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

[cricketgirl]

Boy planning the tours seems to be the hardest part for me. Then trying to get meals in there. Gesh!!!

Should have it finalized soon. 165 days till trip. Yahoo!!!!

 

[marivaid]

My sister & I may do a "double whammy" in December. I was thinking one night (two days' worth of activities) at POP with the Premium Plan, two days break, and then one night at WL (two days' worth of activities) with the Platinum Plan because we'd really like to do the Dolphins in Depth and Sea Aquas tours in Epcot.

BUT we have a major problem because our dates are very restricted and our Premium days would end up being either on a Saturday & Sunday or Sunday & Monday.
If it's Sat/Sun we miss Backstage Safari, and if it's Sun/Mon we miss La Nouba.
The two Epcot tours we want to do while on Platinum would prevent us from doing Backstage Safari, and we want to do an Illuminations Cruise plus reserved Fantasmic seating so that means no time for La Nouba.

We could do Platinum first as it has more things to do on weekends, and Premium next but then all the "relaxing" activities (spa, for one) would be done early and then we end up doing all the tiring activities later in the week and I'm not sure we can keep up physically.

I guess my only other option is to do the Platinum twice so we can organize our days better ??
We also planned to stay at POP but I would love to have a relaxing day or two at WL. That would make our total go way up though, unless they have room-only discounts at that time (we'd be going the week before Christmas).

 

[rnorwo1]

I booked our platinum trip about a month ago... the IPO emailed us the request form and I sent it back in but have not heard back from them. The 180 day mark will be next week... will they call or email before then? Or should I just go on and book everything myself? I spent so long with my spreadsheet, I want to make sure we get everything so I don't have to start all over!

 

[beautifultomorrow]

My sister & I may do a "double whammy" in December. I was thinking one night (two days' worth of activities) at POP with the Premium Plan, two days break, and then one night at WL (two days' worth of activities) with the Platinum Plan because we'd really like to do the Dolphins in Depth and Sea Aquas tours in Epcot.

BUT we have a major problem because our dates are very restricted and our Premium days would end up being either on a Saturday & Sunday or Sunday & Monday.
If it's Sat/Sun we miss Backstage Safari, and if it's Sun/Mon we miss La Nouba.
The two Epcot tours we want to do while on Platinum would prevent us from doing Backstage Safari, and we want to do an Illuminations Cruise plus reserved Fantasmic seating so that means no time for La Nouba.

We could do Platinum first as it has more things to do on weekends, and Premium next but then all the "relaxing" activities (spa, for one) would be done early and then we end up doing all the tiring activities later in the week and I'm not sure we can keep up physically.

I guess my only other option is to do the Platinum twice so we can organize our days better ??
We also planned to stay at POP but I would love to have a relaxing day or two at WL. That would make our total go way up though, unless they have room-only discounts at that time (we'd be going the week before Christmas).

Sounds super fun! I can't help you with scheduling conflicts other than if I had to pick between reserved seating for Fantasmic or La Nouba, I'd pick La Nouba -- especially if its a slow time of year (easier to get a seat at Fantasmic). I am not sure where the reserved Fantasmic seats are but chances are they are not front and center so that doesn't really seem like a huge "perk" to me.

Also I can never remember the exact schedule but last time I called it seems like some, if not all of the Seas tours are not offered on Sunday and Mondays. That might be something to keep in mind as well if you end up doing platinum then.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I booked our platinum trip about a month ago... the IPO emailed us the request form and I sent it back in but have not heard back from them. The 180 day mark will be next week... will they call or email before then? Or should I just go on and book everything myself? I spent so long with my spreadsheet, I want to make sure we get everything so I don't have to start all over!

If I were you I'd email or call just to make sure everything is still on track for them to make the reservations at the 180-day mark. I definitely wouldn't book yourself without confirming withh them that you are going to do it -- otherwise you'll probably end up with 2 sets of reservations for everything.

 

[marivaid]

Also I can never remember the exact schedule but last time I called it seems like some, if not all of the Seas tours are not offered on Sunday and Mondays. That might be something to keep in mind as well if you end up doing platinum then.

Thanks for the heads up. Yep, you're right, we can't do the seas tours on Sunday or Monday, I hadn't seen that.
So either package we choose, we have to do it on the Sun/Mon so we can do Backstage Safari on Monday. Which means no La Nouba.

I also agree with you on the Fantasmic thing especially since in my case I've seen Fantasmic about 10 times already! And I don't even know if there would be showings on Wednesday/Thursday. My sister really wanted to do the Fantasmic reserved seating for some reason, but if I tell her it's that or La Nouba it'll be an easy enough choice. We have a couple of "off" days and can schedule Fantasmic + Osborne Lights on one of those.

So I guess we're back on the original idea & booking one night with Premium at Pop or a mod + 1 night with Platinum at WL. And I just gotta figure out what we CAN do on a Sunday... maybe KTTW and CRT ?

ETA : I read a few pages back that if you do a Sun/Mon package they give you vouchers to use at a later date for La Nouba. Can anyone confirm this ? If this is the case we could do La Nouba on Tuesday.

 

[cricketgirl]

ETA : I read a few pages back that if you do a Sun/Mon package they give you vouchers to use at a later date for La Nouba. Can anyone confirm this ? If this is the case we could do La Nouba on Tuesday.[/QUOTE]

According to the IPO I spoke with when UI told her my days were blacked out she said I'd get a gift card for the La Nouba since it wasn't Sunday or Monday. If it was on those dates then you get nothing. Sorry

However, I find the case with Disney quite often. You may talk to someone else and get a different answer.

Lori

 

[Sugarglider]

I booked our platinum trip about a month ago... the IPO emailed us the request form and I sent it back in but have not heard back from them. The 180 day mark will be next week... will they call or email before then? Or should I just go on and book everything myself? I spent so long with my spreadsheet, I want to make sure we get everything so I don't have to start all over!

May I ask how long it took the IPO to contact you?
I booked my platinum package 1 month ago too and haven't had any contact. My 180 day mark is still over 3 weeks away so i haven't been too bothered - but I would like to put it through the IPO.

 

[marivaid]

However, I find the case with Disney quite often. You may talk to someone else and get a different answer.

Ain't that the truth... that's what worries me a bit with this idea. Since our trip so far is planned for December, that gives Disney the opportunity to change their minds about 500 times...

On Mousesavers they say that lately people don't get gift cards if their trip is planned on a Sunday/Monday, they only get them for special blackout dates.

 

[marivaid]

Another question for the experts out there Can you book a Fantasmic dinner package with the Premium plan with one of your dining credits?

 

[Zife]

On Mousesavers they say that lately people don't get gift cards if their trip is planned on a Sunday/Monday, they only get them for special blackout dates.

From everything I've read, gift cards are only given out on blackout days, not dark days (ie, when they do their two week break). If you're there on Sunday/Monday, that's just a dark day, and they consider it your 'fault' for booking when they aren't performing.

Another question for the experts out there Can you book a Fantasmic dinner package with the Premium plan with one of your dining credits?

I've booked the Fantsmic! package with Deluxe Dining, so I don't see why not.

 

[marivaid]

I've booked the Fantsmic! package with Deluxe Dining, so I don't see why not.

There are reports of having to use 2 credits to book the Candlelight Processional so I was wondering if the same applied for Fantasmic packages, or if you could book them at all.
The DDP doesn't always work like the Premium/Platinum plans as far as credits go (like CRT & Signature restaurants being only one credit on the Premium plans).
I sent a mail to customer service asking about the CP package, and forgot to ask about Fantasmic.

 

[beautifultomorrow]

May I ask how long it took the IPO to contact you?
I booked my platinum package 1 month ago too and haven't had any contact. My 180 day mark is still over 3 weeks away so i haven't been too bothered - but I would like to put it through the IPO.

From what I have heard the IPO can be inconsistent about making first contact -- sometimes they do it and sometimes they don't. I would go ahead and contact them yourself to get the ball rolling, there's no guarantee they'll contact you before your 180-day mark.

 

[Lehuaann]

Another question for the experts out there Can you book a Fantasmic dinner package with the Premium plan with one of your dining credits?

I currently have a reservation for BD FDP and on my confirmation page, under entitlements it shows;

Fantasmic! Dinner Package
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney Dining Plan Type Entitlements Used At Location
2011
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Quick service dining plan — — —
Dining plan — 2 2
Deluxe dining plan — 2 2
Premium dining plan — 1 1
Platinum dining plan — 1 1

 

[marivaid]

I currently have a reservation for BD FDP and on my confirmation page, under entitlements it shows;

Fantasmic! Dinner Package
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney Dining Plan Type Entitlements Used At Location
2011
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Quick service dining plan — — —
Dining plan — 2 2
Deluxe dining plan — 2 2
Premium dining plan — 1 1
Platinum dining plan — 1 1

Thank you that is fabulous news for us ! We won't be able to take advantage of the Fantasmic seating while we are on our Platinum plan, but if we can get a F! package instead (while on Premium plan) then that's just as good - even better, as my sister wanted to try Brown Derby.

 

[Lehuaann]

Thank you that is fabulous news for us ! We won't be able to take advantage of the Fantasmic seating while we are on our Platinum plan, but if we can get a F! package instead (while on Premium plan) then that's just as good - even better, as my sister wanted to try Brown Derby.

You are so welcome, glad I could help.

And I like your thinking...plat perk on a prem plan!

 

[MoonFaerie]

I love this thread! DH & I are going to do a night of the platinum plan in the middle of our anniversary trip.

Here's our tentative plan. Thoughts? Also, we won't have a car, so if there's someplace you think we'll need a taxi, let me know. I'm trying to get a good idea of the budget.

Not booked yet, but planning on staying at BWV for most of the trip & BWI for the 1 night in the middle.

Thursday, Dec 15:
6 AM, check out of villa, into room
grab a fast breakfast, boardwalk bakery?
7:15, head to bus area to catch bus to AK
8:30-11:30, backstage safari tour (unless they add WAT, then WAT at 9 instead )
lunch - where? when?
back to resort by 3, shower & get ready for dinner
4, to bus area to catch bus to DTD or maybe this, go straight back to resort to change, get there by 1:30, 2:30 bus stop to DTD, 4 late lunch/early dinner at Fulton's
6-7:30, Cirque
bus to GF
9-12?, Victoria & Albert's
taxi back to BWI

Friday, Dec 16:
7:30, check out of room, into villa
grab a quick breakfast
8:45, walk to Epcot
9:45-12:45, dolphins in depth tour
1:30, lunch at Chefs de France
3:45, behind the seeds tour
5:30, dinner at Le Cellier
8, Illuminations Cruise
If not too tired (assuming hours predictions are right), back to Epcot for EMH

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I love this thread! DH & I are going to do a night of the platinum plan in the middle of our anniversary trip.

Here's our tentative plan. Thoughts? Also, we won't have a car, so if there's someplace you think we'll need a taxi, let me know. I'm trying to get a good idea of the budget.

Not booked yet, but planning on staying at BWV for most of the trip & BWI for the 1 night in the middle.

Thursday, Dec 15:
6 AM, check out of villa, into room
grab a fast breakfast, boardwalk bakery?
7:15, head to bus area to catch bus to AK
8:30-11:30, backstage safari tour (unless they add WAT, then WAT at 9 instead )
lunch - where? when?
back to resort by 3, shower & get ready for dinner
4, to bus area to catch bus to DTD or maybe this, go straight back to resort to change, get there by 1:30, 2:30 bus stop to DTD, 4 late lunch/early dinner at Fulton's
6-7:30, Cirque
bus to GF
9-12?, Victoria & Albert's
taxi back to BWI

Friday, Dec 16:
7:30, check out of room, into villa
grab a quick breakfast
8:45, walk to Epcot
9:45-12:45, dolphins in depth tour
1:30, lunch at Chefs de France
3:45, behind the seeds tour
5:30, dinner at Le Cellier
8, Illuminations Cruise
If not too tired (assuming hours predictions are right), back to Epcot for EMH

I think your plan looks good! You have allowed yourself plenty of time to get from place to place and that is really important. I am not sure if you are trying to choose between V&A and Fulton's or not -- but if you are I absolutely 100% recommend you choose Victoria and Albert's -- it's a million times better than Fulton's in my opinion. If you're thinking about doing Fulton's at 4 AND V&A at 9, I'd advise against that. I can't see how you'd be hungry enough to enjoy the wonderful food at V&A (6+ courses!) after having a three course meal at Fulton's just a couple of hours before.

If I were you I'd try to work in a spa treatment somewhere in there, I think you can get a massage at Boardwalk/Beach Club?? Also, Behind the Seeds is not a particularly "great value" when doing the platinum plan (because it is so cheap) but if nothing else apppeals to you more, go for it.

Oh an also, if you'd prefer not to switch rooms, you can add the platinum plan to a cash reservation at BWV. If you reserve the same room type for all your reservations you might not have to move at all. Of course that might not be cost effective if you are staying in a 1-bedroom or larger villa.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I think your plan looks good! You have allowed yourself plenty of time to get from place to place and that is really important. I am not sure if you are trying to choose between V&A and Fulton's or not -- but if you are I absolutely 100% recommend you choose Victoria and Albert's -- it's a million times better than Fulton's in my opinion. If you're thinking about doing Fulton's at 4 AND V&A at 9, I'd advise against that. I can't see how you'd be hungry enough to enjoy the wonderful food at V&A (6+ courses!) after having a three course meal at Fulton's just a couple of hours before.

If I were you I'd try to work in a spa treatment somewhere in there, I think you can get a massage at Boardwalk/Beach Club?? Also, Behind the Seeds is not a particularly "great value" when doing the platinum plan (because it is so cheap) but if nothing else apppeals to you more, go for it.

Oh an also, if you'd prefer not to switch rooms, you can add the platinum plan to a cash reservation at BWV. If you reserve the same room type for all your reservations you might not have to move at all. Of course that might not be cost effective if you are staying in a 1-bedroom or larger villa.

Yeah, it's probably a bad idea to have Fulton's (where I would def. had steak & lobster) 5 hours before V&A. I should never have looked at the menu. Big River Grille might be a good choice for lunch, since it's at the resort, and we'd eat a much lighter lunch.

We're tossing around the idea of the spa. I would only get a mani/pedi though. I'm the like 1% of the population that can't stand massages. Maybe instead of dolphins in depth, we'll do the seqway tour in the am, then the aqua seas tour. I really do want to do behind the seeds, but we could totally do it some other day oop.

I can't believe I never thought about staying on a BWV cash reservation. That's such a great idea! I'm still waiting to hear back about availability, so I can rent the points. Even if we do have to switch rooms, maybe we'd only have to switch once. Thanks!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Yeah, it's probably a bad idea to have Fulton's (where I would def. had steak & lobster) 5 hours before V&A. I should never have looked at the menu. Big River Grille might be a good choice for lunch, since it's at the resort, and we'd eat a much lighter lunch.

We're tossing around the idea of the spa. I would only get a mani/pedi though. I'm the like 1% of the population that can't stand massages. Maybe instead of dolphins in depth, we'll do the seqway tour in the am, then the aqua seas tour. I really do want to do behind the seeds, but we could totally do it some other day oop.

I can't believe I never thought about staying on a BWV cash reservation. That's such a great idea! I'm still waiting to hear back about availability, so I can rent the points. Even if we do have to switch rooms, maybe we'd only have to switch once. Thanks!

I'd choose something besides big river... it's not the best. Maybe some at the wave or captains grill? Or can you do room service on that plan? Maybe room service and then man/pedi. Room Service at BW is great!

I think seeds oop is your better option here. The segway and aqua seas would be so much fun!