Platinum Plan Issues About This Page:

[Mom of three 1971]

Has anyone used the Platinum plan lately?
On our last visit we had encountered some problems with it and I wondered if they were still occuring.
Primarily the biggest issue was the lack of knowledge of the plan. Some plans that we booked that were included in our plan, the cast members where unaware. Example: My DH had three guided fishing excursions booked and at 2 out of 3 the cast members didn't seem to understand that this was on our plan and we did not have to pay for it. One of the times it became such a hassle that DH told trhem to charge it to our room. The platinum planner removed the charge for us. There were similar problems with the "snack" credit. In the parks we would give our card to the cast member to pay for a snack and they would tell us we had no credits, when of course we had lots of credits. I was later told that the snack and meal credits are all the same on the PP and they don't show up in a way that the snack stands can read. We were advised by the planner to just have them charge anything like that to the room, which we did and noted that later the planners wiped everything off each day and updated the credits for the items we got.
We have booked our next trip for Dec 2008 with the PP and I was just curious if anyone has had any issues lately?
Thanks

[disneywithoutkids]

We have been using the Platinum Plan once or twice a year for many years now and have never had any issues like that. We take at least 3 fishing excursions each trip as well as golfing and many tours and the CM’s have always understood that these were part of the plan. We will be there again next month about the same time you will; I hope we don’t experience the same issues as you have.

[Thumper]

I'm not too sure if this is of help to you, but this is what is listed as part of the premium package. I am not sure when you last used it, but they did "tweak" the premium and platinium packages awhile ago. I wonder if that was during the time you were there....

Either way, have a great time and be sure to book some of the outstanding things you can do!

Disney's Premium Package Details

Enjoy a premium vacation experience. In addition to your client's room and ticket, the Magic Your Way Premium Package comes with a breakfast, lunch and dinner plan per person per night at over 100 participating restaurants, unlimited use of selected recreation including golf, admission to Cirque du Soleil® La Nouba™ and more!



Preferred fireworks viewing
Enjoy preferred fireworks viewing for Wishes™ at Magic Kingdom® Park and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot®.

(Subject to availability and block-out dates, including 11/19/07-11/25/07 and 12/20/07-01/02/08. One viewing per Theme Park. Advance reservations and voucher required.)
Disney Dining Plan
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner per person, per night!

Choose from selected Walt Disney World Resort table-service and counter-service restaurants including Signature Dining Experience restaurants, Disney Character dining, Disney dinner shows and more.

Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Please call (407) WDW-DINE (939-9463)*. Reservations are required for Disney dinner shows.

Excludes alcoholic beverages; certain other limitations apply. Children ages 3-9 must choose from the children's menu if available.

Unlimited use of select recreation activities
Recreation activities include Disney's golf (no tee time restrictions), miniature golf, personal watercraft, guided fishing excursions, parasailing, horseback riding and more.

(Restrictions apply and advance reservations may be required.)

Admission to the Cirque du Soleil® show, La Nouba™
Experience the wonder of this one-of-a-kind theatrical delight — created exclusively for Walt Disney World Resort.

(One admission per person; reservations may be made up to 180 days before arrival.)
Admission to Disney's Children's Activity Centers
Disney's Children's Activity Centers are at select Disney Resort hotels (ages 4-12). Certain restrictions apply. Hours may vary by location.
Unlimited admissions to select Theme Park tours
Magic Kingdom® Park: Disney's Family Magic Tour, Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains, Disney's Keys to the Kingdom, Mickey's Magical Milestones.

Epcot®: Gardens of the World, The Undiscovered Future World, Hidden Treasures of World Showcase.

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park: Theme Park Tours Backstage Safari, Disney's Wild By Design.

(Restrictions apply to selected tours. Subject to availability and schedule.)

Admission to all Grand Gathering Experiences

[disneywithoutkids]

As an additional note for the PP next year; if you do not request to add the Park Hopper and the Water Parks and More option to your tickets, they will only give you base tickets. This new for 2008 and we had to request to have our tickets upgraded when we made our reservations. In the past, the PP always included these ticket options.

[Mom of three 1971]

Originally Posted by disneywithoutkids

As an additional note for the PP next year; if you do not request to add the Park Hopper and the Water Parks and More option to your tickets, they will only give you base tickets. This new for 2008 and we had to request to have our tickets upgraded when we made our reservations. In the past, the PP always included these ticket options.

I noticed that before we booked about the tickets, as did our travel agent so we remembered to upgrade our passes. The problems we experienced were called "teething" problems by the platinum planner. She explained that the plan was gone for a short period of time, perhaps a year and when it was brought back in 2006 some people were not familiar with it. This was the first time we encountered any problems and we have been using it for so many years, we remember when it was the "Grand Plan " back in the early 1990's.
It was really no big deal, as I said the planners wiped everything off each day. It was just unusual as we have always had everything run very smoothly. I will miss Heather, the planner at the GF, who has since left the company, but I do hear good things about Stephanie who is now the planner.
Christine-where do you stay when you go? We have considered maybe trying Yacht & Beach for a change but we can't seem to bring ourselves to stay anywhere but GF. I would love to hear opinions from someone who has stayed at other resorts at concierge level.
By the way- love your screen name- someday wheh the kids are gone we are going to take a WDW just the two of us! Of course then, we will probably be taking Grandkids!~
Tara

[Teresa]

We've always used the Platinum Plan - for the last 13 years! It's been called the Grand Plan, the Gold Plan, something else, and PP.
There are ALWAYS some cast members who are unfamiliar with it. ALWAYS. NO matter what they tell you at Platinum Plan central.
I think it's because not many people use it. And, don't know what it entails when they do get it.
You did the right thing - the same thing I've done many, many times when dealing with it.
One thing: if you made the ressies for the fishing trip yourself, they may have been confused. Usually the Planner does our ressies (DH fishes all but the day we get there - usually at least 5 or 6 times) and we have no problems.

I'm sorry you experienced so many problems. I've had all of those problems, but at different times. I've also had the waiter that KNEW he was entitled to 18% tip (this was before DDP) and so, when we order TWO appetizers for 9 of us, he brought us NINE! One of us was a one year old!!

[Mom of three 1971]

Originally Posted by Teresa

We've always used the Platinum Plan - for the last 13 years! It's been called the Grand Plan, the Gold Plan, something else, and PP.
There are ALWAYS some cast members who are unfamiliar with it. ALWAYS. NO matter what they tell you at Platinum Plan central.
I think it's because not many people use it. And, don't know what it entails when they do get it.
You did the right thing - the same thing I've done many, many times when dealing with it.
One thing: if you made the ressies for the fishing trip yourself, they may have been confused. Usually the Planner does our ressies (DH fishes all but the day we get there - usually at least 5 or 6 times) and we have no problems.

I'm sorry you experienced so many problems. I've had all of those problems, but at different times. I've also had the waiter that KNEW he was entitled to 18% tip (this was before DDP) and so, when we order TWO appetizers for 9 of us, he brought us NINE! One of us was a one year old!!

Nine appetizers!!! LOL. I've been there too! The first time we went on the plan, I believe it was 1992 or 93, when it was still the Grand Plan, we called up room service and said we'd like some snacks and asked what was available on the plan...sandwiches? cookies etc? Room service chuckled and said "is this your first time on the Grand Plan" When we replied yes, they said " Oh, we'll send you up some snacks to let you see what this plan is like." They sent two platters of finger sandwiches, 2 platters of hot hor devores, a vegetable platter, several salads and soups and an platter of lamb chops, not to mention an assortment of desserts. We were just a little snacky not ready for that kind of meal! I was embarassed to put the trays out!
Even with the little kinks I love the plan. I love putting my whole itinerary together but having the planner make all the ressies.
My DH loved the fishing too...several times alone and twice with my DD who was 4 at the time, she's a girly girl who love too fish (in full jewelry, natch!).
We are also fans of taking a pontoon out for a few hours with food we have had room service pack up for us. My kids love to be on the water.
I think you must be right about the plan being not used too much though I never hear much about it.
Where do you stay when you go? I would love to get your perspective since you've been doing the plan so long. How about resturant choices?
Thanks,
Tara