Any idea how much the Animal Kingdom reception would be?

[DJ Disney Kid]

I see on the website that you can have your reception in Harambe in that little courtyard. Any idea what this costs to rent out? Anyone have any guesses even? Can I call Disney and get an estimate or anything? The wedding isn't until May 2011, but we need to know if this is even in our budget or if we should be thinking of something else...

 

[PrincessMonkey]

It's called the Tamu Tamu courtyard.

We were one of the first DFTW couples to ask about/tour the Animal Kingdom locations, and definitely the first for our wedding coordinator when we were scoping out spots... the AK event planning team is FANTASTIC. (We ultimately selected a different in-park location.) Your guests even get some free backstage peeks, since they can travel behind-the-scenes to reach your in-park event. IMO the best thing about AK is that you don't need to decorate much!

Regarding cost, in-park receptions seem to be twice as expensive as resort locations, depending on the size and decor of your party. You are promised the Disney touch. All in-park events must use Disney vendors, and we've found it to be very convenient for us. Every family is different, however, and it can add up quickly; for example, we've learned that it costs more to have a DJ set-up and perform for an in-park Disney reception than a Disney resort reception.

The outcomes I've seen for all of the outdoor, in-park Disney events are WELL worth the effort and expense. Prices do change, so I wouldn't want to quote my DFTW packet and disappoint you. You wouldn't receive a coordinator to quote ballpark numbers for a 2011 event until you book your date; it's worth a try to call to ask when you can do that. If you have some flexibility in your ideas and budget, then I think it's worth looking into these truly stunning locations with your Disney coordinator or wedding planner. Good luck!

PrincessMonkey

 

[lurkyloo]

Animal Kingdom has had multiple wedding ceremony and reception venues available for years. You can see more choices by going to the Disney Meetings web site, clicking on "Theme Park and Venue Map," and selecting Animal Kingdom.

To give you an idea, right now the price for Tamu Tamu Courtyard is a $250 venue rental fee and a $2,500 food and beverage minimum, plus the costs of transportation, which is required (figure $500 and up for a charter bus that holds 50 people). Events may not start until the park closes, so if you planned on transferring from the reception to a dessert party at, say, Epcot, you would only be in the space for a couple of hours.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

How long do you get the Tamu Tamu courtyard for? I assume if the park closes at 5pm, you can have access to it around 6pm, but how late can you stay? You said its a $250 rental fee, is that for like 3 hours? Also, you aren't obligated to have entertainment like a DJ or anything, correct?

Another question I have is about the Cinderella Coach. If we get married in the Wedding Pavilion, where does the Coach take us too if our Reception is at Animal Kingdom? I assume it doesn't take you to AK? Does the coach just bring her to the pavilion and then take both of us away in it ( if so, does it just drop us off around a corner and we take a limo to AK or something?! )

 

[MainStMandy]

We are having our reception at Tamu Tamu Courtyard. Here is some pricing from our BEO. It's such a beautiful site but our WP told us we are only like the 3 wedding to hold our reception there.

We are going to be at AK from 6:30-10:30 p.m. We are having our reception during EMH, but normally it's 2 hours after the park closes. We were told no amplified music. We opted not to have a themed band but are instead bringing our own IPOD docking station.

This is based on 40 people.

Motorcoach $488.25 (This for 6:00-10:30 p.m.)
Tamu Tamu $325.00
200 Call Brand $1,200.00 (Billed on consumption...5 drinks per person at $6)
Buffet $2,800.00 (Our buffet is salad from 'Ohana, truffle mac and cheese, goat cheese and parm risotto, NY strip steak carving station and parm crusted chicken breast)
Cocktail Hour $570.00 (We are having an antipasto display)
Mickey/Minnie $1,200.00
Wedding Cake $500.00
Cake Handeling Fee $141.75

We are leaving the current 4 top tables. We added linens, napkins and Moroccan lanterns.
Moroccan Lanterns $330.00
Table Linens $396.00
Napkins $100.00
Cake Table/Guest Table $78.00
Pink Votive Candles $30.00 (for cake table)

I think that's it. Hope that helps!!

 

[DansBride2009]

Please do call Disney. They will be happy to answer whatever they can for you at that time. Keep in mind that prices will fluctuate; they did several times within planning our wedding.

 

[smhogar]

I got married at SOG and had a Disney Catered Event at Animal Kingdom.
We rode the Safari and then had an Africian theme buffet. It was suppose to be at the Tamu Tamu courtyard but it rained. We were moved inside at Pizzasafari. Disney was wonderful. They gave us Just Married buttons and our guest we celebrating buttons. It was about 65.00 a person with a min of 20 guests and a max of 40.