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

[FoodLover]

When I went to book they told me that their usual charge was $25 to book the package.

Wow, do you mean that the AAA travel agent wanted to charge you $25 to book your Disney vacation package? Agents get commission from Disney -- and on a Premium or Platinum plan booking, even for one night, it should be a pretty decent amount of commission -- so this seems like sheer greed. I've never heard of a TA charging a fee to book a Disney vacation package!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[FoodLover]

We're not staying concierge level, so can this list of services possibly be right? Anyone else get the extra concierge services (lounge, check-in, robes, turn-down) when staying Platinum but not concierge? Or does this whole letter just sound like a mistake given that we're way past our 180 days and we're not booked concierge?

Sadly, based on my experience with the IPO and that of many others on this thread, it's probably a screw-up.

However, it's (slightly) possible you've been upgraded. Sometimes people staying in non-Club Level rooms on the Platinum Plan are upgraded to Club Level. I don't want to get your hopes up too much, though. It seems unlikely that an upgrade would happen this early (if you did 180 day bookings in May, I assume you're traveling around October) and upgrades don't seem to be common at all on the one-night bookings. But you never know!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[nannette]

We're doing the platinum plan at the Poly, and made all our 180-day ressies with IPO back in May. In late April we got our welcome letter that told us about the use of IPO services.

We just got another "Welcome" letter from the Poly concierge, this time telling us that our plan includes:

• IPO services
• Personalized check-in
• Access to King Kamehaha Club lounge
• Bathrobes
• Turn-down service

It then encourages us to hurry up and book our meals and activities (which we did in May). Should I be concerned that they've lost all our info?

We're not staying concierge level, so can this list of services possibly be right? Anyone else get the extra concierge services (lounge, check-in, robes, turn-down) when staying Platinum but not concierge? Or does this whole letter just sound like a mistake given that we're way past our 180 days and we're not booked concierge?

I and many others got the same email... could just be a glitch in the system. My trip is planned for November 2011 for 6 nights platinum and everything has been booked since the 180 day mark as well. I have heard that others not on this plan but staying Club Level also received an email from IPO. I wouldn't worry about anything.

~Nannette

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

However, it's (slightly) possible you've been upgraded. Sometimes people staying in non-Club Level rooms on the Platinum Plan are upgraded to Club Level. I don't want to get your hopes up too much, though. It seems unlikely that an upgrade would happen this early (if you did 180 day bookings in May, I assume you're traveling around October) and upgrades don't seem to be common at all on the one-night bookings. But you never know!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

It's been my understanding all along that Platinum reservations include Club Level perks and the email I received (back in May, 3 months prior to our reservation) seems to confirm that (we booked a standard room):

"Thank you for choosing Disney's Wilderness Lodge for your upcoming visit.

Your reservation includes many Concierge Club services including:

• Dedicated staff available to assist you with itinerary planning prior to and during your visit
• Personalized check-in with our dedicated Concierge staff
• Access to the Old Faithful Club, complimentary food and beverage offerings, including continental breakfast, mid-day snacks, an evening presentation of hors d'oeuvres, desserts, cordials and a selection of beers and wines
• Luxurious bath robes
• Evening turn-down service"

 

[sarahgirl]

Wow, do you mean that the AAA travel agent wanted to charge you $25 to book your Disney vacation package? Agents get commission from Disney -- and on a Premium or Platinum plan booking, even for one night, it should be a pretty decent amount of commission -- so this seems like sheer greed. I've never heard of a TA charging a fee to book a Disney vacation package!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

This is correct, my TA told me that normally they would charge a $25 "professional fee". But she told me she would waive the fee after I told her that the discount was only $5. I explained to her why I went through AAA and told her exactly what I wanted. There was actually a sign that stated the $25 fee but I didn't notice it until halfway through. It would've really sucked if I would've had to pay an extra $20 just to have her phone in disney and make the arrangements.

 

[FoodLover]

It's been my understanding all along that Platinum reservations include Club Level perks

Nope. Definitely not.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

From http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/2011/platinum/ :

"2011 Magic Your Way Platinum Package

For the ultimate vacation, this package offers deluxe accommodations at a select Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort and all the features of the Disney Premium Package plus: pre-arrival planning services, a dazzling fireworks cruise, reserved seating at Fantasmic!, a select spa treatment, turndown service and more!"

and http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/2012/platinum/ :

"For the ultimate vacation, this package offers deluxe accommodations at a select Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort and all the features of the Disney Premium Package plus: pre-arrival planning services, a dazzling fireworks cruise, reserved seating at Fantasmic!, a select spa treatment, turndown service and more!"

Yup, at least some Club-Level perks are definately included!

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Nope. Definitely not.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

Mary - maybe you're thinking about the Premium plan? The Premium does not appear to have the Club-Level perks, only the Platinum.

 

[Lehuaann]

Guests (on the PLAT plan) have reported that they were not allowed access to the CL lounge... since they didn't book a CL room.

I called last year and was also told no.

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Guests (on the PLAT plan) have reported that they were not allowed access to the CL lounge... since they didn't book a CL room.

I called last year and was also told no.

Hmmmm. I just double-checked my reservations (both for Friday/Platinum and Saturday/room only) and both show exactly the same "Room Type: Standard View" - so my Friday reservation is definatey not Club Level.

Guess that means we got an upgrade 3 months ahead of time!?

(Maybe I should print out the email and bring it with me just in case?! )

 

[FoodLover]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/2012/platinum/ :

"For the ultimate vacation, this package offers deluxe accommodations at a select Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort and all the features of the Disney Premium Package plus: pre-arrival planning services, a dazzling fireworks cruise, reserved seating at Fantasmic!, a select spa treatment, turndown service and more!"

Yup, at least some Club-Level perks are definately included!

No, in this case the pre-arrival planning is NOT a "Club Level" perk, it's a perk of Platinum. In fact, the Platinum IPO (which does your pre-arrival planning) is in a completely different office from the Club Level Concierges. Some of the CMs work in both, but they are two different organizations.

Platinum Plan does NOT automatically include Club Level amenities (lounge access, etc), unless you pay for a Club Level room. Sometimes people on the Platinum Plan are upgraded from regular rooms to Club Level rooms, but this is extremely rare (possibly nonexistent) on one-night Platinum Plan stays.

I have also heard of a "pixie dust" type situation where someone on an extended Platinum Plan stay in a non-Club Level room was not upgraded to a Club Level room, but was allowed access to the lounge by the Club Level Concierge. This was definitely an unusual situation and was no doubt due to the guest spending a ton of money to stay on Platinum for two weeks.

I am 100% certain of this information, both from discussing it with the travel agent I work closely with (who books many Platinum Plan vacations and knows the Club Level and IPO staff well) and from my own personal experience.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Platinum Plan does NOT automatically include Club Level amenities (lounge access, etc), unless you pay for a Club Level room. Sometimes people on the Platinum Plan are upgraded from regular rooms to Club Level rooms, but this is extremely rare (possibly nonexistent) on one-night Platinum Plan stays.

Well, since we have a one-night Platinum Plan stay and have received an email directly from Disney saying we have access to the Old Faithful Club, I guess it's not a non-existent upgrade!!!

Interestingly.. we have a Club Level reservation at WL for Labor Day weekend and the email we received for both reservations is exactly the same (well, except for the dates).

(I'm still gonna print out the email and bring it... just in case!)

 

[FoodLover]

Well, since we have a one-night Platinum Plan stay and have received an email directly from Disney saying we have access to the Old Faithful Club, I guess it's not a non-existent upgrade!!!

Don't count on it. It sounds as if they are sending out erroneous emails to Platinum Plan guests. I seriously doubt you'll be put in a Club Level room. And you'll end up having to fight for that lounge access, I predict, even with your printout.

I stayed in a Magic Kingdom View (non Club Level) room at the GF earlier this year when I did the one-night Platinum Plan. It was not cheap. I couldn't get the Club Level Concierges to help me with major problems I was having with the Plan during my stay. As far as they were concerned, if I wasn't on Club Level, I was "not their problem." The fact that I was on the Platinum Plan didn't mean a thing to them.

I'm not trying to be unkind, I'm just letting you know what is likely. Good luck!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[nannette]

No, in this case the pre-arrival planning is NOT a "Club Level" perk, it's a perk of Platinum. In fact, the Platinum IPO (which does your pre-arrival planning) is in a completely different office from the Club Level Concierges. Some of the CMs work in both, but they are two different organizations.

Platinum Plan does NOT automatically include Club Level amenities (lounge access, etc), unless you pay for a Club Level room. Sometimes people on the Platinum Plan are upgraded from regular rooms to Club Level rooms, but this is extremely rare (possibly nonexistent) on one-night Platinum Plan stays.

I have also heard of a "pixie dust" type situation where someone on an extended Platinum Plan stay in a non-Club Level room was not upgraded to a Club Level room, but was allowed access to the lounge by the Club Level Concierge. This was definitely an unusual situation and was no doubt due to the guest spending a ton of money to stay on Platinum for two weeks.

I am 100% certain of this information, both from discussing it with the travel agent I work closely with (who books many Platinum Plan vacations and knows the Club Level and IPO staff well) and from my own personal experience.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

Lol kind of me... I'm paying for 6 nights 7 days platinum (*%^& TON of $$$) and I was told it did not include CL and I'm really ok with that because it includes everything else except the extra food which I really don't think we'll need considering all the dinning reservations we have!!! Anyway I have heard of AKL putting Platinum Plan guests in CL IF and only IF they have empty rooms available. I am also dealing directly with the IPO at the Y/BC not in another office (this I know from staying CL at YC last year.. same people same number).

Anyway to the other poster you can print the email out and bring it to them but read it carefully they get you on the wording!! Tricky Disney!!

Enjoy your trip!!

~Nannette

 

[Lehuaann]

It sounds as if they are sending out erroneous emails to Platinum Plan guests.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

Mary, I agree. A blanketed IPO email doesn't necessarily mean a non-CL PLAT guest is entitled to the lounge.

W&G, there's a slim possibility you may either be upgraded or allowed access to the CL lounge. However, if they don't/won't, your printed email won't stand a chance to CL amenities you didn't pay for.

And like Mary, I'm not trying to be mean or discouraging. I've just seen and heard of it not happening when others mistakenly felt it was included.

 

[Sugarglider]

Hi Kungaloosh

I got an email from the Poly on Saturday but it was different to yours.

No list like yours. Just said, in summary:

• thanks for the choosing the Poly
• the IPO can do your bookings
• click the link below
• love and kisses

then there is a "next" button and it takes me to an electronic IPO planning form. I ignored it cause i have an emailed confirmed itinery (to have a cruise with you!). But I didn't get that list of perks. I booked a garden view room (non CL) so this looks normal to me.

 

[Waseller77]

I also got an email on Friday regarding my upcoming Sept. Platinum trip from AKL stating:

"Thank you for choosing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for your upcoming visit.

Your reservation includes many Concierge Club services including:
• Dedicated staff available to assist you with itinerary planning prior to and during your visit
• Personalized check-in with our dedicated Concierge staff
• Access to the Kilimanjaro Club, complimentary food and beverage offerings, including continental breakfast, mid-day snacks, an evening presentation of hors d'oeuvres, desserts, cordials and a selection of beers and wines
• Luxurious bath robes
• Evening turn-down service "

We are in a pool-view bunkbed room, so we'll see if we are put in CL or not!

 

[DCDisney]

I got the same email on Fri fromWL for our Nov stay.

 

[bsmcneil]

No you have to actually book it with AAA, using a AAA travel agent.

Also I notice that you are from Nebraska, so you are the same situation as I am. When I went to book they told me that their usual charge was $25 to book the package. The agent was nice enough to not charge me but I wouldn't count on it. The total savings I got was $5.90, so it might not be worth it.

Oh jeez - that might not. Though we're doing the Platinum for several nights - isn't it 10% off the room price? On the other hand, we're already making reservations, etc and I really don't want to cancel the reservation and do another. And really - 25 dollars to book? Historically, AAA hasn't charged but maybe that's because AAA-NE isn't used to booking WDW (I'm from the East Coast).

 

[sarahgirl]

Oh jeez - that might not. Though we're doing the Platinum for several nights - isn't it 10% off the room price? On the other hand, we're already making reservations, etc and I really don't want to cancel the reservation and do another. And really - 25 dollars to book? Historically, AAA hasn't charged but maybe that's because AAA-NE isn't used to booking WDW (I'm from the East Coast).

You could always go there and check out what the price would be. I don't know how much your room only portion is so I don't know how much you would save. I also am a transplant from the East coast, and I also have not heard of AAA charging for their travel services. I used them to book a contiki tour in Ohio and there was never any fee. $25 does seem a bit much though especially when I am a paying member and they are getting a commission.