Premium or Platinum Package

[whit8960]

Hey everyone, I will be getting married next year and want to get a jump start on planning for our disneymoon. FI and I are interested in either the Platinum or Premium packages. For those who have used either or both of these plans, could you tell me about your experience while using them and whether or not they are worth it? It is going to be our honeymoon, so we really want the best of the best, but we are nervous that it will be too much for our 8 or 10 day vacation!

 

[lurkyloo]

I have not done either of these, but I did some research on them for my book on Disney weddings and honeymoons. Honestly, they sound like WAY more than you could do on a 10-day honeymoon, and this is coming from someone who had a 12-day honeymoon and jam-packed each day with activities.

They do include a few perks, like a fireworks cruise (Platinum), but you can book one of those and almost everything else in either package yourself and save a lot of money by not paying for included activities that you might never do.

For me, I would feel like I was wasting money if I didn't do every possible thing in the package, and then I'd be exhausted from trying to cram it all in!

 

[Bride-to-be]

I have never heard of them. I am very intrigued.. what are they?

 

[whit8960]

The only things that really intrigue us besides the dining portion is the unlimited recreation: for us being all water sports: parasailing, searaycers, etc. and Cirque du Solei(sp?) The tours and preferred fireworks viewing doesn't really interest us that much so I am just wondering if I would save money by booking the package. As you said, lurky loo, I definitely don't want to be rushed for time or trying to do all these things just because I paid for them. I just want to do the things we are interested in. Could you tell me what package you used for your honeymoon and how it worked out for you?? What recommended time length for a honeymoon to Disney world would you recommend? WOW~ you need to hurry it up and publish that book because I NEED IT right about now!!! LOL

 

[lurkyloo]

Sure!

First, you're in luck - the book is out already! I don't think I'm allowed to link to it per DIS rules, but it's called "PassPorter's Disney Weddings & Honeymoons"

The Premium and Platinum packages are detailed on pages 178-179.

For our honeymoon, we didn't use a package because we wanted flexibility. Also, we stayed at 4 different resorts, two of which were Disney Vacation Club properties where we rented points (which I highly recommend as a money-saving idea!). We were at WDW a total of 16 days (3 before the wedding), and it was the perfect amount of time to see and do a lot but still have time to take breaks so we didn't burn out.

We just called 1-407-WDW-PLAY to book extras, like parasailing on Bay Lake and the Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot. If you click the "Wedding!" link in my signature, you can read the report of our honeymoon and see all the activities we did.

Really, I think you will get more bang for your buck scheduling your watersports individually. Also, that way you can cancel them if your plans change.

I know it's easier to book a package, but you will be paying$159/$209 per PERSON per DAY extra on your trip - that's $318-$418 per day. You might not spend that much on watersports on your whole trip!

 

[whit8960]

Awesome! Thank you so much for the suggestions and I will totally be getting that book! I will also take a look at your wedding link as well because we definitely don't want to feel like we are on a schedule! I just have one more question though if you don't mind~ How did you guys do on your dining? Since you said you didn't get a package, I was just wondering how you guys made it work? Sorry for all the questions!

 

[lurkyloo]

I *love* questions!

We had Disney's Honeymoon Registry - have you signed up for that? The amount of money that people gave us on that registry covered all our meals and some of the tours and fun experiences we did. It is a fabulous service.

Also, because we had annual passes, we bought the Tables In Wonderland discount card and used that instead of buying the dining plan. You might find it's worth it to buy an annual pass for one of you because of the room discounts and the ability to buy the TIW card.

Basically you save 20% on all food and beverage at table-service restaurants. But they also add in an 18% gratuity, so it's really like getting the tip for free. I think the break-even point is when you've spent $375 on food and drinks. More info can be found here: http://allears.net/din/dde.htm

It worked better for us b/c we don't like to eat counter service and most places we like require 2 table-service credits. So the Basic Dining Plan doesn't really work for us. But lots of people love the dining plan!

 

[whit8960]

We have not signed up yet, but we plan to. Our wedding isn't until next May in 2010 so we still have a ways to go! We are also having an incredibly SMALL local Houston wedding with just our families(around 17 people) so we're not too sure if the registry will help too much. I am just trying to get an early start on ALL the planning! Thanks so much for your help!