Anyone host event at Cali Grill or Narcossees?

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Hey girls-

I was wondering if anyone held an event- wedding or not- at the Cali Grill or Narcossees. We're looking into making a quick change to our rehearsal dinner which was a Wishes Dessert party. Things just aren't working out the way we expected them to . I'm making an unplanned site visit at the end of the week and was hoping someone might have a few answers:

1) Did you use your EM or general Disney Catering and Event Staff to plan?
2) Are you able to narrow done and choose a specific menu as opposed to having the whole restaurant menu?
3) Which is better equipped for a group of about 40? I know Cali Grill has the rooms at the back, but what about Narcossees?
4) Any advice, tips, or tidbits of information that could be helpful/useful?

Thanks so much!
xoxo

 

[bridegirl]

Jill,

Just curious, whay went wrong with your wishes party? We are having one too so I would love to know if you don't mind sharing.

I have been to a private event at CA Grill, but not to Narcoose's. It is wonderful up at CA Grill, but has a very different feel that the GF Marina. What are you looking for? What kind of party?

Susy

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Jill,

Just curious, whay went wrong with your wishes party? We are having one too so I would love to know if you don't mind sharing.

I have been to a private event at CA Grill, but not to Narcoose's. It is wonderful up at CA Grill, but has a very different feel that the GF Marina. What are you looking for? What kind of party?

Susy

Hey!
The Wishes Dessert party wasn't our first choice- IllumiNations was. Becuase of park capacity issues, we can't have one in Epcot at that time. We were told that Wishes was a comprable alternative. We're finding out that it's relaly not what we were expecting.

We had no idea you had to pay for the music to be piped in. That's been taken care of. The location at the marina isn't quite what we wanted- we thought we would be moved to a treed area to the left. It's got a prime viewing spot, but it's not too far from the floor level guest rooms. Moving there is a problem becuase of the guest rooms there (depsite the fact there's an open space on the patio).

Our back-up plan is what's got us nervous. We'll be in a Salon Room at the GF. No windows. No fireworks. Background music and dessert. We really feel that we don't want to take that risk. We'd rather go to DTD and buy an incecream cone than be shoved into a ballroom. It just says blah. I just can't justify the price and the awkwardness if we have to use our inclement weather plan.

 

[bridegirl]

Jill,

I don't quite understand, where they are having your Wishes Party? Is it not in the area directly across the water from the Grand One? That's where ours is. It's not private, but they did give us an option to shrub it in if we wanted more privacy.

Have you checked the long term weather? Any predictions? I was at WDW for NYE 1999 and 2003 and it was lovely weather both times. But I totally understand that you can't go with a plan that has a lousy backup.

If it DID rain, can they tent the area instead of sending you inside? Will they still do the fireworks in the rain? A clear tent with little white lights could be lovely.

Other options for Wishes, I think you have 40 people, right? Can you rent the Cape Coral suite for the night and do it there? There is a great bar in the living room, and huge patio with head-on castle view. I guess if it rained, you could all just stay inside and party, but at least you could look out the windows and glass patio doors?

Another wishes option is the 3rd floor GF balcony, but you can't get the music piped in there, although you can hear it a little but not alot.

Here's a weird Illuminations question - they won't let you book because 12/29 is full capacity day, I understand that. Can they bend the rules and let you book 40 people into the magical gatherings illuminations space? It wouldnt be totally private, but it would still be fun, and that way you could still have Illuminations.

Or, what about having party/food/drinks/whatever elsewhere and then just getting them to rope off a viewing area for you and your guests to watch Illuminations?

Are there rooms at CA Grill that allow you to see Wishes and/or Illuminations? The 2 parties I went to were both in the main room, I haven't been in the smaller private rooms. I think CA Grill is awesome, the food, the service, the view!

Or you could bail on wishes and illuminations and do private fireworks at the beach ($2500) whenever you want!

Just trying to think outside the box?

Pixie dust,

Susy

 

[JonetteA]

For the Cali grill, just so you know I am kinda in the midst of dealing with them about the menu. I highly doubt that they will do a special menu. They are giving us push back b/c we have a brunch and don't really want what is on their menu. The reason we were given is b/c it is an operating restaurant. They are checking for us, I can let you know what will happen. Maybe they can do a "special pick menu" for lack of a better term. So that you can pick what you want off of their standard menu for choice. I think that Yachtsman does this, but not sure about the Cali. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Hey girls-

Thanks so much for the advice.

Narcossees called and said they don't have room unless it's around 5:00pm. No go since the rehearsal is at 6:00.

We want to pick items off the regular menu at California Grill and have them print it up on a separate smaller menu. That way, we can help control price. We were thinking a beef, chicken, vegetarian, and fish entrees; two choices for salads and two choices for soups; dessert options; and keeping the alcohol to beer and wine.

Susy-
Our Wishes party is actually on the steps at the marina as slated right now. The area where you are is where we want them to move it to.

Long term weaher isn't predictable for those days at this point. We were there for that time of year last year and it was glorious. The year I met Brye (2000), it was about 37 degrees. I know the weather is usually fairly dry that time of year, but I know this will be the year...

I will have to ask about the tent. On our BEO, however, it says we get pushed to the inclement weather plan if there is a 50% chance or better of rain. I am pretty sure the fireworks go as long as it's not severe weather, etc. For us, it's a 50% CHANCE of precipitation and the call has to be made no later thn 3:00.

I have no idea what the Cape Coral suite is. I am going to have to look into this option. We can't do the 3rd floor balcony- my first idea when everything hit the fan earlier this week. We can't use it becuase of the day guests per our EM. We're trying to avoid being in Epcot at this point becuase we're going to be running around like crazy people with wedding related things that day. A lot of the people involved in rehearsal will not be going into a park that day and the use of the daily ticket is a waste.

I'm waiting to hear from the Cali Grill on the larger party- they book through the general catering and event staff that are in the office Monday-Friday. We thought one of the smaller rooms would work just fine. We can always make our way to the windows or catwalk to see the fireworks.

So, that's where we stand right now. My EM isn't back in her office until Thursday so I'm kind of at a loss right now on the questions. I'm going to send her an email about the tent, etc. She is very willing to work with us becuase of the confusion and disappointment surrounding the whole event. But, I think if we can get into the Cali Grill, we're going to probably take that option.

Truly- thank you soooo much. I feel like I have an ally at this point... an ally with some really good ideas.
xoxo

 

[bridegirl]

Jill -

What a drag to have to wait til Thursday! I've been waiting weeks to confirm my plans and it drives it me crazy to wait and ours is only a VR with 6 people.

The Cape Coral Suite is a 1 (or 2) bedroom "hospitality suite" at the GF. You can adjoin the second bedroom or not, depending on what you need. There are actually two rooms exactly like this but I can't remember the name of the other one. It has a large living room for parties, a long bar, and a large patio with head-on castle/fireworks views.

Have you ever taken the boat from MK to GF? The suite is all the way at the end of building by where the boat docks, you can see the patio to your right as you exit the boat and walk toward the hotel. The other suite that's the same is one more building over to the right.

I think CA Grill is an excellent option and it sounds like a good idea to grab it if you can get it. I hope Disney bends over backwards to work it out for you! I wonder if that night will have perimeter fireworks? Those are incredible from CA Grill, but so are the regular fireworks. CA Grill is some of the best food on property, great service, awesome views, and the music is already piped in! Sounds like a fun party.

Just another thought, CA Grill did casino games at one party I went to - just with play chips for prizes but it was lots of fun! The other party I went to was star wars themed, including the desserts!

Pixie dust,

Susy