Gold Plan Confusion

[disneynutpa]

Just returned from six days at Yacht Club. Not one person could tell us what we were entitled to receive without looking at the pamphlet that was at best unclear. The only clear definitions were for meals, limiting what could be ordered, usually not to include a salad with dinner. We were told that there was a new contract negotiated with Disney Travel that changed some things, and I mean that was as clear as it got.

Disappointed? Oh yea!!! ESPECIALLY IN THE ATTITUDE AND SERVICE AT THE YACHTMAN STEAKHOUSE. Most especially in the manager who knew little about the gold plan (ie could not answer specific questions), but professed to have been a manager for several years. Later found out that he did not disclose all the truth - you can use remaining coupons on your plan for additional items that do not come with your dinner - like a salad.

Anyone else as confused as we were?

Anthony Tartaglia
28th trip since October of 1978

 

[jennymouse]

I'm sorry you had some disappointments in your trip. The reason you haven't gotten any responses is because the majority of the folks here do not book packages as they're not a good value. Unless Disney is having a unusual special package deal it's always wiser to book things seperately. I'm sure money wasn't a factor in your bad experience, but I think you'll find it not only cheaper but you're in control of what you are paying for when you book seperately. I'm sure it was unpleasent having to figure out what you're "allowed to have" with each meal. I've eaten at Yachtman Steakhouse before and had a great experience & meal, but it sounds like they need to learn what goes with those packages.

I suggest hanging out around here and going to www.mousesavers.com for even more tips on how we "do Disney." And I hope you'll give it another try someday.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

We went on the Platinum Plan in November and in fact ate the the Yachtsmen steakhouse twice. On our last night on the plan we had remaining coupons and orders two extra full meals to take back to the fridge in the Villa we had for the next three nights. We had no problem doing this at all. It was nice to have those extra meals the next day. I also used a coupon for creamed spinach because I wanted to try it and we had so many remaining coupons. The only problem we had was when we asked if we could use our remaining coupons to purchase dinner for random couples in the restaurant. They would not let us do that.
We were on the meal plan for about 10 days and we found that if the server knew how to work the plan there were no problems but if a server didn't know the ins and outs of the plan they usually just shorted themselves the included gratuity. Sorry you had a bad time I hope you had some fun thought some people may think those plans are not worth it we really enjoyed it and loved not having to worry about paying for anything including tours, recreation and eating.

 

[wasabi girl]

I'm so sorry to hear that you had problems with the gold plan. My December 2005 trip is an 8 day gold plan trip and I'm wondering if I should change it to the new magic your way premium package. Mostly because we don't want to deal with the hassle of cast members being unfamiliar with a plan that will at that time be discontinued.
The info that I have from the disney travel comapny states that you are supposed to get an appetizer/salad, entree, non alcoholic beverage, coffee or tea and dessert with every dinner and it includes 15% gratuity for the server.
I booked this plan to avoid hassles and worries for any member of my family...Thanks for the post.

 

[cranbiz]

We just got back and were on the Silver Plan. We had almost no problem using it. Most of our CM's were very helpful in getting up the most out of the plan, even putting extra's in to be covered.

Each meal comes with an appitizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage and includes tax and tip. Tips were 15-18% depending on the restaurant.

Several times we ordered additional items (not alcohol) and they were placed on the bill and were covered with the wishes. Our last night, we ate at Askershus and only had wishes for 2 meals (there were 3 of us) I told the CM of this and asked for seperate bills , one for 1 meal, and 1 for 2 meals. When she brought the bill, everything except for the actual meal ($21.99) was on the bill that I was using my last wishes.(Askershus charges for beverages and desserts) I found that most of our CM's knew how to manipulate the wishes in our favor.

PS: we also used wishes for the Spirit of Aloha and the KTTK tour, we uaually ate at the higher end restaurants (as long as the meal only required 1 wish) and definately came out ahead, I'm disappointed that these add ons have been discontinued as we made out well.

 

[mom2triplets]

I also just returned from being on the Silver Plan. We had no problems either. This is the second time that i have traveled on the plan. Never had any problems with the wait staff not knowing the plan. You do make out on the plan if you eat at the sit down resturants and order a la carte. If you do mostly buffets then it might not be worth it for you. In the end, this time we came out ahead using the plan by about $200. If we paid individually for meals, we probably would not of had dessert, milkshakes or smoothies.