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

[tarheelmjfan]

Given 3 meals to use for two days on one-night plan, eating 2 dinners and 1 lunch give you the best bang for the money. With the Platinum plan, you'll be given $125 credit toward the Chef's Table at $200/pp. Now we regretted for eating at the regular dining room last time, because we ended up spending close to $200/pp at the dining room getting extras like the Kobe, wagyu, and the turbot(sp?) The Chef's Table and the Queen Victoria room have no extra charges because you get to try a bit of everything. Now that's what we need

Wow, this is awesome! This is my first time seeing this thread. Will they allow you to upgrade to Queen Victoria's room also? I think my family would enjoy that more than the Chef's table.

 

[gibbersome]

Wow, this is awesome! This is my first time seeing this thread. Will they allow you to upgrade to Queen Victoria's room also? I think my family would enjoy that more than the Chef's table.

I think so, it will be $75 extra.

Do you have a Guided Watercraft Excursion reserved? The reason I'm asking is that I'm pretty sure I recall for our July Premium Plan, the Guided Excursion option was only available first thing in the morning. In the afternoon, there was a "free ride" option, but we were only allowed to ride over to a designated area, which was away from any Disney transportation watercraft. Our morning Guided Excursion took us past Discovery Island and over to the Grand Floridian. I would call Sammy's to ask about that - but otherwise, looks like you've got a great plan and I'm sure it will be great fun!

Yes we have it reserved! We were given the choice on doing the 9AM or 10AM guided excursion, perhaps because we're going over winter.

Thanks for your input! We ended up changing our plan a bit since we won't be able to do the Dolphin in Depth Tour (we're going on days it isn't offered), but we were able to get most of what we wanted!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I think so, it will be $75 extra.

That's great! I'm going to have to go back & read this thread. This sounds like an awesome deal. Although, I'm not physically able to go nonstop, so I'm not sure we could get our money's worth.

 

[gibbersome]

That's great! I'm going to have to go back & read this thread. This sounds like an awesome deal. Although, I'm not physically able to go nonstop, so I'm not sure we could get our money's worth.

Oh yes, there are many ways of doing that. Just remember that on Sundays, Mondays Cirque Du Soleil is dark and many Platinum tours are not available such as the Dolphins in Depth, Epcot Seas Aqua and Epcot DiveQuest.

The best resource I've found are the members on this forum!

 

[disneyyes]

Just wondering if there's any chance that the new Africa Trek experience could possibly be included on the Platinum tours ? ? ? Wouldn't that be great!

 

[ihave4kids]

I was wondering and hoping the same thing. Would love to do this next July!! Hopefully, we will find out soon.

 

[let'sgo]

Counting down the days! Just booked the preferred Wishes viewing spot- does anyone know where we present the voucher for this? Is there some type of a check in podium somewhere?

When you are entering the park walking toward the castle on Main Street there will be a roped off area on the right just past the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. It is in the area beyond the restaurant and there are some tables there. You take your voucher and give it to the CM along with your name. She'll check off your name on the list and let you enter. There were only about eight of us down there when I went, and we all had seats at the tables.

It's easy to spot as no guests will be there and you will see the CM and the roped off area.

 

[gibbersome]

When you are entering the park walking toward the castle on Main Street there will be a roped off area on the right just past the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. It is in the area beyond the restaurant and there are some tables there. You take your voucher and give it to the CM along with your name. She'll check off your name on the list and let you enter. There were only about eight of us down there when I went, and we all had seats at the tables.

It's easy to spot as no guests will be there and you will see the CM and the roped off area.

Do the vouchers have to be used during your Platinum/Premium stay, or can you use them on a later date as well?

In the itinerary IPO sent me, under my requested golf lesson time it indicates "Pro Lesson are 1 per-guest only." Perhaps Disney has already started making changes to the Platinum plan?

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Do the vouchers have to be used during your Platinum/Premium stay, or can you use them on a later date as well?

In the itinerary IPO sent me, under my requested golf lesson time it indicates "Pro Lesson are 1 per-guest only." Perhaps Disney has already started making changes to the Platinum plan?

The vouchers are only good during your stay. They will have the names of the members of your party and the date of your reservation on them. And they do check.

I can't provide any info about the golf lesson. My level of expertise in that sport is limited to the "putt-putt" level.

 

[gibbersome]

The vouchers are only good during your stay. They will have the names of the members of your party and the date of your reservation on them. And they do check.

I can't provide any info about the golf lesson. My level of expertise in that sport is limited to the "putt-putt" level.

Thank you!

Lol, we aren't much better at golf, but I thought it could be something new to try.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

Do the vouchers have to be used during your Platinum/Premium stay, or can you use them on a later date as well?

In the itinerary IPO sent me, under my requested golf lesson time it indicates "Pro Lesson are 1 per-guest only." Perhaps Disney has already started making changes to the Platinum plan?

I didn't go thru with the IPO to book our lesson. I contacted the Golf Pro directly 6 months in advance. I got the date, time, and place for the lessons confirmed right after I spoke to the golf Pro. I was under the impression that golf and lesson were unlimited. Immediately after our golf lessons, our golf Pro, Diane, and the CM at the pro shop asked if we would like to book more lessons since we could take as many as we want being on the Platinum plan. I will definitely speak directly with the Golf pro department and get to the bottom of this. We didn't use the IPO for anything with the exception of the firework cruise which MUST be reserved by them.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

I can't provide any info about the golf lesson. My level of expertise in that sport is limited to the "putt-putt" level.

You're too modest. I am totally "putt-putt" challenged; however, I really enjoyed the golf lesson. I learned a lot in 2 hours.

Thank you!

Lol, we aren't much better at golf, but I thought it could be something new to try.

I am totally with you here.

 

[goisles26]

Question: Do you know if either of the AK exclusive tours are included in the Platinum Plan? Either the Wanyama or Sunrise Safari?

 

[Symans3honeybees]

Question: Do you know if either of the AK exclusive tours are included in the Platinum Plan? Either the Wanyama or Sunrise Safari?

I believe only the Backstage Safari Tour is included in the Platinum plan at AK.

 

[gibbersome]

I didn't go thru with the IPO to book our lesson. I contacted the Golf Pro directly 6 months in advance. I got the date, time, and place for the lessons confirmed right after I spoke to the golf Pro. I was under the impression that golf and lesson were unlimited. Immediately after our golf lessons, our golf Pro, Diane, and the CM at the pro shop asked if we would like to book more lessons since we could take as many as we want being on the Platinum plan. I will definitely speak directly with the Golf pro department and get to the bottom of this. We didn't use the IPO for anything with the exception of the firework cruise which MUST be reserved by them.

I initially tried booking with the Golf Pro using the number in the brochure (407-WDW-GOLF), but for some reason they couldn't access the bookings for January. I then called IPO and had them request a lesson for booking. When I asked about doing two lessons, the rep indicated that only one lesson per person is allowed under the plan. After reading your report, I thought the IPO had made some mistake, but when I looked at the itinerary they e-mailed me, it said the same thing. Since I'm going in January I'm thinking that perhaps they've changed some things for next year.

If everything goes well this trip, I'm very interested in doing another Platinum plan later in Summer 2011. Perhaps we'll do chef's table at V&A and some of the Epcot tours we won't get to do in January! But if Disney keeps chipping away at the benefits of the Platinum package, it may not be worth the trouble.

Thanks again for sharing your trip details, Symans3honeybees. It was after reading your wonderful trip report that pushed us into booking the Platinum package! I hope the weather during our trip is good enough that we get to enjoy everything we've planned!

 

[Symans3honeybees]

It's too weird! I have checked with 2010 brochure and compared it with the 2011 one. I found that the golf, watersports, and some other activities were identical?!?! Maybe once you're there at the golf course, they will ask if you would like to play more. It happened to us, but after 2 hours of lessons, we had enough for the day...plus it was HOT!!.

 

[Belle599]

It's too weird! I have checked with 2010 brochure and compared it with the 2011 one. I found that the golf, watersports, and some other activities were identical?!?! Maybe once you're there at the golf course, they will ask if you would like to play more. It happened to us, but after 2 hours of lessons, we had enough for the day...plus it was HOT!!.

Could you pretty pretty please post links to both the 2010 and 2011 brochures???

 

[gibbersome]

Could you pretty pretty please post links to both the 2010 and 2011 brochures???

The PDFs are on the right side of the page.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/benefits/disney-dining-plan/

The changes that I've noticed on the 2011 Platinum plan brochure:
1. Use of ball machines for tennis are no longer included.
2. Mickey’s Magical Milestones Tour is no longer included.
3. Inspiration: Through Walt’s Eyes Tour is now included.
4. "Seasonally, Gardens of the World (spring), Disney’s Holiday D-Lights, and Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy (holiday season) are also offered."
5. Big River Grille & Brewing Works has been eliminated from the dining options.
6. Sand Trap Bar & Grill has been eliminated from the dining options.
7. None of the Coronado Springs Resort Dining options are listed, though this may be accidental.
8. Lots more restaurant omissions like Yak & Yeti, Rainforest Cafe at AK, Cantina de San Angel, Marrakesh, Teppan Edo, Raglan Road, Portobello, Fulton's Crab House etc. Don't know if these are accidental or for some other reason.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Question: Do you know if either of the AK exclusive tours are included in the Platinum Plan? Either the Wanyama or Sunrise Safari?

No they are not. The reason provided when I posed that question was in order to book tours covered by either the Premium or Platinum plans the tour had to be available to all guests of WDW. Because the two you listed above are restricted and not available to the general public they are not covered by either plan.

 

[O'BWV]

Ever since I happened upon this this thread last week, my mind's been reeling with all the possibilites! So over this past weekend I split up all my stays and made my new deposits, I booked my tours, my dining (mostly), and parasailing and jetskiing. Here's where I'm getting a little confused and am hoping some of you experts can help me. Here's our itinerary so far:

arrive 1/2 CR room only
1/3 CR premium plan
1/4 BC room only (having luggage moved and we'll check in after illuminations)
1/5 - 1/8 BC with free dining

Ok, so here goes, our Premium plan goes over a Monday night. Not only is Cirque dark that night, but we just saw a Cirque show on the Epic last month. My understanding is that we'll receive Gift Cards instead of vouchers because there's no show during our package. My question is, would Disney expect us to go on Tuesday night instead? We really want to do the Special Seating of Illuminations Tues night, but if we receive vouchers instead, seeing Cirque would be a much better use of our package dollalrs. Also, if we did get vouchers at arrival, would we be able to book Cirque when we arrive or would that be too close? I keep calling and asking questions, but I keep getting different responses. One CM even told me I could use the Cirque vouchers whenever I want during the fourteen days after I arrive. When I begged to differ, she put me on hold to ask a supervisor and when she returned she corrected herself to say only tickets can be used fourteen days after arrival (still not correct) but I digress, you guys know the most so of course I know I will get the right answers here! TIA

And thanks to all of you, and to you Mary, for all of your input and break-downs, and schedules. They have been invaluable

My 50th Birthday and my daughters 21st Birthday celebrations are gonna ROCK

Mary Rose