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. 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). The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. We can help! We have partnerships with advertisers such as American Express, Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. 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. Theres a large window that overlooks the brake testing section of the attraction and two design-your-own-vehicle stations. 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. Disney World Restaurant Search Tool 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. You can also subscribe without commenting. These Are the BEST. Disney Food Blog does not claim to represent the Walt Disney Company in any way and is not employed by or affiliated with The Walt Disney Company. Plus, expansions are also underway in Seattle (SEA). American Express Lounge: We used this several times. The Ultimate Guide to Eating in Disneys Hollywood Studios, The 1 Drink You Should Get From Each EPCOT Pavilion. 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? Here are the BEST Read this before hitting the parks with your MagicBand+! These havent been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. BREAKING: Universal Is Building a NEW Theme Park Experience in Texas! From Disney World in Florida to Universal Studios Hollywood, from Dollywood to Knott's Berry Farm in California and beyond, there are typically more than 500 million annual visits to theme parks worldwide in a normal year. The most likely bonus categories for theme park tickets are entertainment or travel. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It's also a pretty good card to use for theme park lunches since it awards 2x points per dollar on dining. Universal Studios American Express Lounge - WDWMAGIC 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. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. American Express offers world-class Charge and Credit Cards, Gift Cards, Rewards, Travel, Personal Savings, Business Services, Insurance and more. The detail in the decor is astounding at Jock Lindseys Hangar Bar. The Lapu Lapu, served in a whole pineapple, is a treat right off the beach in Hawaii, with dark rum and tropical fruit. Call American Express Travel. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Thus an Annual pass or DVC membership wont get you in. We're taking you through ALL the food in Disney's Hollywood Studios! Hi Rebecca! Check out our Disney Recipes SAVE MONEY WITH BUNDLES DFB Video: The ULTIMATE Guide to EPCOT in 2023. Theres also a tilt-table style game called Hover-Race. These are the best restaurants at Disney World, Citi Prestige Card, it earns 5x at travel agencies, The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express, use points for your tickets and save your cash, isn't the most rewarding card for most things Disney, How much does a trip to Disney World cost, Use points to save money at Universal Orlando, Southern California's 10 best theme parks, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 3% back if entertainment is the top spending category that month, 3x points (including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services), 1 cent each (more with BOA Premium Rewards), 1 - 2 cents each (2 cents each if you also have a, 2x on the first $50,000 spent on purchases each calendar year; then 1x, 2% (2x) - 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay. 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 . Amex now charges $50 for adult guests and $30 for children aged 2-17 to access its Centurion lounges. Related: Why you might want to use a Disney Vacation Planner. $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. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. 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. Does only one have to have an annual pass for that lounge? You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to 3 hotel chains: Because you can convert Starwood points to Marriott points at a 1:3 ratio, Marriott is an indirect transfer option as well at an effective rate of 1,000 Membership Rewards points for ~1,000 Marriott points. The menu has some real standouts, but you cant go wrong with the Tiffins Bread Service. 1. Make the Brown Derbys grapefruit cake at home! You get the sameamazing fireworks view. For example: Check out this post on the best ways to use AMEX Membership Rewards points for flights in the US. 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 . AmEx lounge access may include Sky Clubs when flying Delta. Check out the secret bathrooms of Disney World! Which Character Meal is Right For You? Ogas takes Advanced Dining Reservations. American Express Global Lounge Collection Programs & Partners Additional Amex perks include 10% off merchandise purchases of $75+, 10% off . Other Global Lounge Collection . 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. You'll also get five points per $1 spent on . Authorized users aren't subject to the $50-per-visit guest fee. Destination Experiences - American Express 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. Thank you for your support. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. 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. JavaScript is disabled. The person who used to staff the lounge was also an AmEx employee, not a Disney CM. *, With Platinum Destinations Vacations, get one extra Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar you spend on a qualifying vacation package.1. This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Disney World With American Express Membership Rewards Points | Million Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. American Express Lounge. American Express Lounge The crowd can be elbow to elbow then, so try to go earlier in the day. 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. is a senior reporter at TPG. Check out the big expansion planned for Disneys Polynesian Village Resort! Children under two, however, can enter for free when accompanying an adult. 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. Best Disney World Restaurants for First-Timers! You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. Transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to airline partners is often a great option for flights to Disney. These Are the BEST. That's what TPG's CEO Brian Kelly did when he purchased a pricey Disney VIP tour using his Chase Freedom Unlimited and wanted to be sure he earned a good number of points no matter how it coded. 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. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. You can get a minimum of ~0.7 cents per point when you pay with points. At low season, rates at the Dolphin will be ~$140 per night, so youll only be getting a value of less than 0.5 cents per point. Minimum redemption 5,000 points. However, some deep-pocketed or solo travelers may be thrilled by a reduction in lounge guests. El Diablo Margarita at La Cava del Tequila. With the celebration of DVC's 25 th Anniversary, Disney added a second DVC Member Lounge! 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. The Citi Premier Card awards 2x Citi ThankYou points per dollar on entertainment charges and 3x ThankYou points per dollar spent on travel charges. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions. Truly memorable is the wine flight, so dont miss that if you go! 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. It's only open from 12-5 P.M. 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. We really want to try the maple crme brulee. How To Get American Express Airport Lounge Access | Credit Karma 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. TPGs March 2023 monthly valuations, Cruise giant Carnival goes Texas-size big with new sailings from Galveston. 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. How do I Earn Membership Rewards Points? Google+. When Epcot opened in 1982, the eight Future World pavilions were sponsored by large companies. Find out where you'll find the Can't decide where to eat in Magic Kingdom? Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 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. When you order through my link, it helps me to continue to offer you free stuff. Often, theme park tickets will code as entertainment purchases, but that isn't always the case. And if youre looking for some kid-free time, youll find it here after 8PM. Savor fresh seafood at Todd English's bluezoo, authentic Japanese fare at Kimonos, or Italian at Il Mulino New York Trattoria. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Book a Cruise Through American Express Travel and Sail Away on the Adventure of a Lifetime. Go next level with your knowledge of Disneys Animal Kingdom, Check out our review of the Connections Cafe in EPCOT, See what other sips were sweet on at Ogas Cantina. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. The Hollywood Brown Derby is a perennial favorite at Disneys Hollywood Studios, but just in case you havent been able to score a table, the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is the perfect backup plan. Do you have a favorite use of AMEX Membership Rewards points for Disney? 5:00am - 12:00am . *Value of Rewards based on TPG valuations and not provided by the issuer. If you aren't sure how a charge will code, using a strong card for everyday spending isn't the worst plan. This matters because if you paid with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and your $500 ticket purchase coded as travel, you'd earn 1,500 Ultimate Rewards points -- and you could even use the card's annual $300 travel credit towards the charge. Not all partners offer Platinum Destinations Vacations. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Related reading: Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve? I'm also afraid that The Land's VIP lounge, which was for a time used for an Annual Passholder lounge, is no longer used for that purpose. Even if you earn fewer points, that might be a worthy trade-off to keep money in your pockets. Unwind at the outdoor heated lap pool while younger guests enjoy the dedicated childrens pool or Grotta Pool with a waterslide and waterfall. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. Related: The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges. American Express - Experiences Find Out More. Create your own Sangria. Epcot. Where You're Staying #1 Does Disney have an Amex lounge (or any lounge for certain card holders) like Universal does? 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. How to access American Express lounge benefits. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. The new Centurion Lounge guesting policy comes as Amex is working hard to expand and renovate its existing network of outposts. Theres a unique feature at Ogas that you wont find at most of the bars and lounges at Walt Disney World. Second, you can transfer your points to an AMEX hotel partner, and then use hotel points to book your stay. The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. Tucked into a back corner of Disneys Polynesian Village Resort, this lounge is a little crazy and a lot of fun. There is a huge plus to the California Grill Lounge. Please Review. 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. 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. Corporate Partners | Universal Orlando Resort Youre in Walt Disney World, but youre in New Orleans. A light and fresh Caprese salad really hits the spot on a hot day. Hippopotomai-Tai at Trader Sams Grog Grotto. The lounge area itself is bright and modern with shades of blue accentuated with geometric shapes. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our travel counselors. It feels like weve just touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the top bars and lounges at Walt Disney World, and thats probably because we have. 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. This tough ratio can make it hard to get great value using your AMEX Membership Rewards points this way, but youll occasionally find Starwood hotels that make it worth it. 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. Bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express may not be combined with this offer, such as 5X bonuses for Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. 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. 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. The only people that have access to this lounge are Siemens employees and guests and Make A Wish families. We've got a few We're in Disney World every single day, and we've eaten at EVERY restaurant. Full list of Disney Dining FAQ Pages, Staff & Regular Contributors These spending requirements reset each calendar year. For example the American Express lounge? These lounges are tucked away and likely unnoticed by those that don't know to look for them. These changes affect cardmembers with The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express.To bring guests into the lounge with you, you . The list, as described by the publication, includes the 540 organizations that "are reshaping industries and culture." American Express earned its spot for "winning over Millennials and Gen Z." Although Jocks air tours have long since ceased, the skys the limit when it comes to creative decor, incredible fun, and some truly boozy brilliance. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. Airspace lounges. The lounge features seasonal specialty cocktails, martini and margarita flights, and a full complement of wine and beer. Partner With Disney Food Blog Our preferred partners are hand-selected to fit yourtravelneeds. American Express lounge at Epcot? - WDWMAGIC You can enjoy a full meal here in the small, 96-seat dining room. 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*. 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. The Walt Disney World Dolphin Has a Great Location, and a 5-Night Award Stay Costs 24,000 AMEX Membership Rewards Points per Night! The most important trick to using AMEX Membership Rewards points to book flights is knowing which transfer partners can book flights on which airlines. 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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The person who used to staff the lounge was also an AmEx employee, not a Disney CM. Have you ever visited an Epcot VIP Lounge? Like this post? Post all SW questions concerns, etc. However, because all of this is clear as mud, we have received some reports of theme park ticket purchases with the Savor card coding as travel. If you want to be extra sure, price your tickets from Undercover Tourist as they have always coded as travel for me. EPCOT International Food And Wine Festival, Butterfly Garden Opens At 2023 EPCOT Flower And Garden Festival, Live Video Enchanted Tales With Belle at the Magic Kingdom, 2023 EPCOT Flower And Garden Festival Topiaries, Josh Gad: New Jungle Cruise Skipper at Disneyland Resort (Video), Disneys Typhoon Lagoon Reopening in March. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. When you return to the lounge, check out the conference room, which has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Test Track entrance, the external acceleration test area, and Spaceship Earth as well as the Imagination Pavilion and The Land. How do I find and add Amex Offers to my Card? American Express - American Express Ranks No. 1 on Fast Company's Most 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. Starting then, the card will no longer award 3x on travel and 2x on entertainment but instead will award 3x on air travel, hotels and gas stations along with supermarkets and restaurants. 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. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. Does Disney have an Amex lounge (or any lounge for certain card holders) like Universal does? When youre evaluating your options for hotel bookings, youll always want to compare against paying with points. And thats just how we like it! Find the right card for you. California CST#1022318, Washington UBI#600-469-694, Iowa TA#669. As you enter the discreet door, the first area you see is a foyer where guests enter a pin or press the call button. 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. Entertainment will no longer be a bonus category on that card. Privacy Policy The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Find out HERE. Learn more. ), How much are Amex points really worth? :wave: The lounge at the American Adventure was for AmEx employees and their guests. As the story goes, Indiana Jones long-trusted pilot discovered this waterfront gem while hunting for the Fountain of Youth in Florida. Scat Cats Club is a soulful, jazz-filled, joy of a lounge located at Disneys Port Orleans Resort French Quarter. For many families, the dream is tostay at a Disney resort. How do I Redeem Membership Rewards Points? 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. These Are the Best. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Learn More About Cruise Offerings and Plan Your Trip Today. Universal Studios American Express Lounge. 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. 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. 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. Thread starter macefamily; Start date Dec 5, 2018; M. macefamily Well-Known Member. Check here before booking an award fare. This means transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to Marriott for Walt Disney World stays is often better thanpaying with points! Unfortunately, that is admittedly rare. Love your videos and info! 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. Info for Gluten Free, Vegetarian, and other Special Diets in Disney American Express Card Member Presale, Card Member Exclusives, and By Invitation Only events for theater, music, dining & more In the past, we have seen Amex Offers for Universal Studios and Undercover Tourist. Feeding Frenzy at Jock Lindsays Hangar Bar. Enrollment required. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. 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. Even if a Disney resort isnt your top choice, the AMEX Travel Portal can be used to book a wide variety of hotels. The menu has excellent options for the foodie in the family, with crispy salmon croquettes and a bison burger being stars of show. We have some Disney Springs must-dos for you right HERE! $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. 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. To stay at a Disney resort with AMEX Membership rewards points, youll have to book it through the AMEX Travel Portal. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. If you didnt spend at least $75,000 on your card last year, you cannot bring complimentary guests into the lounge from now on. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. 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. 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.