Firsttimer in need of help for dec honeymoon!

Kelly25

Mouseketeer
Joined
Aug 3, 2007
Messages
127
Hey all! Haven't been to disney since I was about 5 so I have much to do when I get there. My fiance and I are going for our honeymoon from dec 9-19. Right now we have reservations at Marriott Grande Vista (anyone been?), but I am hoping for a deal to come out so we can stay in the park for maybe the first 3 days or so. I am so excited about disney at christmas, but it seems like there is even more to see and do. Any suggestions on how to plan for all the xmas events on top of all the reg ones?
 
Congratulations! You're right ---- WDW at holiday time is extra magical, especially if you're someone who enjoys the holidays. The resorts are decorated beautifully, and it's fun to just resort hop and see the decorations, or plan to have a few meals in the resorts. Some of the favorites are WL and the GF, and the YC/BC and BW are also very nice. When at Epcot, you could just walk out the International Gateway exit by England and circle around to the YC/BC and BW resorts. Or take a boat from MK to WL or GF.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) is a lot of fun ---- costs extra, but MK is just beautiful at night and the parade and fireworks are special. Even though the party doesn't start till ~7 PM, you can usually get entry ~ 4 PM, so there's extra time to enjoy the park. You might do that on a pool day or shopping day when you're not spending the $$$$ for park admission ..... or live it up and go all day long!

The Osborne Lights at MGM are turned on at dusk, and there's no additional charge. It's often quite crowded when first lit, and if you're planning to go to Fantasmic, you can view the lights after that show, when it might be a little less crowded.

There's a dinner package that includes seats to the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, but that's also extra $$$$. Guest narrators read the Christmas story and the choir & orchestra sing beautiful carols. If there's available seats after the dinner package guests have been seated, some people from the standby line might get in, but it's iffy and many people get in the standby line an hour ahead. (It's also possible to just stand in back of the open air theatre and still hear the narration and the music, but you can't see too well).

These are all the special holiday events that we've done. It's a wonderful time of the year whether you choose to participate in any of these or not. Just pace yourself.
Hope you have a spectacular trip!
 
Thanks for the tips. I have read up on most of the christmas events that take place. I would love to do them all and i have 10 days so i just might! Are there any nights during the week maybe, that some events may be less crowded then others? Like maybe on a wed night compared to a sat night?
 
Kelly - it's just my opinion, but if you do end up staying part of the time on Disney property, make it the last three days instead of the first three days. On our first trip together, my husband and I left property for the end of our vacation to save some money, and it was sooo disappointing -- even though the hotel we moved to was perfectly fine. Nothing really compares to that Disney feeling for us.

Good luck with your planning! :goodvibes
 

Kelly - it's just my opinion, but if you do end up staying part of the time on Disney property, make it the last three days instead of the first three days. On our first trip together, my husband and I left property for the end of our vacation to save some money, and it was sooo disappointing -- even though the hotel we moved to was perfectly fine. Nothing really compares to that Disney feeling for us.

Good luck with your planning! :goodvibes

Ditto! I personally would try to stay the whole time on property, especially for your honeymoon, but if that's not an option financially then definitely book the last portion of your honeymoon at Disney instead of at the beginning!
 
MariaEllerºoº;20108205 said:
Ditto! I personally would try to stay the whole time on property, especially for your honeymoon, but if that's not an option financially then definitely book the last portion of your honeymoon at Disney instead of at the beginning!

This is very, very, very, very good advice.
 
Congratulations! I've stayed at the Marriott Grande Vista and it is a nice clean resort. While there are several pools on property - other than that you'll be driving somewhere to do anything - unless you plan to cook in the room, not something I would think you'd be planning to do on your honeymoon but you never know. I too agree with the other posters, stay onsite at the end and be sure to hit all the highlights the kda mentioned above. While the Grande Vista is nice - it doesn't compare to staying onsite. There is something magical about being at Disney and staying onsite enhances that experience twofold. In addition - rooms onsite at Disney are in high demand at that time so you should call NOW - check your finances and decide what type of accommodations you'd like. I prefer the Wilderness Lodge but if you can only stay there 3 night and at a moderate like Port Orleans for 6 - I may opt for Port Orleans and eat dinner at Artist Point so that you get to see the Wilderness Lodge completely decorated. Have a wonderful honeymoon.
 
I bet you could get a great deal on a room at a value or mod during that time. we stayed at AS-Music for $66 a night in 2005! Do some checking around and I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised!!!!! Ohhhhh, I love a Disneymoon! Six years ago today we were married and I got DH bit by the Disney bug and we've gone back each year (some times at least twice a year!) since!!!!

Congrats on your impending marriage!
 
Thanks for the tips. I have read up on most of the christmas events that take place. I would love to do them all and i have 10 days so i just might! Are there any nights during the week maybe, that some events may be less crowded then others? Like maybe on a wed night compared to a sat night?

Yes, traditionally the week nights have been less busy for MVMCP because the local Floridians come on the weekends. Weekends, in general, will probably be busier, for the same reason ...... but not terrible, so don't get scared off.
 

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