Anyone done a Premium Package yet?

[wasabi girl]

Just wondering if anyone has gone with the new Magic Your Way Premium Package and how it worked out for you?
I had planned (and booked) a gold plan vacation BUT (there is always a but) my DH thought that he'd rather stay in a different resort (we were at CR) so we figured if we were changing resorts we probably should just go ahead and change plans too, so I did.
Before I booked gold I read alot of trip reports but I haven't seen Premuim Plan trip reports...anyone?

Thanks for your help!

 

[kimnscott]

I want to know too

 

[Becky2005]

I haven't heard a lot but we are going on the Premium plan and will be there July 10-17, so I'll let you know when I get back.

We have lots of PS/ADR's planned, horseback riding, fishing excursion, 2 tours, La Nouba, parasailing...of course, a lot of this is weather dependant so hopefully the weather will cooperate and we won't have to reschedule many of them.

 

[wasabi girl]

Thanks Becky 2005! I look forward to your trip report We've got La Nouba, tours, horseback riding, daily golf (for DH) and lots and lots of dining planned.

You know I think it was one of your posts that got me thinking of changing my plan in the first place!

 

[Becky2005]

You know I think it was one of your posts that got me thinking of changing my plan in the first place!

I think it's a secret club of those going on the Premium plan! Other than the website, Disney doesn't even tell anyone it exists.

I know we had the Gold plan, then MYW came out and well, somehow it saved us $500 to switch to Premium from Gold (the only thing I can think of is the ticket price must have been the reason - I know not everyone saved but it worked for us). Looking over everything, the Premium fit us just fine and we didn't lose anything we cared about in the Gold (I think there were a couple tours & the special viewing areas we lost but that was it & of course, the UPH so now we are limited with the plusses).

Basically not enough to make me want to spend an extra $500 for it! I have only found a handful of people going on the new Premium plan and I think I'm one of the earliest of the group!

If all goes well, I may have some limited internet access while we are there and I might be able to do a couple live reports but can't promise anything.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi there!

We used the Premium Plan most recently in March, 2005. My boyfriend refuses to go unless we have the equivalent or better of the Gold Plan. We cannot say enough about it. Free tours, free meals ANYWHERE (no counting like on the regular dining plan), free recreation, and more! We were treated like royalty and I honestly think we received better service, seating, etc. because of this plan. It is an excellent option!

If you have any specific questions, please let me know!

 

[wasabi girl]

Becky 2005,

I didn't save money by switching my plan...for some reason it would have cost me $1300 more for the same resort (CR), same days, same length of stay (more even than the GF! and I wasn't even in the tower!) so I switched to the Polynesian and added a day. My DH was unconvinced that we would be comfy in the CR if it was booked full and being refurbished during our stay. The Polynesian looks fantastic though (it's our first trip!), I really think I'm more excited than any child about our trip!

NikkiBell
I'm glad you had a great trip. We're planning on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, and an Animal Kingdom tour, have you taken any of the Epcot tours? Any suggestions? Any restaurants that you especially loved? Any and all hints appreciated, as everything I know about WDW I've learned on the Disboards or in Guidebooks!
Thanks!

 

[triplefigs]

Sounds great. I'd love the food part!

 

[disneytraveler]

Secret club member of the Premium plan here to! I will be going in September!

 

[Becky2005]

Hi there!

free meals ANYWHERE (no counting like on the regular dining plan)

And THAT was the biggest selling point to DH - I was explaning the Dining plan to him and how it could come to where we had 1 day where all we could have is counter service and explaining credits.

He loooked at me and went "On the Premium plan, can we eat where we want and not have to worry about it?" - As soon as I said, Yes within exception to a couple restaraunts...he went "Go Premium - I don't want to have to deal with figuring out which credit is what or what is left".

Plus he's happy to get to go horseback riding, etc... (he doesn't really even care about the parks).

 

[bhencey]

We are going Premium Package 7/5 thru 7/11. Staying BWI. Have La Nouba first night and three tours (Keys at MK, Safari at AK, and Gardens at Epcot). We can't stand kids...so each night a different PS for the places we most likely could avoid the screaming brats.

 

[BuzzAndWoodyBoy]

Could somebody please explain the Premium package to me? How about the Gold? I haven't been to Disney since before I had kids and so much has changed. We are going at the end of September. Thanks...

 

[wasabi girl]

The Premium Package is the Magic your Way version of the old dream maker plus gold plan, which has been discontinued.

It has Park Hopper Plus passes to the parks, unlimited recreation, tours (the underwater ones at Epcot excluded), 3 sit down meals per day at as many fine dining restaurants that you care to go to...
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/packageDetail?id=PackageDetailMYWPrem05Page
You can view and print a brochure from this webpage.
It is an all inclusive prepaid vacation option.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

NikkiBell
I'm glad you had a great trip. We're planning on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, and an Animal Kingdom tour, have you taken any of the Epcot tours? Any suggestions? Any restaurants that you especially loved? Any and all hints appreciated, as everything I know about WDW I've learned on the Disboards or in Guidebooks!
Thanks!

We went on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour in March and absolutely loved it. Our tourguide was Rae and she has been working at Disney for years. She even had some very *IMPORTANT* roles before becoming a tour guide!

The tour gave us a lot of historical information regarding Walt Disney and his purchase of acres and acres of swampland in Florida before WDW was built. We went behind-the-scenes on numerous occassions including down in Utilidors, Disney's underground tunnel system. We spent a good amount of time there and I even got to use the Cast Members' bathroom because the restrooms we stopped at for a break were being cleaned. I was so excited! lol

Our favorite restaurants were Boma, California Grill, and Le Cellier. Boma offers you foods you could not get anywhere else. If you are not adventurous when it comes to trying different cuisines, they still have choices for you. Cali Grill has the best ambiance and food and Le Cellier is absolutely wonderful. Make sure you try the Cheddar Cheese Soup there!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

The Premium Plan is most definitely not the discontinued Gold Plan. There are significant differences between the two. For one, the Gold Plan included select spa treatements, and the Premium Plan does not.

The restaurants are far from limited as well. There are only two that I know of that do not take the plan. So, instead of struggling with the counting of credits and having to avoid almost all of Epcot's restaurants with the regular dining plan, use the Premium. I cannot recommend it more!

Here is what is included on the Premium Plan:

Three meals a day essentially anywhere including Character Dining, Signature Dining, Counter Service, and Table Service. No counting credits - eat where you want! You still have three meals a day! Gratuities are included. Each person on the plan receives an appetizer, entree, non-alcoholic beverage, and dessert.

Unlimited recreation including golf, guided fishing excursions, water sports, tennis, and more.

Admission to Cirque du Soleil La Nouba. This was FANTASTIC! Call and reserve your tickets as soon as you book with the Premium Plan. Tell them the plan you have and they will take care of it. The seats are excellent!!!!

Admission to most Disney Children's Activity Centers (ages 4-12).

Unlimited admission to tours. There's many to choose from including Keys to the Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Backstage Safari, and Hidden Treasures of World Showcase.

Admission to all Grand Gathering experiences if you have 8 or more in your party.

Admission to all theme parks, resort stay, etc.

 

[jw50]

I suspect the only problems with the Premium Package (other than the cost) are deciding what you aren't going to do and how many hours of exercise are going to be necessary to lose the weight gained

I called two days ago and made mid-August reservations for dinner at Artist Point, Jiko, Yatchsman, Brown Derby, California Grill, Citricos, and Coral Reef. Also lunch at 50's Prime Time and Tony's Town Square. Called yesterday for lunch at Le Cellier. Only one of the reservations was more than 20 minutes from the time that I requested (Coral Reef) and 4 of them were the exact time I requested.

 

[Mister Disney]

We are also members of this secret little club.

We've done the "Grand Plan" (years ago), and the Dream Maker Platinum Plan several times. ALL have been incredible, for all the reasons everyone else has said.

This past trip (June 2005), we did almost ALL of the "behind the Scenes" tours available. The new plan only includes "select" tours. The previous plans we've been on have included ANY tour. We have a few we missed but will catch those on the next trip!.

 

[magicmato]

Does anyone know if there is a point at which this plan is just not worth it?

Would this plan be worth it if you were planning to stay less than a week?

I know the dining plan is only $35 more a day. Does anyone know approximately how much more a day the premium plan is?

 

[kristen17]

The range of restaurants under the regular dining plan is greatly expanded since the initial roll-out of the plan. Still have some that aren't included and you still have to juggle/keep track of credits. But the restaurant range is much better and many if not most of the Epcot restaurants are now included. Based on that (and the fact that they threw it in free), we chose the regular plan. If it's a pain, we'll look at the premium plan next time. The extras, especially Cirque, sound great too.

 

[Becky2005]

I suspect the only problems with the Premium Package (other than the cost) are deciding what you aren't going to do and how many hours of exercise are going to be necessary to lose the weight gained

Yes, that was a challenging part, especially for us being on the plan with the age span we have. That alone made it interesting to plan. We are doing a lot of "splitting up" because DD is the only child old enough to do horseback riding, so her & DH are doing that while me & the boys do ??? that will be in the afternoon. In the morning, me, DD & DS-8 are doing the Mickey's Magical Milestone tour while DH & the younger boys do ???.

DH is taking the 3 older fishing (that's only because the boat only holds 5 people - I didn't ask specifically if a 1 year old would count as a person (similar to occupancy rates! ROFL!)) one morning and then that afternoon I'm going parasailing with DD & DS-8 (DH wanted NOTHING to do with that!), etc...

Although I'm not too worried about the food, since our 1 year old eats as much as the big boys, I figure I'm just feeding him with everyone's extra stuff (at sit downs! At buffets, that doesn't matter). I did warn the males of the house that if they say they want a snack 30 minutes after we eat I'm going to scream but I can almost guarantee you they will want a snack even after eating a huge meal (they do it at home, why should vacation be any different)