Premium Dining Plan?

[jvptravels]

Anybody have any experience with the Premium Dining Plan? I've never purchased a dining plan at WDW. Next month will be my first trip back in 11 years. I'm especially interested in recreational aspects of the plan. Just not sure if I'll have enough time to do everything in the 7 days I have available.

 

[vicki_c]

It's actually not considered a dining plan, although it does involve dining credits.

It's a separate thing. Just FYI, it require a 3 night minimum stay, purchase of a ticket and paying full price for your room. So just factors to consider. It seems to really only make sense if you're going to use most of the recreation opportunities, which would preclude spending all day in the parks for the days you have it. Most people I know that have done it (only a handful) didn't really do the regular park activities at all, just focused on the package extras.

 

[Momofthreemen]

We are doing the Platinum Plan in 3 weeks. It's just the 2 of us, so we have planned a lot of tours that we have always wanted to do but with the boys never did. I am also getting to do the Richard Petty driving experience, which has been my dream since I was a little girl. We know we are not going to have a lot of free time to spend in the parks. We have planned on staying until park closes on our departure day, then driving a few hours and stopping for the night. This plan has taken a lot of planning to get to do everything we want to do and get the full $$ benefit as well. We are taking advantage of the spa and fishing excursion as well. The wishes cruise along with all the preferred seating for the firework shows. IMO you have to decide what kind of experience you want. We have been many times but this time we are doing many new things. And we can't forget all the food!!! Signatures are only one TS.

 

[TDC Nala]

Don't think of it as a dining plan. It is not part of the Disney Dining Plan program. The Premium and Platinum package plans are a different program, although they feature a dining component that is somewhat similar to the Deluxe Dining Plan (but not identical).

 

[jvptravels]

Don't think of it as a dining plan. It is not part of the Disney Dining Plan program. The Premium and Platinum package plans are a different program, although they feature a dining component that is somewhat similar to the Deluxe Dining Plan (but not identical).

Are you talking about the 2013 Premium plan? It looks like it has less than the 2012 one. As far as I can tell, the dining components on the 2012 Premium Dining plan are mostly the same as the deluxe plan, except that the signature restaurants only cost 1 credit instead of the 2 required on the deluxe plan. Of course the recreational activities make up the difference.

I'm just trying to understand how this ('12 Premium Plan) is NOT part of the Disney Dining Plan program. Help?

 

[sarahgirl]

Are you talking about the 2013 Premium plan? It looks like it has less than the 2012 one. As far as I can tell, the dining components on the 2012 Premium Dining plan are mostly the same as the deluxe plan, except that the signature restaurants only cost 1 credit instead of the 2 required on the deluxe plan. Of course the recreational activities make up the difference.

I'm just trying to understand how this ('12 Premium Plan) is NOT part of the Disney Dining Plan program. Help?

I think it is just semantics. You are correct from what I can tell the 2012 Premium Plan is the same as the 2013 except they have not added in all the 3rd party owned restaurants yet.

I did the Premium plan for 1 night 2 days in 2011 and had a ball. Totally worth it back then when you could get 2 days worth of activities and meals for 1 night's worth of plan. Now with the 3 day minimum it is much harder to get the value unless you maximize everything. All told back in 2011 I paid $349 for 1 night and got $1300 worth of recreation out if it. Won't see that happening again.

I would suggest you read through this thread to get some ideas on what other people have done on the premium and platinum plans.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2404255&page=156

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not semantics. The Disney Dining Plan program has three plans - Quick Service, Regular and Deluxe.

There are two separate programs, the Premium Package Plan and the Platinum Package Plan. They are NOT Disney Dining Plans. Here's how you can tell:

DVC members staying on points may purchase a dining plan. They may not purchase a Premium or Platinum Package.

Guests on free dining may upgrade their free dining plan to a higher category of dining plan - they can upgrade the Regular dining plan to the Deluxe dining plan by paying the difference, for example. They may not upgrade to the premium or platinum package plans.

Packages with the dining plans added on have a minimum stay of 1 night and a maximum of 14 nights. For the Premium or Platinum Package Plan you must book a minimum stay of 3 nights.

The dining component of the Premium and Platinum Plans is similar to the Deluxe Dining Plan - 3 meals, 2 snacks per night; but it is not the same as the Deluxe Dining Plan. All restaurants, including signatures are 1 credit. Victoria & Albert's is included on the platinum plan only.

 

[vicki_c]

Here is the 2013 information published by Disney for the Premium plan. On the left you can see the other types of MYW packages - 3 that are considered Dining plans (they say "plus Dining"), and 2 that are not (Premium and Platinum), supporting what TDC Nala was explaining. Although dining is one part of these packages, they are not considered to be a Dining plan.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/2013/premium/

If you look at the .pdf that is linked on the right side of the page - they did call it "Premium Dining Plan" but they only wrote "Platinum Plan" on that page - looks like the Premium page .pdf is actually titled incorrectly. In any case Premium & Platinum are not part of the regular Dining plans.