is a senior reporter at TPG. We're here with the TOP restaurants from Disney Springs! Does only one have to have an annual pass for that lounge? Disneyland is starting to reopen to those who purchase $75 tickets, theme park tickets will code as entertainment purchases, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Why you might want to use a Disney Vacation Planner. California Grill Lounge watch the Magic Kingdoms fireworks from here! Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. The AMEX Travel Portal can be used to book hotels at most chains, but here are some sample redemptions for Disney resorts: At most hotels, you can expect to get a value of~0.7 cents per point when you pay with points. Guest Post Guidelines It may not display this or other websites correctly. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); American Express. Consider a sample stay for 5 nights at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, a Starwood resort in October. 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. The Citi Premier Card awards 2x Citi ThankYou points per dollar on entertainment charges and 3x ThankYou points per dollar spent on travel charges. And if youre looking for some kid-free time, youll find it here after 8PM. JavaScript is disabled. You'll also get five points per $1 spent on . If you are pretty sure your theme park tickets will code as entertainment, here are the most rewarding cards to use for that category. Siemens has a private lounge situated on the second floor right above the Project Tomorrow exhibit space. Although these lounges no longer host guests, there are still a few VIP lounges that welcome guests daily. 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! If you aren't sure how a charge will code, using a strong card for everyday spending isn't the worst plan. Additional Amex perks include 10% off merchandise purchases of $75+, 10% off . Our preferred partners are hand-selected to fit yourtravelneeds. You can get a minimum of ~0.7 cents per point when you pay with points. Experience a transformative getaway with refreshing pools, spa, golf, pickleball, delectable dining and more. These changes affect cardmembers with The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Lets take a look at these hidden treasures. Those same Card Members will also get at least 1 additional point for each dollar of eligible travel purchases made on amextravel.com on their Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card. 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. We also have a handy workaround to get your guests into the lounge for free. here Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation. Because the AMEX Travel portal offers ~0.7 cents per point pretty consistently when you pay with points forhotel bookings,youll need to carefully compare these options depending on the specifics of your stay. , aka Mommy Points, ran the Mommy Points site for families who want to travel more for less using miles and points for seven years. Find Out More. You can check out some of our favorites in this post about using credit card free nights at Disney. Chase VIP Lounge is open during the Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden Festival to anyone with a Chase credit card. But you wont get consistent good value when you transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to hotel partners. Privacy Policy, Recommended Disney World Restaurants for First-Timers, Recommended Disneyland Restaurants for First-Timers, BIG Change Comes to Magic Kingdom Park Map, The PROBLEM You Might Have When Renting an ECV in Disney World. When your travels take you to Disneys Animal Kingdom, wander on over towards Pandora The World of Avatar, and just before you get there, youll find the wonderful oasis that is the Nomad Lounge. OPEN NOW. AMEX Membership Rewards points transfer to Hilton points at a 2:3 ratio. The only people that have access to this lounge are Siemens employees and guests and Make A Wish families. The Walt Disney World Dolphin Has a Great Location, and a 5-Night Award Stay Costs 24,000 AMEX Membership Rewards Points per Night! Was wondering if there is a lounge associated with LeCellier? Ogas takes Advanced Dining Reservations. 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. Find all of our DFB E-Books and 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. Have you ever visited an Epcot VIP Lounge? Register on WDWMAGIC. Weve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disneys Animal Kingdom. AMEX Membership Rewards points transfer to Starwood points at a 3:1 ratio. Accommodations may include balconies or offer views of the fireworks each night. The bar has a bright, tropical feel with some comfy seating options, and the eats here are pretty darned delicious. Weve tried ALL the places at Walt Disney World where you can score a delicious drink and amazing appetizers, and these are the places we think are the top bars and lounges at Walt Disney World. 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. :), 2023 MillionMileSecrets.com. These Are the BEST. the best ways to use AMEX Membership Rewards points for flights in the US. 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. 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. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. Check here before booking an award fare. Check out the big expansion planned for Disneys Polynesian Village Resort! *Benefits vary by partner. If youre planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, getting the most out of these transfer partners can be the key to saving Big Money! Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a Next button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Benefits cannot be combined with other offers unless indicated. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. So what are the best bars and lounges at Walt Disney World? Come here for the music and the drinks, but stay for the food. Additional Amex perks include 10% off merchandise purchases of $75+, 10% off some quick-service dining and a bonus photo with eligible photo packages. Well worth the visit, the list of luscious libations is enough of a selling point to entice you to join in the fun. Both lounges limit six people per card and you must purchase tickets directly from Universal Studios. PDV-eligible Card Members that are Membership Rewards program-enrolled will receive one (1) extra Membership Reward point per eligible dollar spent on PDV bookings; separate airfare and other charges associated with PDV bookings are not eligible. Note that this card has a $695 annual fee. Here are some Disney World-specific credit card tips: The information for the Disney Visa card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. Enrollment required. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our travel counselors. So Ive asked them to share their tips on booking trips toWalt Disney World and Disneyland using AMEX Membership Rewards points. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. One of the best ways to use AMEX Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to partner airlines and redeem them for flights. If you want to be extra sure, price your tickets from Undercover Tourist as they have always coded as travel for me. 4. 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. For example, before transferring Membership Rewards points to airline or hotel partners, youll want to compare to the cost of booking flights and hotels through AMEX Travel and paying with your points. Although the food menu is a little bit limited right now, there is no limit to the tropical goodness the Tambu Lounge can get into a glass with a little rum and some ice. Ranking among the list of must-try locations in Disney Springs, the tapas-style menu and creative cocktails draw you in like an expert air traffic controller bringing in planes. I thought they had one below the DVC Lounge.. (Above Imageworks) But Maybe I'm Wrong. Best Disney World Restaurants for First-Timers! 56 Must-Read Disney Dining Secrets from Disney Food Blog, Disney World and Disneyland Food and Wine Festival Details, Disney Recipe From the Vault: Main Street Cinnamon Rolls, Top 10 Disney Dining Tips From the Experts, Cheeseburger Spring Rolls Disney Worlds Most Popular Snacks, Meet the Politically Connected Republican Allies DeSantis Appointed to the Disney World District Board, HUGE Price Increase at Cinderellas Royal Table in Disney World. Plus Ups are excluded. Even if you earn fewer points, that might be a worthy trade-off to keep money in your pockets. Thus an Annual pass or DVC membership wont get you in. With the3:1 transfer ratio, youd need 120,000 AMEX points for this redemption. Please share it! Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. The Venmo credit card may actually be a top theme park credit card contender. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. While the average ticket price varies dramatically from park to park, per person tickets often top $100 per day in some locations. Ken and his wife Emily write about using points and miles (and saving money) on Disney trips at Mousehacking.com. There are Mickey-shaped WHAT at this Wilderness Lodge restaurant? For many, this is unfortunate news to go along with shelling out $695 each year for the Platinum card (see rates and fees). Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page, 2023 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Details, Disney World Restaurants, Menus, and DINING REVIEWS, Disneyland Restaurants, Menus, and DINING REVIEWS, Making Advance Dining Reservations at Disney Restaurants, Info for Gluten Free, Vegetarian, and other Special Diets in Disney. 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. Hi Rebecca! We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Create your own Sangria. Delta Sky Club lounges. You must log in or register to reply here. For many families, the dream is tostay at a Disney resort. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. For a trip to Walt Disney World, youll want to fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO). The rates for the Dolphin start at 10,000 Starwood points per night, while the Swan starts slightly higher at 12,000 Starwood points per night. Related reading: Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve? 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. Check here before booking an award fare. Related: Amex adds live capacity indicators for Centurion Lounges. Hippopotomai-Tai at Trader Sams Grog Grotto. World of Walt is in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. If youre granted access, the door will open and fog will cover the entryway. Info for Gluten Free, Vegetarian, and other Special Diets in Disney Marriott has a Cash + Points option as well, and youll want to consider this option to get more out of your points or as a way of bringing down the cash cost of your trip. Hilton no longer offersa fixed award chart, sothe only way to find out how many points a trip will cost is to actually search your selected dates on the Hilton website. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Hilton, Marriott, and Starwood all have 5th Night Free programs where youll get your 5th night free when you book 4nights using points. For official Disney information, visit Disney directly. 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. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Building your business credit: 5 steps to success, Quick Points: Hyatt Globalists get free parking on award stays, What are points and miles worth? Need a guide to EPCOT for your 2023 trip? . Learn More About Cruise Offerings and Plan Your Trip Today. If youre looking at a longer stay, though, using 5th night free perks can be the key to getting the most value out of your points for hotel stays. Book a Cruise Through American Express Travel and Sail Away on the Adventure of a Lifetime. 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. Second, you can transfer your points to an AMEX hotel partner, and then use hotel points to book your stay. WDWMAGIC.COM is an unoffical Walt Disney World fan site and is in no way part of The Walt Disney Company. Benefits for AmEx lounges include much more than Centurion Lounges. I had a chance to speak with the woman who held the post when AmEx's sponsorship ended. Find out HERE. For starters, you'll earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after making at least $ 6,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of account opening. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. How do I find and add Amex Offers to my Card? 3. 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). Find the right experience for your trip, budget, or travel style. 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! Other fun features include a huge map where guests have pinned pictures of themselves on their hometowns and the opportunity to make a digital postcard to send home. Gen Z vs. millennials -- not all Disney adults are the same! Epcot. Call American Express Travel. If you didnt spend at least $75,000 on your card last year, you cannot bring complimentary guests into the lounge from now on. 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. 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. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. How much we spent: A breakdown In total, we spent just. How do I Earn Membership Rewards Points? 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. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. Most cardmembers no longer have free guest privileges. They may be able to get it for you after 5 PM. But it's tricky. 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. Learn more. Weve Eaten at Every Disney Springs Restaurant. For those who cant or wont spend $75,000 per year on their Platinum card, a potential solution is adding authorized users to your Platinum card. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Latest Walt Disney World News Coming Soon Remy's Ratatouille Adventure - Late 2020 Epcot Space Restaurant - 2020 TRON Coaster . 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. 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. 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. She now heads up a variety of special projects at TPG when she isn't exploring the world with her own two girls. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. 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. Feeding Frenzy at Jock Lindsays Hangar Bar. 3. To qualify for complimentary guest privileges, you must spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum Card each calendar year. Like the Siemens Lounge, only HP employees and guests and Make A Wish participants are allowed access to this lounge. If the purchase codes as entertainment, you'd earn just 500 points as a non-bonused category. But one of the real draws of this bar is the location. Youre in Walt Disney World, but youre in New Orleans. When purchasing park tickets directly from the park itself, it's most likely the charge will code as an entertainment purchase on your card. 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. 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. These Are the BEST. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Priority Pass Select lounges. The new Centurion Lounge guesting policy comes as Amex is working hard to expand and renovate its existing network of outposts. These havent been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. However, these changes do not apply to Corporate Platinum and Centurion cardmembers. American AdventureBackstage Magic TourCast MembersEPCOTEPCOT Flower And Garden FestivalEPCOT International Food And Wine FestivalFastpassFuture WorldImagination!MagicBandMission: SpaceMission:SpaceNightclubs & LoungesSpaceship EarthTest TrackThe American AdventureThe LandThe SeasToursWorld Showcase. Please Review. Make the Brown Derbys grapefruit cake at home! NEWS: Registration Dates ANNOUNCED for 2023-2024 runDisney Races, The Harsh Reality Behind Mobile Ordering in Disney World, Five Big Reasons You Might See An Empty Disney World in 2023. All users of our online services subject to Privacy Statement and agree to be bound by Terms of Service. For example, if youre flying JetBlue, Delta, or Virgin America, you can transfer your points directly to that airline. 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. Platinum Destinations Vacations (PDV) benefits are valid only for new bookings made with participating suppliers through American Express Travel. 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. The DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-Book Now Available! Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Choose from grab-and-go options at Fuel, Java, or Picabu. Children can visit Camp Dolphin in the evenings for movies, arts and crafts, video games, board games, and more. The Wilderness Lodge is already beautiful, but with the waterfront views offered at this location, and the fireplace to warm up to on a cool evening, its easy to see why this ranks among our favorite spots. All this greatness is yours for the taking without having to first secure a reservation at the California Grill. You are using an out of date browser. Which Character Meal is Right For You? 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. Start planning. The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. 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. I am fairly sure they dont, but not 100% on this. Not all partners offer Platinum Destinations Vacations. Of course, this hasn't been a normal year. Take some time to explore our favorites, then enjoy finding a few of your own. Trader Sams also serves up some awesome apps with those delicious drinks, and dont leave empty-handed order your drink in a souvenir glass when they are available. The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card and Centurion Members (Delta SkyMiles Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible). This means there are easily billions of dollars spent annually on theme park tickets alone, not to mention all the other related costs. The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. 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 . Scat Cats Club is a soulful, jazz-filled, joy of a lounge located at Disneys Port Orleans Resort French Quarter. 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. Take a relaxing break during your afternoon and enjoy complimentary light snacks, drinks, a full-time concierge and more. If Italian wine is your jam, EPCOTs Italy Pavilion has a real hidden gem for you. On February 15, 2023 as of 5:00 a.m . Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Here are the BEST Read this before hitting the parks with your MagicBand+! Unfortunately, this card is discontinuing its previous earning structure for current cardholders on April 9, 2021. When Epcot opened in 1982, the eight Future World pavilions were sponsored by large companies. Banana Cabana at Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort. If your schedule isnt flexible or award flights arent available, this might be the best option for a given flight. For example: Check out this post on the best ways to use AMEX Membership Rewards points for flights in the US. Dec 5, 2018 #1 Authorized users on the Business Platinum cost a whopping $350 per year each (see rates and fees). :wave: The lounge at the American Adventure was for AmEx employees and their guests. The highlight at this outdoor lounge is the famous Cobb Salad, a beautiful plate of finely chopped goodness topped with your choice of chicken, shrimp, or lobster. See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions. Even more tastes of the tropics can be found in the Hawaiian Mule or the Polynesian Mai Tai, but if youre looking for a bite, youre in luck. There are 2 ways to book hotels with AMEX Membership Rewards points. 5. What could be better than listening to Polynesian music while sipping a fruity tropical drink out of a pineapple? We are an independent publisher. Other Global Lounge Collection . 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. Additionally,Starwood offers a Cash & Points option. The menu has excellent options for the foodie in the family, with crispy salmon croquettes and a bison burger being stars of show. It automatically awards 3% back in the category you spend the most in that month -- and two options are for entertainment and travel. Youll find this lounge tucked behind the great fireplace at Disneys Wilderness Lodge. Enchanted Rose Lounge Thank you for your support. Even if a Disney resort isnt your top choice, the AMEX Travel Portal can be used to book a wide variety of hotels. Explore the range of experiences possible at destinations worldwide. Here's why. Our guide to calculating their value, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, American Express Membership Rewards points, JetBlue, Delta, or Virgin America, you can transfer your points directly to that airline, you can transfer points to Aeroplan, ANA, or Singapore Air, you can transfer points to British Airways, you can transfer points to Virgin America. Rooms and suites are chic and modern, featuring neutral dcor with bold pops of blue. Disney World extra experiences . ), How much are Amex points really worth? Terms of Service Escape Lounges The Centurion Studio Partner. Disney World tickets bought online from Disney: Entertainment. Disney Dining Plans The detail in the decor is astounding at Jock Lindseys Hangar Bar. Before you decide which credit card to use for your theme park tickets, be sure and check for any Amex Offers that might save you money. 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. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments.