First time to Disney World - Our Honeymoon - Please help!

[Melanie_G]

I'm not sure where to post this, but first off I want to say hi to everyone! I'm new here! I am getting married next month, and we will be having our honeymoon at Disney World. It will be the first time either of us have been! So as you can imagine, I have a lot of questions!

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside for 5 days, 4 nights. We also have the dining package. Here are my questions...

Is the park crowded in September?

Should I start making reservations now at certain restaurants?

Is it okay just to "wing it" by not making reservations, or could we end up waiting for a long time?

Should I make an itinerary?

What things do you think we definetly have to see while on our honeymoon?

Since we are picking up our tickets when we check in at 3pm, which park should we go to the first day since we won't be able to stay the whole day? Like is there a certain park you could spend all day at? Or one that you can go through in a few hours?

I also want to add... how do I know what time to make reservations? Since I do not have an itinerary I have no idea where we will be at what time, and if we will even be hungry at that time.

Please let me know of any tips you have!! I don't know anything about Disney!

 

[Simba22]

I'm not sure where to post this, but first off I want to say hi to everyone! I'm new here! I am getting married next month, and we will be having our honeymoon at Disney World. It will be the first time either of us have been! So as you can imagine, I have a lot of questions!

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside for 5 days, 4 nights. We also have the dining package. Here are my questions...

Is the park crowded in September?

Should I start making reservations now at certain restaurants?

Is it okay just to "wing it" by not making reservations, or could we end up waiting for a long time?

Should I make an itinerary?

What things do you think we definetly have to see while on our honeymoon?

Since we are picking up our tickets when we check in at 3pm, which park should we go to the first day since we won't be able to stay the whole day? Like is there a certain park you could spend all day at? Or one that you can go through in a few hours?

Please let me know of any tips you have!! I don't know anything about Disney!

Congrats on your coming wedding and welcome to the Disboards! You will get a lot of mixed feelings about pretty much all of your questions so the best thing to do is stick to what feels right to you. Save all of the tips you get and compile the ones you like or dob't want to forget into a notebook of sorts. Here are my opinions:

- September 2002 was not OVERLY crowded (of course that was 4 years ago) but it was quite humid during the day and it rained/thundered every day for about an hour.

-I made reservations for only 2 restaurants (our trip is in December) because they are character meals and those tend to fill up fast. The characters are only there for a certain time period (ie breakfast, lunch, or dinner...they don't stay all day) But we have made reservations for Sci Fi Dinner Theater in MGM 3 days in advance.

-The only itinerary we make consists of what parks to do on which day and ADR's but other than that, we do what we feel like doing at that point in time.

-definitely do Wishes and Illuminations (fireworks at MK and Epcot)!

Have fun and congrats again!

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

Congrats on your up coming honeymoon...we honeymooned there as well! SO WONDERFUL!!!! September is one of the down times which is nice...it is still hot and can have crowds of course but not like APRIL VACATION. In my personal opinion I would absolutely make dinner reservations atleast one a day or atleast the ones your set on going to....last time we went I made this mistake WHEN THEY SAID IT WAS A SLOW TIME and couldnt get in to Chef Mickey's or Le Cellier! I was SO DISAPPOINTED!!! Its not even a matter of waiting a long time some restaurants will tell you they are booked all day!!!! I am itinerary oriented but its your honeymoon I say have an idea of the main attractions you would like to hit but take it slow,,,hold hands, smell the roses!!!! Take it all in! Def. go over to the Poly for a drink at sunset and have dinner and maybe stay on the beach for the water parade or the fireworks over the magic kingdom WISHES is awesome!!! Def. try to stroll the World Showcase!!! Take a picture in each country....like a world tour of a honeymoon!!! VERY FUN!!!!!! Head straight for the Magic Kingdom doesnt matter that you dont get all day you can always go back....plus alot is geared towards small children....so you might do it in a day! Otherwise for me I am not a huge SHOW person so MGM I can blow through in half a day!!! Timing for reservations is hard....pick the park you will be at and make a reservation think realistically will you be out that late or will you be up that early....should help! OH and there is no penalty for cancelling most ADR's but out of courtesy call even an hour before and say we aren't coming so someone else can have your table.


MY FINAL TIP is have a great time and enjoy your honeymoon ALSO read everything on these boards....I am happy to send you MY itinerary to give you an idea....PM me.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Congrats on your upcoming marriage! You will have a blast in Disney!!!

I would make ressies for the restaurants and also somewhat of an itinerary as well...you don't have to go nuts...just what days you will be where and then you can plan your days accordingly. I usually make a list of the rides that I do not want to miss, the park hours, show times, etc...this way you have somewhat of an idea of what you are doing so you do not waste time thinking what to do next...

Most of all, have fun and don't forget to have down time and enjoy yourselves...this will be your first time in Disney and I am sure you will love it so much that you will soon be planning a return visit!!!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Oh, and I would search this site for info and maybe even pick up a book or two...I have been to Disney many times and even did the WDWCP and I still buy the Birnbaum book and Unofficial Guide...

 

[TLC371]

Hey Melanie---are you the same Melanie from BabyNames? Sorry for the silly question.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

I agree with picking up a book. My favourtie is Birnbaums while others have different preferences.

You MUST see FantasMIC!

Plan a simple itenerary, read the book and decide on what you think you must see or ride.

Most of all Congratulations and I know you will live happily ever after...

 

[Melanie_G]

Hey Melanie---are you the same Melanie from BabyNames? Sorry for the silly question.

Hey!!!! YES!

 

[goofinoff]

Hey Melanie,
Congrats! We honeymooned in Disney too....10 years ago! When we went last year with our kids, I made a few reservations for character dinners/breakfasts and planned our day around that. I would definately call 407-wdw-dine and get reservations for Chef Mickey's. Another good one too that not a lot of people know about is Cape Mae at the Beach resort. We were lucky enough to get reservations a day ahead of time. I called while we were there. Pick up the Birnbaum guide to Disney. It's filled with great tips and info.
One thing that I did and plan on doing again is I brought a journal with me and each night when we got back to the hotel I would jot down what we did and saw. That way, when you get back from your trip and get your pictures back, you may actually remember what it is you're looking at!!
Have a great wedding and a magical honeymoon!!!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

congrats on your upcoming wedding!
I would definitely make ADRs since WDW is offering the free dining plan this Sept. Restaurants may be more booked than previous Septs.
We're going this Sept too and I've heard the whole place really empties out once kids go back to school. It's a great time to go!

 

[Head_Troll]

Congrats!

We honeymooned at WDW in June 2001 and have been back quite a few times since. September is a little cooler, but bring ponchoes. This year the weather has beena little unpredictable. The raingear they sell at the park is okay, but it's a little thin and can tear easily.

Check out the menues on some of the fan sites. They will give you an idea of what to expect so you know what and where you will or will not want to eat.
If either of you have food allergies, definitely call ahead. The Coral Reef at EPCOT, Cinderella's Royal Table and Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom, and the Brown Derby at MGM are almost always hard to get into without priority seating arrangements. Don't forget though, there are some great restaurants outside the parks in the hotels themselves. Oh, and DEFINITELY let them know about your happy occasion when you either make PS arrangements or walk up to the host or hostess that checks people in. Disney is full of surprises.

Surprises go for the hotels as well. We got all sorts of special treatment on our honeymoon, from towel animals and balloons, to champagne and strawberries. LET THEM KNOW you are honeymooning.

As for nice romantic and fun things to do. Pleasure Island is always fun. The Comedy Warehouse and the Adventurer's Club are must sees. Make a wish in the wishing well at MK. it's to the right of the castle as you face it from Main Street USA. They sell Bride and Groom Mickey and Minnie Ears, always cute, and the cast members do take notice.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it here later

 

[robertchance]

be adventourous and just take it minute by minute

 

[Wigit12]

We spent our honeymoon at Disney last September. I would absolutely make ADRs as soon as possible.

The parks weren't crowded at all the entire time we were there but it was still hard to get ADRs because of free dining. Be flexible with your park schedules and the CM will be very helpful in getting into restaurants you really want.

We had our 1 week anniversary dinner at Victoria and Albert's and will never forget it. What an experience!! I even surprised DH with a reservation for our 1 yr again !!

Definitely make use of the Photo Pass. It's really hard to get good pictures of you both together when you're travelling alone. We made sure to get one as we entered every park and didn't wait for photographers to approach us along the way. The pictures turned out great !!

Most of all---make time to relax and enjoy it.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

Definately make dining reservations! Get bride and groom ears- sold at stores all over the parks , just ask CMs, wherever u go tell everyone u are honeymooners ...u will get loads of magic!! Do the photopass CD everywhere!! It will be priceless!
Le Celliier is lovely for dinner,try it! Just inside Magic Kingdom on the right on main street have a double charachiture (spelling_?) done by an artist,of the two of u newlyweds, andhave it sent to your home if poss. (costs involved here!)
We will be there Sept 3-10 at the All Stars Movies resort, will u?
PS.. IM a wedding photog in NY! Find me, Ill take some cool pix of u on your cameras!!

 

[ntsammy5]

Definately make dining reservations! Get bride and groom ears- sold at stores all over the parks , just ask CMs, wherever u go tell everyone u are honeymooners ...u will get loads of magic!! Do the photopass CD everywhere!! It will be priceless!
Le Celliier is lovely for dinner,try it! Just inside Magic Kingdom on the right on main street have a double charachiture (spelling_?) done by an artist,of the two of u newlyweds, andhave it sent to your home if poss. (costs involved here!)

The ears are a VERY good suggestion. As for ADRs, make them definitely. we're going late in September (9/22 - 10/1) for a wedding (not ours) and have free DDP. Our ADRs been booked for weeks. You will find it difficult, if not impossible, to walk into any restaurant, especially Epcot ones. I understand le Cellier is booked almost solid for a good part of September. Good luck and maybe we'll see you.

 

[Nanu57v]

We went on our honeymoon ALSO in September 2002, and it rained one time our whole trip. Just a brief downpour while we were eating inside. I carried around ponchos in a backpack. Now they have those lightweight Wal-mart ones for 87 cents.

DEFINATELY make those ADRS. I had trouble making mine for September. I just had to call a bunch of times to get it.

Definately get the bride/groom hats. They made it special. You can also get a special button when you enter the park each day.

Congratulations!

 

[LubsPoohBear]

Congratulations welcome get the mickey ears have a ball and take all kinds of pics.

 

[raspberrysharpei]

Congrats!!
I would put together at least an itinerary of which parks you were going to visit each day & then make some advanced dining reservations around that scheduled days activities. One of my favorite books for planning our first WDW trip was the Unofficial Guide to WDW.
Another suggestion if you do not want to "burn up" a full days ticket on a half day, is to visit Downtown Disney. They have many shops & restaurants (I really enjoyed Earl of Sandwich).
Don't miss the evening parade at MK or the fireworks.
Have a great magical honeymoon.

 

[kimis]

CONGTRATS! You picked the best place for a honeymoon but you already know that! We stay POR every year and we love it. There are lots of places for nice quiet romantic walks. HA! There are a couple of resturants my dh and I have tried to wing it and we couldn't get in. They were Le Cellier and Chef Mickeys. You really should make ressies at some of the more popular resturants. Enjoy!

 

[Donald - my hero]

Perfect place for anyone to go when in love -- but best place for honeymooners! We went for ours (even if it was 2 years late ) You are staying in the same hotel we did and I still think it is one of the best.

As far as deciding where to eat try this link
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/dining/menus/default.asp

I just used it to plan this up-coming trip in December. It tells you EVERY restaurants in all the parks as well as resorts. And YES you better make at least a few decisions regarding this since you may find what you think looks good as not available. Oh Oh Oh I just thought of what we often do though to avoid this problem. Eat at "wierd" times. If you plan on eating lunch at say 11 you can manage with just a coffee/juice and muffin for breakie. Then have a snack and eat dinner later than most. Call and ask when the last time you can get seated and take that! Or once again eat early. Take out some books from the library and look at the hints together. Pictures will get you in the mood!

Have a great wedding and enjoy the House of the Mouse