Disney first issued Disney Dollars in 1987.
Disney Dollars were souvenir-style currency notes created for use at Disney properties, including theme parks and selected Disney stores. Their designs used Disney characters and landmarks, making them both spending instruments and collectible merchandise.
The notes were denominated in United States dollars and could generally be exchanged at participating Disney locations for goods and services at face value. Collectors were especially interested in the artwork, serial numbers, signatures, and changes between printings.
Disney Dollars are sometimes described as ordinary theme-park coupons, but they were intended to function as Disney-issued currency within the company’s participating operations. They should also not be confused with generic Disney gift cards, which became a separate modern payment product. Disney stopped issuing new Disney Dollars in 2016, although previously issued notes remain collectible.