I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[wendow]

I was also going to suggest on the free dining room put 1 adult and the 1 child and upgrade to deluxe. For the full 5 nights. Check the price, I've found that when paying full price for dining plans, it's very close for 2 adults on regular dining and 1a1c on deluxe. I would guess doing upgrades would be similar. For similar cost, you'd get so much more. And as mentioned, the meal credits are not separated so you can use them all on adults and "adults".

Thanks! I’ll check out this option!

 

[afan]

We’ve never stayed at Pop. Only value we’ve ever stayed at is ASMo. And we weren’t too impressed. Hoping Pop is a better experience.

I love Pop. I think it's easy because everything seems close together and the food court is nice but can get busy. Once you are away from the food court though it's not that crazy. I like the 50's section because it's quiet.

I’m not a fan of the value hotels for a couple of reasons. Bus wait is always longer than moderate and deluxe resorts. Rooms are small and we like bigger beds than full size. Plus I like having a fridge.

Pop has fridges and has since before the refurb and with the refurb they put queen beds in. But waits can be long due to all the people waiting but if you plan it right it's not bad. Plus if you just miss a bus there's always going to be a wait regardless of which resort you are at. They also tend to shuttle through a lot of buses in the morning and at park close when the lines get super long. The only bus issue I had was the people on the bus leaving MK after MVMCP. There were people that didn't want to stand and for whatever reason the CM's that were at the line and the bus driver didn't continue filling the bus so at least one left that wasn't as full as it should have been. They should have filled the bus and if the next people in line didn't want to go they should have found people that would have, that's really on the CM's and the people in line but can happen anywhere. I also like the values because they have actual queue's at the resort for the bus, I've read about the "free for all" at other resorts and that would stress me out.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

@disneymagicgirl forgot to post yesterday when we went in March tried looking for your dd but guess she wasn’t working the two times we went in for fries. My three made it a game to check out the name tags.

Awww bummer! Thanks for looking! She seems to get scheduled more at the dessert parties and Tomorrowland terrace lunch (it was open briefly during the spring rush). She is actually thankful, because Casey's is def not her fave shift.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

For anyone looking for a good character dinner. We found artist point’s food great and the characters were worth it. The evil queen stayed in character. It was one of the best of meals during our March trip. Bon voyage at trattoria al forno was great as always. We did 6 character meals in March and those were the top 2 for our group of 7.

I LOVED AP as well, in January. Food was yummy and Snow is my fave. The queen is great too! I'd do it again for sure!

We have trattoria booked for breakfast next month and DD19 also picked it (reluctantly) for her bday meal. I suggested Il Mulino but she doesn't seem interested. Whatever. At least we get a discount at Trattoria.

 

[Judique]

Sporadic reports from some folks seeing it in the last week or so, it's not wide spread, I think this is maybe the 3rd (ish) report I've heard. I'm not seeing it either. I'd loveA it if they rolled that to everyone, right now the offers are the only reason I even use the mobile app.

I just looked and I have them. I didn't find them that bad on my phone but I do find that I'm not getting any super good offers.

 

[snugglebug]

Totally off topic...but I had a major fail tonight...

We had to get a portion of our gas line replaced so I had moved our Disney Lego Castle (you know the 4,080 piece one https://shop.lego.com/en-US/product/The-Disney-Castle-71040) off of our basement fireplace to allow access. I go to move it back...and the top starts to topple over...and in trying to catch it I probably only make it worse...BAM, it hits the floor of the laundry room and breaks into 200ish pieces.

What's a dad to do at 1:30am...lookup a PDF of the instructions and get to it. So yes, I just spent the last hour reassembling the castle...AND I SUCCEEDED!!! I'm done with legos for like a year now, lol. Crisis averted...and I'm tired, so it's off to bed for me!

That castle was my biggest stress when moving. Happy to say it moved from one house to another with no damage done.

 

[trstno1]

Off topic .somewhat, but I know there are Broadway fans here. Has anyone found good value redeeming Chase UR for Broadway tix?

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Does anyone know how the dining plan codes on Chase? I am planning to add Deluxe Dining to one room for our DVC stay (and will book through the DVC website) in December realized I don't know how that codes. Just planning ahead in case I need spend to meet my CIP #2 MSR as I can purchase this at any time.

I tested out one night last year and mine coded as 1x. You are better off buying discounted Disney cards.

ETA I had my reservation as 1 adult added the ddp. Then after I saw how it coded I changed my reservation back to all 5 of us and added the ddp using gc.

This is great to hear. We are doing both of those next week!!

I get the kings “calzone” every time. Haven’t been disappointed yet. We have been 5-6x and it’s been great every time. Servers have been great enough that I’ve spoken with the manager 4x about the great service.

 

[snugglebug]

AMEX SELF-SUPPORT LINK WARNING:
I'm bringing this message to the group with information from @Lain - he's away having fun this weekend but the DISchurners mods consulted and we wanted to just put this out there...

@Lain noticed this DP from r/churning claiming that Amex clawed back a “support” bonus from a BGR and signup bonus on a BBP because of "self-support" click https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/bh7apz/data_points_central_thread_week_of_april_25_2019/elua2a4/

We aren't trying to freak anybody out, but this is something to monitor. The DP mentioned that all spend was organic, but it also seems like they hit the MSR very fast because the Signup Bonus posted a week after the referral bonus.

I noted that the AMEX RAT often works in mysterious ways and we often have skepticism towards random comments on r/churning. This may be an anomaly. @Albort also notes that it could be something else that they aren't sharing with us. @Lain is holding off on self-support clicks until we see if any other DPs come in.

IF you are playing in 2 player mode though, the easiest way to avoid this is to do a P1=>P2 or P2=>P1 support click vs a self-click. We should all continue to monitor the situation. Consider yourselves warned (in the least ominous way possible, haha!)

Also worth noting - the worst case scenario here is you lose your support points and potentially your sign up points. That's not the end of the world but I know many would be very upset to meet an MSR for nothing. AND if this were more widespread we'd have heard more about it by now.

I'll throw this out and then cross my fingers:

3/15 P1 applied for Hilton Aspire using P1 support link for Amex Gold
4/15 Bonus points posted to Hilton
as of today still no support points to Amex Gold

 

[shairpdrh]

I tested out one night last year and mine coded as 1x. You are better off buying discounted Disney cards.

ETA I had my reservation as 1 adult added the ddp. Then after I saw how it coded I changed my reservation back to all 5 of us and added the ddp using gc.

Thank you for the info! I will plan to buy gift cards for the dining plan. That was my other idea. I will probably just wait to buy it later in the year, but I like having a few options for meeting MSR.

 

[AmyAnne]

For anyone looking for a good character dinner. We found artist point’s food great and the characters were worth it. The evil queen stayed in character. It was one of the best of meals during our March trip. Bon voyage at trattoria al forno was great as always. We did 6 character meals in March and those were the top 2 for our group of 7.

Thanks for posting this. We always do a few character meals each trip--with my teen/young adult kids, there is no more waiting in lines to see characters, but they are happy to pose with the characters during a meal, so I get my character picture fix. However, we tend not to leave the parks for meals, given the hassles of transportation. We also always stay at AKL (we've tried a few other resorts and just like the uniqueness of AKL), although next trip I might try a split stay.

I'm curious if you'd be willing to share a quick write-up of the rest of your character meals for comparison.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'll throw this out and then cross my fingers:

3/15 P1 applied for Hilton Aspire using P1 support link for Amex Gold
4/15 Bonus points posted to Hilton
as of today still no support points to Amex Gold

I think AMEX also has issues with support clicks tracking with this whole “any card” program. I had somebody use my BCE link for a different card and it never tracked. Bummer!

 

[snugglebug]

I think AMEX also has issues with support clicks tracking with this whole “any card” program. I had somebody use my BCE link for a different card and it never tracked. Bummer!

I've decided at this point I'm going to assume it's a Hilton not tracking issue a little similar to yours and let it go because I'm not spending forever on the phone. I clicked the link with the assumption it was a gamble to get the support points anyway. If they come I'll be happy and if not oh well, win some lose some.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Sporadic reports from some folks seeing it in the last week or so, it's not wide spread, I think this is maybe the 3rd (ish) report I've heard. I'm not seeing it either. I'd love it if they rolled that to everyone, right now the offers are the only reason I even use the mobile app.

I see it but not every time I login. Seems to come me and go. I’m using an iPad, not laptop

 

[have2getaway]

I have a question specific to redeeming UR’s for a Universal stay. We have 2 different weeks to chose from and are struggling with comparing points and cost value. We are paying for airfare with cash as we have United redemption certificates to use. We are also trying to weigh the benefit of paying for club and try to factor in when would be less busy.

Option 1:

Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)
Airfare Cost is $350 more with this option but resort costs for RPR are less:

2 Queen — $314.66 or 20,977 points
2 Queen Club — $518.72 or 34,647 points

Option 2:

Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras) — airfare is $350 less this week, but hotel is more:

2 Queen — $435.43 or 29,028 points
2 Queen Club — $556.86 or 37,124 points

I get so focused on the dollar value, but DH is more focused on what we will pay out of pocket, and so he thinks paying $350 less in airfare with cash is more important, but really neither of us are really sure which is the better way to go?? I find it hard to look at it as “just points”. Also, For option number one, it doesn’t make sense to me for us to pay club level with it being 14,000 points more, which would be $140 cash per night. Am I evaluating this properly?

I have the points now to reserve a 2 room Queen under Option 1, but if we want to do club, I will need to wait until my additional points hit in one week. What are the odds the cost will increase from now until then?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Decided to book some pre cruise activities and found the same ones thru the Chase portal, so booked there. Great deal. Also planning aquarium visit so will get those tix too.
So far cruise, hotels, flights and excursions/activities booked =$11500. Booked flights & hotels with points/miles, excursions & activities with URs, and cruise with DGCs (est avg 20% off although I admittedly did not track this and some were purchased with cash back or bank bonuses) for a total cash price $3200

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I have a question specific to redeeming UR’s for a Universal stay. We have 2 different weeks to chose from and are struggling with comparing points and cost value. We are paying for airfare with cash as we have United redemption certificates to use. We are also trying to weigh the benefit of paying for club and try to factor in when would be less busy.

Option 1:

Weds to Weds (Before President’s Day)
Airfare Cost is $350 more with this option but resort costs for RPR are less:

2 Queen — $314.66 or 20,977 points
2 Queen Club — $518.72 or 34,647 points

Option 2:

Tues to Tues (After President’s Day/during Mardi Gras) — airfare is $350 less this week, but hotel is more:

2 Queen — $435.43 or 29,028 points
2 Queen Club — $556.86 or 37,124 points

I get so focused on the dollar value, but DH is more focused on what we will pay out of pocket, and so he thinks paying $350 less in airfare with cash is more important, but really neither of us are really sure which is the better way to go?? I find it hard to look at it as “just points”. Also, For option number one, it doesn’t make sense to me for us to pay club level with it being 14,000 points more, which would be $140 cash per night. Am I evaluating this properly?

I have the points now to reserve a 2 room Queen under Option 1, but if we want to do club, I will need to wait until my additional points hit in one week. What are the odds the cost will increase from now until then?

I tend to be like your DH and go for lowest OOP cost. Club level seems pricey but how many people would it cover? I’ve never stayed club level so not sure how much value you would get from it.
That said, if the the rooms are refundable, you can book now and if you have more points and want to change later, you can cancel and re-book. The URs go right back into your account. If I’m on the fence, I book now and re evaluate as needed.

 

[have2getaway]

I tend to be like your DH and too for lowest OOP cost. Club level seems pricey but how many people would it cover? I’ve never stayed club level so not sure how much value you would get from it.
That said, if the the rooms are refundable, you can book now and if you have more points and want to change later, you can cancel and re-book. The URs go right back into your account. If I’m on the fence, I book now and re evaluate as needed.

Thank you! Do the UR’s go right back into our account immediately, or does it take a few days? That’s helpful to know. I was considering doing this but wasn’t sure how long it would take for the credit to go back. We are undecided on club level because a continental breakfast doesn’t usually satisfy us, and because we have no experience with staying Club Level. There would be five of us.

 

[alryan]

Thank you! Do the UR’s go right back into our account immediately, or does it take a few days? That’s helpful to know. I was considering doing this but wasn’t sure how long it would take for the credit to go back. We are undecided on club level because a continental breakfast doesn’t usually satisfy us, and because we have no experience with staying Club Level. There would be five of us.

Every time I’ve canceled the points are refunded within 10 minutes. I log out and when I log back in they are there.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thank you! Do the UR’s go right back into our account immediately, or does it take a few days? That’s helpful to know. I was considering doing this but wasn’t sure how long it would take for the credit to go back. We are undecided on club level because a continental breakfast doesn’t usually satisfy us, and because we have no experience with staying Club Level. There would be five of us.

Yes, every time I’ve cancelled, URs have been back immediately after refreshing or logging out/back in.
Someone else could comment on food available, but $140/5=28 per person, so if you think you’d spend that much on food you could get club level then it seems worth it. DH can eat huge amounts of food but DS and I tend to be small eaters in the am. We bring cereal to eat in room.