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

[1st*toright]

We are staying at RPR end of the trip. Presidents weekend. Rides are more open during parade? When does it start? Uni virgins here open to any suggestions.

No idea. I'm a Uni virgin too - so really its just a hope that other parts of the park will be less busy, since the only thing my daughter cares about is the HP stuff.

I can let you know when I get back! It does look like it will be less busy in general when we're there (8th/9th) than it will be over the holiday weekend. The 9th is the first night that the Mardi Gras parade does its thing, seems to be only on certain nights.

 

[LynnTH]

Interestingly I just reserved the Fantasmic dessert party a couple days ago. It came up as WDW Resorts and coded travel. I put it on my CIC because I’m working on MSR but if I knew it coded travel I would have been tempted to use CSR. I’m not sure if it changed or was a fluke so YMMV

Hmmm. Interesting. Did you book it online?

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Suggestions on getting Amex to raise a credit line? I only got $5k on the Everyday I just grabbed for the 0% balance transfer crap. And it'll only let me transfer $3750 of the $8400 I need to transfer. Call? SM? All my amex (minus my SPG biz) are capped at $5k, where as every other lender loves to give me $10-18k when they approve me, LOL. I have the money to pay off the difference in the bank, but I kinda wanted to hang onto my "safety" net as long as I can.

 

[wendow]

@amalone1013 That is terrible that someone set your car on fire!! WHY?? And that van your dh drove That is just scary. He's lucky you still dated him. That's a total creeper van.

 

[alryan]

-

 

[WVMomof3]

Have had an interesting drive this morning. Tried to get out ahead of the changeover to snow. Didn’t make it. Passed 3 accidents within first 10 miles of house. All single car. Two in ditches. One a rollover that crossed the median into our lane. It had obviously just happened. Plow truck was in front of us and he stopped to help. We were late leaving because DD does not listen to mom! I told her to be packed by Tuesday. She thought she was mostly packed but late last night I asked her about several things. She had not even thought about such things of course. Grrrr. So she stayed up all night trying to repack and clean. Her room is better, but still a wreck. Grrrr. Weighed her big suitcase this morning and it was almost 60 pounds. So then we had to unpack and repack again. Grrrrrrr. Made her take some things out. She was in tears. Fun times!

She has an 11 hour layover at Heathrow tomorrow. Has anyone ever done a short layover tour? I will be a nervous wreck about it, but I think she will have time to see a few things. Layover is 6:40 am to 6 pm. Obviously needs to allow for time getting out of and back to airport but thinking she could have 5 hours inside London? Any tips, guidance, discouragement??

 

[Chancery8]

NON-expedited...what are people seeing as the turnaround time for receiving a CIC card?

That's our next application, and while we are holding our mail while gone, I don't want the card to get into that stack in case anything weird happens. I was going to try to time my application to have the card arrive no earlier than 2/5 (of course I'm assuming I'll get auto-approved which likely won't happen)...

At any rate, thoughts on that turnaround time (from approval to card in hand)?

Not CIC, but CIP took a week (applied on a Monday, approved on Tuesday, card arrived following Monday).

We have a Honda Pilot and Crosstour. We love the Pilot (and Crosstour that they sadly stopped making). We actually traded in a BMW for it. The maintenance cost of the BMW was outrageous. We only have one kiddo but the extra seating is nice when we do need it. It’s great for when we go to Hersheypark and come with all of DH and DS winnings since DH spends the majority of his time playing games.

Another Honda Pilot owner here! Love it as well. We also have a Subaru outback that my DH loves but I can't stand - soley because the passenger seat head rest is the most uncomfortable thing ever for me. I haven't been able to adjust it in any way that makes it comfortable for me. I despise traveling long distances in it, but since DH does most of the driving, he always wants to take the subaru because he likes driving it better than the Pilot. One of my friends said the same thing about the Outback being uncomfortable, and we figure it's because we're both short and the angle of the headrest was meant for taller people.

Staying at RPR at Universal - we will be there for the first night of their Mardi Gras parade, which I'm hoping will mean we will have Harry Potter Land all to ourselves in the evening .

We are staying at RPR end of the trip. Presidents weekend. Rides are more open during parade? When does it start? Uni virgins here open to any suggestions.

We went to Harry Potter land years ago when it first opened and got in line for Forbidden Journey 5 minutes before closing, on a Monday night in early December. I felt like I won the lottery when we realized it was completely empty!!! I was so excited walking through Hogwarts without anyone else around. We took our time walking through the queue and took so many amazing photos. I may or may not have slipped under some railings to touch the displays and take a photo sitting at a desk in the defense against the dark arts room... I would've loved a photo sitting on the couch in the Gryffindor common room, but that room is too close to the boarding platform of the ride so you can see the cast members. One of my favorite photos from that night is of me in the hall of portraits all by myself.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Are people having luck upgrading? Is CHS for Charleston?

If you follow the script and HUCA multiple times you may be successful. I will let you know how it goes.
Yes chs is charleston.

 

[DisneyMandC]

She has an 11 hour layover at Heathrow tomorrow. Has anyone ever done a short layover tour? I will be a nervous wreck about it, but I think she will have time to see a few things. Layover is 6:40 am to 6 pm. Obviously needs to allow for time getting out of and back to airport but thinking she could have 5 hours inside London? Any tips, guidance, discouragement??

Didn't maybe Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmern used to do a series on what to do in a city during a long layover? I swear that was a tv show.

 

[GZanta77]

Cruise people: we leave in 2 weeks from today. Oasis of the Sea. Just recently hit with the noro virus but not going to think about that! Two questions:
1. How much cash should I bring? 2 adults and 2 kids - they are 9&12. We don’t gamble, did the drink package onboard, not huge shoppers but will pick up a few small souvenirs
2. Tips for the kids? They are threatening not going to the kids club. At all. I was thinking card games like Uno to occupy them? Any other thoughts?

1. Rarely take more than $500. There is an ATM on board, and in the ports if additional is needed. Always bring a wad of $1 bills for tipping - even on the drinks package, it is amazing how much more attentive those waiters can be if you tip them an extra dollar or two with your drinks.
2. The ship library usually has a selection of board games if you run out of things to do - but we sailed Oasis when our kids were not far off the same age as yours and they loved the kids club - we rarely saw them outside of meal times and excursions.

 

[elgerber]

She has an 11 hour layover at Heathrow tomorrow. Has anyone ever done a short layover tour? I will be a nervous wreck about it, but I think she will have time to see a few things. Layover is 6:40 am to 6 pm. Obviously needs to allow for time getting out of and back to airport but thinking she could have 5 hours inside London? Any tips, guidance, discouragement??

I haven't done that, but I have flown in and out of there. It's about an hour by tube to the city. I would think your time frame should be about right. We didn't have to wait terribly long to get through security there, but that was two years ago.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Have had an interesting drive this morning. Tried to get out ahead of the changeover to snow. Didn’t make it. Passed 3 accidents within first 10 miles of house. All single car. Two in ditches. One a rollover that crossed the median into our lane. It had obviously just happened. Plow truck was in front of us and he stopped to help. We were late leaving because DD does not listen to mom! I told her to be packed by Tuesday. She thought she was mostly packed but late last night I asked her about several things. She had not even thought about such things of course. Grrrr. So she stayed up all night trying to repack and clean. Her room is better, but still a wreck. Grrrr. Weighed her big suitcase this morning and it was almost 60 pounds. So then we had to unpack and repack again. Grrrrrrr. Made her take some things out. She was in tears. Fun times!

She has an 11 hour layover at Heathrow tomorrow. Has anyone ever done a short layover tour? I will be a nervous wreck about it, but I think she will have time to see a few things. Layover is 6:40 am to 6 pm. Obviously needs to allow for time getting out of and back to airport but thinking she could have 5 hours inside London? Any tips, guidance, discouragement??

So exciting!!

Dd started packing last night. I didn’t go up to see if she was finished this morning. We had all the bedding and clothes and shoes packed in vacuum bags and stuffed in blue ikea bags when I went to bed. Hope those bags hold up for the trip. Luckily no layover so they won’t be tossed around too much.
Here is dd and her bff when they were just getting started:

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Following this. P2’s Plus and Premier are coming up on the anniversary and I’m also wondering when to cancel.
Don’t want to talk about it. I’ve been stuck at 2 weeks for almost 3 days! @PolyRob got me so excited when he posted that his got approved quickly and that same day someone else got a CIP auto approval. I am calling nonstop and it’s driving me mad! Seriously though, 2 weeks is a good place to be stuck right?

Yes 2 weeks is a good place to be stuck..one of our Chase business cards took about 8 days to be approved

As far as the SW cards...wait until the anniversary points post in your RR account before cancelling

 

[PolyRob]

Don’t want to talk about it. I’ve been stuck at 2 weeks for almost 3 days! @PolyRob got me so excited when he posted that his got approved quickly and that same day someone else got a CIP auto approval. I am calling nonstop and it’s driving me mad! Seriously though, 2 weeks is a good place to be stuck right?

Sending positive thoughts of approval soon!

I am no Chase expert, but everything I have read/seen makes it seem like staying at 2 weeks and not switching to 7-10 days is still good.

 

[mmmears]

DH called Amex this morning to ask about any retention offers. He said the guy sounded genuinely shocked that there were none for our acct. He could see how long he was a customer, how much spend was on it in 2018 (I’m embarrassed to even say how much but let’s just say a lot) and that he recently opened up a few new cards. I am guessing that was likely the issue. He said to call back and try again. DH said he might do that another day. Oh well.

LOL! My friends (when we had younger kids) would joke (but it was true) that not only would I not drive a minivan, I wouldn't be seen in one. I understand the premise of them, I just don't understand how they apply to me

My Honda S2000 was the love of my life...after my divorce, DD was too tiny for the front seat airbag so I had to trade it in for an Accord (that I sold to my father-15 years old and still runs great) then the Infiniti (convertible) then with the addition of "big dogs" trading the convertible for an SUV. I really want another "fun car" (convertible) but that is pending DD's college decision.

Good luck @WVMomof3 -safe travels for your DD and you!

@disneymagicgirl - we stayed in a family suite at AoA and liked it. Of course, more bathrooms/space with a teenage girl, the better. If I were to just have 1 room I agree with @FloridaNative8 and would prefer the renovated rooms at Pop.

Totally agree on the minivan stuff. I never understood why people with one child needed so much space but I know a bunch who did. I get it if you have a large family although I’d probably just a larger SUV. I can’t even explain it but I’m just not a fan.

 

[Oscar Madison]

My car doesn’t even have cruise control lol

Yes, my 2000 CR-V didn't come with heated seats.

 

[afan]

This would be useful to me too....just got a CIC and trying to remember ways to trigger 5X purchases (Gyft via PayPal I believe?). I've moved on from CIP but found myself looking for opportunities there too.

Also a good idea! @SouthFayetteFan

 

[striker1064]

@magickingdomprincess Update on the Discover bonus, the transfer/cancel trick worked. Just logged into DW's account and the $150 + $50 is posted.

 

[amalone1013]

@amalone1013 That is terrible that someone set your car on fire!! WHY?? And that van your dh drove That is just scary. He's lucky you still dated him. That's a total creeper van.

Ha right?? He's so lucky I came along It was basically like, he needed a vehicle, and his grandparent's neighbor was like you can have that if you can make it run. Grandparent's live in Commerce City, so that will probably give you an idea of why the neighbor had something like that

I was so mad about my car. A 15 year old, out with his friends vandalizing stuff that night. Ugh. Just so upsetting, because it's one of those things that you can't replace for what your insurance values it at - a 12 year old car that you know the history of worth $4kish for blue book price can't be replaced for that $4k!

 

[GZanta77]

She has an 11 hour layover at Heathrow tomorrow. Has anyone ever done a short layover tour? I will be a nervous wreck about it, but I think she will have time to see a few things. Layover is 6:40 am to 6 pm. Obviously needs to allow for time getting out of and back to airport but thinking she could have 5 hours inside London? Any tips, guidance, discouragement??

Assuming bags are checked through - trip into London is totally doable. Piccadilly Line into central London takes about 50mins - some will say Heathrow Express is faster (and more expensive) but that only gets you to Paddington and then you still have to get the underground to where you want to be. A one-day travelcard for Zones 1-6 is less than £20 - will need to buy the Peak Travel one (not Off-Peak). Realistcally - could be in Central London by 8am and should plan on leaving by 2:30. Plenty of time to hit some sites.

If you haven't travelled on the London Underground before, just be prepared for it to get jam-packed when travelling into London at 7:30am.