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

[goodferry]

I was just turned onto this thread today and spent the day in awe and trying to digest it all. My 40th bday is in Feb (over President's weekend) and DH and I are trying to come up with a plan. This would be our first trip to the world without our kids, and we were really looking for some different things to do.

I would appreciate it if you could look over what I have started to figure out and tell me if I am on the right track so far....

Here it goes...

We would check in on Thursday, Feb 17th (late in the evening) room only. Not sure what on-site hotel yet. Can't look at prices yet. (I think they come out in August?) We are thinking Moderate but maybe Pop. (We usually stay at POR since we are a family of 5, but have stayed at All Star Sports once when we shared a room with my mom....) and then "check out" the next day.

Then we would "check back in" on Friday, Feb 18th early in the am (like 7am) with the Premium package and pick up all of our tickets and then we can start touring on Friday and continue through Saturday at Midnight.

*One question I did have is when we book the premium package, I know that we have to get a pack ticket with it. Since we are going to be there until Monday can we get 4 day park tickets even though we are "checking in and out?"

Sunday morning we need to "check out and then check back in" to the room only portion of our trip....and then we leave on Monday.

I've read that people link the 3 ressies together so that "hopefully" they will not have to change rooms during all of this checking in and out! That is what I am going for as well....

Ok, now onto the touring plans...

On Friday: DH really wants to go golfing at Magnolia so I was thinking that he could get an early tee time (I guess that he could go by himself and they would put him with others - he doesn't even mind going on his own) and I want to do the 7:45 or 8:30 Epcot Segway tour.... then I would hang at Epcot and ride the rides (maybe do the Behind the Seeds tour - anyone ever do that?) and wait for DH to meet me at EPCOT.

Lunch at Le Cellier (maybe around 1:00)

Hoop De Doo Review (7:15)


On Saturday: My Birthday!!!

We were thinking of doing the 8:30 Keys to the Kingdom tour, dinner at Ohana (5 ish) , and 9:00 LaNoube

Since it's February all of the watercraft stuff is out. I wanted to go horseback riding, but I can't see how I can fit it in transportation wise... How does this look? Am I missing anything? Do I seem to understand how this works??? Thanks so much for your help!

Yes you can get 4 day tickets if you need them. We did a two day package at BWI before moving to BWV and bought 10 day tickets, so I know you can do it.
I personally would use the meal credits for signature meals, more bang for your buck! I love 'Ohana, but I would probably go to California Grill or Jiko instead that night.

 

[Leigha]

I was just turned onto this thread today and spent the day in awe and trying to digest it all. My 40th bday is in Feb (over President's weekend) and DH and I are trying to come up with a plan. This would be our first trip to the world without our kids, and we were really looking for some different things to do.

I would appreciate it if you could look over what I have started to figure out and tell me if I am on the right track so far....

Here it goes...

We would check in on Thursday, Feb 17th (late in the evening) room only. Not sure what on-site hotel yet. Can't look at prices yet. (I think they come out in August?) We are thinking Moderate but maybe Pop. (We usually stay at POR since we are a family of 5, but have stayed at All Star Sports once when we shared a room with my mom....) and then "check out" the next day.

Then we would "check back in" on Friday, Feb 18th early in the am (like 7am) with the Premium package and pick up all of our tickets and then we can start touring on Friday and continue through Saturday at Midnight.

*One question I did have is when we book the premium package, I know that we have to get a pack ticket with it. Since we are going to be there until Monday can we get 4 day park tickets even though we are "checking in and out?"

Sunday morning we need to "check out and then check back in" to the room only portion of our trip....and then we leave on Monday.

I've read that people link the 3 ressies together so that "hopefully" they will not have to change rooms during all of this checking in and out! That is what I am going for as well....

Ok, now onto the touring plans...

On Friday: DH really wants to go golfing at Magnolia so I was thinking that he could get an early tee time (I guess that he could go by himself and they would put him with others - he doesn't even mind going on his own) and I want to do the 7:45 or 8:30 Epcot Segway tour.... then I would hang at Epcot and ride the rides (maybe do the Behind the Seeds tour - anyone ever do that?) and wait for DH to meet me at EPCOT.

Lunch at Le Cellier (maybe around 1:00)

Hoop De Doo Review (7:15)


On Saturday: My Birthday!!!

We were thinking of doing the 8:30 Keys to the Kingdom tour, dinner at Ohana (5 ish) , and 9:00 LaNoube

Since it's February all of the watercraft stuff is out. I wanted to go horseback riding, but I can't see how I can fit it in transportation wise... How does this look? Am I missing anything? Do I seem to understand how this works??? Thanks so much for your help!

What if you both did the Segway tour together then lunch and THEN he went for the golf lesson while you did something else? I assume you LOVE Ohana and that is why you chose it for your birthday but I just wanted to be sure you realized you could pick the California Grill, Yachtsman's Steakhouse or Narcoisses - two credit restaurants. What a way to celebrate!

 

[starwarsdisney]

Does anyone know how much the premium plan cost per day? Still trying to figure all of this out.

 

[loveswdw]

According to Mousesavers, it's $164 per adult per night.

 

[wendylovesdisney]

Can I use my 40% off code on a room and still have the platinum or premium plan added on??

 

[starwarsdisney]

According to Mousesavers, it's $164 per adult per night.

WOW, that's cheaper than I thought. Doing that for one day of the trip would be much cheaper than paying for La Nouba/Tours out of pocket!

 

[beautifultomorrow]

Can I use my 40% off code on a room and still have the platinum or premium plan added on??

Unfortunately, no. The only discount that we know can be used on the room portion of a platinum or premium package is a AAA. Otherwise you have to pay rack rate.

 

[2ofUs]

Can I use my 40% off code on a room and still have the platinum or premium plan added on??

As the previous poster stated, you have to book RACK to add the Premuim pkg. However, you could book a 1-night stay at POP (least expensive rooms) and add the Premium pkg.

You don't have to STAY there, but you will have to go there early on the morning of your package to 'check-in' and pick-up the package. Take advantage of auto check-out and you won't even have to go back the next day.

For the amount you will save with a properly planned itinerary, you will more than make up for the cost of the room for one night. Plus, you won't have to relocate from your current resort!

We are staying the night a POP for our Premium Pkg (and the night prior on a room-only ressie). Accounting for the extra night prior, we are SAVING nearly $650 doing several things we would have done w/o the package: La Nouba, FW Segway, dinner at Citrico's & Flying Fish which would have cost nearly $600.

Guess that means for $50 more than we planned to spend anyway, we added: Fishing, KTTK tour, picture session and lunch at HBD!

We actually could have done MORE (parasailing, golf lesson, Backstage Safari Tour @ AK) but we decided to slow down and enjoy what we ARE doing instead of rushing from place to place. Besides, I am not overly fond of water sports. Since the fishing is catch and release only - and it is something we would NEVER do without the package - it was a good fit. 7-9am on a shaded pontoon boat, just us, the captain, a tour guide and a selection of fresh pastries, coffee, juices & water. Ah, good times @ $270 for the early morning tour. Gotta love the fleeting feeling of being in the elite class.

One more plus is the 'special' viewing area at either Wishes or Illuminations - no pricing for that little treat!

 

[Symans3honeybees]

2ofus, I didn't know that the fishing excursion includes food Thanks for the heads up. You got me thinking about doing it instead of spending an hour eating breakfast before heading out for the Dolphin in Depth Tour(we're on Platinum) Do you think we'll have enough time to get back to Epcot by 9:30am??

 

[2ofUs]

You could have them drop you at whatever pier is closest to catch the Epcot monorail and HOPE for a 9:30 arrival.

If you are planning to do the 9:30 tour, it depends on where you have to meet to check in. If at Guest Services by 9:15 it would be a real push to get to Epcot, through security, and to GS (just left of Space Ship Earth). I imagine, since the 'boat' would be yours for the morning, you could request to end a bit early in order to allow more time to get to Epcot! We considered trying for the 9:30 Epcot Segway, then decided to do KTTK instead - fit our timing better.

The fact that they would have 'morning goodies' was one of the big selling points - well, the appeal of early morning on the water was nice too. At $270 for the morning tour (think it is $250 for the 10-noon and 2-4 tours) this would be quite a splurge for us, but seemed like a nice, relaxing start.

We are having the captain drop us off at the MK dock @ 9:00 in order to meet for our KTTK tour by 9:15 (at townhall just inside the park) that is indoor/outdoor and also includes lunch. Have done this before but it will be different with another guide. Then it's back to POP to rest, change & head out for photos at GF by 5:15, Citrico's check-in at 6:30, monoral toward MK by 8:00-8:15 for WISHES viewing spot by 8:45.

We originally planned to do the early train tour (still want to do this someday!) then hustle over to FW for the 11:30 Segway. HOWEVER, after going through the severe heat/humidity of Orlando LAST September, we decided to move the Segway to the following morning, dropping the Wild by Design tour at AK.

Before we head to Segway, we'll drive to Wyndham Bonnet Creek right by POP & drop off luggage & precheck-in (got pixie dust here - they upgraded us to PRESIDENTIAL suite for 3 days - woohoo!)

After Segway we head to DHS. Plan to FP/ride TSM & ToT, wander & eat lunch @ 1:45 HBD thus avoiding mid-day heat. Could have done the afternoon tour at AK but liked the idea of a nice, cool, sit-down lunch at one of my favorite spots!

Our room should be ready between 3 & 4, so we can change for La Nouba (arrive by 5:30) then either walk to Portabello in DTD or drive over to BW for Flying Fish - to be decided.

Again, busy but hopefully well timed.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

After talking with my dear husband, we decide to skip the fishing excursion He really want to have breakfast at Boma, but I can't blame him. The breakfast is truly good there
When are you going? We will be there on 8/14 and hope to go to DHS and ride TSM a few times before it closes for refurbishment.

 

[2ofUs]

Our trip is 9/8 - 9/16 w/Premium day 9/9 so activites begin that morning through the next evening. Then on 9/11 I turn 62 and we plan a blissfully restful day in that Presidential Suite upgrade with an in-room jacuzzi - ah, my tootsies can hardly wait.

Okay, I don't remember reading about a TSM rehab...will it be done by our arrival?

We rode the newer version at Disneyland last March and I have to admit it was nicer. Unfortunately, TSM at DL is NOT a FP option and the lines are huge, even in off-season, if there is such a thing in California.

I agree about the food at BOMA. Actually, I am trying to talk DH into changing our Flying Fish dinner to JIKO as I LOVE their food and the atmosphere.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

TSM will be closed from 8/16 to the end of August. 2of YOU time your vacation perfectly!! Especially with you staying in the Presidential suite Does the suite has its own Jaccuzzi spa inside? wouldn't it be nice!!

 

[2ofUs]

We met a couple from Iowa during a cruise in 2003. They have a Wyndham (used to be Fairfield) vacation club membership and we have traveled somewhere with them once or twice a year since (Tucson & Sedona, AZ; Las Vegas, NV; Oceanside, CA; Branson, MO; San Antonio, TX; Orlando, etc.)

As a gift they gave us 3 days at Wyndham Bonnet Creek this year (we have bought points from them for past visits) and my ex-SIL gave us 3 days at BLT-MK view as a thank you for introducing him to WDW in Jan 2009 when he bought DVC.

So, with 6 free nights, we decided we could splurge and do the Premium pkg at the beginning of our trip!

Yesterday Jan emailed that Wyndham had 'upgraded' the room to the Presidential Suite - the best room they have. They are "platinum level" owners and often get upgrades, but haven't traveled much this year so I guess Wyndham decided to toss us a bone!

The rooms at WBC are all quite lovely - nice leather furniture, large balcony with views of Epcot from some. We generally get a 2 bedroom and a CM friend stays with us 1 or 2 nights. The Presidential has larger rooms overall, King beds in both bedrooms, and a jacuzzi (not just a whirlpool tub) in the master suite. Wish it had a sauna, but then it might. I haven't seen the PS at this location, only the one in Vegas.

But just the luxury of an upgrade for my 62nd BD is a real treat. And when we leave there we move to a studio at BLT with MK view, which will be an amazing stay as well! Guess we better enjoy it since I doubt we'll get such an 'inexpensive' stay again!

 

[Symans3honeybees]

WOW, what a treat for your Birthday! I want to know some of your friends too, lol

 

[dznyacct]

I am sooooo going to do this on one of our upcoming WDW trips . I think we'll need to do it at the beginning of the trip so we have time to recuperate .

 

[Justsyd2]

Thanks to this thread we're going to add a Platinum Plan day at the Grand Floridian to our December 2011 trip. I'm thinking that on day one we'll do breakfast at Akershus, the Dolphins in Depth tour at Epcot, Lunch at Le Cellier, massages at GF, the portrait package at GF, dinner at Victoria and Albert's and the Wishes cruise, and on day two we'll do breakfast at Boma, Disney’s Backstage Safari Tour at Animal Kingdom, lunch to be determined, Bass Fishing, TAKE A NAP, and dinner at California Grill.

Plus, we'll be getting a Photopass CD, and refillable mugs!!

 

[beautifultomorrow]

Thanks to this thread we're going to add a Platinum Plan day at the Grand Floridian to our December 2011 trip. I'm thinking that on day one we'll do breakfast at Akershus, the Dolphins in Depth tour at Epcot, Lunch at Le Cellier, massages at GF, the portrait package at GF, dinner at Victoria and Albert's and the Wishes cruise, and on day two we'll do breakfast at Boma, Disney’s Backstage Safari Tour at Animal Kingdom, lunch to be determined, Bass Fishing, TAKE A NAP, and dinner at California Grill.

Plus, we'll be getting a Photopass CD, and refillable mugs!!

Sounds awesome! Maybe you're planning to pay out of pocket for some of your meals but don't forget that if you stay one night on the platinum plan you get three meals to use over the two days (not three meals each day). So if you use one at V&A and one at California Grill you'll have one more for lunch or breakfast on one of the two days.

 

[Justsyd2]

Sounds awesome! Maybe you're planning to pay out of pocket for some of your meals but don't forget that if you stay one night on the platinum plan you get three meals to use over the two days (not three meals each day). So if you use one at V&A and one at California Grill you'll have one more for lunch or breakfast on one of the two days.

Oh, that's right! Thanks so much. I really didn't want to eat that much but was thinking THREE each day. That's great! We can just do snacks for breakfasts, (6) V&A one night, Cali the next, Le Cellier at lunch, and one CS lunch OOP. Right?

 

[beautifultomorrow]

Oh, that's right! Thanks so much. I really didn't want to eat that much but was thinking THREE each day. That's great! We can just do snacks for breakfasts, (6) V&A one night, Cali the next, Le Cellier at lunch, and one CS lunch OOP. Right?

Yes, that sounds right! I dont know how many people are in your party but each person will get 2 snacks. It has also been reported on here, although I'm not sure its 100% confirmed that it will happen everywhere, that if you are on the platinum package you will have access to the concierge lounge during the 2 days of your platinum package. Once you make your reservation and start talking to IPO about itineraries I'd ask them if that holds true at Grand Floridian, if so you could eat breakfast in the lounge and also partake in other snacks (and beverages!) throughout the day if you have time.