I love credit cards so much! v2.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[StephPlum]

Serve success x 2. Made the first serve load in one of the regular lines. Like I said, it was a madhouse on Friday afternoon and all lines were crazy. The cashier knew exactly what to do. I swiped my VGC the wrong way as I was trying to hide the fact it was a VGC and she asked what type of card it was. Debit, I said confidently (while sweating inside). Tried again and it asked for the PIN. Success.

Went to another line, waited. Swiped again and this time all went well. I looked for a different cashier but the lines were super long, money center was super long. I walked to the garden center. I asked to load my Serve and he looked like he didn't know what it was and said can't do that here. Though he was busy talking with a friend so I am not sure if that was true or he didn't want to do it. Decided to leave and do my last two swipes at a different Walmart in the morning.

I went to Staples since it was close to WM. I had gotten 2 VGCs there this week. No more left. I even accidentally opened the case. It really was an accident as I was spinning it. No cards were front and center that I could see and since it is right by the cash register, I didn't feel like digging through so just left. Figured when I go to WM tomorrow AM, there is a staples near that one, so I'll try one last time.

Thanks to everyone who posted about Serve. I read everything here and the 3 MS threads on Reddit dischurners. It was all very helpful. Not sure I'll ever be at @speedyfishy level but this is going to help build my stash of URs.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Failed attempt #2 at loading my Serve at Walmart. Yesterday the lady didn't know what she was doing and wanted to tell me I was swiping my card the wrong way, then said "well it didn't work earlier for another man".

Fine, I try again today.
"What is that? A credit card?"
"Well, it's a prepaid card that I can load cash on from my debit card."
"I don't think we can put money on a credit card. There's an ATM over there."


Maybe it's a good thing I didn't make it to Staples. I guess I better drive to a WM farther away.

Lol it’s funny to me how hit and miss it is with a Serve. Sometimes I go in and the cashier has no problem and knows exactly what I’m talking about. Today the cashier looked at me like I had two heads. I picked up another VGC at Staples today though, so I’ve got $600 to do now. Might try to run out tomorrow.

 

[GlamMistress]

I'd had a similar issue the last few times I flew but for some reason I was ok when I got off the plane wed. I could still use the normal hole on my sandal strap. But I noticed last night my ankles are a biy swollen so either that and I missed it or it's water retention Just wish I knew why not this time so I could do the same.

France was fun, they swelled on thr plane and then all the walking and I only brought heels to wear with my skirt to the burlesque show we saw our last night. So hard to get them on, it was just bad. Plus I hadn't worn heels in about 6 months, no reason to and prefer not to. Thankfully we had a hyatt car that drove us there and a cab back so not much walking.

You just reminded me - I want to put my calf sleeves from running into my carryon for my trip this week. I always wear them under my leggings when I fly longhaul. Helps with the swelling.

 

[cajunmommy]

I made a bonehead move this morning - I applied for CIP3 for DH using my support link...and I put in an email address that didn't exist into the application. It was a combination of a couple other emails I have, and I didn't realize it until I looked at the screenshot that I took of the app. Once I saw that, I created the email right away (fortunately it was available!) and have been calling the status line all day. Good news - he was approved!! Phew

Had a similar potential fail this week trying to qualify for a new student account bonus for DS. Combo of old email + new email = invalid email. Ugh!! Bank said it should be ok, but I have a feeling DS’s oops is going to cost us.

 

[speedyfishy]

I think my kids would love the values as far as decor. I also worry they'd be totally let down as far as the pools. I am probably going to do one on a short trip, and maybe in winter when they likely won't swim anyways.

We don’t ever swim but yeah the pools are super basic. My little cousin wanted to stay there during my wedding trip though because of the Mickey Fantasia water feature thing in the one pool? Kids are weird lol she is staying at the beach club hopefully that satisfies her lol

I’m spoiled now and hesitant to do a value again. I hate the bus situation. It’s so nice the moderate and deluxe buses are like never jammed pack like the values.

 

[mmmears]

I’m ok on domestic flights (even cross country) but flights to Europe make my feet swell. I’ve found if I wear the lightweight compression stockings I wore at the end of pregnancy then I have 0 swelling. It’s awesome. They’re breathable so don’t make my feet sweat and I just wash out in the sink at our hotel and they’re ready for the flight home. I put them on right before we board and just wear slip on shoes with them (tennis shoes would work too). Game changer for me.

I have started to do the same now, and while it doesn't totally prevent the swelling it certainly makes a big difference. I do this on lie flat seats as well as when I'm forced to fly economy.

 

[elgerber]

I’m ok on domestic flights (even cross country) but flights to Europe make my feet swell. I’ve found if I wear the lightweight compression stockings I wore at the end of pregnancy then I have 0 swelling. It’s awesome. They’re breathable so don’t make my feet sweat and I just wash out in the sink at our hotel and they’re ready for the flight home. I put them on right before we board and just wear slip on shoes with them (tennis shoes would work too). Game changer for me.

Any chance you have a link to socks like yours? I have compression socks but they are very thick and black argyle, not good for warm weather travel. I have actually been wearing them at home the last two days to try to make sure it goes away. I bought them for our UK trip and they helped immensely. I don’t think the swelling has ever been as bad as this week. It was insane. Feet ankles calves and feet all so swollen they were hard to the touch. It was nuts. Much better now but I still have my feet very elevated tonight.

 

[alryan]

I did it. We had a lot of fun. It wasn't as good as the ones on DCL, but very similar.

View attachment 424227

We love Animation Academy! I think my boys and I did it at least five times last time at Disneyland. I guess now we have a reason to go out to Conservation Station or whatever it is called...we have never been!

 

[afan]

I’m ok on domestic flights (even cross country) but flights to Europe make my feet swell. I’ve found if I wear the lightweight compression stockings I wore at the end of pregnancy then I have 0 swelling. It’s awesome. They’re breathable so don’t make my feet sweat and I just wash out in the sink at our hotel and they’re ready for the flight home. I put them on right before we board and just wear slip on shoes with them (tennis shoes would work too). Game changer for me.

You just reminded me - I want to put my calf sleeves from running into my carryon for my trip this week. I always wear them under my leggings when I fly longhaul. Helps with the swelling.

I tried my calf sleeves and had to take thrm off mid flight because they were cutting into my ankles, didn't help at all. I used to use them after long runs but don't feel the need for them any more.

 

[alryan]

My friendly Walmart cashier that I hit up a bunch of times for multiple $500 loads to serve told me she can’t do it anymore a manger spoke to her. Ugh, I got a $200 load with her and went to another cashier for 2 $200 loads but this stinks. I’ll probably avoid her now.

I know, I went to FD and my usual cashier says, "The usual, $400 split payment?" So I go to a different one tonight and a different cashier says, "I think I helped you last week at our other location." Both were still helpful, but I'm thinking I really don't want all the FD cashiers to know me!! Think I'll have to break down and go to WalMart.

 

[kmc8826]

I've never signed up for ebates/Rakuten before. I have that new Amex Plat.

Should I register for the MR-linked account or the cash back account? Pros/cons?

I've been mentally using all cash back (Chase offers, RMN, Dosh) to offset annual fees.

I never did Ebates/Rakuten until the MR option dropped and then decided it was worth it since extra MR’s are kind of hard to get (at least for me). I have been happy with it...seems to have more options than other portals. Only certain categories but even Amazon is on there. 7972 MR points that were incredibly easy to get were deposited in my account this last pay back period.

Any chance you have a link to socks like yours? I have compression socks but they are very thick and black argyle, not good for warm weather travel. I have actually been wearing them at home the last two days to try to make sure it goes away. I bought them for our UK trip and they helped immensely. I don’t think the swelling has ever been as bad as this week. It was insane. Feet ankles calves and feet all so swollen they were hard to the touch. It was nuts. Much better now but I still have my feet very elevated tonight.

When my husband went to WDW 4 weeks after the knee replacement the doctor/physical therapist insisted he wear the compression socks that he was supposed to wear in the hospital and following the surgery. He was so not happy about it but he did (I might have nagged without break until he got them on) but they worked really well. I can imagine you can get a pair super cheap at a medical supply type store. They were lightweight...and went up the entire leg which helps with swelling as long as you make sure not bunched up anywhere. @afan that might have been your problem with your last experience wearing them. These ones are nice because can leave your toes free if you want (wiggling them should also help).

 

[afan]

Which disney out let is better and which is closer? I have time after my late lunch at beaches and cream and will need to take a lyft anyway. Not super excited with the merch and prices I'm finding on property.

Also can I ise a disney gc at them?

 

[bernina]

Any chance you have a link to socks like yours? I have compression socks but they are very thick and black argyle, not good for warm weather travel. I have actually been wearing them at home the last two days to try to make sure it goes away. I bought them for our UK trip and they helped immensely. I don’t think the swelling has ever been as bad as this week. It was insane. Feet ankles calves and feet all so swollen they were hard to the touch. It was nuts. Much better now but I still have my feet very elevated tonight.

These aren’t the exact ones I have but I did get them at Walgreens (~9 years ago) and they look very similar. They’re more like trouser socks (with compression) than regular socks. You can try searching for compression stockings too.

I’m so sorry you had such bad swelling, I know how uncomfortable that can be. The last month of my pregnancy I wouldn’t take my stockings off until I was in bed and would have my husband wash them and have them waiting next to my bed when I woke up. Why I never bought a few extra pairs still baffles me

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/c...mmhg-compression-socks/ID=prod6238116-product

 

[elgerber]

These aren’t the exact ones I have but I did get them at Walgreens (~9 years ago) and they look very similar. They’re more like trouser socks (with compression) than regular socks. You can try searching for compression stockings too.

I’m so sorry you had such bad swelling, I know how uncomfortable that can be. The last month of my pregnancy I wouldn’t take my stockings off until I was in bed and would have my husband wash them and have them waiting next to my bed when I woke up. Why I never bought a few extra pairs still baffles me

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/c...mmhg-compression-socks/ID=prod6238116-product

Thanks!

 

[kmc8826]

Which disney out let is better and which is closer? I have time after my late lunch at beaches and cream and will need to take a lyft anyway. Not super excited with the merch and prices I'm finding on property.

Also can I ise a disney gc at them?

I would go to the one on Vineland. I like it better although I think others disagree. Bottom line though is Vineland is a lot closer to WDW. Since you are doing Lyft you won’t have to worry about parking. Absolutely you can do gift cards. Just no other discounts apply. When you shop if you see something you like just grab it and sort out later if you want it at end. It is really busy!

 

[gottalovepluto]

...but I'm thinking I really don't want all the FD cashiers to know me!! Think I'll have to break down and go to WalMart.

 

[mhartman09]

All these Serve load success stories are making me wish my card was already here. Hoping I have as much success at our local WM. Would be a super easy place to stop several times a week.

I'm finally hammering out the details for our Labor Day trip. We are doing Movies for 3 nights, then moving to Swan for the last 2 nights. Booked a private VIP tour with some other agents for GE opening day!! I'm so excited!! Was able to snag Oga's about an hour after the tour will end so that should be fun. We have the Frozen dessert party scheduled for our last night of this trip so we can watch Illuminations one more time before it's gone. Trying to decide if i want to try to fit in another dessert party or maybe MNSSHP. DH isn't really into doing the Halloween party without DS though. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Lain]

@Lain or anyone else with San Francisco knowledge, my boy is home from Korea and looking for "real Korean BBQ", not Americanized. He was wondering if there might be something there we can up on vacation?

@snugglebug - have you finalized your accommodations after the Hyatt fiasco? When are you coming again? I’ve been meaning to circle back with some touring help if you still need it before your trip. We’re heading down to Disneyland next week, so time is running out.

As for Korean BBQ. YAASSS!

In San Francisco, I can think of offhand:

YakiniQ (in Japantown, near a garage; all-you-can-eat grill your own BBQ with unlimited banchan; draws a line on weekends, but there’s a cute cafe downstairs where you can wait - try their sweet potato latte. Good food and excellent value at $22 per person for AYCE, and something like $27 if you want AYCE with the more premium meats.)

Han Il Kwan (in the Richmond, street parking, real authentic, high quality but a bit pricey. It’s something of a destination. Literally, bus loads of Korean tourists get dropped off for dinner here.)

And two new Korean restaurants are getting a lot of positive buzz and drawing long lines:

Daeho Kalbijjim (in Japantown pretty much right next to YakiniQ, heard really good things and is on our to try list, but we haven’t yet been.)

um.ma (Inner Sunset, right next to Golden Gate Park and near the California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, Music Concourse, DeYoung Museum. Really loved everything we tried here. It has a bit of a hip upscale vibe, very clean modern decor, hip hop music playing, and a back patio dining area that’d be nice on warmer nights. Food is rooted in authenticity, but has a contemporary feel.)

Santa Clara is kind of the Bay Area home of Korean BBQ, but it’s a bit far for me to travel and recommend.

Oakland has some really well regarded Korean restaurants, and the two that come immediately to mind is Jong Ga and Ohgane — both of which offer AYCE BBQ.

YakiniQ, Daeho Kalbijjim, um.ma, Jong Ga, and Ohgane are on Yelp Waitlist so get on that to cut your wait.

Hope this helps get you started. Check Yelp for pictures and reviews, and off course the waitlist.

 

[Haley R]

Dh is surprising me with a day trip tomorrow and I have no idea where we’re going. I usually plan all of our trips so I told him to plan a day trip somewhere but now the planner in me is freaking out lol

 

[Alexle2007]

I would go to the one on Vineland. I like it better although I think others disagree. Bottom line though is Vineland is a lot closer to WDW. Since you are doing Lyft you won’t have to worry about parking. Absolutely you can do gift cards. Just no other discounts apply. When you shop if you see something you like just grab it and sort out later if you want it at end. It is really busy!

I went to this one last week (on a Fri around noon) and it was an absolute zoo! The line was weaving all over the place and people didn’t want to let you through when you said excuse me and were just trying to leave the store. And parking was a nightmare. We broke down and paid the $10 for the garage.