May 07- budget or deluxe honeymoon???

[PoohNTuck]

Hello All!

We're planning our first trip as husband and wife for May 2007! We're interested in honeymooning in Disney. I've visited WDWx4 and DLx1. I've only stayed on the grounds once, at Port Orleans French Quarter, in 2002. I thought it was kind of rundown and we didn't enjoy eating there but at the time we stayed for under $100/night so it was a great deal. My fiance has only been to WDWx1 with his family over 10 years ago and stayed at a hotel off the property. On my last trip 2 people stayed at the resort and ate and drank all we wanted for about $1500 (not including airfare). I'm suffering from sticker shock at the rise in prices and I need advice.

So, our situation is that we don't have kids and we may never... so whether it's a ONCE IN A LIFETIME WITHOUT THE KIDS trip... uncertain. We're in our 20s (it's also his 21st birthday week when we'll be there) and while I want to "live it up" for our honeymoon, I also don't want to "break the bank." I'm trying to decide whether to stay at Poly (I've had my eye on it since I was a little girl) or to just book Pop Century and spend the money on yummy food and drinks all week. I know that for me, the moderate resorts will likely be comparable to a value resort, but is it worth it to splurge on Poly for our honeymoon? It will certainly affect the budget...

We plan to spend some *magical moments* in our room. I have no plans on getting up at 5 a.m. to be at the park when it opens. But I do plan to go to the fine restaurants within the parks as much as often. I'm particularly excited to visit the restaurants at AKL and wish it wasn't under construction next year... Fiance would love to have a balcony on our room where we could spend some quiet time together enjoying a breakfast or desserts and drinks occasionally.

Any thoughts?

 

[princessdisneybelle]

For me personally, I have stayed at Pop Century several times and I loveeeeeeeeeeee it. Its a fun place. But its all your taste. I would save on the hotel and do all the other fun stuff you can do. The only thing that time of year it may be fun with youth groups so ask when you call. I would maybe right a list of everything you want to do and see where your budget stands. Happy planning whatever you decide.

 

[luvsmickey]

Have you checked out the Disney Dining Plan? I LOVE It!!! We used it when we went to Disney this past May. It allows you to eat all of your meals in those great Resturants and never have to leave the park! I've never stayed at a Value Resort, but I've stayed off property and I've stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort (Moderate) and it was really nice! It looked lovely and they had a Magical supprise for us when we went to the room that evening! (There were balloons and Mickey Ears with our names on them!) It was my DF and his Son's first Disney World Trip and they made it very magical! We loved it and it was convient! It wasn't a long trip from the parks. We've even decided on everyone, the entire wedding party, staying at the Port Orleans Riverside for the wedding. My mom Stayed at the Poly when we were there in May, it was REAL nice! And if I had more $$$ I would be staying there! Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[calanniebu]

Another thought is to rent points from a DVC member. We've done that for both of our trips including our honeymoon and it's been wonderful. I'm not sure what type of season it is, but that will determine how many points you'll need. For our honeymoon, we had a 1bd suite at the Boardwalk which includes a jacuzzi tub for 4 nights for $720. (It was a 72 point reservation and we paid $10/point which is the average). Feel free to PM me if you want to know more.

 

[PoohNTuck]

I looked at DDP but the restaurants I really want us to try are "signature" or require 2 meals... so it looks like we'd be out of food...after like 3 days But it may still be the way to go and then just pay OOP for some of the restaurants. I've been pricing them in the past few days and keeping track of the cost. It's just great to swipe and not worry about the cash-- it makes it easier for me to put the cash aside for the trip and then not fret every time we part with another $20!

 

[PirateBride08]

HI! I've been going to Disney just about every year since I was a kid. (My parents were divorced and my mom lives in Florida so when we went there every year for summer vacation- we went to Disney) Last year was the first time I'd stayed on the grounds and I stayed at the Poly! LOVED IT! You almost forget you are in central Florida! My mom stayed at Pop Century once and didn't like it. Since they are the value hotels you get a lot of families with small children so it can get noisy at times. (From what my mom said) I am going back to Disney next month and by the time we check in, it will be 11:30 at night! We are staying that first night at one of the All Stars, then the next morning, leaving and going to the Boardwalk Inn. We were going to stay at the Poly again, actually it was booked but we changed the ressie because I wanted to see Disney's version of Atlantic City since I live in Jersey.

Being that this would be your honeymoon, I would see if you can fit it in the budget to stay at the Poly. It is really nice and I had the best time there. At night, after we were pooped from the parks, we went back to the hotel and laid in the hammock on a beach watching the stars. Very Romantic!

 

[PrincessShanShan]

Dh and I were married 11months ago today. This is my second marriage and his first. The first time I was young--18, but I had the big wedding of my dreams. This time, I just wanted something simple. Maybe it's my age (I'm 37), but the wedding wasn't that important to me. I guess I look at the wedding as being one day and a marriage as being a lifetime. That's not to say you shouldn't have the big wedding of your dreams if you want. I did have mine, but it just wasn't important this time. Because of several different things (including hurricane Katrina), we had to put our honeymoon off. We leave a month from tomorrow for a week at WDW. I'm a DVC owner and was only able to get the first four nights at BWV. The last three nights were first booked at POR, then WL, and now finally the Contemporary Atrium Club. I'm looking at this trip as our "once in a lifetime". Dh has never been to WDW but I've been fortunate enough to have had many trips there. I booked the DDP and have several other special things planned including a Wishes Fireworks cruise. To me, it was worth it to spend the extra money. I'm sure we'll go back to WDW in the future, but I'm also sure we won't spend the money that we're spending for our honeymoon. I don't want to look back one day and wish I would have done things differently. I don't know what your financial situation is, but I would say if you can afford it, then do it. I'm sure whatever you decide you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[PoohNTuck]

Thank you for the replies so far... as I look at more and more photos-- it's just SO ROMANTIC! I'm sold. I'm going to look into booking something there.

Question-- birthday breakfast for his 21st... is there somewhere special we could go that would serve a mimosa or something with his breakfast? Or does anyone have a link to room service options that might include like a champagne breakfast or something. I don't want him completely hammered all day but I do think it's a pretty special day and I had a great time on mine with my girlfriends so I want to make sure he gets to celebrate too.

Thanks for any advice...

 

[PrincessShanShan]

There maybe other places I'm not aware of, but Spoodles (on the Boardwalk) has a breakfast buffet and mimosa's are offered. I've only eaten dinner there so I can't tell you whether or not the breakfast is good. Maybe someone else will know. You can find the menus for most WDW restaurants both here on the DIS and at the allears site. Hope this helps!

 

[PoohNTuck]

Thanks, I'll check out spoodles. I'm dreaming of that hammock right now...ahh!

 

[calanniebu]

the Boardwalk gave us a free bottle of champagne, perfectly chilled with two glasses and chocolates after we checked in. We had a message from room service to call them, and that's what they delivered. We had breakfast from the little bakery one morning before heading to the parks. Another recommendation would be to do the princess breakfast in the castle. They gave us an awesome window seat and free cinderella's royal table champagne flutes!

 

[PoohNTuck]

Calanniebu,

My DF and I teared up at your tagline quote... so cute and so perfect for those in love!