Premium (Dining) Package Questions

[*NikkiBell*]

If anyone has any questions about the Premium Dining Plan, please let me know. I see so many posts about the regular plan that I wanted to make sure information is out there about this plan too; it is so much more convenient.

The Premium Plan is called "premium" because it includes many of the most popular features of WDW:

- A stay at a WDW resort
- Magic Your Way tickets with all add-ons
- No credit counting meals - three meals a day, anywhere (except V & A) and it doesn't matter if they are all TS or CS or a combination of both
- Unlimited access to recreation: golf, guided fishing excursions, water sports, tennis, etc.
- Admission to Cirque du Soleil La Nouba
- Admission to Disney's Children Activity Centers at WDW resorts
- Unlimited admission to theme park tours: Family Magic Tour, The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains, Keys to the Kingdom, Mickey's Magical Milestones, Gardens of the World, The Undiscovered Future World, Hidden Treasures of the World Showcase, Backstage Safari, and Wild By Design
- Admission to all Magical Gatherings "Grand Gatherings" experiences, if you have 8 or more in your party

All of this is for the number of night of your stay plus one day. In other words, for everynight you are at WDW.

We have used the plan and will be again in December, so feel free to ask questions!

 

[Lewisc]

One of the reasons MYW Dining is so popular is the pricing. Almost all guests find the value of the food we receive is significantly more than what we pay.

In the past the premium plan was the opposite. Many guests found they were paying more for the plan than they would have paid if they just paid for the elements as used.

How much is the plan per day? Do you like it because you save money or do you just like the convenience of knowing everything is included?

 

[punkin]

Well since this seems to be the topic of choice on this board, what about children? Are they restricted to the children's menu or can they order from the adult menu?

 

[Brian Noble]

Using mousesavers junior prices (which don't include room costs) as a guide, and subtracting out the value of the ticket, it looks like about $135 per night per adult.

It would be hard to get full value from that, but certainly not impossible.

 

[CTCouple]

WOW
I have always wanted to do the premium plan, even back when they were called the Grand/Admiral Plans and the olny places you could get it was by staying at GF or YC/BC. I remeber they even had a little booklet printed that listed all the benfits and services offered. Think i still have the Admirl Plan booklet in a drawer somewhere.

Is it worth the price? Can you eat enough food to make it worth while or is the Dining plan better? We used the Food & Fun plan years ago (where meals were dedected point/price wise and you could use for alcohol ) and found it to be a great idea and value .......and therefore no longer offered
Are you limited on what you can order or is it appetizer, entree, desert, drink and that's it?
["I'll have a steak sandwhich.......and a steak sandwich. -Fletch]

Can you do room service? If so, then the plan may be worthwhile. Having breakfast delievered is a nice treat

Is there enough time to take in the recreation offered?

We can't believe that V&A is no longer offered as it once was.

We'll probably think of more questions in a bit.
Thanks much for the advice!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Look at the price of Circque tickets and behind the scenes tours alone. Actually $135 per night per adult does not seem bad, esp with no credit counting meals. The only downside would be getting it all done.
But what a MAGICAL vacation!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

One of the reasons MYW Dining is so popular is the pricing. Almost all guests find the value of the food we receive is significantly more than what we pay.

In the past the premium plan was the opposite. Many guests found they were paying more for the plan than they would have paid if they just paid for the elements as used.

How much is the plan per day? Do you like it because you save money or do you just like the convenience of knowing everything is included?

It is a little tricky to figure out a per day price being that this plan is so much different from the DDP, but it can be done. Sometimes people get different figures but they are close. The major thing to remember is that this is a PACKAGE DEAL, not a dining plan. It is not a per day service, but a whole vacation package.

Still, we did do a test our first year using this plan to figure out if it was making or breaking us. We documented our meals, etc. and found that we did in fact save quite a bit of money. I really do not want to get into a mathematical debate about this plan though, as there are numerous theories around that part of it and some heated discussions resulted between DIS members (mainly because people were jealous of those on the plan and did everything to knock it ). If you want to go by a $135 figure (no IDEA where this came from though), it is still very attainable if you look at what we get to do each day.

We would *NEVER* have been able to eat at such restaurants as the California Grill, Mama Melrose's, Narcoosee's, Boma, Citricos, Jiko, and more without this plan. Likewise, we never have to worry about running out of CS or TS credits as there is no division whatsoever. We also don't have to be cautious of what we order (like the regular DP) and usually get the most expensive meals. We typically do two TS a day and maybe on one or two days during the trip we'd do a TS and CS. It just pays for itself in convience and capabilities.

We always go on one of the tours and see La Nouba. As someone mentioned, this package is all-inclusive with resort stay, meals, entertainment, and more. We never have to worry about a thing and have a truly unique and magical vacation we would not be able to have with the regular DDP or a regular resort package deal.

As a side note, the Premium Package is not for everyone. If you rather CS than TS, this is probably not for you and the DP would be more suitable. That is the great thing about this package and the regular DP: they are customed to the type of vacation you want to have.

 

[Becky2005]

We also went on the Premium plan last July and LOVED it!

It didn't really save us any money (actually came out a little behind but if we would have done a few extra things that DH got confused about -- he didn't realize the boats were included or actually ordered appetizers at every meal we would have come out pretty close to even!) but my DH who is Mr. Penny Pincher...absolutely LOVED the fact that we didn't have to deal with where we wanted to eat or what we wanted to do. We just showed up, handed them our card and wah-lah. It was right when the dining plan was out and we were trying to decide with TS/CS credits and how that would all work. He basically said go for the one where I don't have to think about it.

We took the Mickey's Magical Milestone Tour, Family Magic Tour, La Nouba, DD & I went tandem parasailing (DS was going to go too but chickened out so he just came on the boat with us -- we got the boat to ourselves, I didn't know it was an option until I reserved and was asked if I wanted to but it was more expensive -- being on the plan, we didn't care), the older kids & DH did a fishing excursion. DD & DH went horseback riding.

If you aren't planning on doing any *extras* though and are only wanting it for the food, I don't think it's a good plan but if you do plan on doing other things then totally worth it just for ease of use. (DH doesn't care for Disney and would rather spend his days doing other things than the parks..his whole reason for going was eating!)

 

[Becky2005]

Can you do room service? If so, then the plan may be worthwhile. Having breakfast delievered is a nice treat

Is there enough time to take in the recreation offered?

We can't believe that V&A is no longer offered as it once was.

We'll probably think of more questions in a bit.
Thanks much for the advice!

If it's only for food, I don't think it would be worth it but you aren't restricted (except alcohol...I think it has the same restrictions on that as the dining plan as I know we got the Glow in the Dark ice cubes but those are now restricted on the new brochures) but no extra cost for entrees, etc...

V&A isn't included but I know Fulton's is (we went there!).

Room service isn't included.

I know that they also have a Platinum one now that offers room service & V&A I think -- basically another step above Premium.

We managed to get a lot of activity in there but we also split up to do things since ages played a factor in some of our stuff.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

We also went on the Premium plan last July and LOVED it!

It didn't really save us any money (actually came out a little behind but if we would have done a few extra things that DH got confused about -- he didn't realize the boats were included or actually ordered appetizers at every meal we would have come out pretty close to even!) but my DH who is Mr. Penny Pincher...absolutely LOVED the fact that we didn't have to deal with where we wanted to eat or what we wanted to do. We just showed up, handed them our card and wah-lah. It was right when the dining plan was out and we were trying to decide with TS/CS credits and how that would all work. He basically said go for the one where I don't have to think about it.

We took the Mickey's Magical Milestone Tour, Family Magic Tour, La Nouba, DD & I went tandem parasailing (DS was going to go too but chickened out so he just came on the boat with us -- we got the boat to ourselves, I didn't know it was an option until I reserved and was asked if I wanted to but it was more expensive -- being on the plan, we didn't care), the older kids & DH did a fishing excursion. DD & DH went horseback riding.

If you aren't planning on doing any *extras* though and are only wanting it for the food, I don't think it's a good plan but if you do plan on doing other things then totally worth it just for ease of use. (DH doesn't care for Disney and would rather spend his days doing other things than the parks..his whole reason for going was eating!)

Haha, Becky, I totally agree with your post! Another thing to factor in is the fact that nighttime EMH's allow us to take full advantage of the "extras" during the first portion of the day. We do extra activities in the morning or afternoon, spend a few hours at a park, take a break around 4:30ish until 7ish and then go back to the park for few lines and waits. It's fantastic!

 

[missymouse]

We just did the premium package. We decided it was the best choice for us because my DH has a very hard time parting with his money and he hates feeling like he is being nickel and dimed to death. By paying the money upfront it made our vacation like an all inclusive stay. It was great for the first time ever to WDW since we could order anything we wanted from the menu at any restaurant and actually worked at finding the most expensive thing that sounded good rather than having to find the cheapest thing that sounds good which is what we normally do. The only drawback is even with all the recreation we figure we just broke even on it. We did parasailing, Circque, Family Magic Tour, Rented Sea Raycers twice, ate at Rain Forest Cafe, Wolfgang Pucks, Sci-Fi Dine In, Crystal Palace Lunch, Garden Grill Lunch, Biergarten, Whispering Canyons, multiple times at the Food Court at CBR, Food Court at CR.

Next time we go we will probably do the regular Dining plan since we probably won't do Cirque, Family Magic, or Parasailing again. We probably also would do fine with CS and hopefully next time we will be at one of the villas and can do Breakfast in the room. Wish they had something between DDP and Premium that just covered 3 meals per day.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you want to go by a $135 figure (no IDEA where this came from though)

Here's the math:

Junior pricing for the plan is $700 for a 3night/4day package, and $1120 for a 6 night/7day package. In Disney-speak, a "junior" is someone between 10 and 17 inclusive, traveling in the same room with two other adults. So, the junior's cost doesn't help pay for the room (the adult rate covers the room)---it only covers tickets plus the rest of the package entitlements, which are generally charged at the same rate as adults 18 and over.

A 4 day premium adult MYW ticket is $290.76 advance purchase, leaving $409.24 left over to cover the other package entitlements. If it is charged per day, it is $102.31 per day. If it is charged per night, it is $136.41 per night.

A 7 day premium adult MYW ticket is $293.96 advance purchase, leaving $826.04 left over to cover the other package entitlements. If it is charged per day, it is $118. If it is charged per night, it is $137.67.

The per-night costs are pretty close, so that's what I went with.

Doulbe checking it with adult rates: $834 per adult double occupancy for a 3/4 package, and $1388 per adult 6/7 package. Three nights in a value room in value season is $267.81. Subtract half of that ($133.90) from the adult 3/4 rate, and you are left with $701---pretty close to the junior rate. Subtract half the cost of six nights in a Value room in Value season from the adult 6/7 rate, and you're left with $1120.19---again, pretty close to the junior rate.

So, it looks like about $135/night to me. If you're eating in signature restuarants most nights, and having a reasonable table service lunch most days, you're already on your way to covering the costs.

 

[Becky2005]

We just did the premium package. We decided it was the best choice for us because my DH has a very hard time parting with his money and he hates feeling like he is being nickel and dimed to death. By paying the money upfront it made our vacation like an all inclusive stay. It was great for the first time ever to WDW since we could order anything we wanted from the menu at any restaurant and actually worked at finding the most expensive thing that sounded good rather than having to find the cheapest thing that sounds good which is what we normally do.

Wish they had something between DDP and Premium that just covered 3 meals per day.

I would definitely be there getting the package that covered the 3 meals/day deal.

We knew we would be doing the same thing with "Gee I would really like a steak but look at those prices...I'll have soup & water"

We ate at Yachtsman, Fulton's, Rainforest Cafe, Sci-Fi, TONS of character meals, etc... We did eat in the food court at the CR a lot too. Being a family of 6, we easily had $200 meals at the sit-downs. Something that would not even be thought of here at home. Fulton's was the best, DD got a paper rose made for her from one of the servers? (not sure who he was as he wasn't our server but it was great, plus they had the BEST chocolate cake there...we were too full to eat it there but got it boxed and took it back with us...YUMMY!).

I know the boat for parasailing was $500 (they were going to refund DS tandem's flight because he chickened out but being that we were on the plan, I told them not to worry about it -- they weren't quite sure how to do it on the plan anyway but they were super nice about it). We did have to pay extra for the pictures to be taken though but that's OK.

I'm still deciding if we will do it again next time or not. I thought it was great for our first trip but not so sure we want to go see La Nouba again (I lost my family at Downtown Disney with that! I'm afraid my kids might be traumatized for life from that and not want to go!) for example or do so many other activities. However, we really did like the ease of use and not worrying about if we had any TS credits left or CS or what. We aren't 100% sure when we are going again, so I have time to mull it over.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Here's the math:

Junior pricing for the plan is $700 for a 3night/4day package, and $1120 for a 6 night/7day package. In Disney-speak, a "junior" is someone between 10 and 17 inclusive, traveling in the same room with two other adults. So, the junior's cost doesn't help pay for the room (the adult rate covers the room)---it only covers tickets plus the rest of the package entitlements, which are generally charged at the same rate as adults 18 and over.

A 4 day premium adult MYW ticket is $290.76 advance purchase, leaving $409.24 left over to cover the other package entitlements. If it is charged per day, it is $102.31 per day. If it is charged per night, it is $136.41 per night.

A 7 day premium adult MYW ticket is $293.96 advance purchase, leaving $826.04 left over to cover the other package entitlements. If it is charged per day, it is $118. If it is charged per night, it is $137.67.

The per-night costs are pretty close, so that's what I went with.

Doulbe checking it with adult rates: $834 per adult double occupancy for a 3/4 package, and $1388 per adult 6/7 package. Three nights in a value room in value season is $267.81. Subtract half of that ($133.90) from the adult 3/4 rate, and you are left with $701---pretty close to the junior rate. Subtract half the cost of six nights in a Value room in Value season from the adult 6/7 rate, and you're left with $1120.19---again, pretty close to the junior rate.

So, it looks like about $135/night to me. If you're eating in signature restuarants most nights, and having a reasonable table service lunch most days, you're already on your way to covering the costs.

You also need to take into account that this package includes resort stay.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think the premium sounds great for people that don't do the parks as much anymore - like us. We would rather do tours, extra activities like boating and golf, and spend time dining. However, I'm not sure the cost will break even or come close to it for us...

Can you get any discounts on the plan? Room discounts?

When I plugged in the info on www.disney.com, it made me buy park tickets for the entire time. What if you don't need tickets or want them? Do you have to buy them? That's a huge chunk of money right there.

Thanks for any info! =)

 

[Lewisc]

You also need to take into account that this package includes resort stay.

Brian used the junior rate so the hotel rate isn't a factor.

Now I remember, the only time I looked at this plan I had an AP and had no interest in paying for LOS tickets I'd never use.

Disney requires a pass purchase, not sure if you're even allowed to add no-expiry, for your entire stay. Makes some sense since the package covers almost everything BUT with all the other extras my guess is I'd skip the parks some days. I might try it with MYW ticket pricing but under the old system I wouldn't be willing to pay for park days I wouldn't be using.

 

[Brian Noble]

You also need to take into account that this package includes resort stay.

If you go back and check my post, I think you will find that I computed it both ways: using the Junior pricing (which doesn't include resort room costs) and the Adult-double-occupancy Value Resort/Standard View/Value Season pricing (which does). It comes out the same either way.

 

[p2oh]

We were actually going to try the Premium plan before free dining came out, but not so much for the food, but golf. DBF plays every day we are there (that's a vacation to him) and the golf alone is $125 a round.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

In any event, this plan is spectacular for those who want an all-inclusive stay that offers more than just going to the parks. We love being able to park hop, go anywhere on property, and do anything we want without pulling our wallets out. We HAVE made it out ahead before and would never have had so many experiences without the plan.

Like I said before, I don't want this thread turning into a mathematical debate. That was not my intent. It was to show the best of the best you can get in regards to package deals for WDW.

 

[suffolkprincess]

Dh and I LOVE LOVE LOVE all-inclusives and consider the extra relaxation of not "budgeting as we go" to be worth a little money, too. (So we don't care about the mathematical debate other than figuring out if we can afford the grand total...) We didn't look at it seriously this next trip because DD is only 4 and would not really get a lot out of all the extras plus the POLY is very expensive for us as is...

BUT-- do you have to do this with deluxes? If not, then I could see DH and I doing it for our anniversary trip in March 2006. How would it work with baseball tix? (We are planning a long weekend trip to the POR for our anniversary/ to see the Mets play the Braves in the "grapefruit league")