[Suzanne]

Hello! While I have been visiting this site for about a year, this is my first post! Just a quick question for all of you. My family of six (all adults) went to WDW this past July and upgraded to the gold plan so that all of our meals were included. Of all the times that I've visited this site I've never seen any mention of the gold plan, or even the silver plan for that matter. Why is that? Do all of you think that it's not that great of a deal? For a full week in WDW at POR airfare, park hopper passes, everything included we spent about $1200 a person...One dinner at Fulton's for the six of us would have cost us $950 had we not had the gold plan. We love the gold plan! So again, what's everyone's opinion about it? Just wondering! Thanks!

[trishb]

Hi Suzanne and Welcome!

I have used the silver and gold plans in the past...and love them! Perfect when it was just Dh and myself. Now that we have a toddler, the sit down meals and recreation are too much trouble.

Having the gold plan is the best way to experience all the Walt Disney World has to offer! I hope you had an opportunity to take in La Nouba!

[Dana]

I never even thought to try it. I don't know why it never occured to me, but it just didn't. How much was the upgrade? What is it per day per person? Would it pay off for one adult and one child? What exactly are all of the "extras"?


where are my manners? Welcome to DC!

[DianneMKMO]

Trish,

With access to the Children's Activity Centers it makes a plan worth it with small children. We had to pry our oldest child out of the NeverLand Center when it was time to go. That was 8 years ago and he still talks about it on occasion. This year our oldest will be dining with us at a few nice restaurants while our youngest enjoys NeverLand.

Dianne

[Suzanne]

Thanks everyone for their input. As far as the extra perks for the gold plan...They are awesome! We had unlimited use of the speed boats, bigger boats, parasailing, every water recreation imaginable included. We had unlimited use of all of the golf courses. We received free tickets to the Cirque du Soleil (spelling?). We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner included at just about every restaurant at WDW. I understand that this plan doesn't really make sense if you only want fast meals, but it was great to be able to enjoy the more expensive sit down places. Had we not had the gold plan we wouldn't have tried such places as Le Cellier, the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater, the Brown Derby, etc. because we would have been price conscious. Like I said, we were a party of six adults...So we took advantage of the everyone gets an appetizer, an entree, a dessert, and a drink plan of the gold plan. We ate so much...Thank God we were walking around so much otherwise we would have gained sooooooooooo much weight. Also, the plan enabled us to try certain menu items that had we been paying for probably would have not. Anyone ever try the "Superbowl Sundae" at ESPN Club? It's a huge ice cream sundae in a replica Superbowl trophy that costs $15.00!!! We also loved the unlimited use of water recreation, bikes, etc. When the parks would get crowded in the afternoon we would simply use the sppedboats in the lagoon...It was assuring to know that we could ride around all we wanted and not have to think about the usual price per half hour (I think it's something like $25 a half hour). As I plan our next Disney vacation I can't help but thinking of again using the gold plan. Like I said in my first post, I just haven't heard much about it from anyone else so I was just wondering what the deal was. As I think about it, I notice that most people who post have families with children in them thus do not always opt for the sit down. So then I can see maybe it's not worth it. However, if anyone is considering this plan...GET IT!!! My family loved it! We even made a "We're on the Gold Plan!" montage video from our video recordings of our trip. Wow...Didn't realized I talked so long! Sorry! Hopefully, this was helpful for someone!!!

[Storm59]

We used the gold plan on our last trip, and found it wasn't worth what we spent. In fact, we had about 34 'wishes' left when we checked out that went unused - a waste of money.

But if it's just adults, and you choose your restaurants wisely, go for it. I would try it again, but not with kids. To make use of it, you need to make PS for the really nice restaurants, and my kids cannot eat on a schedule. When they get hungry, they don't want to hear, 'well, we can't be seated for another hour.'
We're going back in a couple weeks, and this time we're just going counter service, but I'm so pleased to be going back so soon that I can live with that.

The extra perks were nice, the Cirque tickets especially. We also used the unlimited recreation bit for renting bikes and water mice. We wanted to do the horseback riding, but the kids were too young. I found the reserved seating for 1)Illuminations-was terrible, we went and found our own viewpoints 2)MK fireworks - was absolutely horrible - couldn't see half of them 3)the AK parade - I didn't make that because DS was ill, but DH and DD went and said it was ok.
We never took advantage of it, but free childcare was included as well.

I liked the freedom of not having to tip.

Bottom line - if you eat at the expensive places, it can pay for itself. If not, I wouldn't bother.

[Paul S]

We used the Silver plan and what we found was that it was just right for us. We don't think we would have made the most of the Gold plan. We're pretty active though, and not big eaters- and food looks to be where you make out on the Gold Plan.

[jbjags]

If a person can do it the Platinum Plan is the best of all they even have in room day care for the people that have dk that are under 4. But I think the best part of the plans is peace of mind of knowing your meals are all ready paid for. And being able to eat at some of the great places you may not be able to if you didn't have the plan.

[Paul S]

We've thought about doing the Platinum Plan before. What it came down to was price. We're not independently wealthy- yet. It ended up being a trade-off. It was either AKL w/ Silver, or All Star Resorts with the Platinum. We never stayed at a Deluxe resort prior to that trip, so we decided on AKL.

Speaking of which we stole a stay at AKL. We went this past June (2003) because they were running this special online. It worked out to be about the same price as our favorite moderate resort- FQ.

[jbjags]

i don't think you can do the Platinum Plan at a value I think it can only be done at a deluxe or home away from home.

[disneyguy]

Not too bad. Don't let Disney find out that u r saving that much money or they will take away the plan.

[Paul S]

Not too bad. Don't let Disney find out that u r saving that much money or they will take away the plan.

I found the deal on their website. The "official" WDW Travel Co. booked it for us online. It was VERY limited- a certain number of rooms and that was it.

I never tried to book the platinum plan & the value resort or I would have found out you can't do that. It kinda makes sense though when you see whats included.

[DianneMKMO]

Any upgrade in plan depends on what you will use and what you enjoy. We enjoy trying new foods, especially foods that aren't generally available to us in the Midwest. If in doubt about pre-paying for meals by buying into any upgraded plan, take a look at the menus and prices of WDW restaurants. We checked out AllEarsNet.com. They also have hints to make the Silver Plan more cost effective with children. We decided that we could get our money's worth with the silver plan. Now are problem is deciding where to eat! We are also planning on sending our youngest to the Neverland Club (included!) and our oldest on a fishing trip (included! but two wishes) We don't get to go to WDW often, actually only my DH's second time and My FIL, MIL and our youngest first time! So we are trying to make the most of it and working alot of OT to make it happen!! It is so worth it.


Dianne