Disney World

MuppetOverlord · March 2013

There's other places I would've preferred, but we chose Disney for our honeymoon because FI is a wheelchair user and it takes a lot of thought and planning for us to plan vacations because we have to make sure everything is accessible. I don't want to do that for our honeymoon. Disney takes all of the guesswork out of it...and we think it'll be fun.

Any suggestions? I haven't been there since 1986!

MoonlightSilver · March 2013

Get a Guest Accessibility Pass from Guest Service! This pass will allow you and your party (whomever is in the group with you) to either use the fastpass entrance right away, or come back at a specific point in time and use the fastpass entrance. It's a godsend. You'll have to get a different one at each park you visit, but the Guest Services are usually right inside each park entrance.

Also when you visit Guest Service, let them know you're on your honeymoon! They will probably give you pins that you can put on your shirt (or where ever) that says you're celebrating. This will allow other cast members around the park to congratulate you, offer you little freebies (free desserts and such) and make your experience that much better.

Are you staying on resort? Disney offers free bus services between resorts and the multiple parks (which also accomodates wheelchairs, you just have to let them know). If you stay on resort you can also use Extra Magic Hours (EMH) where resort guests can arrive early at the parks or stay late after general guests (those staying offsite) have to leave. This allows you to enjoy the park with less people there- so less crowd, shorter lines, etc. There's also a shuttle from the airport to their resorts for free.

Lastly, figure out a plan for the parks before you get there. It sucks to go back and forth across the parks to hit all the rides because you forgot to do one. Make a "touring plan" and try to stick with it. You should also decide if you're going to go slow and relax, or push through and try to see or do everything.

Lastly, depending on the season, dinner reservations might be necessary. You can make reservations ridiculously early (like 6 months or something!) so check out your ideas now and call to see if you need reservations.

MuppetOverlord · March 2013

Wow thanks! Yes we are staying on the resort. that's the only thing we've planned.

A lot of stuff I didn't know about. I didn't know we'd get to have extended hours, way cool!
I'll also have to make sure we got o guest services, i didnt know we'd need a pass to skip the rides.

I thought you were joking about the 6 months in advance for the restaurants so I googled it and holy moly... you're really not kidding. I guess I better get going on this... wow. I would've really been disappointed once we got there.

Now the meal plan, Ive heard a lot of good and bad things. Good to hear a perspective from the pro too.

daria24 · March 2013

I was just at DW in January with 3 friends and we had a great time. We love going because there is so much that Disney takes care of for you. Their resort transportation is great, almost every bus ride they had wheelchair riders, so they bus drivers are extremely adept at handling special needs passengers. If you are staying on property, you can have any souvenirs sent to your hotel directly, at no cost. We always take advantage of that. I've never gotten a meal plan, we don't usually eat at many sit down restaurants, and many times we split food because we don't eat a whole lot. We ate at Be Our Guest in the Magic kingdom and had a great experience, I recommend making a reservation there. Also we usually go to the Polynesian one morning for breakfast, the tonga French toast is legendary. You don't need a reservation for the Kona Cafe though, you can walk right in. Have a great time!

MoonlightSilver · March 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_disney-world-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:45ab0c6e-92bc-4e72-a1b8-b65e98d36b2dPost:a4cbcba7-f339-40e5-8469-6c3fd18bb904">Re: Disney World</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow thanks! Yes we are staying on the resort. that's the only thing we've planned. A lot of stuff I didn't know about. I didn't know we'd get to have extended hours, way cool! I'll also have to make sure we got o guest services, i didnt know we'd need a pass to skip the rides. I thought you were joking about the 6 months in advance for the restaurants so I googled it and holy moly... you're really not kidding. I guess I better get going on this... wow. I would've really been disappointed once we got there. Now the meal plan, Ive heard a lot of good and bad things. Good to hear a perspective from the pro too.
Posted by BritniLeigh[/QUOTE]

<div>I just want to clarify something about Extra Magic Hours- they're not available at every park every day. They rotate between mornings & nights, and the different parks. So definitely check the websites or ask your resort staff when you're down there. </div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div>I've also never gotten a meal plan. My family does not often do sit down meals. Like another poster said, you can save money by doing counter service and sharing one meal between two people- the meals are pretty big. And if you're still hungry, you can always order more. =) </div>

MuppetOverlord · March 2013

Moonlight - I love your Sigphoto....you must have amazing wedding photos!

I'm starting to look at booking the hotel at least tonight on the disney credit card. I want to be able to start booking these restaurants.

The thing that bothers me a little about the meal plan is that typically for us, we only eat one big meal a day...we have like a smoothie or oatmeal for breakfast... a sandwich for lunch....and I'm just worried we're going to have too much food... and what if we go off site? Is this one of the things that can go on the credit card at 0% interest, does anyone know?

I'm feeling like a little kid right now, I just got terribly excited....right now would be the perfect time to leave NH to go to FL! I don't want to wait 7 months now.... lol

strlzfan11 · March 2013

If you're looking for Disney specific planning information, check out disboards.com. It's The Knot's version of planning for a Disney vacation.

dazyabbey · March 2013

Ahhhh! I love the idea of going to Disney for a Honeymoon. Also if you stop at Guest Services make sure they know you are on your honeymoon and they will give you a pin for being on your honeymoon and the actors/actresses will go above and beyond for you. You should try and make a reservation for the new Disney World restaurant at Magic Kingdom. It is called Be Our Guest. Supposed to be amazing. A little bit more expensive but worth it! (That will be one you will for sure want to book 6 months in advanced, to the day!)

I don't think the dining plan is worth it. We didn't have issues getting dinner anywhere though except the nicer restaurants were all booked. But there were a ton of carts and smaller restaurants all around.

I agree with the other ladies though, make sure you make out a plan on what you want to do. Go to the most popular things during the Magic Hours or as early as you can. And make sure you plan at least two full days at all four parks. I probably could have spent two full days at Magic Kingdom. That was my favorite. :-) Have fun!

hoffse · March 2013

FI's not a Disney person, so this wasn't on the table for us, but I've been many times and absolutely love it. I have nothing more to add other than I wouldn't do the meal plan - I know we always spend way more time on rides, in shops, etc. than at their restaurants. Usually we eat from the carts and just walk while we're eating. We only sit down in a restaurant when we need a break.

Epcot is my favorite by far - I love the countries, and I have some incredible souveniers from over the years there (my favorite is a christmas ornament painted by one of the Hummel artists in Germany - I watched for like an hour when I was 10, and he let me come back behind the barrier and paint with him. He signed it and everything). Not sure if you are a perfume/cosmetics person, but France has some of the best perfumes you can buy in the states. Most french perfume makers actually water their lines down for American markets, but you can buy the real deal at Epcot. They also have the complete lines by Guerlain, Chanel, etc. with products that are really hard to find in department stores elsewhere in the states. I also love the food in Morocco - there is a fantastic sit-down restaurant that isn't usually too busy because most people aren't brave enough to try it. Finally, make sure you "pick a pearl" in China - it's a lot of fun, and you can get them set in the store for not too much money

I'd also go experience Pleasure Island if you haven't done it before. I feel like most locals hate it, but it's an adult-oriented strip that has some neat shops, etc. You can take a ferry to Pleasure Island itself, which is 21 and over (I believe), because there are bars, etc. that don't card once you get on the island. The cirque du soleil shows are in that area too, and getting tickets to that could be a lot of fun as well.

hoffse · March 2013

Ah my bad - looks like they shut down Pleasure Island since I've been there last (it's been a few years for me). Maybe somebody who has been there in the last year can confirm?

kelleywill · March 2013

My FI and i went in aug with his family for vacation we had so much fun we are considering going back and doing all the adult stuff( we had two neices with us). The fast pass a must was a god send. I agree with the plan if you want to hit certien things. They have a fireworks dessert buffet in magic kingdom we went to you have a perfect view of the fireworks and the food was wonderful.

We went to epoct for a day alone after a charater breakfast with the little girls. We had a good time there. The food there was wonderful shopping everywhere in the little country parts and a few good rides as well. The nemo ride was cute and we loved it. Also i cant remember the park but toystory ride is fun even for adults. Dont be put off on the kid rides there sometimes fun and a easy relax kinda ride.

They have a thing now where you can get pins and trade them around the parks. You get the landerd and a pack of pins and trade with people to get ones you like. We got a pack and traded for some cute fun pins.

Oh and they have a picture pass thing i forgot the name for it but the photographers around the park take your picture. Its a nice way to get pictures that are of the two of you in really good spots like the castel, epcot ball, by the fireworks the disney stature and the charaters. Good luck and have fun.

bburkel · March 2013

Is your FI able to leave the chair at all? I ask because I went to Disney with my brother's family back in the early 90s. My brother is paralyzed from the chest down, and is in a wheelchair. We had a horrible time with accessibility at the Magic Kingdom. I'm assuming their newer rides and attractions account for that now, but at that time, all he could go on was Small World. he did get on Pirates of the Carribean, but getting out of the boat proved to be rather difficult, and took 3 ride attendants and him to get him back in his chair.

If you do Universal at all, their accessibility is awesome! Even back in '94, it was phenomenal. We got through the entire park and every ride within 4 hours, becuase we got in first for everything, and he was able to do pretty much every ride.

MuppetOverlord · March 2013

Is your FI able to leave the chair at all?

Yes. He can walk with crutches short distances, though he isn't bringing those. He has sporadic paralysis in his legs and no feeling in his feet. If he has something to hold on to, he can get out of his chair easily. He's been to Disney much more recently than me. He went in the 90s and was very comfortable.

MuppetOverlord · March 2013

good ideas! I keep getting excited reading this post.

We bought some pins for trading!

Yeah my aunt just told us about that pass for the photos. Sounded expensive at first but we dont have to bug random people to take photos of us our whole trip? sold! love that. We dont have a lot of photos of us on trips. Someones boyfriend took a ton of photos of us in Vegas and then they broke up so... got none of those.

HoneyBunny13 · March 2013

I am going to Disney World for my HM too!! Just reading all these posts is making me so excited! I think it's going to be a blast and all this info is great to know!

bburkel · March 2013

"Yes. He can walk with crutches short distances, though he isn't bringing those. He has sporadic paralysis in his legs and no feeling in his feet. If he has something to hold on to, he can get out of his chair easily. He's been to Disney much more recently than me. He went in the 90s and was very comfortable."

Ok, good. I figured they've updated a lot since then, i just know it was frustrating for my brother to not be able to enjoy the rides with his little kids back then.

tnms628 · March 2013

We're honeymooning at Disney and Universal April 2014 and are so excited! I second Disboards, that site has so much information about everything related to Disney, including a honeymoon board. It's amazing. By using a dining plan calculator tool, I was able to see how it was cheaper for us to not get the dining plan. I'm already picking restaurants and drooling over food pictures.

Knottie_22382102 · March 2013

We booked this morning. I'm wicked excited.

So far today, we've got about 8" of snow. I want to go...NOW. gah!!! How will I wait?

We booked Pop Century wtih 5 day park hopper. We did not go with the dining plan. We have been told we can add it if we want but we are leaning towards it not being worth it.

We are going to pick a few Disney restaurants to be prepared to book. Might do a Cirque too....and then we will spend 1-2 days at Universal. I also want to go to friggin Gatorland because I loved it there the last time I went. LOL.

Knottie_22382102 · March 2013

sorry, I'm the OP. I just changed my handle.

MrsHoward2Be · March 2013

I just got back from Disney. We had a ball. Don't forget the Minnie ears with the veil

MuppetFan · March 2013

totally! I am fully planning it

LeighShahbazian · April 2013

my family goes to disney often and the last time we were there we purchased the quick dining option. it covered 2 counter meals a day and a snack. we used our snack in the mornings for a muffin and often got grapes for lunch tas the "dessert" which we used as a snack before dinner. the plan is only for the nights you sleep so we ditched it one night for a fancier restaurant. also you can always use the counter meal at breakfast. some places i recommend are the mexican place in epcot and the restuarant in living seas.

Disney World

Re: Disney World

Choose Another Board

Search Boards