Conflicting Information Re: Premium Plan ---- Help!

[Laurenoc]

Hello this is my first post please bear with me I hope I am doing this right and I don't know all the abbreviations yet so I'll type it out longhand lol. I have a trip booked for June for my family of five. We're staying at the GF and I have us using the Premium Plan. This is a very expensive trip for us and I want to make the most of it, of course.

When I booked the Premium plan I was told it INCLUDED Signature restaurants on a one for one exchange. I was told it also included in-room dining also one for one. We originally had our stay booked in two rooms at a moderate hotel that did not offer in-room dining. I changed our hotel to GF to take advantage of breakfast in our room while we showered etc so as not to waste any time. I reserved table times at a slew of pricey restaurants and I left all our lunches open so we don't have to adhere to a very strict schedule.

Tonight I am reading online at the Disney website.
It clearly states that in-room dining is two for one, as are the signature restaurants. Someone early on mentioned this and I got clarification from not one but at least several disney reps when I was making all of my reservations....I don't want ANY surprises especially after we get there.

I had downloaded the 2008 Premium Plan information packet and printed it. Nowhere on there is there any mention of the 1for1 or 2for1 exchange. Neither is there any mention of the Signature Restaurants as in the other dining plans. I called Disney and asked for an EXPERT regarding the Premium Plan and I didn't get a call back this evening as was expected. I am getting a headache over this now - my family spent so much time researching all the restaurants and we each picked one out. The thought of doing it all over again makes me want to cancel our trip. We're so excited with things the way they are.

My question for the moment I guess is....has anyone gone to Disney on the Premium Plan in 2008? Any help?

We have dinner reservations at Narcoosees (sp?), California Grill, Artist Point, Spirit of Aloha Luau (we were given Category 1 seating and I was told this is a one for one exchange), Brown Derby, Wolfgang Puck, Yachtsman Steakhouse. Drool.

 

[susieq76]

I haven't done the 2008 Premium- but I believe you are confusing posts on the Deluxe Dining Plan with the premium

 

[Laurenoc]

I want to post a link but this site won't let me. I'll quote what I am reading directly from the site and I'll tell you how to get there.
"ADDITIONAL TIPS:

1 table-service meal may be exchanged for 1 Character Dining Experience. (All meals at Cinderella's Royal Table in Magic Kingdom® Park require 2 table-service meal exchanges.)
You may exchange 2 table-service meals for either 1 Signature Dining Experience at one of our finest restaurants, such as the acclaimed Cítricos at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, for in-room Private Dining at select Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club Resort hotels, or for 1 Disney Dinner Show such as Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (category 2 or 3 only, subject to availability).
Pizza delivery requires 2 table-service meals per serving.
Applicable taxes are included. Gratuity is not included. Merchandise or photo-imaging products that may be offered at Character Dining Experiences are not included, except at Cinderella's Royal Table."

To get there since I can't seem to post a link:
go to Vacation Packages at the Disney site. From there I went to the Premium page. Then I opened up the arrow to expand where it says "Disney Premium Plan with dining, recreation and entertainment"
Go to the area where it says "additional tips" then look at the second bullet down.

Thank you for any help.

 

[ShariVT]

I think were the confussion is is that you were given the detail for the platnium plan but you bought the premium plan. So I am afraid that all your signature dinning and inroom dinning is going to take 2 credits. This can work out if you just have one or two people run down to the food court and bring back stuff for the others to eat in the room. Or stop by the bakery in the magic kingdom if you are going to that park. We always find we have more then enough time to grab some breakfast before the parks open.

 

[Laurenoc]

You know what? I went to the Platinum page and that info (2for1 exchange) is there for that plan, too! How confusing!!!!!!

The premium plan is costing my family over $5,000 over and above the hotel cost - I want to be SURE what is included. There should be absolutely no question as to what is included and what is not. I am SURE that with the Platinum plan there is not a 2for1 exachange. Disney needs to fix this.

I will post an update once I hear from the Disney Premium "expert" - I am thinking I want something in writing detailing exactly what is and what is not included if they tell the Signature Dining is indeed included - I wonder what my chances are of getting it.

 

[Laurenoc]

I spoke to a very nice very helpful manager in guest relations today. She assured me that Signature Dining was indeed included in the Premium Plan. She called the GF to find out for certain if in-room dining is on the Premium Plan as a one-for-one exchange and indded that is true as well. She said there is "alot" of misinformation on the Disney website regarding the plans.
So there is my answer - just thought I would share.

 

[sherry8253]

I spoke to a very nice very helpful manager in guest relations today. She assured me that Signature Dining was indeed included in the Premium Plan. She called the GF to find out for certain if in-room dining is on the Premium Plan as a one-for-one exchange and indded that is true as well. She said there is "alot" of misinformation on the Disney website regarding the plans.
So there is my answer - just thought I would share.

I talked to a CM two nights ago about the Premium plan and was told signature dining took 2 credits. It seems like you get a different answer when you talk to CM's. I hope the answer you received is the correct one.

 

[Laurenoc]

Good grief what a mess!!!! I hope it is, too. She said we will be given more informaiton when we check in. I have her name and direct line and work hours so I plan to keep in touch with her with any other questions that arise.

 

[wdwchamp]

I booked the Premium plan and all meals are 1TS/meal regardless if it is a Signature Restaurant or regular Restaurant or in-Room Service. Also The Premium Plan has more restaurants covered in DTD. This is listed in the Premium Plan Brochure.

When I initially called to make my ADR in early March, I was informed by the CM that 2 meal credits were required for signiture restaurants. I informed him what was in the Premium Plan brochure, and the CM did confirm that only 1TS is required for all meals after doing a further check in his on line files.

I don't have permission for attachments so I can't post the Premium plan brochure, but you need to search within the Disney Web site to find the 2008 Premium Plan.pdf brochure.

 

[Eveningsong]

Learn something new every day on the DIS boards.

I researched the Disney premium plan and it is all inclusive Disney package, and seems like a very good deal. It includes of lot of extras at no additional charge, like tours and one admission per person to the Circus de Soleil.

 

[wdwchamp]

Learn something new every day on the DIS boards.

I researched the Disney premium plan and it is all inclusive Disney package, and seems like a very good deal. It includes of lot of extras at no additional charge, like tours and one admission per person to the Circus de Soleil.

That's why I took it. I going on 6 tours, doing some golf, going fishing, Cirque de Soleil, and watersports. I decided this would be a change of pace for me. I'm spending more time doing other things rather doing the usual WDW visit of the different parks.

 

[mikey13v]

I'll be on the premium plan next week. The premium plan does not use the same "credits" that the DDP and DxDP use. You get 3 meals a day, and that includes all dining experiences. You can have a burger at Pecos Bills, or Dinner at the Hoop-Dee-Doo, they are equal as far as your entitlements go. Although it's not all-inclusive, you only get 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. You'll have to pay out of pocket for any other food.
The plan runs $149 per person, per night.

 

[donalds girl]

Hello...
I'm new at the boards, too. Not totally up on the 'speak' but I'm getting it as I read along, you will too!
I'm a believer in the Packages. We're NYC foodies, so it works for us. Like fine dining when we're away, I mean, what's a vacation for anyway? lol!
Was going back and forth on which package was best, did we need the Deluxe, or would the Regular plan do? We don't eat 3 sit down meals when we're home, and don't want to gain weight while away, but seems that a lot of the restaurants we pick are 2 punches in the meal ticket, so it makes sense to take the Delux option.
Our trip is a short, impromptu jaunt. I'm having trouble booking a character meal, but my daughter is 9 and really not that important, but would like to do one. We're not going to have time to take advantage of the Premium or Platinum packs which include Circuqe and massages and golf and watersports, unfortunately, because we would have gone that route.

I think that's the difference between the packages... dining is dining, 3 meals is 3 meals in all the packs (except for the lesser, which is fast food and a snack and just one table meal). The additional perks of the Premium and Platinum are those little extras like shows and unlimited activities, which are wonderful (my kids would get out of those marina boats last time).

3 meals is 3 meals, the extras are the perks, as far as I have researched. Maybe you can downgrade to just the Deluxe and not the Premium, if that's not what you wanted, but keep in mind, those perks are cool if you play golf or ride the boats in the lagoon, or want tix to Circque and reserved seating, could be worth it!

Have fun!

 

[donalds girl]

didn't know there was a difference in meal allocation from Deluxe to Premium or Platinum... learned something here for sure! can't seem to find that explanation too easily, though... going to try and find the brochure pdf you mentioned, thanks!
and i agree, the CM's don't seem to know that information either, they've been telling me it's 2 meals at these restaurants, even when i say i have a meal plan and no one has asked me yet WHICH plan, that's interesting...

 

[wdwchamp]

in the Search field use the following key words "Premium Plan"
the first selection returned is the 2008 Premium Plan. Select this.

Under the Premium Plan package details section expand the Dining, recreation and Entertainment option. You see just above the Reservation the download link to the 2008 Premium Plan brochure.

I hope this helps

 

[donalds girl]

Hello this is my first post please bear with me I hope I am doing this right and I don't know all the abbreviations yet so I'll type it out longhand lol. I have a trip booked for June for my family of five. We're staying at the GF and I have us using the Premium Plan. This is a very expensive trip for us and I want to make the most of it, of course.

When I booked the Premium plan I was told it INCLUDED Signature restaurants on a one for one exchange. I was told it also included in-room dining also one for one. We originally had our stay booked in two rooms at a moderate hotel that did not offer in-room dining. I changed our hotel to GF to take advantage of breakfast in our room while we showered etc so as not to waste any time. I reserved table times at a slew of pricey restaurants and I left all our lunches open so we don't have to adhere to a very strict schedule.

Tonight I am reading online at the Disney website.
It clearly states that in-room dining is two for one, as are the signature restaurants. Someone early on mentioned this and I got clarification from not one but at least several disney reps when I was making all of my reservations....I don't want ANY surprises especially after we get there.

I had downloaded the 2008 Premium Plan information packet and printed it. Nowhere on there is there any mention of the 1for1 or 2for1 exchange. Neither is there any mention of the Signature Restaurants as in the other dining plans. I called Disney and asked for an EXPERT regarding the Premium Plan and I didn't get a call back this evening as was expected. I am getting a headache over this now - my family spent so much time researching all the restaurants and we each picked one out. The thought of doing it all over again makes me want to cancel our trip. We're so excited with things the way they are.

My question for the moment I guess is....has anyone gone to Disney on the Premium Plan in 2008? Any help?

We have dinner reservations at Narcoosees (sp?), California Grill, Artist Point, Spirit of Aloha Luau (we were given Category 1 seating and I was told this is a one for one exchange), Brown Derby, Wolfgang Puck, Yachtsman Steakhouse. Drool.

Find the Package PDF isn't an easy task... I finally found it, and will save you the trouble:
Go to disneyworld.com site
upper right hand side, click Tickets and Reservations
left hand side, click Vacation Packages
left hand side, click 2008 Packages
click on the one you want to explore
when the page opens, you have to dig further to find the details:
you have to read further down and click on the little blue arrow next to the blurb about the dining package... from there, you can get to the PDF brochure.

I'm still seeing that it says 2 meal exchanges for signature dining restaurants and Cinderella's table, in Deluxe, Premium and Platinum, so I'm still confussed on which option is best, since we're buying the package for the meals and not the 'extras' like recreation and spa.
Still can't find the price differences either, per person.
Guess I'll have to get that by phone?

Seems like this info should be at the top and not burried, but I found it and hopefully will save you some time in searching!

 

[wdwchamp]

I agree with you that the Web page has wrong information. The brochure has the correct information. This was confirmed to me by the CM when I made my ADR, mind you I had to have him review the brochure.

If you are only interested in the dining plans look at the Basic and Deluxe plans. While the prices per person are not easy to find, you can quickly find out what the cost is by doing different quotes based on the different plans. If I remember correctly the basic plan is $37.99/Day/Adult and $9.99/day/Child, the deluxe plan is $69.99/Day/Adult and $19.99/Day/Child. The prices are from all ears net. I saw somewhere on Disboards the cost for Premium Plan is $145/Day/Adult which includes the meals and recreation. If you don't plan to do a lot recreation activities then neither Premium or Platinum plans are not for you.