30th anniversary planning, trying to be a grown up but my inner kid is winning, who am I kidding, she always wins ;)

[LuvOrlando]

So we are planning our 30th wedding anniversary later this year.

We have been mulling different adulting locations, like you do. I always wanted to go to Italy & Hawaii but the idea that I might have a bad arthritis day/week is lurking in the corner of my mind. Also 30 years ago I remember feeling like I SHOULD want to go to the places other people want to go, exotic beachy places and I do, well sort of, but I suppose I really want these places to be a second trip like an add on.

Then the other day I just sort of blurted out I might want to go back to WDW for our anniversary where we spent our honeymoon. DH was amused, luckily he finds me amusing. He said if we go he wants to "do it right" this time, which I guess means with all the bells and whistles we couldn't afford back then, which is fine it is his anniversary too. Still, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for the original room & all, at least maybe for our actual anniversary which was actually spent feeling anxious in Church, but still... Not sure if I have all that info still but I wonder, does Disney have any Anniversary programs where they help a guest redo their honeymoon? When I talk to guest services it seems like there is info going all the way back, what do you think?

 

[disneychrista]

I think going back where you took your honeymoon is very romantic.

Congrats on 30 years!

 

[dizneegirl]

We spent our 25th and 30th anniversaries at Disney World, as well as our honeymoon. It wasn't the same trip, but I wouldn't have wanted it to be. It was definitely better being older with more experience and resources.

People thought we were crazy, but, hey... made us happy!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'd pick Italy any day of the week. For me Europe is an easier and more relaxing trip than Disney. Also it is more convenient than Hawaii since we fly from the east coast. If your arthritis flares up? There's always a cafe with a nice glass of wine or limoncello to soothe your aches and pains. You can also have a spa on speed dial to book a massage. I often do this a couple of times during a long trip.

Whatever you decide. Have fun and Happy Anniversary!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Congratulations to you and your husband, LuvOrlando! Whatever way you to choose to celebrate, may you have a safe and special trip. God Bless You

 

[Micca]

Do it! And do it with all the bells & whistles.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

For our 20th we did a Disney Land/Sea with a bunch of our friends and family. We had a great time! I had looked into anniversary/vow renewal packages, but they were too expensive for us, so we did our own thing, and it was wonderful.

Happy Anniversary! If it’s no hold barred you have a lot of options! I would do Club Level somewhere! GF? Poly? WL? They are in so many resorts now. We’ve done several and they are so nice. Start your day with a Mimosa, head up for snacks, drinks, watch a game, meet people, etc. Very fun!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

So we are planning our 30th wedding anniversary later this year.

We have been mulling different adulting locations, like you do. I always wanted to go to Italy & Hawaii but the idea that I might have a bad arthritis day/week is lurking in the corner of my mind. Also 30 years ago I remember feeling like I SHOULD want to go to the places other people want to go, exotic beachy places and I do, well sort of, but I suppose I really want these places to be a second trip like an add on.

Then the other day I just sort of blurted out I might want to go back to WDW for our anniversary where we spent our honeymoon. DH was amused, luckily he finds me amusing. He said if we go he wants to "do it right" this time, which I guess means with all the bells and whistles we couldn't afford back then, which is fine it is his anniversary too. Still, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for the original room & all, at least maybe for our actual anniversary which was actually spent feeling anxious in Church, but still... Not sure if I have all that info still but I wonder, does Disney have any Anniversary programs where they help a guest redo their honeymoon? When I talk to guest services it seems like there is info going all the way back, what do you think?

Disney Faiiry Tale Weddings has vow renewals. A ceremony. I don't think they have an anniversary package, but I coul be wrong. We got married at WDW, 20+ years ago but I know a lot has changed, especially since Covid. We were living in California at the time we married. Family & most friends in NJ so we got married at WDW and honeymooned there. I would of preferred the route of a honeymoon in Italy or France but the thought of getting on another plane and all the details....just didn't want to do. Going to Italy is on my bucket list, but as I get older, I know it becomes more difficult. There is a forum about Disney Weddings on the Disboards. It's not as active as it used to be. There's a poster named LurkyLoo that seems pretty knowledgable. You can post a questions there or you can call Disney Fairy Tale Weddings. I don't know if there is something that DFTW can do that you can't do yourself. As with everything else, the cost has risen. You mentioned "all the bells and whistles". You could do club level or rent DVC points. Go several really nice dinners like Victoria & Alberts, dessert parties, a photo session. Since Covid, I don't know what it still available. With the high price point at WDW, I'd compare it to a European trip. The value is what you decide. Congratulations on 30 years and wish you and your husband many more years.

 

[Pooh2]

We spent our 25th and 30th at WDW.

25th was at Shades of Green (we had 3 kids in college that year!)

35th was at Grand Floridian, Main Building, concierge.
Both trips were tried lots of new to us restaurants around property.

Our 30th was at Aulani for 9 nights, flew to CA for our first Disneyland visit for 3 nights, then took a cross country train trip back to the east coast. Amazing trip!

Yep, we got lots of comments that we are weirdos for spending our big celebrations at Disney.
Would not change a thing!

Just starting to plan our 40th for next year, maybe a DCL cruise.
We get comments about DCL being for families.
I would much prefer to be around families than on a floating nursing home cruise boat or with a bunch of drunk partiers cruise boat.

Congrats on 30 years!

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Congrats! *whispers* Go for it...

 

[slo]

I love the idea of trying to recreate your honeymoon - I agree that it’s very romantic

A big congratulations to you and your DH

 

[fla4fun]

Still, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for the original room & all, at least maybe for our actual anniversary

Why not do both? Plan the big, multi day, all the bells and whistles trip to celebrate the way your husband wants. However, secretly book the hotel and room type you had for your honeymoon for just your actual anniversary night, in addition to the other stay. Go for a nice dinner somewhere, and then take a Minnie Van to the one night hotel for a nostalgic evening, and then go back to your bells and whistles trip the next day. You can leave all your belongings in whatever resort you have chosen for the main stay, putting any absolute necessities in a nice big handbag So as not to spoil the surprise. Just a thought . . .

 

[Dan Murphy]

Congratulations, LO, to both you and your husband, on your 30th. Wonderful!!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I love that I am getting encouragement to go back to WDW on here, that never happens in real life

 

[TLSnell1981]

We spent our 25th and 30th at WDW.

25th was at Shades of Green (we had 3 kids in college that year!)

35th was at Grand Floridian, Main Building, concierge.
Both trips were tried lots of new to us restaurants around property.

Our 30th was at Aulani for 9 nights, flew to CA for our first Disneyland visit for 3 nights, then took a cross country train trip back to the east coast. Amazing trip!

Yep, we got lots of comments that we are weirdos for spending our big celebrations at Disney.
Would not change a thing!

Just starting to plan our 40th for next year, maybe a DCL cruise.
We get comments about DCL being for families.
I would much prefer to be around families than on a floating nursing home cruise boat or with a bunch of drunk partiers cruise boat.

Congrats on 30 years!

I have to love my kiddo. She told me today that weirdos are the most interesting and fun people!

 

[Magical2017]

Go wherever you want, and happy anniversary!

 

[leahgoogle]

Happy Anniversary!!! And, I say go for it! DH and I had our honeymoon at WDW. It was my first time visiting and I was hooked. I'm hoping to go to DL for an anniversary at some point. People outside of Disney groups or message boards think I am crazy....lol.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Congrats to you and your husband! WDW is a great place to celebrate. You can stay at the Polynesian to get the feel of Hawaii and have a romantic anniversary dinner at the Italy pavilion in Epcot. Checks all the boxes. Go and splurge and have fun!

 

[JLTraveling]

You could combine the best of both worlds. Disneyland Paris is just a couple of hours by plane from Rome. It might be kind of fun to do the Paris versions of some things you loved on your WDW honeymoon. Or maybe you could do some kind of vow renewal there. And then tack on a few days for the luxury stay in Italy. Just a thought