Honeymoon couple with empty pockets..Ideas?

[Hisgirl]

There was a sweet little girl who used to rent a room from us. She is now engaged to a nice young man and they are getting married in about two weeks. They're doing it the old fashioned way...not living together, getting married in mama and daddy's hometown, the white dress etc.

She came over yesterday to pick up some summer clothes she'd left in a drawer and we talked about the honeymoon. Apparently someone had a timeshare in Orlando that is costing them 350 for a week, so that is where they are going.

I asked if they were going to the parks and she said, "No, we can't afford that."

I told her the price of tickets and it was obvious 100 per person even for a day was a ton of money to her.

Sooo...Orlando, but no parks.

What does one do in Orlando if one can't afford Disney or Universal?

She said they were going to depend on me for suggestions. Yikes! Any ideas?

 

[gwynne]

There was a sweet little girl who used to rent a room from us. She is now engaged to a nice young man and they are getting married in about two weeks. They're doing it the old fashioned way...not living together, getting married in mama and daddy's hometown, the white dress etc.

She came over yesterday to pick up some summer clothes she'd left in a drawer and we talked about the honeymoon. Apparently someone had a timeshare in Orlando that is costing them 350 for a week, so that is where they are going.

I asked if they were going to the parks and she said, "No, we can't afford that."

I told her the price of tickets and it was obvious 100 per person even for a day was a ton of money to her.

Sooo...Orlando, but no parks.

What does one do in Orlando if one can't afford Disney or Universal?

She said they were going to depend on me for suggestions. Yikes! Any ideas?

Try googling free or inexpensive entertainment Orlando. My link didn't show, so I deleted it....
Another helpful link:

http://www.thedailycity.com/

I think Lake Eola Park is really nice.
There are some pretty cool food trucks in Orlando. The daily city link has more information on trucks, locations and dates.

 

[HM]

They can still enjoy DTD and CityWalk over at Universal without spending much, if anything (parking fee at CityWalk).
I'd also see if they have funds for a day at one of the waterparks. That would be a fun way to spend the day.
They could also go to the Boardwalk one night and watch the Buskers do their shows for free.

Hopefully their resort has a nice pool and resort activities they can spend time doing.

 

[Hannathy]

Why would the spend $350 to stay in Orlando if they aren't doing any of the parks? that isn't that cheap for 2 people. Why wouldn't they take that $350 and stay somewhere that you don't need an amusement park as the reason you go to that locale? And they have to eat for a week.

Go to a beach somewhere, a National park, an off season resort, even Niagara Falls. I'd take the $500 or so it is going to cost them, even eating cheap and go and stay less time and go to Disney, staying somewhere else or take the 5-600 dollars and go somewhere else all together.


Doesn't seem the wisest choice to me.

Plus telling People Disney is $100 a day really isn't true, multi day tickets aren't $100 a day. And who gets a 1 day ticket to Disney? very very few people.

 

[marybet]

There are not many places you can stay for $350 a week. That's just $50 a day & they will probably have a kitchen so they don't have to eat out for every meal. I don't even know if you could camp for $50 a night, even if they have camping equipment.

They may receive some money at their wedding. Lots of things to do in Orlando that are free. Sometimes Universal has some ticket specials, buy 2 days get one free. I'm just surprised they haven't done some planning. I think if they tour a timeshare they can get stuff for free or tickets at a discount. They should check into that.

 

[Wishing on a star]

That's tough....
$350.00 for a week sounds great.... but consider what it would take even feed themselves.... Driving down there to sit in a condo and stop at Publix for bread and peanut butter doesn't really sound all that great.

I wonder if it is a decent resort condo?

I wonder if others are planning on giving them Tickets to WDW, cash, etc...?

I am sitting here thinking if they don't even have a little cash for a few nice meals or even one day tickets to a park, as sad as that might be, should they even be planning on traveling.

If they are young, and have never handled a lot of finances and done any vacation travel... I can see that they might be totally unprepared and do not begin to realize the costs of basic gasoline, food, etc...

I really feel for them!!!!

 

[Mrs.Malone]

DH and I were young and poor and very very much in love when we got married. A week together in a timeshare in Florida, eating peanut butter from Publix and enjoying the pool and maybe some time at CityWalk and a meal or two out, would have sounded perfectly lovely to us for a honeymoon. From the OP, it sounds like perhaps this couple would feel the same way.

 

[JanaDee]

Why would the spend $350 to stay in Orlando if they aren't doing any of the parks? that isn't that cheap for 2 people. Why wouldn't they take that $350 and stay somewhere that you don't need an amusement park as the reason you go to that locale? And they have to eat for a week.

Go to a beach somewhere, a National park, an off season resort, even Niagara Falls. I'd take the $500 or so it is going to cost them, even eating cheap and go and stay less time and go to Disney, staying somewhere else or take the 5-600 dollars and go somewhere else all together.


Doesn't seem the wisest choice to me.

Plus telling People Disney is $100 a day really isn't true, multi day tickets aren't $100 a day. And who gets a 1 day ticket to Disney? very very few people.

$350 for a weeks stay in Orlando is a steal. OP, since I've been where they are (we couldn't afford a honeymoon) I'd probably buy them 3 or 4 day passes to the parks for a shower/wedding gift.

 

[dakcp2001]

Maybe they will get some cash as wedding gifts that they can put toward the honeymoon. Otherwise, maybe a nice dinner out or gift card to a restaurant or for gas might be a nice gift. Mini golf is pretty affordable and there are a few courses. If I am not mistaken, they gave us a coupon for half off if we came back in the next day or so after we played. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is fun to visit and see all the animals. There is also a nice view of the electric water pageant from the Poly beach and the beach near Narcoosees. Very romantic and you can see Wishes! I think if you tell the resort you a re going to go get a drink at one of the restaurants they don't mind if you go in. We love to just walk around at night, on the boardwalk and city walk. At the boardwalk you can walk over to the Beach Club and get ice cream.

 

[abdmom]

Many of the timeshares in Orlando are wonderful resorts. Much nicer than staying onsite at Disney.

 

[JanaDee]

DH and I were young and poor and very very much in love when we got married. A week together in a timeshare in Florida, eating peanut butter from Publix and enjoying the pool and maybe some time at CityWalk and a meal or two out, would have sounded perfectly lovely to us for a honeymoon. From the OP, it sounds like perhaps this couple would feel the same way.

 

[TTFN]

Downtown Disney is great fun....they could walk and look and get a treat. (I love the Creme Brulee at Wolfgang Puck, and it's plenty big to share.)

Yeehaa Bob Jackson at Port Orleans Riverside. He sings and plays and involves the audience in the fun. No admission charge, and they could get a soft drink and have a blast! http://www.yehaabob.com/

 

[HarkiQuinn]

Do they have a honeymoon fund? Its like a registry but only for honeymoon (honeyfund.com), that way they can at least do something.

 

[threeboysmom]

If they can spend an entire week in a timeshare for $350, then they're not going to beat that price anywhere else. Even if they stay at the resort the whole week, they're on their honeymoon! Mornings spent lounging around the room, afternoons spent lounging around the pool, dinners cooked in the kitchen together.... sounds like a great honeymoon for a young couple just starting out!

I'd suggest:

Downtown Disney - eat at Earl of Sandwich (pretty inexpensive)

Boardwalk - split a pizza at a table near the water & rent a surrey bike or take a boat ride around the lake

Monorail around the resorts - stop at each one to walk around the lobby & outside grounds/shop/grab a drink and listen to the orchestra at the GF

Outlet shopping

Head to Kissimmee - Old Town (we went years & years ago, but don't remember much about it now...)

Also found this...never been but copied it from a Google search:

Lake Eola Park: This downtown Orlando centerpiece offers 43 acres for exploration and recreation, including fountains, a walking path, playgrounds, swans to feed and swan shaped paddle boats and gondolas (for a slight fee.)

 

[mercydisney]

It's their honeymoon they might nit want to leave the condo. I would suggest a day at DTD eating at Earl of Sandwich, it is inexpensive and good food. They can see the resorts at Disney. I am in Riverview about an hour from Disney and we have gone to Orlando to spend the day their.

 

[HannaBelle]

DH and I were young and poor and very very much in love when we got married. A week together in a timeshare in Florida, eating peanut butter from Publix and enjoying the pool and maybe some time at CityWalk and a meal or two out, would have sounded perfectly lovely to us for a honeymoon. From the OP, it sounds like perhaps this couple would feel the same way.

Agreed!

It is their honeymoon, they are going to love spending the time together! She should look at groupon and see what discounts/activities are available for the area. The water park idea was a great suggestion.

If they are in a condo and they are driving, it would be very easy to pack an ice chest with premade meals/food from home so they aren't stuck eating peanut butter all week. lol

Take a day trip to the coast, take part in some of the onsite activities at the timeshare resort.

Google free activities in Orlando:
http://www.visitorlando.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/free-orlando-traveler/

I am sure they will have a great time.

 

[bunny]

Definitely drive over to the beach for a day.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

There is lots to do that is either free or inexpensive. They could actually go to Disney each day and do something that is Disney but not in the parks etc.

1. Mini golf at either Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens
2. Fort Wilderness Campground for the nightly movie and Chip and Dale meet and greet
3. Downtown Disney, window shopping. I would get a bride and groom Mickey and Minnie christmas ornament or photo frame etc. A stop at Ghiradelli's or Goofys Candy Company
4. Boardwalk at night to watch the Epcot fireworks from the bridge and enjoy the entertainment. Cheaper meals there are Big River Grill and Espn.
5. Beach Club nightly movie from the Beach. If you go to the resort thread they will have the monthly movie schedule posted. You can bring your own smores fixings with you too.
6. Enjoy the band at the Grand Floridian. Relax in the lobby.
7. Enjoy the Water Parade and Fireworks from the Polynesian resort beach
8. Tour the Animal Kingdom Lodge and enjoy the animals

If they want to meet any disney characters then breakfast is the cheapest option at either chef mickey or the polynesian which dont require park admission. But its late or 1900 park faire at the Grand Floridian. Don't know what is available at this date. They should check into that asap.

One of the lower cost tourist attractions is Gatorland. Dh and I actually went there on our honeymoon. It was fun.

I am sure with some planning they will have a great time.

 

[cassandrap83]

Tell her to hang out at the pool, walk along i-drive and see the sites, go to DTD, Universal City Walk, go to the ice bar, go resort-hopping at Disney (not pool hopping, but resort hopping. Jump on a free Disney bus and check out the grounds and decor of diff resorts), etc..

There is lots to do for a little bit of money.

 

[kkandaj]

DH and I were young and poor and very very much in love when we got married. A week together in a timeshare in Florida, eating peanut butter from Publix and enjoying the pool and maybe some time at CityWalk and a meal or two out, would have sounded perfectly lovely to us for a honeymoon. From the OP, it sounds like perhaps this couple would feel the same way.

This is exactly what I was thinking! Heck--even after being married for 10 years, I'd love a week away with DH sitting around doing nothing but sitting around the pool. You don't have to spend a ton of money to have fun together. DH and I talk about wanting to go back to Wyndham Bonnet Creek for a week and never go to the parks because we enjoyed the resort so much. This couple could still have a great time! They may not even like Disney--they may just be going to Orlando because that's where the timeshare is available to them.

And there are very few places you will get a week's stay for $350. Regular hotel rooms are over $100/night.