Since Caitie and I are going down for our honeymoon in August, I'm wondering if anyone has any great stories of upgrades or specials they got - or any tips on how to get that in the parks or resorts. We know about the buttons already, and we MAY even brave the hats (though in August weather, that won't last long!)
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
Tell EVERYONE you see you are on your honeymoon. No telling WHAT they'll come up with for you.
Thats about it from this source.
MT
(praying you come to your senses about the "hats") 
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Tell EVERYONE you see you are on your honeymoon.
Agreed. And start now.
Tell your reservationist on the phone to note on all of your dining reservations that you're honeymooning, and tell them to note it on your hotel reservation as well. Then, when you arrive, remind the front desk CM that you're honeymooning. 
I've heard of free upgrades happening, but, of course, they're not guaranteed. There's also the chance of free desserts, better tables (views for fireworks, etc.) at restaurants, free champagne, that chocolate cinderella slipper that I covet so...
Here are some other things that aren't free, but are fun honeymoon things:
- Mention www.disneyflorist.com and www.giftsofalifetime.com to your friends and family...you never know when one of your loved ones will have a bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, or a gift basket delivered to your hotel room 
- Take a carriage ride
- Book a couples' massage
- Have a private dinner at the Grand Floridian
- Book an Illuminations cruise on The Breathless II
Have fun 
May 2008 CSR
Oh, we plan to GET the hats - it's just a matter of how long we'll last under them in the August sun in Florida!
They have at AAA where we planned the trip that it's our honeymoon, and I'm pretty sure our agent told them when they booked our hotel. We'll make sure to tell them when we book the restaurants as well...
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
Tell EVERYONE you see you are on your honeymoon.
We called Disney about the change in booking reservations and said we were going on our honeymoon. The woman on the other end said, "Make it very obvious that you are on your honeymoon."
We cracked up...but you can take that how you want to take it
Don't forget your "We're on our honeymoon!" T-shirts!
Disney is so good about making events memorable (although I tend to doubt honeymoons need that much help). Sounds like you have no plans to play it low-key though, right?
Don't forget your "We're on our honeymoon!" T-shirts!
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2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
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dsoup wrote:Don't forget your "We're on our honeymoon!" T-shirts!
Don't you mean, "We're on our honeymoon so give us free stuff!!" t-shirts?
But DO forget the hats.... 
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The biggest thing I'm hoping for is a bump to concierge level at the hotel. I know it's a long shot, but that would be incredible. I don't think we'll be hiding the fact it's our honeymoon at all.
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
Too bad you've already got the best view. That's a much more likely upgrade I think.
I think you should 
(Not really, I've just always wanted to use that emoticon )
haha - knowing us, it won't be out of the range of possibilities! 
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
haha - knowing us, it won't be out of the range of possibilities!
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2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian
haha - knowing us, it won't be out of the range of possibilities!
Good! If you don't mind me asking, where are you staying?
John
When we booked our trip at AAA our agent told them we were to be on our honeymoon and they said that they would make sure we had a king bed and theme park view. We had made temp plans online at the Wilderness lodge at the same price we got at the Grand Floridian. They said we would get 3 nights free by paying for 4.
Total cost about the same as Wilderness Lodge without the deal. There we had a Queen bed and courtyard view. Jude wanted to be near the spa which they do have at the Wilderness Lodge yet they don't offer the same services as at the Grand Floridian. I think that she will enjoy the GF yet she is easy to please and would have fun anywhere.
I've gone online and tried to get a similar booking and it's always at least a grand more for the week.
I'm not sure what we will actually get when we get there and I'm not much for advertising that we are on our honeymoon though the confirmation that we got from disney with our paid receipt is that we do have what they said we would have and are booked as a honeymoon couple.
We also booked the Hoop De Doo Review and travell agent told them that we were on our honeymoon. I'll post what we actually get once we are there. I 'll have my laptop with me and I'll post a note or two. We will be there May 3 - 10
John
Caitie and I will be at the Contemporary. We already upgraded to a tower room facing MK, but we plan to let EVERYONE know we're on our honeymoon! I want whatever free stuff I can get!
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
Sounds good to me. Get it all. You will have a great view.
Jude and I are both the types that would be happy if no one knows we are there. More low key.
John
Does Disney actually upgrade people from one room type to another?
John
Does Disney actually upgrade people from one room type to another?John
Once in a while, they do. It's rare (especially so since they've been enjoying pretty busy hotels lately), but if they know they don't have a room sold for the dates you're there, they might upgrade.
I've heard of folks being upgraded at all levels of resorts. I doubt you could get any better than what you guys have booked, though!
I'm happy with what we have and I'm not really sure if I would even use or want the services offered with concierge services.
John
I'm happy with what we have and I'm not really sure if I would even use or want the services offered with concierge services.John
Yeah, both you guys and teacherdrama/catie have just about perfect rooms so it's going to be unlikely to get an upgrade. If you had less awesome views you could probably get a view upgrade, but they might also find some other ways to make your trip special. I'm a low key guy too so hopefully it won't be an embarassing way.
Today is 90 days out for us - made our ADRs first thing this morning!
Sunday: The Wave
Monday: Biergarten lunch/Marakesh dinner
Tuesday: Boma
Wednesday: Ohana
Thursday: Boma breakfast/Chefs de France
Friday: Le Celier
Can't wait!!!!
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
Today is 90 days out for us - made our ADRs first thing this morning!Sunday: The Wave
Monday: Biergarten lunch/Marakesh dinner
Tuesday: Boma
Wednesday: Ohana
Thursday: Boma breakfast/Chefs de France
Friday: Le CelierCan't wait!!!!
May 2008 CSR
We chose The Wave for three reasons: 1)We're staying in the Contemporary so it's convenient the night we get there, 2)It's new and we've never tried it before, 3)The reviews were pretty good and the menu looks interesting.
I've never eaten there, Biergarten, or Boma for breakfast before. Boma for dinner has been a staple for me from about four or five trips ago when I tried it for the first time. If nothing else, I can make a meal out of the soups (I remember an AWESOME muligatawny and a carrot-ginger soup). Ohana is Caitie's favorite restaurant (I enjoy it a lot as well!). Caitie was surprised how much she liked Marakesh last time - it's not food we get to eat - well, ever other than in Disney - so that's becoming an essential for us as well. We ate at Le Cellier last time and absolutely loved it, so had to do that one again (Caitie particularly loved the cheese soup, and I think I'll be getting that this time again as well!). I ate in Chefs de France a couple of trips ago and enjoyed it, Caitie has never been. Even though we're going on a cruise after Disney where I know we'll get it, I am so looking forward to the escargot (which I can't convince Caitie to try for anything!). If I remember right, last time I was there I had the duck l'orange and it was fantastic.
We'll probably do the standard Pecos Bill/ABC commissary (I love the Indian meal they have there)/Mexico Cantina for lunches other days. Of course. we'll also help ourselves to numerous Dole Whips and, my personal favorite, peach iced tea slushes (or whatever they call them) in China!
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
Sounds great! What dishes do you enjoy at Marrakesh? I'm thinking of trying it for the first time this upcoming trip.
May 2008 CSR
Last time we went I had the Night in Casablanca which was a sample of a beef, chicken and seafood dish. I remember all were good, but the seafood thing was especially delicious - it was like a light pastry thing with seafood baked into it - so GOOD!
Caitie had the chicken kabobs which she loved. Knowing us, we'll end up getting the same foods again since, like I said, it's the only time we ever get the chance to eat this kind of food.
Really, that's why we don't do Italian, Chinese or Japanese -- all are good there, but we have perfectly good restaurants at home for all of those. We'd rather eat stuff we don't get to normally (hence our trips to Ohana and Boma as well!).
If you've never done either of those, they are HIGHLY recommended. We've pretty such said at this point that other restaurants may change as we go back (we aim for at least once every two years), but Boma and Ohana will stay as fixed necessities!
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
Ha ha! We LOVE Boma and 'Ohana, though the new menu at 'Ohana and reduced quality in the service has nearly taken it off of our "every trip" list. Boma is one of our absolute favs (breakfast and dinner!).
Thanks for the suggestions on Marrakesh. I will consider! 
May 2008 CSR
That's disappointing - what's changed with Ohana?
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man
That's disappointing - what's changed with Ohana?
There was quite a discussion in the Never Again Dining Experiences thread about whether it was going downhill or not. Generally consensus seemed to be 'yes.' I think most people still thought of it as a good place to go, but not as good as it used to be.
The loss of the potatos was absolutely devastating though.
Hate to admit this, but I don't even REMEMBER the potatoes, so I can't imagine I'll miss them much. I remember loving the shrimp and chicken wings, as well as the meats and dessert.
As long as our server turns out OK, I can't imagine I'll be too upset...
Zipadeedoodah -- yeah, man