Premium Plan for One Night Just for the Tours, LaNouba, etc.??

[beansmom]

Has anyone booked a three-day Premium or Platinum pkg for next year? Or are you planning not to do one because you can no longer book just one day?

we have toyed with the idea of the 3-day (pending a successful visit this week) platinum in the future but when i considered Rack Rate at a Deluxe X 3 nites, $225pp X 3, a 2-day ticketpp that we don't need coz we have APs....it's nearly $3k....that's $3,000 that I can use to go to Maui instead. Or Italy or anywhere. Frankly, $3k for 3 days is a lot of money.

Not to say we will never....but not next year for sure.

 

[Sugarglider]

After about 6 weeks delay I am finally putting up my Plat Plan trip report on my blog.
Just put up my V&A dinner and chef mickey. Tonga toast is also there. will do the tours next.

 

[Eddy]

Debating have 1st timers this trip. We have a 3 yr old and a 5 year old so not enough for them under plan. Two 1st timers in early 20s so good for them.

 

[Sugarglider]

Debating have 1st timers this trip. We have a 3 yr old and a 5 year old so not enough for them under plan. Two 1st timers in early 20s so good for them.

Will you all be staying in the same room?

It's not really worth it with small kiddies cause they are excluded from so many things - unless you want to get the babysitting.

However if you have a second room for the early 20's they could go off and have a fun time.

 

[beansmom]

sugarglider,

we are doing v&a friday...do you think I would be ok wearing rhinestone flipflops with my dress? I mean would i feel like a rube or sumthin??

 

[sunshinehighway]

I just wanted to post a Thank You to all in this thread. I ended up doing the Premium Plan for one night in October. This thread gave me the idea to do it and I had a fantastic time.

 

[MoonFaerie]

sugarglider,

we are doing v&a friday...do you think I would be ok wearing rhinestone flipflops with my dress? I mean would i feel like a rube or sumthin??

Fwiw, there was a woman there last night wearing a knit cotton dress, a denim jacket, and plain leather flip flops. I think you'd be fine.

 

[Sugarglider]

sugarglider,

we are doing v&a friday...do you think I would be ok wearing rhinestone flipflops with my dress? I mean would i feel like a rube or sumthin??

Given the decor you can dress up as much as you want, however it is still a theme park audience and as long as you don't breach their dress code it would be fine. I wore a casual t-shirt (plain) and a skirt that I wear to work and mid height sandals.

I agree with moonfaerie, as long as you are comfy, you don't go straight in from the pool or a park you'll be fine. The wonderful thing about V&A is that they have the same WDW service - so the staff are not snooty - they look after everyone well and you'll get another experience on your trip

go and enjoy!

 

[beansmom]

it was awesome! we loved staying at the AKL and NOT running off to the parks. We actually really enjoyed just hanging out at the resort.

We didn't do much besides eat as our epcot dive tours were cancelled. We did our spa treatments, ate, ate and ate and did the Wishes fireworks cruise. We had a 'moment' over the cruise because I was told by the tour office that we had the whole boat to ourselves and i specifically said 'so I can round up 8 strangers and take them' and was told yes. So we found a couple other folks to go with us and then were told that another family had booked as well and IF they showed up, we couldn't all go. I was NOT happy. They actually ended up not showing but I was not happy about it at all. In the end the cruise was awesome and I'm sooo glad our new friends could go with us.

We have a re-do on our list for next year...IF we have any $$ after a week with the kids in October and a trip to Hawaii. :O)

 

[Wall-E1]

Day 2

We started our day at Epcot with a segway tour. We arrived at 7:30 a.m. for the 7:45 a.m. tour. We ended up being the first people to enter Epcot that day. We met up to the left of Spaceship Earth, filled out some paperwork, then headed into Innoventions for some segway training. After about 30 minutes of training/practice, we headed out for a tour "around the world"...

After the segways, we spent a little time in Innoventions, took a quick ride on Spaceship Earth, and did a little shopping.

We then left Epcot and headed to Fort Wilderness, where we would be spending the rest of the day.

We arrived at Fort Wilderness about 20 minutes before our 11:30 a.m. horseback riding tour. It was a relaxing ride through the woods of the Fort Wilderness area...

After the horses, we went to the settlement area for some lunch after the ride.

After eating, we headed down to the marina and rented a couple of water mice. We spent about an hour exploring the lakes...

After we returned, we headed over to the archery range for our 2:45 p.m. archery lesson. We started out shooting pretty close to the target, but the instructors kept moving us further back every few minutes...

After archery, my son wanted to take the water mice out again. So we headed back to the marina for some more fun on the lake...

After our second time on the lake, we headed back to the settlement area, checked out the horse stables and met some characters. We had 6:00 p.m. reservations at Hoop Dee Doo. We arrived in plenty of time. The show was excellent, as always. After the show, we went over by the camp fire for awhile, then headed out of Fort Wilderness and back to our hotel for the night.

Our 1 night/2 day premium plan package was technically finished, but due to a technical error on Disney's end (They had originally booked us for the Keys to the Kingdom tour on Thanksgiving Day. However, here are no Magic Kingdom tours that day), they had rebooked us on the Keys to the Kingdom tour 3 days later on Sunday (my birthday). The mistake really worked out in our favor because we were able to book many more activities during our 2 days.

The Keys to the Kingdom tour was excellent. Our tour guide was informative and personable. We spent a good deal of time in the utilidors. We spent time back stage in the Splash Mountain/Pirates of the Caribbean area. We saw where the parade floats were stored and prepared for the days' parades. We even saw a half dressed Mickey Mouse (his head wasn't on). Lunch was at Columbia Harbor House. We had a private reserved section. Our guide also took us on a few rides - Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion.

After the tour, I was given a packet. In it was a birthday message and apology message for the booking mix up. There were also complimentary vouchers for us to take the "Magic Behind Our Steam Trains" tour and "Marceline to Magic Kingdom" tours. The vouchers are good for 2 years. It was a great way to end our trip.

 

[Sugarglider]

Wow Wall E1 - yo udid really well jamming all those activities into your plan! good for you. and it looks like your son had a great time and YAY for your birthday pixie dust! how cool is that

I have started sticking up my platnium plan trip report on my blog - including restaurant porn - if anyone is interested.

 

[chanson2]

I don't know how much our tips will help anyone, since there aren't too many days left to do the 1 night platinum plan, but wanted to pass on all we did, and say thanks to all who contributed before on this thread. It was an amazing weekend!
Cast: me, DH and DD who was turning 18. Left other DD at home with the grandparents, with the promise she will get her turn! Luckily, she is a very easy-going and understanding child.

We arrived on a Fri night and stayed at Coronado Springs. With my PIN, it was about $170, and looking back, should have just stayed in a value and saved $100. We had planned on swimming, but it was cold that night, so just called it an early night. Up early Sat morn to check in to the GF - where DD has talked about staying for as long as I can remember. Checked in by 7:30 (room not ready)- the CM checking us in was not very informative about the platinum plan folder and just basically handed it to me and told me to read it over and if I had questions, to ask concierge. I noticed we had no vouchers to La Nouba - he searched but couldn't find them, so I decided to check with concierge later that day. (Not the smartest idea). Headed to the GF Cafe for breakfast, using first of our meals - worthwhile as DD had lobster eggs benedict (loved it).

Then we were off to our Yuletide Fantasy tour, which we all enjoyed. Our group travelled by bus to parts of the World Showcase, MK, GF, and the secret storage building where every holiday decoration is stored (seriously, even the cruise ships and Aulani decorations are stored and maintained at WDW). Lots of great facts about different customs and holiday stories - we all thought the tour was very worthwhile. Then it was back to the GF where our room was ready. I did the unpacking and went to find our Cirque vouchers while DH ran to do his Richard Petty ride-along. He loved it! He was only gone about an hour (we had a rental car, which I recommend), and it seemed like I was at the concierge desk the whole time - no finding the vouchers anywhere. Finally I asked them to call the box office and confirm we could pick up without them (which you can with your photo ID), plus call Fultons because we would probably be late for our 4:00 reservation. Luckily they were not busy so we were seated quickly. I thought the seafood (crab and lobster) was awesome, and DH and DD liked their steaks fine. Ended up getting dessert to go, as we needed to be heading to La Nouba for our 6:00 show, Made the mistake of not telling our waiter we were on the platinum plan, so it took awhile to get the bill separated correctly. La Nouba was great, and our seats were very good.

Afterwards, we headed back to the GF to get some warmer clothes and head down to our Wishes fireworks cruise. Beautiful way to see the fireworks. There were lots of other boats out as well, even the big yacht from the GF - it rents for $520 an hour! DH and I had toured it earlier - just ask and a CM will take you on. Pretty awesome, esp if you like boats. We used the hot tub later that night, but I think the temp could have been a little hotter.

Up early the next day, got DD's birthday pin, grabbed snacks at the snack bar and headed to Epcot for our Segway tour. It was alot of fun. The practice session is a little scary - I kept hoping I wouldn't be the only one to tip over! Once out in the WS, it was a most excellent way to travel. Tour guides were fun too. After a quick lunch at the Land (oop, as we were using our last meal credit for V&A's later) we headed to the Magnolia golf course for a lesson with a pro. DH and I were rusty but picked it up quick, so DD got the most coaching. In the end, she had some great wood shots, so it helped ease her frustration... Off again, this time to our spa treatment (bummer we had to travel all the way to Saratoga instead of the GF). Here came another mix-up. I had originally booked DD for a facial and a mani/pedi, but then DH decided he did want his treatment, so changed it to a massage for him, and facials for me and DD. They had no knowledge of DD's appointment anywhere. Luckily I had brought my printout from the planning team, showing confirmation. Ended up DD got her facial but I got a massage instead of my facial. Still good! Seems like if you make a change, they cancel everything, so confirm they rebook what they are supposed to!

Then it was time to get all fancy for our dinner at V&A - all I can say is WOW! Even DD loved (most) of her meal - there were alot of new things she tried. It took a full 3 hours to get through all our courses, and we didn't even do the after-dinner coffee. Just a little too long, but it was really good.

Earlier I had decided to add on a sleigh ride, but it turns out the sleigh ride is not covered on the plan (really? Isn't it basically the same as a carriage ride?) So they switched us to a carriage ride, but I must have misunderstood where (thought they said the French Quarter but turns out to be Riverside) so we missed it. Oh well. Headed to DD and did a little shopping. Then off to sleep to make our early morning flights.

Overall, it was a great time. We did seem to rush from place to place, so I probably did push it with all the things I booked. But we certainly got our moneys worth! Even tho it kills me to pay rack rate , esp at the GF, it was worthwhile. For a breakdown, we paid about $1500 for our 1 night plan, for 3 people. Plus an additional night at the GF at about $380, because if we would have had to fly home Sun, we wouldn't have done half of what we did. I only ended up with the 1 day base ticket, which we used to get in for our Segway tour. Otherwise we didn't need park tickets, and we didn't ride a single ride (no time!)

I don't know if we will ever do the platinum plan again, since it now goes to a 3 night minimum. But I sure appreciate all the great tips that were on this thread - they helped contribute to a wonderful weekend for DD's birthday!

 

[donnishobson]

Any word on the Aqua Seas Tour? We have one scheduled on Feb 1. Have not heard whether they are going again or not. Any news?

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I haven't been on the dis in FOREVER! Our family used this ingenious Premium 1-night plan on Thanksgiving 2010. I was just advising a friend of the premium options today. Can someone please tell me if "the rules have changed" since 2010? They will be vacationing the week after Thanksgiving 2012. Thank you!

 

[Sugarglider]

I haven't been on the dis in FOREVER! Our family used this ingenious Premium 1-night plan on Thanksgiving 2010. I was just advising a friend of the premium options today. Can someone please tell me if "the rules have changed" since 2010? They will be vacationing the week after Thanksgiving 2012. Thank you!

I am not sure what you are expecting in terms of "rules". the big one you would have picked up from the most recent threads is that it is now a minimum 3 night stay - but you could go and read the brochure to get an update on what is and isn't included and where to stay etc

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I am not sure what you are expecting in terms of "rules". the big one you would have picked up from the most recent threads is that it is now a minimum 3 night stay - but you could go and read the brochure to get an update on what is and isn't included and where to stay etc

YIKES! Thank you for answering my main concern. When we did it, there wasn't a minimum stay. We were able to stay ONE night premium & got 2 days of pure premium delight. Now I'll have to forward the sad news to my friends Have a great day

 

[sarahgirl]

It still isnt too bad if you are doing the premium and just have to pay rack rate for a value. If you go midweek and you are by yourself 3 night premium at POP can be had for $940.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Oh, what a bummer! A year from today is my 40th birthday and I've been telling DH for a year (since I took him to NYC for his 40th) that he was taking me kid-free to WDW for 48 hours and doing the Premium or Platinum Plan. Wah!!! So sad that there is now a 3 night minimum.

I came here today (my birthday) to plan next year's trip. Now where do we go for a fantastic 48 hours? I can't be away from the kids longer than that...and I wanted it to be just me and DH for this special but short trip. We may as well go to DL (since we'll have APs) or somewhere completely different now.

 

[Sugarglider]

I know I am starting to get a bit late for this thread but here is Part 2 of my Platnium Plan 1 night adventure

Part 1 is here

And the V&A dinner is here

And Tonga Toast is over here

I admit this blog is written towards for people who have never been so you might have done all this yourselves!

hopefully you find it interesting

 

[Sugarglider]

Perhaps the last post for this thread - here is my final part of my platnium plan tour.

I ended up paying about half the cost of everything - and I still think it would be good value if you really wanted to do all the things you could jam into 3 days.