Booking DisneyMoon: Advice?

[ChloroFiend]

So, we're about 8 months away from our wedding and then DisneyMoon. For those of you that have booked or had one in the past, have any advice to lend?

How far in advance should we book our room?

Is there a special number for honeymoons only or do we just call up 407-WDISNEY?

Did the Honeymoon Registry work well for y'all or not so much?

Any suggestions for activities to book that were really cool? We're thinking about parasailing and a couples massage, in addition to several ADR's.

TIA!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I'd book as soon as you know where you want to stay and if you want a package or room-only. That's your first decision. Just tell them you are celebrating your honeymoon so they can note in on your reservations. And I was just browsing through the WDW official website and came upon the new section on celebrations. This page has a section for just 'true love" activities all categorized together.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/di...yworld/index?name=CelebrationsWDWTrueLovePage

We're doing a Disneymoon too, in July. We are also registered with the Disney honeymoon registry and I'm looking forward to my gift card starting to build up!!

 

[Aw Phooey]

I booked my stuff almost a year in advance...as soon as we agreed to go to Disney. Granted this was probably unnecessary since we'll be going during the Value season. But I like to anticipate things. If you know what you want to do and you are able to book stuff, go ahead and book it.

My big mistake was to procrastinate on the ADR's. I had my heart set on dinner at Cindy's castle and the Coral Reel Cafe or some other Epcot eatery we had never been to that looked tasty. I booked dinner at Cindy's first thing in the morning as soon as I was eligible (180 days) because everything I read says that's so hard to get an ADR for. But I procrastinated on our Epcot dinner. I figured that would be easier to get so we took our time coming to a decision. I tried booking it 4 months in advance and it was full (and this is still Value Season we're going in). Le Cellier was full too. So now we're eating in Germany. We've been there before and we know we'll have a good time between the food, the show, and the beer. But it was a little disappointing not to go to our top picks.

 

[perla75]

A few deluxe resorts offer special honeymoon suites (GF & WL have them, not sure about the others)-these rooms are pretty pricey though.

If you are having a WDW wedding as well, remember that you CAN use the discount from the included annual pass towards the room so check the AP rates!

As the PP mentioned, definately let them know that it's your honeymoon when you book both the hotel reservations AND dining reservations. Especially with the new Celebrations promotion going on in 2009, but also it's been widely known that you can get lucky with some extra magic from the CMs during your stay.

Also, if you are planning a 2009 trip, Disney is offering many special couples events to go along with their new promotion, like romantic meals for two, gift baskets, room decorating, etc... be sure to check the WDW website for more info.

Have fun!!

 

[BecBennett]

I'd book as soon as you know where you want to stay and if you want a package or room-only. That's your first decision. Just tell them you are celebrating your honeymoon so they can note in on your reservations. And I was just browsing through the WDW official website and came upon the new section on celebrations. This page has a section for just 'true love" activities all categorized together.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/di...yworld/index?name=CelebrationsWDWTrueLovePage

Celebrations is the thing for 2009 isn't it? It's changing from Dreams to Celebrations? I think I read that somewhere...

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Celebrations is the thing for 2009 isn't it? It's changing from Dreams to Celebrations? I think I read that somewhere...

Yes, they basically arranged all the special things that you are able to book into different categories to match the things you might be celebrating.

 

[RachaelA]

If you know where you want to stay I'd book as soon as possible. You are going to during summer which means its going to be very busy and many people have booked already and some of the "prime" types of rooms are already booked.

We booked our room AKL CL as a room only back in June and changed to a package when 09 prices were booked and I was glad that we did because there weren't any of our room type left when we went to book. We wanted to add an extra day at the beginning and we couldn't.

Some things to look into
Fireworks Cruises
Private dinner at GF

 

[Lynn5700]

Call now and book and call now and call 180 days before to book your Dining reservations.

Are you getting married in May? What is your date and when are you honeymooning? We were married May 7 in Disney and are going next year May 3-12.

 

[ChloroFiend]

Are you getting married in May? What is your date and when are you honeymooning? We were married May 7 in Disney and are going next year May 3-12.

16 May, with the ceremony here in Chicago. We're thinking about flying down to MCO on the morning of the 18th, staying through the 25th at least.

 

[Lynn5700]

You will love Disney in May!!! It is such a nice time to go!

 

[Lorelei528]

Yep, I'd call as soon as you know for sure where you want to stay! We are staying at BW from April 28-May 4 and then want to resort hop from May 4 to May 8. Well, we only had BW booked so far (so we could book our wedding). I wanted to maybe stay at The Contemporary (can't afford the Poly) but when I tried looking at prices last week-all their regular Tower Rooms were already sold out!!

Now we decided to wait until we get back from this trip as it's Eoghan's first trip and I want him to see what the resorts are like...I have a feeling we'll end up at AKL again (which is just fine with me, it's my fave) or maybe actually trying to save some $ and move to a moderate...


So, yeah, to reiterate....if you know where you want to stay, I suggest you book it now.

Lori

 

[Tink_Kel]

Yay for May 16th brides! We are getting married on the 16th too, and Honeymooning the same week as you!

About the Honeymoon Registry, I think it's pretty cool. I haven't really mentioned it to anyone, but have been using it myself as a "savings account" for our meals, and other goodies. Every payday I put a little onto it, and I figure by the time our Honeymoon rolls around, everything will be almost paid for...if someone else donates, that would be great too! They sent me a pretty gift card with Prince charming and Cinderella in a coach, riding up to the castle.

As for things to do....last July me and DF spent a week at WDW, and one of our most relaxing memorable times was when we went to Ohana's for dinner, about 2 hours before the fireworks. Afterwards, we strolled along the Poly beach and found an empty hammock to lie in. We just kind of snuggled in, until the fireworks began, and watched them from the Hammock. Very romantic, and very relaxing!

 

[joleen76]

We honeymooned at Disney in June. We had the best time. I would suggest booking as soon as you know where you want to stay and if you don't get what you wanted exactly, you can keep calling later to change it. At least if you already had something you liked you would have that regardless if you can change it or not later. We booked 6 - 7 months out.


We used the registy and it worked out awesome for us. We put tours, massage, and whatever else we wanted on it. This helped us to do some really special things we wouldn't have been able to do otherwise! We did the segway tour...this was truly awesome. We also did the couples massage at the GF, truly a highlight of our trip. Oh and in case there is any doubt about wearing the wedding ears, I say DO IT!!! We were asked if we would like to watch the fireworks at EPCOT with the crew down on the docks one night. I can't tell you how one of a kind that was! And all because we were getting our picture taken with our ears on etc. There were many other freebies given to us because we were wearing our ears or it was noted on our reservations that we were newlyweds.

Oh and I would recomend the deluxe dining. We did this and the alone time at dinner/lunch was always awesome. Not to mention we tried some Signature Dining we might not have otherwise. We loved the California Grill, Le Cellier, The Brown Derby, and we even did CRT. I have lots of pictures with my groom cheesing it up with the Princess's.

Oh and if you have a chance, get your picture taken at sunset in EPCOT by the lake. We thought the picture wouldn't be so great with the sun to our backs....SO WRONG! They were awesome.

LOL so if you couldn't tell We LOVED LOVED LOVED our Disneymoon!

 

[bridetobe789]

We booked our honeymoon last week for next july!!

 

[OtherFigment]

I would book as soon as you know! I keep hearing stories about people who book too late and can't get what they want. We just booked ours last month for 4/27-5/8! I really wanted to have our wedding in Disney, but DF's family wouldn't be able to make it if we did , so we're having it at home. But we get to go to Disney for our honeymoon! Yacht Club, here we come! I can't wait to see all the other Disneymooners!

I have been reading that we won't be able to make our ADRs 180 day in advance due to the new reservation system? Does anyone know if that's true?

 

[RachaelA]

If you 180 days is after Nov 21 then you can book at 180 out. If not then you can book Chef Mickeys, CRT, and V&A's at 180 days and after thing else on Nov 21.

 

[JasonsPrincess]

I'm getting married May 16th too!!! Heading for our disneymoon on the 17th

I would recommend booking as soon as you know where you want to stay, if your not sure about your package you can always add that later..but it was a relief to me that I atleast had a room reserved. That also gave me a conf. number so I could start the honeymoon registry. still 8 months away tho so no funds are on that yet..hopefully we'll get some

Plan your ADR's as our 180 day mark is in Nov. I narrowed the places down, and then i let him look at the menu's so i could get him input too. Read the dining reviews to find what you like....try to schedule atleast one romantic meal.

 

[esbrick]

Hi! Congratulations to all you beautiful brides! We are getting married in NY on December 13th, then going to Mexico and then to Disney for the last week! I'm not ashamed to say that I so can't wait to see Cinderella's castle light up in Christmas lights to "When You Wish Upon a Star" Oh my goodness! So excited! We are having Christmas Eve dinner at the GF and then Christmas dinner at Le Cellier and then the Christmas parade after, then on Friday dinner at the Turf Club at SSR where we are staying. When I made our reservations and our ADRs i told everyone that we were going to be on our honeymoon and they gave me great hints like make sure you have dinner at GF around 7 or so so you are there during the fireworks and to request a window seat! They also told me that there would be carolers as well! I'm doing the happy dance just thinking about it!

Happy planning Brides and may all your Dreams come true!
xo

 

[ChloroFiend]

Well, I took all your advice.

We'd really wanted a CR tower room with a MK view. Since we waited so long, the only option there is Concierge-Level...which is a bit outside what we'd like to spend. Looking at our options online, we decided to save a few dollars and go with a garden wing king room still at CR.

I called up today to book the package and had the most PHENOMENAL CM that i've ever spoke with at reservations. Keegan perhaps? SO friendly and helpful. She priced out a few different options and left me in a bit of a conundrum...a Honeymoon suite at WL is only about $540 more for the week we'll be there....and that includes the concierge-level amenities, a jacuzzi in the room, etc. Pretty tempting. I booked the CR room just so we didn't miss out on that (and cause it was the original plan!)...but I'm going to talk it over with Katy tonight after work. Anyone have any input?

I think one of the concerns she's going to voice is the decor. We really like the look of the CR rooms. WL...we don't know too much about.

 

[RachaelA]

Definitely see what she has to say.

Personally i'd only stay at CR for a MK view, but a lot of people LOVE CR. I just don't know if its worth the hefty price tag. The WL is on my list of resorts to stay at because it seems very cozy and homey.

For only $540 more the HM suite at the WL sounds great.

I think whatever you guys plan you will have an amazing time