Escape Receptions

[princessrebekah]

Hi everyone!

I'm pretty much a long time lurker on these boards after deciding that I wanted a WDW wedding last year.

These boards have given me some really invaluable information, but I'm still quite confused. My fiance and I are planning on an Escape wedding as we are from the UK and will have around 17 people able to come with us. We're almost ready to book but I am unsure of what to do following the wedding.

I do not want to book a restaurant, so was wondering about what locations it would be possible to have a small reception in and was looking for some menu's for both buffet and plated meals with an epproximate price.

If anyone has this information I would be eternally grateful - the sooner I have this information, the sooner I can book my Disney wedding!

Rebekah

[Boardwalk_bride]

Hi everyone!

I'm pretty much a long time lurker on these boards after deciding that I wanted a WDW wedding last year.

These boards have given me some really invaluable information, but I'm still quite confused. My fiance and I are planning on an Escape wedding as we are from the UK and will have around 17 people able to come with us. We're almost ready to book but I am unsure of what to do following the wedding.

I do not want to book a restaurant, so was wondering about what locations it would be possible to have a small reception in and was looking for some menu's for both buffet and plated meals with an epproximate price.

If anyone has this information I would be eternally grateful - the sooner I have this information, the sooner I can book my Disney wedding!

Rebekah

Where will you ceremony be held? That would help us in offering advice!

[princessrebekah]

Ah sorry, we are looking at the Wedding Pavillion. Obviously somewhere close by for the reception would be brilliant, but we are more than willing to travel a little for the right location/menu's etc...

[tiggerrifficheidi]

You can do privately catered events at the Grand Floridian, but I'm not sure about food and beverage minimums, etc. You might ask your Escape planner about options.

I have the Grand Floridian Private Dining number in my Address book. It's 407-824-3844. You might try that and see where you get.

Also, you can book the Chef's Domain room at Citrico's during normal business hours, which I've heard great things about. Of course, another expensive option is to book at Victoria and Albert's.

[TinkLoverSam]

I am booking V&As for my reception though we will only be 10 including Dfi and I.

[poppyberry]

I'm an Escape bride also from the UK! We having St James Hall and Patio for our reception.

We were offered GF small ballrooms and Sonoma room at CG but DF and I are preferred the BW location as after being at the Wedding Pavillion and GF for the ceremony we can then go get great pics at BW. Plus with our timeline we will be near to Epcot for our dessert party (UK Lochside).

F&B mins for small ballrooms were between $750 and $1550. CG was $2000. You only get plated menus with small parties not buffets and if I remember correctly (?) you can get charged a small party fee for 19 guests or less (we have 20-22)

Also you can only reserve your private space at the six month mark and $250 additional deposit is required per event. Just speak to your planner when they are assigned!

Happy Planning:thumbsup2

[girli565]

I'm having our lunch reception at the Napa Room in CG. We are doing a buffet menu and bill on call bar. The room minimums for lunch are $1000. Very reasonable for the great location.

[ZipADeeEm]

We're having a brunch buffet at Narcoossee's at the GF. It's not open to the public for lunch time, so we'll have the whole place to ourselves! The F&B min is $1500.

We loved the feel of it, and that fact that it is reasonably close to the WP!

[Mydisneywedding]

We're having a brunch buffet at Narcoossee's at the GF. It's not open to the public for lunch time, so we'll have the whole place to ourselves! The F&B min is $1500.

We loved the feel of it, and that fact that it is reasonably close to the WP!

Hi!!

I am so curious about your reception... I called Narcoossee's on Tuesday and was told they no longer accomodate large parties. I was so upset because I love it there.

Just wondering how did you arrange your reception there and do you have a sample of their menu. I have 25 people

Thanks

[princessrebekah]

Thankyou all very much for the quick responses!

All of your receptions sound amazing and I am so happy I've now got more of an idea of what can and can't be done.... V&A's sounds like it would be wonderful but I think money would definately be an issue as it's so expensive, and plus, I think my guests would feel uncomfortable in such a fancy setting and the last thing I want is people feeling uncomfortable at my wedding!

For everyone who has booked their receptions, whether it be buffet or plated dinner, could you possibly post menu's and prices per person? I think this would help enormously in decision making!

Thankyou again!

[princessrebekah]

bumping as i'm really eager to see peoples buffet/plated meals menu's and prices! x

[gemmybear83]

Were having ours in the private room at Fresh Mediterranean Market at the Swan and Dolphin-no minimums and a totally customized menu. We also didn't have to wait until the 6 month mark to reserve the room.

We had to organise this ourselves, there is page on the swan and dolphin website with all the private rooms at the Swan and Dolphin :-)

[poppyberry]

I would but.....

[poppyberry]

You need 10 posts to post a URL link!

So I will put them in my next post!

They are for the BW and CG.

It's worth bearing in mind that Escape private receptions run to two hours max, no dancing or DJ.

You also have bar options, we are doing a hosted beer, wine and spirits bar. I have the links to those if you want them. :-)

[poppyberry]

BW:

http://www.disneycateredmenus.com/menus/BW/BoardWalk_Dinner_Plated_v090309.pdf

CG:

http://www.disneycateredmenus.com/menus/CG/CG_Dinner_v092109.pdf


:goodvibes

[princessrebekah]

Thankyou so much for the replies! The Boardwalk and Cali Grill menus both look fabulous, and I'm also really impressed with the fact you can have Fresh at the Swan & Dolphin with no minimums. Have you decided on your food yet gemmybear? Would love to hear what they offer and how much it is per person :)

I would really appreciate the link for the bar options aswell poppyberry :)

Thanks x x

[poppyberry]

No problem :)

http://www.disneycateredmenus.com/menus/BARS/Bar_Hosted_Packages_v092109.pdf

[lfama]

Hi everyone!

I'm pretty much a long time lurker on these boards after deciding that I wanted a WDW wedding last year.

These boards have given me some really invaluable information, but I'm still quite confused. My fiance and I are planning on an Escape wedding as we are from the UK and will have around 17 people able to come with us. We're almost ready to book but I am unsure of what to do following the wedding.

I do not want to book a restaurant, so was wondering about what locations it would be possible to have a small reception in and was looking for some menu's for both buffet and plated meals with an epproximate price.

If anyone has this information I would be eternally grateful - the sooner I have this information, the sooner I can book my Disney wedding!

Rebekah

We are having our reception at Ariel's. The buffets seem to be cheaper, and if you do a dessert party, you can drop the dessert and it usually takes about $5 off per person. We're also doing an open bar for $24/person! We are doing the Rachel Wall Dinner Buffet. :)

[tinkerbell 766]

Is Ariel's still available? I had thought that it was closing.

[gemmybear83]

Thankyou so much for the replies! The Boardwalk and Cali Grill menus both look fabulous, and I'm also really impressed with the fact you can have Fresh at the Swan & Dolphin with no minimums. Have you decided on your food yet gemmybear? Would love to hear what they offer and how much it is per person :)

I would really appreciate the link for the bar options aswell poppyberry :)

Thanks x x

We have not decided on food yet - literally just booked it, but we have given the chef a budget to work with and he is going to come up with a few options. I will post on here once I have details :thumbsup2

[gemmybear83]

Is Ariel's still available? I had thought that it was closing.

I think they keep saying this and it gets put back. My planner said if it rains on our wedding day (this isnt until December) our Yacht Club ceremony will either be moved to the conference centre or Ariels if its free.

[princessrebekah]

Thanks everyone. What is the Rachel Wall Buffett thats available at Ariels? It would just be so much easier for everyone if Disney posted all types of buffets and meals menus and prices available on their website!

Gemmybear, I would really apprecite that ost when you have decided! :thumbsup2

[loly75]

bump i;m curious about the buffet as well :)

[Nikisha421]

You need 10 posts to post a URL link!

So I will put them in my next post!

They are for the BW and CG.

It's worth bearing in mind that Escape private receptions run to two hours max, no dancing or DJ.

You also have bar options, we are doing a hosted beer, wine and spirits bar. I have the links to those if you want them. :-)

I didnt realize that Escape receptions could only run TWO HOURS MAX...with no DJ and NO DANCING!!!

[lurkyloo]

Thanks everyone. What is the Rachel Wall Buffett thats available at Ariels? It would just be so much easier for everyone if Disney posted all types of buffets and meals menus and prices available on their website!


Disney uses a global menu system now, so the same menus are available everywhere - you don't need specific menus for each location. (California Grill is the exception.)

Also, you are not restricted to just the menus Disney gives you - you can create a custom one to suit your taste and budget. :thumbsup2

This site is a good resource for past menus to get ideas from:

http://www.********************/ftw/wdw/menus.html

I didnt realize that Escape receptions could only run TWO HOURS MAX...with no DJ and NO DANCING!!!

That's how they keep a distinction between Escape and Wishes weddings. However, now that the Wishes minimum is down to $10,000 for 4-hour receptions that start before 2pm, many people are finding they can switch to a Wishes wedding for just a little more. :goodvibes

[Boardwalk_bride]

That's how they keep a distinction between Escape and Wishes weddings. However, now that the Wishes minimum is down to $10,000 for 4-hour receptions that start before 2pm, many people are finding they can switch to a Wishes wedding for just a little more. :goodvibes

If you have an Escape, and are already spending the Wishes min, talk to your planner, and they will probably let you extend it.

My Escape reception is extended because I am way over the wishes minimum, but I have to keep serving alcohol during the extra time.

[girli565]

If you have an Escape, and are already spending the Wishes min, talk to your planner, and they will probably let you extend it.

My Escape reception is extended because I am way over the wishes minimum, but I have to keep serving alcohol during the extra time.
That's good that they're letting you do that!

[Boardwalk_bride]

That's good that they're letting you do that!
Yes, I am really happy! They have been really understanding about my issues with the new Wishes minimums, when I have an Escape that is over that. I'm really happy they were able to work with me on it, since I didn't want to start all over again!

[Nikisha421]

I okay I see...as soon as I find out if I have gotten my dates I need to get my numbers together...I don't mind the reception only being two hours but I sure do mind not having a DJ

[girli565]

Yes, I am really happy! They have been really understanding about my issues with the new Wishes minimums, when I have an Escape that is over that. I'm really happy they were able to work with me on it, since I didn't want to start all over again!
I'm glad they worked it out, I would be upset too if this was happening to me.

[Sarah84]

I'm having our lunch reception at the Napa Room in CG. We are doing a buffet menu and bill on call bar. The room minimums for lunch are $1000. Very reasonable for the great location.

How did you arrange this as I thought in Cali grill you had to use their menu if you was using either of the rooms?
Although I want to book it for after 6pm so probably would never reach the $3000 min for about 18 people :confused3

[girli565]

How did you arrange this as I thought in Cali grill you had to use their menu if you was using either of the rooms?
Although I want to book it for after 6pm so probably would never reach the $3000 min for about 18 people :confused3
You arrange it through your wedding planner. YOu do have to use their menus but they are very good menus, and for lunch they are no more than $48/person.

After 6pm the minimums go up to $3000 so it may be difficult with 18 people.

[Sarah84]

You arrange it through your wedding planner. YOu do have to use their menus but they are very good menus, and for lunch they are no more than $48/person.

After 6pm the minimums go up to $3000 so it may be difficult with 18 people.

Thanks :)