Magic wishes....Is it wort purchasing the silver or gold with the land and sea pkg??

[LAMPSKIES]

We were a displaced cancelled Magic cruiser in Nov. of 2002 and we were offered "magic wishes" for the days at WDW that we were supposed to be on "the ship" for meals etc. It seemed like a good deal....appetisers, meals, sides deserts and tips included. We went to Planet Hollywood, Rainforrest cafe, The Yaht Club etc. and all was taken care of. We are doing two days (possibly 3) prior to our Nov. 29 Eastern sailing and I am seriously considering this. Has anyone purchased these. I have myself DW and DD's 13 and 11 in our group. We had 3 wishes each for a day last time and couldn't use them all and ate like kings.....we even used so for some souvies.

 

[two-foxes]

First, realize if you are doing a land/sea package, the gold or silver packages only affect your land portion. Next, think about how long you plan on being at WDW. If you are only doing 3 or 4 nights, the gold would really be a waste of money, IMHO. It is not enough time to really get to use the recreation and tours that are offered through that plan (although Disney seems to be making less and less available every year w/each plan!) If you do the silver, it is worth it if you use your "wishes" wisely. My DH and I did the silver plan for 6 nights last year and we use all the wishes for meals. Figure you pay $67 per night per person extra to add on the package, you want to make sure you "spend" that much per day to get your moneys worth. Our dinner bills for the 2 of us were usually around $90-100, without tip, and we usually did a character breakfast, so we feel we at least broke even or had a good deal. If you use your wishes (w/ the silver you get 2 per person per night) for the little trinkets and such, you will waste money quickly! (Most sit down restuarants are 1 wish, but some are 2 like Cali Grille, Yachtmans, Citricos, etc)

We did the Gold (it was called the deluxe then) in 2001 for 8 nights, and I still feel like we wasted $$ because we didn't really do many rec activities, and I got sick, too! But I think the silver takes care of one of the most expensive areas at WDW with ease...the meals (my DH and I LOVE to eat!!!) It is very convenient and easy to be able to not worry about cost of meals when you are there, becuase it is already paid for, but if you are not careful, the cost will not be worth it!

Sorry for the long winded answer, but hopefully it helped!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Two-foxes,

Thanks for the insight. We enjoyed the magical wishes for just that reason.....just order and be done. 67.00 per person is probably fair if you are going to eat at Planet Hollywood or Rainforest etc. Our bill for 6 of us including tip at Planet Hollywood was 360.00. That included 18% gratuity and pops. I had a few other cold beverages that seemed to be comped, they didn't show up on the bill. We got 3 wishes per day per person from DCL for not cruising( nov. eastern cancellation) and we didn't use them all. So silver is good for 3 days??? That's 6 wishes per person...am I right?? 17.95 buffett at "The Yaht club" for breakfast and a dinner at Rainforest or Planet Hollywood or on of the other family resturaunts would be a "good deal"??

 

[two-foxes]

The best I can say is that it worked for us.....you may not "spend" your full $67 per day, but when you look at the tip being included (15%, anyway), if you eat at at Breakfast Buffet, then at DD somewhere or Epcot, each get an app, entree, beverage, dessert, etc, you going to come darn close, if not over! So essentially, if you eat at one wish restuarants, you have 2 large meals taken care of each day. (The list of 2 wish restaraunts keeps growing though...I saw Jiko made it on the list this time...bummer!) But I think it is worth it to add on for 3 days (for a total of 6 wishes pp)

We really enjoyed the ease of it and having the food budget portion of our trip be over when we pay the amount due 2 months before our trip. I'd be lying if I said I didn't walk away a pound or two heavier after doing 6 nights on land with the silver package, then feasting for another 4 nights on the Wonder! Thank goodness you walk alot at WDW! (The gold plan adds 15 pounds...right when you make the final payment before you go!)

You may want to post this question on the restaurants board, however. I know some don't favor the plans too well...just to get another point of view, perhaps!

Good luck!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Two-foxes,

We were told that one "magical wish" included 4 "points" for a meal. An appetiser, a side, a main and a desert. I am no a desert person so I was able to order two appetisers instead. Were they just being accomadating due to our cancelled situation or is this the norm?

 

[two-foxes]

When we recieved the info for the silver package, it stated that one wish used for meals was good for either a buffet meal or an appetizer, entree, dessert, non-alcohol beverage and a coffee/tea at a one wish restaurant (for lunch and dinner...breakfast is a little different). There were no "points" associated with it. A lot could depend on your server, how flexible they are, etc. You could also trade with a family member....I bet someone wouldn't mind eating 2 desserts!

Things changed bewteen 2001 and 2002 with the packages (as in they included less and made more restaurants 2 wishes) and they could be including less (or more) for 2003.

Your best bet is to pick up a brochure at a TA or get a hold of Disney reservations...

Have fun and eat well!!!

 

[obsessed]

I tried to add the silver package to my land/sea this week and was told that they are no longer offering the packages being added to the land/sea. I was with my TA when she called WDW and was given that information. They said they stopped at the end of 2002. She even spoke to a supervisor to try to add it for me.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

It's still available thru Walt Disney Travel Company....it looks like it's part of the "Dream maker package". There is a platinum, gold and silver. The phone #for booking is 407-wdw-magic.