Where to stay on our honeymoon?

[dmb3331]

Hello to all of you Disney Experts!

I have only been to Disney once (with my parents), and we stayed offsite.

But....this September, my fiance and I are getting married and then honeymooning in Orlando for 2 whole weeks! Yippee! We would like to spend the first week at Disney and the second week offsite so we can go to Universal, and other places. The most we would have to spend for the entire 2 weeks (including airfare, lodging, food, swimming with dolphins, tours, park admittance, etc) is about $5000. I'm trying to keep the airfare/Disney portion to less than $3000. I know that I can get the free dining plan, so that will help alot.
But my question is, what would be the best use of the $3000? We were thinking of the Coronodo Springs for 5 nights and then switching to the AK with a Savannah view for the last 2 nights (We want to see the animals!).
However, as I read the honeymoon boards, I see that most people are recommending the more expensive hotels like the GF and Poly. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Should we spend more for our first week and then skimp on the second week?
HELP!!

thanks so much!!!
Diane and Paul (Sept 9,2006)

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Congrats up your upcoming marriage. My DH and I spent our honeymoon at the Contemporary (11.5 years ago). We had a room in the tower with a view of the castle. Very romantic at night when the fireworks are going off and yes the fireworks at the castle. HA HA HA

We have been to Coronado Springs and it is nice there. As for AKL we are going there in August so I cannot help much there other than to say if I had a choice from what I've read I would choose AKL over Coronado.

Since you are going in October, try and take in the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. We did that back in 2001 and it was a lot of fun.

We went to Universal 2 years ago and enjoyed it. I would definately recommend eating at Jimmy Buffets on the City Walk. Food was very good and you got a lot.

Keep reading the boards and whatever you decide as long as you are together it will be a wonderful honeymoon. Don't forget to get your bride/groom Mickey ears at the parks. I wish they would have had them on our honeymoon.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

spend the 2 weeks at Disney..who needs anything else?

I recommend the BCV or maybe the YC..can't beat the pool.

At the BCV and YC you can still do the boardwalk stuff and all the boats going places. I wouldn't do the boardwalk hotel as you can't use the BCV pool

Do it the best you can. If you don't mind hotel hopping a little, try several nights at each kind..like Do AKL and all the AK stuff and Bomas etc..., then after 2-3 days of that try, the other resorts.
I forget when you said you are going, but you may get the free dining...even more excuse to stay at Disney, you can always rent a car to visit stuff outside disney.
We saw some honeymooners there..you could tell by their "mousears"

 

[kpm76]

I would not spend more than what you think your budget can comfortably allow. You do not need to be at the GF to have a magical honeymoon. We stayed 2 nights at the GF and while I liked it, it was not my favorite. I like the Poly and BWV much better. AKL does not appeal to me but if it does to you, maybe stay there the last two nights and stay at POFQ the other nights. This is a really nice moderate, small and romantic. Have fun and congrats!!

 

[PhilliesFan]

We also honeymooned at WDW, but that was back in the stone ages of 1987. We stayed at the Polynesian and I fell in love with that resort; it's a very romantic resort. It has the lake where you can watch the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom, and the nightly electric water parade. You can also catch the monorail to dine at the GF or Contemporary. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

 

[Bugsmom73]

Don't forget that free dining is going on as well so you can save a little more for your trip. You must book by June 4th though TO give you a rough estimate, A weeks stay from Sept 10-17th at CSR is 1719.12 and that includes a king bed, a week at Wilderness lodge is 2382.44, for a woods view . A week at Boardwalk is 2890. A week at AKL is 2734. Contemporary would run you about 2450. The dining plan is a wonderful option to get you some great meals at a cheaper price. We did the Grand Plan when we went and it was great, way too much food but great.

 

[scanne]

We honeymooned in WDW and stayed at the GF for 11 nights - at rack rate - IN A LAGOON VIEW ROOM!!! I found the DISboards after I had booked everything and we were going through a TA with air and everything. I could have saved SOOOOO much money by getting annual passes and the annual passholder discount. But alas, I digress...

I, too, recommend staying at Disney for the whole 2 weeks and maybe resort hop with 2-3 different Disney hotels. But that might become complicated with the free dining. You can still go off-site to Universal or Sea World. There are many transportation options available to you.

Are you a AAA member? You can get a room only discount with AAA.

As far as the resorts you have mentioned - we have stayed at both and both are nice. I like AKL better than CS because it is a truly BEAUTIFULLY themed hotel! We had a savannah view room, and yes it was nice, but I would book a pool view and check out all of the different public viewing areas around the resort. I did not feel that the savannah view would be a "make or break" experience (this is me personally - others may feel differently. I am not a big animal lover ).

I also have stayed at the Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Caribbean Beach. I love the Poly and the WL - the WL has honeymoon rooms with king beds and jacuzzi tubs and is a little less $$$ than the other deluxes.

You may also want to look into renting points from a DVC member and get a one bedroom villa at a DVC resort with a king bed and whirlpool tub.

Lots of luck to you! Enjoy your MARRIAGE and have a great honeymoon!!!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I would stay at POR because there are so many places you can take a wonderful stroll. You can also take the ferry to Downtown Disney which is awesome in the evening. DH and I are going to stay there next year for 10 days WITHOUT KIDS!!!! We are empty-nesters now and enjoying it.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Decisons, decisions!!! So many good choices! If this is also your future spouse's first stay on site, any resort will be a wonderful new experience to both of you. I think CSR and ALK are great choices! I would go for a pool view at AKL as someone else mentioned. As honeymooners, you probably have a better shot at an upgrade but either way, the pool view is awesome and here are so many places to see the animals at the resort. With your budget I think WL and POR are also great choices. I don't know what type of discounts the Universal resorts have right now but try to stay on site there for at least a couple of days. Portifino Bay resort is very romantic if it is in your budget but HRH and RPH are also great resorts in Universal. Also, although you may not need it in September, staying on site at Universal entitles you to "Front of the Line Access" which is better than Fastpass. (It's been a couple of years so someone please post if they did away with front of the line access.) Happy planning! Make those ressies so you can make your ADRs before there are none left! Best wishes on your upcoming nuptials! I hope you realize that since you are going to WDW for your honeymoon, you are likely to become a Disneyholic and will be returning again and again and again, especially if little ones arrive!

 

[Cinderella]

If you weren't going during the free food season, I would've said try renting points for a one bedroom DVC resort, as you get the huge bath tub etc. But, I wouldn't pass on the free food. Out of all the deluxe resorts, I think WL might be nice for you. It is not as expensive as some of the other deluxe resorts, but it is very romantic. And you will be able to save money on food.

 

[eblack0409]

DH and I had to watch what we spent on our Honeymoon because we built our house the same time we were planning our wedding....we actually had to put our honeymoon off until September (last year....we got married April 9, 2005)...we lucked out with free dining...but we stayed at Pop Century and loved it!!! We leave in 12 days to celebrate our 1st Anniversary....we are staying 2 nights at All Star Music and the rest of the time at Port Orleans Riverside!

Congrats on the upcoming marriage! I wish you the best of luck!!!!

 

[mouseRD]

I too, thought of renting points from a DVC member (check out the DVC rent/trade board) for a 1-BR (BWV or BCV put you right outside of Epcot/MGM). Check out the pictures of the 1-BR villas; they are a great size; jacuzzi tub, king bedroom, etc. I think you would be on your own for housekeeping when you don't rent from Disney (unless you pay extra). I am certain I have read that if you are renting points from a DVC member that they are able to purchase the DDP for you; I don't know if that applies to free dining, but it would still be a good deal (37.99/pp/day) even if you paid.

I also thought of the Portifino Bay at Universal Orlando. We will be going there (after Disney) in May & will be paying the AP rate of $189/night for a Bayview room (again, you've got to check out pictures of this resort & room; it's really lovely). Only one of you has to buy an annual pass (~ $180) & right now AAA South is offering a "Buy one year, get second year free". If you or anyone you know is a AAA member, they can purchase this (my parents did for us).

Another WDW hotel idea is the WDW Swan, outside of Epcot (owned by Westin); you can often get great deals there & save a lot of $$ over the cost of other deluxe hotels in WDW. Now it definitely doesn't have the charm factor of the Disney resorts & you wouldn't get free dining or be eligible for the DDP, but you would be in an excellent location, great "heavenly beds", really great staff (personal experience). We got the Travel Zoo rate there of $139/night. Congratulations!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I too, thought of renting points from a DVC member (check out the DVC rent/trade board) for a 1-BR (BWV or BCV put you right outside of Epcot/MGM). Check out the pictures of the 1-BR villas; they are a great size; jacuzzi tub, king bedroom, etc. I think you would be on your own for housekeeping when you don't rent from Disney (unless you pay extra). I am certain I have read that if you are renting points from a DVC member that they are able to purchase the DDP for you; I don't know if that applies to free dining, but it would still be a good deal (37.99/pp/day) even if you paid...

DVC does not get free dining in Aug and Sept. Free dining is only a way to fill up the vacant rooms because kids are going back to school and hurricanes are on the way.

If you want to rent a DVC villa, you may be too late. There may be some vacancy, but I'd bet it is limited. SSR would be a great place for honeymooners, though. Spa on site (fabulous spa at that), golf course on the grounds, and DTD within walking distance. You'd get a full cleaning on day 4 if you stay at least 8 nights, plus the trash removed and clean towels on day 8. If you stay less than 8 nights, you only get trash and towels on day 4.

 

[dmb3331]

Dear all,
Thanks for all the good wishes and advice! We are going to try to do the following: rent a 1 bedroom standard view at the BWV for Sun-Fri, and then switch to the AK Savannah view room for the weekend. We just found out that a friend rents out a vacation home in Kissimmee, so we'll stay there the second week! If the BWV standard view is not available, then it will be a choice between one of the moderate resorts or possibly the WL for those first 5 nights. My DH-to-be thought the WL looked a bit too rustic, so we may end up at either the CSR or POR. However, his favorite park is MK, so maybe that will sway him towards the WL.

I'm reading alot about how long the bus service takes. We will be renting a car for our second week, but I wonder if we should get it for the first week as well? In September with the lower attendance at WDW, will the wait tend to be long? And will we really need to make reservations for dinners at that slow time?

Thanks again for all the advice!!
Diane

 

[jcpuppy.com]

We are going to try to do the following: rent a 1 bedroom standard view at the BWV for Sun-Fri,

Oh for the same money you can stay at the Beach Club..MUCH nicer or even the yacht club. You can get a view, use the good pool and still visit the boardwalk!
Plus I bet if you really want you can get a view from the Bc to the BW!
I didn't stay at the BW, but after being at the BC I wouldn't choose the BW above it simply for the pool reasons. You can go float on a tube or wade in the sandy water..what more could you want in life ?

 

[dmb3331]

Hi,
Actually, it only costs 16 points for a standard view at BWV. Every other 1 bedroom is at least 22 points for Sun-Thurs. That's the main reason for choosing the BWV! But, if a standard view room isn't available, then I think we'll have to go for a regular room at a moderate resort....

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi,
Actually, it only costs 16 points for a standard view at BWV. Every other 1 bedroom is at least 22 points for Sun-Thurs. That's the main reason for choosing the BWV! But, if a standard view room isn't available, then I think we'll have to go for a regular room at a moderate resort....

The odds of getting a standard view villa at the BWV for THIS September is slim to none. Members usually book these 11 months out. Unless a member is willing to rent you their existing reservation, you probably need to look for another place to stay. You might be able to get OKW or SSR (which also have lower points required than BWV preferred, BCV or VWL), but you really need to get a request out as soon as possible.

 

[dmb3331]

Hi Deb,
I put out a request on the *********** site last week. I guess I should ask on this one, too.
thanks!

 

[jj13]

We spend our honeymoon at Old Key West and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Boat service to DownTown Disney is great.

Much quieter and more private setting. Your car is right there with you (if you bring a car....if you're not bringing a car this may not be the right choice).

YOU CAN'T BEAT THE GIANT BALCONY OR HUGE JACUZZI IN YOUR ROOM! What they call jacuzzi tubs in the other places are large bathtubs with jets.....OKW has real, huge wonderful tubs which were fabulous!

 

[dmb3331]

Hmmm....I guess that's another one we should consider! So, you needed a car for that resort? I read that driving to MK was bad because of the parking. Did you find that to be true?
thanks!