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. 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. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here. 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. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. 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. BREAKING: Universal Is Building a NEW Theme Park Experience in Texas! Benefits are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Members (Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members are not eligible). 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. At Universal, your Amex credit cards can get you some special access extras. Independent Walt Disney World Vacation Information. Best Disney World Restaurants for First-Timers! Ogas takes Advanced Dining Reservations. This is obviously less than the 1 cent you get by booking air travel through the portal (and way less than some international business class flight redemptions), but it will sometimes be the best value you can get using AMEX Membership Rewards points to book hotels. AMEX lounge - in Universal Studios - do people use it? And because this is the Grand Floridian, you won't find pub grub here. Base21 Siemens VIP Center, the official name, is accessed through a door inside Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future, the post-attraction gaming area. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. Start planning. Terminal 1, International. 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. Send Money & Split Purchases: Venmo and PayPal, Credit Intel Financial Education Center. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Hows that for some Disney magic? Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee? Book a Cruise Through American Express Travel and Sail Away on the Adventure of a Lifetime. Children can visit Camp Dolphin in the evenings for movies, arts and crafts, video games, board games, and more. Find out where you'll find the Can't decide where to eat in Magic Kingdom? Here are some Disney World-specific credit card tips: The information for the Disney Visa card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. However, these changes do not apply to Corporate Platinum and Centurion cardmembers. 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. 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. Set in Disneys 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. Once that happens, the best option may be the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card for 4% back on entertainment expenses. Both lounges limit six people per card and you must purchase tickets directly from Universal Studios. We are all about the food here at DFB, and nothing goes better with food than a yummy cocktail and some awesome atmosphere. 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. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. Tucked into a back corner of Disneys Polynesian Village Resort, this lounge is a little crazy and a lot of fun. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. The cocktail menu features the timeless classics well made, like an Old Fashioned, but the food really shines here. Note that this card has a $695 annual fee. Awwww, yes, please! Benefits must be used during the stay booked. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Because AMEX Membership Rewards points are so valuable, its important to make the most of them when you book travel. Additional Amex perks include 10% off merchandise purchases of $75+, 10% off some quick-service dining and a bonus photo with eligible photo packages. Relax in the beanbags as you watch the ride in action, then take the backdoor entrance to the ride for a quick access. Here's your road map to maximizing theme park ticket purchases by using the right credit card. Hilton claims their nightly rates will not exceed the former rates, and they offer a handy tool for checking what those rates were. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Learn more. She said it was the best job she'd ever had. 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. First, you can pay with your points when you book travel through the American Express Travel Portal. To stay at a Disney resort with AMEX Membership rewards points, youll have to book it through the AMEX Travel Portal. You can enjoy a full meal here in the small, 96-seat dining room. 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. Gen Z vs. millennials -- not all Disney adults are the same! Original Poster. I had a chance to speak with the woman who held the post when AmEx's sponsorship ended. She now heads up a variety of special projects at TPG when she isn't exploring the world with her own two girls. Youll first enter a holding room, which is decorated with construction photos and concept art from the attraction. 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. 2. This means there are easily billions of dollars spent annually on theme park tickets alone, not to mention all the other related costs. *Value of Rewards based on TPG valuations and not provided by the issuer. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Explore the range of experiences possible at destinations worldwide. Disney Vacation Club Member Lounges - 5 Things You Need to Know Tropical landscaping and classic architecture create a stunning landmark at this lively locale. Youll find this lounge tucked behind the great fireplace at Disneys Wilderness Lodge. *Benefits vary by partner. WDWMAGIC.COM is an unoffical Walt Disney World fan site and is in no way part of The Walt Disney Company. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Epcot. American Express Credit Cards, Rewards & Banking Unwind at the outdoor heated lap pool while younger guests enjoy the dedicated childrens pool or Grotta Pool with a waterslide and waterfall. 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. The lounge at the American Adventure was for AmEx employees and their guests. Even if you earn fewer points, that might be a worthy trade-off to keep money in your pockets. 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. Related: The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges. Insider Tip When you're not at the theme parks, take advantage of the hotel's daily scheduled activities. 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. Best credit cards for Disney and Universal vacations Click here to see the latest new menu items coming to California Grill! , aka Mommy Points, ran the Mommy Points site for families who want to travel more for less using miles and points for seven years. 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 you want to be extra sure, price your tickets from Undercover Tourist as they have always coded as travel for me. Disney Dining Plans Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. So Ive asked them to share their tips on booking trips toWalt Disney World and Disneyland using AMEX Membership Rewards points. 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. 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. Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members Platinum Travel Service 800-525-3355 1. And if youre looking for some kid-free time, youll find it here after 8PM. All rights reserved. But, Disney World has been reopened since the summer of 2020 and even Disneyland is starting to reopen to those who purchase $75 tickets -- albeit still without rides. Theres a large window that overlooks the brake testing section of the attraction and two design-your-own-vehicle stations. 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. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. 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. If you don't want to overthink things, this card is a really good bet. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions. Here's why. Unfortunately, this card is discontinuing its previous earning structure for current cardholders on April 9, 2021. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. But it's tricky. Check here before booking an award fare. 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! Learn More About Cruise Offerings and Plan Your Trip Today. 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. This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Come here for the music and the drinks, but stay for the food. Marriott has a large number of hotels around Disneyland, but youll get less value per point than at Walt Disney World. Where You're Staying 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. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links. What is in these lounges? Your email address will not be published. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). For 2023 guest privileges, your 2022 spending is the deciding factor. These Are the BEST. . We do love us some Trader Sams Tiki Mugs come see this beauty! 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. The menu varies seasonally, so you are likely to find a seasonal soup, plus theres always a charcuterie and a mouth-watering dessert. Find the right card for you. Weve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disneys Animal Kingdom. When you enter Mission: Space, you usually turn right into the attraction where a Cast Member asks you whether you want to ride the Green Team or Orange Team version. A Red Ventures Company. TPG values it at $1,600. Additionally,Starwood offers a Cash & Points option. You might have a PROBLEM renting an electric wheelchair in Disney World. Choose from grab-and-go options at Fuel, Java, or Picabu. 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. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. For example, if youre flying JetBlue, Delta, or Virgin America, you can transfer your points directly to that airline. How do I find and add Amex Offers to my Card? Being able to take advantage of AMEX offers and stacking that with a discount from your AP, DVC, or Tables in Wonderland makes Disney prices a little more bearable.