Resort Selection Help for Honeymoon

[Hopefully]

No, I've never stayed in a studio villa, or any villa. When I went as a child we stayed at the campground at Ft Wilderness. We were only considering studio villas over resort rooms just because of the cost savings.

I have to re-evaluate the budget and see what options we have now that I know a lot of them will not be available to us. Disney emailed me a discount code so I can see online what is available through that and the rates. Seems that I need to act fast though before those options are gone too. I also sent a request to DVC rental this morning. I expect to hear the bad news from them soon based on the helpful responses I've received.

I agree you need to act fast!!!

Good Luck

 

[JamieOak]

I agree that renting points for a DVC studio saves $$. I would definitely fill out the form on the DVC broker site to see what they may have available. Just an example, this is off of Dave's site "Due to the amount of guests waiting for points for Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, we are no longer accepting new submissions for stays at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort between the current seven month window and December 31, 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience."

Thanks, I did send in a request to DVC rental earlier today. There might be something somewhere that could work if I'm flexible. Small amount of hope there, even if just for the AKL 1 bedroom savanna view villa for the final nights of our stay. I can take what I can for the first nights. I won't be disappointed except in the additional cost, but we can make it work.

 

[buzznina]

No, I've never stayed in a studio villa, or any villa. When I went as a child we stayed at the campground at Ft Wilderness. We were only considering studio villas over resort rooms just because of the cost savings.

I have to re-evaluate the budget and see what options we have now that I know a lot of them will not be available to us. Disney emailed me a discount code so I can see online what is available through that and the rates. Seems that I need to act fast though before those options are gone too. I also sent a request to DVC rental this morning. I expect to hear the bad news from them soon based on the helpful responses I've received.

Thanks, I did send in a request to DVC rental earlier today. There might be something somewhere that could work if I'm flexible. Small amount of hope there, even if just for the AKL 1 bedroom savanna view villa for the final nights of our stay. I can take what I can for the first nights. I won't be disappointed except in the additional cost, but we can make it work.

I think you will be okay with the 1 Bdrm at AKL, it's studios (that's the category that saves $$) and the MK and EPCOT DVC's that fill up fast. And yes having flexible dates will help, good luck

 

[cutigerlady]

I know you said you wanted to be close to a park, however SSR fits some of what you are looking for. You can walk to Disney Springs for tons of night life. We found the buses fine here.

I would also suggest the Swan/Dolphin if you want to be close to parks for less than the standard Deluxe room. I would recommend either POR or CSR as great moderate choices. CSR is sort of in between deluxe and moderate.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I know it's not on your radar, but I want to throw out that Old Key West could be really nice and romantic for a honeymoon. The music, decor, and overall theme reminds my husband and I of our honeymoon in the Caribbean. It's super quiet, and there are lots of places to walk and relax. The boat to Disney Springs at night is great...even if you don't get off the boat (I find Disney Springs the opposite of relaxing or romantic). I know it doesn't scream Disney as much as the MK or Epcot resorts do, but maybe on your honeymoon you want a break from all of that. The resort isn't bustling with tons of people, and it's just an overall nice place. People rag on the bus service, but I've stayed at OKW during one of the busiest, and one of the slowest weeks of the year, and I thought the bus service was great. Both weeks we had a bus to ourselves more than once. I think a lot of people take their cars from here, thus freeing up space on the buses. Have a great trip, and good luck!

 

[JamieOak]

I think you will be okay with the 1 Bdrm at AKL, it's studios (that's the category that saves $$) and the MK and EPCOT DVC's that fill up fast. And yes having flexible dates will help, good luck

That's a little bit of a relief because I got myself excited for that! Getting the AKL 1 bedroom through DVC instead of through disney directly (with discount) will save us almost $500 for the 4 nights we were considering. I'm a bargain hunter which is part of the problem when I need to act fast. Haha.

We just have to decide if we do want the split stay and if so where to stay for those 3 nights. I've gotten good suggestions and have some researching to do on prices and availability.

 

[JamieOak]

I know you said you wanted to be close to a park, however SSR fits some of what you are looking for. You can walk to Disney Springs for tons of night life. We found the buses fine here.

I would also suggest the Swan/Dolphin if you want to be close to parks for less than the standard Deluxe room. I would recommend either POR or CSR as great moderate choices. CSR is sort of in between deluxe and moderate.

Thanks I'll look into those too. I think POR we liked when we looked at the pictures. I had my mind set on a deluxe, but I should consider others at this point since I'm behind schedule.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Studios book up fastest, but at many resorts, 1BR points are significantly higher without sleeping additional people. They are also part of what are called 2BR lock-offs -- basically, a 2 bedroom that is made up of a 1BR villa + a studio villa that can be connected. When a Studio is booked, the 2BR leaves inventory and a 1BR remains. Because of the point differential cost, 1BRs are typically the easiest booking.

 

[JamieOak]

Studios book up fastest, but at many resorts, 1BR points are significantly higher without sleeping additional people. They are also part of what are called 2BR lock-offs -- basically, a 2 bedroom that is made up of a 1BR villa + a studio villa that can be connected. When a Studio is booked, the 2BR leaves inventory and a 1BR remains. Because of the point differential cost, 1BRs are typically the easiest booking.

Oh that makes sense. In my spreadsheet (even though I'm behind, I'm an organized planner) I am noting availability and cost of both studios and 1 bedroom villas. And regular resort rooms. All from the disney website of course since that is all I can see. Waiting for the response to my DVC availability request, which will likely be all bad news on the studios at least.

 

[Hopefully]

Oh that makes sense. In my spreadsheet (even though I'm behind, I'm an organized planner) I am noting availability and cost of both studios and 1 bedroom villas. And regular resort rooms. All from the disney website of course since that is all I can see. Waiting for the response to my DVC availability request, which will likely be all bad news on the studios at least.

In your planning just know you will never get the lowest priced value/standard rates at DVC at this point. 1 BR very well maybe available but at a premium.
There have been great suggestions here. We really liked POFQ, a Moderate, for its New Orleans theming , small size & boat to DS. CSR is a convention resort, and as such, a step above the other Mods. There are lots of great choices.
Good Luck

 

[cutigerlady]

Thanks I'll look into those too. I think POR we liked when we looked at the pictures. I had my mind set on a deluxe, but I should consider others at this point since I'm behind schedule.

We normally stay deluxe, but for race weekends we have stayed in the moderates to trim costs. We were pleasantly surprised at POR. It was quiet, relaxing and we really liked the food court and the restaurant (are here twice). We felt the same way at CSR. We wouldn't recommend CBR or POFQ.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I know you are still waiting to hear about DVC availability. I just wanted to suggest, when looking at availability, to strongly consider an EP resort or DVC, particularly BWI or BWV. Given you are looking for nightlife and some flexibility on dining, the Boardwalk is a great area. Jugglers and magicians on the Boardwalk at night, plus Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall. You will be within walking distance of numerous restaurants including everything at BWI, BC/YC, Swan/Dolphin (arguably the best TS on property and can typically get day-of reservations!), plus WS in EP.

 

[JamieOak]

Good news back from DVC rental...BWV pool/garden view studio is available for our first resort. Also the 1bedroom at AKL. Hopefully we can get reservations made!

 

[JamieOak]

I know you are still waiting to hear about DVC availability. I just wanted to suggest, when looking at availability, to strongly consider an EP resort or DVC, particularly BWI or BWV. Given you are looking for nightlife and some flexibility on dining, the Boardwalk is a great area. Jugglers and magicians on the Boardwalk at night, plus Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall. You will be within walking distance of numerous restaurants including everything at BWI, BC/YC, Swan/Dolphin (arguably the best TS on property and can typically get day-of reservations!), plus WS in EP.

Thanks, I do think the Epcot area is the best choice for us for the first part of our trip. I actually read about Jellyrolls just the other day and that sounds like a fun place.

That's good that you can get in with shorter-notice reservations for dining at some places. I also read about the "adult milkshakes" somewhere over at the BC and we'll definitely be hitting that if that's the only place to get those.