I love credit cards so much!

[shairpdrh]

Maybe they send these out in batches. I just got my email as well, but only on one card. 10% only as well.

Same. 10% only for one card. I will try again after the 10% offer expires on my other card.

 

[WVMomof3]

View attachment 372571

Thanks, that is definitely a move from where I last saw them on the app. I emailed myself a link to the Hyatt card. Will see what it says when it comes.

 

[gottalovepluto]

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.

Honestly, you’ll be dealing with heavy holiday crowds period. Day of the week won’t make any difference because so many schools take the week before Easter off. (And if day of the week did matter... over on the DL forum this year we’ve discovered the worse day of the week to visit DL is actually Mon. Consistently reported as much higher crowds than any other day of the week.) As such I’d fit DL into your schedule wherever it’s most convenient for you.

 

[gottalovepluto]

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.

Fantasmic desert package died a couple years ago. I miss it for sure! I think it went when the FP came.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

There are no CIC or CIU referrals, correct?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Same. 10% only for one card. I will try again after the 10% offer expires on my other card.

I haven’t gotten an email, my purchases are still pending. Maybe they will post after my 10% offer expires today.
Yeah I’m sure it won’t work that way bit still hoping for 30%

 

[striker1064]

Have any of you DVC owners been following the stuff about the 2020 point reallocation? I have and it is seriously depressing me to the extent that I am not even as excited to take our first DVC trip in a couple weeks. What do you guys think . . . are they overreacting? I keep reading it all (there are pretty much three huge threads going on right now) and basically it is making me regret buying both the direct and resale contract this year. It would be beyond dumb to sell before I even really use it but I am actually tempted the more I read.

I'm a bit late on this, but I have some thoughts.

I'm also a new owner, just buying in back in March. We haven't even had our first stay yet (that's coming February). We have a small direct contract and a larger resale contract. To me, the reallocation is just part of the deal. I did a lot of research on DVC before we bought in, and one of the things that was constantly reinforced is that reallocations can happen at any time, so always make sure you buy a few more points than you need for your typical reservation to serve as a cushion. That's why I'm a little surprised at the strong reaction everyone is having to this. I get it's a little slimy to not mention anything about the reallocation at the annual meeting when it was clearly already decided though.

I would stay off the DVC board for a while if it's depressing you. You bought in because you thought it was a good idea. You (hopefully) did research before buying - I assume you did because you bought resale and the average person buying DVC direct likely has no idea resale even exists. If DVC was a good idea for you, your family, and your vacation patterns earlier this year, it still is. This reallocation may cost you a few more points when you go back in 2020. Maybe in 2022 there's another reallocation that lowers the points cost to even fewer than it costs now. You just don't know.

The lawsuit thing caught me off guard.

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.

Yes, they mean the direct (from DVC) price per point is increasing. I believe CCV is going up $6/point. Not sure about the other resorts, but really if you're buying any other resort it makes much more sense to go resale. The general advice is, if you can plan your trips 10-11 months in advance, you love WDW, and you know you will go back regularly, DVC might make sense. From there it's direct vs resale - most people can't make use of the savings the Gold AP will offer over the life of the contract compared to the difference in price per point over resale, and it's a perk that could go away at any time. So the only real reason to go direct is if you love CCV (or Riviera, or whatever is currently being sold at the time), and you know you want to stay there for most of your stays.

Otherwise, buy resale, and buy during a recession or during a big sell-off which lowers prices (which, never know, could happen now with all this reallocation stuff).

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks, that is definitely a move from where I last saw them on the app. I emailed myself a link to the Hyatt card. Will see what it says when it comes.

Mine has no expiration date that I can find It’s the 60k offer.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Had this on my wishlist but no one buys me stuff. Got an Amazon GC for Christmas. Bought myself this and a Roku Express for our bedroom. Now to fill all those card slots.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I haven't decided if I should keep the Amex BGR card. I was able to take advantage of the 10% from Staple and Lowe's but that's about all that I've been able to use. Thoughts as to why I should pay the $195 fee?

Can’t really think of anything to make that card worthwhile. It offers 25% of your points back on airfare bookings in any class of an airline you pre-select and that’s basically it. You must be locked in for the next year at $195? Imho the card isn’t worth $195/year- nor is it worth its new AF of $295!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Drumroll please....

My total free travel from March 2018 (when I started tracking)-March 2019 (still need to book a couple rentals cars and such) is....

$28,206.11!

It began with our SoCal spring break trip, Soccer tourney weekend, Charleston in June, WDW girls weekend, Knoxville mothers brunch weekend, thanksgiving in charleston, disney cruise, charleston trip tomorrow for mom's 60th, boys weekend at NHL winter classic (there now), upcoming DD19's DCP move in trip, and upcoming Breckenridge for spring break.

Thanks to everyone. I couldn't do all this without this hobby and couldn't do this hobby without ya'll!
Happy New Year!

ETA: updated total...forgot the $1500 towards onboard spending on cruise that was from bank bonuses

 

[palhockeymomof2]

There are no CIC or CIU referrals, correct?

Correct

 

[kmc8826]

I have to assume most people have some sort of discount, so he really should factor that into the presentation to make it more realistic.

I agree about the discount should be calculated. My deciding factor in just deciding to buy in was that with my husband who is a bed princess (king bed or his own bed) if we wanted to stay on site we would need minimum two rooms. Cheapest I could get two rooms at a moderate would be around $150 at CBR. I know a lot of you have done the agency deals etc but even with discounts that is still a lot. We were moderate in two rooms or off site. For us going multiple times a year right now and wanting to stay on site DVC made sense. But yes I wish we had bought sooner!

I'm a bit late on this, but I have some thoughts.

I'm also a new owner, just buying in back in March. We haven't even had our first stay yet (that's coming February). We have a small direct contract and a larger resale contract. To me, the reallocation is just part of the deal. I did a lot of research on DVC before we bought in, and one of the things that was constantly reinforced is that reallocations can happen at any time, so always make sure you buy a few more points than you need for your typical reservation to serve as a cushion. That's why I'm a little surprised at the strong reaction everyone is having to this. I get it's a little slimy to not mention anything about the reallocation at the annual meeting when it was clearly already decided though.

I would stay off the DVC board for a while if it's depressing you. You bought in because you thought it was a good idea. You (hopefully) did research before buying - I assume you did because you bought resale and the average person buying DVC direct likely has no idea resale even exists. If DVC was a good idea for you, your family, and your vacation patterns earlier this year, it still is. This reallocation may cost you a few more points when you go back in 2020. Maybe in 2022 there's another reallocation that lowers the points cost to even fewer than it costs now. You just don't know.

The lawsuit thing caught me off guard.

Thanks yes I did a ton of research which is why I bought OKW as direct (like @PolyRob wanted the benefits for as long as they are there) and then found the larger BLT resale. On our May trip we even went to the resorts and talked them into letting us see the rooms. It was not even like I just bought CCV after doing the tour...I got on the waiting list to buy OKW because it worked best for our family. It is definitely the sky is falling mentality on the DVC section where they all keep feeding on each other.

I posted here for a measured outlook. So thank you everyone!

 

[mmmears]

Honestly, you’ll be dealing with heavy holiday crowds period. Day of the week won’t make any difference because so many schools take the week before Easter off. (And if day of the week did matter... over on the DL forum this year we’ve discovered the worse day of the week to visit DL is actually Mon. Consistently reported as much higher crowds than any other day of the week.) As such I’d fit DL into your schedule wherever it’s most convenient for you.

I agree. I also found out that sometimes the weekends are blacked out for the local passholders and they end up being less crowded because of that.

Mine has no expiration date that I can find It’s the 60k offer.

Wow. Sort of wishing I waited now. If it's still good by April, though, I'll be surprised. And if it is maybe DH will still get that card.

 

[chattadisser]

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.

Oooh the World of Color dessert party! That sounds like fun, I'll have to look into that. I wish we could stay at either the Grand Californian or DL Hotel but I can't justify the cost when we can stay down the street for free on points. So a character meal might be a good compromise, to see the hotel.

Side note - when I was in HS we stayed at the Paradise Pier hotel (it was called something else then) and I was like a little kid pressing my nose up against the window and watching DL. It was a school related trip and they didn't think that a bunch of kids from FL who went to WDW all the time would want to go to DL so they took us to Knotts Berry Farm. WTH??? I'm still not over that. Not that Knotts wasn't fun but seriously - you put us up right across the street from DL and don't take us in???

 

[chattadisser]

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.

I will try again before we go. If I remember right Cars came out before my youngest was born and she'd probably be game to watch it with me - especially if she know she'll be there soon.

 

[chattadisser]

Honestly, you’ll be dealing with heavy holiday crowds period. Day of the week won’t make any difference because so many schools take the week before Easter off. (And if day of the week did matter... over on the DL forum this year we’ve discovered the worse day of the week to visit DL is actually Mon. Consistently reported as much higher crowds than any other day of the week.) As such I’d fit DL into your schedule wherever it’s most convenient for you.

Thank you! This is just the information that I am looking for. I wanted to get some basic information down before I posted my more direct questions over on the DL forum.

 

[Haley R]

Not sure if anyone is interested but we just bought an Airbnb gc from the gift card mall website. I believe it was a $100 gc for $90 so only 10% off but I haven’t found much better for Airbnb.

 

[DisneyMandC]

My new-to-me CFU showed up after being compromised. DH's new CSP also showed up too, so I'll be starting the MSR on that with a $189 vet bill for my new horse.

Also, thought that just occurred to me... my plan is to pay off one of my student loans this year which I currently owe about $3400 on. It occurred to me that couldn't I just put it on my CIU now and then I'm at 0% interest instead of 5%? And yes, I know the risks in terms of no forgiveness, etc., but if I'm paying off the loan anyways, wouldn't it just make sense? I was going to put all of my tax refund towards it which would take it down to probably a little under $2000, and then I could just pay the rest down before the 0% is up.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

So my mom’s dog was hospitalized over Christmas, racking up some serious $$. Now he needs follow up with a cardiologist. I just got my mom onboard with the CF 5% bonus categories and now I hit her with “you could get a card with a $150 bonus for $500 spend, or a $500 bonus for $4k spend”. She replies “how long”. I tell her and we text back and forth about her bills and would $4k be possible (she is retired on SSI)
She texts back “Order me the $4k one”
I applied for her, instant approval

Sadly I don’t currently hold CSP so couldn’t refer her. (Maybe I should have just told her about CFU only)
Instead a DISer will be getting a nice surprise