Premium Plan for One Night Just for the Tours, LaNouba, etc.??

[GolfandEat]

I am a professional lurker on these boards - planning my September trip for this year. After stumbling upon this thread I have a sudden urge to buy a camper, move closer to WDW and start working on schemes with clkelley! This one is pure genius and I never would have thought of it.

I salute you - and the others who share this dream!

 

[tink713]

I wonder if annual passholders can get a "ticketless" platinum package? Or would we have to purchase the one day park ticket?

No AP holders can't do the platinum package you have to buy a one day ticket.

 

[Mom21]

Well I booked today.

3 nights at AKV Deluxe Studio Savannah view.

Here are my plans. I have a few months to tweak so feel free to critique. Also some plans may change depending if I go with my bf (he is always out of the country working and can't commit or with my 13yo dd. Notice I am going.)

11/28 Sun Check in and if room ready have lunch in room. If not find someplace....good plan huh?!
spa-me massage her manicure and pedicure
Behind the Seeds (dd has been begging for this for years but we never have had time)--not if BF goes so relax or swim if warm enough
Yachtmans for dinner
Epcot fireworks cruise

Mon 29th Breakfast in room (dd loves this and it cuts time as she eats while I shower)
Dolphins in Depth 9:45
Lunch whatever OOP--maybe The Land--dd loves this and cheap and I have TIW
Dinner Victoria and Alberts
Carriage ride at POR or Wilderness--need to research easiest to get to from GF--take input

Tues 30th Akershus Breakfast
Coral Reef Lunch
Cirque 6pm--this is a maybe--dd and I went in Dec so if she goes and doesn't want to do again we will do something else
Dinner Fultons
Characters in Flight--not included on plan but something I always wanted to do

Wed 1st--Move to Polynesian for 4 nights with Deluxe Plan but still using credits today from Platinum

CRT late breakfast after checkin at Poly--maybe 10 and still have time to get to Epcot??
Aqua Tours 12:30
Hoop De Do 7:15


keep in mind next 4 days will be our park days. Also if bf goes he has never been to disney and isn't a ride person. So I want him to relax and enjoy for his 30 years to come of Disney
DD has been so many times it no longer is a "have to do it all trip". In fact last time we went we didn't do much but tried to fit in things we had never done. I wish she could do the Segway tours and especially the Keys to the Kingdom tour. She is dying to do that. I understand 16 for Segway but don't for Keys. UGH. Maybe I will do a Platinum trip again in 3 years for her 16th and we can do those things.

So input....I am missing anything that you think is a not to miss?

 

[Leigha]

Oh man. Now I really want to do the "off road" Segway tour at Ft. Wilderness. But time wise I can't do it since I want to do both the Keys to the Kingdom tour and the EPCOT WS Segway tour.

I guess maybe next time ...

Maggie

I've been hoping, studying and planning myself! I haven't brought it up to the family yet and will let them vote if it works out but I'm thinking Segway in Epcot at 7:45 and possibly Ft. Wilderness at 11:30. I think you could make it easy. We have done the Epcot tour and I think the only problem would be sore feet. I felt the need to stretch afterwards but no real pain. After 4 hours in one day though, there might be pain!

Well I booked today.

3 nights at AKV Deluxe Studio Savannah view.

Here are my plans. I have a few months to tweak so feel free to critique. Also some plans may change depending if I go with my bf (he is always out of the country working and can't commit or with my 13yo dd. Notice I am going.)

11/28 Sun Check in and if room ready have lunch in room. If not find someplace....good plan huh?!
spa-me massage her manicure and pedicure
Behind the Seeds (dd has been begging for this for years but we never have had time)--not if BF goes so relax or swim if warm enough
Yachtmans for dinner
Epcot fireworks cruise

Mon 29th Breakfast in room (dd loves this and it cuts time as she eats while I shower)
Dolphins in Depth 9:45
Lunch whatever OOP--maybe The Land--dd loves this and cheap and I have TIW
Dinner Victoria and Alberts
Carriage ride at POR or Wilderness--need to research easiest to get to from GF--take input

Tues 30th Akershus Breakfast
Coral Reef Lunch
Cirque 6pm--this is a maybe--dd and I went in Dec so if she goes and doesn't want to do again we will do something else
Dinner Fultons
Characters in Flight--not included on plan but something I always wanted to do

Wed 1st--Move to Polynesian for 4 nights with Deluxe Plan but still using credits today from Platinum

CRT late breakfast after checkin at Poly--maybe 10 and still have time to get to Epcot??
Aqua Tours 12:30
Hoop De Do 7:15


keep in mind next 4 days will be our park days. Also if bf goes he has never been to disney and isn't a ride person. So I want him to relax and enjoy for his 30 years to come of Disney
DD has been so many times it no longer is a "have to do it all trip". In fact last time we went we didn't do much but tried to fit in things we had never done. I wish she could do the Segway tours and especially the Keys to the Kingdom tour. She is dying to do that. I understand 16 for Segway but don't for Keys. UGH. Maybe I will do a Platinum trip again in 3 years for her 16th and we can do those things.

So input....I am missing anything that you think is a not to miss?

I would for sure use the boats to get from GF to Wilderness. Beautiful ride and quickest trip I would think! Have you thought about the Family Magic Tour at MK? What makes this soooo appealing is that everyone in my family will be 16 or over. PERFECT!! It wouldn't be the same otherwise but still great specially with the Epcot tours. Don't forget about the water sports - parasailing, water mice, etc.

 

[princesskayla]

Oh - What a delightful idea. I am going to have to convince my DH to go for the weekend w/o the kiddos and do this. I would love to eat at V&A. Do they have veggie meals and how are they with "picky" diets? I guess I will have to research that now!!! That would be a deciding factor (Me and DH are kind of limited eaters - basically only beef and chicken) The ride -along with Richard Petty sounds fun too!!!

Thanks for the idea!!

 

[Mom21]

I would for sure use the boats to get from GF to Wilderness. Beautiful ride and quickest trip I would think! Have you thought about the Family Magic Tour at MK? What makes this soooo appealing is that everyone in my family will be 16 or over. PERFECT!! It wouldn't be the same otherwise but still great specially with the Epcot tours. Don't forget about the water sports - parasailing, water mice, etc.

Thanks. I will use the boat. As many times as I have been I'm not good about knowing what goes to where since I always use my car. I read about the family magic tour. I think dd would be very bored so we'll skip it. About the watersports...I have no desire to ride in the water mice. She and I have parasailed many times in a lot of places, but if we have time I'll try and fit it in. Problem is she doesn't weigh enough so we have to go tandem. If I go with bf he is afraid of heights so no way will I get him up there. I may go by myself though.

Keep the input coming. I am sure I will keep changing up until time to make ADR.

 

[2ofUs]

... MK fireworks viewing area is the seating area to the right and below the Plaza restaurant location. My only concern about this is that this location is normally set aside as a smoking area.You have to make a reservation for these and will be given the standard 12 digit confirmation number. She said a voucher for your party's viewing will be included with your package contents at check-in, and will have to be presented to gain access to the viewing area.

FYI - I wasn't sure how to make those reservations but it is the standard tour line - 407-WDW-TOUR. Sure hope it is NOT a smoking area - can't imagine WDW would do that to Premium pkg holders though. I was told to arrive 15 minutes early and that it is a "standing only" area. And the CM said it is just in front of the Plaza between them and the castle, so I don't believe it is the area to the right of the restaurant.

 

[breick]

Actually, it is the smoking area. They clear the smokers out a little while before the fireworks.

 

[2ofUs]

Thanks, Barb, good to know. I assume the aroma does not linger? I have a bad enough time with my allergies, wouldn't want to compound it with smoke. I just can't picture the area though I have gone by there a bazillion times.

 

[wdwkimberlee]

I LOVE THIS THREAD!!!

I've been following everyone's great ideas since this thread started. Let's just say...the wheels are spinning!

Do you think you'd have to purchase a park ticket if you were an AP holder? (I'm thinking you still have to.)

Here are all the activities I would want to squeeze in if I did a one night premium stay:

Keys to the Kingdom
Epcot Segway tour
La Nouba (saw it twice already, but would love to go again)
Spirit of Aloha
Parasailing
Horseback riding at FW
Mouseboats
Wishes preferred viewing
Behind the Seeds
Fultons

Wow! Lots to organize and plan.

It just makes me giddy!

 

[beautifultomorrow]

When you guys are making your resort reservations, do you have any strategy as to how you split up the reservations? We've established that to make this work to its fullest you need 3 reservations. Do you put the premium/platinum plan night near the end, beginning, middle of the trip? We are hoping to minimize having to move rooms as much as possible. Do you make your two "normal" reservations at the same time? Do the cast members think you are crazy?

 

[Mom21]

When you guys are making your resort reservations, do you have any strategy as to how you split up the reservations? We've established that to make this work to its fullest you need 3 reservations. Do you put the premium/platinum plan night near the end, beginning, middle of the trip? We are hoping to minimize having to move rooms as much as possible. Do you make your two "normal" reservations at the same time? Do the cast members think you are crazy?

Well I put mine at the beginning for 3 nights at AKV and then moved to Poly on DxDDP. However, I live 3 hours away and can be there by 10 or so and having 3 nights plenty of time. I can't imagine if most of your first or last day were taken up by travel. I can see using 3 reservations then, but what a pain.

 

[clkelley]

When you guys are making your resort reservations, do you have any strategy as to how you split up the reservations? We've established that to make this work to its fullest you need 3 reservations. Do you put the premium/platinum plan night near the end, beginning, middle of the trip? We are hoping to minimize having to move rooms as much as possible. Do you make your two "normal" reservations at the same time? Do the cast members think you are crazy?

I am going to have three reservations, but I won't have to move.

I'm arriving December 3rd, late at night, December 4th is setup day, December 5th and 6th, is relax and go golf cart looping day. Then my new reservation starts on December 7th. I'll pick up a new room key about 7am, then start going. Then the night of December 8th after all the fun is done, I'll go to the front desk and pick up another room key. I'm actually going to get a 3-day ticket as my current Annual Pass expires on December 1st. Then, the morning of the 9th, I'll upgrade that 3-day ticket toward my annual pass renewal.

I fully expect to not have to move, just pick up new room keys.

I use Rhonda@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com for all of this and she know exactly what to do to arrange it all and keep me on the same site!!

 

[goodferry]

Funny I should read this today, as I have been considering it. Would we each have to buy a one day ticket I assume? If we bought them as non expiring could we use them towards the renewal of our AP a year 6 months later?

 

[breick]

One day tickets are non-expiring as long as you don't use them. You don't pay extra for it.

 

[disneyfan55]

Funny I should read this today, as I have been considering it. Would we each have to buy a one day ticket I assume? If we bought them as non expiring could we use them towards the renewal of our AP a year 6 months later?

The 1 day pass will be good forever as long as you don't use it. You DON'T have to buy nonexpiring ticket. An unused ticket basically is good forever. One used, it can be upgraded within 14 days. We did this on our trip in Feb. (we had 4 1 day passes from free dining and free gift card offers) You should use the ticket first when upgrading and then go to guest relations to upgrade to an AP. (if the cost of a one day has increased, you will get thecurrent value if used then upgraded. If you just upgrade, you will only get the amt. you paid for the ticket.) HOpe this helps!

 

[Mom21]

One day tickets are non-expiring as long as you don't use them. You don't pay extra for it.

Yep. I think I have 4 sitting here from free dining and other promotions. We will eventually use them.

 

[goodferry]

y'all are so helpful!

 

[goodferry]

I read somewhere that the VIP tours were included in this package, but I don't think that's true, anyone know?

 

[2ofUs]

I LOVE THIS THREAD!!!

Do you think you'd have to purchase a park ticket if you were an AP holder? (I'm thinking you still have to.) YES you will need to buy 1 day passes for everyone in the party, but can use them for your next AP purchase.

Here are all the activities I would want to squeeze in if I did a one night premium stay:

Keys to the Kingdom
Epcot Segway tour
La Nouba (saw it twice already, but would love to go again)
Spirit of Aloha
Parasailing
Horseback riding at FW
Mouseboats
Wishes preferred viewing
Behind the Seeds
Fultons

You CAN do all of this, but TIMING will be crutial. Put together a list of the MUST do items, then check for tour times. Having just put together my own schedule, I can advise a few things.

KTTK is great, but will take an entire morning. It DOES include a nice lunch at Columbia Harbour House!

If you wish to do the Epcot Segway Tour, they begin as early at 7:30 with 3 more after that and last 2 hours. Doing the early tour would be best if everyone can get up and be there early. Your resort should be able to provide you with a taxi voucher to insure timely arrival - and it is neat to be in EPCOT when it is EMPTY!!! You could also catch the Behind the Seeds anytime throughout the day.

Consider trying the FW Segway tour if you wish to do horseback riding as well, especially since getting to FW is a bit tricky timing wise. That tour has 2 times - 8:30 and 10:30, but you must arive 15min early for each.

La Nouba has 2 showings nightly - 6 & 9, but you need to be there at LEAST 30 min prior, so dinner timing becomes important. DH and I chose the early show so we could enjoy our dinner at Flying Fish after. Perhaps you could do the same and use Fulton's on the same night. Even if you have kids I would get them a snack pre-show (remember you get 2 snack credits with the Premium pkg) to tide them over until the later dinner. The show will liven them up, but eating first then doing the show you might have some nodding heads!

Spirit of Aloha is a show/dinner combined and I'm not sure when you are going so cannot advise timing this with Wishes viewing. For the viewing you must arrive 15 min PRIOR to Wishes - and that varies so check your schedule.

You might also consider doing 'Ohana then Wishes or take advantage of the pkg and do a Signature dining spot - even includes appetizers - such as Citrico's, Narcoosees or California Grill? They are all near MK - walkable or a short monorail ride away. This would allow plenty of time for dinner and then leisure arrival at MK.

You also get a 3rd meal - so maybe a Chef Mickey breakfast or even CRT? That might be a good choice for your KTTK morning if you can get an early ADR. Utilize those more expensive meals to get the most out of your package.

The water activities can be worked in around your tour/dining schedule and you'll be set. You might also consider the Photography session, maybe before your dinner/Wishes night. How often to you get a family portrait done - especially if it is just you and your spouse (I know we haven't done one in MANY years).

Hope these tips help and I know you will have a great time!