2012 Platinum Plan Recaps

[sundevil99]

Hello,

I'd like to thank everyone on the DIS Boards for all of the helpful tips and information. I visited frequently during our planning and thought you might be interested in hearing about how our trip went.

My husband and I just came back from our 10th wedding anniversary trip to Walt Disney World. We stayed there for nine days on the Platinum Plan, from January 27 through February 5. We were married at the Wilderness Lodge ten years ago and celebrated our anniversary in The Yellowstone (Presidential) Suite.

Overall, we had a lot of trouble using the Platinum Plan during our stay. Most of the Cast Members had never seen a Platinum Plan card before and didn't know how to ring us up for food, tours and activities like mini golf. There were several times when we had to ask a manager or our concierge staff to reverse charges. We waited extra in line several times while Cast Members who were Earning Ears had to call a manager over for assistance. Overall it was wonderful that everything was included, but a major hassle because it's such a rarely booked package.

You can read my recaps of the entire trip on my blog. Go to JessicaGreen dot com, and search for "Florida 2012 Journal" in the search box.

Cheers,
Jessica from Arizona

 

[jedi jen]

Thanks for the info. I have been curious to hear how people like it.

 

[sundevil99]

Not a problem. Everyone on the boards were so helpful to me while planning the trip. I wish I didn't have to say we didn't have the best experience on the Platinum Plan. On paper it sounds amazing! In practice, not so much.

Have fun on your next Disney trip!

 

[TiggerDad3]

Sounds like a blog I'd like to read!
Thanks for sharing

 

[Momofthreemen]

Not a problem. Everyone on the boards were so helpful to me while planning the trip. I wish I didn't have to say we didn't have the best experience on the Platinum Plan. On paper it sounds amazing! In practice, not so much.

Have fun on your next Disney trip!

I read your blog and saw the pictures. So sorry to hear your experience was not all that. We have the Platinum plan for our 30th anniversary trip. We have it all planned out hope we have better luck, but am very concerned now. I have to ask how was the Richard Petty experience???

 

[sundevil99]

The Richard Petty Experience was both good and bad. The ride along itself was amazing! I loved it. My driver was Derek and he was very friendly. I clapped the entire time which egged him on a bit, so he got up to about 145 mph on the straightaways.

As for getting into the car, I'm 5'4" and 195 pounds, so I was concerned about fitting through the window. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, although I studied other riders on YouTube to see how they got in and out and the troubles they had. The staff offered me no guidance at all on how to get in or out of the window. They just walked me onto the track and said, "Get in."

However, the staff at Walt Disney World Speedway made it abundantly clear that they have absolutely no association with Walt Disney World at all. They spoke about how "Disney always screws up reservations and payment." Getting checked in, suited up and waiting for the ride was a very disappointing process. Afterwards, there was no guidance as to where to go or how to get checked out. They even had me put the racing suit right back on the rack where I got it (ewwwww!).

If you can deal with the check in and check out confusion, and you don't mind very low levels of service (not associated with Disney, of course) then you'll love the ride.

Check out my experience video on YouTube if you'd like. Search YouTube for "Richard Petty Ride Along Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway" and mine should be the third video, 2 minutes 36 seconds. My username is sundevilaz.

Cheers,
Jessica

 

[sundevil99]

I almost forgot!

I have 75 photos of the Wilderness Lodge Yellowstone Suite on Flickr. You can search Flickr for the term "Yellowstone Suite at Disney's Wilderness Lodge" and you should see them come up. My username is jessicagreen0202. They should all be part of a set called "Walt Disney World 2012" which contains about 400 pics from the trip.

I also have a 6-minute video walkthrough of the Wilderness Lodge Yellowstone Suite on YouTube. Just search YouTube for "Yellowstone Presidential Suite at Disney's Wilderness Lodge" and it should be the first result (username sundevilaz).

Cheers,
Jessica

 

[Momofthreemen]

Thank You Sundevil I have checked out the you tube video! It looks amazing!! I am concerned about the getting in and out. I am debating on riding or driving. I think I am going to ride. I can always drive next time. Your pictures on flicker are awesome!! Thank you for sharing all of your information.