The premium dining plan

[First timer]

I need opionions from those who have selected the premium dining plan. We had the dining plan on our last trip and are planning next year's trip :) . I know it is significantly more costly but the benefit of reserved seating for the fireworks, etc. seem almost (and I mean almost) worth it. Anyone outhere experienced with the plan?

[*NikkiBell*]

We won't go to Disney without the Premium Plan. It is absolutely fantastic!!! There's unlimited backstage tours, meals, recreation, etc. If you have any specific questions, feel free to let me know. I just cannot get ENOUGH of this plan!

[First timer]

We won't go to Disney without the Premium Plan. It is absolutely fantastic!!! There's unlimited backstage tours, meals, recreation, etc. If you have any specific questions, feel free to let me know. I just cannot get ENOUGH of this plan!


Thanks so much for the speedy reply! :sunny: I guess I really need to know the benefits of the package. I am not sure I quite understand the tours (this will be our second trip to WDW). Also, how was the reserved area for the viewing of the fireworks? Also is it unlimited viewing (meaning everynight)? How about the meals - how does that work for a restaurant that takes 2 rather than 1 table service meal? Oh, what about the La Nouba (sp?) show? :sunny:

Feel free to let me know what you love about the plan since I am not familar with it I just don't know what else to ask!

[Lewisc]

edited to say LOOK AT THE WEBSITE--It looks like some of the items, such as parasailing and special fireworks viewing, is available on the platimum plan and not the premium plan.


Go to the Disney website, go to make a reservation. You'll have an option to add the premium plan and a description will be provided. Most tours, most recreation (golf, boating, etc) and virtually every restaurant is included. You have to buy tickets for your entire stay. This is a cut and paste from the Disney site.


Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner per person, per night at more than 100 Walt Disney World® table-service and counter-service restaurants, Disney Dinner Shows, Character Dining and Signature table-service restaurants (includes applicable gratuities, excludes alcoholic beverages; certain other limitations apply). Children ages 3-9 are limited to the Children's Menu at the table-service restaurants, if one is available.
Unlimited Use of Selected Recreation, including golf, guided fishing excursions, water sports, tennis and more (restrictions apply and advance reservations may be required).
Admission to the Cirque de Soleil® show, La Nouba (one admission per person; reservations may be made up to 180 days before arrival)
Admission to Disney's Children's Activity Centers at a selected Disney Resort (ages 4-12). Certain restrictions apply. Hours may vary by location.
Unlimited Admissions to Theme Park Tours: Magic Kingdom® Tours Disney's Family Magic Tour, Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains, Disney's Keys to the Kingdom. Mickey's Magical Milestones; Epcot® Tours Gardens of the World, The UnDISCOVERed Future World, Hidden Treasures of World Showcase; Disney's Animal Kingdom. Theme Park Tours Backstage Safari, Disney's Wild By Design (Restrictions apply to selected tours. Subject to availability and schedule.)
Admission to all Grand Gathering Experiences. Must have 8 or more in your party. (Advance reservations required. Subject to availability.)

[First timer]

Thanks. Actually I did call reservations yesterday and was told that the special viewing/reserved seating for the fireworks is available on the premium plan (perhaps this is new?). Which is why I was considering the plan. Quite honestly I know there is no way we are going to eat three full meals a day (we left behind 16 counter service meals at the end of our trip - there were four of us traveling). I guess I really wanted a feel for the plan from those who have used it. Wanted to know the opinons on the tours (they sound boring to me - but perhaps just the descriptions are boring), we do not play golf. Would consider the water sports and the fishing.

[*NikkiBell*]

Thanks so much for the speedy reply! :sunny: I guess I really need to know the benefits of the package. I am not sure I quite understand the tours (this will be our second trip to WDW). Also, how was the reserved area for the viewing of the fireworks? Also is it unlimited viewing (meaning everynight)? How about the meals - how does that work for a restaurant that takes 2 rather than 1 table service meal? Oh, what about the La Nouba (sp?) show? :sunny:

Feel free to let me know what you love about the plan since I am not familar with it I just don't know what else to ask!


The tours are backstage glimpses of the Disney magic. I would highly recommend the Keys to the Kingdom tour. We went on this during our last trip and absolutely loved it! :thumbsup2 You get to go into cast member areas, through back entrances to certain attractions, and learn a lot of WDW history along the way.

We have never used the reserved fireworks seating, to be honest. But, we have seen the areas and think they are good locations for viewing.

The meals are the best part of the plan, IMHO. You get unlimited meals anywhere you want except Victoria & Albert's. Unlike the regular dining plan that has the hassle of counting CS and TS, you do not have to count a thing with this plan. You get three meals a day, anywhere for the length of your stay. You can eat all TS if you want or mix it up with CS. For each meal, you get a drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert; that's for each person on the plan as well.

I would recommend taking in one of the dinner shows, trying Keys to the Kingdom, and seeing La Nouba. Try at least a TS each night too. We usually do two TS's a day, a tour, a dinner show, La Nouba, etc.

[*NikkiBell*]

edited to say LOOK AT THE WEBSITE--It looks like some of the items, such as parasailing and special fireworks viewing, is available on the platimum plan and not the premium plan.


This is not true. There *IS* special fireworks viewing included. There are locations both at MK and Epcot. Water sports, fishing excursions, tennis, golf, and more ARE included. I have the package information in front of me for my December trip. There's a breakdown of what is included.

[Lewisc]

This is not true. There *IS* special fireworks viewing included. There are locations both at MK and Epcot. Water sports, fishing excursions, tennis, golf, and more ARE included. I have the package information in front of me for my December trip. There's a breakdown of what is included.

All I did was cut and paste directly from the Disney website, the offiical Disney site. The website shows special fireworks viewing in the description of the platinum plan but not for the premium plan. Didn't make sense to me, the special viewing area isn't a high cost amenity. Golf is listed for both plans but mini-golf is only listed for the platimum plan. Again that doesn't make sense to me.

It sounds like the website description isn't accurate.

[First timer]

The tours are backstage glimpses of the Disney magic. I would highly recommend the Keys to the Kingdom tour. We went on this during our last trip and absolutely loved it! :thumbsup2 You get to go into cast member areas, through back entrances to certain attractions, and learn a lot of WDW history along the way.

We have never used the reserved fireworks seating, to be honest. But, we have seen the areas and think they are good locations for viewing.

The meals are the best part of the plan, IMHO. You get unlimited meals anywhere you want except Victoria & Albert's. Unlike the regular dining plan that has the hassle of counting CS and TS, you do not have to count a thing with this plan. You get three meals a day, anywhere for the length of your stay. You can eat all TS if you want or mix it up with CS. For each meal, you get a drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert; that's for each person on the plan as well.

I would recommend taking in one of the dinner shows, trying Keys to the Kingdom, and seeing La Nouba. Try at least a TS each night too. We usually do two TS's a day, a tour, a dinner show, La Nouba, etc.

Thanks NikkiBell. Actually we would like to try some of the dinner shows as we did not the last time - and you are right about the table service restaurants too! Thank you so much for your advice - it is most appreciated! :)

[momtobrynncess]

My question is for NikkiBelle: I have been contemplating this premium package for some time. I don't like to have to choose between places that require 2 TS or 1 TS, and I really prefer TS to CS. I like to be able to sit down when I want to, and not have to figure out how many credits I have left. Are "Signature Restaurants" still counted as two TS credits? I would have to think they would be, but you can have 3 TS per day if you want to? Is it really worth the increase in price? And finally, with the "free" dining plan that we are on (we are leaving one month from today), do they ever discount the premium plan? I know it could never be free, but is it ever discounted that you know of? Thanks for the help!!!

[aristocat]

All I did was cut and paste directly from the Disney website, the offiical Disney site. The website shows special fireworks viewing in the description of the platinum plan but not for the premium plan. Didn't make sense to me, the special viewing area isn't a high cost amenity. Golf is listed for both plans but mini-golf is only listed for the platimum plan. Again that doesn't make sense to me.

It sounds like the website description isn't accurate.

The pdf file for the 2007 premium plan lists mini-golf.
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw/images2003/languagespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/07Premium.pdf

The pdf is 6 pages long and details the plan quite nicely!


Also from the Disney website for the Premium package: (at the very bottom of the page)

Access to Preferred Viewing Areas for:

Wishes™: Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom® Park - Join Jiminy Cricket for a story filled with magic, laughs nostalgia and classic music from favorite Disney films...and watch the entire sky light up in an unforgettable fireworks spectacular.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot® - A rhapsody of lasers, lights, fountains, music and fireworks that surrond World Showcase Lagoon in an inspiring display celebrating the planet we call home.

One view per Theme Park, advance reservations required at least 24 hours in advance and voucher required, subject to availability, certain block-out dates apply. Magic Your Way Premium Package guests can make reservations up to 90 days prior to requested viewing date by calling 407-939-7860.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/packageDetail?id=PackageDetailMYWPrem07Page

[aristocat]

It looks like some of the items, such as parasailing and special fireworks viewing, is available on the platimum plan and not the premium plan.

And I also see that the pdf says that parasailing is included on the premium plan! (see page 4)

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw/images2003/languagespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/07Premium.pdf

[Donna]

What is the cost per day for the premium dining plan? thanks! couldn't find it on the brochure.

[Lewisc]

I thank the poster who posted the link to the 2007 brochure. I see some of the items that were not listed in the Disney website for 2006 are now in the brochure.

Look at the restaurant list. The non-Disney restaurants are gone.

[michellejed]

We did the premium package back in 2001 and loved it, we enjoy eating when and where we wanted to and like the TS better then the CS meals.

We also are golfers and enjoyed the water sports as well.

If you are not going to use the activities then I would not get the premium package.

We are doing the free DDP this time and paying OOP for some of the activities but passing on the golf(too hot).

I think I read some place that it was around $139 per person per day on top of the hotel and ticket price, but when you consider 1 round of golf is over $100 then it is worth it. :cheer2:

[*NikkiBell*]

My question is for NikkiBelle: I have been contemplating this premium package for some time. I don't like to have to choose between places that require 2 TS or 1 TS, and I really prefer TS to CS. I like to be able to sit down when I want to, and not have to figure out how many credits I have left. Are "Signature Restaurants" still counted as two TS credits? I would have to think they would be, but you can have 3 TS per day if you want to? Is it really worth the increase in price? And finally, with the "free" dining plan that we are on (we are leaving one month from today), do they ever discount the premium plan? I know it could never be free, but is it ever discounted that you know of? Thanks for the help!!!

There is NO counting with the Premium Plan. You don't have to differentiate between TS and CS at all. So, if you want to do all Signature meals go ahead! Yes, you can have 3 TS a day if you wish. They have never discounted the Premium Plan and when it was called the Silver Plan (similar plan years ago), I don't recall it ever being discounted either.

[*NikkiBell*]

What is the cost per day for the premium dining plan? thanks! couldn't find it on the brochure.

Other than DISers who try to break it down (most of the time inaccurately), there isn't a per day price. The Premium Plan is not a dining plan like DDP. Instead, it is a package for your entire trip's stay that includes dining and other ammenities.

Your best bet is to call Disney Travel and get a quote or get the quote from their website.

[tinkamom]

I was interested in this plan but when I checked it out on Disneys website it added over $4000.00 to my original quote! It was a 11 day reservation for 4 people, 3 adults and 1 child. No premium plan for me!

[princesspwrhr]

The current list of restaurants for the 2007 plan is the same as the current list of restaurants for the regular dining plan so unless (until?) that changes it could have a huge impact on anyone shelling out the cash for the premium plan. Unless of course you don't eat at Epcot WS or Down Town Disney and aren't staying at Coranado.

You don't have to get the hopping or plus options on your ticket anymore, you can get just the base ticket and if I'm reading it correctly you also don't have to get a length of stay anymore. If you plan on using all that recreation though you'll want to add the no expiration option.

[wasabi girl]

We used the Premium Plan for our first visit last December. It was absolutely fabulous! Unlimited golf (for DH), tours, La Nouba, and the dining was terrific. We didn't have to worry about credits or anything, we could basically go anywhere (except V & A). I don't think preferred fireworks viewing was part of the 2005 packages but it would have been a nice little bonus. I asked my TA about the restaurant exclusions and she said not to worry (I'm thinking of premium again in 2007), that they had some issues when the dining plan was announced in 2005 but eventually nearly everyone got on board.

I'm going this fall with just the dining plan (it's free! I'm SAVING so much I just HAD to go!!), and I sort of miss already the freedom and flexibilty of the Premium Plan. It is a great No Hassles, No Worries...kind of vacation.

[NMW]

Can DVC members buy a premium plan or just the regular dining plan?

[Donna]

Can DVC members buy a premium plan or just the regular dining plan?


I think since it's not an actual plan like DDP, but a type of "package", then you could not purchase it as a dvc member staying on points. you'd have to book that type of package. anyone correct me if i'm wrong, just assuming! :goodvibes

[chanty]

Correct me if I'm wrong but... there's no snack credits on the premium plan - correct?

[mmmcq]

I haven't been able to figure out whether to go premium or not.....and now with the question by another poster, I'm not sure I can purchase it since I'm staying DVC for the first 5 days of the trip. I did have a full room/ticket package, but my DVC waitlist came thru for most of the trip. I hate the way Disney does their packaging anyway.

I could not for the life of me figure out what things cost what with the package because they won't break it down. I finally told them to take the tickets off the package for the last two nights at BC and we're therefore not doing the DDP for our last two nights. I'm going to buy the tickets for the whole trip. The one night tickets to get the DDP were going to cost and extra $500 for 5 of us. If I just add an extra day onto the 6 day ticket we're already buying - I don't think it was even an extra $150 total.

Overall however, I couldn't figure out which would have been a better plan for us. We tend to eat two meals a day at TS restaurants and only occasionally at CS. I have at least 2 if not 3 reservations (on character breakfast days) for all of our 8 day stay in November. We were planning on mini golf this time, but not golf.

I can see where the counting will drive me crazy and we'll end up paying cash for most meals at the end of the first 5 days after we run out of TS credits. We're front loaded with CRT and CG in the first couple of days.

But we're not doing any shows this time. I just cancelled our Fantasmic ressies because the dinner time messes up our day. I'm not in the mood for Hoop De Doo and we saw La Nouba already. But we are trying for an Illumination cruise next week for my DD 7th birthday.

I'll have to call WDW again on Monday and see if I can even get it now that we're DVC for 2/3rd's of the trip. If not...then I don't have a dilemma.