Staying at the WL in May for Honeymoon...

[steved28]

We will be staying at the WL in May for 6 nights for our honeymoon.

We chose Disney because we have been to the beach (Mexico) a few times and decided that a Disney trip would offer more to do...we like to be active and think we would get restless in Riviera Maya.

After a lot of research I found the WL to be very highly regarded and it offered the most reasonable price of all the Deluxe resorts.

Anyone have any comments or advice for a honeymoon here??

Also, after talking to several travel agents, most of which were not very helpful when it came to Disney but were sure quick to try and persuade us to take a cruise or go to Mexico, I decided to go through Disney and booked our trip by phone.

We are paying around $2900 for two people for:

-6 nights at the WL in a woods view room

-2 round trip tickets non-stop on AA from St. Louis to Orlando with transportation from airport to resort and back

-7 day park hopper pass.


Does this sound like a good price, or does anyone think I could do better?...and if so do you have any reccomendations as to who I should talk to/where I should stay instead? etc....

Thanks

Steve

 

[CindyD]

I loved the lodge. Just returned a few days ago.

This is what I came up with
6 nites woods view rack rate with tax $265 per nite add 11% tax = 294.15 per night x 6 nights = 1764.90

7 day magic my way tickets with park hopper option including tax (211.94 + 37.28 to add hopper option= 249.22 x 2 = 498.44 (price based upon purchasing at gate..not advanced purchase).

1764.90 + 498.44 (room plus tickets)= 2263.37 which leaves 636.66 for the two plane tickets. Don't know if that is a good price for your plane tickets or not. I would visit the AA website and price out the tickets and see what you come up with. You may be able to do better on your own.

As for the lodge, it is beautiful and I think a great place to honeymoon. Make sure it is noted on your ressie that you are honeymooning!!!

Cindy

 

[rileyroosmom]

It's usually cheaper to buy things individually. Southwest usually offers reasonable tickets. You might want to look into adding the dinning option to your tickets. For $35 (plus tax) a day, each person gets a sitdown meal, counter service meal and a snack. Especially for a honeymoon, you could try lots of nice restaurants.
Don't know if you belong to AAA, but they offer cheaper rates for Disney.
You will love the lodge, it's a great place to honeymoon.
Make sure you check out Mousesavers.com and Wdwig.com (Allears) which give lots of information on The World!
Good Luck!

 

[CindyD]

Different option for you.

Rent DVC points from a member and stay in a studio apartment with a fridge, microwave, queen bed and sofa..Check-in May 6 check-out May 12 would be 110 points at 10 per point..$1100 total. (if available)

Purchase 7 day magic my way tickets with park hopper option from ticketmania.com $468 total.

Total without plane tickets...$1548

I don't know the exact dates you will be there so the DVC points may be somewhat off.....

 

[nhpooh]

A honeymoon at the WL would be great. You could take a bike ride for two along the path's that they have to FW. Taking the boat to the MK is fun and nice. My DH and I spent our 25th wedding aniv. there this past Sept. We had a PS at the CG, made it so we were there when the Wishes fireworks at MK went off, it was great had a seat near the windows. Also, go over to the Poly and watch Wishes from the beach. We spent our honeymoon at WDW too. Have fun.

 

[steved28]

Different option for you.

Rent DVC points from a member and stay in a studio apartment with a fridge, microwave, queen bed and sofa..Check-in May 6 check-out May 12 would be 110 points at 10 per point..$1100 total. (if available)

Purchase 7 day magic my way tickets with park hopper option from ticketmania.com $468 total.

Total without plane tickets...$1548

I don't know the exact dates you will be there so the DVC points may be somewhat off.....

Thanks!


This sounds interesting....although I don't know if she'll go for it (her heart is pretty set on staying onsite!)

First, I'm not familiar with some of the abbreviations, is there a list of them?? I could not find it in FAQs. What are DVC points?

Second, where are these apartments? are they onsite?

Thanks

Steve

BTW our dates are Monday May 2 - Sunday May 8

 

[steved28]

A honeymoon at the WL would be great. You could take a bike ride for two along the path's that they have to FW. Taking the boat to the MK is fun and nice. My DH and I spent our 25th wedding aniv. there this past Sept. We had a PS at the CG, made it so we were there when the Wishes fireworks at MK went off, it was great had a seat near the windows. Also, go over to the Poly and watch Wishes from the beach. We spent our honeymoon at WDW too. Have fun.

Thanks for the reply!

The bike ride to Fort Wilderness (FW?) sounds like a great idea, my future wife mentioned something about hearing about a great breakfast place over there.

Steve

 

[steved28]

It's usually cheaper to buy things individually. Southwest usually offers reasonable tickets. You might want to look into adding the dinning option to your tickets. For $35 (plus tax) a day, each person gets a sitdown meal, counter service meal and a snack. Especially for a honeymoon, you could try lots of nice restaurants.
Don't know if you belong to AAA, but they offer cheaper rates for Disney.
You will love the lodge, it's a great place to honeymoon.
Make sure you check out Mousesavers.com and Wdwig.com (Allears) which give lots of information on The World!
Good Luck!

Thanks for the reply!

They offered me the meal option when I booked, but I declined...is it really worth it??

Maybe I'll reconsider

Steve

 

[CindyD]

The studio is in a building right next to the WL and is considered part of the WL. You can use all the same things as if you stayed in the main building.

DVC is disney vacation club, a timeshare owned by different people. They rent out their points for use by others. We did not see a studio on our visit, but checked out the building. Go to allearsnet.com under accomidations and look for home away from home. Go to WL.

More info on DVC on main DIS board. Scroll towards the bottom. Cindy

 

[steved28]

I loved the lodge. Just returned a few days ago.

This is what I came up with
6 nites woods view rack rate with tax $265 per nite add 11% tax = 294.15 per night x 6 nights = 1764.90

7 day magic my way tickets with park hopper option including tax (211.94 + 37.28 to add hopper option= 249.22 x 2 = 498.44 (price based upon purchasing at gate..not advanced purchase).

1764.90 + 498.44 (room plus tickets)= 2263.37 which leaves 636.66 for the two plane tickets. Don't know if that is a good price for your plane tickets or not. I would visit the AA website and price out the tickets and see what you come up with. You may be able to do better on your own.

As for the lodge, it is beautiful and I think a great place to honeymoon. Make sure it is noted on your ressie that you are honeymooning!!!

Cindy

Its really great to hear positive things from people who have been to WL, thanks!

It is noted on the reservation itinerary that they sent me that we are honeymooners....I also asked for a room with a view of MK because I heard elsewhere that you may be able to see fireworks if you get the right room...but I have also heard that the trees now obstruct any view...so we'll see I guess!

I will look into the plane tickets, the Disney representative who I booked through said that they have certain contracts with airlines for special rates, true or not?/ who knows...One thing I do want, and have with my current flight, is a NONSTOP flight both ways, I'm not much for flying and want it to be as quick as possible!


Steve

 

[CindyD]

I must love living through others!!!

Just went to southwest web site 2 round trip from st louis to orlando on your travel dates total of 593.80

 

[steved28]

I must love living through others!!!

Just went to southwest web site 2 round trip from st louis to orlando on your travel dates total of 593.80

Thanks for doing that!...Whats your fee?? LOL


Was it non-stop?? My tickets now are a little more but not by much.

About these studio apartments...have you heard good things, bad things about them??

What are the advantages/disadvantages if any to staying in them as opposed to the Lodge...I would think that we are pretty much on our own for a lot of stuff that we would get at the hotel...towels, linens, SOME hotel priveleges..etc.

If I did go the route you suggested it would save me around 800-900 dollars!
That could go a long way toward some souveniers!!!!

 

[CindyD]

No fee!!! Just spreading the magic...Non stop flights.

Good thing about the DVC rooms. You would not have maid service on a daily basis. Go to the DVC forum at the bottom of the main page. You could post questions there and get info from the members. I believe you get maid service on days 4 and 8 of your stays. Other than that you get all benefits of being in the WL.

Don't know if it is too late to change your package but for a saving of that much it may be worth a look. Cindy

 

[steved28]

No fee!!! Just spreading the magic...Non stop flights.

Good thing about the DVC rooms. You would not have maid service on a daily basis. Go to the DVC forum at the bottom of the main page. You could post questions there and get info from the members. I believe you get maid service on days 4 and 8 of your stays. Other than that you get all benefits of being in the WL.

Don't know if it is too late to change your package but for a saving of that much it may be worth a look. Cindy

I have until March 14 to change, cancel and pay off my current package.

I just found a good page that explains all about the Villas at http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_wlv1.htm


I will go to the forum you described and inquire some more...is that where I would actually rent them from someone?? Where did you get the 110 pint at 10 dollars per point information?? I think I am seriously going to consider this!! Thanks Cindy!

 

[CindyD]

when you go to the forum there is a point calculator on the top of the page sponsored by the timeshare store. click on the points calculator and fill in your dates (double-check my math). If you are interested in trying to find a studio ( i would read the faq section at the top of the forum) you can place a thread with the dates and the resort you want and type of room.

Someone will answer you. You may have to sign a contract as the members are at risk if you do not pay. Mention it is for a honeymoon. Look for someone who has a lot of posts and request references. I will PM you someone name that I was working with (there was no availability) She was very nice.

 

[steved28]

when you go to the forum there is a point calculator on the top of the page sponsored by the timeshare store. click on the points calculator and fill in your dates (double-check my math). If you are interested in trying to find a studio ( i would read the faq section at the top of the forum) you can place a thread with the dates and the resort you want and type of room.

Someone will answer you. You may have to sign a contract as the members are at risk if you do not pay. Mention it is for a honeymoon. Look for someone who has a lot of posts and request references. I will PM you someone name that I was working with (there was no availability) She was very nice.

Sweet...thanks!

 

[Muushka]

We own at VWL and I agree, it would be a great alternative to the Lodge. I think it is much more peaceful and quiet. And if you want the hustle and bustle, you can head over to the main hotel (just under the walkway). I double checked the points and they are indeed 110 points for the 6 night stay (I just had to edit my post-I looked up the wrong season!)
The people on the rent/trade board are very helpful. Try reading up just a bit. There are a lot of helpful 'stickies' at the top. But just remember, there is a fair amount of trust that you need to have for the person that you are renting from. But as suggested, if you rent from someone with a high post count, it is pretty much a safe situation.

I think you are doing a great job planning your honeymoon! Best wishes

Edited to change points due to dorkiness

 

[steved28]

We own at VWL and I agree, it would be a great alternative to the Lodge. I think it is much more peaceful and quiet. And if you want the hustle and bustle, you can head over to the main hotel (just under the walkway). I double checked the points and they are indeed 110 points for the 6 night stay (I just had to edit my post-I looked up the wrong season!)
The people on the rent/trade board are very helpful. Try reading up just a bit. There are a lot of helpful 'stickies' at the top. But just remember, there is a fair amount of trust that you need to have for the person that you are renting from. But as suggested, if you rent from someone with a high post count, it is pretty much a safe situation.

I think you are doing a great job planning your honeymoon! Best wishes

Edited to change points due to dorkiness

I will take your advice!!

Thanks!!

Steve

 

[kda]

Are you sure you need a 7 day pass --- will you arrive in time to go to the parks and will you have enough time to visit the parks on the last day? Not sure if you have a choice of flight times or not --- hopefully, you do. If the travel company chooses, you could be arriving late and leaving early.

Oh, congratulations! WL is our favorite resort (and we bought into the villas there, too, because it's so peaceful and relaxing). While it doesn't have to be difficult to rent points to stay at the villas, it can be a worry when you do it the first time, and you might want to keep things simple and book a regular room and get maid service, etc. A very small number of villa rooms have a pool/lake view and none have a MK view.

 

[steved28]

Are you sure you need a 7 day pass --- will you arrive in time to go to the parks and will you have enough time to visit the parks on the last day? Not sure if you have a choice of flight times or not --- hopefully, you do. If the travel company chooses, you could be arriving late and leaving early.

Oh, congratulations! WL is our favorite resort (and we bought into the villas there, too, because it's so peaceful and relaxing). While it doesn't have to be difficult to rent points to stay at the villas, it can be a worry when you do it the first time, and you might want to keep things simple and book a regular room and get maid service, etc. A very small number of villa rooms have a pool/lake view and none have a MK view.

The 7 day pass was only a few dollars more than the six surprisingly...and our flight does not leave until 7m on our last day...so we are good but thanks for your concern.

I have been asking around here about the villas but haven't gotten much feedback yet. I take it you reccomend staying at the lodge since I am not familiar with Disney instead of staying at the villas? The biggest enticement of the villas to me is the fact that I supposedly can save around 800 dollars if I went with a studio...but I am weary because I do not want to screw up my honeymoon....what do you think??


Thanks

Steve