One of the perks of the recent Hilton changes is the introduction of a pay your way points and money option. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding dollar amount will be issued to the American Express Card account used. Independent network lounges include Priority Pass lounges, Loungebuddy and the Global Lounge Network. 2. Even when there isnt a full dinner menu, you can still enjoy bar snacks like truffle fries, and the bar menu features all of your classic lounge favorites like scotch and cognac, plus an extensive wine list and some local draft beer. A Red Ventures Company. Weve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disneys Hollywood Studios. If you're going to drink one drink from each EPCOT pavilion, these are the drinks We're ranking ALL of the Disney World hotels! This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Children younger than 13 cant be added as authorized users, so this is a noticeable devaluation for families who must shell out $30 to bring each kid into the lounges some of which have dedicated family rooms. The card also provides 2% cash back in the eligible category you spend the second most in that month, making it a pretty solid option for when you take a big theme park trip. Here are some Disney World-specific credit card tips: The information for the Disney Visa card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. Need a guide to EPCOT for your 2023 trip? Disney Vacation Club Member Lounges - 5 Things You Need to Know It's fantastic to see any restaurant on Disney World property offering any type of discount. You wont want to miss some of the out-of-this-world snacks and drink options when you are visiting Disney Star Wars Galaxys Edge. With options like Crab Macaroni and Cheese, Artisanal Cheese Selection, and the famous Truffle Fries, you wont even miss the Grey Stuff the whole menu is delicious. We do love us some Trader Sams Tiki Mugs come see this beauty! Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Accommodations may include balconies or offer views of the fireworks each night. 2X Membership Rewards Points: Membership Rewards-enrolled Card Members get at least 1 Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar spent on their Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card. To qualify for complimentary guest privileges, you must spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum Card each calendar year. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. 5 Things to Know About AmEx Lounge Access - NerdWallet . Using AMEX Membership Rewards points for hotel stays is often not a great use of points. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Jocks has become known for holiday specialties, so you want to look for seasonal menu items and festive decor. All rights reserved. Here are three of the better options: Youre only getting between 0.5 and 0.7 cents per point booking these with AMEX points transferred to Marriott, so youll usually be better off booking through the AMEX Travel Portal. Experience a world of enchantment at Walt Disney World Dolphin, with magical touches of whimsy at every corner. Original Poster. When you order through my link, it helps me to continue to offer you free stuff. Is Disneys Wilderness Lodge the right resort for you? For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Feeding Frenzy at Jock Lindsays Hangar Bar. Through our unique partnerships with Avis/Budget, Christie, Coca-Cola, Edgewell Personal Care, Haagen Dazs, Macy's and Niagara guests can enjoy exclusive offers and benefits. Mission: Space was first sponsored by Compaq, but when HP acquired Compaq in 2002, HP took over the sponsorship. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. JavaScript is disabled. Latest Walt Disney World News Coming Soon Remy's Ratatouille Adventure - Late 2020 Epcot Space Restaurant - 2020 TRON Coaster . And occasionally AMEX has transfer bonuses, so check your account for current offers. If the purchase codes as entertainment, you'd earn just 500 points as a non-bonused category. For example the American Express lounge? For many families, the dream is tostay at a Disney resort. You must log in or register to reply here. Well worth the visit, the list of luscious libations is enough of a selling point to entice you to join in the fun. at DFBStore.com. You know how we love a good cheese option on a menu, and Territory Lounge offers up a Chardonnay fondue, a slightly boozy, super creamy snack option that comes served with practically perfect pretzel bread. Where did your favorite Disney moderate resort rank in our poll? If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. Strategically using one of the best credit cards for theme park tickets will mean that you can earn bonus cash back or some extra miles and points to put toward the next family vacation. The price for bringing a guest into an American Express Centurion Lounge is now $50 for adults and $30 for children aged 2-17. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Note that this card has a $695 annual fee. Book a Cruise: Browse Cruises & Destinations - American Express For example, if youre flying JetBlue, Delta, or Virgin America, you can transfer your points directly to that airline. Here's your road map to maximizing theme park ticket purchases by using the right credit card. What is in these lounges? Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. Unfortunately, this card is discontinuing its previous earning structure for current cardholders on April 9, 2021. A better option will usually be to transfer AMEX Membership Rewards to Starwood and then from Starwood to Marriott. So Ive asked them to share their tips on booking trips toWalt Disney World and Disneyland using AMEX Membership Rewards points. 1. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. First, you can pay with your points when you book travel through the American Express Travel Portal. are just for the employees of the sponser companies. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links. No parts of this site are to be reproduced without permission. Marriott has a large number of hotels around Disneyland, but youll get less value per point than at Walt Disney World. Even if a Disney resort isnt your top choice, the AMEX Travel Portal can be used to book a wide variety of hotels. Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disneys Coronado Springs Resort is the home of Sangria University where an actual sangria sommelier will educate you on sangria. If you enjoy visiting American Express Centurion Lounges, this is your reminder that there's now a cost for bringing guests into the lounge with you from today.Most cardmembers no longer have free guest privileges. This means youre usually going to find better rates for Hilton Hotels by paying with points through the AMEX Travel Portal. Corporate Partners | Universal Orlando Resort Your email address will not be published. Tutto Gusto has a wine list of over 200 Italian wines, and to accompany your wine selection, there is a menu of Italian favorites that are truly delizioso. They arent required, but this is the hottest spot in the Galaxy, so we definitely recommend that you try to line one up. Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding will almostmake you forget the Ohana bread pudding (the recipe was created by a chef from Ohana, so its not like youre cheating or anything if you love this one just as much). Nestled in the Pacific Northwest setting of the resort, the open-air bar has both a table service lounge and a walk-up quick service counter. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more. BREAKING: Universal Is Building a NEW Theme Park Experience in Texas! The only people that have access to this lounge are Siemens employees and guests and Make A Wish families. Related: The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges. Second, you can transfer your points to an AMEX hotel partner, and then use hotel points to book your stay. With the celebration of DVC's 25 th Anniversary, Disney added a second DVC Member Lounge! Relax in the beanbags as you watch the ride in action, then take the backdoor entrance to the ride for a quick access. The cash total for that stay would start at ~$1,455 for 5 nights. And for Disneyland, your best bets are John Wayne Airport (SNA) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). When Epcot opened in 1982, the eight Future World pavilions were sponsored by large companies. This means there are easily billions of dollars spent annually on theme park tickets alone, not to mention all the other related costs. Drinks here take on the Pacific Northwest theme of the resort, including a Northwest Iced Tea (think Long Island Iced Tea) and some native beers. Children can visit Camp Dolphin in the evenings for movies, arts and crafts, video games, board games, and more. Partner With Disney Food Blog That means for every 1,000 AMEX Membership Reward points you transfer, youll get 333 Starwood points. These Are the BEST. Food at Tutto Gusto features Italian flavors such as Petto di Pollo, comfort food made with a creamy, cheesy sauce over pasta with grilled chicken. Disney World can be expensive. These changes affect cardmembers with The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express. The drinks transport you right to Batuu yes, we know, its not really real, but you will feel like it is. Participating suppliers and PDV benefits are subject to change. Take some time to explore our favorites, then enjoy finding a few of your own. There is currently no corporate sponsor for the Seas, leaving the lounge to be used only for Disney special events and as a venue for Disney Weddings. Benefits for AmEx lounges include much more than Centurion Lounges. Our travel experts and partners have the destination expertise and the inside access to book everything from a day of sightseeing to your entire trip, including flights, lodging, and even dining reservations. Have you overlooked THIS Walt Disney World steakhouse? Ordering a Cake in Disney World The Lapu Lapu, served in a whole pineapple, is a treat right off the beach in Hawaii, with dark rum and tropical fruit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. JavaScript is disabled. If you think your theme park tickets will code as travel -- and that's likely when buying from a travel agent, or if they are bundled with lodging or charged to a hotel room -- here are the best cards to use for those expenses. Hows that for some Disney magic? They may be able to get it for you after 5 PM. The Ultimate Guide to Eating in Disneys Hollywood Studios, The 1 Drink You Should Get From Each EPCOT Pavilion. But just because your airline of choice isnt a transfer partner of AMEX doesnt mean you cant use your AMEX Membership Rewards points to fly with them! American Express Green Card: Best for earning Amex rewards; . Since all guests get a FastPass to the ride, you can create your vehicle then use your MagicBand to test it during the ride. Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Register on WDWMAGIC. This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (advertiser listing); and general information about credit card products (editorial content). Check here before booking an award fare. Check here before booking an award fare. The DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-Book Now Available! Additional points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account 10-12 weeks after final payment is made. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. A great tip is to go earlier in the evening to avoid the fireworks rush, because as long as you return with your receipt, you can still access the observation area to watch the fireworks. The Mandara Spa is a Balineseinspired oasis, with a full menu of body therapies, massages, facials, and beauty treatments. Three to consider are: Since the Hilton nightly rates vary by hotel and date without a published table, it can be challengingto find sweet spots. California Grill Lounge watch the Magic Kingdoms fireworks from here! If you didnt spend at least $75,000 on your card last year, you cannot bring complimentary guests into the lounge from now on. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Just walk right up, ask for a table, and it can be yours! How do I Redeem Membership Rewards Points. If you want to be extra sure, price your tickets from Undercover Tourist as they have always coded as travel for me. Okay, we may be a little too excited, but what an incredibly unique experience, and one of the big reasons Three Bridges makes our favorites list. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. With this option, youll sometimes be able to get great value from your points, so youll definitely want to look into whether this makes sense for your stay. To bring guests into the lounge with you, youll need to pay a per-visit fee or spend heavily on your card to earn guest privileges. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. The bar has a bright, tropical feel with some comfy seating options, and the eats here are pretty darned delicious. You can check out some of our favorites in this post about using credit card free nights at Disney. Tucked into a back corner of Disneys Polynesian Village Resort, this lounge is a little crazy and a lot of fun. The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges, solo travelers may be thrilled by a reduction in lounge guests, Amex adds live capacity indicators for Centurion Lounges, Authorized users on the Business Platinum. With the 3:1 transfer ratio, youll have to transfer30,000 or 36,000 AMEX Membership Rewards points per night booking these resorts. I'm afraid that I don't know what the original requirements for entry were, but American Express no longer sponsors The American Adventure, so the former lounge is now mainly used for private and cast functions. Ever since his parents took him to the Magic Kingdom on a family vacation as a youngster, he has had an interest in the magic that Disney creates for families. And dont forget, you can also get 1 cent per point when you bookflights through the AMEX Travel Portal and pay with points. You can share the Kaikane s Barbecue Ribs since they give you a decently sized portion. Making Advance Dining Reservations at Disney Restaurants Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). We want you to be aware that certain suppliers pay us commissions and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals, and may also provide incentives to our travel counselors. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Because AMEX Membership Rewards points are so valuable, its important to make the most of them when you book travel. If youre staying at one of thesix hotels weve listed, youll be getting a value of between 0.5 cents and 0.7 cents per Membership Rewards point when you transfer points to Hilton to book Disney trips. A Definitive Ranking of EVERY Disney World Hotel! For more information, please see How we make money. Universal Studios American Express Lounge. Learn More About Cruise Offerings and Plan Your Trip Today. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. Try the Fuzzy Tauntaun, and see what all the buzz is about, or opt for a non-alcoholic Blue Bantha, which is the famous blue milk topped with a yummy cookie. New locations are planned for Washington National (DCA), Newark Liberty (EWR), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) airports. How do I find and add Amex Offers to my Card? Additionally,Starwood offers a Cash & Points option. I know, we just talked about how we love us some elaborate theming at the lounges, so how did the Crews Cup Lounge make the cut? Siemens took over sponsorship of Spaceship Earth from AT&T (formerly Bell System) in 2005. However, these changes do not apply to Corporate Platinum and Centurion cardmembers. Past Disney World and Disneyland Food and Wine Festival Coverage. If you aren't sure how a charge will code, using a strong card for everyday spending isn't the worst plan. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. Disney Dining Plans If a charge for a purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Linked Account the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. We are excited to see whats in store when this resort and hopefully this lounge is back up and running. Youll want to keep this in mind to avoid usingyour AMEX Membership Rewards points now on a hotel stay if you could get much better value out of them in the future. Herb is the founder, author, webmaster, chief executive, and chief bottle washer for World Of Walt and he is the Disney enthusiast who put this site together. If your schedule isnt flexible or award flights arent available, this might be the best option for a given flight. And ask your server if you can get the Ohana style bread pudding. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, My first cruise to the Galapagos: The good, the bad and the absolutely adorable, 14 best all-inclusive hotels and resorts in Europe, From servicing bar carts to emergency landings: A day in the life of an aspiring flight attendant. But one of the real draws of this bar is the location. Kraft sponsored The Land, Kodak sponsored the Imagination pavilion, and The Seas, sponsored by United Technologies, featured one of the most elaborate lounges with an acrylic grand piano . Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits ("Prohibited Action"). Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Caribbean Beach Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Counter-Service, Cult Favorites, disney resorts, disney restaurant review, Disney Springs, disney's hollywood studios, Drinking Around the World, Epcot, Featured, Grand Floridian Resort, magic kingdom, Polynesian Resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, Recipe, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club Resort Tagged With: 'Ohana, banana cabana, Bread Pudding, Disney, disney dining, disney food, disney parks, disney snacks, disney springs, Disney World, disney's animal kingdom, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, disney's wilderness lodge, Epcot, Geyser Point, Hollywood Studios, Jock Lindsey's Hangar Lounge, magic kingdom, Oga's Cantina, Scat Cat Club, Sebastian's, Tambu Lounge, Territory Lounge, Three Bridges Bar and Grill, Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, Walt Disney World.