Where did you stay for your wedding/VR?

[Jilian]

Where did you stay when you came to Disney for your wedding/VR? We're having such a hard time figuring out where to stay! We usually stay in moderates and carribbean beach is our new fave but we need more space. We have 3 kids and were thinking of renting 2 ajoining rooms @ CBR. Since it is our VR we sort of want to stay somewhere special so we were also considering a villa (possibly animal kingdom villas or wilderness lodge).

So where did you stay and why did you choose that particular place? What did you think of your room and the resort? How far in advance did you book? We're sort of at a stand still right now because Disney hasn't released the passholder or FL resident discounts for 2012. I guess they usually come out in Aug so we want to be set on a resort before then.

ETA: Did you feel obligated to stay where all of your guests were staying? I really want to stay @ Animal kingdom villas and with my FL resident and AP discounts that is somewhat affordable for us, but many of our family members are flying in from out of state and don't get the same discounts so AKV will likely be too much for most people to pay. H and my mom think we should aim for staying @ the caribbean beach resort for this reason. I see both sides.

 

[princesswendy720]

We will be renting a 1 BR villa at the BoardWalk Villas for the first half of our trip. We're having our ceremony and reception on the BoardWalk and a few pre-wedding events in Epcot, so its convenient.

For the 2nd half, we will either rent a 1 BR villa at Bay Lake Tower or a concierge level room at the Poly. I'm undecided yet, but I think the BLT room will be cheaper then we can just do our free night at the Poly. It's been my dream to stay at the Poly though so I'm having trouble choosing.

 

[katrina1122]

For our 1 year anniv we stayed at Pop and AKL.

In 2012 for our 10th anniv and possible VR we are renting points to stay in a studio at AKL. If friends come with us we'll rent to stay at AKL or BCV.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We stayed at the Boardwalk Inn. Our VR was during F&WF so we wanted to be close to Epcot, even though our ceremony was at the GF.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

We're planning on staying at BLT for 10 days in a 1-BR, and I'll have a room at the GF for the night before the wedding and getting ready in the morning!

 

[sambycat]

Our family group counted the 2 of us, his teen age son, his mom and my brother, all of whom we were paying for. We opted for a multi master bedroom (AND BATHROOMS!!!) at all star vacation homes for the 4 days we were out before the wedding. Then my step mom stayed there too. The night before the wedding I stayed at the GF, and got ready there while the guys and his mom got ready at the condo. The limo picked them up and brought along necessary luggage. DH and I stayed at the GF the wedding night, the rest of the family went back and stayed at the condo. It worked out well!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Jilian sweetie - As you may already know, as you are kind enough to follow my PJ/TR (and so I am sorry if I am repeating myself!), we stayed at BLT over our actual VR and then moved to PORS for the rest of the trip. I LOVED both resorts and would stay a either again in a heartbeat!!
I think your idea of a villa at AKV or WL is an excellent one!! I own at AKV and it is beyond gorgeous there!!! The kids would love seeing the animals on the savannah and the atmosphere is brilliant.
Good luck with your choices!!

 

[SheriBerry]

We stayed at the Boardwalk Villas for the week we were there. I also stayed at the Yacht Club the night before our wedding, using the free night we earned from our room block.

 

[pixie921]

Jilian, we're also staying at BLT for our VR trip, as are all of our guests but we are providing the villas for them on DVC points, so we didn't have to think about what they'd be willing to pay for a room.

For your VR with 5 of you, a one-bedroom at AKV would accommodate you whereas a VWL one-bedroom only sleeps 4. And you'll get 2 bathrooms at AKV vs. one at VWL -- a big bonus when getting ready in the morning and the day of your VR. Plus Mara is bigger with a lot more variety for kids (and adults!) than Roaring Forks, if quick-service is important to you.

I don't think you should feel obligated to stay where your guests are staying, especially if I'm remembering correctly and you said a lot of them would probably stay at the Values and that you don't want to do that. Just make plans to meet up at the parks if you want to spend time together ... everyone having cell phones nowadays will make that really easy!

And you never know ... if you choose AKV and tell your guests about it, they might surprise you and want to stay at either the Lodge or the villas themselves!