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

[Pams]

Anyone who has completed a platinum trip... how does the free photopass CD work? Do they give you a specific card to use, is it a code, voucher etc? The reason I ask is that we just got back from Disney and are going again for our Platinum night within 30 days... If I just hold onto our photopass card from this trip, do you think I could theoretically add the pictures onto the account so they will be included on the "free" cd"? I realize the portrait session pix are completely separate, I am talking about park photopass cards only...

you register any photopass cards on-line that you have including the special one that you get with the platinum plan (at check in). When you have completed your edits you add the CD to your cart you enter the photopass number in the Promotion code location and that removes the cost and the shipping cost.(even international shipping) You have 30 days from when the pictures are taken or you look at them to claim them (looking at them claims them) and then 30 days to edit them before they expire. You get an e-mail before your time is up. I got two before I finished.

 

[dwtickets]

good idea

 

[2ofUs]

I called the rules for platium are a joke you must pay rack rate or out the nose and I can't afford the prices in this economy.

You still might consider the Premium plan as you can stay VALUE for it...

No, it doesn't include massages or Richard Petty or Victoria and Albert, but it does include La Nouba, ALL Signature restaurants, most tours (all Segway), golf and golf lessons, etc.

We did a 1 day Premium last month and felt it to be a great value. For less than $170 per person we each had 3 signature meals (HBD lunch, Spirit of Aloha dinner show - best seating, Jiko), 2 snacks, did Segway, KTTK (includes lunch at CHH), Bass fishing, and La Nouba. Since we were planning to do La Nouba ($90) and Segway ($90) anyway - we were already ahead.

Staying at POP cost around $100 per night, but we booked room-only the night before with a discount code ($70). That allowed us to begin our tours early in the morning.

Our pace worked out nicely and we weren't late for, nor did we have to cancel, anything. When I put pencil to paper and considered what we would have normally spent for those two day (aating, activities, etc.) and deducting the extra cost of the room for one night, we received over $400 in additional value.

Remember, with the package meals you get appetizers, entrees and desserts, plus non-alcoholic beverage. I ordered a cheese tray for my dessert (both HBD and Jiko) since they brought something for my birthday anyway. DH ordered dessert that he could carry home (cheescake and chocolate cake) then ate it the next morning for breakfast. We used our snack credits for
beverage and rolls at Main Street Bakery the first morning - yummy.


If we do this again, we would book our entire stay at one location (probably Wyndham Bonnet Creek - we have friends who are owners and get GREAT RATES for WONDERFUL ROOMS), then book the pacakge for one night only.

The only bad thing about these packages is if you are an over-planner. You really need to allow transportation time and, depending on the time of year and heat index, time for cooling down & resting.

It is definitely doable and a great way to save funds IF there are things you would normally want to do on a WDW visit, or if you wanted to make it a special memory. With the $$$ you save, you could easily pay for that massage or Richard Petty ride along, right?

 

[Symans3honeybees]

Anyone who has completed a platinum trip... how does the free photopass CD work? Do they give you a specific card to use, is it a code, voucher etc? The reason I ask is that we just got back from Disney and are going again for our Platinum night within 30 days... If I just hold onto our photopass card from this trip, do you think I could theoretically add the pictures onto the account so they will be included on the "free" cd"? I realize the portrait session pix are completely separate, I am talking about park photopass cards only...

Yes, you can put as many photopass cards as you like into the free photopass CD. When you check in to your Platinum package, you will be given a photopass card for the Platinum Plan with a code on the back of that card. Just make sure all your photos are well within 30 days when you redeem for your free CD online. Have fun and please post your experience and share with us.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I am not 100% sure, but I think it is just a voucher. I am hoping to be able to do the same thing.

you register any photopass cards on-line that you have including the special one that you get with the platinum plan (at check in). When you have completed your edits you add the CD to your cart you enter the photopass number in the Promotion code location and that removes the cost and the shipping cost.(even international shipping) You have 30 days from when the pictures are taken or you look at them to claim them (looking at them claims them) and then 30 days to edit them before they expire. You get an e-mail before your time is up. I got two before I finished.

Yes, you can put as many photopass cards as you like into the free photopass CD. When you check in to your Platinum package, you will be given a photopass card for the Platinum Plan with a code on the back of that card. Just make sure all your photos are well within 30 days when you redeem for your free CD online. Have fun and please post your experience and share with us.

Thanks so much for the helpful information! So do you think, theoretically, that I could make a new photopass account a few days before our platinum trip, add our previous trip's cards to it, and then when we get back add the "special" card and any others to that same account, use the code, and get the free cd? I might be able to wait till we come back to add the first trip, but I think that will be pushing it on the 30 days.

 

[arilvdc]

Thanks so much for the helpful information! So do you think, theoretically, that I could make a new photopass account a few days before our platinum trip, add our previous trip's cards to it, and then when we get back add the "special" card and any others to that same account, use the code, and get the free cd? I might be able to wait till we come back to add the first trip, but I think that will be pushing it on the 30 days.

You can also add 15 or 7 day extensions, I bought the the 7 day for $4.95. You don't have to use the special card, and any pictures in your account can be put on the cd. We were able to order all of our vacation pictures, my SIL's pictures from her trip 3 weeks after ours, and all of our Disneyland pictures.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

I booked platium package and I need suggestions for which tours to take ?

 

[let'sgo]

I would look at the tours that are only available to the Platinum Pkg such as Epcot Seas Aqua Tour, Dolphins in Depth, and the Backstage Magic Tour (and Dive Quest if you have SCUBA certification). Read the descriptions of these tours, then see if any interest you. I would book those first, then fill in with whatever else catches your interest.

I would first see what else I would want to do that is only available to the Platinum Pkg such as a spa treatment or dinner at Victoria & Alberts, fireworks cruise, etc., and then fill in with anything else such as La Nouba tickets. That way if you plan to do a Premium Pkg at a future date, you have taken advantage of those items that you can't do from the Platinum Pkg.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

I would look at the tours that are only available to the Platinum Pkg such as Epcot Seas Aqua Tour, Dolphins in Depth, and the Backstage Magic Tour (and Dive Quest if you have SCUBA certification). Read the descriptions of these tours, then see if any interest you. I would book those first, then fill in with whatever else catches your interest.

I would first see what else I would want to do that is only available to the Platinum Pkg such as a spa treatment or dinner at Victoria & Alberts, fireworks cruise, etc., and then fill in with anything else such as La Nouba tickets. That way if you plan to do a Premium Pkg at a future date, you have taken advantage of those items that you can't do from the Platinum Pkg.

Well said

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Thanks for your help I booked Dolphins and Sea Aqua cause I don't have cert for the dive.

 

[beansmom]

we are here right now and did the Premium for the first night. We have had a wonderful time.

DH did the Segway Round the World and wants to do it again. We did Behind the Seeds and La Nouba, ate at CG, Yachtsman, Brown Derby, Kona and GF Cafe.

We did our photo session at AKL and have some lovely honeymoon photos.

While we certainly 'got our money's worth', we didn't do NEARLY all the perks...so we're coming back again in march.

Thanks again, clkelley...you helped us plan a honeymoon to remember.

 

[2ofUs]

beansmom - glad to hear you are having such a great honeymoon! I didn't become a WDW fan until 2000 so the best we can do is anniversaries, but they have been terrific.

Despite what many people think, there is plenty of romance at WDW, expecially since adults are simply 'aged kids' right? It always brings out the little girl in me, especially my ritual of riding DUMBO first thing on our first MK morning! It puts a smile on my face that stays throughout the entire trip.

Enjoy and build your memories - then add to then as years go by. There is no other place quite like it.

 

[gibbersome]

beansmom - glad to hear you are having such a great honeymoon! I didn't become a WDW fan until 2000 so the best we can do is anniversaries, but they have been terrific.

Despite what many people think, there is plenty of romance at WDW, expecially since adults are simply 'aged kids' right? It always brings out the little girl in me, especially my ritual of riding DUMBO first thing on our first MK morning! It puts a smile on my face that stays throughout the entire trip.

Enjoy and build your memories - then add to then as years go by. There is no other place quite like it.

I agree 2ofUs! Disney is a very unique experience for adults, you get to feel like a kid with your SO!

Our Platinum trip is in January and Dolphins in Depth was booked up!
I guess I'll be calling a few times a week, hoping for cancellations...

 

[beansmom]

2ofus, indeed there IS lots of romance here. We love to linger in the hammocks in the moonlight.

Tho not part of the package, we did the Haunted Carriage ride and outside of the legend told as we rode, it was very romantic under a half moon ...lovely.

We are doing the premium again in march when we come back for a conference...spring break crowds aren't for me so a busy premium day will be perfect.

 

[nu2dvc]

Well, I stumbled upon this thread yesterday and got to thinking: why not plan a 10th anniversary trip for DH and I during F&W next fall and do either plat. or prem. package for one night of the three total nights we would likely stay.

We have had a very rough year and definitely need a few days together to recharge. I've always wanted to try some of the tours, but with 3 kids it's kinda impossible! They've taken lots of Disney trips and are even doing a Dream cruise in May so please no flames that I'm leaving my kids behind for 4 days. woohoo

I've always wanted to do the Richard Petty thing, as well as V & A, and since I am trying to decide between the two packages, I started thinking ~ it isn't clear on the PDF whether each person in the travel party receives spa trmt., golf lessons, Richard Petty ride-along, etc.... So do any of you who have done this know if it is 1 per package, or 1 per person, and if so, which experiences does it apply to? (not the tours, right???? )

Thanks in advance for any help ~ and also, thanks to the OP for making me think of this! I'm so excited to plan!

 

[Wall-E1]

Does anyone have any confirmation on which plan the Wild Africa Trek tour will be on - premium or platinum? It's 3 hour length would seem to lean towards premium, but the $189 price kind of suggests the platinum plan - based on other tour offerings.

 

[beansmom]

we're baaaa=aaaack. and, boy, are my arms tired!

a few thoughts:

we DEFINITELY got our money's worth. Between the tours, La Nouba, food, photo sessions...we feel like we really made out. So much so, we are planning another premium splurge for next spring.

It's definitely not ENOUGH time. Not nearly.

There's waaaay too much food. Even sharing every meal, it was still tooo much food. It was great food but too much. We left some of our snack credits unused.

My calculations are this:

Package price per person per nite: approx $170 x 2 = $340

Segway tour $99
Behind the Seeds tour $16 x 2
La Nouba $89 x 2
Photopass Portrait Session $30 (? just guesstimating since Photopass is down right now)
food - average meal cost was $50 so $50 x 6 =$300
refillable mugs $15 x 2


$669 for $340...we COULD have done a few more things...carriage ride, boat rental...next time we will. It was two full-tilt days but sooo definitely worth the money.

 

[let'sgo]

Well, I stumbled upon this thread yesterday and got to thinking: why not plan a 10th anniversary trip for DH and I during F&W next fall and do either plat. or prem. package for one night of the three total nights we would likely stay.

We have had a very rough year and definitely need a few days together to recharge. I've always wanted to try some of the tours, but with 3 kids it's kinda impossible! They've taken lots of Disney trips and are even doing a Dream cruise in May so please no flames that I'm leaving my kids behind for 4 days. woohoo

I've always wanted to do the Richard Petty thing, as well as V & A, and since I am trying to decide between the two packages, I started thinking ~ it isn't clear on the PDF whether each person in the travel party receives spa trmt., golf lessons, Richard Petty ride-along, etc.... So do any of you who have done this know if it is 1 per package, or 1 per person, and if so, which experiences does it apply to? (not the tours, right???? )

Thanks in advance for any help ~ and also, thanks to the OP for making me think of this! I'm so excited to plan!

You'll have a great time with only the two of you. It's great to get away from the kids for a few days!

The Richard Petty is one per package (only one person gets to do this). Spa treatment is one per person--and if one person doesn't want theirs, the other person can take it from what I have heard.

You can take as many tours as you can fit in or do as many water sports as you want. I did the Premium Pkg and highly recommend the Personal Watercraft Tour. You jet ski around Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon and stop to hear interesting facts along the way. It was SOOO fun!

To decide if you want Premium or Platinum, look and see what the Platinum offers over the Premium (Victoria & Alberts, Dolphins in Depth, Epcot Seas Aqua Tour, Backstage Magic Tour, Spa Treatment, Richard Petty, etc.) and see what you are most interested in. Then decide.

It's lots of fun to do the planning--enjoy!

 

[let'sgo]

Does anyone have any confirmation on which plan the Wild Africa Trek tour will be on - premium or platinum? It's 3 hour length would seem to lean towards premium, but the $189 price kind of suggests the platinum plan - based on other tour offerings.

As of right now the Wild Africa Trek Tour is not being offered on either the Premium or Platinum Pkgs. It is being offered in Jan/Feb/Mar and maybe April to be evaluated and you can't book it past the evaluation dates. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

 

[disneyyes]

Does anyone have any confirmation on which plan the Wild Africa Trek tour will be on - premium or platinum? It's 3 hour length would seem to lean towards premium, but the $189 price kind of suggests the platinum plan - based on other tour offerings.

For what it's worth in accuracy, I did call the tours department last night to start my planning, and I asked about scheduling the Wild Africa Trek. The reservationist told me that the Africa Trek would NOT be offered with either Premium or Platinum. We all know these things sometimes change, or are reported inaccurately, but as of now I was not able to book. I was bummed!