I did the Premium Package on Monday. Here is my experience along with some opinions of why I did what I did.
I was all ready in Central FL when the pacakge was announced on a trip where I was in charge. I had brought five nieces and nephews with me to visit my daughter (a CM) and her boyfriend was a part of our group. It was a Cousin's Trip with the kids ranging from 13-21 and the two CMs are 28)...I am older haha.
Ok although I am a very experienced Disney traveler the kids I brought along (at least a couple of them) have rarely been. We drove and I originally was planning on driving home on Monday. Saturday and Sunday were out for Frozen fun due to another cousin joining us just for the weekend and preplanned ADRs. So Monday it was! I decided if I was adding the day to their tickets and adding the day to the trip I wanted to make sure we did all of the Frozen activities easily so I booked the package knowing it would be necessary to check the boards on Sat night/Sunday to see how to do things properly.
Our plan for Monday was to arrive at the check in spot at 9:45 but due to traffic coming into the park we did not get there until about 9:55. There were very few people in line and the CM told me they had expected a line an hour previously but the people weren't lining up early that day. He also told me the package was sold out for that day but there was still availability later in the week. We were given our lanyards and a CM behind was carrying a box of sing a long tickets. We were not given 12:30 as an option (and I did not ask). We took the 1:30 tickets.
We entered right at ten and were told if we went into the taped off area we needed to sit. We found a place along the rope and sat with four in front and four in back. At no time was it said that this area was just for children ; only that you had to be sitting in this area. The area was filled with both children and adults. We sat slightly to the left facing the stage. As mentioned there was plenty of soda, water, ice cream to be had for all.
At one point a CM came up from the other side of the rope and said once the processional stopped and Anna and Elsa were on the stage we would have to stand as they stage would be rushed with guests...this did not turn out to be true as they kept the area in front roped off even with our rope so we were able to sit throughout the entire stage show. Some people to the right of us stood but we did not need to and by not standing more people behind us were likely able to see better.
We thought we had excellent seats which would have only been slightly better if we would have been able to move a bit to the right. Overall though I was very pleased.
We then did Oaken Trading Post. We were in the shop part for just a bit and a few members of our group bought items. We had no wait to go in.
We then did the "fun" part and had no wait. We are a skating family and get enough snow and ice at home so skipped those activities but we did do all of the photopass opps since we have the Memory Maker.
After that we just found a spot in the Commissary to chill until our Sing a Long. Our return time said 12:50-1:20 for the 1:30 show so we went over at 12:50 where we stood until well after 1 as the 12:30 show was going on and they had to reset. Really no need to be there that early and to have that as a return time. The entrance area for the package holders is a back entrance and it was not shaded.
LOVED the stage show. There are a number of rows front and center for package holders roped off and we were guided to that area. The show was far better than I ever imagined.
We then went back to our home and packed the car up for the next day and ate.
We went back to the park at 7 and waited until a line formed and got in that. While in that line we talked to people next to us who included a CM that works with some entertainment. He said one of the historians left his previous position a month ago for a new endeavor which means this had to be in the works at that point. This gentleman also gave us what he thought were the areas to be in for the fireworks/stage show. Both components were important to us so when we went in we went to the far left near the VIP roped off section (where no one ever showed up so that was a waste of really good fireworks viewing space). We were at a smaller table but it was not designated as handicapped as other tables were. The Summer Fun dance party was going on and it really kept us occupied while we ate our desserts This spot was ideal as we could see everything on the stage and then move just a bit left and really saw most of the fireworks ...those to the right of the stage were not as visible but appeared to be more of the straight up ones so we got the effect.
The desserts were very nicely themed to Frozen and were very good. We had four over 21 in our group and two of those had the alcohol. One had the Iced Summer and liked it and the other had an Iced Coffee and liked it.
Research CMs were wandering through and taking guest opinions during the time.
The standing got a bit old and about fifteen minutes before the fireworks we all ended up sitting down (as were many others). We did stand up when the show began.
We left immediately after the fireworks due to the early morning coming up and drive home and there were still desserts out and available.
Overall I was extremely pleased with purchasing the package...as I said if we were staying I wanted to make sure I didn't have to scope out seating/viewing areas etc. I think considering I didn't really know much about the package and viewing for these events we chose great spots. I would definitely do it again.
Any questions feel free to ask!
Liz
Our trip is in August - so plenty of time to hear some! I hope!
I have been following that thread as well and wasn't getting the info I was hoping for. I actually found the dessert pics on Facebook.
