Help us decide!!! We are so torn!

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Ok, so my hubby and I are planning a trip without the kids for May 2013. First of all, we are going with the kids to POFQ in October of this year, and probably staying 10-12 days. We have never had a honeymoon or gone anywhere by ourselves. June of 2013 will be our 15 year anniversary, so we will be celebrating at Disney. We are already struggling with the idea of going without the kids, but also recognize the need to be by ourselves a bit before they all start leaving the nest. We are still young at 34 and 35, and want to make sure we keep the magic alive so to speak. We are doing our first cruise (don't mind my cruise ticker. I haven't changed it since we decided to change the cruise from October to Mayish.) to the Carribean for seven nights(it will not only be our first cruise, but also our first Disney cruise!) with stops in Grand Cayman, Costa Maya Mexico, Cozumel Mexico, and Castaway Cay. Immediately after, we will head to WDW for seven days.

Here's our issue. Since we will be going to WDW in October, roughly 7 months before our May trip, we will be spending a significant amount of money at that time. While we don't want to skimp on our "15 years late honeymoon", we are concerned about taking another pricey vacation so close to our family vacation. We can afford it, but don't want to be extravagant. I guess we are wanting to be extravagant, but the logical side of us is telling us to go cheaper. We keep going back and forth on what options we should go for on our May trip. Here's what things we are torn about:

RESORT, ANIMAL KINGDOM OR FRENCH QUARTER?

Hubby prefers the thought of staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. While I agree that we would love it, my logical side is saying that it will save us $1,000 to stay at POFQ with a river view. Hubby says he is fine with that too, but I really think he would love to stay at AK. I would too, I just also like saving money. I guess I am just used to sacrificing things b/c I have 5 kids. We don't normally get to focus on what we want. It is all about the kids. Again, we would love to stay at either place, we are just torn.

DINING, REGULAR PLAN OR UPGRADE TO DELUXE?

I suggested the deluxe dining plan. We usually go during free dining, which we love, and have never upgraded to the deluxe. I just think that maybe we will be interested in going to restaurants less kid oriented which may mean double entitlements. Has anyone upgraded from the free dining plan to the deluxe before? Do you think we will enjoy it? Remember, I refuse to do laundry or cook while on vacation.

CRUISE, VERANDAH OR NO VERANDAH?

No verandah saves us about $300. If it were a 4 night cruise I would probably go without, but I think I may want it for a 7 nighter. We could watch fireworks from the verandah, and I think that will be wonderful. However, we are going to be doing excursions too, so that all adds up. What are your experiences? Was the verandah worth it?

We are really looking forward to all aspects of this trip. We can't wait to dress up and have couple time that we are not used to having. We are going to buy a gown and a tux for formal nights b/c we are really excited.

I guess what I am asking is if you would go for all the extras or just keep it simple? I just want to make sure we don't have to scrimp and save to make this work b/c there is such a small time frame in between trips. We get fairly large tax returns also, and we like to use part of it for our trips, but we also just bought a home that was a foreclosure. While it is a beautiful home, it has a lot of work in it. My husband is a contractor, so the labor is free, but we have tons of projects we have to complete, and the materials are not free.

I am waiting anxiously to see what you all say!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I think since this is a special anniversary trip with all that you explained, I would stay somewhere that is going to make this WDW trip unique for you and DH. If it is feasible financially, then I would stay where you really, really want to stay, especially if it is a place you probably wouldn't be able to stay at during your family trips. Also, if you can upgrade to the deluxe dining, that sounds like it would be nice for a couple's only anniversary trip because you can try various signature restaurants that require two TS credits and I believe you also get appetizers with your TS meals with the deluxe dining plan. I don't have a suggestion for the cruise part as I've never been on a cruise and am not familiar with the different options. Good luck with whatever you decide! You have a lot of planning to do this year

 

[gabzee]

1) DH and I personally LOVE the AKL!!! You don't have to stay in a savanna view room to see the animals. You can go outside in the back of the hotel and look at the animals from there. If you book a standard view or pool view, you will save some money there. Also, since it is just you and DH you may want to enjoy of the lovely restaurants AKL. Since your two trips are close together, you can always do a split stay. I personally would stay at the mod. first and then move to AKL. That way you will be moving up instead of down. Remember, there also may be a special offer for that time of year. This year they have room discounts for the month of May.

2) Personally, we don't use the dining plan. However, if we were going to get it we would get the deluxe. It depends on what and where you are going to eat. If you are fine using a snack credit for breakfast, counter service for lunch, and a 1 credit table service for dinner than go with the regular dining plan. However, you mention that you and DH would like to go to restaurants that are more "adult- friendly". If this is the case and you would rather have more sit- down and full meals than go with the deluxe. I would sit down with DH and discuss how you want this trip to go regarding dining. How many signature restaurants do you want to go to? etc....

3) I think you have to decide what is more important to you. Will getting the deluxe dining plan, staying at AKL, and getting the veranda be too much since your trips are so close together? When we went on our Disney cruises we didn't spend that much time in our room (basically just to get dressed and go to bed). One time we had a veranda and the other time we didn't. You don't have to have a veranda in order to see the fireworks. While it is nice, we didn't use it very much.

I hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!

 

[cwt580]

doing the cruise 2x now...yes the verandah is worth the $300... awesome to sit before bedtime and relax, have a drink, and enjoy the moonlight ocean cruising..Inside hallway room w/ no window is not romantic for me.


If you want a 2TS credit signature diner everynight at WDW then deluxe dining is a plus. If you are light eaters then no its not worth it...

Also AS SOON as you get on ship(or in advance) make reservations for Palo(or equivalent) for a awesome romantic dinner. take what ever time you can get...


peronally i like POR for romance over AKL. I do like AKL resturants..

 

[ldo]

what I would do:
rent points from daddio on this BB or someone else and stay at AKV--have them request a value room at AKL--less points and less $$$ (or a standard room---but ONLY in Jambo House--they overlook the pool)---if you do it before 7 months out, you should get it--values are all in AKL-Jambo house and 3 feet shorter--you won't miss the space. AKL is a magical place, very romantic, our favorite with or without kids.
If you do not want to rent DVC points, then I would stay at POR-FQ, but I would go over a few nights to AKL and get a drink and relax in the lobby or on the 2nd floor bar area, or outside by the animals--it's one of my favorite spots anywhere! There is also a quick service near the pool called Mara--just eating lunch there in the outdoor area is really nice.

Regular dining plan and make reservations for a nice, sit down dinner each night--for 1 or 2 nights, do a dinner show (luau, etc.) or fancy place and use 2TS and then eat quick service to make up for it another night. Dlx is too much food.

Save the $ and skip the verandah. We have had them and not--for $400, there are plenty of special spots on the ship. But, if you are an early riser and get roomservice breakfast, then the verandah is nice, as for private drinks before dinner---but for $400, I would rather have a drink in a lounge or up on deck. We are usually up and out of the room with a quick breakfast and off the boat for snorkeling, etc.--so in 10 cruises, we have never ordered room service for AM. But, my friend got up at 6:30 AM each day and sat on her balcony with coffee and loved it.
For 2 persons, you don't need the extra space, so I would skip it---plus, unless it has changed, people can smoke on the verandah--we have been "smoked out" on our balcony on other cruises (not DCL). We basically used the balcony to dry out wetsuits!
Have a great trip! Elaine

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Hi! Wanted you guys to know that I am checking in, I just won't have a second to respond till tomorrow! Thanx for all your help.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

My opinion: of the splurge items you've listed here, the one I would pick would be the verandah. When we went on the Magic from Los Angeles to Mexico, we did decide to pop for the verandah, and boy were we glad we did! There's just nothing like the experience of hanging out on your own little porch watching the ocean go by. It was fun to be out there when leaving ports, as well. I liked being able to hear the water, the lovely view, and that little bit of extra private space. For a three- or four-day cruise I wouldn't bother with it, but for a week, it's a no-brainer for me.

The AK lodge is awesome, but if I'm looking to save money, I'd be perfectly delighted with Port Orleans. The Deluxe Dining Plan makes me feel sluggish and miserable just thinking about all that excessive food.

Happy Anniversary in advance!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I think since this is a special anniversary trip with all that you explained, I would stay somewhere that is going to make this WDW trip unique for you and DH. If it is feasible financially, then I would stay where you really, really want to stay, especially if it is a place you probably wouldn't be able to stay at during your family trips. Also, if you can upgrade to the deluxe dining, that sounds like it would be nice for a couple's only anniversary trip because you can try various signature restaurants that require two TS credits and I believe you also get appetizers with your TS meals with the deluxe dining plan. I don't have a suggestion for the cruise part as I've never been on a cruise and am not familiar with the different options. Good luck with whatever you decide! You have a lot of planning to do this year

Thank you for your input! I think you are right. I am leaning towards renting DVC points b/c as someone below suggested. I hadn't realized that it is so cheap to do it that way. I am so used to having to get two rooms for our size family that it never dawned on me to look. The downside being that I would have to pay for dining. What I have been doing these last couple days is making an excel spreadsheet with cost comparisons. On property with free dining at POFQ is only about $700 cheaper than staying DVC with our tickets being upgraded to annual passes on the October trip and paying for DDP. I think I really do want the DDP. we would like to try out several higher entitlement restaurants as we wouldn't have the kids with us. Thanx again for your help!

1) DH and I personally LOVE the AKL!!! You don't have to stay in a savanna view room to see the animals. You can go outside in the back of the hotel and look at the animals from there. If you book a standard view or pool view, you will save some money there. Also, since it is just you and DH you may want to enjoy of the lovely restaurants AKL. Since your two trips are close together, you can always do a split stay. I personally would stay at the mod. first and then move to AKL. That way you will be moving up instead of down. Remember, there also may be a special offer for that time of year. This year they have room discounts for the month of May.

2) Personally, we don't use the dining plan. However, if we were going to get it we would get the deluxe. It depends on what and where you are going to eat. If you are fine using a snack credit for breakfast, counter service for lunch, and a 1 credit table service for dinner than go with the regular dining plan. However, you mention that you and DH would like to go to restaurants that are more "adult- friendly". If this is the case and you would rather have more sit- down and full meals than go with the deluxe. I would sit down with DH and discuss how you want this trip to go regarding dining. How many signature restaurants do you want to go to? etc....

3) I think you have to decide what is more important to you. Will getting the deluxe dining plan, staying at AKL, and getting the veranda be too much since your trips are so close together? When we went on our Disney cruises we didn't spend that much time in our room (basically just to get dressed and go to bed). One time we had a veranda and the other time we didn't. You don't have to have a veranda in order to see the fireworks. While it is nice, we didn't use it very much.

I hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!

Thanx! Every idea helps for sure! Sometimes just seeing it written out in front of you helps you decide what will work best! I think we are probably going to want the verandah. If we don't use it much, then we will go without next time. I think we will use it though. My hubby is very into scenery, and I think he will enjoy coffee on the verandah while I am still passed out in bed! Haha! Thanx again!

doing the cruise 2x now...yes the verandah is worth the $300... awesome to sit before bedtime and relax, have a drink, and enjoy the moonlight ocean cruising..Inside hallway room w/ no window is not romantic for me.


If you want a 2TS credit signature diner everynight at WDW then deluxe dining is a plus. If you are light eaters then no its not worth it...

Also AS SOON as you get on ship(or in advance) make reservations for Palo(or equivalent) for a awesome romantic dinner. take what ever time you can get...


peronally i like POR for romance over AKL. I do like AKL resturants..

Thanx for answering! I was originally so set against a verandah b/c sometimes I get motion sickness. I have never been on a cruise, so this is sort of a test run for future trips. Someone suggested an inside room b/c of this issue, but I just kept thinking about it and wanting to see the ocean. It is only a fear that I might get sick, b/c I probably won't. I get sick really bad on planes, but have always been fine on smaller boats. I will take my sea bands and hopefully won't have to wear them with my formal dress b/c that would be so dorky! We are not SUPER heavy eaters, but we do love to go to restaurants. We like appetizers, so that is a bonus. I am thinking we would do something like this: Breakfast table service 1 TS entitlement, light lunch or use snacks for lunch, Heavier dinner 2 TS -or- snack breakfast, lunch at something like 50's Prime Time, and dinner at a 2 TS -or- put our heavier meal at lunchtime. I think it will be worth it to us. Thanx again!

what I would do:
rent points from daddio on this BB or someone else and stay at AKV--have them request a value room at AKL--less points and less $$$ (or a standard room---but ONLY in Jambo House--they overlook the pool)---if you do it before 7 months out, you should get it--values are all in AKL-Jambo house and 3 feet shorter--you won't miss the space. AKL is a magical place, very romantic, our favorite with or without kids.
If you do not want to rent DVC points, then I would stay at POR-FQ, but I would go over a few nights to AKL and get a drink and relax in the lobby or on the 2nd floor bar area, or outside by the animals--it's one of my favorite spots anywhere! There is also a quick service near the pool called Mara--just eating lunch there in the outdoor area is really nice.

Regular dining plan and make reservations for a nice, sit down dinner each night--for 1 or 2 nights, do a dinner show (luau, etc.) or fancy place and use 2TS and then eat quick service to make up for it another night. Dlx is too much food.

Save the $ and skip the verandah. We have had them and not--for $400, there are plenty of special spots on the ship. But, if you are an early riser and get roomservice breakfast, then the verandah is nice, as for private drinks before dinner---but for $400, I would rather have a drink in a lounge or up on deck. We are usually up and out of the room with a quick breakfast and off the boat for snorkeling, etc.--so in 10 cruises, we have never ordered room service for AM. But, my friend got up at 6:30 AM each day and sat on her balcony with coffee and loved it.
For 2 persons, you don't need the extra space, so I would skip it---plus, unless it has changed, people can smoke on the verandah--we have been "smoked out" on our balcony on other cruises (not DCL). We basically used the balcony to dry out wetsuits!
Have a great trip! Elaine

Thank you! I may have to discuss the verandah with hubby after all. I forgot that you mentioned the smoke. You gave me a lot to think about. I have never been one to be unhappy with the bare minimum, so I would be happy in a tent with hot dogs every night as long as I am at Disney. I am so torn! I don't think I would do a split stay again just because our last one was, and I didn't like having to take the time to pack in the middle of the trip, and I was afraid to unpack and get comfortable b/c I knew I was moving in four days. We will be doing suitcases that are specifically for the cruise and suitcases that are specifically for WDW, but I think wherever we decide to stay, we will stay put. We ate at Boma last year and loved it. I think that is why hubby is so obsessed with staying there. I think we will love POFQ just as much. We will find out in October for sure though! We do love POR, but want to try something new this time. Maybe since my trips are 7 months out we won't book until we decide if we love POFQ enough to stay there again on our couple's trip. Thanx for reminding me about renting DVC!

My opinion: of the splurge items you've listed here, the one I would pick would be the verandah. When we went on the Magic from Los Angeles to Mexico, we did decide to pop for the verandah, and boy were we glad we did! There's just nothing like the experience of hanging out on your own little porch watching the ocean go by. It was fun to be out there when leaving ports, as well. I liked being able to hear the water, the lovely view, and that little bit of extra private space. For a three- or four-day cruise I wouldn't bother with it, but for a week, it's a no-brainer for me.

The AK lodge is awesome, but if I'm looking to save money, I'd be perfectly delighted with Port Orleans. The Deluxe Dining Plan makes me feel sluggish and miserable just thinking about all that excessive food.

Happy Anniversary in advance!

Thanx! One more in the plus column for verandah! I don't think of DDP as being excessive food b/c like I said before, if we space it out enough, say do breakfast in the morning, snack for lunch and a nice dinner, that would be good for us. We love to eat out, and if we are not super hungry, we always take our extras with us for hubby to eat if he gets hungry later in the evening. He usually ends up eating all my desserts! One trip my mom was like: "Have you seen your fridge?" When I answered no I had not, she said she wanted to put a small box of dessert in there, and it was so full that she couldn't find even an inch of space. It was all my desserts! Before the end of the trip, there were none left. Hubby liked sitting outside of our door playing cards and eating one of my desserts!

I guess, no matter what we decide on, we will be very happy. Verandah or no verandah, we will be enjoying each other on an amazing cruise. AK or POFQ, both are beautiful, and we will have a blast no matter where we stay. DP or DDP, we will be full either way, so I guess it just comes down to where we decide our "must eat theres" are. I am thinking Beast's castle....

 

[coastermom]

I just came back tonight from a long weekend at AKL with my hubby no kids for our 20th Anniversary trip ... WE had the regular DDP and had an amazing time this weekend . AKL was well worth the money .. We had the animals outside everyday !!

If we went on a cruise as well we so would get the deck on our room !! Enjoy the trip !

 

[Backstage_Gal]

I would never even consider a cruise without a verandah. That's just me though.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I just came back tonight from a long weekend at AKL with my hubby no kids for our 20th Anniversary trip ... WE had the regular DDP and had an amazing time this weekend . AKL was well worth the money .. We had the animals outside everyday !!

If we went on a cruise as well we so would get the deck on our room !! Enjoy the trip !

Happy Anniversary!!! Wow! I am thinking we may renew our vows for our 20th. We had wanted to do it at 10 years, but that fell at a hard time financially for us. We are good now, so since I hated my wedding dress at our wedding, I want to do it up right! I have six years to plan though, so it should be better than having two months to plan and getting stuck with a dress I eventually threw away! Glad you had an amazing time. I just can't figure out what I want b/c I am always focusing on the kids and I avoid spending money on myself. I know we deserve it, but it is still so hard!

I would never even consider a cruise without a verandah. That's just me though.

I am thinking it is me too, I just don't have anything to go on. I did take ferry boats to Kelly's Island when I was younger and loved being out on deck looking at the water, so maybe I would love it. Hmmm....