Premium Package worth it?

[gwtwfan39]

Not sure where to post this..so here goes...

We are planning for our Spring trip, and I was just wondering if the Premium package was worth the extra $$$? I like the thought of all meals being included, but just wanted some opinions! Thanks!

Steph

 

[lark]

Not sure where to post this..so here goes...

We are planning for our Spring trip, and I was just wondering if the Premium package was worth the extra $$$? I like the thought of all meals being included, but just wanted some opinions! Thanks!

Steph

Speaking strictly from a dollars and cents perspective, no matter how you use it, it is almost certain to be a worse deal by a decent margin than if you paid for everything a la carte. So whether or not it's worth it pretty much depends on how much you value the simplicity and not having to plan.

 

[pedro2112]

Speaking strictly from a dollars and cents perspective, no matter how you use it, it is almost certain to be a worse deal by a decent margin than if you paid for everything a la carte. So whether or not it's worth it pretty much depends on how much you value the simplicity and not having to plan.

I concur that if one is using the premium plan simply for the meals, it is a collosal waste of money (especially if one has children). However, if you take advantage of the unlimited free golf, watersports, specialized tours and cirque tickets, then (along with dining) one can come out ahead. I've seen the breakdowns before. So if you are just going to use it for food, go ahead and get the dining plan instead.. it costs about 1/3 the price and you get a ton of food.

 

[Janet2k]

We are planning for our Spring trip, and I was just wondering if the Premium package was worth the extra $$$? I like the thought of all meals being included, but just wanted some opinions!

Gwtwfan39, welcome to the Dis.

My family has done Disney's top-of-the-line package twice. We truly had wonderful vacations that were filled with tennis lessons, golf lessons, rounds of golf, unlimited watercraft rentals, Victoria & Albert dinners, Private Dining dinners, horseback riding, guided fishing excursions, and so on. Those were very expensive vacations (we were staying in the main building of the Grand Floridian for one of them, and in a two-bedroom suite at the Grand Floridian for the other one). Were those vacations worth it dollar-wise? Probably not. But were they worth it memory-wise? Absolutely. Those vacations were magical thanks to the pre-planning staff at our resort (the Grand Floridian).

Only you can decide what is right for your family. The others here have given you good advice. Think things over carefully. Once you've made up your mind, enjoy planning your vacation.

 

[Daryl]

Pick the place you want to stay, things you know you want to do and the places you know you want to eat. Then price it out. Its work, but 9 times out of 10 you will save.

 

[dejavu]

My DH & I go twice a year on the premium plan. We do not think it would ever make sense unless you played golf. Disney has great courses and we love to play everyday, with the premium plan you even have rental clubs included so it's great. But without using that element of the package I don't think you would get your "moneys worth" just out of the dining and show admissions IMHO. Also be prepared to eat- 3 TS a day (at least with my DH!!) it's a good thing there are all those activities included or we'd be 20 lbs. heavier on the trip home!! I do think that other posters are correct when they say that it's nice to prepay for it all in advance and just enjoy the time you are there. This is a great package for very active people who go from morning til night but if you want to relax and sit by the pool another package would probably be more cost efficient, Either way have fun!!

 

[TammySB]

My family of three went with the dining plan last year and still had plenty of snacks left over, however it all depends on how much you want to eat. It worked out for us because we are not breakfast people, I did price it for our next trip(premium) but I just couldnt justify the expense. To each is own, it was just amazing the price jump. Whatever you decide i hope you have a great trip Tammy

 

[lynr]

We used to buy this plan every year, we went water skiing, parasailing, rented water mice and other boats, and went fishing daily.

We didn't do Disney in commando mode, we have been there many times and when we went in the summer it was very hot so we took advantage of the water sports during the day and went to the parks at night.

That being said, in my opinion the prices have increased so much on this plan that it really doesn't pay to buy it anymore.

Also, my kids have grown up one son doesn't travel with us anymore and the other is just about to that point now.

So, my thought is unless you are really going to utilize the plan to its max don't spend the extra money. Pay as you go.

Lyn

 

[honeymo78]

We still go once a year on the premium plan. We never would be able to parasail and jetski as much if it wasn't included. For us it was an extra $300/night and our watersports nearly paid the bill for the plan. We also love to eat and had no problem eating 3 meals a day. If you are used to getting room discounts, you generally won't find any with this package, but for years we had no idea you could even get discounts. We had planned on getting the premium package for our Feb trip, however we got a pin code that couldn't be used with it and it would have cost $1500 for 4 nights - no way we could even come close.
We don't really care if we break even or spend more than we paid (although we always do), since we can afford it and enjoy the convenience of not having to carry money and paying ahead of time (plus it's fun to walk to the marina and take out jetskis on a whim) we'll continue using it.