Grand Plan Vacation Package (2002)

[Janet2k]

Here is the link to the Walt Disney World webpage regarding the Grand Plan Vacation Package.

 

[Janet2k]

I thought I would put the links in here that point to the Discovery Magic Vacation Package and the Deluxe Magic Vacation Package so that you may compare them to the Grand Plan vacation package.

 

[the Legend]

... Thank you for alll this information!

I had been comtemplating packages for a while and have always used them at DLR. Heeding the words of the wise, I have never tried one at WDW because of cost and information even off the WDW site is vague to say the least.

You helped answer alot of questions I had on WDW packages but heres one I hope can help me with ... At DLR, the Grand Plan is a concierge-level stay at Grand Cali, Paradise Pier or DLH. Is this the same at WDW?

Also it seems that Grand Plan is an add-on, like I could stay at CBR or OKW and still get grand plan, is this right?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Janet2k]

The Legend, you're welcome. I'll try to answer some of your questions by giving you a few of my own Grand Plan vacation experiences.

I have Grand Planned twice at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. My very first WDW vacation was at the Grand Floridian Resort, in a concierge room located in the main building. I added the Grand Plan package on top of that specific room. Since I had a concierge room booked, of course I had access to the concierge lounge. My next WDW vacation was in a two-bedroom suite at the Grand Floridian. I added the Grand Plan package on top of it. Disney gave me a suite in Conch Key, even though I had requested one in the main building. Of course once I set foot in my suite, the Cinderella's Castle view brought tears to my eyes and I was so thankful that they gave me that suite in Conch Key (Conch Key has long since become my favorite Grand Floridian building). Anyhow, since that suite was not located in the main building, they told me over & over again that I would not have concierge access. I thought that was rather petty since I was spending several thousand dollars a night for my suite & the Grand Plan (I had my sister's family vacationing with my family). However, there was nothing I could do to change the Grand Plan folks' minds. Fast forward to my next Grand Floridian two-bedroom suite stay. Of course I immediately requested Conch Key. This time I had my sister's family vacationing with us again, and my parents were also supposed to vacation with us. Since there would be such a large crowd, I decided not to add the Grand Plan to that vacation (it would have been a complete waste since my parents wouldn't have used it at all except for a few meals here & there). Well, surprise, surprise, the Grand Floridian folks told me that since I was in a suite, I would have access to both of the Grand Floridian's concierge lounges -- the main building lounge and the Sugar Loaf Key lounge. How funny! The prior suite stay with a Grand Plan gave me no concierge lounge access, but this suite stay without a Grand Plan gave me complete concierge lounge access. So, as you can see, anything is possible with Disney. And anything is subject to change at any time without prior notice.

I had a Grand Floridian Grand Plan booked initially for last year, however, I had to cancel it due to the fact that my parents & my sister's family unexpectedly invited themselves along on my family's vacation. When I was planning the Grand Plan, I was told that I would have concierge lounge access no matter where my room was located. I do have another Grand Plan vacation planned for the Grand Floridian, but I am not sure if that still holds true since I have not been contacted by the Grand Plan folks yet. At this point I have no expectations since Disney always seems to have a way of surprising me.

By the way, the Grand Plan may only be added on to vacations at selected Disney Deluxe or Home-Away-From-Home resorts. The Deluxe resorts currently allowing the Grand Plan vacation package are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Beach Club, the BoardWalk Inn, the Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Polynesian Resort, and the Yacht Club. I would like to note that the Wilderness Lodge does not currently allow a Grand Plan vacation package, but I do know that in the past it has, and thus will probably allow it again in the future. The only Home-Away-From-Home resort that currently allows the Grand Plan vacation package is the BoardWalk Villas. (I verified all those resorts by looking at the WDW reservation website.)

 

[4merlurkerchris]

Janet,
Thanks for all of the great information!
Chris

 

[Minybear]

Janet2K

The moderators should have all your packages descriptions perminately at the top of the resort page so everyone can have easy access to them.

You did great work with them.

 

[Wendi]

How much does it cost to ad the Grand Plan to a Package?
Thanks for all the information. We all appreciate all the time it
took you to type it all that information. Your fingers must need
a rest. Thanks again, Wendi

 

[erikthewise]

Janet,

Thanks for all the info! Even those of us who will probably never go on a Grand Plan still like to dream! I was going to ask what inspired your massive post, but apparently it was your own experiences with the Grand Plan.

While I think anyone on a Grand Plan should receive concierge access at no additional cost, it may be redundant. You already have access to a personal planner, right? And it's not as though you don't get enough to eat!

And thanks for personally doing so much to help keep WDW in the black! You should get a mention in their annual report!

 

[the Legend]

... for the information and it helps me that you have experienced it first-hand.

Yes! I hate it when those family members 'invite' themselves too

We are staying at the WL and AKL this trip and have decided to forego any packages this trip ... but I hope the moderators would take it upon themselves to keep this permanent as I can see it being a great aid in the future.

Thanks once again for your work here.

 

[DawnCt]

From reading the restrictions on the Grand Plan, there are significant changes since we have done the Grand Plan and other inclusive vacations. To make the most of our Grand Plan vacation, we would stay at another resort of choice, (Poly, BC, YC) for three or four days, enjoy the parks and then switch to the Grand Floridian. We would check in to the hotel at 8 am, whether the room was ready or not and begin our Grand Plan with breakfast, so the very first day included three meals. The last day of the plan was the day before we check out of the hotel, with the very last night being under a separate reservation, thus enabling the Grand Plan to continue until midnight. We typically did a five night Grand Plan, or World Vacation during a 9 or ten day stay. On a five day plan we were able to get 15 meals or three full meals per day. I don't know if it is because I read through the description of activities to quickly, but was water skiing included? At the time, there was nothing excluded from the World Vacations or the Grand Plan. We would order non alcoholic specialty drinks, smoothies, etc at every meal and of course, the wait staff was very interested in pushing these drinks since the tip is added to the total cost of the bill and paid for under the plan. At the time, WDW was on a paper ticketing system, so we would go to guest services in the morning and use the plan card to "purchase" addmission to Typhoon Lagoon, River Country, Discovery Island,and Pleasure Island whether we planned to go there or not. Since WDW tickets never expire, we have used these tickets for years and the TL paper tickets are interchangable with Blizzard Beach. A lot of CMs are amazed when they see these old paper tickets and the price; $12 to $13 or so. For quite a while, the all inclusive plans were a bargain if you were able to plan and make it work. Between ticket purchases and expensive meals, I usually was able to come out $1800 more than the cost of the plan. Now it seems one would be lucky to break even and it has become a convenience more than anything. We still have the daily gifts, wine bag, totes, stuffed Mickey and Minne that was included in our package and of course a lot of good memories.

 

[Janet2k]

4merlurkerchris & Minybear, you’re welcome. I hope there’s at least some juicy info in this here little ol’ thread to entice you two to give it a whirl. I wish every vacation could be a Grand one (hee hee).

 

[Janet2k]

Wendi, to get a basic idea of what all the various WDW packages would cost, you could contact
Dreams Unlimited Travel and request a quote, or you could access the WDW Reservations & Tickets website and enter your information there. Since I am sure the Dreams folks are all asleep right now (it is the middle of the night now!), I just took a quick look at the WDW reservation website and ran some numbers for you (see below).

The “Basic Plan” (accommodations for 3 nights, one general admission ticket per person to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex (does not include special events), and use of the Walt Disney World® Transportation System) for 2 adults would be $1,171.80, while for 3 adults it would be $1,293.12.

Let’s kick it up a notch now…

A Grand Plan for 2 adults at the GF in a Garden View room in October for three nights would be $3,141.82. For 3 adults (same vacation plan, resort, room type, and dates) it would be $4,168.40.

I hope that example sheds a little light on pricing. The Grand Plan is never discounted much, however, you can sometimes get a slightly cheaper rate by using your Disney Club membership. For my upcoming Grand Plan, I supposedly will be getting some Disney Dollars back (I can’t remember what I’m getting exactly, maybe $50 or $100).

 

[Janet2k]

Erikthewise, a fellow DISer asked me if I would type up all three of the WDW vacation package plans and post them since I had all three brochures for 2002 in my possession. For some reason it is very difficult to get these brochures out of Disney. I tried a couple times via the “Contact Us” link on the Disney World website, and I kept getting the same info e-mailed to me that is found on the Disney World website (if you’ve seen the website, you know that there isn’t much information posted). I also requested over the telephone that the Walt Disney Travel Company US Mail me the Grand Plan brochure since I had a Grand Plan vacation booked and I wanted to know exactly what it covered since it has been a couple years since I last Grand Planned. I even threatened to cancel my Grand Plan if I didn’t get the info (why should I purchase something if I don’t know what it is?). That tactic didn’t work (even though I was very serious). One CM told me that she would put in a "request" to have "something" US Mailed to me (nothing ever was sent to me), and the other three CM’s told me that nothing existed (I should note that the “Contact Us” folks also claimed that “no brochure existed”). Well, I knew for a fact that the brochure in question did exist since I had seen one while I was at WDW in January (I kicked myself in the butt for not taking one home with me). Luckily for me, I put in a personal request to my favorite WDW Cast Member and he was able to magically send me all three vacation package brochures. (That man is an angel!)

As to your other comment, I think having access to the concierge lounge for a Grand Plan guest is a lovely gesture. It is nice to be able to have a place to sit and rest your weary feet for a short while after a busy day; and it is nice to be able to meet other guests in a relaxed atmosphere. And I completely agree with you regarding the munchies offered in the concierge lounge – if you’re on the Grand Plan, you’re too stuffed to even look at them!

 

[Janet2k]

The Legend, thanks for the kind words. I should note that I will personally never Grand Plan or Deluxe Magic Plan or Discovery Magic Plan while staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, as that is my favorite resort. Whenever I stay there, I never want to leave its loving embrace. *Sigh* If I had a package plan while I was there, it would be the biggest waste of money as I would only use it to dine in Jiko’s, Boma’s, or the Mara. *Double Sigh* I hope you have a wonderful stay there. Take lots of pictures and post the link to them here on the DIS (I love looking at everyone's photos).

 

[Janet2k]

DawnCT, thanks for your post. It is interesting to see how the Grand Plan has evolved over the years. Wow, paper park tickets? I think I read about that a few years ago from another poster (or maybe it was you?). I had never heard of that before then. And your sentence about the daily gifts really hit home. It was always so fun to get back to our room every night to see what “gifts” were awaiting us. I am so sad to hear that Disney stopped that part of the plan as it really made the vacation extra magical. I remember on the first night of each of our Grand Plans, that there was a food basket and flowers in our room (that was the “first” daily gift of the vacation). I fear Disney has stopped doing that, too. Such a shame. I do have some good news for you, however; water-skiing is still included:
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* Water-skiing:
Water-ski sessions include a tournament ski boat, world-class instructor and all related equipment.
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[the Legend]

Consider that photo link a done deal.

I am only to glad to share our experience with all that are interested.

 

[Janet2k]

The Legend, thanks. I look forward to viewing your photos (and reading your trip report).

By the way, I didn't mean to scare anyone away from doing a Grand Plan while staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Since that resort has my favorite concierge Cast Members, it would be a perfect place to Grand Plan as I am sure they would magically take care of your every whim. It's just that it's personally my favorite resort and I never want to leave it while I'm staying there (it is soooo relaxing). And if I were Grand Planning, I would have to leave the resort at least a few times in order to partake of parasailing on Bay Lake or golf lessons at a few of the WDW golf courses, enjoying the Polynesian’s Luau or Fort Wilderness’ Hoop-Dee-Doo, and so on. Of course the AKL does have Jiko's and Boma's, which are two of my favorite WDW restaurants, and it does have the Sunrise Safari and Breakfast event, which is one of the best events at WDW and an exclusive of the AKL. Heck, maybe a Grand Plan at the AKL is in my future after all. *Sigh*

 

[the Legend]

We are the family trip to WDW or DLR (Budget willing) next year. Like most convenience and extras far out weigh cost ... this falls holiday will be my first WDW deluxe and what better way than to split them between WL and AKL.

The Grand Plan is not a prospect this or with next years trip. But I am definitely keeping it in mind!

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[Janet2k]

I thought I would print here what LAinSEA had posted in the Discovery Magic Vacation Package (2002) thread regarding the way that the parade and firework special viewing areas were handled. I’m hoping this also holds true of the Grand Plan vacation package (note: if someone knows exactly how they’re handled for this vacation package this year, please post it here; thanks):

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There were other guests in the viewing areas that were on the Deluxe Magic package while we were there. We didn't meet anyone on the Grand package.

The important thing is to make reservations for your preferred viewing dates as soon as you are able (within the 45 day window). While there seemed to be plenty of room while we were there (first part of May), the CM I booked the package with in February said that there have been disappointed guests who waited until they were at their resort to make the arrangements and didn't get their choice of dates.

I would imagine that those on the Grand plan will have help through their resort's concierge services in trip planning and making viewing reservations.

During the week that we there, MK fireworks were only offered one night, Saturday. This made for a very crowded evening at MK for the early Spectromagic parade and fireworks viewing (they did add a second Spectro parade after the fireworks). Hopefully guest visits will continue to normalize in the months to come and WDW will be able to release their park hours and events schedules enough in advance for guests to make preliminary plans including their reserved viewing arrangements.

-LAinSEA

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