Why my fiancé had to convince me to Disney our honeymoon & I'm the Disney "obsessed"

[texasbelle12]

First off, this is my first PTR (slowly getting a hang of the acronyms, bear with me). I've been lurking on the boards for a little while and finally decided to post something substantial.

This all started out when my boyfriend decided to propose last March (2013) during a Spring Break trip with my family to WDW. He proposed, I said yes, and yes, we got the "Just Engaged" buttons. Since we aren't getting married until December of this year (a "year and a half engagement), I put off much of the wedding planning until this December when we were a year out. It was then I had the "oh shoot!" moment and realized our wedding was a year out, and it was time to get down to some serious planning.

Once we (ok, mostly me) had the basics down, you know, dress, locations, wedding party, etc it was time to finally decide on where we wanted to spend our honeymoon. And even though some may call me "Disney-obsessed," I did NOT want to go WDW.

Yes, you may go ahead and call me crazy.

Now before you storm our apartment with your torches and pitchforks (don't forget the angry mob soundtrack), hear me out. I feel like there are valid points.

First, I love to travel. And while visiting familiar places is great, I love the unexpectedness of adventuring somewhere new. I wanted to use our honeymoon as a way to see more of the world and see someplace different, which brings me to my next point...

I've been very fortunate to visit WDW 6 times. Six. That's more than I've probably visited any other place in the US (besides New Orleans, but it doesn't count because I have family there). And even though I have fun every single visit, I felt like I had seen and done almost everything I cared to. This doesn't mean I don't want to visit again, but like I said, the "experience something new" thing kept buzzing around.

I'm a planner. I'm organized, and when visiting WDW I tend to read every guidebook, blog, tweet and then some to soak in as much information as I possible can. I don't want to miss ANYTHING. I didn't want this vibe for our honeymoon. I want to be able to relax with my new husband, and I thought it would be difficult with the looming thoughts of ADRs, crowds, and now Fast Pass Plus (not a fan of this-but I digress), that it would take away from that. I've never NOT "commando-toured" and don't know how to Disney any other way. Who wants to do that on their honeymoon?

And lastly, we will be taking our honeymoon over NYE. And one thing I've learned from the boards and podcasts is that NYE at WDW is INSANE. I did not want to deal with that. I felt like the crowds would make us crazy and would lessen our enjoyment of the parks. Once again, who needs that on their honeymoon?

Well you can probably all guess that since this is a PTR I changed my mind, and we will be spending our honeymoon in WDW. And now I am so FREAKIN excited. We have booked the DCL portion of our honeymoon (1/5-9 on the Dream) and are waiting for 2015 rates to book our WDW stay.

My change of heart (and mind) came when I realized that really, we will be on our honeymoon, and everything will be perfect because of that.

I realized that since we have both been to WDW a few times it means we know what we don't need to see and what we should check out. All of the times we have been have been with our families; this time it will just be the two of us. In fact I'm looking forward to seeing some new WDW things, including dining at the California Grill and really enjoying the "little things" WDW has to offer. I'm sure there will be a few early mornings, and a touch of "commando touring" but you know what, thats OK.

So read if you so choose. I want this thread to go into the planning for our honeymoon, what I've learned, and feel free to include any tips you have learned. I'll be sure to keep you updated on our planning!

 

[m2zjj]

We went to WDW for our honeymoon almost 10 years ago and loved it. Unlike you though I'd never been there before and my DH had only been to Epcot when he was a kid so it was all new to us. We are currently planning our trip for our 10th anniversary kind of a honeymoon do over using everything we have learned during the past 3 trips.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans and Congratulations on your engagement!

 

[PH7]

Following along. I'm currently planning my boyfriend and I's first trip together and our first trip to disney together. he hasn't been since he was a kid so I'm trying to make him fall in love with it. So then he' ll want to go on more trips there. also following along with your ptr

 

[texasbelle12]

We went to WDW for our honeymoon almost 10 years ago and loved it. Unlike you though I'd never been there before and my DH had only been to Epcot when he was a kid so it was all new to us. We are currently planning our trip for our 10th anniversary kind of a honeymoon do over using everything we have learned during the past 3 trips.

Can't wait to hear more about your plans and Congratulations on your engagement!

Congrats to you for 10 years and thank you I hope you have a fantastic vacation! I plan on posting updates later this week!

 

[texasbelle12]

Following along. I'm currently planning my boyfriend and I's first trip together and our first trip to disney together. he hasn't been since he was a kid so I'm trying to make him fall in love with it. So then he' ll want to go on more trips there. also following along with your ptr

He will have a blast! My fiancé had only been one other time with his family before our trip last March and like I said, HE was the one who wanted to go back for our honeymoon!

 

[PH7]

Yay I hope so! Can't wait to here more about what your planning kng the world as a couple since I see a lot of family posts and not so many.couple ones

 

[courtthib]

Joining in!

I'm also planning my honeymoon--er--disneymoon right now! I am also "disney obsessed" and never suggested that we do Disney for our honeymoon. My fiance asked me to price it last week because he really wanted to go and then I knew for sure he was the one

Can't wait to read more of your plans!

 

[texasbelle12]

Joining in! I'm also planning my honeymoon--er--disneymoon right now! I am also "disney obsessed" and never suggested that we do Disney for our honeymoon. My fiance asked me to price it last week because he really wanted to go and then I knew for sure he was the one Can't wait to read more of your plans!

First off, Congrats to you both! Happy planning! My fiancé has slowly become more in tune with Disney! On our last six-hour drive from OK to TX he suggested we listen to my "Disney" playlist, even though he knew my (terrible) singing would be accompanying it. He's a keeper!

Tomorrow I plan on writing a longer update! Thank you to everyone following along!

 

[texasbelle12]

Update time!

The weather in OK has not gotten the notice that it's March, and therefor time for spring weather. It's 12 degrees out and has been snowing/sleeting all day. Just give Elsa her dang Oscar and maybe this winter weather can be gone for good!

The waiting game. Wait, wait, wait. Can't Disney just go ahead a release 2015 rates already? Until then, I've been occupying my time figuring where we should stay, where to eat, and which attractions to see.

Where to stay.

Usually I'm fine staying in a value resort. I just need a place to sleep and keep my luggage. In fact on my family's last trip we stayed at All-Star Sports in one of the suites and it was great! Not super fancy, but great for us.

"But hey, it's our honeymoon!" That's been our thinking. While we will by no means be staying in Cinderella's Dream Suite, we decided to step it up a bit and stay at a moderate. We aren't going with a Deluxe because we will be there over NYE and even "it's our honeymoon" doesn't justify the ridiculous cost of a room during those days.

Right now we are contemplating Caribbean Beach Resort, and Port Orleans French Quarter & Riverside. I've stayed at Riverside with my family before in the "Alligator Bayou" section, but we are contemplating Magnolia Bend. I absolutely love the "elegant" feel of the rooms and this section of the resort. Plus there are lots of resort activities perfect for couples - bike riding, Water Mice, plus the grounds are beautiful in both sections, in keeping with the theme. Plus there is a boat that takes you to Downtown Disney OR you can just sit on the bank and enjoy each other's company. I'm not sure what the hours for the marina will be when we are there, but like I said, there is still plenty to do on a departure/arrival day, or a day off from the parks. Also I'm not sure what the Downtown Disney boat plans will be with the construction of Disney Springs. But since Disney has a habit of changing deadlines, I'll look into it once we get closer to our trip.

I have not had the pleasure of staying at French Quarter, however on our last stay there my mom, sister and I walked there from Riverside. Not a bad walk and some could argue the food is better. Not a walk I would want to do everyday, but it's a option. IMO, French Quarter has beautiful rooms, but I feel like the they lose some of the "romantic" quality that the Magnolia Bend area has. However I think that the rooms are absolutely elegant which is why it is still in the running.

Last but not least is Caribbean Beach Resort. I know, I know, some people are not a fan of it, but it looks beautiful. My fiancé stayed here with his family a few years ago and thinks it would be really romantic with hammocks along the lake. The rooms look nice (as long as we don't get a "Pirate" room) and there are plenty of resort activities as well (bikes, marina, and lots of pools!). Plus the "caribbean" atmosphere would be great right before our cruise!

These resorts are romantic and beautiful. Like I said, we will go into our honeymoon knowing we won't tour "commando" and I'm looking forward to touring as a "couple!"