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

[PureTcrazy]

@Gibbersome - Sorry, I have not responded somehow I missed this question. I cannot speak for anyone else, but our reservation at V & A was for 5:30 and our Wishes Cruise was for 8:30. At 8:30 we were still finishing up at V & A's. There were 5 of us, I don't know if we are just that slow or what. I have no other experience to compare it with! The marina is not a far walk, but I don't think you want to rush your V & A experience. I will say that the restaurant was completely booked the night we were there, I don't know if that matters or not.

 

[Tiresius]

After reading this thread and other sites, I was inspired to take on a 1 day/2 night premium plan for an already planned trip in May. It will be me (28) and my mom (56) and sandwiched in between running the Expedition Everest Challenge and doing the D23 Scavenger Hunt and Destination D. We might also throw in a side trip to see Harry Potter, a day at Flower and Garden Festival, and hopefully at least a morning at a water park (11 days is a looooong time to work with). We know we are going to wear ourselves out, but we are trying to balance long days with shorter ones, active ones with seated ones. Staying at ASSp the length of the trip, reservations already linked, Premium Plan is night 5 of 10. So, here is what I just finished booking:

Tues, May 10th:
9am-2pm, KTTK Tour (Booked)
2:30pm-3p, Parasailing at Contemporary (Not yet booked, have seen that can only book 90 days out, is this true?)
3:30pm-4:30pm, Personal Watercraft (same as above, when can this be booked?)
Boat to Wilderness Lodge
5-5:30pm or 5:30pm-6pm, Portrait Session at Wilderness Lodge (Was told that only have availability through February at this point when I tried to book. When can this be booked? 60 days?)
Boat to Fort Wilderness
6:30-6:55pm, Carriage Ride at Fort Wilderness (Booked, was told that the location was the same as HDD, so timing would be fine)
7:15-9:15pm, Hoop-Dee-Do Review (Booked)
Transfer at MK back to ASSp (May sneak out of HDD 5-10 min early to beat crowds to boat)

Wed, May 11th:
8:30-10:30am, Around the World Epcot Segway Tour (booked)
11:30am, Lunch at Tutto Italia (Booked. Yes, we know there are potentially more "expensive" places we could eat, but this requires less backtracking and is food that we both want to eat and wouldn't pay for otherwise)
Walk out IG
1:30-3:30pm, Bass Fishing from Yacht/Beach Club Marina (booked)
3:30-4:30, Open - depending on energy level could choose from mini-golf behind Swan, surrey bikes, sea racers, or just relax on the beach for an hour.
Bus from closest resort (Y/BC, Swan, BW) to DTD
6-7:30pm, Cirque La Nouba (reserved)
8-9pm, Fulton's Crab House (reserved, will modify if plan does not end up including Fulton's)
Bus to ASSp

So, my remaining questions (also above), are the timelines for Sammy Duval's and the photo session. I haven't seen anywhere a specific and consistent booking time for either of these, but perhaps (in the many many posts and pages) I missed it. Anyone know?

So excited!

 

[Zife]

I would be glad to email you my spreadsheet if you'd like to PM me. Be forewarned, though, there is a lot of stuff in a small amount of space - but it is organized and looks good!

Sent a PM off, wondering if you had a chance to send this yet. I forgot that I asked you for it, so I was emptying my Junk folder without looking, hope it wasn't in there...

I just saw on the AllEars page that they'll be offering a new 'Wild Africa Trek' at AK. I higly doubt they'll add this to the Platinum Package, sine I don't think any of the other 'safaris' are, but I'm hopeing

 

[Zife]

So, my remaining questions (also above), are the timelines for Sammy Duval's and the photo session. I haven't seen anywhere a specific and consistent booking time for either of these, but perhaps (in the many many posts and pages) I missed it. Anyone know?

So excited!

As far as I know, the recreation stuff should be able to be booked 180 days out, just like anything else. I'm assuming you've dealt with the IPO already, since you've got so much booked, so try contacting them about it. They should be able to give you a specific timeline.

In regards to the Photo Session, I would think the IPO could act a lot like the Club Level Concierges and just take the info for the time/date you want and book it when it comes available.

PS: Sorry I didn't respond to this earlier, I was sure that I had. Also, I'm far from an expert on this, so hopefully this bump will get some of the more knowledgable people looking at your post

 

[Jaylin]

One thing to consider if you are a DVC member - though you cannot add the premium or platinum plan to a DVC points reservation you should still be able to book the same style room you would be staying at for cash through the WDW site or reservation line. This reservation would meet the deluxe level requirement for the Platinum plan booking. So , instead of changing resorts just bracket your "cash' reservation with your "points" reservations.

You would most likely find the cash cost of a studio at the various dvc resorts comparable to the cost of a regular hotel room at one of the deluxe resorts. Just let them know at check-in what you are wanting to do any you probably won't even have to move. Here is an example of what we plan to do on a future trip in order to take advantage og the Platinum plan.

DVC studio, 5 nights : <points> <points> <cash> <points> <points> or <points> <cash> <points> <points> <points> . With the second scenario you would have the day before to unpack and settle in / rest for the first day of your Plan and would be able to use the ticket part of your package the next day for admission or upgrade to a higher ticket media - we would do APs. So, you are rested and relaxed before the start of your plan, have time afterwards to recover and you don't even have to move !

Oh my gosh, I just read about this on another thread and now I'm hooked. I so want to do this! But I just backtracked and read this post....we are DVC members, so this package isn't available to DVC ressies? Is the OP saying to book 1 cash night in the middle of the point ressie? How would we not have to change rooms? If we have a 1br villa, would we have to pay cash for a 1BR villa in order to not change rooms. If that's the case I don't know that this amazing plan will work for us......please fill me in if I'm totally wrong here!

 

[disneyyes]

Oh my gosh, I just read about this on another thread and now I'm hooked. I so want to do this! But I just backtracked and read this post....we are DVC members, so this package isn't available to DVC ressies? Is the OP saying to book 1 cash night in the middle of the point ressie? How would we not have to change rooms? If we have a 1br villa, would we have to pay cash for a 1BR villa in order to not change rooms. If that's the case I don't know that this amazing plan will work for us......please fill me in if I'm totally wrong here!

As far as I know, you can book a separate reservation, check in at that resort the morning of your first premium or platinum day to pick up your package, but stay in your original DVC room for your entire stay (don't move at all). . . obviously you would want to book the least expensive hotel room you could. Although you do waste a little money doing this by paying for a room you're not using, you more than make up for it. Plus you have the convenience of not having to move.

 

[disneyyes]

For all you Premium and Platinum Plan fans out there, it looks as though Disney has updated the list of restaurants included in the Premium & Platinum plans for 2011. Disneyworld.com now has an expanded list for the Downtown Disney Area, and also the Epcot list has been updated/expanded with many new additions (Via Napoli, for example). Happy Planning!

 

[DCDisney]

I have been thinking about doing the 1 day prem/plat for awhile but it just never worked out... This November my daughter and I are taking a trip for just the 2 of us while my DH and son do a big football weekend. We will probably stay a week but I don't want to pin down my dates exactly hoping we'll be able to catch the first MVMCP and potential AP discount room rates. But I have a basic itinerary thought out and was wondering if any of you pros see any issues with days of the week, timing, etc. We are intentionally not doing V and A's because I have a number of food allergies and it just wouldn't be fair to them From mousesavers it looks like for 2011 plat will be $458 for the 2 of us (she'll be 13) plus the passes about $160 and room WL about $280. I would need to pick up the park pass early for my daughter since she doesn't have an AP which it looks like you can do at guest services. We may stay at WL the whole trip just want to see what AP rates are. Previously I had planned on Discovery Cove for the Dolphin swim which would be $458 for the 2 of us and instead we'll be getting $2277 worth of fun stuff for our $458 for the plat plan.

Friday
check in at WL?
Dolphins in Depth-9:45-12:45
Horseback ride at FW @2:30 45 mins
watermouse or boat rental at FW @3:30
Hoop Dee Doo @5
carriage ride @7 (we'll duck out of Hoop if need be)
La Nouba @9 (cab back!)

Saturday
breakfast at CRT or 1900 Park Fare (1900 much more convenient)
GF spa @9:45 for mani pedi combo
GF pics @11:15
AquaSeas tour @12:30-3
"rest" and dress at WL
Yachtsman dinner at 5 or 5:30
Wishes Fireworks cruise (I'm guessing 7:30) We'll take a cab if needed.

I may end up doing a few days car rental in here on site since I think it may be easier than cabbing it and free valet

Thanks for any input

 

[goodferry]

Hello everyone! We actually did this back in August with the Platinum Plan and it worked out great. DH and I took a solo trip for our 20th anniversary and we did a lot. We did dinner at V & A's, we did the Steam Train tour, Cirque, the Segway tour at Epcot, dinner at Fulton's, lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, massages, parasailing, boat rentals, a portrait package and we got our photopass CD. I am sure there's more I am forgetting, but we had a great time!
Now we are considering it again, this time for a trip with our kiddos this June. They all want to see Cirque (they never have) and the older ones have tours they would like to do, so I think it would work out for us.
I wanted to add that our dinner at Victoria and Albert's also took over 3 hours and we missed our Fireworks cruise, and it was just the two of us

 

[disneyyes]

For my upcoming Platinum plan, I would like to schedule an 8:00 a.m. Grand Floridian massage treatment and then head to Epcot for the 9:45 Dolphins in Depth tour. Since the treatments are 50 minutes, and we're supposed to be at Epcot by 9:30, am I cutting it too close to do both?

 

[ksloane]

Wow! This sounds soooo neat. I've actually read every page.

I'm a single mom and my daughter is only 10 and it looks like she wouldn't be able to do many of the activities or tours. I'm sure this loop hole will be closed by the time she's 16 (which looks like the best minimum age for most of these). Will continue to read and live through your trip reports though.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Yes you are.Trust me we learned the hard way on our platium morning and you know what else people who worked at Pop were in aww with the special room key I had .

 

[SnowWhite33]

I haven't even come close to reading this entire thread (sure I will though to help pass time until June!), but I have to be sure I understand this correctly before I get too excited.

There are 3 of us, DH, DS(16), and myself. We have been visiting WDW yearly since 2001. I'm not sure why I never thought of this before, but I want to give it a try before the WDW powers that be get wind of it and take it away

Am I doing this right?

6/8-1 night room only @ POP Century w/discount
6/9-Premium Package @ CSR
6/10-6/15 CSR MYW Package w/Deluxe dining

I priced our vacation out with doing the 1 night Premium,5 nights deluxe vs. 6 nights all Deluxe dining. The Premium plan comes out to be $617 more. A rough estimate of the list of things we would do on the Premium plan comes out to about $1,240, so we would be getting around a 50% savings.

Next can someone look at my to do list and see if it's doable in the 2 days?
Must Do's:
Fishing
Epcot Segway Tour
FW Carriage Ride
Hoop Dee Doo
Fulton's-dinner
Rainforest-lunch
Sea Raycers

If there is time list:
Mini Golf
Pontoon Rental

And 1 more quick question-will checking in for our Deluxe package affect the remaining Premium options we have?

 

[SnowWhite33]

I didn't mean to kill the thread

 

[let'sgo]

I didn't mean to kill the thread

That looks like you could do it all. But I would throw in the jet ski personal watercraft tour (1 hour). When I went (Sept) they only offered it at 10 a.m. but it was the most fun thing I did! And maybe you would like to add a professional portrait photo session too.

Next thing you have to do is to look up times for the various things you want to do. For example, fishing is offered at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. I was told that you'll get more fish at the earlier sessions vs the 1 p.m. one. I went on the 10 a.m. one and we did pretty well.

I think that the carriage rides are offered from 5:30 to 9:30. So plan when you want dinner and work around that as well.

Have fun!

 

[lynn_s]

Our one night platinum plan - 12/30/2010. We did have a car and valet parked to save time.

What we managed to do:

Day 1:
Check in at CR (room not ready) about 8:30;
9am: DH and DS depart for golf
me and 2 DDs (adults) got to Dolphins in Depth (we all LOVED IT)
After seeing the dolphins, back to CR - room still not ready, so got snacks for lunch.
at 3, the 3 of us went to the Spa at GF for massages, and got dressed there for our photopass session
4:45, Photopass session
5:30 DS to Mouseketeers club while the rest of us had
6pm dinner at V&A.
after dinner, went back to CR, finally got into the room, and changed and went down to the CR marina for our NYE Preview fireworks cruise (not covered by the plan)
then back to the room to crash for a few hours.

Day 2
10am Breakfast at Ohanas then off to Epcot for
12:30pm Aqua Tour! that was Awesome also.
after the tour, back to our off-site hotel to change and get ready for
5:30 Dinner at Fultons (now a must do for our next trip)
and 9pm La Nouba show.

A great ending to our trip!

 

[scottmel]

I had originally slated to do Discovery Cove this summer. We are planning on Universal, Sea World and Discovery Cove and then transferring to YC for 3 days with NO disney parks. Just enjoy pool, shopping, relaxing etc. I contemplated the 1 night plan instead of Discovery Cove and here is what I think I found but correct me if wrong...

1. I don't HAVE to have park passes for the 1 night plan do I if I don't plan to be in the park...

2. When you are 12, there is NOT a lot to do tour wise hence the no passes.

3. Activities in JUNE to do: Parasail for sure! boat rental....Cirque - eventhough we already saw it....Chance to eat at Fultons and a few other great restaurants...

Am I missing some NON Park activiites? Can't decide if this is worth giivng up a day at DC for...doesn't look so hot when I type it out...!

 

[2ofUs]

I had originally slated to do Discovery Cove this summer. We are planning on Universal, Sea World and Discovery Cove and then transferring to YC for 3 days with NO disney parks. Just enjoy pool, shopping, relaxing etc. I contemplated the 1 night plan instead of Discovery Cove and here is what I think I found but correct me if wrong...

1. I don't HAVE to have park passes for the 1 night plan do I if I don't plan to be in the park...

2. When you are 12, there is NOT a lot to do tour wise hence the no passes.

3. Activities in JUNE to do: Parasail for sure! boat rental....Cirque - eventhough we already saw it....Chance to eat at Fultons and a few other great restaurants...

Am I missing some NON Park activiites? Can't decide if this is worth giivng up a day at DC for...doesn't look so hot when I type it out...!

WITHOUT PARK PASS: All watersports would be good, as well as FW activities (archery, horseback rides, etc.) There is also the golf pro lesson if your family does that sort of thing.

La Nouba is excellent every time we go (3x now) so it is a good expenditure. As for dining, in addition to Fulton's, you could do HDDR category 1 and/or Spirit of Aloha category 1 on this plan!

Remember, your meals (3 of them) are ANY MEAL - ANY PLACE (except V&A) plus 2 Snacks per person. These can easily be spread over the 2 days your 1-day Premium plan would cover.

If you did HDDR, work in a carriage ride there in FW before or after.

If you decided to spring for a PARK PASS: Your 12 yo CAN do the Magic of Steam Trains tour at MK (must be at park by 7:15 am - but will be the FIRST people to enter an empty park!) It is informative and a unique thing to experience. It is 2 hours long, but the last 30-45 minutes is a Q&A at the Train Station, so you can leave early. And, since you are there, you could also do a late breakfast / early lunch at the Castle as one of your 3 meals.

And, if you did get park passes and dined at SoA, do it on the same day as the Train tour so that you can go back into MK for reserved viewing of Wishes. Not the best view of the castle (trees block) but great for Tink's flight and the fireworks and you won't be elbow-to-elbow with the masses, which is always nice. If you are fortunate enough to schedule this day on a Spectro or other parade night, from the viewing area you can easily scurry across the hub into FL for get a nice parade spot.

Since you are already doing Universal and Sea World, if it were me I'd save the Premium Plan for a Disney trip since you will get more benefit out of it by entering the parks. But that's just me. Whatever you do - enjoy!

 

[scottmel]

Thanks 2ofus! I am going to agree with you on this as well. I went back and looked at the Discovery Cove site and LOVE what I see. When I see all that you get in the WDW tour while nice - it isn't something I would necessarily pay of pocket for any of these experiences therefore what they say it cost isn't the worth to me if that makes sense...Reminds me of shopping at Macys and coming home wtih bagfuls of stuff and realizing I bought it b/c it was a good deal not that I loved any of it...Make sense? Thank you for your great explanation but now I feel more at peace wtih my DC choice!!!

 

[2ofUs]

There are 3 of us, DH, DS(16), and myself.

6/8-1 night room only @ POP Century w/discount
6/9-Premium Package @ CSR
6/10-6/15 CSR MYW Package w/Deluxe dining

Next can someone look at my to do list and see if it's doable in the 2 days?
Must Do's:

My suggestions (for what it's worth) covers your 'Must Do's and some extras as well if you chose to add them to your schedule:

On one day you could:
Bass Fishing @ 7:00 (2 hour tour). Ask to be dropped off at MK to arrive at Town Hall by 9:15 check-in for a 9:30 KTTK tour (a 4.5-5 hour tour) that includes a lunch at Columbia Harbour House.

You'll be done by 2-2:30, could rest a bit, then head to Fulton's for dinner - maybe even get to the 9pm La Nouba if you wanted!

On another day:
Epcot Segway Tour: Earliest tour (7:30 or 7:45?) last 2 hours. Then catch a few rides and do Coral Reef @ 11:30 (first lunch booking) -or- do the 9:00am Segway (done by 11:00) and head to Rainforest for lunch.

After lunch, go to Contemporary for an afternoon of water activities. From there it is a short boat ride to FW for HDDR & carriage ride.
Rainforest-lunch
Sea Raycers (and other water activities)
Hoop Dee Doo & Carriage Ride: Book this for before or after HDDR

And 1 more quick question-will checking in for our Deluxe package affect the remaining Premium options we have?

You need a SEPERATE reservation for the Premium Plan. Rather than changing resorts from POP to CSR, perhaps do a room-only w/discount for your first night; book Premium for your second night, then book the rest of the nights together. You have to buy a 1 day Park Pass for Premium, but I'm not sure what you must add to your Deluxe plan (if any?). You will then check-in on 6/8 room-only; check-out, then back in on 6/9 for Premium; check-out, then back in on 6/10 for your Deluxe dining plan. Have the resort reference all 3 ressies and request that you stay in the same room. Confirm again on your first check-in date that all ressies are linked and ask sweetly to stay in the same room.