Deluxe vs. Moderate for Honeymoon????

[tinkerrn]

DF and I are getting married in Sept. while on on vacation at WDW. The biggest problem we are having is where to stay! After going back and forth between every deluxe and moderate resort-we are even more confused. The deluxes sound so wonderful and luxrious, however, they are also over $2,000.00 more than a moderate resort. Will we be disappointed if we stay at a moderate and regret it later. If we stay at the moderates, it would leave a lot of money to do the extras, like Illuminations cruise, V&A, etc..
We stayed at the CBR last July and had a great time. Or should we go all out and splurge on the deluxe? I am not too sure if it will be worth the extra money. Since we are at WDW and will be gone for most of the day at the parks! NEED ADVISE!!!! Those who have honeymooned at the moderates did you regret not staying at the deluxe??? Its just so much more! TIA!!!

 

[twinklebug]

$2K is quite a price difference. I assume your stay is about 10 days to come up with a difference of $200 per day.

Just a thought, would you be willing to change resorts during your hunnymoon? If you started off at a moderate, say, POR for 5 days and then moved up to the poly for 5 you could experience the wonder of both areas with less the cost than staying at the Deluxe for the full stay. You could even save more by moving from Value (3 nights) to Moderate (3 nights) to Deluxe (4 nights).

... just a thought...

If you do decide to switch from resort to resort, Disney will transfer your belongings for you.

 

[denman007]

I don't think you need to splurge on a deluxe. If definitely sounds like you could make better use of the money with the extras you mentioned. It sounds like you would feel much better about dumping $150 on a cruise if you are staying in a mod.

Stay in a moderate and splurge on everything else!!

 

[tinkerrn]

Thanks for the advise!!! We have thought of splitting our stay with the mod/deluxe. I guess I would feel better about spending the money on making memories, like the cruise, and buying silly gifts to remember our honeymoon. I am also trying to justify the difference in the cost of the room, its around $250.00 extra a night!

 

[denman007]

I guess I would feel better about spending the money on making memories, like the cruise, and buying silly gifts to remember our honeymoon.

EXACTLY! Just think of all the ride photos you could buy.

Then come back with yours kids and stay in a deluxe on the monorail.

 

[J and R's mom]

My husband and I were married at Sea Breeze Point on the Boardwalk in April of 1999. We also honeymooned at the Boardwalk Inn. Being able to walk to Epcot or a little further to MGM was great! Plus, there is SO much to do at the Boardwalk and surrounding areas. We also took the Illuminations cruise after our ceremony and we were able to be picked up at the boat dock right there at the Boardwalk. The convenience of the Deluxe Resorts' locations is hard to beat--(most of them, anyway).

Our stay was for eight days and seven nights and with that much time in one place you better really like your resort. Make sure that it has plenty of other things to do and see when you want a break from going to the parks (which you probably will).

Although you'll be in the parks alot, the less time you spend getting to and from the parks the better. Keep that in mind when picking a resort, no matter which category you choose. You will get tired after a few hours in the park and going back to the resort to rest is definitely recommended.

We stayed off property for our one-year anniversary in order to save money (about a $1200). IT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE. We were so dissappointed that we decided to go ahead and try to get a room somewhere in WDW, but EVERYTHING was booked.

Although the moderate resorts at WDW are MUCH nicer than where we stayed off property, you might be disappointed if you choose that option. I was kicking myself for "going cheap" on our anniversary. Your honeymoon is a special one-time thing and if ever there was a time to splurge, this is it. I believe that it is worth it and that you'd regret not doing it. Although some out there will disagree with me for saying it, that was my experience.

My recommendations on where to stay are the Grand Floridian or the Boardwalk/Yatch/Beach Clubs. I recommend these because of the ease of transportation and the amount of things to do at or around the resorts.

I've never stayed at a moderate resort (see my visits below), mainly because I know that although they'd be fine, they wouldn't be a nice as where I'd stayed in the past so I'd always be a little disappointed.

My in-laws stayed at Dixie Landing (part of Port Orleans area, I believe) when we were married--which was a moderate resort. It was their first trip. Then they stayed at the Wilderness Lodge with us a few years later, although they thought we were paying too much since they enjoyed the Dixie Landing previously. After we got back, my mother-in-law said that she didn't realize what a big difference there would be in the resorts. She, like myself, plans on staying at deluxe resorts from now on.

You might also want to look into the Disney Vacation Club when you go, if you decide that you will be coming back regularly like we did. We joined in 2003, but I wish we would have joined on our honeymoon.

Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

 

[kandmwedding]

We stayed at POR for our honeymoon last January (2004). I'm a tightwad by nature, so even staying at a moderate was a splurge for me. Though I'd love to stay at a deluxe one day, I don't regret not staying at one for our honeymoon. Like you, we stayed out all day at the parks. Once we got back to the hotel room we weren't leaving (if you know what I mean ), so the surrounding area of the resort didn't matter a whole to us. We enjoyed the landscaping as we walked from the bus stop to our room, but never missed not having a spa, beach, boardwalk, etc as we wouldn't have used those things anyway. I'd let that make your decision - are you going to use the extra amenities that a deluxe resort offers? If yes, by all means go for the deluxe. It is your honeymoon after all. If not, don't waste your money. Instead do all those extras you mentioned.

 

[yecats]

I haven't honeymooned at Disney but have had 2 friends who did and was at a moderate and they loved every minute of it. They both had the same situation where it left them a nice savings which they turned into eating out at Calif. Grill, Luau, Narcossee's (etc.) and went and had money to see Cirque Du Soleil and to purchase things for their homes (such as a lot of mickey kitchen stuff). If they had decided to stay at a deluxe, they wouldn't been able to do all of that without going into debt. I also agree with the above poster who stated it is a special one time thing and I can imagine it would be wonderful but in the end when you know that your in the parks and having fun you really don't need to spend the extra money for that.

Have you thought about renting DVC points? I did this last trip and it was wonderful. I found a renter using these boards, forwarded payment for 6 days at Boardwalk Villa for Studio and had a great time. By renting points (and all you would need is a studio) it was cheaper than reserving through Disney or travel agent with codes. I would read up on the FAQ on the DVC board and determine how many points you would need to rent for the time your going. You'll find it is cheaper to rent for Sunday through Thursday stays (checking out Friday morning). Points double for weekend stays and even DVC owners will check into a moderate or deluxe on the weekends in order to save some points for later trips. In the offseason, BW studios can rent for as low as $90 a night.

Before my stay at BW I spent the first weekend at Coronado Springs (1st time staying there) and have to admit that I fell in love with the place. It is an absolutely wonderful moderate (has full roomservice and spa/exercise facility) and a big beautiful pool and slide. I really can't compare CSR against BW because in my opinion both were unique and fabulous and I had a blast at both.

Moderate, Deluxe, DVC - you can't really go wrong. Have a wonderful married life and beautiful honeymoon.

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

We stayed at the GF for our honeymoon. It really was lovely, very romantic...we faced the castle...but we were hardly in the room. We said we wanted to do it for our honeymoon & we did. We wanted it to be special & it was. But you can do other things with the money you save.

Best Wishes for your upcoming wedding!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

My hubby and I got married in 2004 and stayed the CSR and loved every minute of it. We went in the off season so it was nice and quiet. We have since decided it's going to take a LOT of pursuading for us to try somewhere else.

We don't regret not staying at a deluxe AT ALL.

 

[Chicago526]

I know the price jumps from a Mod to a Deluxe, but I didn't think it jumped THAT much. If you got the quote from Disney's web site, I'd try pricing it again, and make sure that the website didn't quote you a suite or concierge room at a deluxe.

Personaly, for a romantic trip (of any kind) without kids, I'd always stay at a deluxe. Don't get me wrong, the Mod's are nice hotels, but nothing beats a Deluxe for amenities, restaurants, location, and theming. I'd stay at a Mod for a family trip or a quick weekend, not a lengthy honeymoon.

Now, that's just MY opinion. You have to do what your budget allows. If you decide that a Mod is the best fit for your budget, then do so, and have a FANTASTIC honeymoon!

 

[F1Julie]

A split stay sounds like a good option or what about WL or AKL? Both are much cheaper than the other deluxes. September is value season and if you can get a AAA rate, it will be around $170 a night for a standard room.

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

DW2B & I are honeymooning in Oct. We originally wanted GF, but noticed we could stay at POFQ for $2,000 less POFQ is a very romantic moderate resort. We stayed there last May, loved the atmosphere and that is why we chose it again (well that and the money we were saving, but its a great choice too!!). We booked ours through AAA and saved $400 with them. With the money we are saving($2400) by not staying @ GF we are doing the Chef's Table @ V&A, as well as some other "nice extras" we otherwise wouldn't have afforded. As others have said on this thread, they were hardly in their room. I think it really boils down to individual taste, no matter what you chose you'll be with the most magical person in your life @ the most magical place.....You just can't lose!!

Good luck to you!!

 

[TallandGoofy]

Check this out: DVC Rent/Trade Board

My wife and I are hoping to go to WDW in October. We REALLY want to stay onsite, but as you know, it can be very expensive. Then, I saw this (the DIS DVC) board. Holy Cow! What a revelation! There are DVC members who will rent their points out!

I used to work for Disney Vacation Club and I would get to sometimes stay in the resorts (OKW, BWV, Hilton Head and Vero Beach are the ones I have seen and/or stayed in). They are some of the nicest places on Disney property.

We want to go Sun - Thurs. in October. To stay at the Wilderness Lodge (my favorite WDW hotel) would cost $1000 plus tax. To rent points from a DVC member and stay in a Studio at OKW (which is a bigger room plus it has a kitchenette w/ mini fridge) would cost $400 (assuming $10/point, which seems to be the going rate) and no tax. Or, we could stay in one of the beautiful one-bedrooms and that would be $800--still cheaper and MUCH bigger--full kitchen, washer/dryer, king bed...

Anyway, you ought to at least take a look at the DVC boards here. It really seems to me like the best deal going. (I should note, though, that I haven't done it yet. But once we decide we are definitely going to WDW, I will be all over it! )

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Have to give my two cents worth, since I was a Disney bride as well It sounds to me like you are fine with a moderate. We stayed in a moderate, CBR, it seemed more reasonable to us and we thought it was very romantic. We didn't spend many daytime hours in the room on that trip; I think it would be great to have money for extras too.

Now, we are DVC owners and we spend more time at our resort because we get to go more often. Be sure to visit allearsnet.com to see the resorts you are contemplating. To me, the standard deluxe rooms are not that different from the moderates, at least to justify the extra cost being sooo much more. Okay, I'm done and whatever you decide, have a magical Disneymoon

 

[lulugirl]

We have always stayed at moderate resorts (honeymoon included) and loved them! If we stayed at a deluxe then we would have to budget for food and "stuff". Staying at a moderate resort allows us to eat wherever we want w/ out worrying about cost.
Congratulations and good luck w/ your decision!

 

[swilphil]

Since you are going in September, and it sounds like for more than 1 week, it might be worth it to you to get an annual pass. With the AP rates you should be able to get into a monorail or Epcot area resort for a decent rate. DVC points are also easier to rent in September. Sun-Thurs. is the cheapest way to go. A split stay b/w a mod and deluxe also would be a good idea. If it were my honeymoon, I would want at least a couple of nights in a deluxe.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I agree with some of the other posters.
We honeymooned last May. We wanted to do a honeymoon that gave us the best of both of our favorites-mine being Disney and Dh's being the beach. We ultimately did a 2 week honeymoon-8 days in the Caribbean in Punta Cana, and then 6 days at WDW. In order to do this, we had to nix our dream to stay at a deluxe resort. For us, it wasnt worth the extra money over moderate. We stayed at CSR and LOVED it. We had an amazing time and had plenty of money to do all the extras-spa at GF, Illuminations Cruise, special dinners and other stuff. So to answer your question, $2000 is a lot of money-go moderate!

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Take it from someone who's stayed at deluxes ranging from the GF, the Poly, to the values like the All Star Music, you WILL NOT regret a moderate. The one thing you DO NOT want to worry about on a honeymoon in money! You just want to have a blast while there! Were honeymooning there next month and split our stay between the CBR and the AKL. Have you considered a split stay? You could start your stay off at a moderate, and finish off at a deluxe. If not the CBR, since you already like that one, is wonderful for honeymooners! It's spread out with a feeling of privacy as I'm sure you know, the parrot cove (is that what it's called?) island, and the watercraft and bicycle rentals are great activities for while at the resort! If you want to visit the deluxes while there check them out, and plan for future stays!!! Right now though if your getting a $2000 difference b/w them, I would say stay at a moderate, and splurge elsewhere. Thats part of the reason were splitting our stay, this way we get to do a MK fireworks cruise, get cakes in our room, etc. Congratulations and happy honeymoon! If you need any help differentiating b/w resorts feel free to PM me.

 

[married@wdw]

I absolutely agree with the poster who said to check out the DVC rent/trade board. Not sure when you're getting married, but renting point and getting a one-bedroom at a DVC can give not only an AWESOME room at a Deluxe resort for a much more reasonable price, but also a JACUZZI TUB! You can make lots of memories there -- !

I'd also recommend looking into Wilderness Lodge. We spent a lot of our honeymoon there (we moved around alot -- we have several favorite resorts, did a 4-night Disney Cruise and were castmembers so we got a great discount, so we did a little of everything), and the rooms are about $199/night at full-price, which is probably mid-way between a mod and a monorail/Epcot deluxe resort.

And there may be discounts available -- if you're really going for 10 days, it might pay to get an Annual Pass for one of you so you can get an AP discount. That could bring your Deluxe resort down to the Moderate price. Of course, it will also make the Moderate around the price of a Value, so again, you could do a lot with that extra money.

All things to consider. Good luck with your planning!