How much is too much...

[amykissangel]

...to spend on a WDW Honeymoon?

My boyfriend and I were having dinner with my little sister last night, and he kept saying how staying half the time at a Value and half the time at a Deluxe was fine with him - he wants to be in the parks most of the time anyway.

I, on the other hand, have been going to Disney since I was five, and am finally at the place where I want to appreciate the nicer things Disney has to offer. I want to go for a couple of days at the GF and 6 nights at the BC. He doesn't have a problem with those places so much as the cost, which is about $3,700 with standard room at the BC, $4,100 with water view. (This includes park tickets from Undercover Tourist and plane tickets from Green Bay to MCO.) Add on food and this honeymoon would cost about $5,000.

That could go to so many things - added to a down payment on a house, the wedding, etc. But I will NEVER again get to do something like this -I'm fully satisfied with Value Resorts for the rest of my days - and I'd like to think I could make an exception, just this once.

He thinks $3,000 is the max he'd like to spend on a honeymoon. What are your thoughts???

 

[wizards8507]

It's hard to make a call like this because people are in different financial situations, etc, but my fiancee and I are in a similar situation.

We've already recieved a healthy serving of timeshare points so we're going to be staying at a DVC resort (we're trading from Hilton so we can't be picky as to WHICH resort if we want our dates). With the money we're saving on the hotel, we're going on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa that should be right around $1,800, not including shore excursions. Overall, we're looking at a budget including airfare, excurisions, food, and park tickets of about $4,500. If we are unsuccessful with our timeshare trade (which we shouldn't be, considering we entered the list 12-months in advance), we're on the fence about whether to pay for a Disney deluxe resort and axe the cruise or to just take the off-property Hilton resort with the timeshare points and keep the cruise.

 

[tizzo]

Well, I hope you're enjoying this little preview of marriage. Before answering your question, some unsolicited advice - even if it's not your intention, asking a question like that (especially of a bunch of strangers) has to feel to your fiance like you are looking for people to take your side against him. It is an understandable impulse that I'd recommend crushing before it turns into a habit. Probably the only way it could be worse would be if you asked your parents (who would undoubtedly tell you exactly what I'm about to):

The answer to "how much is too much" is: However much either (not both) of you thinks is too much. If you think $5000 is too much but he thinks $3000 is too much, then $3000 is too much.

You'll understand better what I'm talking about when he reaches his late 40s and starts dropping hints like "Wow, that's no a bad price for a Ferrari".

 

[Nemo14]

^
Excellent post!

and I might add that it's too much if it means going into debt to do it.

 

[tizzo]

^
Excellent post!

and I might add that it's too much if it means going into debt to do it.

Agree completely. I probably omitted it because I figured that went without saying.

 

[Nemo14]

Agree completely. I probably omitted it because I figured that went without saying.

Unfortunately, too many people don't feel that way. Since our daughter started planning and saving for her wedding next year, we've heard so many horror stories of newlyweds in mountains of debt because they had to have the "perfect wedding".

EDIT: Not implying that the OP is necessarily in this situation.

 

[gardenia]

To me, more than a week seems like a long honeymoon... why don't you consider going for 5 days or so? Much cheaper, and you can still get the deluxe resort experience and have a wonderful time.

 

[tizzo]

To me, more than a week seems like a long honeymoon... why don't you consider going for 5 days or so? Much cheaper, and you can still get the deluxe resort experience and have a wonderful time.

Good idea. Our honeymoon was 2 weeks in Spain. We ended up coming home a couple of days early, mainly due to illness. But even before I got sick we had pretty much had enough. A week would have been plenty. Actually a week in Spain and a couple extra days at home afterward before returning to work would have been ideal.

 

[amykissangel]

Whew...a little bit of a windfall there! I told my boyfriend I'd ask my Disney "friends" what they thought and he said it was a good idea - we know what our financial situation is - we have no debt and no money problems. We were simply wondering what other people did for their honeymoons and how worth it was an "expensive Disney trip" vs. the normal. He thinks around 3 grand, I think around 5 - was just asking for others to weigh in on their thoughts about Disney....:lookaroun

 

[amykissangel]

It's hard to make a call like this because people are in different financial situations, etc, but my fiancee and I are in a similar situation.

We've already recieved a healthy serving of timeshare points so we're going to be staying at a DVC resort (we're trading from Hilton so we can't be picky as to WHICH resort if we want our dates). With the money we're saving on the hotel, we're going on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa that should be right around $1,800, not including shore excursions. Overall, we're looking at a budget including airfare, excurisions, food, and park tickets of about $4,500. If we are unsuccessful with our timeshare trade (which we shouldn't be, considering we entered the list 12-months in advance), we're on the fence about whether to pay for a Disney deluxe resort and axe the cruise or to just take the off-property Hilton resort with the timeshare points and keep the cruise.

I know what you mean - so many questions, and all the while wondering if it's worth the price for a one-time experience. Are you guys big cruise people? Would you rather spend time at the parks or party on the cruise ship? :wave:

 

[happymom52003]

I do believe that a honeymoon should be special. It should stand out from future "regular" trips you will take with your husband...whether that be the resort you stay at, the length of trip, restaurants you eat at, etc.... But at the same time, it is wise not to break the bank. But it sounds like you know what you can afford.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is that whatever you end up deciding, you should BOTH be happy with the decision. If it is very important to him that you not spend more than $3000, maybe you could figure out a way to still have the special, deluxe experience you want and keep in within that price range...maybe cut a couple of days off of the trip, choose a less expensive resort, etc... Is your wedding date set yet? If not, and if you are flexible, maybe choose a time of year that the prices are lower for WDW resorts vs. going during a peak time.

Sit down together and make a list of what each of you think is important for your honeymoon...and then just start compromising! Have fun....I did not honeymoon at Disney, but my honeymoon still stands out as one of the most special trips I've ever taken. Enjoy this special time in your life. Congratulations!

 

[NeriBeri]

When we planned for our wedding and honeymoon, we set a budget based on what we are able to save by the wedding. We agreed both events must be paid in full before they take place.

From there, we starting pricing things out. We each made a list of our "must do" items and worked them in as best we could. There were some compromises, but we actually came in under budget.

In my opinion, too much = anything that you cannot pay for upfront.

 

[ErickainPA]

We wed and honeymooned at Wilderness Lodge. We had an intimate wedding, my parents, my Aunt and Uncle that was it. Wedding dinner was at Artist Point for 6 of us. Our room they upgraded when they heard it was our wedding the next day to 7th floor concierge with a wood view (which back then we were able to stand on our balcony that night and see the fireworks from MK). We arrived the 13th from WA State and stayed until the 19th. My parents paid for the whole thing for us, which came to about $5000, we also had tickets for the parks. We did pay some out of pocket money, since we wanted to go to the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

I personally never had a desire to stay at the GF, so WL was perfect for us. Views from our rooms are never really issues, we take what they give us to save a little money, since we usually just sleep when at the room anyway.

You know his opinion on how much he wants to spend, it is a once in a lifetime hopefully event. Maybe you guys can reach a mutual $ amount to spend, say $4000 or less, may mean less days at a deluxe (we haven't stayed at a deluxe since our wedding in 2001, we now have to get at least moderates since we have 3 kids. It's great you have no debt that helps a marriage a lot.

 

[amykissangel]

Thank you to those of you who provided helpful responses - truly appreciate it! I think we're going to go during typical 40% off Deluxe Resorts time, so it looks like our cost will be in the low $3,000's - and when we get there, I suppose there's no harm in asking if they have any water views available! Thanks again!!

 

[Disneykidder]

I agree that a budget is necessary. If your fiancee thinks $3k is the limit, than maybe it should be. You don't need to argue so early on about money....you have years to do that...lol. But I also agree that a honeymoon should be a step up, too.


I have a few suggestions though that may help. You said that you are fine with a value. Well, you chose a more expensive deluxe resort.

1. What about a lesser expensive deluxe like Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge?

2. You could always split your time between a value and a deluxe.

3. You can stay at a moderate for the entire stay and probably stay within your finacee's budget. POFQ and PORS are both beautiful places. The mansion side is very quaint. They are smaller moderates and have a homey feel.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!!

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

only one honeymoon....

You will only have one honeymoon and it should be special and as corny as this is it will be special because you two are sharing the trip together (especially if you get the MM groom and bride ears, lol). I don't believe in going into debt for weddings or trips. You won't get that special feeling once the bills start rolling in. I say if have your heart set on a deluxe then maybe you could compromise and cut some of the days. Or if you really want to stay for as long as originally planned you could stay at the Port Orleans Riverside on the Magnolia Bend side. It's a lovely property and it would be much less expensive. You have your life ahead of you, when not planning a wedding, to have an all-out vacation. Maybe to celebrate an anniversary. I hope you two can work it out because money can be a huge issue in a marriage. Good luck, I hope you two find a solution! :wave:

 

[jformica]

How much is too much?

I'm a little late to the game and apologize for that. I'm not sure anyone will read this because it's so late but anway....

I would say that it would not be a good idea to start marriage with a disagreement. I'm sure you're bored to death with marriage suggestions as that was not your intent but take it from everyone, marriage is about concessions. It's not worth it if you get your way with the $5,000 trip and he's not happy. I would suggest a concession of $4,000 and make it work. You can stay at a moderate for a few nights etc. You'll be ok, just keep yourself busy those days at the parks or wherever and use most your down time at the BC or GF.

Keeping each other happy is what it is all about and he clearly does not want to spend more than $3,000 (which is not all that unreasonable). We have a family of 5 and stay 7 nights/8 days (parks, recreation, etc) for around $6500-$7500 so $3000 for two certainly can be done. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[wizards8507]

I know what you mean - so many questions, and all the while wondering if it's worth the price for a one-time experience. Are you guys big cruise people? Would you rather spend time at the parks or party on the cruise ship? :wave:

We've actually never cruised before. We're always exhausted after our Disney trips so we figured the cruise would be a nice way to chill out afterwards.

 

[amykissangel]

Did the cruise in 2001 - I was only 18 but had a blast - it was an amazing experience! And I know what you mean - we always joke we need a vacation from our Disney vacation.:animwink: