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

[sarahgirl]

Awesome suggestions guys!! Thanks for all your help. I love all the planning that is involved in this--it's almost as fun as the actual trip. My plan is to fly in on Friday, stay the night at POP then start on my premium plan for Saturday and start my room only reservation. I think I will be changing it up. As much as I love seafood I want to experience different places.

I'm looking at just hoping on the monorail and probably having a QS (OOP) lunch over at Poly or GF and then doing my fishing excursion from there. After that I'll probably do another parasailing at Contemporary(I don't think you really can do too much parasailing). And perhaps rent out a jetski. Then head over to Nacrosses (5:15) and have the earliest dinner there. Then head over to Ft Wilderness and do 2 carriage rides until the late seating (9:15) of HDDR. (Or I might switch those 2 around.)

This is going to be a solo trip so anything and everything I want to do is up to me- which is awesome.

And I'm going to definately take Monday off and then hit the parks on Tues and Wed, I then leave for a 3 day sailing on the Dream.

This afternoon I'm heading to AAA to book this package. I've read this whole thread and nobody has really come up with a definative answer on what the discount is when booked through them, so I'll let you guys know.

 

[sarahgirl]

So I went to AAA today and my discount was $5.90. This was for 1 person premium package. Also I called the recreation department today and found that that golf lessons happen throughout the day beginning at 8am. They are only offered at the Palm and Magnolia golf courses. In addition I was able to book archery at 2:45 on Saturday 9/3 and the Wilderness Trail tour at 11:30. Unfortunately they do not have the Inspiration: Through Walt's Eye's tour available to book yet, but it should not be full from what I have gathered.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

So I went to AAA today and my discount was $5.90. This was for 1 person premium package. Also I called the recreation department today and found that that golf lessons happen throughout the day beginning at 8am. They are only offered at the Palm and Magnolia golf courses. In addition I was able to book archery at 2:45 on Saturday 9/3 and the Wilderness Trail tour at 11:30. Unfortunately they do not have the Inspiration: Through Walt's Eye's tour available to book yet, but it should not be full from what I have gathered.

Thanks for reporting your savings from AAA, I have been wondering about that. I am wondering what exactly it is? Sounds like somewhere between 5-10% off the room price?

It seems like I read somewhere (maybe from Mary from Mousesavers?) that the Inspiration tour has not been showing up properly for the premium/platinum plans even though it is supposed to be available. It sounds like that is an ongoing problem.

 

[Dizney73]

So I went to AAA today and my discount was $5.90. This was for 1 person premium package. Also I called the recreation department today and found that that golf lessons happen throughout the day beginning at 8am. They are only offered at the Palm and Magnolia golf courses. In addition I was able to book archery at 2:45 on Saturday 9/3 and the Wilderness Trail tour at 11:30. Unfortunately they do not have the Inspiration: Through Walt's Eye's tour available to book yet, but it should not be full from what I have gathered.

Was there any charge through AAA to book the trip??? I have heard that they charge $50 sometimes to book your disney Vacation. We have AAA and I am sad to say that I have never actually used it besides booking a hotel online or saving $$ at my local pretzel store!

 

[sarahgirl]

Was there any charge through AAA to book the trip??? I have heard that they charge $50 sometimes to book your disney Vacation. We have AAA and I am sad to say that I have never actually used it besides booking a hotel online or saving $$ at my local pretzel store!

The TA said there should have been a $25 fee but she was going to waive it since this was the only way I could get a discount...personally I dont see why I pay the membership fees if I can't use them.

 

[Dizney73]

The TA said there should have been a $25 fee but she was going to waive it since this was the only way I could get a discount...personally I dont see why I pay the membership fees if I can't use them.

Thanks Sarahgirl! I agree... but I guess I buy my membership for peace of mind. That way when my car breaks down on the side of the road with my two kids in the backseat I can just call a tow truck and sit back on my cell surfing the disboards while I wait!!!

Leaving for the World this Sunday... no plan this time but I am dreaming of my 1 night Platinum Plan stay with my 2 BFF's this July!!!!

 

[sarahgirl]

Thanks for reporting your savings from AAA, I have been wondering about that. I am wondering what exactly it is? Sounds like somewhere between 5-10% off the room price?

It seems like I read somewhere (maybe from Mary from Mousesavers?) that the Inspiration tour has not been showing up properly for the premium/platinum plans even though it is supposed to be available. It sounds like that is an ongoing problem.

It appears no one is able to book that tour right now. It's not a payment issue it's a booking issue. This is what I gathered from the CM I spoke with in WDW rec.

 

[hpfan100]

Sarah...hope you come back and report on your plan solo style. it'll be nice to hear how that went. I would love to do that for my July trip but am feeling a bit nervous about it.

 

[sarahgirl]

Sarah...hope you come back and report on your plan solo style. it'll be nice to hear how that went. I would love to do that for my July trip but am feeling a bit nervous about it.

I will do. This is my second WDW trip solo and fourth disney cruise solo. Last year I went by myself for a month to Europe, I'm used to it. I like being able to do what I want without having to consult others. I went with my sister during spring break a year ago and we argued half the time. Drove me nuts.

 

[marivaid]

Please tell me what you think of those itineraries, I'm not sure if I allowed enough time between things. We would be relying on Disney transportation and the occasional cab.
Our plan is to do 2 packages, one 1night/2days Premium while at POP, and one 1night/2 days Platinum at WL. We would have a "quiet" day in between.

Premium Plan Feb 28-29 (tuesday & wednesday)

Tuesday
Breakfast @ CRT 08.00 - 09.00
KTTW Tour 09.30 - 14.30
La Nouba 16.30 - 20.00
Dinner at Fulton's 21.00 - 22.00

Wednesday
Backstage Safari 08.00 - 11.00
Parasailing 13.00 - 14.00
Golf Lessons 14.30 - 17.30
Dinner @ Cali Grill 20.00 - 22.00
(See Wishes from Cali Grill)

Platinum Plan March 2-3 (friday & saturday)

Friday
Dolphins In Depth 09.00 - 13.00
Behind the Seeds 13.30 - 14.30
MAYBE Richard Petty 15.30 - 17.00 (can we take a cab straight from RPE to WL?)
Dinner @ Artist Point 18.30 - 20.00
Illuminations Cruise 20.00 - 22.30

Saturday
Fort Wilderness Segway 08.00 - 11.00
Seas Aqua Tour 12.00 - 15.30
Spa @ WL 17.30 - 19.00
Dinner at V&A 21.00 - ????

 

[kungaloosh22]

I have some questions about making reservations myself vs. via IPO.

It would be easier to let IP do all the bookings for us, but since we are checking in a few nights earlier (room only), would we be better off doing it ourselves with the 180+10 booking? Or might the IP also be able to book at 180 days from our room-only check-in? I'm mostly only worried about getting an early seating at Victoria and Alberts, but maybe that's not a problem with the main dining room? I tend to think an early dinner at Citricos won't be too hard to book at 180.

Are tours and Sammy Duvall's water sports also bookable at 180+10, or is that strictly 180 only? Are there any tours that tend to sell out really fast? I only hear about certain restaurants being difficult, so hopefully not.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I have some questions about making reservations myself vs. via IPO.

It would be easier to let IP do all the bookings for us, but since we are checking in a few nights earlier (room only), would we be better off doing it ourselves with the 180+10 booking? Or might the IP also be able to book at 180 days from our room-only check-in? I'm mostly only worried about getting an early seating at Victoria and Alberts, but maybe that's not a problem with the main dining room? I tend to think an early dinner at Citricos won't be too hard to book at 180.

Are tours and Sammy Duvall's water sports also bookable at 180+10, or is that strictly 180 only? Are there any tours that tend to sell out really fast? I only hear about certain restaurants being difficult, so hopefully not.

Not sure if the IPO will be able to do 180+10 or not, but either way I don't think you'll have any problem getting exactly what you want at 180. Victoria and Albert's main dining room won't book up that quickly.

I dont know if Sammy Duvall's does 180+10 (I doubt it) but again, you should have absolutely no trouble getting exactly what you want. Both times I have made reservations with them (once about a month out and the other less than 2 weeks) I have had my pick of times and activities. One of those trips was in July which you would think would be a busy time for them. In fact, while we were on the premium plan we called to add more watersports the second day and again were able to get exactly what we wanted. I got the impression that water sports were more of a spur of the moment activity for most families.

 

[Zife]

I have some questions about making reservations myself vs. via IPO.

It would be easier to let IP do all the bookings for us, but since we are checking in a few nights earlier (room only), would we be better off doing it ourselves with the 180+10 booking? Or might the IP also be able to book at 180 days from our room-only check-in? I'm mostly only worried about getting an early seating at Victoria and Alberts, but maybe that's not a problem with the main dining room? I tend to think an early dinner at Citricos won't be too hard to book at 180.

Definitely let the IPO do it. If you try to do it yourself, it won't recognize that you have the Platinum (or Premium) Plan and will try to charge you for everything. My upcoming booking is Club Level, then Platinum, so the Club Level IPO is handling everything, but still had to wait for the 180 day mark on my Platinum Plan, otherwise it wouldn't have worked properly.

Also, V&A is strictly 180 days, no +10 benefit from what the IPO told me.

Are tours and Sammy Duvall's water sports also bookable at 180+10, or is that strictly 180 only? Are there any tours that tend to sell out really fast? I only hear about certain restaurants being difficult, so hopefully not.

Tours are definitely 180+10 days, since both days of my plan were made at once. Sammy Duvall's I can't help with...

 

[kungaloosh22]

Thank you beautifultomorrow and Zife!

We decided to just let IPO take care of all the reservations. What a nice perk!

This is what we have planned:

Tuesday

9:00 - Segways Around the World
11:00 - Grab lunch at Food & Wine Festival
12:30 - Aqua Seas
3:30 - Back at Poly, DH rents sailboat for an hour while I primp for evening
5:30 - Victoria and Alberts
8:45 - Hallowishes fireworks cruise

Wednesday

9:00 - Personal Watercraft tour (aka jet skis)
10:30 - Deluxe parasailing
12:00 - Lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe
1:30 - Sea Raycers
3:00 - Spa treatments
4:00 - Walk back to Poly to get ready for evening
5:45 - Citricos
8:00 - Head to Epcot for Illuminations in private viewing area
10:00 - Carriage ride at Port Orleans (or at 10:30, but only if it can be booked at a time that's doable after Illuminations)

 

[Sugarglider]

Hi Kungaloosh
I got my IPO booking form yesterday - it is all underway for me.

I can't decide!! Am still working it all out. But it looks like we are both going for the same V&A time! you'll be able to identify me - I'll be the solo diner with a book

 

[kungaloosh22]

Hi Kungaloosh
I got my IPO booking form yesterday - it is all underway for me.

I can't decide!! Am still working it all out. But it looks like we are both going for the same V&A time! you'll be able to identify me - I'll be the solo diner with a book

Great! I hope we meet then. You should book the Wishes cruise that night too.

 

[sarahgirl]

So I have finally given up on the Inspiration through Walt's Eyes tour. I have tried to book this for several days now and everytime it has not been loaded into the system. I have almost everything booked with confirmation numbers except golf lessons which I can't book until 120 days. My schedule looks a bit different from when I first posted it but I think it leaves enough time to get from one place to another and check out what I want to do.

Saturday 9/3/11

9:00-10:00 Jetski excursion
10:00-11:00 Parasailing x 2 (Captain will drop me off at Ft Wilderness after)
11:30-1:30 Wilderness Trails Back Trail Adventure
1:30-2:30 Snack credits at Meadows Snack Bar
2:45-4:15 Archery
4:45-7:00 Spirit of Aloha
8:30-10:00 Cirque du Soliel

Sunday 9/4/11

8:00-9:00 Golf Lesson
9:00-10:00 Take taxi to SSR and walk to DTD or take directly to DTD
10:00-12:00 Fishing at DTD
12:00-1:30 Lunch at Fultons
2:30-3:00 Parasailing
3:00-4:00 Tubing
4:00-4:45 Take boat to Ft Wilderness
4:45-6:30 HDDR
6:30-7:30 Carriage Ride x 2
9:00-11:00 Mini Golf at Fantasia Gardens

 

[marivaid]

Thought I'd pass this info along, I emailed the Sammy Duvall watersports centre and asked if you had to have a driver's license to rent a "personal watercraft". I was told that you only have to be 16 and show ID but don't need a license. Yay for us

 

[cricketgirl]

I debated on wether to post this or not. But after the heart ache I had to deal with I thought it might save someone else the same.

Double check all your reservations that the IPO scheduals for you. I had only booked 3 things through my IPO and found that she had booked 2 of them on the wrong dates. I had asked for Fantsmic viewing on the 22nd of September and when I called she said I had it booked for the 21st and it was unavailable so I couldn't do it. Then I asked about my Victoria and Albert's Reservation on the 24th. Could I change them to a later seating. She tells me I don't have reservations for the 24th They are for the 23rd at 6 pm. Well, I had other plans that night. She tells me I gave her all the wrong dates and this was all my fault. She can only do with what I give her.

Well, I have specific notes and times and dates and Calendars and no where do I find that i gave her those dates. Plus, if I had given her the 21st she should have been able to tell me at that point Fantasmic wasn't showing that night. Regardless after she kept accusing me of giving her all the wrong info, I was almost in tears. I told her I needed to go and I would talk to hubby but at this point I am so upset that I want to cancel the whole trip. I have been planning for MONTHS. She was rude through the whole call. when I asked about special event times she said" if you'd have read the email we sent you you should know this" I did read it and it isn't there. Yes, both times I have called and gotten a person on the phone, It has been the same woman, Yes, I take notes. Heck I can tell you what days, how many times I call, how many times the phone rings before I give up and how many rings till someone actually picks up.

Did I say I was extermly organized and anal about my vacations plans?

Lori

 

[nannette]

My 180 mark is approaching next month! I have a spreadsheet with everything on it. I've called a few times regarding the process. I have 6 nights and 7 days worth of tours and dinning to book... should be fun! DD and I hate to be rushed so if I do this for 6 nights and 7 days I should be able to do A LOT! We've done a lot of tours already and always have the dxdp when we go so we always eat at great places, but we were looking for something different for our Thanksgiving vacation, so we have the first 2 nights of our vacation on our DVC at BLT and then we move to YC for the platinum plan for the next 6 nights and then we move to our DVC home resort AKL CL for the last 2 nights. We have all day Thanksgiving planned at the resort with DD having a massage. Can't wait to call tomorrow to give them my plans. I've actually not heard anything from them so I'll just call them. I find that IPO doesn't like to reach out. Anyway I'll let you know how IPO goes!!

Happy Planning everyone!!

~Nannette