Inexpensive Anniversay Ideas

[bear74]

Okay so it looks like a vow renewal is out of the question. Even as an add-on its more then our budget can afford for next year.
Does anyone know how much the one hour photo session is in the parks. We went to WDW on our honeymoon we had a package and it came with an hour photo session. Would love to do this again. We did MK. Thinking if we could afford it to do Epcot world showcase?

Any other ideas we will have our DD3 with us.
TIA

 

[reese5574]

If you can, why not look into having a private vow renewal. I'm pretty sure that Disney does not allow you to do so but I have heard of couples getting married in their rooms, just the two of them with the minister. I'm not sure how it would work but it might be worth looking into. Just a thought!

 

[tinkerbela]

i've been looking into doing some special things for our anniversary when we're in WDW in september. so far, i have us going on the keys to the kingdom tour as a special gift for us. but the one thing i really want to do, and hope to get it on july 1, is the illuminations cruise. illuminations is rob's favorite fireworks show and i know he would truly appreciate it if i get this cruise for him. look into a nice romantic cruise or a tour or a special dinner somewhere. i don't know. that's what i'm doing. just looking for fun, memorable things for us to do on our anniversary.

 

[ahutton]

Another Austin girl! How cool!

If you are looking at tours please read carefully - many do not allow cuties as young as your DD for safety reasons. Keys to the Kingdom goes down into the utilidors of MK so kids are not allowed. There may be family friendly tours, but DD may be a bit young to really enjoy them.

The Illuminations cruise would be fun. You can arrange to have a cake and drinks on the boat, they cruise from Yacht/Beach or Boardwalk down to MGM, then back to EPCOT for the show. You do need to know how DD will react to the show though as it is impossible to get her out of there if she hates the noise.

I would do a family picnic on the Poly beach for the Wishes show and Water Parade. Then DD can play in the sand and the family can enjoy the show. I'm sure you could order from one of the restaurants (Kona comes to mind) to get a nice dinner and special dessert.

Another option would be to rent a pontoon boat for an afternoon, pack some lunch and cruise either by MK and Bay Lake or from Dixie Landings down to Downtown Disney. Either ride is really nice, lots to see, and I bet DD would love a chance to help drive!

 

[DeDixie]

My DH planned a private dinner for the 2 of us on the balcony of the Grand Floridian (you can choose from a bunch of places, but since he was worried about the weather - DH decided the balcony would be best). IT was unbelievable, we were on a private balcony and had our own butler, then we had a wishes cruise with dessert.

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi all... I went to school at THE UNIVERSITY, so I will always be a bit of an Austinite... Mind if I add a bit? (oh, I am a boy too)

ahutton, you are soooo right about the age thingswith the tours. I think that the resorts have mouse-sitting available, but it might be a bit expensive.

Another thing you might want to look into www.giftsofalifrtime.com . Joan over there has some great concepts (that she doesn't publish). She may be able to help with logistics, especially if you need something under the WDW radar.

As far as a vow renewal, I would see if you can do a private renewal with Disney if possible. You can do a renewal in a room, but it sort of defeats the purpose; if they catch you they will try to make you stop; so you can't even do it on a balcony... If you do the Private Ceremony route you can do the photo ops and have the Disney Blessing.

I hope this helps...

 

[MicheleC]

We also had our heart set on a vow renewal this November for our 10-year anniversary but have now decided it's just too much money. We are still contemplating how to celebrate. We've been thinking about the cruise during Illuminations with our kids and parents (although our little one was afraid of the fireworks last year) or just dinner at a special restaurant. I've also heard about the private areas for Illuminations viewing with desert parties but since we only have 8 people I don't think that will work. The special thing I am looking into right now is the Private Dining at the Grand Floridian like DeDixie mentioned (DeDixie I sent you a pM with ?'s). That sounds very special and I'm sure is not close to the vow renewal cost. Good luck. Hope you come up with some good suggestions and really enjoy your Anniversary!

 

[ohanafamily]

What about doing a Private Vow Renewal on an Illuminations cruise? I don't think that they will charge you that much above and beyond the cruise.....

 

[DeDixie]

Michele C -- I figured I would answer your questions here, for everyone to read.

My DH planned it about 3 months before our September date. He called GF private dining and did most of this by phone. I know they offered the beach, or I believe even a hotel room (we were staying at the boardwalk) so he would have had to pay for the room if we took the gf room. Basically they set up -- my favorite wine, flowers, wishes cruise w/ dessert (ordered by DH ahead) and location. Then when we were down on a family trip in Aug, DH snuck over to gf to check out the balcony. It was off the conceirge (sp) floor and was open to guests - but they said that usually no one comes out, which no one did. We were kind of tucked away even if they had.

When we got to gf, we met Chris in the lobby - at a prearranged time, by the grand piano. He then took us up to our table. We ordered off the private dining menu - which had been faxed to DH before so he could make sure we didn't want anything special.

It was the most perfect night and such a hugh surprise to me, it was for our 20th Anniversary and by FAR the most romantic thing DH has ever done for me. We don't remember the fee, but it was not that much.

We paid for:
Dinner, wine, flowers, bulter, tips, cruise, dessert, and cruise tip.

I did not see the final total, but DH said it was very reasonible.
Hope this helps!

Wendy

 

[ahutton]

We've done a couple Illuminations parties (because I was worried about escaping if the kids were afraid of fireworks) for smaller groups (9 of us and 15 of us). We had a private area, an assortment of desserts, a fruit tray and coffee/tea/cocoa. I believe we had to pay for the minimum number of guests for our site (20) but it was still right about $400 for the party (including all tax and gratuity) and the experience of a lifetime. We've been lucky that every booking we've done we've been bumped up to a nicer location because it was available. We've been on the UK Terrace and the French Island Arm (across the bridge from the island, closer to UK and a great view).

 

[PaulaSue]

just bumping this looking for ideas too for our Jan trip......