'08 DDP premium plan

[throw685]

Anyone on the premium plan understand what breakfast, lunch, and dinner count as? I'm looking to dine at some signature restaurants while on our honeymoon. We get breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Does breakfast count as a TS credit?

If so, that would help us get those signature dining experiences. thanks!

 

[LizinSTL]

Anyone on the premium plan understand what breakfast, lunch, and dinner count as? I'm looking to dine at some signature restaurants while on our honeymoon. We get breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Does breakfast count as a TS credit?

If so, that would help us get those signature dining experiences. thanks!

The premium plan, from what I understand, doesn't differentiate between signature dining, regular table service restaurants or counter service restaurants in terms of your meals. You get 3 meals a day with the premium plan so that means you can have that as a TS meal or a CS meal.

The only difference in the premium plan from 2007 to 2008 is that the gratuity is not included in 08.

The Deluxe dining plan is a new option for 08. It includes 3 "credits" per night of your reservation and those can be used for either TS or CS as well. You could get a TS or CS breakfast and a signature (2 TS) TS dinner and that would count as your credits for that night of your trip. The deluxe dining plan doesn't include tip either. But also doesn't include the extras (tours, cirque, etc.) so if you weren't going to do those things, this is a "cheaper" option.

 

[throw685]

The premium plan, from what I understand, doesn't differentiate between signature dining, regular table service restaurants or counter service restaurants in terms of your meals. You get 3 meals a day with the premium plan so that means you can have that as a TS meal or a CS meal.

I would love to agree with you. This is what I initially thought. I downloaded the "premium plan" brochure from Disney's website. No where on that brochure did it indicate it cost two TS meals for a signature dining experience. Just to make sure, I contacted the disney dining line, and they informed me that it did indeed take two credits for a signature regardless of whether I was on the premium plan or not. Which is why I posted my original question. Now the dining line could be wrong, but she seemed to know her stuff.

Maybe others on the plan could fill us in. This will be my first trip using the DP, so trying to understand it is sometimes difficult.

 

[LizinSTL]

I would love to agree with you. This is what I initially thought. I downloaded the "premium plan" brochure from Disney's website. No where on that brochure did it indicate it cost two TS meals for a signature dining experience. Just to make sure, I contacted the disney dining line, and they informed me that it did indeed take two credits for a signature regardless of whether I was on the premium plan or not. Which is why I posted my original question. Now the dining line could be wrong, but she seemed to know her stuff.

Maybe others on the plan could fill us in. This will be my first trip using the DP, so trying to understand it is sometimes difficult.

You may want to call CRO back instead of the Disney dining number to confirm this. She may be thinking "deluxe dining plan" vs "premium plan." I'd guess that very few guests (relatively speaking) use the premium or platinum plans and she may not be answering the question you are asking. Even so- if you are using 2 TS for a signature dinner- you could use TS at breakfast as well because you are entitled to "3" meals a day. But I'm almost positive you'd get lunch in there if you wanted on the "premium" plan. But I know that on the Deluxe Dining Plan and on the Premium/Platinum plans there's no difference between TS and CS credits. They are essentially interchangeable.

 

[honeymo78]

Unfortunately you got a CM who doesn't understand the premium plan - to be honest most of them don't (dining, check-in desk, even some servers have to get a manager). There is no such thing as a 2 credit meal on the premium package. You get 3 meals a day to use at any participating restaurant, dinner show or room service. I have gotten plenty of misinformation over the years regarding this level of package and I feel bad for people who don't understand how it works and get mislead by CMs who just don't know the right answers. The brochure you printed is correct.

 

[throw685]

Thanks for the info...one more reason DISboards are awesome. I finally got a straight answer!

 

[warriorboy648]

Unfortunately you got a CM who doesn't understand the premium plan - to be honest most of them don't (dining, check-in desk, even some servers have to get a manager). There is no such thing as a 2 credit meal on the premium package. You get 3 meals a day to use at any participating restaurant, dinner show or room service. I have gotten plenty of misinformation over the years regarding this level of package and I feel bad for people who don't understand how it works and get mislead by CMs who just don't know the right answers. The brochure you printed is correct.

What is the premium plan and how do I find out what it includes and costs?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I went down on the premium plan last year, and I wanted to offer a couple insights:

Last year, it included the tip. I don't know if it will in 2008, we won't be using it next year. But I know the DDP/ Deluxe DDP do NOT for 2008. I just think you should double-check that.

The premium plan includes restaurants that aren't on the DDP. Check the individual restaurant of interest, but for example, we had breakfast at Rainforest Cafe outside AK one day. We were treated like royalty--they don't take the DDP.

The premium plan used to include specialty drinks, like a smoothie with breakfast. Again, check the latest brochure. There seemed to be CM confusion about this, it was different from the DDP.

In addition, we encountered quite a bit of confusion among the CMs relative to included activities on the premium plan. For example, my kids wanted to try parasailing. As an aside, it's included, it's behind the Contemporary, it was fabulous! Absolutely #1 in my kids' book! But anyway, the Cm's were so clueless on this! First, we were told it wasn't included (brochure specifically listed it). Then, we were told to go to the Poly waterfront (we were at the Poly) to sign up--again, not true, you call over to the Contemporary. There were a few other things, too. In the end, we went, the kids had a great time.

My point in all this is, Disney employees seem to have very little familiarity with the premium plan. Having been on it a few times, I knew where I was coming from. Things were straightened out fairly easily, but I was real surprised that the CMs made so many errors--especially since, as you know, it ain't cheap, so they're dealing with the high $$ spending customer--you'd think they would try a little harder to know the plan details. But, that said, we loved the plan, we had a great time each visit (I think we've been 4 times on the premium plan). I can see where it would be great for a special honeymoon experience.


I wish you luck--read the brochure! Memorize it! Don't be afraid to politely question someone who gives an unexpected answer!

 

[throw685]

The confusion you've had on previous trips is exactly why I posted this question. I've consulted lots of people (from Disney no less) and none of them had the exact same answer. I printed off the brochure, so I'll be studying until next March. What did you do when the CM's didn't know about the premium plan? Did you whip out the brochure?

Warrior, I would post a link...but I'm not allowed to yet. Check the main page for information on the premium plans. For your money, I think it gives two people the best shot at seeing everything they want.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I didn't actually study the brochure ahead of time--we'd been on the plan before and never had an issue. When we checked in, there was a bunch of confusion about the plan--again, not a huge deal, just the CM at the Poly desk seemed to have no clue what the premium plan was. I was particularly surprised because we were at the concierge desk--we weren't staying concierge, they just had free peopel and waved us over. But in the packet of stuff you get on arrival was a nice printed glossy brochure of the premium plan, listing all its amenities. Well, my kids got it into their heads to do the parasailing, so I specifically checked the aforementioned glossy brochure before I went down to the desk to find out how to arrange it. That's when I got the grand run-around. I was polite but persistent--I saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime thing (parasailing would have cost $175--normally out of our budget). And I did bring the brochure with me--"See, it says right here that parasailing is included." Now, I didn't put up a fight in, say, the Coral Reef over kids' specialty drinks--I didn't have the brochure with me then, I thought they could get them, the waitress said no, I let it go. Under different circumstances, that might have prompted me to bring the brochure along and make a bit of a fuss the next time, but I was there with 4 kids (the youngest 6mo), my MIL, and I just didn't feel this was a battle worth fighting. Heck, at home, the kids are thrilled to get chocolate syrup in their milk, they'll survive without a Cabana Cooler or whatever!

Anyway, I do wish you luck. Just know your rights, stick to your guns, and be polite about it. Especially over something that matters to you and your new spouse.

 

[throw685]

Did you get a chance to do La Nouba on the premium package as well? Confused on how to order those tixs ahead of time. State that you're on the premium plan at time of order?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We got Cirque tickets but didn't use them. We didn't feel we could either bring our nursing 6mo or leave him with a sitter. They just handed the tickets to us with our arrival packet and room keys. I have no idea how the tickets were, seating-wise. I wish I could have gone--I've only seen Cirque on TV, and I can only imagine it's much more fabulous in person.

 

[throw685]

Anyone else been on the premium plan and like to share their thoughts?

 

[honeymo78]

From what I understand about cirque (we once made reservations but cancelled them later), call the WDW- PLAY number and ask to make reservations for cirque and tell them you are on the premium package. It may require a CC hold (not a charge). You get ticket vouchers when you check in (everyone on premium gets them regardless of whether you made reservations) and you must turn those in at the cirque box office in order to get your tickets. I don't think you can just show up at the box office and trade the voucher in without a prior reservation, but I could be wrong.

If you enjoy watersports you might want to reserve the personal watercraft (jet skis) at the contemporary or try out a water ski/tubing trip also from the contemporary. The behind the scenes tours that are included are great - we love the one at AK and Keys to the Kingdom at MK.

 

[fey_spirit]

This is exactly how you handle La Nouba - we had great seats last year!

A side note - in case you don't know, you'll want to call and make reservations for your Priority seating for Illuminations and Wishes if you want to use those vouchers...

On the other hand I think I could have done much better staking out a spot early as I did with the seating for Wishes (I don't know about Illuminations, I got sick and missed that one). Though having actual chairs to watch Wishes from was nice, even with the line of trees in my way.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions =)
We really loved the pkg it was amazing!

From what I understand about cirque (we once made reservations but cancelled them later), call the WDW- PLAY number and ask to make reservations for cirque and tell them you are on the premium package. It may require a CC hold (not a charge). You get ticket vouchers when you check in (everyone on premium gets them regardless of whether you made reservations) and you must turn those in at the cirque box office in order to get your tickets. I don't think you can just show up at the box office and trade the voucher in without a prior reservation, but I could be wrong.

If you enjoy watersports you might want to reserve the personal watercraft (jet skis) at the contemporary or try out a water ski/tubing trip also from the contemporary. The behind the scenes tours that are included are great - we love the one at AK and Keys to the Kingdom at MK.

 

[throw685]

Thanks for replying...I can't wait to take the fiance to La Nouba. We're not much for fireworks, so we'll probably being doing the rides at that time.

Since you've been on the package before, do you agree with what everyone else has said about the dining? The meals don't cost two credits because you're on the premium plan?

Thanks again...

 

[fey_spirit]

Absolutely, I ate at both CA Grill and Artist Pt for 1 TS apiece - the only problem is that since I actually tried to use each credit at a TS, it really did get to be too much food... not that that's a flaw with the plan, but I tend to be a bit of a glutton...

Thanks for replying...I can't wait to take the fiance to La Nouba. We're not much for fireworks, so we'll probably being doing the rides at that time.

Since you've been on the package before, do you agree with what everyone else has said about the dining? The meals don't cost two credits because you're on the premium plan?

Thanks again...

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

When we went on the Premium plan last year,it was through AAA, so I'm not sure where the AAA perks end and Premium plan ones begin, so my apologies:

For Illuminations, we were allowed on the launch ramp outside Italy (I think). We were the only people there. There was a CM that we had to show our vouchers to. Great view and totally ours--good thing, our 3yo got nervous (loud noises), and I was able to keep her back a little and not interrupt the good times of the others.

There was also a special story time in MK--real kid-oriented so the OP probably isn't interested. We went in the building next to Tony's on Main Street (pardon my morning brain freeze), and there was a small amphitheater where a face character came out and read a story and posed for pictures. We got Aladdin, which was real nice. Again, we had vouchers, but we had to set up the exact day/time we were going to do this.

No issues with 2-credit restaurants, and as I stated, there are restaurants on the Premium plan that aren't on regular DDP, like Rainforest Cafe.

 

[fey_spirit]

Having gone on Premium last time without AAA, and heading to Disney this time on AAA but not on premium I think I can speak to this.

Illuminations comes with the Premium PKG - the story you speak of I do believe from all my research is a perk of AAA.

When we went on the Premium plan last year,it was through AAA, so I'm not sure where the AAA perks end and Premium plan ones begin, so my apologies:

For Illuminations, we were allowed on the launch ramp outside Italy (I think). We were the only people there. There was a CM that we had to show our vouchers to. Great view and totally ours--good thing, our 3yo got nervous (loud noises), and I was able to keep her back a little and not interrupt the good times of the others.

There was also a special story time in MK--real kid-oriented so the OP probably isn't interested. We went in the building next to Tony's on Main Street (pardon my morning brain freeze), and there was a small amphitheater where a face character came out and read a story and posed for pictures. We got Aladdin, which was real nice. Again, we had vouchers, but we had to set up the exact day/time we were going to do this.

No issues with 2-credit restaurants, and as I stated, there are restaurants on the Premium plan that aren't on regular DDP, like Rainforest Cafe.

 

[clownfish1452]

I went down on the premium plan last year, and I wanted to offer a couple insights:

Last year, it included the tip. I don't know if it will in 2008, we won't be using it next year. But I know the DDP/ Deluxe DDP do NOT for 2008. I just think you should double-check that.

The premium plan includes restaurants that aren't on the DDP. Check the individual restaurant of interest, but for example, we had breakfast at Rainforest Cafe outside AK one day. We were treated like royalty--they don't take the DDP.

The premium plan used to include specialty drinks, like a smoothie with breakfast. Again, check the latest brochure. There seemed to be CM confusion about this, it was different from the DDP.

In addition, we encountered quite a bit of confusion among the CMs relative to included activities on the premium plan. For example, my kids wanted to try parasailing. As an aside, it's included, it's behind the Contemporary, it was fabulous! Absolutely #1 in my kids' book! But anyway, the Cm's were so clueless on this! First, we were told it wasn't included (brochure specifically listed it). Then, we were told to go to the Poly waterfront (we were at the Poly) to sign up--again, not true, you call over to the Contemporary. There were a few other things, too. In the end, we went, the kids had a great time.

My point in all this is, Disney employees seem to have very little familiarity with the premium plan. Having been on it a few times, I knew where I was coming from. Things were straightened out fairly easily, but I was real surprised that the CMs made so many errors--especially since, as you know, it ain't cheap, so they're dealing with the high $$ spending customer--you'd think they would try a little harder to know the plan details. But, that said, we loved the plan, we had a great time each visit (I think we've been 4 times on the premium plan). I can see where it would be great for a special honeymoon experience.


I wish you luck--read the brochure! Memorize it! Don't be afraid to politely question someone who gives an unexpected answer!

I used the premium plan this summer and I second everything this poster said.

Have a great trip and try room service it is include for only one credit and it is wonderful and fun to eat in the room and relax.

Sarah