I love credit cards so much!

[MrPTato]

When does Discover typically post their categories for the following year?

 

[Judique]

As I was driving, I explained that I didn’t have to take him and if he preferred to sulk, that was fine but he would be doing it at home. I pulled over and asked him to make his choice. He said he’d like to go to WDW with us but didn’t know how to snap into a good mood right off and could he have a little time to work on changing his mood while I drove. I thought that was reasonable and 15 minutes later he was pleasant and we had great trip and he didn’t complain about anything. I like kids, but I’m not cut out to be a parent and lack the patience to put up with complaining and whining.

I don't think anyone is cut out to be a parent. It's mostly OJT and some do better in the real time class. Looks like you are one of those who learn quickly!

 

[miztressuz]

When does Discover typically post their categories for the following year?

I think it was December. Seems like you can activate a month before and that's what I remember when I got mine last November. I activated both quarters (Q4 and Q1) pretty much at the same time.

 

[hsmamato2]

any insights into putting a vgc into my regular old bank account? is there a legit way to do this?(not the MO route,I can't go there) I've been reading some stuff but don't know if the info is outdated or not

 

[1st*toright]

At that age some kids are like that 24/7. There is not a better mood. There’s a reason people call it “terrible twos”
FWIW if my kid was like that I probably wouldn’t plan a Disney trip, but if that’s your kid’s personality, you get used to dealing with it.

Dh and I have already discussed that when we have kids they will be mostly in charge of what we do. We haven’t decided what age we will start taking them but if they point out something that looks fun, that’s where we will go. Even if it means going to a playground for an hour.

My sister took her kids to Greece last summer (BIL is Greek). She came back saying she’s never taking her kids on vacation again, ever. The kids would pick an activity, then complain the whole time about it. And complain about the food. And not having wi-fi. And having to walk. The kids wanted to go swimming at the beach, so they drove an hour to the beach to find out both girls forgot their swimsuits. (They are 9 & 12, not little).

Oh wow, this reminds me when my 2 year old son and I spent the day at MK. My husband was at a conference. I just went with what my son wanted to do. We saw the Country Bears 3 times in a row, and rode the train a couple of times. It was one of the best days ever. That was 18 years go.

We went on a family vacation to Egypt maybe 20 years ago (we were expats at the time so it wasn't too far but still a big trip) My parents had three kids under the age of ten and we all spent a week sightseeing. Us three sisters were talking about the trip a few years ago with our parents and we were reminiscing about how fun some of the shows we saw were, how much we loved our resort, how special it was to see the pyramids and ride a camel and see mummies and see King Tut's Tomb. We remembered it as an amazing trip, one of the highlights of our childhood.

Our parents' mouths dropped open! "You girls were pills the entire time!" my mother said. "It was one of the worst family trips we ever took!" said my dad. Apparently all we did was whine about how we were hungry, tired, sweaty, and hot, and could we just go back to the pool already, and we didn't like the food, and we thought everything was boring, and we kept getting in fights. So who knows, @CyndiLouWho , maybe your nieces will eventually remember the trip fondly, even if your sister doesn't!

Its always hard to see other families at their worst, esp. if their worst is way worse than what is acceptable to you. I would hate to have anyone see me at my worst with my kids - apparently I'm kind of scary when I'm mad (my daughter often compares me to Mrs. Weasley from the Harry Potter books), but I just get stern, I don't yell, swear or hit. Maybe a firm grasp of the hand or shoulders when they were little, but fortunately in public, usually "the look" suffices.

Like @Artygal90, I have fond memories of family trips that were challenging at the time - we lived overseas and did all kinds of crazy things. Some were amazing and luxurious, others there was bad food and uncomfortable accommodations, but I cherish all the memories (a week on a camel trek in the desert as a teenager was memorably uncomfortable, but I'm so glad I got to do it!)

Its definitely a challenge to do a trip that meets everyone's needs, and a "once in a lifetime" trip probably puts way more pressure on that. I know that there is no way we will get to do everything we want (at Disney or anywhere else!) so I try to be flexible with our plans in favor of familial harmony. We do ask our kids to suck it up for the sake of everyone else (ask my teen who is afraid of heights about all the high places we visited in Utah...) to a certain extent, but we also try to accommodate their needs (so there were several times when the teen hung out by herself in the hotel room while DH went to do a sunset photo shoot somewhere and I took the little one for a swim or a hike).

 

[Alexle2007]

Is the Chase Pay 1500 point bonus only on the CSR or will it work on the Freedom also? I was planning to use DH's Freedom on Walmart.com anyhow so I'd just split the transactions into 5 $25 ones.

 

[1st*toright]

The lodge looks terrific - and not horribly expensive. I've found a few budget options at Drake Bay on Airbnb - even with a/c. Not sure when we'll make it back there though. Too many ideas and not enough vacation time for DH.

Yep- vacation time is definitely the limiting factor for us! Also, school schedule (really hard to pull a high schooler our for any length of time) and the fact that DD wants to work all summer (seasonal jobs that require her to commit to the whole season - July 1 until school starts). I like being home for Christmas (and year end is busy for me) so we are kinda limited to spring break for trips that are more than a few days long! I didn't mind the lack of AC - there were good ceiling fans, and you acclimate to the heat pretty quickly (and its generally only in the 80s - not like summers around here!). Didn't have any problems sleeping or anything (lying under just a sheet). Sounds pretty good, actually, as the weather gets colder!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Holy smokes! That would have really bothered my too. I’m bothered just by one cussword being screamed at a kid. Hearing that sort of thing makes me want to yell out “you’re an ADULT, get a thesaurus and learn some new words to scream!” But the smacking in Disney- that poor kid So many bad parenting choices are witnessed at Disney. It’s like Disney is the ultimate parent endurance test. My hat is off to all our Disney Parents here!

This all reminds me that we had a thread going on the DIS sometime back of like the best Disney breakdowns people had witnessed. Kids and parents. It was good for a while but then it deteriorated as such things do. My favorite stories were from parents who ended up looking like they were horrible people but there was so much more going on (obviously not the case you witnessed!). My favorite was these parents whose very little kid was obsessed with going on HM since he found out he was going to WDW. They didn’t know why, it kinda came out of nowhere but he was very insistent. His parents talked to him to make sure, watched videos, told him it would be scary- kid was insistent. Hands down it was basically the reason for his existence by departure day. They arrive at MK early afternoon and should have gotten lunch but the kid is only about HM. They head straight there, wait through the line, are up front when the doors open, and out of nowhere the kid plants his feet and screams “NOOOOOOOOO!!!” in his absolute best bloody murder voice. Shock ensues. In the end the dad threw him over his shoulder & took him in anyway. I would have been 100% judging them had I witnessed that & especially if I had to ride near them- but knowing the background story it was the same call I would have made!

LOL I remember that story! I used to love that thread. Haven't checked it out in a long time.

I'm with @calypso726, these posts really reaffirm my choice not to have kids I can't remember ever really being "bad" in Disney as a kid, or at least my mom has never said anything about it. I do remember one instance of completely having a meltdown in the park though that my dad loves to tell. I LOVED Fievel from American Tail and had a stuffed animal of him. I insisted on carrying it into the parks and then promptly lost it in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids section. I completely lost my $*@! and was hysterical. I'm sure there was at least one "This is why we told you not to carry it with you" uttered at me.

I did eventually get another Fievel though

 

[Jaime4004]

My first world problem: Going to WDW in April, originally had planned on booking with URs. New options are to use remaining URs as a statement credit for the $600 I owe on POP (already paid a $160 deposit a while ago). Or use up all Marriott points for Swolphin, but have to uber there and pay resort fees. I'm leaning towards swolphin, since we've never stayed there. Been to POP several times (and like it). The proximity to EPCOT and DHS are great and we have friends staying at boardwalk so it'll be nice to walk over there also. I know they have disney buses, anyone know if they include the rundisney events for swolphin, i know they do at Disney hotels? DH is doing the star wars races. I've killed the rest of my URs on a CA trip next summer, some went to SW for flights and the rest was 7 nights in hotels. I plan on getting a CIP in a month or two but those rewards will be used for the CA rental car (minivan). So POP and use up UR or swolphin and use up marriott, but have other fees? If I cancel POP, I will have that $160 deposit to offset fees. DH doesn't care either way, he just likes things planned for him.

 

[tink1970]

(Side note: The OBC acronym for Old Blue Cash always throws me, there's only one definition for that in my book - On Board Credit!)

Me too! I think I cruise too much

I like kids, but I’m not cut out to be a parent and lack the patience to put up with complaining and whining.

All evidence to the contrary, you did a great job! I cut DD off from whining at an early age-told her I didn't speak Whine and if she wanted something she could ask in English-one annoying child trait dispatched.

DD19 asked me to come to a mothers brunch for her sorority in Nov. It just so happens to be on a Sunday morning after an at-home conference football game (SEC).

What SEC town has a Hyatt? Hmmm...Nashville? Gainesville? Athens? My beloved College Station?

Asking for my cousin again...If you wanted to begin accruing points for travel to Europe and Asia over next couple of years, would you pick AA or Delta cards to focus on? Or MR's? He seems to not like the idea of collecting MR's, and wants to target an airline's points. He worked for Delta for years but his benefits expire in 2019 so he and his family have been able to fly standby. He's obviously trying to figure out a solution going forward. I'm not sure how to advise as we don't travel int'l at all.

I think it depends on how he and his family like to fly. AA sAAver awards are challenging to find the more you need (case in point, I never found 3 for our trip from PHL-BUD in business) but Delta is notoriously expensive. MRs are more flexible (if you use them you can transfer to Flying Blue/Delta which are both Skyteam AND Avios which is OneWorld). Economy fares for both are more reasonable and available. The nice thing about Delta/Skymiles is that Amex has 4 co-branded personal cards and 3 co-branded business cards so if he has a P2, miles could be accrued fairly easily. His closest hub might also be a factor-is it an AA or DL hub?

Apparently this exclusive event is being sold to so many people that they are now asking for another premium ticket on top of the party price just so people can get a decent view.

smh...

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Is the Chase Pay 1500 point bonus only on the CSR or will it work on the Freedom also? I was planning to use DH's Freedom on Walmart.com anyhow so I'd just split the transactions into 5 $25 ones.

CSR/CSP only, alas

 

[pillow]

Yep- vacation time is definitely the limiting factor for us! Also, school schedule (really hard to pull a high schooler our for any length of time) and the fact that DD wants to work all summer (seasonal jobs that require her to commit to the whole season - July 1 until school starts). I like being home for Christmas (and year end is busy for me) so we are kinda limited to spring break for trips that are more than a few days long! I didn't mind the lack of AC - there were good ceiling fans, and you acclimate to the heat pretty quickly (and its generally only in the 80s - not like summers around here!). Didn't have any problems sleeping or anything (lying under just a sheet). Sounds pretty good, actually, as the weather gets colder!

That sounds like us until just recently. My youngest is in college now, but we were relegated to either spring break or summer. I pulled her (+ friend) out for 2 days last spring break for this trip so that we would have more than just a week. Two days was manageable for her but just barely. Now its just DH and I traveling.

 

[MKTokyo]

I don't think anyone is cut out to be a parent. It's mostly OJT and some do better in the real time class. Looks like you are one of those who learn quickly!

I always think to myself that I am probably a better parent now than I will be when I have kids

I have to say that some of our Disney trips have been very educational in that they explicitly showed me how NOT to treat my children Highly recommended!

 

[afan]

I agree. The money grabs I keep seeing are helping me break away. The new one this week that made me roll my eyes is the premium parade/fireworks party that they are offering during the premium extra expensive MVMCP. Apparently this exclusive event is being sold to so many people that they are now asking for another premium ticket on top of the party price just so people can get a decent view.

People in the MVMCP thread are booking it, so it's working. There's at least two that have both the fireworks and parade parties booked, which you have to call to do because it won't work online. I will say that a lot of the one's I've read that are booking are one's that want a good spot but physical limitations for a party member or young age of kids has them booking it. Like any dessert party, it seems to be more about the viewing location and smaller crowd in that area than the actual desserts. I know it has been when we've booked them.

There are people that are interested but not once it's like buying another party ticket, but like with most things Disney does, there's a market for it. Just not for those cabana things in Tomorrowland

 

[WVMomof3]

Now that I have flights to Orlando for Thanksgiving, I can't decide what to do for hotels! Our flight arrives at 12:50 am Wed and I have 2 day passes to SeaWorld and/or Aquatica, getting Premier APs for Uni and will have a rental car. So
Plan A) Tues-Sat- Make the Renaissance SeaWorld our home base for 4 nights
Plan B) Tues- Thurs- Renaissance SeaWorld, Thurs-Sat- Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay (leaning towards SF)
Plan C) Tues- Marriott near airport, Wed-Sat- Make Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay (leaning towards SF) our home base
Plan D) Tues-Sat- Make Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay (leaning towards SF) our home base

Thurs will be probably meet up with my brother at Uni to use our AP EP at 4 pm and have dinner with him and his wife. I need 3 more nights with Marriott for Platinum. One of those nights will be our return home since we have a late flight home also. Thoughts???? Suggestions???? I am going crazy trying to decide.

Not one of the choices but I think I would do the airport Hyatt first night. Since it is right there and you are getting in soooo late. By the time you get rental and drive somewhere you will likely checkin at 3 am. Then I think I would do D, though that doesn’t get you any of your Marriott stays so I am probably no help. Maybe you can do a weekend trip in December to get your extra nights.

 

[Lain]

REMINDER: Today, 10/31/18, is the LAST DAY to apply for the elevated 100k Marriott points public offers on the SPG BIZ and SPG LUX.

And HAPPY HALLOWEEN, everyone.

 

[MKTokyo]

People in the MVMCP thread are booking it, so it's working. There's at least two that have both the fireworks and parade parties booked, which you have to call to do because it won't work online. I will say that a lot of the one's I've read that are booking are one's that want a good spot but physical limitations for a party member or young age of kids has them booking it. Like any dessert party, it seems to be more about the viewing location and smaller crowd in that area than the actual desserts. I know it has been when we've booked them.

There are people that are interested but not once it's like buying another party ticket, but like with most things Disney does, there's a market for it. Just not for those cabana things in Tomorrowland

The food is not a consideration. My mother is recovering from knee problems. We either don’t see the parade & fireworks at all or we pay for her to have a place to sit. She really wants to see them but didn’t think she would be able to.

We are going to lose a lot of party time going to both events but you do what you have to do for your mama

 

[Jaime4004]

I am about to do this with DD2 in Dec and I am so excited to spend the day just doing what she wants. Previous trips we stand around doing rider swap and waiting on the older siblings. This time I am sending them to Uni and taking just her to mk. Then we get to do it again in Jan! Making memories.

My kids are older, but I took the oldest two for their 13th birthdays, just each one and me. It was so fun. Very different personalities on both so each trip was different. It was just all about them and I let them do anything they wanted. Since there was only one kid each time, no one to fight with. Very peaceful. I have one more to go, but he still has another 2 years to turn 13. My older two have made it clear that I can't sneak him on an earlier trip or it wouldn't be fair.

 

[FloridaNative8]

Of course, I don't really scream at them in public. It's more of a very pointed, very scary, teeth gritting forced whisper .

This is something I have down to an art!

 

[platamama]

@mamathompson or anyone thinking of going to Italy - every lodging place will take a scan/photo/note of your passport information (I did not know this ahead of time). I hated this because it's so ripe for identity theft! But I had no choice in the matter if I wanted to sleep somewhere I had to do it (including AirBnB places). I was told it was part of their ramped up security regulations.

Also you pay a nominal $3-5/pp/nt tax (usually in cash) when you check out. It's not included in your original cost for lodging.