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

[ScottOKW2K]

Well, here is what I have booked so far: Plus I need some advice on how the picture session works and how much time it takes??

December 6th:
6:00 am - Arrive at Outpost for package elements and new KTTW
7:00 am - Bus to Epcot (If bus is not there by 7:05, take taxi to Epcot)
Disney transportation will not run early enough for the 7:45 Segway. They state you will have to park at the Epcot parking lot. Sorry, but the taxi is your only option.
7:45 am - Epcot Segway Tour
10:00 am - Bus to Animal Kingdom
(Single Rider Line on Everest)
11:45 am - Lunch at Tusker House
One hour is somewhat tight between lunch and the Safari. I would try for an earlier time to allow for any delays in seating.
12:45 pm - Backstage Safari (3 hours)
9:30 pm - Hoop De Doo

I have a big gap in there. Not sure if I want to go back to Ecpot and do Behind the Seeds, then go play mini golf.

OR I can try and schedule a picture session. However, that would involve going back to the camper after Backstage Safari and freshening up, then taking a boat to the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge for the picture session. In December, it will already be dark. I haven't looked into the picture session much. Are there specific places where they do them?? Or could I get a photographer to come to the Fort??

December 7th

6:45 boat to Contemporary or WL, use snack credits for breakfast.
7:45 - walk or boat to Magic Kingdom
8:30 - Keys to the Kingdom
1:30 - Walk to Contemporary
2:00 - 3:30 Sammy Duvall - Parasailing, JetSki, Water Mice
3:30- Boat to Campground - Change Clothes
4:30- Bus to DTD
6:00 - LaNouba
7:40 - Fulton's Crab House
I would recommend a taxi back to the Epcot resort area. Your timing is somewhat tight here - only one hour to enjoy your meal - and you are putting yourselves in a situation where the bus almost has to be there at the time you selected for everything to work. Taxi to the Beach Club and walk through the lobby.
8:40 - Bus to Yacht/Beach area, walk to Epcot
9:30 - Illuminations Special viewing area

 

[beansmom]

i believe Scott is right....buses don't run that early and they don't run between parks. I don't think you are allowing enough time for transportation. I recommend cutting an item or two to give youself some breathing room.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

oh this is such a bad thread! It has me thinking for our March trip. We arrive very late and could stay offsite with our rental car, then go into the value Sunday evening and pull this off.

Problem is however, we have what will then be a SN 8 yr old DS. I don't see how it can work with him? He would be happy for child care but what happens to his meals?

 

[clkelley]

i believe Scott is right....buses don't run that early and they don't run between parks. I don't think you are allowing enough time for transportation. I recommend cutting an item or two to give youself some breathing room.

Buses DO run that early. They start at 7:00 am or earlier to each park from every resort.

Buses DO run in between parks. That's how they do park hopping!!

 

[clkelley]

Disney transportation will not run early enough for the 7:45 Segway. They state you will have to park at the Epcot parking lot. Sorry, but the taxi is your only option.

Buses do run that early. They start at 7:00am or earlier to each park from every resort. I have been on a bus to the Studios at 6:30 in the morning!!!!
11:45 am - Lunch at Tusker House
One hour is somewhat tight between lunch and the Safari. I would try for an earlier time to allow for any delays in seating.

I plan on showing up for my reservation early. 11:45 was the only time I could get. I am a party of 1. It is extremely easy to seat a party of 1 quickly and it is a buffet, so it won't take long for me to eat.
December 7th

7:40 - Fulton's Crab House
I would recommend a taxi back to the Epcot resort area. Your timing is somewhat tight here - only one hour to enjoy your meal - and you are putting yourselves in a situation where the bus almost has to be there at the time you selected for everything to work. Taxi to the Beach Club and walk through the lobby.
8:40 - Bus to Yacht/Beach area, walk to Epcot
9:30 - Illuminations Special viewing area

Once again, an hour is not too short for a single to have a meal. Plus, Illuminations is at 9:30 in December, so that gives me some extra time to get there. I will get off at the first stop for the Epcot resorts and high tail it to the viewing area. This is not a "credit card" item and if I miss it, oh well. I have seen Illuminations hundreds of times and have seen the Holiday tag many times as I spend two weeks at WDW every December for the past 13 years.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Buses DO run that early. They start at 7:00 am or earlier to each park from every resort.

Buses DO run in between parks. That's how they do park hopping!!

I agree that buses do run early. But they do specifically state in the literature for the Epcot segway tours that it is recommended to park at the Epcot parking lot for the 7:45 tour, as they will not guarantee that you will make it there in time. If this was on a day where Epcot had morning EMH , no problem. Disney states that the buses run from an hour before opening till about 2 hours (or until the last guest leaves) after closing and based on their information they will not guarantee that the bus will get you there for your 7:45 tour time.

 

[clkelley]

I agree that buses do run early. But they do specifically state in the literature for the Epcot segway tours that it is recommended to park at the Epcot parking lot for the 7:45 tour, as they will not guarantee that you will make it there in time. If this was on a day where Epcot had morning EMH , no problem. Disney states that the buses run from an hour before opening till about 2 hours (or until the last guest leaves) after closing and based on their information they will not guarantee that the bus will get you there for your 7:45 tour time.

Disney Dining also tells you that for 8:00 am reservations that you have to provide your own transportation. Believe me, I've done the early morning thing enough times that I KNOW I can get a bus from the Outpost Bus stop in plenty of time to get to Epcot by 7:30am.

This is purely reservations not talking to transportation. It's also reservations doing the CYA thing. It's been this way for years.

I do believe I've also stated that if a bus is not there by 7:05, I will walk over to the cabstand and take a cab.

I also have all day Saturday and Sunday with nothing else to do but check and see when transportation does start and to figure out and time getting from DTD to the Epcot International Gateway.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

Oh boy! I stumbled across this thread and now the wheels are turning! Looks like I've got some more planning to do. What a cool idea.

 

[beansmom]

Once again, an hour is not too short for a single to have a meal. Plus, Illuminations is at 9:30 in December, so that gives me some extra time to get there. I will get off at the first stop for the Epcot resorts and high tail it to the viewing area. This is not a "credit card" item and if I miss it, oh well. I have seen Illuminations hundreds of times and have seen the Holiday tag many times as I spend two weeks at WDW every December for the past 13 years.

ummm...if you didn't want any opposing feedback, why did you post your itinerary and ask for comments?

Enjoy your lovely, busy trip.

 

[clkelley]

ummm...if you didn't want any opposing feedback, why did you post your itinerary and ask for comments?

Enjoy your lovely, busy trip.

I bolded what I was asking questions about, which was the photo session, or just doing Behind the Seeds and mini-golf.

I have a big gap in there. Not sure if I want to go back to Ecpot and do Behind the Seeds, then go play mini golf.

OR I can try and schedule a picture session. However, that would involve going back to the camper after Backstage Safari and freshening up, then taking a boat to the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge for the picture session. In December, it will already be dark. I haven't looked into the picture session much. Are there specific places where they do them?? Or could I get a photographer to come to the Fort??

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Disney Dining also tells you that for 8:00 am reservations that you have to provide your own transportation. Believe me, I've done the early morning thing enough times that I KNOW I can get a bus from the Outpost Bus stop in plenty of time to get to Epcot by 7:30am.

This is purely reservations not talking to transportation. It's also reservations doing the CYA thing. It's been this way for years.

I do believe I've also stated that if a bus is not there by 7:05, I will walk over to the cabstand and take a cab.

I also have all day Saturday and Sunday with nothing else to do but check and see when transportation does start and to figure out and time getting from DTD to the Epcot International Gateway.

You've been at the world more times than I so I will rely on your past experiences. I was merely stating what information had been given to me by Disney's literature and by the CM booking the segway tour. In our case we had a vehicle so that is the mode of transportation that we relied upon during our Premier plan experience.

My comments were not only to help you but to also provide advice to others who are reading the thread. Many have posted their itineraries seeking advice - I did not realize that parts of yours were "off-limits". I sincerely hope that your plan exceeds your expectations, and we all look forward to your report.

 

[clkelley]

You've been at the world more times than I so I will rely on your past experiences. I was merely stating what information had been given to me by Disney's literature and by the CM booking the segway tour. In our case we had a vehicle so that is the mode of transportation that we relied upon during our Premier plan experience.

My comments were not only to help you but to also provide advice to others who are reading the thread. Many have posted their itineraries seeking advice - I did not realize that parts of yours were "off-limits". I sincerely hope that your plan exceeds your expectations, and we all look forward to your report.

I'm not trying to be difficult. I DO appreciate the comments, but as many bus drivers on the transportation board state over and over, for some reason, the reservations folks REFUSE to acknowledge that there are early buses for the early breakfasts and early tours. I was just trying to clarify that I knew the choices I made would work time wise and transportation wise. Yeah, my last choice for the Epcot viewing is risky and I realize that, but as I said, I might make it and there was not a credit card guarantee. So if I make it, at least I have the reservation, if I don't no biggy. I have my own vehicle also, but using that will eliminate adult beverages

 

[gibbersome]

Ack, I just realized that we're going to have to move our reservation, and after I got all our reservations done!
I hate unexpected weddings, lol.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Never mind. I forgot that our plans changed and this post is now a moot point.... *blush*

 

[beansmom]

all I KNOW is that a bus driver told us...the WHOLE bus...that service began at 8am. Now, my DH is doing the Segway tour at 7:45 tomorrow...he's taking a cab. It will be much cheaper and make me less mad than him missing the tour by trying to catch a bus.

 

[clkelley]

all I KNOW is that a bus driver told us...the WHOLE bus...that service began at 8am. Now, my DH is doing the Segway tour at 7:45 tomorrow...he's taking a cab. It will be much cheaper and make me less mad than him missing the tour by trying to catch a bus.

Well, I hope he enjoys it!!

 

[2ofUs]

clkelley - Please accept my personal thanks for being the original poster on this subject that has encouraged so many of us to give one-day Premium & Platinum plans a try. There is so much to consider, not to mention the variables, when putting plans in place, that this thread has become a mainstay of advice and suggestions.

We personally used our own vehcile on our stay and were glad to have it. We handled the 'adult beverage' angle with me driving as needed since DH 'does' and I generally 'don't.' On the last 3 days on DxDP we simply used monorail/boats and left our rental parked in the BLT lot - then I got to have a glass of wine - or 2!

As for Disney transport, we stayed at POP for our Premium plan and needed to be at Contemporary by 6:45am. POP Concierge explained there is a bus that runs from POP SPECIFICALLY for character meals to MK and Contemporary every morning departing at 6:30am. This certainly made sense and I would imagine it applied to other resorts as well, but I'm pretty sure they go just to those 2 locations. In our case it may not have allowed enough time, but since we had a car we didn't take the chance. As it turned out, the bus would have been fine as our boat driver was running behind.

That being said, when you are trying to cram a lot of activity into a certain field of time, having alternate transportation (or backup plans for) is essential for peace of mind. Your frequent visits and expertise in transportation - especially to/from Ft. Wilderness, was invaluable to me in making our plans. We ended up not doing the FW Segway based on weather (and my exahustion therefrom) but had confidence in my timing based on your advice.

I agree that as a single traveler, as was the case even with 2 of us, it is often quite easy to get a table earlier than your ADR time - sometimes even without an ADR. You should have a great trip and I am anxious to hear how it works out.

As for the photo sessions, though I could not convince DH to do ours, I spoke to 2 different locations (AK & POLY) and found they have several photographers who each have favorite spots to take pictures. I doubt they could go to alternate locations such as Ft. Wilderness, but they do have the flexibility to do indoor shots so that could be an option - especially at Poly with the lovely waterfall! Perhaps you could call the concierge desk at the location you would like to use and ask to speak with one of them. This should help since we know it is often more accurate to get information directly from the source rather than CM/TA reservations.

As for Behind the Seeds, though it is a pleasant and informative tour, it is not something I would go all the way back to Epcot for - but the mini golf might be fun. Personally, I seldom am in any of the pictures that get taken at WDW so I would have LOVED to use the photo session. This might be a great opportunity to get a lovely protrait of yourself to use as gifts for loved ones or even as a personal momento of a well-deserved, special WDW vacation!

Again, thanks for starting such a stimulating thread. I look forward to hearing about your own BIG ADVENTURE upon your return!

 

[clkelley]

Thanks for the advise on the photo shoot. I'm actually kindof thinking against it. I've done some more research on it and have seen some of the pictures. It honestly would take more time than I'm willing to invest to make myself photogenic, then travel over to WL for the photos, then back. I'm thinking the mini-golf and the Behind the Seeds will be more my style.

As far as the transportation, yes I know a backup plan is always important and I have that.

But, then I'm the person that is out on the golf cart at 5am, just wandering around the campground to see what's going on, then I wait on the first bus (I've seen one as early as 6am), then get on it and ride the bus as long as the driver will let me stay on just to see where they go.

I've also participated in mega scavenger hunts, 13 hours, all resorts, all parks, only allowed to use Disney transport, and hunted down some of the most obscure information on property.

(Did you know there are 12 light fixtures in the ceiling of the "Making of Me" movie at the old Wonders of Life Pavilion??)

In a 10 hour operating day at Magic Kingdom, you can ride the Wedway TTA for 50 laps

How many baseballs are on the wall of the All-Star Sports food court??

I don't remember, but that's the kind of stuff I do when I go to Disney.

 

[2ofUs]

I do understand the "make myself photogenic" portion since I went directly from Segway @ Epcot to lunch @ HBD - and those helmets leave such lovely hairstyles!

All that trivia is GOOD TO KNOW! I'll store it in the 'blank' areas of my brain, right along side of where my husband last placed his garden shears; where my grand daughter left her red crayola; and where my 28 year-old daughter stored her ninth grade 1st place photograhy award!

Thanks for providing my 'entertaining moment' of the day.

 

[2ofUs]

Peter Pan's Girl:

Preferred Wishes viewing at 8:30 Not a a good view at all!! Castle was blocked by trees, however the park was very full that night and it was nice flying in 15 min before wishes and not having to fight the crowds, WDW really needs to reconsider what "preferred" means

I absolutely agree as I wrote in my abreviated review. Again, nice to have a seperation from the crowds but NOT a good view of the castle lighting.

Overall, doing a one day premium was fantastic- the biggest problem was the cast members unfamiliarity (Pop didn't have our paperwork ready, no one knew where the preferred viewing was, both Portobella's and Fulton's struggled w/ the check, the marina at the Contemporary did not know how to charge the boat rental). But with a little patience, it all eventually worked out. [/QUOTE]

Again, I mentioned a similar experience with the staff at POP. Apparently they just don't have many people stay there using the Premium plan - but we are certainly trying to fix that, eh?

Glad you had such a good time and I'm also glad to hear about the Backstage Safari tour at AK. We had it in our plans then dropped it based on the description of "walking" and "outdoors" - two things I really didn't want to do a lot of in September heat! We plan to do the Wild by Design followed by the Backstage Safari on our next Premium stay at POP!