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

[Limes96]

I just saw SW is revising schedules due to the Max-whatever it is problems. Any chance “the trick” will work again now? Their Facebook says through April 13.

 

[Artygal90]

I can't do it. I tried. I just can't do it.

I cannot book a character meal for the grandchildren.

Just spent an hour plus on the Disney website trying to decide what to book. And I just spent 8 days and nights feeding them. One will be 4 and the other doesn't turn 3 until after our January trip. So, I would get 2 for the price of 1 and I still can't do it.

First of all, the prices - anywhere from $41 plus tax and tip for me starting with breakfast. $24 is the cheapest I saw for a child. It would go like this: one scrambled egg, a piece of bacon or sausage, either milk or juice and a couple of pieces of cut up fruit. Or, some dry cereal with milk. Including my breakfast and coffee, this would cost minimum of $65 plus tax and tip. Over $80 and no guarantee they would eat 2 bites. And the higher priced meals are as high as $35 for the child, and $54 for the adult for breakfast. Maybe with 2 adults that would actually eat.....

I have the money, er, stash of gift cards. Yup - I'm just plain cheap! Or cannot condone the expense of this and the waste. Problem is I've done it all in the past, so now it looks outrageous.

We already have the character photos from the last 2 visits with the kids. So it's not such a lost opportunity. I'll go ahead and get quick service for 1 or 2 nights, and then eat where we feel hungry or what we prefer. I need to do this before my nights are combined as otherwise I'll end up with dining for all 4 nights. Too much food and there are places that I want to eat that aren't dining plan.

Plus, this morning I changed the reservation again. We are now in a Boardwalk view room for 4 nights and then we go to Hilton Head to a one bedroom for the next 2 nights. I'm still trying to get Saturday night - Jan 11, and it's not looking good - the marathon is that weekend but will be over for our Sunday the 12th vacation start.

Even with two adults who would actually eat I’m not sure the value is there. I’ve never done a character meal before so I booked the new breakfast at Riviera for our last morning in January. The reviews have been coming out and I just don’t know if I can bring myself to spend what will end up being at least $50 each for my and DH and I to get pastries, coffee, and a medium sized entree. I can’t decide whether to cancel or keep it - will probably end up deciding once I know what our final fun money budget will be.

 

[Judique]

As a counter point - I would say our best memories of a character meal was a breakfast at Crystal Palace when DS was 4. He really engaged with the characters, ate more than I think we had ever seen him eat for breakfast...and the best part, as we were heading towards the door on our way out, Pooh was standing in front of the buffet and DS let go of my hand and ran to Pooh and gave him a massive hug for like 20 seconds. It was just so awesome to watch the joy on his face that day.

We used to like to do Crystal Palace, but haven't been there in ages. My own kids were so spaced age wise that it was not focused all on the youngest - her brother is 8 years older, so I have a different type of memory/experience base. All very good, though. The other aspect is the girls have done fine with the face characters, but were a little apprehensive of the big heads on the traditional Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy characters. I'm not sure they are yet ready for that.

 

[havaneselover]

Once I started doing Disney Cruises (so much access to the characters), I had no desire to spend money on character meals at WDW. My favorites were probably Crystal Palace breakfast (we were Family of the Day or something), Chef Mickey's, and CRT. But honestly my favorite may be the first time we took the kids to WDW in 2005 (DS was 10 months old) and ate at 1900 Park Fare.

 

[reliev]

Straight up denied for Amex Gold just now lol. Not even the popup, just "nope, declined." I don't think I've ever just been outright denied a card haha.

Amex really hates me, y'all.

ETA: I called recon since I have nothing to hide with Amex. They told me I had "too many open and closed accounts." Apparently one open Bonvoy Biz I've had more than a year and one closed Hilton Biz is too many accounts...

I read 3 accounts closed in 24 months is the hard and fast rule now with amex they dont want any churring I saw this in the TPG group on facebook a while ago.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

Once I started doing Disney Cruises (so much access to the characters), I had no desire to spend money on character meals at WDW. My favorites were probably Crystal Palace breakfast (we were Family of the Day or something), Chef Mickey's, and CRT. But honestly my favorite may be the first time we took the kids to WDW in 2005 (DS was 10 months old) and ate at 1900 Park Fare.

View attachment 459153

So cute! I agree though the cruises you have ample access to the characters. But in terms of WDW dining we still talk about how much we liked our meals at 1900 Park Fare.

 

[Haley R]

So cute! I agree though the cruises you have ample access to the characters. But in terms of WDW dining we still talk about how much we liked our meals at 1900 Park Fare.

We did breakfast at 1900 PF and liked it a lot

 

[Judique]

Once I started doing Disney Cruises (so much access to the characters), I had no desire to spend money on character meals at WDW. My favorites were probably Crystal Palace breakfast (we were Family of the Day or something), Chef Mickey's, and CRT. But honestly my favorite may be the first time we took the kids to WDW in 2005 (DS was 10 months old) and ate at 1900 Park Fare.

View attachment 459153

So cute! Yes, we did all those character meals you mentioned and Park Fare was the first we ever did, and it has remained one of my favorites. We even did a birthday with a dozen or so people at Chef Mickey's, back when people used to be wowed by parmesan mashed potatoes. Simpler days.

I have a play it by ear attitude right now. We can have fun just being at BWV. I'm leaning towards one park day and doing a small tour - start early, do a few attractions in two parks and finish out with dinner. Depends on how much energy I'll have - they will sleep in the stroller if they get tired. The monster stroller - I need to measure that thing.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

So cute! Yes, we did all those character meals you mentioned and Park Fair was the first we ever did, and it has remained one of my favorites. We even did a birthday with a dozen or so people at Chef Mickey's, back when people used to be wowed by parmesan mashed potatoes. Simpler days.

I have a play it by ear attitude right now. We can have fun just being at BWV. I'm leaning towards one park day and doing a small tour - start early, do a few attractions in two parks and finish out with dinner. Depends on how much energy I'll have - they will sleep in the stroller if they get tired. The monster stroller - I need to measure that thing.

If you're at Boardwalk you could look at the Bon Voyage Breakfast. The food is a little more adventurous but it was really good and we had a lot of fun with the princes and princesses!

 

[jhoannam]

I posted a question on the DisChurners CIP thread.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

...

Just posted a nugget on DISchurners news thread about this exact thing

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Good news...Chase still likes me...that is all

Details here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/comments/d21pzj/_/fb7y3vl

EDIT: Oh by me...I mean my wife...

 

[Haley R]

I was thinking about getting the CSR sometime in April for our 2020 trip but that wouldn’t give us lounge access at the airport if we plan to fly in June or September of 2021

 

[Jax1023]

So I was going to apply for a cip today, but discovered I have just over $65,000 on credit limits from chase. They seem to have increased them despite me cutting them all back over the summer.

how long to wait to apply after I reduce my CLs?

 

[hulagirl]

Unless it changed very recently Verizon and Verizon Wireless will let you have a $500 credit balance at any time.

Even better. Thank you for responding, I really appreciate it. Also of note, in addition to that wonderful Amex offer of $100 off $500 on Verizon, when we switched to Verizon from ATT, we did it online and ended up with $75 PER LINE from Rakuten. I had no idea that it would be per line (two of our kids are still on our bill) and it was a very nice surprise when that balance showed up in our total for the next big fat check! Not only did we end up with $300 from Rakuten and $100 from Amex but we got another free year with Disney+ and free Apple Music.

I'm not sure if these offers are still available on either Amex, Rakuten or Verizon, but it's worth a check for any of you who might be considering a switch.

 

[PolyRob]

Is there a $300 prepay limit? I need to do this soon as well and was really glad to read this so thank you for sharing.

Unless it changed very recently Verizon and Verizon Wireless will let you have a $500 credit balance at any time. If you try to do more than that it would reject the payment. Once you spend some down you can prepay up to $500 limit again.

I think my issue is the auto-pay. It only let me apply $300 because my balance due is just over $200. Once I was officially in the negative, it told me I could not make anymore payments. I will try again with my last 2 cards next month.

 

[570traveler]

2 part question...
We are flying into LAX July 2nd. We will be spending several days in the area and then family will be driving down from Reno and taking us home with them. My hope is to not have to deal with a rental car in LA. Are there any decent (and reasonably priced) hotels in the LA area that are within walking distance of public transportation?

Secondly what might be a good credit card choice to try to earn points for our stay out there? (I currently hold freedom 2/18, discover 09,Amex gold (AU 05), chase Disney 16, just closed Barclay)

 

[hulagirl]

I think my issue is the auto-pay. It only let me apply $300 because my balance due is just over $200.

Oh that's interesting! I need to wait a couple more days to pay mine... I'll have to see if they will limit me due to Auto Pay and amount due as well. Thanks, @PolyRob

 

[amalone1013]

I posted on the What Card thread if anyone is interested...

 

[wendow]

Awesome, we were lucky enough to see one from our balcony at DVB last April (not as pretty but still cool). Hoping for a repeat this coming April.

We saw a launch last April as well! Super cool. It was just dh and I so kids are jealous now lol!