Congrats! My dh and I had a budget honeymoon...I think.
We spent 2 weeks in Hawaii. Yes on a budget: airfare RT was on FF miles. Car rental, back then it was coupons as online was up and coming (1999 when we were planning, 2000 when we got married), so we had money off on each island (probably close to $500 total). We stayed at one chain on all the islands so the 5th and 10th night were free. We stayed the last week in a condo (of the same chain) so we had breakfast and lunch in our room and only went out for dinner. We didn't do any shows and went at our own pace and saw what we wanted to see.
As far as you:
- Fun Resturants/Dinning that delicious but not Victoria & Albert level $$$, we do 1 splurg meal on our vacays: We pretty much like all food, on our honeymoon just because it was our honeymoon we didn't need to splurge (heck we just splurged for the first time in years $175 for 5 of us to eat at Fords Lobster in CT...yikes!!!!). Anyways, we don't need fine dining to have fun, as long as we are together, eating a hot dog or telling my dh I don't want x food and he gets it and me taking bites...well that is fun. You know, only order me 2 spring rolls when you order chinese. No I won't eat your food...get food, I eat 1/2 of his general tso chicken...sigh. Anyways, look at the menus and decide what you guys might like. There may be some fun things in the Springs to eat that you would enjoy.
- Disney things that everyone swears you need / need to do but really aren't worth it (It being price, time, etc.): T shirts/clothes in general. I find everything smaller then I'd like. We buy an ornament from every vacation we go on as well as a yearly family ornament. I will buy a mug/cup and maybe a pen or two from Disney. Next trip, I might splurge and buy something for the kitchen, but something I know I will use. I bought the Mickey egg shape things and never used them, well maybe for cookies. My thoughts on buying things are "Am I going to wear/use the socks/sneakers/hair tie/pot or is it just going to sit and collect dust?" I try not not to buy anything on impulse.
- Is the dinning plan really worth the extra money? I know it cost more now but will it really save the two of us, What's your experience? : never did it, don't plan on it. We have always saved but then again we don't do a lot of expensive dining. We are happy with a salad from the Sunshine food court or a burger or a hot dog, etc....We bring water vs buying water/soda in the park/for CS meals, much cheaper plus I can't constantly drink soda! I need my water!
- Best Character Breakfast? I've heard breakfast is cheaper and I'd like to do at least one : I have only done Ohana and I wasn't in Awe. That was in 2008. I prefer dinner over breakfast because "that is the only time my kids eat veggies on a disney vacation." OK not really but wait, maybe it's true...its vacation!
- MNSSHP, is it worth the extra $200 - $250?: Never done it, have no input, if you are on a budget, then no. Or if it is saved, can you spend it on a nicer dinner?
- Those making $$ off survey sites, I'm not having much luck with swagbucks, what other ones do you use? (Another suggestions in the side money theme are encouraged and welcome!): Well I was doing M points but that site just tanked. I did get at least $300 on there in the past 2 years. I also do quick rewards, sunshine rewards, my points, inbox dollars. I think that is it, plus swagbucks.
- Lastly, If you have any other words of wisdom, things we NEED to do or we DONT need to do, Please Tell Me!! I'm all Ears : What you need to do is enjoy your honeymoon. If you miss seeing something, its OK, because turn the corner and there is something else to see/do