I love credit cards so much!

[havaneselover]

I’m so afraid this will be us. I’m hoping not since we will be on an Alaska cruise and excursions should be great. But I have a feeling we’ll be one and done.

We’ve done five Disney cruises and loved every one. Plus Alaska will be amazing! There’s so much to do onboard!

 

[Ngwira]

I’m so afraid this will be us. I’m hoping not since we will be on an Alaska cruise and excursions should be great. But I have a feeling we’ll be one and done.

Well an Alaska intinerary is vastly different. We did the Bahamas. I’m sure you won’t be bored.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I have spent 0. I don’t even have a Prime account although I use my sister’s. I did arrive at her house to see 4 Amazon packages on her porch. I think BIL has been busy.

I don’t have one either...and was feeling like the only one here without it

 

[Ngwira]

Hmm. I hiked a bit into the Grand Canyon but the descriptions were that HC was a difficult hike in sand. Maybe I’ll try it if we ever get there again.

It’s not easy but doable if you are pretty mobile. Antelope canyon is much easier especially lower. Upper has the ladders so more difficult.. or maybe lower has the ladders... always get them confused.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I haven't really done any Prime Day purchasing, but I have spent a small fortune at Target today! Ds is buying his first place and needs everything, so I ordered him a vaccum, pressure cooker, toaster, foreman grill etc LOL, then decided I wanted an Air Fryer.

On another note, I saw Hilton gave me 399 points for a purchase with my AMEX Ascend, then says I returned it so they took away 1692 points. Nevermind that the math there makes no sense, but I didn't use my card in June, and I haven't used it since mid 2017!! So while looking into that, they tell me you made a purchase and returned it. So I replied, first, why would you take away 4 times the points you gave me for the purchase, and second, I already told you I haven't made a purchase in a year.
So today they get back to me and say basically the same thing, and they noticed I also got 25000 credited, so they will have to escalate to have that looked at too. Well that is legit, it was a referral from someone on this thread using my link. UGH. They best not try to take those away.

Ugh, I feel you on that. Somehow I am linked to an erroneous AA account. I get the AA Shopping portal emails and shopped a few times but didn’t see the points. Until I noticed the emails says “your account ending in ...T9” My account ends in J9. So I emailed. Back in May. They still haven’t figured it out. I’m still getting emails addressed for wrong account. I just emailed again a couple days ago and...crickets.

 

[Ngwira]

I don’t have one either...and was feeling like the only one here without it

I have one but spent zero. I’d much rather spend on experiences than “stuff”.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

It’s not easy but doable if you are pretty mobile. Antelope canyon is much easier especially lower. Upper has the ladders so more difficult.. or maybe lower has the ladders... always get them confused.

I’m mobile but stairs are hard. I can’t do them sequentially, I go one stair at a time. Drives everyone behind me nuts.

 

[hsmamato2]

I would definitely make the time to drive from PHX to Flagstaff. So much to see on the way! There's an Indian ruins right off of the highway (the name is escaping me), Sedona, Slide Rock on the road that parallels the highway, the Meteor Crater past Flagstaff is kind of neat to see.

I know...we've driven it before (one of our GC trips we meandered from PHX up thru Flagstaff Sedona etc before turning 'left') I LOVE the drive,we will likely tack on a day to travel up there and then back again...Walnut Canyon I think is the name that's easy access

 

[mmmears]

We mistakenly started out at WDW staying at the YC and the GF. Total resort snobs here. And with the rising rates it makes going to WDW really expensive.

I’m so afraid this will be us. I’m hoping not since we will be on an Alaska cruise and excursions should be great. But I have a feeling we’ll be one and done.

We were not bored at ALL on our Alaska cruise. Nor on our first DCL one which was only 3 days. We had a blast - and honestly thought we'd HATE cruising. So you never know... And Alaska, ahhhhh

 

[Ngwira]

I’m mobile but stairs are hard. I can’t do them sequentially, I go one stair at a time. Drives everyone behind me nuts.

Then I think you made the right decision in passing on it. It’s pretty steep, not a long hike but a steep one.

 

[hsmamato2]

I just spent about 40.00 b/c one of you here mentioned a 5.00 discount on books....and since I had to order a book for an exchange anyway.....

 

[palhockeymomof2]

This sounds so similar to us! DH and I booked a 4 night Dream cruise followed by 3 nights at WDW to see if we liked cruising. I think we were on the ship for less than an hour when DH said "WHY have we never done this before???" We weren't smart enough to book another cruise while onboard, but we did end up buying DVC when we got to WDW!

Congrats on DVC we bought in 2001...best Disney decision

 

[StephPlum]

Was Horseshoe Bend a difficult hike? My cousin raves about it but reading reviews I wasn’t sure I could make the hike with a bad knee so we skipped it.

I skipped as well due to my knee and by the time we arrived it was mid-day and the sun/heat was brutal (June). Adult kids did this easily.

I think it is blasphemy on this forum for me to say that we enjoyed our 2 week out west vacation more than any Disney vacation.

I started on this board when I was planning my Disney trip. The only reason I went to Disney was due to a work conference in Orlando. Added some days and took my son (then 13 yo) first and last time. Next year work conference was in LA so I did Universal Hollywood and Disneyland. Next year work conference was San Diego and I took the train up the coast (highly recommend) to Anaheim and did Disneyland. Next year work conference was in Orlando and did Universal. So for a brief period I did visit Disney 3 years in a row. I prefer DL to WDW (love Carsland, walk-ability and ease of park hopping). I prefer US to Disney (huge HP fan).

But my favorite trips are national park trips. In the last 4 years, we been to a dozen or so; plus national monuments like Mount Rushmore. With my new knee issues, I don't go as far as I used to but I am still good for 3-4 mile hikes. In just 6 weeks, we are traveling to Glacier, Banff and Jasper. Hitting some Canadian NPs as well as US! I can't wait.

I still use these boards for 1) Rental car coupons on the transportation thread; 2) Planning Universal; 3) and my favorite I love CC so much!! Thanks to you guys we'll be doing Hawaii next year with free transportation and hotels (and they have a few national parks!).

this thread is so beneficial to all travel. I just wish I needed Disney GCs when everyone talks about the good deals out there

We have a trip booked for Spring Break next year and we intend to do Zion (I want to hike Angels Landing and the Narrows) and Bryce to see the hoodos.

We did Arizona and western Utah last year (Sedona, Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce) over about 8 days. LOVED it.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think it is blasphemy on this forum for me to say that we enjoyed our 2 week out west vacation more than any Disney vacation. We do like Disney and I think DH and I are equal on our like of it, but I have grown irritated with it. I hate the that you have to plan FP and meals months in advance, it would be cold day in %$%# before I paid extra for any type of party ticket, and it is just plain exhausting. We averaged 10 miles a day for 6 days, even having a couple hour break each day. Though I would rather go go go then lay on a beach. I didn't mind the digital FPs as much as I thought, but my DH was irritated with me because I was constantly trying for another instead of fully enjoying the current ride or show. I don't know if Disney has increased in price so much, or just life in general, but I definitely feel like we could afford it more 10 years ago. We could not have done this last trip without CC rewards.

Our out west vacation was the perfect blend of activity and still having some relaxation time. And it was so beautiful. Maybe since you live out that way it is not the same as seeing on vacation. We did a lot of hiking, so I can see where you would have problems with that with your DD. I can also see where it would be hard to please all of your age range. My DS liked it the least, he would rather go to any type of Amusement park (Disney, Universal, Cedar point) but he does talk about going back. He wants to make it to the bottom of the GC, he is mad we only did halfway down. You should go on a girls trip to NYC with your girls! Have done that before and it was great.

We do love other theme parks too. I have actually enjoyed our Universal trips much more than Disney. I think because we can make them shorter and still do everything and it is both relaxing and on the go fun but not terribly exhausting. We loved Busch Gardens Williamsburg. And nothing can compare to Cedar Point if you like thrill rides. Luckily DH and I agree on our no love for the beach. I don't like the water and he doesn't like the sand. lol So no beach vacations for us.

I also get zero help on the planning so I am still trying to figure out where to go next. My current wants are Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Costa Rica or Europe. Decisions decisions.

I agree with this 100%..... I need a Disney break right now. Too much money and effort for too little payback for me at the moment. I'd like to go again when they step up their game commensurate with their prices and hype. (I've been yearly or more for 20 years now) I'm looking forward to wanting to go again.

 

[hsmamato2]

I skipped as well due to my knee and by the time we arrived it was mid-day and the sun/heat was brutal (June). Adult kids did this easily.


I started on this board when I was planning my Disney trip. The only reason I went to Disney was due to a work conference in Orlando. Added some days and took my son (then 13 yo) first and last time. Next year work conference was in LA so I did Universal Hollywood and Disneyland. Next year work conference was San Diego and I took the train up the coast (highly recommend) to Anaheim and did Disneyland. Next year work conference was in Orlando and did Universal. So for a brief period I did visit Disney 3 years in a row. I prefer DL to WDW (love Carsland, walk-ability and ease of park hopping). I prefer US to Disney (huge HP fan).

But my favorite trips are national park trips. In the last 4 years, we been to a dozen or so; plus national monuments like Mount Rushmore. With my new knee issues, I don't go as far as I used to but I am still good for 3-4 mile hikes. In just 6 weeks, we are traveling to Glacier, Banff and Jasper. Hitting some Canadian NPs as well as US! I can't wait.

I still use these boards for 1) Rental car coupons on the transportation thread; 2) Planning Universal; 3) and my favorite I love CC so much!! Thanks to you guys we'll be doing Hawaii next year with free transportation and hotels (and they have a few national parks!).

this thread is so beneficial to all travel. I just wish I needed Disney GCs when everyone talks about the good deals out there



We did Arizona and western Utah last year (Sedona, Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce) over about 8 days. LOVED it.

amen again!

 

[GZanta77]

I agree with this 100%..... I need a Disney break right now. Too much money and effort for too little payback for me at the moment. I'd like to go again when they step up their game commensurate with their prices and hype. (I've been yearly or more for 20 years now) I'm looking forward to wanting to go again.

We had a disney vacation (WDW, DLP, DLR) at least once per year from 2003 - 2012. We had definitely reached saturation point and there are so many other places to see. We have had some wonderful experiences over the last 6 years, but next week we will return to Disney and we are so excited to see all the changes - and many old favorites of course. We know it is going to be an awesome vacation. That said, it will probably be another 5 or 6 years before we go again. There's a whole big world out there to explore.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Dang, I don’t know how you did it. Our soccer year is 10 months because they include fall, winter indoor and spring. DS also wants to continue park district soccer with the team he’s been on for years. So 3 practices and 2-3 games each week. Shoot me now.

Yeah it was rough. Here fall and spring are a year of soccer and winter indoor is optional. We opted out of that because it was peak hockey season. Mostly just October and March was the rough part with both sports in full overlap. We were out of town multiple weekends a month all year. It was exhausting. Glad he gave up the soccer this year.

 

[mmmears]

I agree with this 100%..... I need a Disney break right now. Too much money and effort for too little payback for me at the moment. I'd like to go again when they step up their game commensurate with their prices and hype. (I've been yearly or more for 20 years now) I'm looking forward to wanting to go again.

We aren't the type who go every year, but we have still decided to step back and take a break. I don't like how the hotel prices have skyrocketed, the crowds, and having to book dining 6 months in advance. And my DD really wants to see more of the world. Our upcoming trip in on DCL (ok, so I'll get a bit of Disney added in) but it's a trip to a few countries none of us have ever visited before - so definitely something new - and I'm sooooo excited. We'll prob get to the parks (DL is more likely since we can drive if needed) after the Star Wars stuff opens up and the crowds calm down a bit.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I agree with this 100%..... I need a Disney break right now. Too much money and effort for too little payback for me at the moment. I'd like to go again when they step up their game commensurate with their prices and hype. (I've been yearly or more for 20 years now) I'm looking forward to wanting to go again.

This is how I feel to an extent. We used to go every year for 10 nights. Now I hop down for 2 days once a year with my oldest daughter and we do dcl as our big Disney trip each year. I usually add on a couple nights pre/post cruise to do MK or mnsshp. No more long trips for me until a bunch of new stuff opens. Too many thins have gone downhill.

 

[WVMomof3]

It’s not easy but doable if you are pretty mobile. Antelope canyon is much easier especially lower. Upper has the ladders so more difficult.. or maybe lower has the ladders... always get them confused.

The lower has the ladders @CyndiLooWho We did this and loved it! But would not want to do with mobility issues. Though I think the upper you have to walk farther to get to maybe. Can't remember, but the antelope canyons are a must do! So beautiful. I remember thinking the short hike to Horseshoe bend was hard. Don't remember if it was the heat, or the sand issues. It was a shorter hike, but not a walk in the park. Was also a little disappointed in what you can actually see, without feeling like you are hanging over the edge. The other people that whole trip made me sooo nervous. Was sure I was going to witness people falling off edges at all the parks.

The narrows was our favorite hike of our 2 weeks. It was so cool! Though, I am not sure if you can do it during Spring Break. I know we did it first week of June and I thought it was just open for the season at that point. It has to do with the flow of the water. I know it has to do with snow melt from other points, so not exactly sure when the best times are but I thought it was a summer/fall thing, though I could be wrong. I could not get my family to do Angel Falls, I made the mistake of showing youtube videos before our trip. lol