Anyone done a Premium Package yet?

[wasabi girl]

Anybody golf or take golf lessons using this plan? My DH is an avid golfer, that is one of the reasons we booked Premium, the whole concept of unlimited golf, really got his attention. How are the courses? DH is excited that two of them are on the PGA tour.

This plan makes planning the vacation so exciting because nearly anything you want to do is included! Perfect for a person like me who would be likely to talk a big game and "cheap out" when the time came. I could just see me, "No we don't really want to have dinner at Jiko...we'll be just fine with a corn dog!"
"No Honey, you played golf Yesterday!"
"Sweetie I'm sure the trail ride isn't much fun anyway"
Now I can say " Play golf as much as you like, go ahead and go on that tour, parasailing? Sure! we're here to relax and enjoy ourselves"

 

[Becky2005]

This plan makes planning the vacation so exciting because nearly anything you want to do is included! Perfect for a person like me who would be likely to talk a big game and "cheap out" when the time came. I could just see me, "No we don't really want to have dinner at Jiko...we'll be just fine with a corn dog!"
"No Honey, you played golf Yesterday!"
"Sweetie I'm sure the trail ride isn't much fun anyway"
Now I can say " Play golf as much as you like, go ahead and go on that tour, parasailing? Sure! we're here to relax and enjoy ourselves"

THAT was another reason...we would do the exact same thing! This way we really DO get to do what we want and not have to think of the price tag (and I think it will make it a lot less stressful! PLUS, if something does turn out bad (i.e. the trailride really wasn't that fun or something like that, we won't be thinking "we just wasted X dollars on THAT!?!?! what a rip!" (I've warned DH since he has ridden before it actually might be boring for him but DD will love it for the fact that she's riding a horse period!). Now, it's just OK, we know we don't want to do *that* again OR even the opposite, we had a blast doing that, let's see if we can do it again. And now especially with the new dining situation for kid's ages (I'm affected by it via DD's age, but I'm NOT affected by it due to being on the Premium plan - I think it actually makes it a better deal for us but will know for sure once we have gone).

We aren't golfers so can't help in that department. I'm hoping to go mini-golfing at some point but that is just tentative at the moment.

 

[kimnscott]

My husband is a golfer. We went to disney 5 years ago and my husband saw the Lake Buena Vista Golf course. He has not stopped talking about it since. He will play there this time because we have the premium package. When we went 5 years ago we had no dining and it was the worst trip food wise I have ever had. I will from now on have a dining package of some kind. On our honeymoon in 1997 we had the food and fun card and that was great as well I think the premium plan is like it was.
I am counting the days till we go!!!!!

 

[wasabi girl]

My husband is a golfer. We went to disney 5 years ago and my husband saw the Lake Buena Vista Golf course. He has not stopped talking about it since. He will play there this time because we have the premium package. When we went 5 years ago we had no dining and it was the worst trip food wise I have ever had. I will from now on have a dining package of some kind. On our honeymoon in 1997 we had the food and fun card and that was great as well I think the premium plan is like it was.
I am counting the days till we go!!!!!

Thanks! I'm counting the days until I go too (and I've got a lot more days to count!).

Have a great time and let us know how the Premium Plan worked for you.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I really cannot agree with you more. This plan eliminates ALL counting of vouchers for a table service, counter service, etc. I recently planned a trip for my parents who had the regular dining plan and that was such a hassle! When I go on vacation, I want to be able to eat where I want, do what I want, and not have to worry about vouchers or money. This plan allows me to do that.

I think the key to fully utilizing the plan is to schedule yourself. Plan where you want to eat and what you want to do and stick to it. You really should make use of the behind-the-scenes tours and Cirque. They make the icing sweeter on the cake. My boyfriend and I tracked how much we would have had to spend if we do not have the plan and it was another thousand dollars. The plan made it possible for us. Plus, we enjoyed seeing $0.00 on the receipts!!!

 

[wasabi girl]

I really cannot agree with you more. This plan eliminates ALL counting of vouchers for a table service, counter service, etc. I recently planned a trip for my parents who had the regular dining plan and that was such a hassle! When I go on vacation, I want to be able to eat where I want, do what I want, and not have to worry about vouchers or money. This plan allows me to do that.

I think the key to fully utilizing the plan is to schedule yourself. Plan where you want to eat and what you want to do and stick to it. You really should make use of the behind-the-scenes tours and Cirque. They make the icing sweeter on the cake. My boyfriend and I tracked how much we would have had to spend if we do not have the plan and it was another thousand dollars. The plan made it possible for us. Plus, we enjoyed seeing $0.00 on the receipts!!!

I think that I have nearly every meal planned. Tours scheduled and so on. My family thinks that I'm a bit nuts BUT there will be none of the "where do you want to eat?" Gee, I don't know, where do YOU want to eat?" and all of that sort of thing.
We've never been to WDW soooo I'm really not sure how detailed our plans need to be, basically we know what park we'll be in every AM, dinners are mostly at resort restaurants, so the afternoons and evenings are flexible. I'm looking forward to fabulous meals, I even read all of the menus posted on allears net, if only that Disney Magic removed all the calories...it would be perfect!

 

[jw50]

I wonder if being on the premium plan makes it easier to PSs. I see all the posts about people calling at the 90 day point to make their PSs but I have had absolutely no problem making PSs for the middle of Aug over the last few days. Granted the only character meal I made reservations for was at 'Ohana for breakfast but I have been able to make them for very close to the times that I requested. They do note that you are on the premium plan when you make the PSs. I have made all of the PSs through the 1-877-939-3732 number and the service from the people there has been outstanding.

 

[DoomBuggyBabe]

Gee, and here we thought we had our December trip well in hand...
At the moment, we're booked at WLC with the basic dining plan. But now, I'm really befuddled. I'm wondering if it would be a better idea to say no to concierge for now (and that's partially because now that they've announced the WL refurbishment, we're thinking we'd like to put off our first concy experience until after the rooms are refitted and all pretty again) and try the Premium Plan.
On one hand, I worry that we won't be able to use everything we're paying for. But then again, not having to worry about counting coupons and getting cool extra options is very appealing.
We've got to do a little number-crunching with our lovely TA, methinks.
One other question for you Double-Secret-Probation-Premium-Plan Vets: Should we opt for this attractive option (and we'll be there Dec.5-11 for Christmassy stuff), would our creature comforts like the Fantasmic dinner package and the CP dinner package be included in this, or would we have to purchase them seperately? I recall that with the dearly departed Silver Plan (oh, how we lament its passing -- two meals a day was PERFECT), the Fantasmic package WAS included.
I'm just so confused...
Any thoughts, vets???
Thanks for your help,
Q

 

[jw50]

Fantasmic, all of the character meals, all of the dinner shows are included in the premium package. Actually is it easier to list what isn't included.

It is not available for:

Alcoholic beverages, speciality drinks and bottled drinks.
Souvenir or refillable drink mugs
Most outdoor food carts
In-room mini-bars, in-room dining, room service or pizza delivery
Snacks and beverages from recreation rental counters
Merchandis shops (including Goofy's Candy Company, Main Street Confectionery, The Beverly Sunset, and Seashore Sweets)
McDonalds Resturants
Resturants in the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Shades of Green resturants
The Chef's Domain (located in Citricos)
Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan resturants

 

[DeirdreTours]

Intrigued by the benefits mentioned by posters here, I just went and priced our 8 AKL trip (value season, free dining) as Premium package. The price, for our family of 5 (children 13, 7 and 2) went from $2712 to $6992-- A difference of $4270! This is for the same value dates, same standard room at the same resort.
It is very hard for me to see how we could possibly get anything close to the retail value of this. I suppose if we took every available tour, played gold daily and stuffed ourselves we could come close--But we wouldn't have anytime left to actually enjoy the theme parks.
I can see why this is a small "club"!

 

[jw50]

I don't think I would go with the premium package with fairly young kids unless cost was not a concern. We are doing it because it is just the two of us and we don't need to do all the rides in the parks. When we went about 12 years ago with 3 kids we stayed in one of the trailers in FW to keep the cost down.

I just changed our reservations from POR to Poly to cut down our travel time and take better advantage of the premium plan.

 

[DonnettaR]

Can you do the signature dining with the regular dining plan?

 

[wasabi girl]

I think that signature dining is an option with the regular dining plan when you exchange two table service meals for one signature meal. It probably is listed on the disneyworld.com website.

 

[wasabi girl]

Thanks to all these comments about the "Secret Premium Plan" Club! I'm excited about my upcoming December trip, eagerly anticipating the fabulous meals, learning all of WDW secrets on the tours....

 

[mlwear]

Intrigued by the benefits mentioned by posters here, I just went and priced our 8 AKL trip (value season, free dining) as Premium package. The price, for our family of 5 (children 13, 7 and 2) went from $2712 to $6992-- A difference of $4270! This is for the same value dates, same standard room at the same resort.
It is very hard for me to see how we could possibly get anything close to the retail value of this. I suppose if we took every available tour, played gold daily and stuffed ourselves we could come close--But we wouldn't have anytime left to actually enjoy the theme parks.
I can see why this is a small "club"!

We seriously considered the premium package, but didn't think we'd get our money's worth. DH thought if he golfed there, it would pay off. This is the first time we are bringing our kids and this trip will be more about them and the parks. Our TA priced out several options for our August Poly stay. We decided to go LVC and purchase the dining plan (our trip is right before the free dining ). When we compared the dining plan to the premium plan, premium was around $2000 more. Right now, though, this darn dining plan is driving me nuts With all the rules and confusion, maybe premium will become more enticing. We'll see how this goes. Maybe next trip we will opt for not staying concierge and try the premium. For those going premium, enjoy!

 

[newcomer52]

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.

WDW seems an interesting vacation choice for anyone that can't stand kids. A little hard to avoid.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Fantasmic, all of the character meals, all of the dinner shows are included in the premium package. Actually is it easier to list what isn't included.

It is not available for:

Alcoholic beverages, speciality drinks and bottled drinks.
Souvenir or refillable drink mugs
Most outdoor food carts
In-room mini-bars, in-room dining, room service or pizza delivery
Snacks and beverages from recreation rental counters
Merchandis shops (including Goofy's Candy Company, Main Street Confectionery, The Beverly Sunset, and Seashore Sweets)
McDonalds Resturants
Resturants in the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Shades of Green resturants
The Chef's Domain (located in Citricos)
Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan resturants

This is not true. We used the plan for purchases at the Turkey Leg cart, the Main Street Confectionary, and various snack locations. They are very flexible with the plan because not many use it.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

The key to getting your money's worth on this plan is to go to Cirque, take at least one tour, and go to the expensive restaurants regularly. We did this and enjoy it immensely. We rather go to Narcoosee's or California Grill for lobster than have a cheeseburger at Pecos Bill's. We never miss any of the park fun either. In fact, we are advocates of the Extra Magic Hour at night program. During Easter week, we completed all of Magic Kingdom within the three hours it was open late (until 3 am!) plus one or two in the afternoon. We enjoy relaxing on vacation so we do not kill ourselves during the summer heat of the day. We have nice meals and visit attractions not open during EMH and take a break at the spa or shop. We then utilize the EMH and complete the park. It is such a wonderful, relaxing vacation in this way.

 

[Becky2005]

This is not true. We used the plan for purchases at the Turkey Leg cart, the Main Street Confectionary, and various snack locations. They are very flexible with the plan because not many use it.

Did those count as "meals" or how did that work?

Thanks

 

[CF'er]

I too am interested as to how the "snack" thing worked. Also, how do you "pay"? Is it the same was as on the dining? It's tracked on your tickets?

I also just read where you can only use it for one Dinner Show. There's nothing about that in the brochure. Any details on that?

Thanks.