Honeymoon Help!

[mousemere]

Hey y'all! So I'm brand new here (though certainly not new to Disney) and I'm sure there have been threads on this, but I haven't seen much that's specific to my question.

The FH and I are planning our honeymoon at WDW Sept. 11-16, 2011. I made reservations at Port Orleans Riverside because I wanted to get my honeymoon registry started and I could afford POR.

I could definitely see us staying there, but I was wondering what everyone's thoughts on that are. I was considering upgrading once we get a few honeymoon gifts.

The major contenders were the Boardwalk, the Animal Kingdom Lodge, or the Grand Floridian. I have only stayed at the GF before, out any of the hotels I mentioned. I know it's nice, but we might like to do something a little different?

I just wanted to get everyone's input - is POR nice enough for a honeymoon? Should we upgrade or spend our money elsewhere? If we upgrade, where should we stay!

Thanks in advance!!

Meredith

 

[waynesgirl]

I think you should stay with the mods, but flip over to the POFQ. A lot of families stay at the POR, as they can fit up to 5. However, the price, bus service, and proximity can't be beat for those 2 hotels. My DH and I both loved the POFQ because it is smaller, really has a feel of New Orleans, and it was more quiet than POR.

Save your money and spend it on a few things you like. Deluxes are nice, but IMO, for the money, you really aren't getting anything more than what you are at the mods, unless you want more convenience of the monorail or the Boardwalk area to EPCOT.

It's all about you and him though, and really enjoying yourself. Only you can make that call. My DH and I go a lot and have decided to stay at all the resorts at least once, but we loved the POFQ for the comfort and price.

Congrats by the way. What a lovely thing to celebrate at WDW!

 

[j&j620]

Congratulations!

I think it depends on the kind of Disney experience you want. If you and the FH think you'll be spending most of your time in the parks, then I would say save the money and stay mod. I totally agree with PP's POFQ suggestion, too.

On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the ambiance of the resort a little more and think you'll utilize the amenities, go for deluxe! It is your honeymoon, after all! DH and I honeymooned at Poly and loved every second of it!

 

[ilovejsparrow]

I agree with Waynesgirl. POFQ is a better choice for a honeymoon, IMO. I think you'll really enjoy it! That way, you can splurge on some delicious meals at some signature restaurants!!

 

[Disneymama5816]

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!!! Our favorite hotel is the CR handsdown. The rooms are large, the beds DIVINE, and the service is wonderful. Additionally you can walk to MK. It does cost more than the mods, but it is one of the least expensive deluxe hotels, if you can get a room in the gardenwing. My second choice would be the CSR. We stayed there for a few days this past summer, and it was REALLY nice. The rooms are smaller than the CR, but very similar (to me). It just went through a renovation and it is gorgeous. The pool was fabulous (and the pool bar too!) We have stayed at CBR, and POR and CSR is our fav of the mods. IMO it just feels a little nicer (think mod plus). Also, you can actually book a king bed - which I would DEFINITELY do for my honeymoon. Hope this helps!!!

 

[jupers]

Hi,

I spent my honeymoon at POFQ years ago. However, my anniversary is Sept 11(hurricane season). When we there WDW closed due to a pending hurricane which never came and we spent a lot of time in the room...not so bad if you're a honeymooner. But people never expect to spend a lot of time in the room.

Anyway, my point is, at least for us, once the kids came the cost of a deluxe is a stretch. Your honeymoon is the one trip where it seems to be ok to go hogwild. I really really recommend splurging on a deluxe for the honeymoon. Honestly, while we had a wonderful honeymoon, If I could do it again, knowing what I know now, I would definitely have spent some of the extra $ on the resort. Because it's your honeymoon, you probably won't go commando. Enjoy the pool, the pool bar, everything the resort has to offer.

While I haven't stayed at the resorts you're looking at I hear the Boardwalk area is great for adults, and with walking distance to two parks it might be so romantic and worth it. If possible, maybe check the Swalphin, you can usually stay there for the same cost.

Anyway, just my thoughts as a previous POFQ honeymooner.

 

[skipperkim]

POFQ is a very quiet and romantic resort. It has better bus service than POR too since buses stop at POFQ first before going to the parks. It also has it's own bus stop at MK in the evening. Keep in mind that the hot tub is very secluded which usually keeps young kids out of it because it can't be seen from the pool.

 

[Ksquared]

Everyone here has already given good advice. I think it really depends on which type of trip you are planning. If you are going to enjoy the amenities of a resort, then I def. would consider splurging on a deluxe. If you decide to spend your money on other things, I would at the very least consider switching the POFQ.

I have always wanted to stay at the Poly and 9 years and 2 kids later that just has not happened for me. If there's a resort that you've always been dying to stay at, book your honeymoon there.

Just remember that no matter what resort you choose in the end, you'll be on your honeymoon so you are def. going to have a great time. Congrats.

 

[amzking]

If it won't break your bank, I say upgrade. Like PPs have said, you won't get as much of a chance once kids come along.

I would seriously consider the Wilderness Lodge. The theming is amazing, it's all one building, very romantic, boat rides to the MK and Contemporary, electrical water pageant, its just great. It also is the least expensive of the deluxes so it would not be a huge leap in price like the GF or Boardwalk would be. It's the same price scale as AKL.

Have fun planning!

 

[1971DBday]

I personally think there are more romantic resorts then POR. I agree with earlier posts - this is your one and only honeymoon and you want it to be special. Keep an eye out for deals to help you save in other areas (free dining or a discount on the room) and that may help you afford more on the deluxe end.

We personally stayed at the WL. It was a surprise gift from my then future in-laws. We received a free upgrade upon arrival and then a gift basket from the resort - they really made us feel special. I wouldn't change a thing.

The WL and AKL are the lower priced deluxes and you never know; you may be able to afford it.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Early congratulations! My suggestion is to upgrade since it is your honeymoon. In years to come you may be staying value/moderate with the little ones. I speak from almost 30 yrs. of married experience.
In Sept. you can get GREAT "room-only" discounts. We just stayed at the POLY this past Sept. with one. We have also stayed at the Dolphin at a $120 rate in Sept. and it is a beautiful hotel. (It doesn't have magic express though if you are flying).

 

[ice cube]

Meredith....Here is a guys view...I don't know your financial situation but I think you should upgrade to a deluxe resort..To get more for your money rent points from a DVC member for your room then do the Disney cruise.You can check in on Sept.11 at AKV..BWV..BVC..BLT..VWL..etc..for 4 nights then when you check out on Sept.15 you take the Disney cruise bus right from your resort to the ship for 3 wonderful nights on Disney's newest ship Disney Dream. They have a cruise to the Bahamas Sept.15-18,2011.
When I got married my wife planned a 7 night Aruba honeymoon, without her knowing I cut it down to 5 nights. Then we flew to Disney and stayed 4 nights at the Beach Club (our favorite resort) and 3 night cruise.My wife loved it and she couldn't believe that I came up with such a great surprise. She still talks about it...11+ years later....If you need help or any advice with renting points just let me know.Your money will go much farther in that fashion...

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

First off...congrats!! ....

I was in the same situation last year when booking my recently passed honeymoon. We originally booked POR since it was in our price range but when we started getting gifts in our disney honeymoon registry we started looking elsewhere... We ended up with a really great pin and decided to do a split stay between AKL and Poly.

Poly had always been a dream of mine and even with a PIN it was still out of regular price range but it was our honeymoon so we decided to splurge. AKL and Poly were amazing ...both romantic in its own way...

I know your trying to decided one hotel..but why not think about a split stay..it really wasnt a hassle at all, so easy, I would do it again in a heartbeat...

Whatever you choose im sure you'll have an amazing trip!

 

[kaysmommie]

If you won't hurt the budget too much than I say it's your honeymoon and you should upgrade. POR does look beautiful though. I think Boardwalk or Animal Kingdom Lodge would be great!

 

[turtlechick6]

I voted GF. I have never stayed there but from what I heard it is a very fancy more adult themed hotel. I did eat at 1900 Park Faire and it was very pleasant. That or AKL. I stayed at Kidani village recently and loved it. I would suggest a villa or suite since you guys might be spending a lot of time in the room hubba hubba.

Definitely stay at some kind of Deluxe Resort. I made the mistake of staying Value for our honeymoon and we regretted it.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

My question is...did you get free dining,

I agree with POFQ over POR...but I LOVE the Boardwalk Area!!!

 

[ktlm]

If you can afford to upgrade to a Savannah view room, I would say the AKL. DH and I had a trip there pre-kids and it was wonderful. We would sit out on the balcony in the mornings and drink orange juice (me) and coffee (him) and watch the giraffes looking at us. If not AKL, if you can afford a woods view room, I would say upgrade to WL. We spent our honeymoon at WL and it was wonderful. The only issue we had was that we had a standard view room, and they put us over the service area, so that every morning of our Honeymoon we were woke up by by back up beeps of garbage trucks- not so romantic! Everything else was great though. We have been back and stayed in both woods and courtyard views and really liked them. Even though the Courtyard view was more expensive, I really preferred the woods view. It was quieter and still pretty. We stayed at POR pre-kids too. It was pretty and we both liked it. DH's only problem with the mods, is that they have double beds, where AKL, WL and the other deluxes have queens. We haven't stayed at the Boardwalk, but it sure is a great location if you plan on spending a lot of time in Epcot WS.

Really, it depends on how much time you are going to spend at the resort and how tight financially it is going to be. If you plan on spending all your time in the parks, and the deluxe resort will financially keep you from eating at the table service restaurants you want to try, then staying moderate might be the way to go. If you are planning on spending some time at the resort, and either have free dining, or will still be able to financially swing some nice meals too, then upgrade. It is your Honeymoon!!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We're not believers in Disney's dining plan, restaurant (TS) meals are awful and quite time consuming. I'd pick a deluxe for a honeymoon, especially Wilderness Lodge (everyone will have their favorites) but the Lodge is a boat ride to the MK, boat ride to the contemporary Resort to gain access to the monorail and there's some good vittles over at Fort Wilderness, again a boat ride. We like being on the water with boat and bus transportation available, the Lodge is all under one roof, cheapest price among the deluxes (AKL too but too remote for our liking) the grounds are beautiful with walking trails to FW. We skip the free dining and opt for the room only discount for a better money saver and for a one time honeymoon, the Lodge is the place to spend it, (my opinion only).

 

[pwrflpills]

Regarding POR, I stayed there a few years ago with my girlfriend, now wife, and I actually thought the grounds were particularly romantic. We took a glass of champagne and walked through the grounds of our building and walked and sat along the river. With the big oaks, nice lighting and horse drawn carriages it was very pleasant and felt calm and secluded. We never had issues with families making noise. On the down side we did have one of those 2 double bed rooms on the parking lot side, so if you do stay there make sure you secure a decent room location. Never stayed in POFQ, so can't compare.

I would vote against the AKL for a honeymoon. Stayed there with my wife in a Savannah View room and was not impressed. Weird layout and not a cozy feeling. If African style is your thing, it could be different for you.

I voted for the Boardwalk in your poll because I love the Boardwalk area and I've always wanted to stay in that hotel. Walking around that lake and the WS could be pretty romantic.

The bottom line is do what you can afford and you'll have fun either way. Don't hamstring yourself on an expensive hotel room, but rather make sure you're able to do what you want while there.

 

[hurleysweety]

First of all CONGRATS! We went to WDW for our honeymoon in 2008. Perfectly perfect honeymoon spot. Don't forget to buy those ears, they're icing on the cake of a romantic and memorable trip.

If you don't have a rental car, I would avoid AKL. It is very beautiful, it has that newer feel, but it is a drive! By car or bus, you must factor that in to your scheduling, which can be a pain considering the closeness to other resorts. Unless you want to spend all your time at AK and eating at either AK or back at the hotel. We've eaten at Boma on both our recent stays and each time we're always wondering, "How are we not there yet?" as we drive over. It is a bit out of the way.

As for POR, DH and I stayed there in May 2010, just the 2 of us. We had a king bed, but not the best of locations. It was kinda noisy, and definitely had much more of a family feel to it. If I had taken the time to request the room, we probably would've had a much better experience. I must mention though, we transferred to the POR king bed room from OKW 1 bedroom with my inlaws. So it felt much much smaller. However, I'm not sure I would want to spend the extra money on the room for a deluxe. Spend it on the stuff - the food, the experiences, the little things you'll only ever do on your honeymoon. (We stayed off site for our honeymoon in 2008 to save $$ and in turn got to experience some nice places to eat and souvenirs to take back to remember our fun!)

FWIW, we're headed back next May (nothing booked yet) and if we stay at a moderate, POFQ is at the top of my list. After reading the reviews about the smaller resort size and feel, I'm pretty sure POFQ would suit our needs and likes much better than POR. Plus, we think of it this way, the smaller amount we spend on the room, the smaller amount we spend overall, the more chance we have to go back again sooner rather than later. And trust me, you'll want to go back again and again (We've been to a Disney park each May (and then some... since we've been married, even though DH told me before we got married that we'd go every 5 years...) Yes, I made him a DISfan for life!