I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

Not the OP but thanks for the info! Starting to plan our July DL trip and had a lot of the same questions. The DL forum has some really good stickies that help too (Hydroguy is awesome!)

Yes, he is! I learned so much from reading his threads!

 

[wendow]

Would you say that a Fantasmic dining package is a must do in order to see the show and not line up a long time in advance? I'm all about maximizing our time in the parks.

Thanks for the heads up about quick service, based on these suggestions I think quick service might be the way to go, the kids don't appreciate sit down meals anyway. Mint juleps and beignets are a plus!

Other than our one character meal, we did all QS. It was very, very good at DLR and had more options than at WDW, though I think some of the newer offerings at WDW are improving the QS there. I don't remember all the names since I'm not as familiar. We ate at Flo's. It was just meh to me. I think maybe it was an off day though cause it's very popular. The atmosphere is really cute.

We loved Car's Land so much! Best themeing ever! Be sure to ride the racers in the day and at night.

PTN is my new fav parade My dh's ring tone is the Owl City song from the parade and every time I hear his phone, I get sad wanting to go back to DLR lol.

 

[chattadisser]

Other than our one character meal, we did all QS. It was very, very good at DLR and had more options than at WDW, though I think some of the newer offerings at WDW are improving the QS there. I don't remember all the names since I'm not as familiar. We ate at Flo's. It was just meh to me. I think maybe it was an off day though cause it's very popular. The atmosphere is really cute.

We loved Car's Land so much! Best themeing ever! Be sure to ride the racers in the day and at night.

PTN is my new fav parade My dh's ring tone is the Owl City song from the parade and every time I hear his phone, I get sad wanting to go back to DLR lol.

The more responses I read the more I'm thinking that quick service might be the way to go. Although I'd like to try Blue Bayou just for the atmosphere. The good part is more quick service saves time and money and requires less advance planning.

Yes, Car's Land is a must do - good idea to do both day and night, I'm sure the atmosphere completely changes between the two.

I'm looking forward to PTN, I loved the night parades at WDW.

I hope I get buy in for this trip, I'm getting excited for it!!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Would you say that a Fantasmic dining package is a must do in order to see the show and not line up a long time in advance? I'm all about maximizing our time in the parks.

Idk if it’s necessary you could also try for a fastpass but those go quickly. We tried to do the fastpass route our first trip and didn’t get one 15 mins after park opening and we didn’t want to wait a long time so we skipped it. I’m hesitant to say Blue Bayou is a must do because it’s expensive and you do have kids. It’s a great view tho but maybe compare menus for the other restaurants and the pricing.

DH and I got FPs for Fantasmic when we went this summer. We got to DL at about 10:30 or so after maybe an 8 or 9 AM opening? I can't remember exactly, but we flew from the east coast that morning, dropped our bags at the hotel, and headed straight there. This was on a Sunday in July. We had no problem getting Fantasmic FPs and had a great view for the show.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Yes, Car's Land is a must do - good idea to do both day and night, I'm sure the atmosphere completely changes between the two.

I'm a diehard WDW fan and definitely prefer it over DLR, but I have to say that Cars Land is probably the most well-done land in any of the Disney parks! The theming is really incredible, and I'm not even a huge fan of the Cars movies. DH and I got breakfast at Flo's V8 cafe and some snacks at the Cozy Cone Motel. Everything we had was great.

 

[gottalovepluto]

OK, I need help with some DLR questions and I thought I'd go here first before asking over on the DL board as I know you all understand wanting to maximize points as much as possible. I'd like to plan a DLR trip for April 2020 as both girls have off the same spring break that year. Problem is it is the week before Easter so not ideal crowd wise but what are you going to do??? I wanted to get some feedback on hotels and trip length before I started building a plan out - I need to have some info before I pitch this to my DH as this wouldn't likely be his first choice of a trip (he isn't opposed to Disney, he's just kinda burnt out right now).

I'd like to build in some time during the time we are there to maybe see some sights in LA and we have a cousin in San Diego that we'd like to try and see. I though maybe bookending the weekends with these activities and then spending the week at DLR in the hopes that avoiding the weekend might help with crowds. I'm not opposed to flying in and out of different airports to make the trip efficient. Right now we have a lot of UR's and Hilton points but with a plan in place, we could earn more specific points if we needed to. Oh and build up a stash of Disney GC's in the meantime too.

So, with all that being said:

- Whats the ideal amount of in the parks time for WDW vets who've never been in DLR and most likely won't get back for a great while?

- What's your favorite non-DLR hotel? I have been in Anaheim so I understand the proximity.

- Are there any must do ADR's? I know they don't require as much advance planning as WDW but I'd still like to make them as soon as possible.Character meals aren't a MUST have but a cute character is always fun.

- What's the most cost efficient way to buy DLR tickets? Does UT sell them? I understand that getting MaxPass is a must.

- Any other advice you can give?

Thanks!

I love 5 days and with SWL being added I think you will need 5 days to really soak in everything. The beautiful thing about DL is all the details, I find WDW lacking in that area at MK. Taking that extra time to ride the train all the way around MK, ride Mark Twain, see Frozen, eat at table services, have a few shots at seeing nighttime entertainment (fireworks are constantly cancelled due to wind) are some of reasons l like 5 days in the park.

MaxPass: handy but not necessary for every day of a 5 day trip. We find ourselves using it about 3 days and taking it slower the other days. Whether the price will increase on MP and how/if the entire system will change with SWL unknown.

Tickets: we scored our tickets with URs this year but imho that way could disappear any day. Consistently the best deal seems to be with LastMinuteTravel, search online for a code to sign up for free for a year.

Table service: Blue Bayou. Expensive but you dine inside Pirates. Can’t do that anywhere else!

 

[chattadisser]

I'm a diehard WDW fan and definitely prefer it over DLR, but I have to say that Cars Land is probably the most well-done land in any of the Disney parks! The theming is really incredible, and I'm not even a huge fan of the Cars movies. DH and I got breakfast at Flo's V8 cafe and some snacks at the Cozy Cone Motel. Everything we had was great.

I couldn't even sit thru the Cars movies!! I didn't think they were awful, they just never held my attention. I've heard the theming to Carsland is awesome though.

 

[chattadisser]

I love 5 days and with SWL being added I think you will need 5 days to really soak in everything. The beautiful thing about DL is all the details, I find WDW lacking in that area at MK. Taking that extra time to ride the train all the way around MK, ride Mark Twain, see Frozen, eat at table services, have a few shots at seeing nighttime entertainment (fireworks are constantly cancelled due to wind) are some of reasons l like 5 days in the park.

MaxPass: handy but not necessary for every day of a 5 day trip. We find ourselves using it about 3 days and taking it slower the other days. Whether the price will increase on MP and how/if the entire system will change with SWL unknown.

Tickets: we scored our tickets with URs this year but imho that way could disappear any day. Consistently the best deal seems to be with LastMinuteTravel, search online for a code to sign up for free for a year.

Table service: Blue Bayou. Expensive but you dine inside Pirates. Can’t do that anywhere else!

Thank you. I'm leaning towards 5 days at DLR but I guess I will need to see how that fits into the rest of the trip. I would like to limit our in the park time to M-F of that week in order to avoid the holiday weekend crowds.

 

[DisneyMandC]

@disneymagicgirl sent you a PM

 

[elgerber]

We have done DL once, in June of 2012. We used our DVC and stayed the VGC, so I can't help there.
I honestly can't remember all that we ate. We also did Blue Bayou. It was beautiful, but the food was just ok. We did eat the pizza place in downtown Disney owned by the Via Napoli people. The name escapes me, but it was really good. We also did one character meal, Goofy's Kitchen maybe? I don't remember much of anything about the food.
We did 4 days total, with hoppers. I think it was a good amount of time. We ended up there, a couple days after Cars Land opened, so EMH was super early and the park was crazy busy, but it was fun. I agree about the theming in Cars Land, especially at night, it's just stunning.
We did the dessert package for Fantasmic, so we could have chairs. Totally worth it, if they still do that.

 

[punkin]

DH is getting an MRI and asks me what card he should use for the copayment. I told him there's no specific category for medical. Lol.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Really? I don't see any refer links on there anymore. It was under the 3 dots, correct? I am only seeing View Payment Activity and See Statements for all of them and Redeem rewards also for the UR cards.

 

[StephPlum]

Do you have to call to lower your CLs or is there another way to do it? I'm thinking of doing that for some of my cards since it seems like my limits on new approvals are getting really small.

I only do SM. I have lowered several of mine and "DH" has lowered his as well through SM. No worries about trying to sound like a guy on the phone when using SM . In addition to lowering CLs, I have also closed checking and saving accounts opened for the bonuses through SM.

In DCA Flos V8 and the Cozy cone places are great places to eat too

The cozy cone pretzel place is amazing. That place is a must do for me. I'll agree with everyone else, that Car's land is just outrageous when it comes to theming. I love the RSR ride. Being a solo rider, I was able to ride several times in my visits with a much shorter wait time.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

My responses are within your quote

Thank you! I think we are past the character meet stage (or at least 3 of the 4 of us are) so character ADR's or meets aren't as much as the must do's for us. We'd like to at least make sure we his the only DLR rides/experiences and enjoy the difference in DLR if that makes any sense. Now, if a good meal were to happen along the way, Mom and Dad would really appreciate that!

Agree with @wendow We did 5 days, one was later half of the day only and one was with friends so we let them lead & pick rides (they are locals). Could have done more, happily. We did the dessert party at World of Color which I absolutely thought was worth it even though it was cold and DS complained the whole time. We also did a character meal at Grand Californian with Chip and Dale who were funny and attentive. That was my pick (and surprise for DH & DS) as I think the hotel is beautiful and I knew we would never pay $ to stay there. We absolutely loved Radiator Springs and could do RSR over and over (try to do it during the day and at night). The pier is now rebranded but we liked that and the now Incredicoaster is one of my faves anywhere, rode multiple times (4x in a row one morning at RD)
I didn’t think we’d be returning soon but DS has asked to go in 2020, after Star Wars mania dies down a bit. Plus he wants to see Universal Hollywood

ETA Got ticket thru Last Minute Travel Club.

 

[PolyRob]

There are people who pay the full rate...same people I know who have paid sticker price for a car...
As far as the DVC guide bringing it up...my son use to sell timeshares for Wyndham and a friend sold DVC...they have a script to follow....they really can’t deviate too much from, since they are mystery shopped and rated...

I'm holding out for the minimum direct master contract at my desired resort and use year to get the perks even though they can be removed at anytime. It would pain me not to be a "full member" with a blue card if I put money into DVC. Besides that, I have my eye on some resale options.

I really want to buy DVC, but the cost is the main factor that keeps me away. My friend bought SSR years ago and does not regret it. I get overwhelmed trying to read up on it with direct versus resale, etc. I wish I had bought sooner, but I feel like if I keep waiting that's what I'm always going to say.

ETA: When I called for my phone tour and the gift card recently, the gentlemen I spoke too said I should buy CCV now as the prices were going up soon due to Riviera. I don't know if that is what some people are referring too with the reallocation, I'm not educated enough on DVC to know exactly what he meant. I was assuming price per point was increasing.

I wish I had purchased before the 2016 change. I would have scooped up whatever tiny 25 pt contract came up for something like AKL, banked and borrowed and used 75 every 3 years for however many nights I could get while gaining all the DVC perks and then purchasing whatever else I wanted resale.

The guide was probably telling the truth. DVC has had some hefty increases recently and it seems new rules for resale contracts keep coming out in recent years. I am on a VGF waitlist and the price from 2017 to 2018 went up $35 per point direct. The minimum master contract there right now is 75 points and you need at least 75 points purchased directly as of Feb 2018 to gain full benefits. This means at least a $2,625 change from Dec 17 to Jan 18 for the master contract purchase.

With the recent dues increase and point reallocation, I can't imagine DVC does not increase the price per point again.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

The cozy cone pretzel place is amazing. That place is a must do for me. I'll agree with everyone else, that Car's land is just outrageous when it comes to theming. I love the RSR ride. Being a solo rider, I was able to ride several times in my visits with a much shorter wait time.

So true. I like Pandora and FOP but somehow found Carsland more immersive

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I couldn't even sit thru the Cars movies!! I didn't think they were awful, they just never held my attention. I've heard the theming to Carsland is awesome though.

Watch at least the first again before you go. The detail is incredible with the things you’ll see. You can appreciate it a bit more after seeing the movie.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

DH is getting an MRI and asks me what card he should use for the copayment. I told him there's no specific category for medical. Lol.

CIU or CFU are probably highest at 1.5% so I use CFU. Kudos to him for asking. Lol

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I'm holding out for the minimum direct master contract at my desired resort and use year to get the perks even though they can be removed at anytime. It would pain me not to be a "full member" with a blue card if I put money into DVC. Besides that, I have my eye on some resale options.



I wish I had purchased before the 2016 change. I would have scooped up whatever tiny 25 pt contract came up for something like AKL, banked and borrowed and used 75 every 3 years for however many nights I could get while gaining all the DVC perks and then purchasing whatever else I wanted resale.

The guide was probably telling the truth. DVC has had some hefty increases recently and it seems new rules for resale contracts keep coming out in recent years. I am on a VGF waitlist and the price from 2017 to 2018 went up $35 per point direct. The minimum master contract there right now is 75 points and you need at least 75 points purchased directly as of Feb 2018 to gain full benefits. This means at least a $2,625 change from Dec 17 to Jan 18 for the master contract purchase.

With the recent dues increase and point reallocation, I can't imagine DVC does not increase the price per point again.

Your smart to wait for VGF if that is where you want to stay, it books up quickly

 

[shairpdrh]

I don't own but I have sat through a presentation and the big selling point is that "you'll never need more points." I would be very upset at the reallocation if that was no longer true.

I should have said that my guide was actually pretty open about the possibility of a reallocation down the road. He explained the past reallocations and said that he advised a bit of a cushion when purchasing (of course who wouldn't advise buying more of what they are selling). I knew the risks at the time, but gambled on having more time before something like this happened.