WDW for 25th Anniversary

[mendota]

My husband and I are thinking about going to WDW for our 25th Anniversary. We go about every 5-7 years, always with a large family group of 8-10.

The last time we all went, almost 5 years ago, my husband, son and I went a few days ahead of everyone and stayed at Coronado Springs. That was my first experience staying on site, and we loved it. We had the dining plan and ate at many fun places - Crystal Palace for Thanksgiving dinner in MK, Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, and Biergarten in Epcot, Raglan Road and Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Raglan Road was my favorite, we went back twice!

This will be the first trip besides our Honeymoon my husband and I will be totally alone on a trip. At first we considered a cruise, or a trip to Europe, but realized WDW really is our happy place (and it's easier on the budget this year). We went there with my family the year before we got married, and since then my husband was hooked too.

We're going to go Sat after Thanksgiving, and stay until the following Sunday. I'm thinking of staying in a Royal Room at POR for 5 days, then moving to the Poly for the last 3 days as a special treat. I like the idea of POR, because of the boats to Downtown Disney, and the Poly has been a dream of mine since the 70's.

Is it strange for just 2 adults to stay in a royal room? I love the way they look. Also, we're thinking of not using the dining plan, but still hitting a number of sit down restaurants over the week. Any thoughts one way or another on that?

 

[chefmb]

Hi. My husband and I stayed 5 nights in December to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We stayed at POFQ and had a wonderful time. We did not have the dining plan, but did eat at a few of the restaurants--Crystal Palace, Boma's, 50's Prime Time, and San Angel. We had been going about every 3-4 years during the summer with our two sons, and this was the first trip since our honeymoon just the two of us. The very best part is that my husband liked it so much--- just the two of us, Christmas festivities, lower crowds---that now he wants to go back this year (he's even mentioned going every year--I just have to get it cleared with my principal each year!)!! We are already looking into dates and hotels. I think we'll probably look into POR this time just for something a little different. There's a possibility that we'll try an Epcot resort because it's something I'd like to do, but I have a real hard time justifying the extra cost (about $800) when we're perfectly happy with PO! As far as the royal room, go for it! It's your anniversary. If it looks like something you'd like, do it! This is a special trip---treat yourself a bit. Same with Poly if it's what you want to do! (maybe we should consider a split stay--Hmmm)---

 

[Mirax]

Congrats, 25 years is spectacular It's your honeymoon, you can do whatever you want. Make sure you tell the cm what you are celebrating when you make your reservation. As far as the dinning plan goes, its @$55. per person, a day. Do you think you will eat more or less than $55 for one counter service and a sit down dinner?

If I could stay in a royal room I would but I have three boys and one of them will only be 10 on our 25th so the chances of having a trip to disney without a little boy......... so not going to happen. Staying in a princess room will never happen for me so I say go for it!

 

[mendota]

Hi. My husband and I stayed 5 nights in December to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We stayed at POFQ and had a wonderful time. We did not have the dining plan, but did eat at a few of the restaurants--Crystal Palace, Boma's, 50's Prime Time, and San Angel. We had been going about every 3-4 years during the summer with our two sons, and this was the first trip since our honeymoon just the two of us. The very best part is that my husband liked it so much--- just the two of us, Christmas festivities, lower crowds---that now he wants to go back this year (he's even mentioned going every year--I just have to get it cleared with my principal each year!)!! We are already looking into dates and hotels. I think we'll probably look into POR this time just for something a little different. There's a possibility that we'll try an Epcot resort because it's something I'd like to do, but I have a real hard time justifying the extra cost (about $800) when we're perfectly happy with PO! As far as the royal room, go for it! It's your anniversary. If it looks like something you'd like, do it! This is a special trip---treat yourself a bit. Same with Poly if it's what you want to do! (maybe we should consider a split stay--Hmmm)---

That sounds great. Happy belated 25th to you! Yes! After our last vacation 5 years ago we love the Christmas vibe too. I wish we didn't live so far away and could go every year lol

Congrats, 25 years is spectacular It's your honeymoon, you can do whatever you want. Make sure you tell the cm what you are celebrating when you make your reservation. As far as the dinning plan goes, its @$55. per person, a day. Do you think you will eat more or less than $55 for one counter service and a sit down dinner?

If I could stay in a royal room I would but I have three boys and one of them will only be 10 on our 25th so the chances of having a trip to disney without a little boy......... so not going to happen. Staying in a princess room will never happen for me so I say go for it!

Thank you for the good advice! Hee, I was surprised my husband went for a Royal Room but he thinks it's fun too.

 

[minnie mum]

Happy Anniversary way in advance! DH and I have celebrated our 20th, 25th, 30th and 35th anniversary at WDW and loved it every time. Just this fall we met a lovely couple celebrating their 50th! Don't forget to get your Happy Anniversary buttons when you arrive.

I say that you should stay wherever you want to stay. Why not a princess room, if that's what you want. Go for it! And I hope you really love the Poly part of your stay too.

As for the dining plan: DH and I have used the dining plan the last half dozen or so times that we've gone. A few of those were free dining. But we won't be using it on our next trip. We just found that it didn't fit the way we wanted to eat any more. We would rather have an appetizer than a dessert. We'd like a glass of wine with dinner instead of a coke. And it was only saving us a couple of dollars a day anyway. Best thing to do is take a look at the places you'd like to eat at and check out the menus. Do up a few sample meals for a day or two, selecting only what you would like to eat, and see how they price out. Maybe the dining plan will be cost effective for you, or maybe it won't. Only you know which will be better for the two of you.

 

[mendota]

I'm excited! Have finally worked out what we wanted.

We're dropping the Polynesian Resort and are reserving a Royal Room at POR for the whole stay. We decided to do this, because with the savings between Poly and POR, we can now do the Wild Africa Trek, Dine with an Imagineer at the Brown Derby, and maybe Around the World at Epcot (haven't decided for sure on that).

We're not going with a dining plan, but is that something you can add on to your package later, or must it be done right away?

I am really excited about POR- Riverside though. I love walking and it sounds like it has the perfect grounds to enjoy!

 

[minnie mum]

Congratulations on the plans you've come up with so far. Looks like you're in for a wonderful trip. As for the DDP: if you change your mind and want to add it you have to do it more than 72 hrs before your arrival day.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Happy Anniversary early. We loved Dine with an Imagineer in December so much we booked it again for our May trip. I hope you have a magical trip.

 

[mendota]

Thank you minnie mum! That's good to know. Now for a 9 month wait... lol

mrsksomeday, TY for the congrats! Are you able to book that 180 days out?

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thank you minnie mum! That's good to know. Now for a 9 month wait... lol

mrsksomeday, TY for the congrats! Are you able to book that 180 days out?

I think so but I can't remember .

 

[mendota]

I'll just start trying then to be on the safe side

 

[mrsksomeday]

I'll just start trying then to be on the safe side

They only offer it on Monday's, Wednesday's, and Friday's.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Can someone help me understand how Disney has a 25th Anniversary after there was just a 40th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom back in September?

 

[Missytara]

Can someone help me understand how Disney has a 25th Anniversary after there was just a 40th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom back in September?

It is the couple's 25th anniversery and they want to spend it at Walt Disney World.......

How did you get that from her posting?????

 

[Missytara]

My husband and I are thinking about going to WDW for our 25th Anniversary. We go about every 5-7 years, always with a large family group of 8-10.

We're going to go Sat after Thanksgiving, and stay until the following Sunday. I'm thinking of staying in a Royal Room at POR for 5 days, then moving to the Poly for the last 3 days as a special treat. I like the idea of POR, because of the boats to Downtown Disney, and the Poly has been a dream of mine since the 70's.

Is it strange for just 2 adults to stay in a royal room? I love the way they look. Also, we're thinking of not using the dining plan, but still hitting a number of sit down restaurants over the week. Any thoughts one way or another on that?

First of all, Congratulations.

Second, I hope I get to run into you; I check into POR the same day every year, but I leave the following Saturday.

I would also suggest taking the water taxi to DTD in the evenings, even if just to grab a sundae at Ghiradelli's. Fulton's Crabhouse is a wonderful restaurant, sitting right on the water. I would definately suggest that for one night, if you are paying OOP.

Also, take a carriage ride on the night of your anniversery around the resort; it goes around POFQ as well (which is just beautiful at night).

You will love it there.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Can someone help me understand how Disney has a 25th Anniversary after there was just a 40th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom back in September?

It is the couple's 25th anniversery and they want to spend it at Walt Disney World.......

How did you get that from her posting?????

Because I'm goofy... and didn't read carefully.... Disney Store online had a big thing about 25th anniversary with merchandise.. I guess that's 25th anniversary for the disney store, not Disney World.


Anyway... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I'd say... if you want to stay in a Royal Room, do it. Disney World is for kids of all ages, right? I might be at Port Orleans Riverside my next trip. The resort is near done a complete rehab with all rooms getting queen beds instead of the double size... that's a BIG plus for us..and a better night's sleep.

I've done the dining plans (regular and deluxe) every trip. For us, it definitely saved money especially with the cost of character meals. But we did the regular dining plan instead of deluxe (with a lot less table services) and felt more free to do what we want without having so many restaurant reservations. But each trip was different for us.

The regular dining plan was great for us. I want to sit down at least once a day at a restaurant. It's air conditioned, relaxing, gives our feet a break, and a chance for us all to have some down time to talk instead of rush, rush, rush to the next ride/attraction. On our 2008 trip, we had a big family group 13 people. We often split up during the day but we all met for dinner each night... that was nice to bring the whole family together for dinner. Park hoppers helped with that.