I love credit cards so much! v4.0 - 2021 (see first page for add'l details)

[Haley R]

what I'm wondering is....could I NOT buy (stupid) genie,and still pay a fee just to get a Lightning lane for the one ride I want,say RoR? I'm gonna say probably not but that's where my mind goes right away.....wow I am not impressed with all of this....

I think I saw someone posted that you can do it that way. It was on an FAQ website. I’m not sure if I can find it for you but I was hoping that would be the case too so you can pick and choose which to buy.

ETA: It’s on this website as question #15: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wd...ey-genie-genieplus-and-lightning-lane-faq.htm

 

[pinkxray]

Does anyone have any tips on getting a PlayStation 5? I didn’t even bother last year. Didn’t think it would still be so difficult almost a year later. I’m trying to spread my Xmas spending out the next few months so starting early.

 

[Judique]

me too. I'm one of those trapped with it and no choices...it's so $$$

I don't love it but I can't say I hate it. We've had Verizon (no customer service since many years) Dish (ugly thing on roof and very limited when we had it), some other provider many years ago (I think it was Cox but not sure who jacked up the price one day without any notice and no, wasn't on a special).

Both older kids worked for Comcast and after some time, hated it there. Meanwhile my house and my daughter's best friend's parents had completely free service due to their employment, me for about 4 years due to overlapping employment. So, I've made out. Older DD worked many jobs while in school and for many years held 2 jobs. She's down to one now but has kids. She even had a job once where she worked at the Library of Congress and then her second job was to fly out on Friday afternoons and do highway surveys of drivers for DUI/DWI on the weekends, flying back in on Sunday evening and/or Monday morning to go to LoC for her regular job. Son did this also while in school. It ran through summer.

Except for the first year of cable service when I first moved here, I've never paid for cable. I cut the service after the first year. Then we just had TV using an antenna for a couple of years. Older DD went to work for Blockbuster in high school and I came home one day to a Dish on my roof. She went off to college and Dish disappeared.

Meanwhile internet was via Verizon phone line, not yet Fios. From 1990 for awhile it was 2 house lines, 1 for landline and one for computer, plus later on, 3 cell phones. First cell was also Verizon in 1990, but that was a separate plan at the time and truly was a car phone - hardware installed in my car. 60 minutes a month and then pay for each minute after that. No texts or data at that time.

All the kids had pagers and they invented a 'text' system using numbers for letters.

And along the way we've tried tracphone, Virgin and Sprint also for cells. Lots of trial and error here.

Anyway, each of the 3 have paid the cable bill either through work or as part of their 'rent' for almost the last 30 years.

And our service has been pretty decent. And when I switched our cells to Xfinity, I've been very happy so far - it works on Verizon, which I don't have to deal with. I can actually walk into an Xfinity store, pick a phone or get service, or do it online. I have the $12 a gig plan which they don't advertise anymore and rarely exceed so cheap.

On the other hand, the cost of internet is 'high' since we have a fast level. But only basic TV. Anything else can pretty much be streamed. Still, they pull about $150 a month with 2 cell phones included, plus basic and HS Internet. DD has learned to use wifi with her cell.

 

[Killer Fish]

Does anyone have any tips on getting a PlayStation 5? I didn’t even bother last year. Didn’t think it would still be so difficult almost a year later. I’m trying to spread my Xmas spending out the next few months so starting early.

I will take this. I have successfully got 4 now since the launch. If you really want to be hardcore about it I would set up twitter alerts for Jake Randall @Jake_Randall_YT on Twitter. It will be annoying since there are non console launch posts however I feel he is the best account to follow for updated stock. I have never had success with Best Buy personally. I find Target when they do the restocks to be the best/easiest store. For the last 2 I got they dropped around 7:30 AMish East Coast time. They were able to be picked up the same day and it was actually relatively simple. I would shoot for the Target restocks. It will still be a pain to get and they go fast. Also there are many more of the disc versions instead of digital. Let me know if you have any follow up questions.

 

[pinkxray]

I will take this. I have successfully got 4 now since the launch. If you really want to be hardcore about it I would set up twitter alerts for Jake Randall @Jake_Randall_YT on Twitter. It will be annoying since there are non console launch posts however I feel he is the best account to follow for updated stock. I have never had success with Best Buy personally. I find Target when they do the restocks to be the best/easiest store. For the last 2 I got they dropped around 7:30 AMish East Coast time. They were able to be picked up the same day and it was actually relatively simple. I would shoot for the Target restocks. It will still be a pain to get and they go fast. Also there are many more of the disc versions instead of digital. Let me know if you have any follow up questions.

Thank you so much! That’s very helpful. I’m not really on social media so I’ll have to see if DD can follow on Twitter.
I will stalk Target each morning. I prefer the one that uses disk so glad to hear it’s easier.

Dh is impossible to shop for and I know he’d love it. DS will love the Spiderman game so it would kill two birds with one stone.

 

[elgerber]

I am thinking of getting DD16 a credit card as an authorized user in my account. It’s really just for emergencies and maybe buying clothes or something when I’m not with her.

I got an offer from Amex that seemed pretty good to get her an Amex gold, but not sure a 16year old needs an Amex. Other thought is Chase Disney Visa based purely on cute design.

why not both? get the MR's and sock drawer the card and give her the cute Disney card LOL

 

[Judique]

what I'm wondering is....could I NOT buy (stupid) genie,and still pay a fee just to get a Lightning lane for the one ride I want,say RoR? I'm gonna say probably not but that's where my mind goes right away.....wow I am not impressed with all of this....

That's exactly what you can do. You don't have to buy Genie+. Genie is just the access through the APP >>> My Disney Experience>>>>Genie, from what I gathered. Genie+ is what you would buy for $15 a day for the mid level attractions.

Rise is not available through Genie+ so even if you bought Genie+, you wouldn't get a fast track onto Rise or the new Remy ride or possibly any of these mentioned here on WDWMagic:

>>>>>>Although not yet confirmed, we expect the full line-up of Individual Attraction purchases to be Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Test Track, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Flight of Passage and Kilimanjaro Safaris.<<<<<<<

So, you can still do standby also. No way in hell I will pay (for me) to do stuff that was free before, but it's not my first Disney trip. I can see myself paying for my grands in the future.

And, back when Universal came up with this idea, after evaluation, we just got a room at Royal Pacific. Disney is not quite so generous.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Not sure why but the one ride that irks me that I will have to pay extra in addition to Genie+ is Safari. That is such a family ride, what a way to gouge families! I know that I could just stand in the standby line but with a toddler, he's not going to last that long.

 

[wanderlust7]

AF posted on my biz plat, so chatted for retention. Offered $300 first, then $595 (the entire AF), which I accepted.

Had tried a few weeks before, but they told me to call. I said that I was able to be transferred to retention via chat before, but was told that they can only transfer if I was canceling. So figured I'll just chat back after the AF posted when I really would cancel if no offer. It seems like they're pushing people to call more these days.

 

[Killer Fish]

AF posted on my biz plat, so chatted for retention. Offered $300 first, then $595 (the entire AF), which I accepted.

Had tried a few weeks before, but they told me to call. I said that I was able to be transferred to retention via chat before, but was told that they can only transfer if I was canceling. So figured I'll just chat back after the AF posted when I really would cancel if no offer. It seems like they're pushing people to call more these days.

Jealous.....I guess I should have tried again....I only got the $300 offer so I cancelled.

 

[Judique]

Not sure why but the one ride that irks me that I will have to pay extra in addition to Genie+ is Safari. That is such a family ride, what a way to gouge families! I know that I could just stand in the standby line but with a toddler, he's not going to last that long.

That was my biggest possible IRK when I read it. But, those are rides that WDW Magic expects, not necessarily a given which is why I didn't go completely bonkers when I read it. It is the one ride I consistently enjoy. I have my park favorites not being a roller coaster rider (my back and I get dizzy). So, usually I can find times to get on with limited waits. But the future is here.

Sometimes I think all the years of conjecture leads Disney to say to themselves, 'They expect to be charged extra. We'd be nuts not to give them what they expect and haul in some extra cash.'

 

[Haley R]

Not sure why but the one ride that irks me that I will have to pay extra in addition to Genie+ is Safari. That is such a family ride, what a way to gouge families! I know that I could just stand in the standby line but with a toddler, he's not going to last that long.

Yep that’s the same as me. The safari is a terrible choice. I love it but will not pay that much extra to ride it. I think it should be moved to genie+

 

[iujen94]

Passport data point....my kids’ passports were set to expire next spring, so I went ahead and set up appointments to get their passports renewed (well, since they are under 18, technically it’s not considered a “renewal”). Anyway...our appointment was on July 19. I paid for expedited service but not FedEx shipping. Their passports arrived today (August 20) by USPS Priority Mail, so just about a month after their appointment.

 

[mmmears]

I am thinking of getting DD16 a credit card as an authorized user in my account. It’s really just for emergencies and maybe buying clothes or something when I’m not with her.

I got an offer from Amex that seemed pretty good to get her an Amex gold, but not sure a 16year old needs an Amex. Other thought is Chase Disney Visa based purely on cute design.

I vote for both. DD started with a Plat when she started HS (not too shabby LOL) and then we added in the Disney Chase card because it was free, really cute, and not everyone takes AMEX. Get the MRs. It's a great deal on the Gold for you, and your DD will get some credit history out of the deal.

 

[jujubiee4]

This Genie stuff is weird but not unexpected. Im just disappointed more is not done for
deluxe guests. Coming from West Coast there has never been a time I could get everyone up
for Rope Drop.

The best thing I have heard in a long time is rumor DL might do a hard ticket event for Christmas. I will
take back every bad thing I have ever said about Disney if this comes to be. I can just cancel a
very expensive December trip and drive to DL and put off WDW until Jan or Feb. Hopefully cases
will be down....and hard reviews/tips on Genie will be in.

 

[lsutigers03]

This Genie stuff is weird but not unexpected. Im just disappointed more is not done for
deluxe guests. Coming from West Coast there has never been a time I could get everyone up
for Rope Drop.

I was hoping Disney would do something similar to Universal and make fastpass paid but included if you stay at a deluxe resort. Right now my family goes to Disney and Universal every two years. For Universal we stay at Royal Pacific for the free express passes. We use them for two days on a one night stay and it's awesome. The one plus is the extra hours at night for deluxe resort guests. I think that the nights will increase after the Halloween and Christmas after hours parties are done.

 

[jujubiee4]

I was hoping Disney would do something similar to Universal and make fastpass paid but included if you stay at a deluxe resort. Right now my family goes to Disney and Universal every two years. For Universal we stay at Royal Pacific for the free express passes. We use them for two days on a one night stay and it's awesome. The one plus is the extra hours at night for deluxe resort guests. I think that the nights will increase after the Halloween and Christmas after hours parties are done.

That is another thing. HS wasn't even included. Even an hour would have been nice. Our Boardwalk rooms
are soooo much more expensive this year than a couple years ago same time. I was hoping Genie would
grant the wish of not having to get up 4am our normal time to start booking rides on a vacation.

Waiting to see how things play out at DL and DW.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

New house is still a wreck, full of boxes. We moved Monday, had to go to work today but am now off until next Wednesday so hopefully I'll make some more headway. I find myself wanting to paint and/or remodel everything.
Our Orlando trip was exhausting. The heat was awful and somehow I ended up with blisters on both feet. We did have fun, but lines were longer than I preferred, especially in the heat. We did Boo Bash which allowed us to ride all the headliners. We skipped Jungle Cruise because I was exhausted. I miss fastpass, don't like Genie plus at all so I think we're done with WDW. We still have tix to DLR from 2020, which I've rebooked for 2022, but will now have to upgrade to Genie plus.
As for our Hilton stay at Tuscany Village, it had pluses and minuses. We originally planned all resort days while there but when we added Boo Bash, we decided on a park day during our Hilton stay (other days were at Swan.)
Tuscany Village is a huge complex, like big enough they drive you to your building in a golf cart. The "rooms" are suites, we had a 1 bedroom. Nicely appointed with a screened-in balcony overlooking the lake in the center of the complex. The bedroom has a king bed and 2 person whirlpool tub. There's a pocket door to the bathroom which has a double vanity and small shower. There's also a decent sized kitchen with full size fridge, and a washer and dryer in unit. Living room has a pullout sofa which DS said was not too comfortable.
Unfortunately our building was about as far from the clubhouse and main pool as you could get. While we didn't use the main pool, there is a second smaller pool which was 2 buildings away and we were able to use it one morning.
The location is plus/minus. It is easy walking distance from Publix and the outlet mall. We walked to both. The minus is, everything else is an Uber ride. Cost us $15 each way to Disney Springs for dinner, and around the same to Animal Kingdom. Uber rides everywhere add up quickly.
The timeshare presentation is not at Tuscany Village but Parc Soleil, so another Uber (though pretty close). They said the presentation was 90 minutes but it was 2 hours and includes a tour of the model on property. The first half hour is entertaining, presented by a brand ambassador who is a former NFL player (for the GB Packers, I thought DS would be excited as that's his team, but in typical 12 yo fashion he was not impressed). The rest was fairly boring. Not hard sell, but persistent. Despite me saying no, we had to listen to 2 more "managers" before they let us go. I did get my 20k points which posted that day I believe.

 

[snugglebug]

I was hoping Disney would do something similar to Universal and make fastpass paid but included if you stay at a deluxe resort. Right now my family goes to Disney and Universal every two years. For Universal we stay at Royal Pacific for the free express passes. We use them for two days on a one night stay and it's awesome. The one plus is the extra hours at night for deluxe resort guests. I think that the nights will increase after the Halloween and Christmas after hours parties are done.

I think we might see promos that include Genie+ similar to free dining. Maybe not any time soon, but it could easily be done. Doesn't help DVC much which is a bummer. I don't see us paying for Genie+, my next trip will be 5 of us, that's going to add up too quickly.

 

[AmyAnne]

AF posted on my biz plat, so chatted for retention. Offered $300 first, then $595 (the entire AF), which I accepted.

Had tried a few weeks before, but they told me to call. I said that I was able to be transferred to retention via chat before, but was told that they can only transfer if I was canceling. So figured I'll just chat back after the AF posted when I really would cancel if no offer. It seems like they're pushing people to call more these days.

Thanks for posting this. My AF just posted too and I will be canceling without a $595 retention offer--there is almost no benefit to this card for us right now.

It's also good to know that you were able to get the offer via chat. I don't mind talking to people, so I would call if necessary, but of course chatting is just more convenient.