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

[PolyRob]

Just got an email that Jetblue is selling select flights starting today for flights tomorrow only for $31. RIC to MCO is included...

UGH if I did not just come back from WDW I would have jumped on it. My coworkers would have been so mad to cover me again so soon (not that they did much anyway... still sifting through things)

 

[afan]

Sorry to the Astro fans. I'm happy for the Nats.

The Astos are in the west with the M's and I feel like all I do is watch the two teams play each other. But for the most part I'd root for any NL team against the AL West, except the M's, the yankees and the red sox. Otherwise I'd generally like my AL teams to win now sleep cause 530 comes early.

 

[Artygal90]

Well, if we HAD to lose the World Series, I'm glad it was to the team from my former home of DC. I have some happy friends there tonight. Congratulations Nationals!

 

[wendow]

Thoughts on a MVMCP...we *were* planning to go on Dec 15. We've only been to one party, ever, and that was a MVMCP back in 2014. I keep reading how busy the parties are and people are done with them and don't feel it's worth it. I'm so torn over what to do. My mom and stepdad are joining us on this trip. They've not been to wdw in 8-9 years and I talked my mom into doing the party. She's so excited about the parade and seeing the park decorated at night. There are parties 3 of our 4 nights there and I think the one night there is no party at MK is our Epcot night since dd is singing in the CP. I just don't know what to do. If it is going to be totally crazy, I need to talk my mom in a different direction but I know she will be disappointed. As will my kids. As will dh & I....

 

[PolyRob]

Well I am back from my mini fall MNSSHP trip split between Contemporary and Beach Club and finally caught up with life and the DIS. I had a great time and the post Disney depression is setting in pretty hard. Knowing I already have two other trips planned in the near future helps a bit, but I still miss it!

Besides 10/23, it was VERY hot. I only had bad rain 1 day in Epcot. Sadly I was nowhere near any shelter and got drenched. I prevailed, but ended up skipping Epcot Forever. Wasn’t too upset based on some reports. I will have to see it in December.

This trip was also my first time visiting Batuu and experiencing MFSR since flights were crazy for AP previews. I had a great time! I also built an R2 droid. Sadly the R3 head I wanted was out of stock, but I got some accessories for my R2 and he is pretty cool. Got 2 Spira cards and the backpacks just arrived as I was building. They went up in price and I skipped the purchase since I won’t be carrying him back and forth to WDW. EEMH were AMAZING and will be greatly missed in future trips. I plan on attempting RotR during regular EMH in December. I will have to see how it works out.

MNSSHP was fun, BUT REALLY CROWDED. I’ve been to sold out parties before, but the crowds were larger than regular MK day admission. My night was sold out, but it was ok because the other parties had some pretty bad rain while I was down there. I had a relaxed itinerary and still got great spots for the fireworks and parade so I was happy. Also got a ton of candy that I checked in my FREE bag (Thanks JetBlue biz card )

Now the most important part… the food. I had cancelled Il Mulino ADRs so many times because it just didn’t work out. It was absolutely delicious. I ended up getting 3 full courses because I was so hungry and I do not regret it at all. The prices were also extremely affordable compared to other places in WDW. I even added it into my next trip. I also loved all my snacks/desserts, but the standouts were some favorites like the num num cookie, fried wontons at Y&Y, colossal pretzel in Pandora, and Sleepy Hollow waffle and new items like the Arendelle aqua cone, pepperoni spring rolls, and pumpkin spice milkshake. I also got temporary B&C, but it was just sad in comparison to what it should be. I recognized some regulars working the temporary location and they expressed how unhappy they were with the closure. Apparently the construction started weeks after the doors closed ☹

Walking through MCO with two laptops (YES, you heard me… two) in my “personal item” made me realize I need to get a new backpack for flying. I no longer want to physically wear one. I need something that sits nicely on my carry-on. Too bad the Amex Ebags offer is gone and I don’t have a Chase one. Considering the "Professional Flight Laptop Backpack:" https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/professional-flight-laptop-backpack/348313 I know the Motherlode series is popular, but I didn’t see straps for it to sit on my suitcase?

 

[PolyRob]

Update on the JetBlue biz card website... I think I did something right! My main current balance is $0.00 and the employee card is also at $0.00!!! I am more than halfway through the tiny MSR.

 

[smmco]

Update on the JetBlue biz card website... I think I did something right! My main current balance is $0.00 and the employee card is also at $0.00!!! I am more than halfway through the tiny MSR.

View attachment 448988

What's the MSR?

 

[PolyRob]

What's the MSR?

Minimum spend requirement for my bonus on the new card. It is only $1,000 and 1 purchase on an employee card for 60,000 (50,000 + 10,000 for the employee purchase).

 

[PolyRob]

Thoughts on a MVMCP...we *were* planning to go on Dec 15. We've only been to one party, ever, and that was a MVMCP back in 2014. I keep reading how busy the parties are and people are done with them and don't feel it's worth it. I'm so torn over what to do. My mom and stepdad are joining us on this trip. They've not been to wdw in 8-9 years and I talked my mom into doing the party. She's so excited about the parade and seeing the park decorated at night. There are parties 3 of our 4 nights there and I think the one night there is no party at MK is our Epcot night since dd is singing in the CP. I just don't know what to do. If it is going to be totally crazy, I need to talk my mom in a different direction but I know she will be disappointed. As will my kids. As will dh & I....

UGH. This is such a hard decision! I love the parties, special parades, giveaways, fireworks (well I LOVED the fireworks), and overall atmosphere. If you haven't been since 2014 you will DEFINITELY notice a difference in crowds and the overall environment. I last went to a sold out party in... 2016 and my 2019 sold out party was madness in comparison. That isn't to say I am boycotting them or avoiding all together, I just have different expectations for what can be accomplished. If you want fireworks and the parade and are willing to get a spot in addition to some rides and a casual stroll around the park, you will be able to succeed. Is that worth it to you? Maybe if you haven't done it in a long time and are bringing parents. You can also get in at 2pm so that helps add some "value" for your parents without the APs.

 

[wendow]

Update on the JetBlue biz card website... I think I did something right! My main current balance is $0.00 and the employee card is also at $0.00!!! I am more than halfway through the tiny MSR.

View attachment 448988

Good job getting both to $0 balance! My latest saga with dh's aviator barcray-cray is that his personal is $0. His 'corporate' is $290. His CL is $650 which means he should have about $360 in available credit. Yet, barcray-cray says he has $130. However, even $20 charges are getting denied. The paper statement says he has $360 available. I sent them a message (or a 'service request') and it took them 3 days to respond and just say they cannot answer any of that and he just needs to call. To which, my dh said, 'why can't we just close this card?'. That means he isn't calling Honestly, I cannot blame him. I have no idea what to do if I pay the $290 and all charges are still denied.

 

[wendow]

UGH. This is such a hard decision! I love the parties, special parades, giveaways, fireworks (well I LOVED the fireworks), and overall atmosphere. If you haven't been since 2014 you will DEFINITELY notice a difference in crowds and the overall environment. I last went to a sold out party in... 2016 and my 2019 sold out party was madness in comparison. That isn't to say I am boycotting them or avoiding all together, I just have different expectations for what can be accomplished. If you want fireworks and the parade and are willing to get a spot in addition to some rides and a casual stroll around the park, you will be able to succeed. Is that worth it to you? Maybe if you haven't done it in a long time and are bringing parents. You can also get in at 2pm so that helps add some "value" for your parents without the APs.

Thanks, friend! I appreciate your thoughts. I'm so, so torn! We haven't been since 2014 and they have never been and are NOT disney people. So don't want to totally turn them off, iykwim? "We spent $200 on this!?!?". We can get in at 2pm but gotta sneak that by them since they don't know we are dvc now.... I think my mom really wants the parade and fireworks. We won't get that any other night. This will be their only MK time too. I'm hoping they have a good time overall and will go back to visit my dd while she's living down there so trying to wow them somehow.

 

[PolyRob]

Good job getting both to $0 balance! My latest saga with dh's aviator barcray-cray is that his personal is $0. His 'corporate' is $290. His CL is $650 which means he should have about $360 in available credit. Yet, barcray-cray says he has $130. However, even $20 charges are getting denied. The paper statement says he has $360 available. I sent them a message (or a 'service request') and it took them 3 days to respond and just say they cannot answer any of that and he just needs to call. To which, my dh said, 'why can't we just close this card?'. That means he isn't calling Honestly, I cannot blame him. I have no idea what to do if I pay the $290 and all charges are still denied.

Thank you! I was fully expecting them to want me to double pay or something after crazy reports here! I only made a $5 "employee purchase" so it wasn't that big of a payment that had to be made.

That insanely small CL your DH got coupled with the lack of service is just terrible! How are you supposed to hit the bonus if you can't pay it off and keep charging?!

 

[PolyRob]

Thanks, friend! I appreciate your thoughts. I'm so, so torn! We haven't been since 2014 and they have never been and are NOT disney people. So don't want to totally turn them off, iykwim? "We spent $200 on this!?!?". We can get in at 2pm but gotta sneak that by them since they don't know we are dvc now.... I think my mom really wants the parade and fireworks. We won't get that any other night. This will be their only MK time too. I'm hoping they have a good time overall and will go back to visit my dd while she's living down there so trying to wow them somehow.

The parade is great and hopefully the new fireworks are good, but the Halloween ones fell a little flat for me. Not bad, but just different. Hopefully you can sneak them in easily without making a big deal over the DVC card. If you keep them in other areas besides the hub for parts of the night it may be fine. Although that fake snow with the lights on the castle is pretty great to experience!

 

[snugglebug]

Thoughts on a MVMCP...we *were* planning to go on Dec 15. We've only been to one party, ever, and that was a MVMCP back in 2014. I keep reading how busy the parties are and people are done with them and don't feel it's worth it. I'm so torn over what to do. My mom and stepdad are joining us on this trip. They've not been to wdw in 8-9 years and I talked my mom into doing the party. She's so excited about the parade and seeing the park decorated at night. There are parties 3 of our 4 nights there and I think the one night there is no party at MK is our Epcot night since dd is singing in the CP. I just don't know what to do. If it is going to be totally crazy, I need to talk my mom in a different direction but I know she will be disappointed. As will my kids. As will dh & I....

I'm going back and forth on it for us for next year. I think we went in 2005, so it's been a really long time. I want to do it since my youngest hasn't been and the next youngest was a baby, but if it's going to be crowded I'll probably be miserable listening to everyone complain. That leads me to wonder if we should go in November and attend an earlier party rather than December.

The husband is beginning to recover from that loss. He's self-justified the Nats win because the Astros and Nats spring train together so he can be happy for them since the Stros are most likely happy for them as well.

 

[kmc8826]

Thoughts on a MVMCP...we *were* planning to go on Dec 15. We've only been to one party, ever, and that was a MVMCP back in 2014. I keep reading how busy the parties are and people are done with them and don't feel it's worth it. I'm so torn over what to do. My mom and stepdad are joining us on this trip. They've not been to wdw in 8-9 years and I talked my mom into doing the party. She's so excited about the parade and seeing the park decorated at night. There are parties 3 of our 4 nights there and I think the one night there is no party at MK is our Epcot night since dd is singing in the CP. I just don't know what to do. If it is going to be totally crazy, I need to talk my mom in a different direction but I know she will be disappointed. As will my kids. As will dh & I....

Only time I have done the Christmas party was 2016 and it was with my parents (similar to your situation). It was busy then. Probably even more so now. I think it is easier to deal with crowds with people who don’t usually do Disney if there is not an expectation of it being “special.” We did not do the MNSHP this last trip (and haven’t for last couple years). Buying tickets for 5 just prices us out. Honestly we had more fun doing super early mornings at MK and late nights at AK and HS. I had some regrets as my youngest doesn’t even remember at all going to the MK parties, but looking at the crowds lining up for them I just decided it would be better to save it for another special event or if Disney changes their current party model.

Are you there when there is a Disney After Hours? That could be more “worth it.”

 

[PolyRob]

Only time I have done the Christmas party was 2016 and it was with my parents (similar to your situation). It was busy then. Probably even more so now. I think it is easier to deal with crowds with people who don’t usually do Disney if there is not an expectation of it being “special.” Honestly we did not do the MNSHP this last trip (and haven’t for last couple years). Buying tickets for 5 just prices us out. Honestly we had more fun doing super early mornings at MK and late nights at AK and HS. I had some regrets as my youngest doesn’t even remember at all going to the MK parties, but looking at the crowds lining up for them I just decided it would be better to save it for another special event or if Disney changes their current party model.

Are you there when there is a Disney After Hours? That could be more “worth it.”

The EEMH were amazing! I will really miss them and I only had them for 1 trip LOL. I opened DHS at 6am and closed it down at 10pm. Clocked about 18 miles that day, but had so much fun!!!

 

[wendow]

The parade is great and hopefully the new fireworks are good, but the Halloween ones fell a little flat for me. Not bad, but just different. Hopefully you can sneak them in easily without making a big deal over the DVC card. If you keep them in other areas besides the hub for parts of the night it may be fine. Although that fake snow with the lights on the castle is pretty great to experience!

True. The fake snow on main street is nice. My mom lived in CO for 9 years or so. She is back in TX now but she does love the snow.

 

[wendow]

Only time I have done the Christmas party was 2016 and it was with my parents (similar to your situation). It was busy then. Probably even more so now. I think it is easier to deal with crowds with people who don’t usually do Disney if there is not an expectation of it being “special.” We did not do the MNSHP this last trip (and haven’t for last couple years). Buying tickets for 5 just prices us out. Honestly we had more fun doing super early mornings at MK and late nights at AK and HS. I had some regrets as my youngest doesn’t even remember at all going to the MK parties, but looking at the crowds lining up for them I just decided it would be better to save it for another special event or if Disney changes their current party model.

Are you there when there is a Disney After Hours? That could be more “worth it.”

I don't think there are any DAH while we are there. There are MK parties 3 of our 4 nights and the one night there isn't a MK party is the same night we have to be in Epcot for dd's performance.

My mom said she'd rather go to a party than have to get up early. The woman hates getting up early since she retired a couple years ago.

 

[wendow]

The EEMH were amazing! I will really miss them and I only had them for 1 trip LOL. I opened DHS at 6am and closed it down at 10pm. Clocked about 18 miles that day, but had so much fun!!!

This is us!!! We typically get there at a 7am opening and close the park at 11pm (though we gotta stay for the kiss goodnight if at MK). I know that is a lot but it's fine for us. Been doing that since my youngest was 6yo and he's never complained.

 

[wendow]

I'm going back and forth on it for us for next year. I think we went in 2005, so it's been a really long time. I want to do it since my youngest hasn't been and the next youngest was a baby, but if it's going to be crowded I'll probably be miserable listening to everyone complain. That leads me to wonder if we should go in November and attend an earlier party rather than December.

The husband is beginning to recover from that loss. He's self-justified the Nats win because the Astros and Nats spring train together so he can be happy for them since the Stros are most likely happy for them as well.

Hmm, I wonder if the earlier parties are less busy?? We don't have choice but would be good to know for future years.