Honeymoon couple with empty pockets..Ideas?

[Minnesota!]

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.

I agree 100%.

We did a no-parks vacation in March. There is SO much to do down there that doesn't require stepping foot in a park. Mini golf, swimming, bowling (1030-1230 is $5/hour/person at Splitzville. Grab a lane, some snacks, and a bloody mary and you are good to go), see a movie, eat some lunch, relaxing boat ride to POR or POFQ.

Go to Ft Wilderness for some beach time, stop by a few resorts for drinking and snacks...love the vibes of the pool bars. Even if you aren't swimming, you can sure enjoy the pool bar...feels so "vacation".

Off site...plenty of stuff to do. There is a poster here - Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina or something like that who has fantastic trip reports of non-Disney trips...just all the fun stuff to do in Orlando. Last years included a citrus grove, an alligator farm (I believe), and lots of mini golf. Look it up and get some ideas..

 

[kkandaj]

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.

Bolded is mine. They are staying there because someone has a timeshare available to them at that price, from the sound of OP's post. That may be their only option as you can't stay most places that cheap for a week.


Someone that doesn't have money, THOSE are the people buying one day tickets to WDW because they can't afford 3 day tickets but want to go to WDW. 3 day tickets for 2 poeple are $583--which is more than they are paying for a weeks stay somewhere--and still averages to $97/day. Pretty sure if the OP said that "you could get 3 day tickets for $97/day" that would not make the $100/day scenario any better for this couple. If they don't have $200 for them to spend one day there, they don't have $600 to spend 3 days there.

 

[lisaviolet]

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.

.

I do many vacations at WDW without buying park tickets. I love the parks and would love to have an AP every year but I can't and don't. I wouldn't be able to go as much with regular park tickets every time.

And have a wonderful vacation. Love simply hanging out.

Plus, other places cost a lot more than people think. Niagara Falls, for example, is insane for food prices.

So here are some of the things I do on the cheap just at WDW. Not that they need many - it is their honeymoon :

Sorry in advance for duplicates.

*time at BW
*drinks at BW - the Screen Door sells airport bottles of rum and bottles of coke - mix and enjoy if even drink prices are too much for them - if they drink
*nightly entertainment there is wonderful
*bike rental
*BW Bakery is not expensive and can be shared and just sit out and enjoy the ambience
*the pool bar at BC's SAB is open to everyone - relaxing area
*movies on the beach at BC
*ESPN for a game night if they are into the NBA playoffs/NHL playoffs

_________________________________________________

*time at FW
*many free activities
*nightly movies middle of resort - outpost
*marshmallow roasts
*beach there
*sport rentals
*bike rentals
*Trail's End never advertised this but they used to have the buffet available for takeout - they give you everything you need - take it to the marina/beach - one takeout could easily feed two
*the CR/WL/FW boats - the small ones are one of my favourite parts of WDW - hands down - warm night lovely choice
*stop at WL - takeout from Roaring Forks to outside tables - ambience is lovely there - or pool bar
*Electrical Water Pageant at any of these resorts
*WL has many terraces - front and back of resort on many levels

____________________________________________________

Animal Kingdom Lodge
*loads of free activities there
*just exploring the lodge and Kidani is wonderful
*night vision goggles

___________________________________________________

DD
*boat up to POR lovely - POR is a lovely resort to take in - eat outside
*rent bikes at POR - over to POFQ or walk the pathway
*free chocolates at Ghiradelli's
*someone told me that Ghiradelli's has a sundae coupon deal.
*take in the ambience of DD and entertainment
*Cookes of Dublin has a lovely outside eating area
*POR has some nightly entertainment in their lounge
*boat from DD to OKW is lovely as well - as is walking around that main area of OKW

________________________________________________

Polynesian
*watch Wishes from the beach
*take small boat to GF or MK
*breakfast at Kona Cafe is good, if in budget
*but takeout for Captain Cook - nice outdoor seating (under construction??)
________________________________________________

Grand Floridian
*there is a lovely terrace there - it's up the grand stairs - it's a smoking terrace but it's not if no one else is there. It's gorgeous and peaceful. Looks out over the GF pool.
*outdoor eating area by Gasparilla Grill is lovely

________________________________________________

Sneak into a hammock somewhere
*they are at Coronado Springs and the Polynesian
*Pepper Market at CS can be reasonable and can be easily shared

________________________________________________

I agree do a day at a Florida beach - people rave about the Siesta Key area

Don't forget restaurant.com certificates

Enjoy their own resort, of course.

 

[rigs32]

Groupon has touristy activities for great prices.

 

[Tinkermommy]

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.

I agree.

And the best free to do on a honeymoon is not to leave the room.

Sounds like they haven't been living together so just waking up with each other every morning would be new and wonderful.

I really dislike how everything has to be big and over the top (Vegas bachelor/bachelorette parties, destinations weddings, multiple wedding dresses). Of course DH and I got married by a magistrate and spent two nights at the local Hilton. We will be married 27 years in June!

 

[lisaviolet]

Edit.

 

[Kellydelly]

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.

I just had a coworker go to Orlando for her Honeymoon (flew from Detroit). Her and her husband did not to go any parks at all. They enjoyed their resort, went to DTD, and saw some other sights I didn't recognize in the photos she shared. There are plenty of things to do to have a good time in Orlando besides go to a theme park. I don't agree with you at all that people don't buy a one day ticket to the theme parks. If I only had funds for one day I would pick a park and go for it .

Maybe this young woman would be interested in visiting Universal Studios, since it is less expensive than going to Disney. Is she aware of the different attractions in Orlando and how to get the best price for tickets?

 

[Wishing on a star]

LISAVIOLET, wow, what a great post! Great suggestions!

I do think there are some here who are mis-reading my post.
Hey, WE were young and broke when we were married.
Even if somebody had given us a FREE week at a condo at Orlando... the reality is that just basic gas, food, etc.... would have been enough to put us in debt. Seriously. And, god only knows, the basic daily cost of gas, food, etc is way higher (even adjusted for inflation, like a percent of average income) is a lot higher than it was 20-25 years ago!

We had a 3 night/4 day honeymoon...
We did pack some food and snacks...
We DID enjoy waking up together ON-OUR-HONEYMOON every day and just hanging out.

I am posting as somebody who has BTDT.
And, as I said, even with a FREE hotel/condo, I am just seeing how much this can cost them, all total. Even without all of the Parks and expensive activities and restaurants.

 

[Hisgirl]

Wow, wow, wow! Seriously, yall are the sweetest and kindest group of folks! This is why I love this board!

I agree that 100 per day is high when you can break down a multi-day pass and save when spending more, but when $200 might as well be $2000, that doesn't matter. They're going to be scraping together their funds and most likely eating fast food and cooking themselves. But they're in love and starting out in life....that's happiness to them!

Being the disney freak that I am, I canNOT imagine being there and not being in a park, but yall have given GREAT suggestions!! I'm going to copy and paste all of these and make it into a binder with maps and suggestions.

 

[Hisgirl]

And to the gal who was asking, who only buys a one day pass. Yes, it would seems an odd thing to do but honestly, some folks just don't have one extra dollar to spend.

I've done financial counseling for 20 years and I still get amazed at how different folks live. I took a gal shopping, just wanting to bless her, and she was all ga-ga over everything..turns out she had never been clothes shopping for herself in a decent store before. Ever. Not even once and she was 28. I just don't have a grid for that. But it puts things in perspective.

My guess is the gas, food and room is taking up all extra funds they have. Very few young folks have a savings account. I'm gonna look around and see if I have something I can sell to help them out. I love helping out young couples starting off!

Thank you again for these AWESOME ideas!!

 

[Shutterbug]

...not to mention, yes, they have 'waited' and that in itself will be it's own thrill ride, haha!

Well then, they might not need suggestions of things to do or places to go

 

[Hisgirl]

Well then, they might not suggestions of things to do or places to go

Haha, I know...a bit old fashioned but lordy, those were the days indeed!

 

[anniemae]

I don't think Tampa is a very far drive for a day trip. St. Petersburg beach is supposed to be very nice.

 

[Stitch69]

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.

I agree. If they cannot do Orlando correctly they should just go to a local Motel 6 and consider themselves lucky.

 

[Minnesota!]

And to the gal who was asking, who only buys a one day pass. Yes, it would seems an odd thing to do but honestly, some folks just don't have one extra dollar to spend.

I've done financial counseling for 20 years and I still get amazed at how different folks live. I took a gal shopping, just wanting to bless her, and she was all ga-ga over everything..turns out she had never been clothes shopping for herself in a decent store before. Ever. Not even once and she was 28. I just don't have a grid for that. But it puts things in perspective.

My guess is the gas, food and room is taking up all extra funds they have. Very few young folks have a savings account. I'm gonna look around and see if I have something I can sell to help them out. I love helping out young couples starting off!

Thank you again for these AWESOME ideas!!

I bet they would really appreciate gift cards or fast food cards, or even a gift card to whatever grocery store they would be shopping at in Orlando. Even a $20 card could go far.

Honestly, a week at a time share, with my new husband, palm trees, a swimming pool and sun - would be just about perfect. Not much needed beyond that. Meals can be made cheaply...suggest some roll over meals (buy stuff for tacos, have leftovers as salads the next day, etc.). Vacation doesn't have to be extravagant...as long as you are with someone you enjoy spending the time with - you will have fun!

 

[Wendy31]

I know a middle-aged couple who has a time-share condo in Orlando. They go down for a week in June and invited their grown children & their families to join them.

Vary rarely do they actually go into any of the parks.

Normally, they just hang out by the pool & do things around town. They also go to Downtown Disney every year. One year, they scheduled the character breakfast at 'Ohana. They've done some mini-golf as well, I believe. One year, they went to Sea World for the day.

I think you've received several good ideas to pass along!

Another idea - I don't really know anything about Orlando besides the parks. However, I was once reading some DISer's wedding trip report, &, in the report, she talked about touring some old gardens and a old church, if I remember correctly. The pictures looked really neat, but I don't remember where the gardens & church were & I don't remember whose wedding trip I was reading either... But someone else may know what I'm talking about!

Celebration might be interesting as well.

I think a week in a condo in Florida w/ my DH sounds wonderful!

 

[TheIncredibles!]

*********************************/universal/20-ideas-for-free-or-inexpensive-entertainment-around-orlando/

Hmmm guess that link is not acceptable. Google "20 ideas for free or inexpensive entertainment around Orlando". Lots of suggestions there on affordable things to do in the area.

 

[marlynnp]

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.

$50 a night is cheap! Where are they going to stay for that price (even Niagra Falls) for that?

Niagra Falls??? Someone offering free flights?

The OP is in Georgia, I expect that the bride is also since she popped over to pick up a few things.

And you don't need an amusement park to stay in Orlando. There is plenty to do with little cost and they are newlyweds... may not even leave their room some days!

OP, I'd try to come up with 4 or 5 half-day ideas for them. Did you already get them a gift? If not, maybe you could get them tickets for one of the dinner shows or a gift card to a restaurant at City Walk.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I agree. If they cannot do Orlando correctly they should just go to a local Motel 6 and consider themselves lucky.

Really? If a person is offered a week at a timeshare in Florida for only $350 but cannot afford to do all the expensive attractions near that timeshare they should decline that offer and instead go to a local dump, stay in a basic hotel room and consider themselves lucky? Absurd.... It's wonderful opportunity for a couple that does not have much.

 

[Allison]

I agree. If they cannot do Orlando correctly they should just go to a local Motel 6 and consider themselves lucky.

I hope this is said in jest. If not, who decides what "correctly" is?