2023 The Disney Food Blog. 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). However, some deep-pocketed or solo travelers may be thrilled by a reduction in lounge guests. We are an independent publisher. Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee? Most of them are private and not open to the public, but if you want a taste of the VIP life, check out the Chase Lounge in World Showcases American Adventure, which used to be the private American Express lounge. American Express Lounge. 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. the best ways to use AMEX Membership Rewards points for flights in the US. The American Express Global Lounge Collection includes several lounge products like the Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges but also airline-operated lounges, like Delta Sky Clubs. Weve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disneys Hollywood Studios. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. How do I Redeem Membership Rewards Points. Trader Sams Grog Grotto brings to light Sams devotion to drinks, his mad love for mixology. The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. MADE IN ENGLAND. 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. We're here with the TOP restaurants from Disney Springs! If you think youve seen everything there is to see of Spaceship Earth, youre wrong! Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. To get a 5th night free at Hilton, you have to be a an elite member. Platinum Card Members can enjoy access to more than 1,400+ airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, including flagship locations through The . 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 resort offers 18 restaurants and lounges, with options ranging from the premium Shulas Steak House to the family-friendly Garden Grove. Ask a worker where it is if you can't find it. The price for bringing a guest into an American Express Centurion Lounge is now $50 for adults and $30 for children aged 2-17. Click here to see the latest new menu items coming to California Grill! 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! Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Youll notice that we take ALL of the opportunities to talk about La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT, but we promise, its with good reason. Find all of our DFB E-Books and Which Character Meal is Right For You? A Definitive Ranking of EVERY Disney World Hotel! You can add up to three Platinum authorized user cards to your primary personal Platinum account for a total fee of $175 per year (see rates and fees). Chevrolet, part of General Motors, is the last surviving original sponsor of the Epcot pavilions, and they have a pretty cool lounge in which to host their employees and Make A Wish families. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.Additionally, while I haven't tested the Citi Prestige Card, it earns 5x at travel agencies. Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is the world's most popular theme park -- and it's also one of the most complex when it comes to maximizing dollars spent with the best credit card. , aka Mommy Points, ran the Mommy Points site for families who want to travel more for less using miles and points for seven years. The lounge features seasonal specialty cocktails, martini and margarita flights, and a full complement of wine and beer. Although American Express airport lounge access is complimentary through these cards, the barrier to entry is high due to their annual fees.The Platinum Card from American Express carries a $550 . Like this post? The detail in the decor is astounding at Jock Lindseys Hangar Bar. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Find the right card for you. 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. 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. Siemens has a private lounge situated on the second floor right above the Project Tomorrow exhibit space. And if youre looking for some kid-free time, youll find it here after 8PM. Its always worth taking a few minutes to do the math to see if a transfer to a partner is a better option than using pay with points. Universal Studios American Express Lounge. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. We can help! As the story goes, Indiana Jones long-trusted pilot discovered this waterfront gem while hunting for the Fountain of Youth in Florida. Learn More About Cruise Offerings and Plan Your Trip Today. 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"). Find out HERE. I believe you can't get into the GM lounge unless one of you is a GM employee. Since theme park tickets most commonly code as either travel or entertainment, your safest bet when deciding which credit card to use is one that awards a bonus on both categories if you have one. Check here before booking an award fare. How do I find and add Amex Offers to my Card? Here's your road map to maximizing theme park ticket purchases by using the right credit card. The club will take you right to the heart of Bourbon Street, with live jazz music playing several nights a week (usually Thursday through Monday), and NOLA famous cocktails like the Southern Hurricane and the Sazerac. While there are ways to get value of over 1 cent per point (and well cover some), youre generally only going to get between 0.5 and 0.8 cents per point using your AMEX points this way. Does only one have to have an annual pass for that lounge? This favorite, located at Disneys Yacht Club Resort, is just a cozy little lounge, but the menu features some of the most amazing food from the adjacent Yachtsman Steak House. And because this is the Grand Floridian, you won't find pub grub here. First, you can pay with your points when you book travel through the American Express Travel Portal. OPEN NOW. If your schedule isnt flexible or award flights arent available, this might be the best option for a given flight. The real Caribbean flavors, though, are in the food. New locations are planned for Washington National (DCA), Newark Liberty (EWR), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) airports. Although things can change, here are some TPG data points on how theme park ticket purchases have coded in the past: Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World. Not All Disney Adults Are the Same: Gen Z vs Millennials, The Secret to Getting Disneys New 50th Anniversary Backpack for LESS $$, Disney Just Released 3 NEW Pairs of Minnie Ears Online! Eligible travel purchases include all travel purchases made with your Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card on amextravel.com, including air, prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals, vacation packages (flight + hotel packages) or cruise reservations, minus returns and other credits. For 2023 guest privileges, your 2022 spending is the deciding factor. Final . Since HP is known for their printers, it should come as no surprise that guests can print photos for free on the HP printers as long as your camera has WiFi. Marriott and Starwoods 5th night free programs are available to anyone booking with hotel points. Get access to the American Express Lounge In Universal Studios when you buy any Universal Orlando Multi-Park Ticket or Annual Pass with any American Express Card. 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. In the lounge, youll also see some fun technology like a touch screen that displays park info and wait times and allows you to change the color of the floor leading to the meeting space. . California CST#1022318; Washington UBI#600-469-694; Iowa TA#669. You will find no shortage of places to meet friends before dinner or to grab an evening cocktail at Walt Disney World, but some of the bars and lounges are just a bit more memorable even after an E-ticket evening of imbibing. American Express Lounge: We used this several times. Photo Credit: Courtesy of American Express American Express ranked No. Find the right experience for your trip, budget, or travel style. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., when acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers, is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. For more information please visit americanexpress.com/travelterms. Partner With Disney Food Blog Love your videos and info! Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. The drinks transport you right to Batuu yes, we know, its not really real, but you will feel like it is. Savor fresh seafood at Todd English's bluezoo, authentic Japanese fare at Kimonos, or Italian at Il Mulino New York Trattoria. How do I Redeem Membership Rewards Points? However, if you purchase park tickets from a travel agency (such as Undercover Tourist), charge them to your hotel room or include them as part of a larger vacation package, the odds are high that the purchase will code as travel. The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. 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. Marriott has some great locations near Walt Disney World, allowing for some of the better redemptions weve seen: With these award nights, youll be getting a value of between 0.7 and 0.9 cents per point. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. The cash total for that stay would start at ~$1,455 for 5 nights. Authorized users aren't subject to the $50-per-visit guest fee. On February 15, 2023 as of 5:00 a.m . When Epcot opened in 1982, the eight Future World pavilions were sponsored by large companies. These changes affect cardmembers with The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express. We are all about the food here at DFB, and nothing goes better with food than a yummy cocktail and some awesome atmosphere. Weve Eaten at Every Magic Kingdom Restaurant. To stay at a Disney resort with AMEX Membership rewards points, youll have to book it through the AMEX Travel Portal. Relax in the beanbags as you watch the ride in action, then take the backdoor entrance to the ride for a quick access. This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Experience Credit: $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities, A room upgrade at check-in, when available. Starwood operates 3 hotels very close to Disneyland. Theres jerk chicken and a bright, fresh Sebastians Salad with Grilled Shrimp, so put yourself on island time and stay awhile. Set in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, The Enchanted Rose Lounge serves up sips and snacks in a space reminiscent of that tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast. American Express Green Card: Best for earning Amex rewards; . If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. 1lilspark DIS Veteran Joined Apr 7, 2016 Feb 5, 2017 #2 They have a visa lounge at Epcot during food and wine that's it MrGoofy101 Stitch Likes Toys. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more. WDWMAGIC.COM is an unoffical Walt Disney World fan site and is in no way part of The Walt Disney Company. ), How much are Amex points really worth? California CST#1022318, Washington UBI#600-469-694, Iowa TA#669. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. 5:00am - 12:00am . Take either take the stairs or the elevator to the VIP lounge where youll be given complimentary beverages and amazing views of the indoor queue and Advanced Training Lab. This place can get packed it has seating for only about 30 people but dont be afraid to belly up to the bar and grab your drink to take with you. Using Starwood points with 5th Night Free, however, the stay only requires 40,000 Starwood points (10,000 Starwood points per night X 4 nights plus 5th night free). BREAKING: Universal Is Building a NEW Theme Park Experience in Texas! You are using an out of date browser. Need I go any further? Transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to airline partners is often a great option for flights to Disney. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Hilton, Marriott, and Starwood all have 5th Night Free programs where youll get your 5th night free when you book 4nights using points. New DVC Promo Video For The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, DeSantis Appointee for Disney Suggests Tap Water Could Turn People Gay, Sneak Peek at Team Green Post-show in Tron Lightcycle / Run, The Best Kid-Friendly Attractions at Islands of Adventure, The Grand Cottage Is Returning to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, ROFR Thread Jan to March 2023 *PLEASE SEE FIRST POST FOR INSTRUCTIONS & FORMATTING TOOL*. Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members are only eligible for 1 additional point on cruise reservations. Priority Pass Select lounges. :), 2023 MillionMileSecrets.com. Other Global Lounge Collection . Benefit restrictions vary by property. Disney World Restaurant Search Tool Feeding Frenzy at Jock Lindsays Hangar Bar. Any portion of a charge that you elect to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. Thread starter macefamily; Start date Dec 5, 2018; M. macefamily Well-Known Member. Check out the big expansion planned for Disneys Polynesian Village Resort! This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. However, these changes do not apply to Corporate Platinum and Centurion cardmembers. Starwood operates 2resorts on Walt Disney World property, the Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin. California Grill Lounge watch the Magic Kingdoms fireworks from here! Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a Apply Now button or Learn More button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. Participating suppliers and PDV benefits are subject to change. Since the lounge is on the second floor, youll take either the elevator or a spiral staircase to the lounge where youll have access to complimentary beverages. Scat Cats Club is a soulful, jazz-filled, joy of a lounge located at Disneys Port Orleans Resort French Quarter. For a trip to Walt Disney World, youll want to fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO). Tucked into a back corner of Disneys Polynesian Village Resort, this lounge is a little crazy and a lot of fun. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Boasting a lineup of over 200 Tequilas, this small but mighty location will entice even the most critical cocktail connoisseur with a collection of creatively magnificent margaritas. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. You may have to hunt a bit to find Tutto Gusto, but look for the red Wine Cellar awning at the back of the Italy Pavilion. The Venmo credit card may actually be a top theme park credit card contender. AMEX Membership Rewards points transfer to Starwood points at a 3:1 ratio. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Amex now charges $50 for adult guests and $30 for children aged 2-17 to access its Centurion lounges. There's no one best credit card for theme parks, but there are some solid options depending on where you want to go and how you are purchasing your tickets. 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. Heres our full advertising policy: How we make money. Even if a Disney resort isnt your top choice, the AMEX Travel Portal can be used to book a wide variety of hotels. Even if youre set on using your points for a hotel stay, it can be difficult to find sweet spots transferring points to hotel partners. Additional reporting by Joseph Hostetler and Ryan Smith. There are 2 ways to book hotels with AMEX Membership Rewards points. Terminal 1, International. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Learn more. The lounge at the American Adventure was for AmEx employees and their guests. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Caribbean flavors abound at this outside, waterfront lounge, and you can sample a Jamaican Frozen Runner and a Caribbean Mai Tai if luscious libations are what youre after. This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (advertiser listing); and general information about credit card products (editorial content). Guest Post Guidelines If you aren't sure how a charge will code, using a strong card for everyday spending isn't the worst plan. An expanding network of airport lounges, the American Express Global Lounge Collection is dedicated to offering Platinum Card Members more lounge options than any other card on the market*. 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. It automatically awards 3% back in the category you spend the most in that month -- and two options are for entertainment and travel. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. This allows you to pay for some of your stay with cash and some with points. We have some Disney Springs must-dos for you right HERE! DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Disney World Restaurants, Menus, and DINING REVIEWS Warm wood, cozy seating, and soft lighting arent the only highlights of the Territory LoungeAnd while a lot of the top bars and lounges on our list get there based on elaborate theming or unique drinks, Territory Lounge is a standout when it comes to lounge eats. American Express Lounge. No parts of this site are to be reproduced without permission. Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve? The menu varies seasonally, so you are likely to find a seasonal soup, plus theres always a charcuterie and a mouth-watering dessert. Complimentary guest access is usually processed within seven days of meeting the spending requirement, although it may take up to 12 weeks to become effective. Post all SW questions concerns, etc. It can be a bit of an undertaking to make your way to Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort if you arent staying there, but Banana Cabana Lounge may just make it worth a trip. Related: Why you might want to use a Disney Vacation Planner. Dec 5, 2018 #1 Related reading: Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve? Amex does partner with Universal, which is why they have something there I'm sure, now there used to be a lot at EPCOT for the ride sponsor my grandad worked for GE and we could go to that one but Disney is getting away with these. 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 and floor-to-ceiling glass looking into a huge aquarium. 1. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. The rates for the Dolphin start at 10,000 Starwood pointsper night, while the Swan starts slightly higher at 12,000 Starwood points per night. Not all partners offer Platinum Destinations Vacations. You can share the Kaikane s Barbecue Ribs since they give you a decently sized portion. Disclosure Policy 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. 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. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. Once that happens, the best option may be the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card for 4% back on entertainment expenses. Ken and his wife Emily write about using points and miles (and saving money) on Disney trips at Mousehacking.com.