Mommy Points: The Lesson I Learned After Visiting a Theme Park by Myself
When I took my two girls to Universal Studios and Walt Disney World this summer, the trip was very much all about them. I mean, I certainly enjoyed portions of the experience, but my primary duty was to meet their needs and ensure they were having a good time. That's what parents instinctively do, so I didn't realize exactly how much I was focused on them during the trip until I recently had the chance to go to Universal Studios for a few hours all by myself. I was walking down the same theme park streets and riding the same attractions, but it was a 180-degree different experience when all I had to do was soak it in for myself, at my own pace.
My primary goal in Orlando on this trip was to review the brand new Universal Studios hotel, The Aventura. It was a one-night trip, school had just started back in Texas, and it ultimately didn't make any sense to haul my two daughters back to Florida this time around. So, it was just me, a new hotel and a theme park just a mile or so down the road.
After doing what I needed to do for the hotel review, I could have kicked up my feet, enjoyed the quiet room and gotten some much-needed rest, but let's be honest that just isn't in my DNA. I adhere to the YOLO (you only live once) mantra. That means if there's a chance to do something pretty cool, like visit Universal Studios, nine times out of 10 I'm going to take that path.
It felt a little bit strange purchasing a theme park ticket for one and entering the park all by myself, but it was far more liberating than I expected. Did I want to head straight for Harry Potter? Detour to ET? Watch a parade, browse a shop, or just wander around and people watch? Those were all on the table without worrying about anyone getting tired, hungry, thirsty or bored. There was no stroller to push, no height restrictions to double-check or extra potty-breaks to plan around.
Not only did I notice more details around the park and enjoy the rides about 200% more when I wasn't worried about anyone else, but I noticed a few things about the other people around me. I saw and empathized with the over-tired and stressed parents, the passed out kids in strollers and the families that had had enough for the day but were continuing on to get to the imaginary finish line. I also saw groups of adults who were gathered in places like Three Broomsticks or the Leaky Caldron in the Harry Potter section of the park for evening drinks over fish and chips. If I'm being honest, the adults without kids looked like they were having a far more enjoyable time than the ones with kids.
I wouldn't go so far as to say I had a better time at Universal Studios without my family than I did with them, as that is not reflective of the truth, but I was certainly far less stressed and worn out.
Part of that equation is obvious in that I didn't have anyone else to worry about or take care of beyond myself. The other part is a little less obvious but potentially more important: The families I observed (and was a part of a few weeks earlier) seemed dedicated to checking as many boxes as possible while in the park. When you are paying for hotels, park tickets, stroller rentals and more for multiple people by the day, or even the hour, you naturally want to cram as much fun into that timeframe as possible. The result is not only a lot of fun and activities, but also a lot of exhaustion and cranky pants to go along with it.
When the (self-imposed) pressure to maximize every moment was removed, the experience was completely different — and arguably better. I still rode several big-name rides in a relatively short timeframe, but when I wasn't worried about what came next (and after that, and then after that, etc.), it was infinitely easier to relax and enjoy the moment.
The adult-only groups around me seemed to largely share that philosophy. They weren't rushing through meals, they weren't racing past the shops because there wasn't any time to look and they didn't appear as if they were about to pass out where they stood. It was generally the families trying to make the most of their day that looked to have sometimes overshot the mark. If this sounds like judgement, it isn't. Remember, I was that family just a few weeks earlier.
I'm a little bit of an OCD Type-A planner when mapping out a theme park day with my family, but turning that part of my brain off when I was by myself was easy. That being said, you absolutely come out ahead when you approach a theme park with some sort of strategy (and an Express Pass), but spending an evening at Universal Studios by myself without a detailed plan makes me wonder if that approach could be better the next time I'm there with my kids.
If you do less, but enjoy what you do more, then perhaps you still come out ahead. It sound so simple, but is a concept that is easily lost in the realm of family travel, especially where theme parks are concerned. Can I really stick to the less-is-more concept the next time my family is at a theme park? I don't honestly know, but I'm willing to try and find out.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.