I love credit cards so much!

[disneymagicgirl]

We ended up taking the lift and it worked perfectly. Really hoping for an early check in at pop

Clearly I was answering you previous question too late. Lol

Have a great trip!

 

[Judique]

Amex offers this week:

Spend $750 get $150 off at Salvatore Ferragamo - wasted on me
Spend $5 get $5 Hulu
Spend $100 get $20 Clyde's - last year I had spend $75 get $50 - three cards
Spend $150 get $30 Cole Hahn
plus more

And no new wine offers!

Plated, Hello Fresh, etc are now filling up my numbers. I've looked at all of these and can't make them appeal although the idea has appeal. Thought about trying to get a box delivered at Disney. But couldn't find one with food choices we would all enjoy.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Universal is so, so easy compared to Disney. For example, my 16-page Disney/Universal planning guide for my family's recent trip had about 13 pages devoted to Disney and only about 3 for our Universal days. It's much smaller and more compact. Having the EP makes it even easier.

We stayed at RPR and my dad and sister have stayed at Cabana Bay in the past. Both are great places to stay. RPR is a beautiful hotel and you can take the boat to the parks or walk 10 minutes to the front gate of Islands of Adventure or 15 minutes to the front gate of Universal Studios. Cabana Bay only has buses to the other two parks but they are apparently very frequent, quick, and clean.

I think if you can swing it in your budget RPR would be the better choice with only one full day in the parks and four members of your party who can take full advantage of the included unlimited EP (which I believe is about $70/pp/per day as an add-on). Crowds might be a concern since you'll be there at the beginning of the holiday season, and EP would ensure you could ride most of the rides with minimal waits.

For your little one, I don't know that there's a ton in the parks for her to do, but there's more than you might expect. In Islands of Adventure, there is a whole Dr. Seuss section that is darling and has about 3-4 rides she might enjoy. You can also just walk around with her and enjoy the atmosphere and magic together, especially in the HP areas. The Ollivander's show might be good for her if she's not easily scared (it does get kind of dark in there). There are also a few play areas specifically for children: one in the Jurassic Park sections themed to an amber mine and another in Toon Lagoon themed to Popeye the Sailor Man. Pteranodon Flyers in the Jurassic Park section is also only for people with small children. Maybe a good option if she's not scared of heights. In Universal Studios there's the Woody Woodpecker playzone, and I thiiink a stage show with Barney? Besides that, I think the only rides she could do would be a couple of the 4D shows - Shrek, for example, maybe. And of course there are characters like Hello Kitty and the Simpsons roaming around - it's really easy to just go up and interact with them.

The great thing about Universal's hotels is that you can pool-hop between any of them if you are an on-site guest. So even if you stay at RPR, you and your DD2 can go relax at Cabana Bay's lazy river. There is also a Minion character breakfast at RPR, I think. I will report back if I think of anything else!

You can walk to the park from Royal Pacific which is the one we stayed at. There is also a boat but we didn't use it. On the way back to the resort, I noticed a pedicab for hire and we rode back in that. That day it was worth it as I was all walked out. I'm not sure of where Cabana Bay is located in relation to the other hotels so can't comment.

I did enjoy the atmosphere at Universal and the theming for the Harry Potter attractions, but since I don't do thrill rides, there wasn't much for me to do attraction wise. I didn't see a lot for little kids.

I would definitely stay at RPR for EP! But maybe that because that is all we know since we have only done the deluxe resorts and EP. (PBR is my favorite.) RPR has a terrific pool and they have a character breakfast some mornings which is fun. IoA has Seussland which is awesome for a 2 year old and US will have their Macy's Christmas parade going on at that time. Make sure to the holiday light show on Hogswarts Castle! I, personally, think it is better than any of the evenings at Disney but we are HP fanatics at our house.

@disneymagicgirl - Add all this to my reply, lol. We also ate at Mythos - good, Three Broomsticks - good, and a few fast food spots that I don't remember while in the parks. They did not have the train while we were there, but we did the wand purchase after waiting in line - it was pretty popular. DD has not even looked at that wand since, but it was cool that day! The candy store was interesting and I bought a few jars for my work people. The beds at RPR were more comfy and more lux than the ones at Disney and they had a variety of Keurig coffees in the room. DD did all the rides multiple times using the pass. The Dr. Seuss area was colorful but otherwise didn't impress, but we did enjoy the Minions and the Simpsons, also a spontaneous street concert by the '...….', and meeting Betty Boop. I will fill in the name of that band when my mind remembers it. Wait, it was the Blues Brothers! Sometimes it takes a minute for my mind to work!

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Consensus is for EP so will do that for sure. Someone in US forum suggested get a cheap room and a RPR room so that way the 4 who need the ep have it but shaved off some costs still. Really, 2 rpr rooms is the same as 1 GF room, so it isn’t that bad.

I priced out swan too and it is over $500/night. Omg what!? That’s insane. Actually it is more than YC/BC/BW for the dates. And it isn’t even an alcove room. I’ve never stayed there before but that can’t be normal. I think Marriott broke swan.

Also considered staying Hilton DTD for free and buying EP and having them Uber to USO. That way I could still take DD2 to MK for the day or mvmcp for the night while the others do US.

Guess I need to make a decision here soon.

 

[Judique]

Clearly I was answering you previous question too late. Lol

Have a great trip!

It's the thought that counts!

Also, what time do they start processing you through at that airport?
I've dropped daughter for early flights and getting there early didn't mean much when the counter didn't open until 5am. BWI, DCA, IAD in our area.

 

[Judique]

I think Marriott broke swan.

Yes, they are definitely trying to. If S&D couldn't fill at high prices before why does Marriott think they will now, other than with free points people?

Also considered staying Hilton DTD for free and buying EP and having them Uber to USO. That way I could still take DD2 to MK for the day or mvmcp for the night while the others do US.

Isn't the pass you buy more restricted than the hotel pass? It's been a while for us so I don't know what they are selling now. The hotel also got us in an hour earlier or something like that.

 

[Haley R]

So who else is in WDW? We got into our room about midnight last night. Staying in 2 rooms at CBR. I just finished a small run while everyone slept. Updates to CBR are so nice and Riveria is getting huge. I’ve always thought at this location is really undervalued so I am excited to see such positive changes. As far as Riveria it is definite FOMO. I’m glad it gets some bad press as I hope to get in at the start. Must keep saving money!

Last trip staying on UR’s so points paying for whole trip food and all. Now trying to find Halloween refillable mug and then breakfast at Boma.

We just landed 30 minutes early, got on DME, and left right away! We always have really good luck with DME. We are headed to pop and crossing our fingers for early check in.

 

[Haley R]

Midway is pretty small and easy to navigate. If you get dropped at the door 90 mins prior you’ll be fine. I probably would aim to get there 60-75 mins prior, but I live on the edge.

ETA: also, always look for the self tagging kiosks when you fly sW. Makes it super quick to drop bags off.

I didn’t see any self tagging kiosks but we checked our bags and everything went smoothly. We got to the airport right around 4 am.

 

[amalone1013]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Consensus is for EP so will do that for sure. Someone in US forum suggested get a cheap room and a RPR room so that way the 4 who need the ep have it but shaved off some costs still. Really, 2 rpr rooms is the same as 1 GF room, so it isn’t that bad.

I've seen many people on here staying at Disney hotels just uber to RPR in the morning, check in to a reservation (your hotel room key is your EP, you get one for each person), and they never go up to the room. Just do the parks for the day, then head back to their Disney hotel and be automatically checked out the next morning. I think you can also email/text in the morning to say you're doing express check out after they send your folio to your email.

So you could easily stay for free at the DS Hilton and send DH and kids to Universal for the day. Looks like EP for 4 comes to almost $450 for the 14th, and an RPR room is about $335.

 

[platamama]

DH applied for the SW Biz card yesterday and got the "we need to review your application" response. How long does it take for them to decide and if he is approved does the 3 mos MS window begin on the day he applied or the day he was approved?

The 3 mo MSR window would begin when he's approved. I usually do what @palhockeymomof2 suggests about SMing to get it in writing. @Artygal90 got the SW Biz a few days ago and was told she has until Feb to meet the MSR. I haven't SM'd myself yet but expect to get the same response.

Last year I talked a nervous friend thru a DD on the SW cards to get a CP. She applied for both on 9/30 (she applied before talking to me!) and even with that application date, one of her MSR deadlines was mid-Feb. The other was mid-Jan. Which is strange given the apps were on the same day, but there you go.

Thinking aloud: I also applied (for DH) for 2 cards on the last day of Nov 2016 from the same issuer (BoA). On his credit report, one falls off on 11/1 and the other falls off on 12/1. So maybe the different days are not out of the norm for DDs in general?

 

[irt9206]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Consensus is for EP so will do that for sure. Someone in US forum suggested get a cheap room and a RPR room so that way the 4 who need the ep have it but shaved off some costs still. Really, 2 rpr rooms is the same as 1 GF room, so it isn’t that bad.

I priced out swan too and it is over $500/night. Omg what!? That’s insane. Actually it is more than YC/BC/BW for the dates. And it isn’t even an alcove room. I’ve never stayed there before but that can’t be normal. I think Marriott broke swan.

Also considered staying Hilton DTD for free and buying EP and having them Uber to USO. That way I could still take DD2 to MK for the day or mvmcp for the night while the others do US.

Guess I need to make a decision here soon.

Were going to our timeshare in june and booked a room at RPR for one night just to get the EP for 2 days. The room was $479 for 5 people but it is worth it. On our last trip down we did park days with and without EP and the amount of rides you get in and just how much more enjoyable the day is makes it worth it.

 

[WardFam]

While staring at the 2019 calendar in the copy room today (zoning out after hour 3 of scanning old documents), I realized that it would be totally feasible for us to have a long weekend getaway the week of my birthday in early May. My first thought was to take DH to see my old stomping grounds in Maine. And then I had the bright idea of visiting Disneyland/LA for the first time ever!

Now I'm all excited and am trying to see how we can make it work with the points I'll have available after getting the CSR and booking USO for September. I'm thinking I can use the CSR credit on tickets through Undercover Tourist. Has anyone stayed at the Hyatt at the convention center in Anaheim? Or are there any other good hotels to book with UR in that area? Thoughts on how to split Disneyland with the other great attractions in LA when we'll only have three full days and a half-day on our arrival/departure days? Do we need to budget for a rental car? I've never been to California and would love some advice!

I think LMT has better prices than UT for DL tickets. If you want to do other LA attractions you'll want a rental car. I haven't stayed at the Hyatt by the convention center, but I stayed at the marriott across the street and it is in a great location. I was with my 12 year and sometimes he had tired feet at the end of the day so we would uber back for $6. I have stayed at the Hyatt Place and we walked across the street to use the Toy Story shuttle and that worked great. I'm leaving for DL in the morning. Can't wait!

 

[hsmamato2]

Dangnabit! Just picked up enough Hulu through the Happy Guy gc churn to cover us until Mar and already loaded it to the account. And you can’t pre-pay the account OR purchase gift cards or gift subscriptions directly from Hulu. This one hurts.

I'm always confused by Hulu and gc..... it's possib;e to buy a gc to prepay? I've always prepayed Netflix with gc- do you apply the purchased gc directly to your account same as netflix?

 

[NumberNerd]

My advice is to pick one destination to start and work toward that trip. Hawaii is pretty easy to hack.

Grab a CSR or CSP and you can move points over to Hyatt and stay on Maui, Kauai (Grand Hyatt Kauai is amazing) or Oahu.

A united card can easily get you RT flights, especially in coach. You can transfer Ultimate Rewards (UR) to United too. And Southwest, and they are flying to Hawaii soon.

Later on after you've exhausted other cards you can get a Barclays Arrival+ - you can use that bonus to pay for rented DVC points and stay at Aulani on Oahu if you like.

thanks for help, much appreciated

 

[alryan]

Decided to change to timing of my SW CP. Original plan was to go for it next year to alternate with P2, but with trips scheduled for Feb 5 and March 16 I didn't want to risk not having the CP for those trips. I was approved for the Biz 9/21, applied for the Plus using P2 referral..instant approval. Account immediately online, referred my Mom, instant approval again!! So 60+40+10 will get me to the CP. Did PNC for the Biz and will do Associated Bank for the Plus so will meet MSR for both and hopefully get all the points posted this year.

P2 points and CP posted last week so I was able to book both trips for 4 of us and will add a companion when I receive it. We will still have 140K points to use for a Caribbean trip next October with 2 CP. A huge thank you to everyone here, never would have done this without your help!!

ETA: My Mom knows that the 40 isn't the best offer, but my stepdad and she are going with us in Feb and can fly for 27,000 points, which was over $400 cash price. So they were fine getting the 40, and flying for only the $69 AF.

 

[platamama]

Kind of. I saw a post by Gary Leff at VftW that UAE is going to require advance approval of prescription medications for anyone (tourists and residents) there. I've seen some chatter on this board about visiting UAE regarding (un)acceptable PDA and drinking; this is another requirement to be aware of. Tagging @calypso726 since you mentioned going to Al Maha; don't know if this would even apply to you but you're the only one I know of planning on heading over there.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

So I got into thinking I did my CSR/CSP last nov. received the bonus 11/21/17 and 1/2/18. With the new 48 month when is the next time I would qualify for a bonus?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Yes, they are definitely trying to. If S&D couldn't fill at high prices before why does Marriott think they will now, other than with free points people?

Will be interesting to watch and see how it goes. I foresee lots of Priceline discounts on it. For my dates it is on Priceline for 56% off...opague of course.

Isn't the pass you buy more restricted than the hotel pass? It's been a while for us so I don't know what they are selling now. The hotel also got us in an hour earlier or something like that.

I've seen many people on here staying at Disney hotels just uber to RPR in the morning, check in to a reservation (your hotel room key is your EP, you get one for each person), and they never go up to the room. Just do the parks for the day, then head back to their Disney hotel and be automatically checked out the next morning. I think you can also email/text in the morning to say you're doing express check out after they send your folio to your email.

So you could easily stay for free at the DS Hilton and send DH and kids to Universal for the day. Looks like EP for 4 comes to almost $450 for the 14th, and an RPR room is about $335.

Genius. thank you! I am going to compare all these options and chat with the fam. I feel sure they older 3 will want to do Uni given the chance.

Were going to our timeshare in june and booked a room at RPR for one night just to get the EP for 2 days. The room was $479 for 5 people but it is worth it. On our last trip down we did park days with and without EP and the amount of rides you get in and just how much more enjoyable the day is makes it worth it.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think esp for DH, who thinks walking up to the load zone without a line and having to wait for a train or 2 to load prior to his turn is "waiting in a line", I think EP is a necessity.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

So I got into thinking I did my CSR/CSP last nov. received the bonus 11/21/17 and 1/2/18. With the new 48 month when is the next time I would qualify for a bonus?

I'd say Feb 1, 2022 to be safe

 

[amalone1013]

Genius. thank you! I am going to compare all these options and chat with the fam. I feel sure they older 3 will want to do Uni given the chance.

EP is also good from when you check in and get your key, until park close on check out day. In case they would do a second day

 

[platamama]

I'm always confused by Hulu and gc..... it's possib;e to buy a gc to prepay? I've always prepayed Netflix with gc- do you apply the purchased gc directly to your account same as netflix?

I've used Hulu gcs to pay my Hulu account with no problem (and am currently paid through mid Dec from applying gcs to my account). But you can't prepay a Hulu account directly with a credit card - for the folks who got the Amex offer for Hulu, they have to wait until they have a balance due on their Hulu account in order to use a credit card directly.