Honeymoon next July - resort & timing help!

[DrummerAlly]

We're getting married July 10, 2010 and are going to honeymoon in Disney! :sohappy: We have two main questions.

First, I know that rates and seasons will probably come out in August or September, but my guess (based on this year's seasons) is that value season will start a week or two after our wedding. We are not huge fans of crowds and have never been to Disney during a peak or regular season. Are crowd levels different enough between value season and regular summer season this time of year for us to post-pone the honeymoon a week or two?

Secondly, we've never stayed at a deluxe resort and are looking forward to trying one out. We’re not sure whether we should pick Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge for the honeymoon. We’re looking for something relaxing and a little romantic. Any suggestions?

 

[foreverbelle]

Firs off Congrats on your upcomming wedding. I to honeymooned for our wedding back in 06' and had a fabulous time....

Crowds:

I dont know if that makes that much of difference. From my experience the summer is pretty packed anyway, lucky for you your getting married after the 4th which is one of the busiest times at Disney so you have that going for you. But whether a week or two makes a difference I am not quite sure. I am sure some other posters will have different opinions and all. But to my knowledge, parks are going to be about the same. Though from guess alone, people will go when there is a cheaper option so value season, may be a little more packed. Again my thought only.

Resort

I am all for Wilderness Lodge. I am partial since its my husband's and myself's favorite resort. We just loved the feel, found it to be a great romantic setting and had a fabulous stay there.

If your open to other suggestions you could look into the Poly, which is right on the line and is very beautiful. Never stayed there myself but a lot of people rave about it and recommend it...

Though if chosing over AKL and WL. My pick would still be WL any day.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Values/Moderates have a different value season than the Deluxes do....

Crowds don't usually ease off until the 2nd or 3rd week of August....

I love both the AKL and the WL, I would probably go with AKL for a honeymoon...

 

[nolatron]

We're getting married July 10, 2010 and are going to honeymoon in Disney! :sohappy:

Congrats!

First, I know that rates and seasons will probably come out in August or September, but my guess (based on this year's seasons) is that value season will start a week or two after our wedding. We are not huge fans of crowds and have never been to Disney during a peak or regular season. Are crowd levels different enough between value season and regular summer season this time of year for us to post-pone the honeymoon a week or two?

I'd say if you're right at a split between seasons, you probably won't see a big difference. It's not like crowds instantly die done on such and such date when value season begins. You'd see a bigger change of crowds mid season more likely.

On the other hand though, you will see a big drop in the resort rates the day value season starts. If you're looking to stay at a deluxe resort, and want to save a few $$, I would recommend waiting the 1-2 weeks for value season to start. Otherwise if money is no object, go go go!

Secondly, we've never stayed at a deluxe resort and are looking forward to trying one out. We’re not sure whether we should pick Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge for the honeymoon. We’re looking for something relaxing and a little romantic. Any suggestions?

For a honeymoon, I'd have to recommend Grand Floridian all the way. I don't think you can get a more romantic resort than the GF in my opinion. It's a beautiful resort. They have a handful of honeymoon suites too. But between the WL and AKL... I'd probably say the AKL for a more romantic feel. Waking up to a sunrise overlooking the Savannah view sounds pretty nice.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Congrats! I got married last June & did a Disney honeymoon. It is a lot of fun!

For crowds - it's going to be packed the month of July & early August. If you waited until late August you'd see a big drop in crowds. (If you can wait that long). It may be well worth it.

Both resorts you mentioned are nice - but for a honeymoon, look at the Polynesian & Grand Floridian. We did the Polynesian & thought it was both relaxing & romantic. GF is extremely romantic too, but we always felt like it was too fancy for us. Poly is a little more relaxed. What's nice about these two resorts, is that you can watch the Wishes fireworks from the beaches. That's a very very romantic thing to do for your honeymoon.

If you have your heart set on one of those resorts, I'd choose Wilderness. AKL to me, feels like you never left the park. It's very kid friendly, kid oriented & crowded. Not my favorite place for couples. Beautiful though!

 

[KingStefan]

Congrats!

In my past experience, crowds definitely do drop off mid-Aug. I was there in 2007, and I can tell you that there was a dramatic difference. Most of the US goes back to school that week.

Free dining has changed that somewhat, but I think it is still generally true.

 

[Philo]

Secondly, we've never stayed at a deluxe resort and are looking forward to trying one out. We’re not sure whether we should pick Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge for the honeymoon. We’re looking for something relaxing and a little romantic. Any suggestions?

We couldn't decide either so we split our stay. 5 nights at AKL and 6 at WL! Both were great so you can't go wrong!

 

[Mukta]

Congratulations! For this year, touringplans says the whole month of July is an 8. It changes to a 6 on August 1st.

 

[DrummerAlly]

Thanks Everyone! Really the only reason that we narrowed it down to the WL or AKL was because of the price difference but we very may well consider the Poly, YC, BC, or BW now. Because I'm a school teacher we need to go sometime during July or early August but I'm not sure if we'll be able to wait that long! Our last trip was during January 08 and maximum wait times were about 10 minutes for SM. We dont mind wait times of ~45 minutes but much more crowded than that might be too much for us.

 

[cinderellafan6]

Congrats!! There is just something about Disney World that makes it more magical. From my own personal experiences I would recomend the Wilderness Lodge as I think it has a more romantic feel then Animal Kingdom Lodge. I got engaged at Disney World last May and we stayed the Dolphin. IT was beautiful and it was cheaper then any of the delux resorts at that time. But regardless what you pick, you are still honeymooning at Disney so it will be wonderful!

 

[DrummerAlly]

We're booked!!

Thanks for your help everyone! We booked the Wilderness Lodge, woods view, with the dining plan for a week in July!

Hopefully the weather and crowds won't be too bad.

Now its on to dining reservations and the like - anyone have any more suggestions for the honeymoon?

 

[amykissangel]

Congrats and hope you have a wonderful time!!!

My favorite restaurants are always:

Le Cellier
Tutto Italia
Tony's
Liberty Tree Tavern
Grand Floridian Cafe
Prime Time 50's

Romantic stroll on the Boardwalk, picnic dinner on the beach, days off from the parks to just relax and enjoy eachother's company!

Have fun!

 

[KingStefan]

Thanks for your help everyone! We booked the Wilderness Lodge, woods view, with the dining plan for a week in July!

Hopefully the weather and crowds won't be too bad.

Now its on to dining reservations and the like - anyone have any more suggestions for the honeymoon?

1. July will be quite crowded. But not to worry, you just have to have a good touring plan. In general, visit the parks early (at rope drop or EMH start) and late (a few hours before posted park closing) to see attractions. The morning EMH park will get crowded after general opening, so plan to park hop or do something else when the crowds start to come in.

2. Dining reservations for this time of year must be made as early as possible, and try to be flexible on your plan.

3. If you let us know your preference as to signature dining (which requires two credits) versus ordinary dining, and also which dining plan you have chosen, and also what your supplementary budget is (if any) it will help us to make suggestions. I don't get on here too much anymore, because I'm in job search, but if you post your preferences, there will be PLENTY of opinions.

I wish you a magical trip no matter what you choose!

 

[Epcotfan21]

My wife and I were just married this past July and honeymooned at the Beach Club resort. We got a crazy good deal staying in club level with a Florida resident rate.

The crowds surprisingly weren't as bad as I was expecting. Definitely take advantage of the extra magic hours though and beware of the heat.

 

[PoohBear119]

DH and I love eating at Disney:

California Grill
Artists Point
Yatchsman Steakhouse
Le Cellier
Flying Fish

If you can swing it I highly recommend Victoria and Albert's.

Congrats!