Bride-to-be's totally confusing PJ - Beach towel design =o)

[Bride-to-be]

Thanks - I have heard a lot about the weather being miserable on Jan 31. But in 2008 it was a high of 72! =o) I think every year before that it was in the 60s which isn't awful just not super pleasant. I realize that that early in morning its going to be chilly.

I asked about chartering a DCL coach and they came back with a price that was unbelieveably low. So I asked if it really was a DCL coach or if it was just a coach. She said she would have to get back to me... I think in the end we are going to end up chartering a DCL coach - either that or a bunch of stretch hummers. I assume its going to be about the same price - but my mom thinks the hummers are tacky and is really pushing for the coach. I really like the video so I am happy either way.

Once we hear if the date is actually available I think we are going to pop down and take another look see at swan boat landing. DF has decided that we can jump on the cruise soon too!!! I am soo excited. He thinks and I agree that its best to go and look at everything ahead of time. There is so much of Castaway Cay that we have never explored. Then we can also speak with the palo manager in person.

Anyhoo I will update you guys as soon as I hear something.

 

[29apr00]

I hope you hear on the MK wedding soon!

As for going to speak to the Palo Manager, maybe he can get you some info better then reservations, but chances are he won't be on the ship in January. they are only on the ship for 6 months at a time, then leave to go home on vacation before returning for another 6 months. So it probably wouldn't be the same guy you talk to now, that handles your group in January.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I agree..The Wonder's Palo Manager was off contract when we went in July and Marco was filling in for him. Marco was getting ready to fly to CA the following month to be the manager for the Magic when it did the Repo

Same with all the onboard crew. We had Rufaro as our coordinator in July, but she was off when Lisa went in November

 

[Bride-to-be]

GRRRRRR. I guess we need to find out who the manager will be and track him down. Thats sooo frustrating.

 

[Skylarr29]

GRRRRRR. I guess we need to find out who the manager will be and track him down. Thats sooo frustrating.

To be honest this is going to sound rude and I am not trying to be rude at all, just trying to tell you how it is.

If I was on your cruise and I scrimped and saved to bring my family on a Disney cruise and then on our night for Palo it was closed because of a private function I would hit the roof.... and so would everyone else who was afflicted. I do not for a minute think they are going to let you have Palo to yourself, they might seat your group together, but to close the restaurant entirely is ludicrous! I mean, you aren't Bob Iger.

A cruise package is a cruise package, it is all inclusive. If it isn't going to suite your needs you need a new game plan. It is an entity onto itself, it can't bring floral, and caterers, and the whole nine yards aboard.

Once again, not trying to be a you know what. I just think you will be sorely disappointed with your line of thinking.

You don't need to have an MK wedding if the Swan Terrace isn't suitable. Have your reception the evening before you leave for the cruise. You can pick a number of great locations.

Good Luck!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I don't think you can "track down" who the manager will be. Managers float and I believe they can bid on positions when other managers are off contract.
Maybe they will have a better idea in December of who the manager will be, but certainly not this early

 

[Bride-to-be]

To be honest this is going to sound rude and I am not trying to be rude at all, just trying to tell you how it is.

If I was on your cruise and I scrimped and saved to bring my family on a Disney cruise and then on our night for Palo it was closed because of a private function I would hit the roof.... and so would everyone else who was afflicted. I do not for a minute think they are going to let you have Palo to yourself, they might seat your group together, but to close the restaurant entirely is ludicrous! I mean, you aren't Bob Iger.

A cruise package is a cruise package, it is all inclusive. If it isn't going to suite your needs you need a new game plan. It is an entity onto itself, it can't bring floral, and caterers, and the whole nine yards aboard.

Once again, not trying to be a you know what. I just think you will be sorely disappointed with your line of thinking.

You don't need to have an MK wedding if the Swan Terrace isn't suitable. Have your reception the evening before you leave for the cruise. You can pick a number of great locations.

Good Luck!

I totally see where you are coming from. I understand its a set package. I asked about changing it before we booked and all of the extras we could do before we booked and disney said they refused to discuss it until we had all of our staterooms for us and all of our guests booked. We are all booked. If they didn't want to accomodate us - they should have said no before they made us make reservations. As far as palo goes I have two points - 1) there are 3 other nights people can eat there. If there is another wedding that day onboard then I completely understand that the wedding couple should be allowed to eat there. Everyone else can wait. 2) I didn't ask for it for the whole night - I only asked for it for an hour and a half or so. They said floral was not a problem and that we could have everything done from the disney florist and brought on board. So atleast I know for all of the decor it can just be done through the floral dept. The only thing that really really is driving me crazy is the NO KIDS and if they were willing to give me a reasonable explanation as to why they don't want kids for a private party I would listen. I have asked 4 people multiple times, everyone keeps saying to ask someone else or just saying simply that Palo does not allow kids. I would completely understand if there were other cruise guests there but its just us. So I don't see why its a big deal. Each of the four people we have talked to have said it sounds strange and that they don't understand either. I want to know who this one manager is who is making this decision and I want an explanation from him.

As far as the MK goes I just want to hear if its even available before we keep thinking about it. Its hard just because all along I have pictured the plaza landing so its kind of hard to picture it at swan boat.

I just wish they would get back to me!!!!!! ugh.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

One thing is when kids go into Palo for a CC reception, there is no cooking going on in the kitchen..maybe that has something to do with the no children

I have been on the cruise with a large group of over 75 people (including both Cat 1's) and they wouldn't even do a private brunch time for us on the 7 day cruise despite the group throwing money at them..
as they told our TA, they have only so many spots and too many people wanting to fill them to offer a private meal

 

[Skylarr29]

Well it does suck that they told you they weren't willing to discuss things with you until after you booked the cruise. It is misleading in a sense. I agree that 'if' they did allow a private function, what does it matter if children are there. I am a TA so I realize you are now stuck in between a rock and a hard place because you have put deposits on suites and they are non refundable.

At least Disney floral can provide the flowers, what day of the cruise is your wedding, will they last? That's a positive!

I would be frustrated too without knowing if the MK wedding is even a possibility. I know it is hard but you do have time. Perhaps come up with a back up plan just in case the first two ideas fall through?

 

[tiggersam00]

thats a tough spot for sure... I bet this is where Disney is coming in terms of Palo. Since it is listed as an "adults only" restaurant for everyone of the thousands of guests on board they cannot make exceptions for one party to bring kids, then others would expect it as well... I know its not a fun answer or the answer you were hoping for, but Disney is pretty firm with their set rules I have learned. Would you consider a restaurant on boards that would allow kids to be at the meal?? I bet they would set up an area for you, but as others have said, I do not think you will be the only people in the restaurant though, no matter what amount of timeThere are just too many people on board to cut out an hour and a half of meal time, it wouldn't be fair to the other people on the cruise.


And about MK that can be frusterating not hearing back from people for sure, but maybe if the Swan plaza isn't what you had hoped start looking at other locations. There are so many beautiful spots in WDW I am sure you will find one you love just as much

 

[Bride-to-be]

I guess. We aren't completely locked into anything because we can get the suites back as a credit and use it towards our baltic cruise next summer. The only big problem is that they we contacted them about all of this in November and they didn't get back to us about the kids problem until a few days after the save the dates were already sent (end of Feb). So all of our guests are already looking forward to it. My parents are even more frustrated with disney than I am at the moment. If the cruise and the castle don't work I think we are going to end up switching cruise lines. My parents have already spoken with a number of other cruise lines who don't think what we want would be a problem in the slightest - everyone else seems to be far more accomodating without even requiring puting reservations on hold or even deposits down. Customer Service wise they have all gotten back to my parents instantly. It makes me really dissapointed in Disney. I think its kind of a grim alternative - but it would be much less stressful.

We would be married the third day of the cruise supposedly they can keep all of the flowers in a walk in cooler until then.

After the Palo manager said no to the children he apparently recommended that we have dinner in the Beach Blanket and offered to put a table cloth on our table. I was really really insulted. I DO NOT like the beach blanket. It would be a set menu and would have to be served family style. We would have to stare at the empty buffet - I think it would be horrible!

Now if it was warm enough to do it outside the beach blanket on the deck - thats a different story - but they haven't offered it.

So then after that they came up with dinner at 4pm in studio sea - which is just too early and would require an enormous amount of work to get that place ship shape for dinner. Can you imagine trying to eat dinner at one of the little cocktail tables? Its a plus that it has a stage for a band and dance floor but it just won't work.

DF is soooo angry. Thats why he thinks we should just accept the PP offer for Palo with no kids. We asked some of his family about it and they said it was no big deal one parent would sit outside with the kids and then half way through they would just switch. I can't imagine having half of our party sitting outside palo with children waiting for a chance to come in and quickly eat as fast as possible so they can go back outside and sit in the little palo lobby with their kids. I just don't think its going to work. DF doesn't seem to care as much and figures as long as its palo who cares.

I thought it would be so perfect to make the private party room a kids room and put coloring books and stuff in there. We could even hire one of the disney counselors to hang with them.

I just wish that they would all step up the customer service a notch and get back to me - even if they don't have anything to say it would be nice if they just said "we want you to know we are still working on this - we will let you know as soon as we know something more".

Sigh. One of my co-workers just cancelled her at home wedding and moved it to an all inclusive in the bahamas. It seems so tempting.

Has anyone heard if the disney resort in Hawaii is going to offer wedding packages?

 

[Skylarr29]

I have heard that the Hawaii DVC will have a Wedding Pavilion but I don't know for sure if that is just speculation. The resort is not scheduled to open until 2011 I believe.

Why can't you just send the kids to the kids clubs? No need for parents to sit outside, that is just silly. The kids will have a blast and the parents can have fun too. So many receptions are adults only.

 

[Bride-to-be]

The parents in his family are kind of different. They don't ever use babysitters and they never go away without their kids. If they ever have to do something without the kids then one of their parents or a sibling will watch the kids - and this goes for all of the families on his side.

We took his sister and nephew on the magic a few years ago and she didn't have a problem with the kids clubs - but others in the family have expressed that they don't want to leave their kids in any of the kids clubs unless they are there with them. (maybe that will change once they are there and see them..?) None of the parents with small kids (under 3) are willing to use the nursery - they have made that REALLY clear.

Trust me we have asked about it. Everyone is super nice and telling me its no big deal and that they will make it work and we shouldn't worry about it.

I just fear by "making it work" they will all just go to the normal dinner as scheduled and skip Palo completely which would make Palo a waste of time if most of our guests don't come.

I wish the Palo Manager would give a reason for his decisions. If he has a reasonable explanation then I will drop it completely and move on to something else.

 

[29apr00]

which private room in Palo are you talking about? The room i"m reserving in Palo after our VR only holds 14 people, and it's inside Palo, so the guests have to walk thru the main area where other guests are. That's why they won't allow children in the private room.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

how many kids are there?

One year, we had one of the teens in our group watch the kids in the Walt..maybe you could a counselor to come to the room and watch the kids.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

ok..it has to be said..you have posted several times on other threads that you fear your guests would skip the wedding/reception if you had your wedding in the park or reception in Palo..

Who on earth would have the nerve to skip a family members wedding? Especially a family member who just paid for their vacation??

If I thought someone was going to skip my wedding if I didn't plan a way for them to be unable to skip it, I would not invite them

 

[Bride-to-be]

I figured that if we had palo to ourselves we could put the 12 kids in the private room and if need be we could hire a counselor (only $10 per kid). I would think that the two infants would probably stay in their strollers for most of it near their moms. That way all of the parents are right there and can keep an eye on their kids and still have fun at dinner with us.

I don't think they would go for leaving them alone with a counselor especially in one of the suites - too far away. =o(

Thanks for the idea though!

 

[29apr00]

Do any of your family members have a Nanny or Au-Pair that could come on the cruise to watch the kids during the reception??

 

[Bride-to-be]

ok..it has to be said..you have posted several times on other threads that you fear your guests would skip the wedding/reception if you had your wedding in the park or reception in Palo..

Who on earth would have the nerve to skip a family members wedding? Especially a family member who just paid for their vacation??

If I thought someone was going to skip my wedding if I didn't plan a way for them to be unable to skip it, I would not invite them

Oh no no no I don't think they would acutally skip a disney world reception. No one is that rude. I just fear that the families with kids would rather be in the parks and experiencing disney. Most of them haven't been before so it would be a first trip for them. For first trips there is always sooo much pressure to get EVERYTHING done. Its always so stressful.

For people like us and our friends who have been a lot before it would be no big deal and def more fun to be at the wedding reception. I just keep thinking if I were a kid I would rather be at disney on all of the rides and watching the fireworks etc.

I want everyone to have a lot of fun and have a vacation without having to revolve everything around us. I figure if the ceremony is really informal then its easy - and everyone has to go to dinner so if we just swapped out the restaurant for a night they wouldn't miss anything. We have TAAP dining. So everyone would just miss animators palate one night - but still get to experience it the night before. That way I don't think they are missing out on anything. If the whole thing is over around the same time that dinner would typically end then they wouldn't miss any of the evening activites on the ship either.

As far as skipping Palo goes - its just that most parents in our party are not willing to seperate from their kids and so by choosing that venue knowing that kids would have to be seperated we would know ahead of time that not everyone would be there. DFs sister said that her husband and kids could wait outside and they could just keep switching places and suggested that most of the family would follow suit. Who wants to do that though... What a pain.

Its supposed to be a family friendly wedding on a family friendly ship - I have to keep it that way.

Besides I really like most of the kids - I want them to be there.

 

[Bride-to-be]

Do any of your family members have a Nanny or Au-Pair that could come on the cruise to watch the kids during the reception??

One of DFs cousins who I am good friends with suggested that her mother in law (who came to disney with us last year) really wanted to come to watch her kids. I told her I didn't think we could afford another stateroom. =o( I am trying to keep the budget as realistic as possible. I don't think they would ever want to pay for one on their own. I don't mind splurging on the reception -whatever it costs, but I really want the kids to be a part of it, I would want all of the parents there to be comfortable and at ease and not have to worry about the kids.

If it gives you a better idea in his family usually all of the kids are invited to family weddings. If the kids aren't invited then usually the parents don't travel without them. If it were a local wedding maybe they would leave the kids with a family member? I don't know. I know it sounds weird. Its just how is family is. Where as in my family kids were never ever invited to weddings. I wasn't invited to a wedding until I was in high school.

Just strange.

DF thinks that I should just forget about the kids and let the parents deal. Sigh. I don't know....