the paper money was recently redesigned, making the famous faces adorning them disproportionately large. The old-style bills are still legal tender.

There are seven denominations of coins: 1¢ (1 cent, or a penny); 5¢ (5 cents, or a nickel); 10¢ (10 cents, or a dime); 25¢ (25 cents, or a quarter); 50¢ (50 cents, or a half dollar); the gold-colored "Sacagawea" coin worth $1; and, prized by collectors, the rare, older silver dollar.

Note: The "foreign-exchange bureaus" so common in Europe are rare even at airports in the United States, and nonexistent outside major cities. It's best to leave any currency other than U.S. dollars at home -- it may prove a greater nuisance to you than it's worth. If you must, you can exchange foreign currency at Guest Relations desks at all four Disney parks, or at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom and Earth Station at Epcot. Currency can also be exchanged at Walt Disney World resorts and at the SunBank across from Downtown Disney Marketplace. There are also currency exchanges at Guest Services at Universal Orlando and SeaWorld.

Traveler's Checks -- Though traveler's checks are widely accepted, make sure that they're denominated in U.S. dollars, as foreign-currency checks are often difficult to exchange if they are accepted at all. The three traveler's checks that are most widely recognized -- and least likely to be denied -- are Visa, American Express, and Thomas Cook. Be sure to record the numbers of the checks, and keep that information in a separate place in case they get lost or stolen. Most businesses are pretty good about taking traveler's checks, but you're better off cashing them in at a bank (in small amounts, of course) and paying in cash. Remember: You'll need identification, such as a driver's license or passport, to exchange a traveler's check.

Credit Cards & ATMs -- Credit cards are the most widely used form of payment in the United States: Visa (Barclaycard in Britain); MasterCard (EuroCard in Europe, Access in Britain, Chargex in Canada); American Express; Diners Club; Discover; and Carte Blanche. With the exception of Carte Blanche, all of these credit cards are accepted at the Disney, SeaWorld, and Universal parks. Most places in Orlando will accept at least one type of credit card, though there are a small number of stores and restaurants that will not take them, so be sure to ask in advance. Most businesses will display a sticker near their entrance to let you know which cards are accepted there. (Note: Businesses may require a minimum purchase, generally around $10, to use a credit card, in addition, some will require photo ID along with your credit card).

It is strongly recommended that you bring at least one major credit card. You must have a credit or charge card to rent a car. Hotels and airlines usually require a credit card imprint as a deposit against expenses, and in an emergency a credit card can be priceless.

You'll find automated teller machines (ATMs) in most tourist areas as well as downtown. Some ATMs let you draw U.S. currency against your bank and credit cards. Check with your bank before leaving home, and remember that you will need your personal identification number (PIN) to do so. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, as well as ATM cards from other U.S. banks. Expect to be charged up to $4.00 per transaction, however, if you're not using your own bank's ATM.