Planning stage, a couple of questions.....

[crazyme5kids]

I am starting to plan a Disney trip for next year and have decided to stay on site. I have some questions and if anyone can answer I'd appreciate your help.

1: I'd like to stay a a few resorts, how much of a pain in the neck is this to do? Will too much time be spent checking in and out? Can we just check out and have our bags transfered and have the check in done on auto pilot so to speak?

2: Can we do different plans for an extended stay? What I mean is the silver for one leg of the trip, gold for the other? Is there a place I can see what restaurants are part of the plan? Do we have to sign up for the plan ahead of time or can we decide once we are there?

3: If you used a travel agent who did you use and how did you like them? Has anyone used the Disney travel service? If so what did you like/dislike about it, and are there advantages to using them?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Here's the low-down on switching resorts:

* Each resort you stay at requires a different reservation. So if your vacation plans were from 2/9 - 2/16, and you wanted to stay at two resorts, you would have two COMPLETELY different reservations. One for 2/9-2/12 and one for 2/12-2/16.

*You can do WHATEVER you want to each reservation. If you want to put the silver plan on one reservation, and gold on another you can definitely do that.

*If you switch hotels, Disney will take care of moving your bags for you, but you still must stop at the front desk of your second resort, and checkin, just as if it were the first day of your vacation.

As for the plans themselves, I've never purchased one, but I believe that you are issued vouchers for your meals, and I believe those vouchers are valid at almost any Walt Disney World dining establishment.

I'm currently using Dreams Unlimited (www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com), and I've had nothing but a positive experience so far. They really take care of everything, and I haven't had to wait on hold, paying long distance charges. I'd highly reccomend them. They will also create you an itinerary, and make all your PS. They're completely free.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thanks for the quick reply! I will need two rooms and I know I will need to pay one nights deposit on both, will I need to do that for each hotel (I will probably stay at 3), or just for one? Who is your travel agent with Dreams?

 

[SnackyStacky]

In your instance, you will have to pay SIX deposits. (That's one deposit for each room at each of your three resorts)

My Dreams agent is Trisha Kapp.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thanks again! Can anyone tell me if you are limited to ordering only certain items on the menu if you are using one of the plans? I'd hate to not be able to get my breakfast salad LOL!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I've never used the meal vouchers, so I'm not sure, but I believe you're only limited by what is being served. Like at McDonald's...where they ONLY serve breakfast until 10:00 or so. But you may want more experienced information on that.

 

[kandmwedding]

Email me at kandmwedding@hotmail.com. I had the silver package last week and they gave me a list of restaurants it was good for (not sure if it's different for gold or not). I can email you the list if you'd like. Some one them used just one wish and some used two.

I also used dreamsunlimitedtravel.com and Kelsie Johnson was my agent and she was fantastic!! If you're serious about the trip just email them to check all the different ressies for you. They can probably answer any question you have about the ressies and about the dining!

 

[sandy3550]

How long does it usually take for Dreams Unlimited to email you a quote? I submitted for one last night & am anxious to get the reservation made! Thanks! Sandy

 

[dansyr]

crazyme5kids,
Pm me if you have any questions on the gold plan. We did the plan last March. When using the gold plan, there is not a limited menu. You can choose whatever you like. I believe for lunch and dinners it was non-alcohlic beverage, appetizer, entree, and dessert. I forget what it was for breakfast but it was basically the same concept, such as entree, pastries or breads and non-alcoholic beverages. Oh, and if you go with the gold plan...definitely see Cirque....it was great.

 

[crazyme5kids]

kandmwedding, my e-mail isn't working (something about needing to reconfigure it), but thanks for the offer! Were resort restaurants included in the silver plan as well? How many wishes do you get per day? Do you get ones for dining and ones for activities, or are they just all lumped together and you use them however you want (I'm a little confused by the wish thing)?

dansyr, does the gold plan use the wish point system too? Can you do as many character dining meals as you want? What about Hoop Dee Doo? How about activities? Do you have to pay for them or are they free, or at a reduced fee? Did you use a travel service, or just did it all direct with Disney travel?

Has anyone used the Platinum Plan?

Thanks again everyone for all your help!

 

[dansyr]

I guess it is considered a wish system. But it is different from the silver in that your wishes are designated for certain things. Your meal wishes can only be used for meals. You get 3 meals per person per night you stay. They can be used until midnight of the day you check out. You can do as many character meals as you like. Yes, you can do hoop de doo. It will count as one of your meals. We did the spirit of aloha
Most activities are included. I know water mice and such are included, most tours and you even get preferred viewing for the parades. If you have any other questions let me know.
oh, I forgot...we did book through liberty travel for that trip, but to be honest I would book directly thru disney. I ended up calling disney myself to find out the answers to most of my questions anyway.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thanks for the answers! A few more I've thought of:

1: When moving from hotels, I know Disney will move the bags and that you need to stop by and check in, but will they put the bags in the room for you so that all you have to do is check in when you get back from the parks (even if it is vey late)?

2: If you went with the gold plan, did you also stay on concierge level? Was it overkill to do that since you have the 3 meals using the gold plan. If you did, would you suggest concierge and what would the benefits be if any?

 

[Vavasmon]

We used the silver plan in the past and are using it again this year. The list of 1 vs 2 wish restaurants changed on 1 Jan. Also the merchandise list changed. The price for children 9 and under dropped.

This link was updated on Jan 1. It is for the 2004 silver plan.

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...pecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/F_SilverWDTC.pdf

The gold plan is at:

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...especific/eng/nontheme/tickets/F_GoldWDTC.pdf

The wishes are coded onto your room keys (not separate vouchers). You can also use them for recreation, kids clubs, tours, etc. You can mix and match as you want. You could eat at the same restaurant multiple times.

Some places are better "wish values" than others (Cirque is a good deal even a 2 wishes), the dinner shows, etc. Many of the "great deal" dining locations became 2 wishes on 1 Jan .

We break even on the plan and enjoy the convience of it. With a child under 16 we can't do most of the tours.

 

[dansyr]

No we didn't stay concierge level on the same trip we did the gold plan. It would definitely be overkill.
We did stay concierge on a different trip. I would probably do it again. It is just the idea of being pampered. We would generally eat a light breakfast at the lounge. We stayed at AKL and they have a wonderful coffee machine. It was nice to come back from the parks and sit down and relax with a latte or a glass of wine.
Concierge is also great if you want to plan some special things for someone . They will help you arrange everything. They will make your ps's and generally take care of everything so you can just sit back and relax.
Hope that helps

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thanks everyone, this information is very helpful!

 

[helomedicdj]

We've done the plans before. We stayed at the GF when they were doing the Grand Plan, and were totally spolied at it. We're going back this year for wife's annual b'day gift. I take her 4 neices so she can keep connected with them (college ages). We're doing Dream Maker Platinum Plan (You do a gold or platinum and book standard rooms, they'll tend to bump you to conceirge - that was a nice surprise). So, we're planning everything. The Plan coordinators are wonderful. Very attentive and a great help. They seem to have the 'pull' when doing the PS arrangements. I'd definately suggest the plan if you have little ones that need entertaining but are too young to enjoy full days and the parents want to explore, or are a group of older ones that can eat a house and enjoy all the side benefits to the plans. Otherwise, it gets expensive...but oh so worthwhile. Doug L.I., NY

 

[crazyme5kids]

helomedicdj,
Are you booking direct with Disney or with some other travel agent? If it is with Disney, do you watch for rate changes or do they adjust room rates as codes come out? Or can you only get the gold or platinum plan using the Dream maker rates? Also, do you just let the Plan Coordinaters know what you want to do and not have to worry about staying on top of them to ensure they are doing their job?

 

[helomedicdj]

The rates we've been quoted have followed what's on the web=site pretty closely. A trip planner can help equate the differing packages as they'll fit your needs. For us, we were looking for decadent impact. My wife's b'day gift trip is an important undertaking for me, especially with 4 women going and lowley me. So, just planning everything to go without a hitch. As far as conceirge or dream package planner once you've booked it, I have found it wonderful. They'll send a questionare for you to fill out on what events you want to undertake and when and they'll handle all the PS, reservations, etc. They carry mucho pull in the system. For us, 4 events 'filled or sold-out' miraculously were opened up just for us. Its worth every penny for that peace of mind IMHO.