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

[disneyyes]

So no one has any suggestions or feedback on my plan? I guess I'm perfect after all!

I just did some of your exact activities on my recent Platinum Plan, and the one thing that we experienced was that after the Backstage Magic tour we had very, very little time to get ready for Victoria and Albert's! Literally got ready in 10 minutes and knew we wouldn't make it if we took the monorail (stayed at BLT) or other Disney transportation. We called a cab and they arrived almost immediately, and had us at Victoria and Albert's in 10 minutes. (we were still about 7 or 8 minutes late for our 5:30 reservation; we would probably been MUCH later had we driven ourselves and parked, or had we taken the monorail) The cab cost $10.00 including tax and tip, from Bay Lake Towers. I would highly recommend taking a cab to avoid the stress! (you can even call and arrange this ahead of time, not last minute like we ended up doing)

 

[disneyyes]

So no one has any suggestions or feedback on my plan? I guess I'm perfect after all!

I just did some of your exact activities on my recent Platinum Plan, and the one thing that we experienced was that after the Backstage Magic tour we had very, very little time to get ready for Victoria and Albert's! Literally got ready in 10 minutes and knew we wouldn't make it if we took the monorail (stayed at BLT) or other Disney transportation. We called a cab and they arrived almost immediately, and had us at the Grand Floridian in 10 minutes. (we were still about 7 or 8 minutes late for our 5:30 reservation; we would probably have been MUCH later had we driven ourselves and parked, or had we taken the monorail) The cab cost $10.00 including tax and tip, from Bay Lake Towers. I would highly recommend taking a cab to avoid the stress! (you can even call and arrange this ahead of time, not last minute like we ended up doing)

 

[papamouse1]

...I much prefer the seafood and atmosphere at Narcoosees and of course California Grill is just miles above in every way, but I realize those are not convenient for Downtown Disney goers. Wolfgang Puck might be a good choice, I can't remember is the Upstairs location included on the premium plan? Its closer to La Nouba too.

I haven't been to Cali Grill but Narcoosee's may be best seafood onsite!!
The WP dining room is not on any DDP, but I would still recommend even the Cafe over Fulton's...
Have you ever tried Porobello's? They are on the Prem Plan
<edit> I just checked out menu for Portobello's... if it is even remotely good, that would be an awesome pick for DTD.... the menu looks fantastic.

 

[SnowWhite33]

You should have no problem enterting from the International Gateway, all guests coming from the EPCOT resort area have to enter EPCOT there whether the World Showcase is open or not. You'll have to go to Guest Relations (near Spaceship Earth) to check in for the Segway Tour so its not QUITE as far as going all the way back to the main entrance (but close!). They'll want you to be there at 9:15 for 9:30 tour, if that helps in your planning any.

The only other possible timing issue I saw was the 7 pm Fulton's followed by 9pm La Nouba. Maybe it's just my experience but the service we had at Fulton's was extremely slow and it was a good 2+ hours for us to eat the three courses. It probably takes 10-15 minutes to walk to La Nouba and they recommend that you get there by 8:30 I believe. Of course you don't HAVE to do what they recommend, but I wouldn't want to rush through my meal worrying about it. If you can make the Fulton's reservation a little earlier, I would.

I think Fulton's is a popular choice on these plans so hopefully others will chime in with their experiences. Personally, Fulton's was one of my least favorite signature dining experiences but I think I am in the minority on that opinon!

You know, I totally forgot about that... good spot
We have only eaten at Fulton's one time, but we had same experience... slow service. As far as the food, we were paying OOP and I didn't think it was worth the cost, but maybe I 'd feel different on the DP
Food was good , but certainly not great.
Maybe SnowWhite should do Rainforest while in DTD, since that is one she was interested ... however they can be slow as well

<edit> OR maybe Wolfgang Puck's? Their food is Yummy!!

If it were just me I wouldn't give a hoot about Fulton's, I honestly don't like seafood more complicated than a fish sandwich, but my son and DH love it and have always wanted to go there. Thank you for the heads up about them being slow, I will change our ressie to have enough time.

As for Rainforest I think we are scrapping it altogether. After reading some not so good reviews I think we would be better off somewhere else.

So this is what I'm thinking is this

Wed -
9AM Segway Tour
12PM lunch at LeCellier
Back to resort
4PM Photosession WL
Carriage Ride
HDDR

Thur-
7AM Fishing
Sea Raycers
Lunch at Yak and Yeti
1pm AK Backstage Safari tour
Back to resort to change
Dinner at Fulton's
Cirque

Sanna is a good idea but we are having Jiko later in the week and I didn't know how similar they were since we haven't been to either. But Wolfgang's would be new to us too and that sounds so good, so I'm still looking at that, lol.

 

[SnowWhite33]

I haven't been to Cali Grill but Narcoosee's may be best seafood onsite!!
The WP dining room is not on any DDP, but I would still recommend even the Cafe over Fulton's...
Have you ever tried Porobello's? They are on the Prem Plan
<edit> I just checked out menu for Portobello's... if it is even remotely good, that would be an awesome pick for DTD.... the menu looks fantastic.

Many years ago when Disney had plans that had Wishes instead of dining credits, we went to Portobello's and I had the best filet mignon of my life. In addition to that the service was incredible. We went back the following year and I was disappointed. We have thought about it though.

 

[papamouse1]

If it were just me I wouldn't give a hoot about Fulton's, I honestly don't like seafood more complicated than a fish sandwich, but my son and DH love it and have always wanted to go there. Thank you for the heads up about them being slow, I will change our ressie to have enough time.

As for Rainforest I think we are scrapping it altogether. After reading some not so good reviews I think we would be better off somewhere else.

So this is what I'm thinking is this

Wed -
9AM Segway Tour
12PM lunch at LeCellier
Back to resort
4PM Photosession WL
Carriage Ride
HDDR

Thur-
7AM Fishing
Sea Raycers
Lunch at Yak and Yeti
1pm AK Backstage Safari tour
Back to resort to change
Dinner at Fulton's
Cirque

Sanna is a good idea but we are having Jiko later in the week and I didn't know how similar they were since we haven't been to either. But Wolfgang's would be new to us too and that sounds so good, so I'm still looking at that, lol.

I think you are golden with this plan right here

 

[ajh88]

If it were just me I wouldn't give a hoot about Fulton's, I honestly don't like seafood more complicated than a fish sandwich, but my son and DH love it and have always wanted to go there. Thank you for the heads up about them being slow, I will change our ressie to have enough time.

As for Rainforest I think we are scrapping it altogether. After reading some not so good reviews I think we would be better off somewhere else.

So this is what I'm thinking is this

Wed -
9AM Segway Tour
12PM lunch at LeCellier
Back to resort
4PM Photosession WL
Carriage Ride
HDDR

Thur-
7AM Fishing
Sea Raycers
Lunch at Yak and Yeti
1pm AK Backstage Safari tour
Back to resort to change
Dinner at Fulton's
Cirque

Sanna is a good idea but we are having Jiko later in the week and I didn't know how similar they were since we haven't been to either. But Wolfgang's would be new to us too and that sounds so good, so I'm still looking at that, lol.

FWIW - I just booked an ADR for Rainforest at AK and it seemed to indicate that it IS included on the Platinum package (in the little table below where it shows you how many credits you need depending on which package you're on).

I don't know that I would want to use a Platinum credit for it (we usually do it OOP), but honestly, we really enjoy it. If you've NEVER been to one, I wouldn't write it off based solely on reviews (I really like the dish I get - but I get the same thing every time!). If you HAVE been to one before, well, it isn't going to be much different, KWIM?

 

[2ofUs]

Many years ago when Disney had plans that had Wishes instead of dining credits, we went to Portobello's and I had the best filet mignon of my life. In addition to that the service was incredible. We went back the following year and I was disappointed. We have thought about it though.

There is always the option of doing the EARLIER La Nouba, then dinner wherever you'd like without having to rush. You would need to be at Cirque by 5:30 to get in and settled. (There truly are no bad seats and we actually love sitting dead center in the TOP row. The theater isn't all that big and much of the activity is in the air.)

You'll get out about 7:45ish and could be almost anywhere by 8:15-8:30. We drove to Jiko arriving by 8:15 for our 8:30 ressie.

 

[2ofUs]

I have been out of the loop for a few days - 'suffering' thru a 4-nite cruise to the Bahamas on the new Disney DREAM - and am now reading that some are booking Bass Fishing cruises and water sports for the Yacht Club. I must have missed something as I thought those activities were only available at the Contemporary, especially the Bass Fishing. Was a change made for 2011?

Thanks to anyone (OhioDisneyDad?) who can help me get back up to speed. I'm still on Bahama time.

 

[SnowWhite33]

There is always the option of doing the EARLIER La Nouba, then dinner wherever you'd like without having to rush. You would need to be at Cirque by 5:30 to get in and settled. (There truly are no bad seats and we actually love sitting dead center in the TOP row. The theater isn't all that big and much of the activity is in the air.)

You'll get out about 7:45ish and could be almost anywhere by 8:15-8:30. We drove to Jiko arriving by 8:15 for our 8:30 ressie.

I think you are on to something here-I think that's an excellent idea!

I have been out of the loop for a few days - 'suffering' thru a 4-nite cruise to the Bahamas on the new Disney DREAM - and am now reading that some are booking Bass Fishing cruises and water sports for the Yacht Club. I must have missed something as I thought those activities were only available at the Contemporary, especially the Bass Fishing. Was a change made for 2011?

Thanks to anyone (OhioDisneyDad?) who can help me get back up to speed. I'm still on Bahama time.

2ofUs- the next time you have to endure a 4 night cruise I would be glad to step up and do that for you, I mean it's the least I could do in exchange for all the help you have offered to me and so many others here

Fishing-Are you asking if it is ONLY available from the Contemporary or only available from the Contemporary while on the Prem/Plat plans?

Even though I do not have our Premium package booked yet, I called and reserved a fishing excursion from the YC with only a CC hold. After I book our package I was going to call and have our reservation updated with our Premium package #.

Unless there is something I'm missing, on the 2011 brochure there is a chart of which resorts have the different water activities and fishing is listed at the YC.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...log/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2011Premium.pdf

Reports I have read say that fishing from YC includes part of World Showcase lagoon and the waters by Disney Hollywood Studios.

 

[SnowWhite33]

FWIW - I just booked an ADR for Rainforest at AK and it seemed to indicate that it IS included on the Platinum package (in the little table below where it shows you how many credits you need depending on which package you're on).

I don't know that I would want to use a Platinum credit for it (we usually do it OOP), but honestly, we really enjoy it. If you've NEVER been to one, I wouldn't write it off based solely on reviews (I really like the dish I get - but I get the same thing every time!). If you HAVE been to one before, well, it isn't going to be much different, KWIM?

We have been to the one at DTD twice, I thought it was just ok nothing special. We went many years ago-again when Disney had packages that offered "Wishes" that could be used for dining, special souveneirs, or Cirque.

We haven't been back because we usually do the Dining plan.

Funny story-when I told my DS,16 that I was thinking of scrapping it he said it was ok because he got sick there the last time.

What he forgets is that it wasn't the quality of the food it was the quantity that made him sick. He was 9 and ate a meal that came with steak, shrimp, and ribs 2 sides, appetizer, and dessert. We then went to the movies where he ate lots of popcorn. The bus ride back to the resort was not pleasant for ANYONE

 

[arilvdc]

I have been out of the loop for a few days - 'suffering' thru a 4-nite cruise to the Bahamas on the new Disney DREAM - and am now reading that some are booking Bass Fishing cruises and water sports for the Yacht Club. I must have missed something as I thought those activities were only available at the Contemporary, especially the Bass Fishing. Was a change made for 2011?

Thanks to anyone (OhioDisneyDad?) who can help me get back up to speed. I'm still on Bahama time.

The bass fishing has always been available from a few places, along with the water sports. The YC marina has a bass fishing tour as well as the contemporary, we booked it last december when we did our second platinum plan, but we unfortunately had to cancel since my sister was very sick.


BTW, we're going on the Dream for our honeymoon and my soon to be hubby keeps bugging me to add in a one day platinum plan. He's seriously asked me over 6 times in a week, so I guess we'll be doing our THIRD platinum one day plan in October!

 

[arilvdc]

For anyone who has done Dolphin in depth tour. Since you don't need park passes for this tour do they make you leave the park afterwards even if you have passes? Also is it over right at 12:45? We really need to do our lunch in Epcot because we'll be going straight to horseback but if we have to exit the park and renter I don't think we'll have enough time.

They let us out in the Seas, and we never swiped our passes. They did make sure that we did have the passes or valid tickets to be in the park before they let us go. The second time we did the aqua seas they didn't even ask us, and just let us out at the seas again. We would have rather been escorted back out as we were going to dinner at fulton's, but then our awesome guide offered to give us the backstage tour on nemo, and we got to cut the line.

 

[arilvdc]

Okay...now we know what we want to do, but I'm hoping for feedback about how to fit it in. These are our firm plans.

Day #1

2:00- Shower, get ready for Hoop Dee Doo
3:00- Leave for 5:00 HDD
5:00- HDD
8:00- drive to Epcot for 9:00 preferred Illuminations viewing

Day #2

5:30- Fulton's
8:00-check in at Cirque for 9:00 show

We also want to fit in:
-Poly photo shoot
-parasailing
-horseback riding
-jet ski tour
-Water skiing/tubing

We'll have a rental, so there is no need to wait for busses. What do you think is the best way to fit this all in?

When we did HDD on the platinum plan, we missed the boat from the TTC and then the boat to Ft. Wilderness as well. I was freaking out!! We ended up getting to HDD at 5:15, and the CM told us that it was perfectly fine, and that all we had missed was the huge line to get inside.

 

[arilvdc]

Here's the detailed breakdown (just a bit OCD) for my platinum plan. We'll start out staying at the Wilderness Lodge (me and the wife) and then move to Pop Century. I should say my wife and I have been to WDW many times so we're interested in doing things we've never done before. We'll also have a rental car (I hate the bus system).

Day 1 - 2:00PM to 3:00PM - Drive to Wilderness Lodge from airport
Day 1 - 3:00PM - Checkin to Wilderness Lodge (room only - no park tickets)
Day 1 - 4:00PM - Take boat to Polynesian
Day 1 - 4:45PM to 6:15PM - Dinner at Kona Cafe (pay out of pocket)
Day 1 - 6:15PM to 7:00PM - Take monorail to MK
Day 1 - 7:00PM to 12:00AM - MNSSHP (most likely won't stay until midnight)

Day 2 - 7:00AM - Start Platinum Package, pick up new room keys (one day park ticket - no hopping)
Day 2 - 7:15AM to 8:00AM - Use snack credits for breakfast
Day 2 - 8:00AM to 8:45AM - Drive to Epcot
Day 2 - 8:45AM to 9:00AM - Checkin for Back Stage Magic Tour
Day 2 - 9:00AM to 4:00PM - Back Stage Magic Tour ($487.78)
Day 2 - 4:00PM to 5:30PM - Return to Wilderness Lodge, get ready for dinner
Day 2 - 5:30PM to 6:00PM - Take boat/drive to Grand Floridian
Day 2 - 6:00PM to 9:00PM - Dinner at Victoria and Albert's ($250.00)
Day 2 - 9:15PM to 10:45PM - Wishes Cruise ($346.13)
Day 2 - 10:45PM to 11:00PM - Take boat/drive to Wilderness Lodge

Day 3 - 6:00AM to 6:30AM - Drive to Yacht Club & valet park/grab snack (wife sleeps in)
Day 3 - 6:30AM to 7:00AM - Checkin for bass fishing
Day 3 - 7:00AM to 9:00AM - Bass fishing ($270)
Day 3 - 9:00AM to 9:15AM - Walk to Living Seas Pavilion (end bass fishing early if necessary - use package park ticket)
Day 3 - 9:15AM to 9:45AM - Checkin for Dolphins in Depth (meet up with wife)
Day 3 - 9:45AM to 12:45PM - Dolphins in Depth Tour ($413.22)
Day 3 - 12:45PM to 1:15PM - Walk to Le Cellier
Day 3 - 1:15PM to 2:45PM - Lunch at Le Cellier ($92.00)
Day 3 - 2:45PM to 3:15PM - Walk to Yacht Club
Day 3 - 3:15PM to 3:45PM - Checkin for massage
Day 3 - 3:45PM to 4:45PM - Massage ($240.00)
Day 3 - 4:45PM to 5:30PM - Drive to DTD
Day 3 - 5:30PM to 6:00PM - Pickup La Nouba tickets
Day 3 - 6:00PM to 7:30PM - La Nouba ($174.00)
Day 3 - 7:30PM to 8:15PM - Walk to Fulton's Crab House
Day 3 - 8:15PM to 10:15PM - Dinner at Fulton's Crab House ($150.00)
Day 3 - 10:15PM to 11:00PM - Drive to Pop Century
Day 3 - 11:00PM - Checkin to Pop Century (begin two night regular dining package)

Day 4 - 9:30AM to 10:15AM - Breakfast at Pop Century (use QS credit)
Day 4 - 10:15AM to 11:00AM - Drive to Yacht Club & valet park, enter Epcot through IG (use day one of two day package ticket - no hopping)
Day 4 - 11:00AM to 4:45PM - Epcot Food & Wine Festival (using dining plan snack credits)
Day 4 - 4:45PM to 5:00PM - Walk to Yacht Club
Day 4 - 5:00PM to 7:00PM - Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse (use 2 TS credits from package)
Day 4 - 7:00PM to 7:45PM - Drive to Port Orleans Riverside
Day 4 - 7:45PM to 8:30PM - Carriage ride (pay out of pocket)
Day 4 - 8:30PM to 9:00PM - Drive to Pop Century
Day 4 - 9:00PM to ??? - Hang out at pool

Day 5 - 8:00AM to 9:00AM - Checkout & drive to Epcot (use day two of two day package ticket - no hopping)
Day 5 - 9:00AM to 10:00AM - Breakfast at Sunshine Season/grab Soarin' FastPass (use QS credit)
Day 5 - 10:00AM to 11:00AM - Use Soarin' FastPass
Day 5 - 11:00AM to 3:00PM - Epcot Food & Wine Festival (pay out of pocket for snacks)
Day 5 - 3:00PM to 6:00PM - Drive to airport & checkin
Day 5 - 6:00PM - Fly home

The overall value for everything I have planned for the Platinum part of the trip is $2573.08 (including PhotoPass CD). So for the cost of adding the Platinum plan for one night for me and my wife ($458.00) I come out ahead $2115.08!!! Yes, it's a lot to pack in but I've tried to limit the amount of walking and backtracking. My plan also requires the minimum number of park tickets and doesn't require any hopping. It does require three reservations (a one night room only, a one night platinum package and a two night regular dining package). Let me know any thoughts on my plan and if anyone sees and problems, discrepancies or issues. Thanks!!!

This is very similar to what we did, and it is completely do able! I wouldn't end your bass fishing tour early, for all of our living seas tours they didn't even begin checking people in until the time the tour was supposed to start, so there was a lot of waiting around.

 

[SnowWhite33]

This is very similar to what we did, and it is completely do able! I wouldn't end your bass fishing tour early, for all of our living seas tours they didn't even begin checking people in until the time the tour was supposed to start, so there was a lot of waiting around.

So do you think it would be possible to get from fishing at YC to a 9:30 Segway tour?

If we could do both of these on the same day it would really help us on the first day but I'm worried about the timing.

 

[2ofUs]

So do you think it would be possible to get from fishing at YC to a 9:30 Segway tour?

If we could do both of these on the same day it would really help us on the first day but I'm worried about the timing.

Your Bass Fishing Tour (if it is done the same at YC as it was last September at Contemporary) will be ONLY your group, thus you are pretty much in charge of your timing.

If it is necessary for you to cut the tour short, simply address that issue with your tour guide (captain) politely asking if they could drop you off at the dock nearest the International Gateway by whatever time you need. (9am would allow 15 minutes to get to check-in location.)

Determine how long it will take your group to walk from there to Guest Services on the right (East?) side of the Epcot ball if you are approaching from World Showcase. You are requested to be there 15 minutes prior to check-in where you need to get your name tag and read/sign required documents.

They do try to wait for everyone to arrive, then they walk across to Innovations West(?) where they assign helmets and have you watch a training video. If you happen to be delayed a few minutes, GS could walk you over to catch-up with the group but you'll still have to be there in time to watch the video.

We asked our guide to drop us at MK dock by 9am and she said "well, we really aren't suppose to, but..." and we gave her a smile & a nice tip.

 

[2ofUs]

SIDE NOTE: Just finished a 4-day Bahama Cruise on the new Disney DREAM and OH MY, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ship it is!!! Highly recommend this cruise.

 

[Dizney73]

SIDE NOTE: Just finished a 4-day Bahama Cruise on the new Disney DREAM and OH MY, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ship it is!!! Highly recommend this cruise.

Super good! My family is on the 5 night Dream cruise on August 16!

 

[Dizney73]

I am so excited! Our Disney trio from last summer's premium trip is officially booked for our 1 night platinum plan for this July! We will be spending night 1 at the Boardwalk Villas and nights 2,3 and 4 at the Wilderness Lodge and WLV! Of course my friend Disneyyes is becoming a pro doing these plans... #4 for her! The planning and replanning now begins! And hey... that's half the fun!