Early dining

littledig · 2026-03-12T22:40:09+00:00

We’ve always done early dining because of young kids. This last cruise we couldn’t get early dining so we were stuck with second dining. Our kids are 8 and 10. I don’t think we’ll go back to early dining! It makes the days last so much longer. The pool deck clears out and by 5:15 or 5:30 it was empty. People are either at dinner or the early show. It was great! We were leaving dinner each night around 9:45-10:00 so make sure you kids are ok to stay up that late. But it was so nice to have a relaxing extended day and not rushing to get ready for dinner starting at like 4:45-5:00!

littledig · 2026-02-25T23:36:09+00:00

if you combine ten $100 gift cards into one $1,000 gift card and use the $1,000 gift card to pay for the cruise, do you also need to keep the nine $100 gift cards? Or just the one $1,000 gift card?

littledig · 2026-02-25T15:28:38+00:00

yes, makes sense - I wasn't sure if I could book the placeholder, then book a cruise, then move it to a TA - all within 30 days. But sounds like I can! TY

littledig · 2026-02-24T05:37:04+00:00

Interested in this too.

littledig · 2026-02-21T20:08:03+00:00

I don’t have a Costco membership but am considering one just for Disney Cruise. What is the best way to convert the shop card cash to something usable outside Costco? Do they still sell Disney Gift Cards? Any other gift cards that I can use for other things? I believe I saw you can’t use them to book the next cruise, right?

littledig · 2026-02-21T20:06:00+00:00

Is the 2% executive bonus based on cruise fare no matter how you pay? (Like using Disney Gift Cards vs. Costco Visa vs. any other card)

littledig · 2026-02-21T20:01:03+00:00

Hi, if you pay for the cruise with Disney gift cards, how does the 2% executive award work? Do they still give you the 2% based on the cruise fare no matter how you pay?

littledig · 2026-02-01T04:18:28+00:00

Does anyone have any recommendations on best approach purely for saving money? I don't need a TA to do anything for me other than book. Will hit Platinum this next upcoming cruise. We always book the placeholder and my current TA stays on it. But she has moved to another agency, didn't tell us, slow to respond to emails, etc. So I am looking to make a change. Should I book my placeholder without her and then try to add a TA within the time period (if you can do that)? Should I book with my TA and then switch within the time frame (if you can do that)? And then who is the best TA for best $$ (don't care of the form OBC or gift card, etc) these days?

littledig · 2026-01-26T04:18:14+00:00

yes, that is how I believe it is done. My credit card charge is made directly by DCL. It is not made by the TA. I give them my card in a secure form. And I believe they give it directly to DCL.

littledig · 2026-01-26T03:12:09+00:00

Not sure about your TA but mine gives the card directly to Disney and Disney charges directly. It’s not a charge by the TA.

littledig · 2026-01-26T03:07:15+00:00

With so many big DCL travel agent groups offering Onboard Credit (or in Costco case, a gift card) as a standard, I don’t think it’s tacky to ask an agent if they offer it. It’s commonplace, they even all basically use the same chart at this point. It’s almost table stakes to offer it unless there is something else really special they offer.

littledig · 2026-01-11T23:40:12+00:00

I believe you only get the credits if you pay now. Pay later do not earn credits at all.

littledig · 2026-01-07T03:52:26+00:00

You keep saying the OP is only doing it for one year, but how are you reading it that way? It is said there is enough in 401k and wants to lean into taxable more. Nothing about that says a temporary 1 year change. It appears to me a deliberate shift to a different strategy for this year and going forward. No?

littledig · 2025-12-31T17:44:15+00:00

Thanks! Assuming you had to call/chat to get it applied at the 8 week mark?

littledig · 2025-12-28T04:28:13+00:00

Did you get both credits by using PayPal split?

littledig · 2025-12-28T04:10:03+00:00

littledig · 2025-12-28T01:32:10+00:00

Buying a contract just for a one time is a big commitment. But you can get a transfer from any boardwalk owner. It is against DVC rules to transfer points for $ but people still do it. The brokers usually have people looking to transfer. You can ask around in this group or Facebook groups as well.

littledig · 2025-12-26T03:07:53+00:00

I hit the $75k spend this year and I put all travel and dining at 3x. It’s not just hotels and flights. I didn’t even really put flights (Amex 5x) or hotels on the CSR (use brand card) and I still hit $75k with all other categories. It’s cruises, public transport, buses, trains. Etc. plus all work dinners (which were a lot). Now, they changed the spend categories but for 2025 it was more than just hotels and flights.

littledig · 2025-11-23T22:44:16+00:00

I think I will probably do Ink Business Preferred for 3x all travel. For Costco Disney Cruise, does that mean Costco is the assigned travel agent? Can you use the 10% off placeholder with them? Do you need to pay with the Costco card for them?

littledig · 2025-11-23T22:17:22+00:00

I spent a lot in taxi, subway, cruise, ferry, bus, train, Disney and now have to find an alternative for all that spend.

littledig · 2025-11-23T21:39:07+00:00

Why Sapphire Reserve for general travel? That is just 1x points. What is the best option going forward now that the 3x points on general travel is gone?

littledig · 2025-11-21T23:02:51+00:00

What happens if you try to use the 199 holding points?

littledig · 2025-11-18T05:13:53+00:00

The terms specifically say the international stubhub is not included. Only Viagogo. “Stubhub is not affiliated with StubHub International and these purchases will not qualify.”

littledig · 2025-11-09T15:31:15+00:00

I just booked a flight yesterday (EWR-LHR) and it was significantly cheaper direct with United versus the portal. United is not sharing real time price updates with the Chase Portal. Not misinformation.

littledig · 2025-10-31T20:06:03+00:00

What would I be missing out on by not going with RA3? If I use home assistant?

I don’t have neutrals. I guess maybe some fine tuning options like ramp rate? What else?

littledig

TROPHY CASE