GF, Poly, Platinum Pkg..Thousand Questions

[STLDisney_Freak]

So here is the situation....

My mother has been saving for years to take my children to Walt Disney World. Yes, even before they were born. So we want this to be ultimate time...We are planning on getting the platinum package or as I seen someone else say the fat'em up package. Anyone with experiences with the package? How does the planning service work? My mother, husband, two daughters (age 4 and 6 when we travel), and me are all going on this trip. My father is being a party pooper and staying home, but we expected him to do that to us. We are planning on staying at the GF or Poly. I want whichever hotel has the best views of the Magic Kingdom at night for my princesses. Which hotel does anyone recommend? Specific room or rooms? Time of our travel is going to be December of 2008. We are planning something like this.....
Two Nights at Hard Rock Hotel for Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and 5 Nights at Walt Disney World. We are then going to depart on a 4 night cruise. Our departure date we are looking at is Dec. 14, 2008. I plan on booking that ASAP when I get my tax refund which should be next week.
Anyway, we are then thinking of spending two or so nights at the Nick Hotel. Chances of getting back down to Florida after this trip are slim so we are trying to pack as much as possible into this trip. I've been to Disney before years ago with my parents so I know what is involved as far as walking, etc. Anyone have any recommendations on what to see or what not to see? We are definitely wanting to do the BBB at Downtown Disney or whatever it is? As far as photos go, How much do they run? I know that is a thousand questions, but I'm just trying to hit all avenues...TIA!!!!

 

[alldiz]

Wow...sounds like a great trip....

The regular DDP gives you so much food I cant see how
platinum plan would be worth it...

Unless you will be going to the tours and renting boats....
the stuff that plan gives ya...JMO..

Have a great time
Kerri

 

[alldiz]

Oh...WELCOME TO THE DIS...
KERRI

 

[Wazzo]

Wow...sounds like a great trip....

The regular DDP gives you so much food I cant see how
platinum plan would be worth it...

Unless you will be going to the tours and renting boats....
the stuff that plan gives ya...JMO..

Have a great time
Kerri

I'm sure your trip will be fabulous!

I agree with Kerri. Unless you are not going to be in the parks very much, the Platinum Plan is probably not "worth it". But, that it obviously totally up to you! It includes most tours and recreation, so unless you're going to be using a lot of those, it may be cheaper just to pay for a couple separately.

As for booking, you can book room only ressies 500 days out (so for Dec. 14, that's about Aug. 2 to book), and packages probably won't come out until the summer.

Have fun planning!

 

[lucincia]

First time to WDW, right? And only 5 days @ WDW?

Skip the platinum and premium packages. Just go with the regular MYW with dining. The extra packages are not worth it since most likely, with your kids' ages, they will spend a lot of time in the parks. You'll be saving thousands of dollars (which you will not get your money's worth anyway). Waste the money some other way

After you have visited WDW several times, and when the kids are older and want to do other stuff outside the parks, then look at those premium and platinum packages if you wallet so desires.

 

[HM]

I also think you should rethink the platinum package. Get conceirge rooms and the dining plan at Poly instead. Pay for some of the other activities you want to do out of pocket (like BBB). It will come out cheaper and you won't feel like you have to be running around doing all the extras and missing vital park time.

 

[ReggieB]

The platinum packages look great, but with a 4 & 6 most of the tours that are offered in might not really be up their street, so you might miss out on getting your moneys worth. Plus they do take up valuable ride time. However if money is no object, and you have your heart set on it, knock yourself out...and can you please fit me in your suitcase!

GF now offers a Magic Kingdom view room (for a supplement) I'm not sure about the Poly, obviously there are views, but I don't know if anything is guaranteed, or still a fingers crossed option, which GF used to be. You would find the option on the booking form online.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I also think you should rethink the platinum package. Get conceirge rooms and the dining plan at Poly instead. Pay for some of the other activities you want to do out of pocket (like BBB). It will come out cheaper and you won't feel like you have to be running around doing all the extras and missing vital park time.

I think with adding a Magic Kingdom view this would be a great deal. You could get breakfast in the lounge each morning and still have a counter service meal, table service meal and a snack each day.

 

[BionicEar]

I've read here on the boards from people who have gotten the platinum plan have discovered that was a bit much for what they ended up using.

What I would suggest you do? Get a concierge room(s). Unless you're HUGE eaters, skip the dining plan, and just pay OOP for meals, etc. We personally found the offerings in the Poly concierge lounge to be more than adequate for us, and the amount of food offered on the dining plan was very excessive for us. Especially for our kids; who eat like birds. Frankly, just being able to graze all day and get snacks & drinks from the lounge was perfect for them and me & dh.

We also plan on going in December 2008. Maybe we'll see you in the Poly lounge! We won't be on the dining plan, though. That was pretty much decided when we came back home from the last trip.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

My concern with the other package though is I notice that you don't get any planner services which I'm really wanting to get, plus I'm waiting some of the other tours involved in it.

 

[BionicEar]

My concern with the other package though is I notice that you don't get any planner services which I'm really wanting to get, plus I'm waiting some of the other tours involved in it.

As a concierge guest, you will get itinerary planning help, and you can still get the tours, such as the Wildlife Discovery Excursion, etc. If you are AKL concierge, you will get access to the Sunrise Safari, which includes breakfast at Tusker House.

I was able to email back & forth with the concierge staff at the Poly. Got CRT Breakfast, Hoop De Doo and Spirit of Aloha, along with in-room babysitting reserved and dinner at Le Cellier for dh & I. We also got the Wildlife Discovery Excursion, which I recommend. DH also got tee times for golf - one on the afternoon of our arrival to play with the boys at Oak Trail, and then a morning tee time at Magnolia.

I'm concerned that if you are only doing 5 days at WDW, the tours will take up valuable time.

 

[Traveliz]

I would do Poly concierge LV for the best views of the MK.

I wouldn't do the Platinum package but if you do there the planners ares WONDERFUL!

I would probably concentrate all of my time at Disney since you have a short amount of time and are not planning a return trip soon.

Liz

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

If I booked threw concierge level, Would I be able to book the following with them:

Enjoy reserved seating for the Fantasmic! show at the Disney-MGM Studios on selected nights and shows
and
Set out on one spectacular fireworks cruise to view IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot® OR Wishes™ Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom® Park
and
Disney's Dolphin in Depth
and
Access to Preferred Viewing Areas for:
Wishes™: Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom® Park and IllumiNations: Reflection of Earth at Epcot

 

[Lynne M]

You can pay OOP for everything that's on the plan. Even the planning, in a way - if you book a concierge room, you'll get planning services.

Personally, I think the Premium Pkg is a staggering waste of money for families with small children. It's really intended for adults who've done the parks, and are looking for other (adult-oriented) things to do. Many of the activities and/or benefits either wouldn't be available for your kids, or wouldn't be of interest to them. Things like hang-gliding, water skiing, dining at V&A's, etc. Most of the tours are restricted to adults.

You're going to be at WDW for a relatively short time. If you plan to spend any time at all in the theme parks, or enjoying your resort, you won't have time to do the activities you get with the plan.

Take the money you would have spent on the plan, and book a concierge room with an MK view at GF or Poly. You can plan a trip packed full of things for your princesses to enjoy. The planning office at your resort can help you with almost anything you need.

 

[3for Me]

My concern with the other package though is I notice that you don't get any planner services which I'm really wanting to get, plus I'm waiting some of the other tours involved in it.

You will get planning services if you book concierge! Also, with the ages of your children there are not many tours they can participate in. Even if you and your husband were to do a couple of them you would still come out WAAAAAYYYY cheaper paying for them yourselves and NOT through a package.

I agree wholeheartedly that you should just book concierge at either of the hotels you are considering (although GF is my personal favorite) and ask the IPO to help you plan your tours and dining!

Good Luck - it sounds like a GREAT trip!

 

[BionicEar]

You can pay OOP for everything that's on the plan. Even the planning, in a way - if you book a concierge room, you'll get planning services.

Personally, I think the Premium Pkg is a staggering waste of money for families with small children. It's really intended for adults who've done the parks, and are looking for other (adult-oriented) things to do. Many of the activities and/or benefits either wouldn't be available for your kids, or wouldn't be of interest to them. Things like hang-gliding, water skiing, dining at V&A's, etc. Most of the tours are restricted to adults.

You're going to be at WDW for a relatively short time. If you plan to spend any time at all in the theme parks, or enjoying your resort, you won't have time to do the activities you get with the plan.

Take the money you would have spent on the plan, and book a concierge room with an MK view at GF or Poly. You can plan a trip packed full of things for your princesses to enjoy. The planning office at your resort can help you with almost anything you need.

Thanks, Lynne... that was the point I was trying to make. I agree that the platinum plan is really geared toward adults - mostly families with older children, like teenagers.

 

[Warmwinds]

I've never stayed there, so this is just what I've read in other places, but I've heard that the Nick Hotel has great theming for kids but the rooms are sort of not that great. But still stay there, sounds like fun...my only suggestion would be to do that first...if it's your LAST hotel, you might be really disappointed after staying at the other really nice hotels.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Yeah I posted on the other board about the Nick Hotel to see what the reviews are of it. I'd rather add on extra days at Disney then go to Nick Hotel and be highly disappointed.

 

[Lynne M]

If I booked threw concierge level, Would I be able to book the following with them:

Enjoy reserved seating for the Fantasmic! show at the Disney-MGM Studios on selected nights and shows
and
Set out on one spectacular fireworks cruise to view IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot® OR Wishes™ Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom® Park
and
Disney's Dolphin in Depth
and
Access to Preferred Viewing Areas for:
Wishes™: Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom® Park and IllumiNations: Reflection of Earth at Epcot

Fantasmic reserved seating - you can get this by simply booking a dinner package at one of several MGM restaurants. There's nothing special about the reserved seating, though, all seats at Fantasmic have a good view. Reserved seating just means you won't have to wait in line with the masses.

Fireworks cruises - anyone can book one. Your Concierge planner can book it for you, or you can call 407-W-DISNEY and book it yourself. I believe you take the 'recreation' option to get to the folks who handle the cruises.

Dolphins in Depth - also open to the general public, same as the cruises. Your daughters won't be able to participate, though. I believe the minimum age is either 13 or 16.

Preferred viewing at Wishes or Illuminations- well, this one you'll need the plan for. But - all of the nighttime shows are designed to be seen well from many different locations. Sure, the preferred viewing will get you a guaranteed good line of sight, but is it worth the thousands of dollars for the premium package? No way.

 

[lucincia]

My concern with the other package though is I notice that you don't get any planner services which I'm really wanting to get, plus I'm waiting some of the other tours involved in it.

You have DIS, why would you want planner service

The money you saved from platinum package, you can hire your own TourGuideMike that will travel with your family every single day of the week.