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

[2ofUs]

Noooooooo! Darn it. Do you know if there's a 3 night minimum even if you're staying on DVC points? I'm dreaming of renting DVC points for a few nights and having the premium plan for 1 of those nights.

Unfortunately, DVC cannot buy either Premium or Platinum packages. The reasoning (as I have been told by DVC) is that "you already get a lot of discounts for being DVC" - well, not as a renter, but I understand what they are saying.

You COULD, as we did last September, book a room for 1-nite at POP (for Premium) but not have to move from your DVC resort. It cost the one-nite rack rate but was worth being able to do the package. But with the 3-night requirement, well I think DVC users are sunk. Sorry.

 

[conandrob240]

Do you have to use the planners or can you make all of your bookings yourself? I hate waiting for other people to help me. And, suggestion- why not put everything in an detailed e-mail rather than having a discussion over the phone. Then there can be no debate about what day you asked for.

 

[2ofUs]

Do you have to use the planners or can you make all of your bookings yourself? I hate waiting for other people to help me. And, suggestion- why not put everything in an detailed e-mail rather than having a discussion over the phone. Then there can be no debate about what day you asked for.

It is my understanding that the planners are an option. I cannot imagine you would HAVE to use them, but you could start that way & see if you are happy with their services.

As for booking yourself, if you have a strong knowledge of WDW, are organized and aware of who & when to call for bookings, go for it!

If not, you could use a travel agent. If you chose an EarMarked Travel Agency - they have access to a special booking line and most, if not all, of their agents are Disney specialists.

 

[PatriciaH]

Do you have to use the planners or can you make all of your bookings yourself? I hate waiting for other people to help me. And, suggestion- why not put everything in an detailed e-mail rather than having a discussion over the phone. Then there can be no debate about what day you asked for.

I think they have to book the fireworks cruises and the special viewings but otherwise you could book your own things. I had them book it all since I did not want to get there and have to pay out of pocket for anything. I wanted it all listed as on the plan.

 

[nannette]

Do you have to use the planners or can you make all of your bookings yourself? I hate waiting for other people to help me. And, suggestion- why not put everything in an detailed e-mail rather than having a discussion over the phone. Then there can be no debate about what day you asked for.

You do not have to use them to book the things you can book yourself. I made a spread sheet with EVERYTHING in it including times. I filled out the form they sent me with everything I wanted on it from the spreadsheet. I emailed it to them. I received a confirmation email from them that they had received it. The morning of my 180 mark I called them at 9:30 when I didn't receive an email from them (I've used IPO before and they emailed me at 7am at the 180 day mark with all my confirmation numbers). They were waiting to email me with everything once they booked V&A chef table and had all the confirmation numbers. When I received my itinerary plan from them I checked it all against my spreadsheet found only a few dinning times off by a few minutes. I called them to find out about things that weren't booked yet (Golf lessons) and they told me those can't be booked until 90 days out. I will call them at 90 days in the morning if I don't hear from them. Like anything you have someone do for you, you have to follow up and check to make sure its all done. But I've never had a problem with IPO and I use them on all my trips. Nothing like having someone else make all the calls!!

Good Luck and Happy Planning!!

~Nannette

 

[conandrob240]

If you do the bookings yourself, do you have to have the Platinum plan booked first? Will they ask for a credit card and charge for the tours?

 

[cricketgirl]

This was AKL

Don was great the one time I talked to him when I first booked. He was the one who told me they'd take care of me. Unfortunately I was never able to talk to him again. He was either on vacation or unavailable.

I did talk to a supervisor tonight and went through the whole thing with her. She was going through my emails and agreed that I wasn't coming close to getting the service I was paying for. She said she'd personally handle my reservations from this point forward, but I told her I had already cancled the platinum package and just needed to let someone know why Disney just lost $2697 for 3 days.

 

[Lehuaann]

Well, I just canceled my 3 day platinum package. When Don orginally called me he said that they would be there to "kiss my butt and make this whole process easy and enjoyable." Well it has been a nightm are. I have problems constantly. No one returns messages. I have repeatedly asked that I not deal with the woman who yelled at me that I gave her the wrong dates. She booked Victoria and Albert's again on the wrong date. 3 times. I have never ever wanted to eat there on the 23rd of September. ALways have requested the 24th. She had me booked for the fireworks cruise before I was even going to be in Florida. I tried email. That didn't work. Same person was working on it even though I requested Don or Miguel. I sent very specific dates, times etc.. She didn't book anything, said she didn't understand what I was wanting.
Example. Need to book Golf lessons for me and my husband On Septeber 24th around 11 am. (please make it as close to that time as possible) Please let me know what the reservation number is once it is booked. This is a quote from my email to them
Her response. I'm not sure exactly what you are asking me to do.
Seriously?
This is just the tip of the iceberg. I am fed up. I just change my reservation and saved over $2400.
So I can't do a couple things, but I was only doing them because they were part of the package. We can still book everything but Fantasmic viewing, and we have to pay out of pocket for Victoria and Albert's and Fultons. I think the $2400 I saved will take care of that.

Sorry, just needed to vent about this.
Lori

Cricketgirl, holy cow. Sorry to hear about your nightmarish experience. Which resort IPO did you use so I can be sure to avoid in the future?

 

[Lehuaann]

This was AKL

Don was great the one time I talked to him when I first booked. He was the one who told me they'd take care of me. Unfortunately I was never able to talk to him again. He was either on vacation or unavailable.

I did talk to a supervisor tonight and went through the whole thing with her. She was going through my emails and agreed that I wasn't coming close to getting the service I was paying for. She said she'd personally handle my reservations from this point forward, but I told her I had already cancled the platinum package and just needed to let someone know why Disney just lost $2697 for 3 days.

Ok, just saw this. Sorry to say it doesn't surprise me. I tried booking my 180 adrs with a snotty AKL IPO girl a while back. I chose to hang up since she didn't act like she had the time of day for me. Let a bad taste in my mouth. I love the resort though.

 

[let'sgo]

If you do the bookings yourself, do you have to have the Platinum plan booked first? Will they ask for a credit card and charge for the tours?

You should book the Platinum plan first. Then when you decide what to do you have to let the CM know that whatever you are booking is on the Platinum Plan. They will take your credit card number to guarantee that you will show up or if you don't, and do not cancel within the allotted time your credit card will be charged. Your credit card will not be charged ahead of time .

The first thing that I was asked for was the confirmation number of the Platinum Plan.

However, you can book dining at any even before you sign up for the Platinum Plan.

Certain activities will have to be booked by the resort personnel such as the firework cruises.

 

[PatriciaH]

Do golf lessons start at 7am or 8am? I keep reading/hearing different things. Do they have them at Osprey Ridge? Does anyone have an e-mail or phone number for one of the pros? I called the GOLF number but she seemed unsure of where they were. She said the are from 8am-4pm but someone said they had a 7am lesson on this thread. Thanks!

 

[nannette]

Do golf lessons start at 7am or 8am? I keep reading/hearing different things. Do they have them at Osprey Ridge? Does anyone have an e-mail or phone number for one of the pros? I called the GOLF number but she seemed unsure of where they were. She said the are from 8am-4pm but someone said they had a 7am lesson on this thread. Thanks!

Hi, This was my question (In Red) to the YC IPO The answer from the YC IPO is in Blue:

1. what time do the golf lessons start in the morning, do they go all day and every day and what time do they finish in the afternoon? Daughter would like to take a lesson daily so I'm trying to figure out where to fit this into our plan.

Golf lessons are at the Magnolia or Palm courses. Daily starting from 8:00am to 4:00pm being the latest time. Only 1 person can get a lesson at a time, so that if 2 or maore want to go it would be like 8, 9 and 10am as an example. They last about 45 min. each giving 15 min. to get ready

Hope this helps.

~Nannette

 

[PatriciaH]

Thank you!

 

[papamouse1]

edited ... misread post

 

[2ofUs]

Last year when I spoke (several times) to the pro-shops, they were extremely informative. They explained that EACH pro-shop has a golf pro (at least 1) and Osprey DOES have one as well. They went over the difficulty and layout of each course explaining which would be best for what type of golfer.

I was told to arrive 30 minutes PRIOR to the assigned time and allow an hour for the class. In summer months, they are supposed to start early to avoid the heat and it was mentioned that they often will not book lessons past 12:30. Since it gets dark early in the fall, they suggest you tee off no later than 3-3:30 since it takes 4-4.5 hours to play 18 holes!

May I suggest you call them back (several times as necessary) until you get someone that seems confident in what they tell you and do not rely on the information given by regular CM. There is soooo much to know about WDW and the various tours that you are going to get LOTS of varying bits of information, so go a close to the source as you can.

The most informed person I reached was William who (at that time) worked from 4-8pm EST. Here is the information based on my discussion with him that I put into my planning spreadsheet:

Call 407-WDW.GOLF 90-days out;
Earliest tee: 6:45-7:00am;
Latest tee: 3:30pm;
Ask resort for courtesy taxi to/from (not a promise, but he said many will accommodate, especially if your tee time is early);
Golf = 18 holes;includes courtesy balls, clubs, cart (exept Oak Trail);
Regular pricing: $89 wkday, $99 wknd (Sept pricing).
Special pricing: 2 plays during stay = $140;
PGA pros provide 45 min private lessons on the hour by appointment at each clubhouse (3 total); must arrive 30 min prior to the lesson or tee time.
COURSES:
First 3 courses share a clubhouse by Shades of Green:
North: Magnolia, need good tee and long iron, courses are wide and pleasant, PGA course since 1971.
Middle: Oak Trail, a par 36, 9-hole walking course, good family course.
South: Palm, need a good putter or hit close to hole, most greens slope back to front, difficult course.
Osprey Ridge-by Ft Wilderness is secluded, rolling fairways, like Europe w/trees. (this was the one my DH wanted to try)
Lake Buena Vista-Winding, not too tough, pretty course; runs through Saratoga Springs and Old Key West resorts, can get distracted by sight-seeing.

Hope this information is still accurate and helpful!

 

[PatriciaH]

Thanks for the info!

 

[simonmunro]

What are the approved methods of tipping or gift for your IPO? Of course I want to be within all rules and still give what would be appreciated.

 

[Sugarglider]

What are the approved methods of tipping or gift for your IPO? Of course I want to be within all rules and still give what would be appreciated.

Oh geez - I'm supposed to be tipping the IPO??!! Really?

 

[FoodLover]

What are the approved methods of tipping or gift for your IPO? Of course I want to be within all rules and still give what would be appreciated.

It's not a tipped position. There is NO need to tip the IPO Cast Members.

 

[simonmunro]

Thanks Mary!