Anyone shed some light on the Escape package?

[Dippa]

So after exploring all the different routes of getting married at Disney, we have finally decided on the Escape package due to its ease and of course price!

It considers different prices depending on where you get married - Wedding Pavilion or Sea Breeze Point.
I've noticed that at Sea Breeze Point you only get a 1 hour time slot to include ceremony and celebration whereas at the Pavilion has a two hour time slot.

Is one hour enough or do you feel rushed? On the flip side, is 2 hours too much, do you end up getting bored?

Any help, tips or advice would be much appreciated

 

[lurkyloo]

The difference is really just travel time. At the Wedding Pavilion, you need to travel back to the Grand Floridian for your cake and Champagne reception. Wedding Pavilion Escape ceremonies are the same length as Escape ceremonies at the other locations.

This overview of the Escape Collection might help: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/2017/01/11/escape-collection-overview/

And here are all my interviews with Escape brides—I ask them for a timeline, which might be helpful too: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/category/walt-disney-world/escape-collection/

 

[Dippa]

The difference is really just travel time. At the Wedding Pavilion, you need to travel back to the Grand Floridian for your cake and Champagne reception. Wedding Pavilion Escape ceremonies are the same length as Escape ceremonies at the other locations.

This overview of the Escape Collection might help: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/2017/01/11/escape-collection-overview/

And here are all my interviews with Escape brides—I ask them for a timeline, which might be helpful too: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/category/walt-disney-world/escape-collection/

Thank you ever so much for your reply! You have been a huge help on here!

What are the best times to get married with the escape package, at the moment a 2.30 ceremony followed by a meal and a desert party seems favourable, but what could you advise?

Also, what is the best way of including a meal afterwards? going directly through Disney or just make a reservation directly with them? Narcoosses seems favourable at the moment.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[lurkyloo]

Let's see.... it depends on your priorities and preferences. And the weather! If it's during hurricane season, I'd say do a morning ceremony to avoid getting rained out. Other considerations...

• Not many resort restaurants are open at lunchtime, so if you want the events to flow into each other, a later ceremony is better
• Disney encourages large parties to book 5:30pm or 9pm reservations, which can be tricky to schedule with an Escape ceremony
  
• If you still have a small gap to fill, the resort bars are a popular option
• Sometimes a large gap is better because guests can relax or play in the parks, with something to look forward to that night
  
• Booking a private catered event through Disney lets you customize the start time and menu for best flow and choice, but it costs more than most restaurant meals
  
• You can add regular food to a dessert party, potentially eliminating the need for a meal in between the ceremony and DP

 

[justme0729]

2:30 is probably best

2:30-4:00- Ceremony/ cake
4:00-5:00- drinks at a bar
5:00-7:00- dinner
7:30-9:30- dessert party (Marina or sago Cay? Fireworks cruise?)

 

[Dippa]

Let's see.... it depends on your priorities and preferences. And the weather! If it's during hurricane season, I'd say do a morning ceremony to avoid getting rained out. Other considerations...

• Not many resort restaurants are open at lunchtime, so if you want the events to flow into each other, a later ceremony is better
• Disney encourages large parties to book 5:30pm or 9pm reservations, which can be tricky to schedule with an Escape ceremony
  
• If you still have a small gap to fill, the resort bars are a popular option
• Sometimes a large gap is better because guests can relax or play in the parks, with something to look forward to that night
  
• Booking a private catered event through Disney lets you customize the start time and menu for best flow and choice, but it costs more than most restaurant meals
  
• You can add regular food to a dessert party, potentially eliminating the need for a meal in between the ceremony and DP

Thank you for all your help! It's greatly appreciated. Are you able to request a secluded area when booking a meal through the restaurant itself?

 

[Dippa]

2:30 is probably best

2:30-4:00- Ceremony/ cake
4:00-5:00- drinks at a bar
5:00-7:00- dinner
7:30-9:30- dessert party (Marina or sago Cay? Fireworks cruise?)

That sounds like an excellent time scale! Thank you so much! What do you mean my marina, sago cay and fireworks cruise? Are they just different means of implementing a desert party?

Thanks again! I really appreciate it.

 

[justme0729]

That sounds like an excellent time scale! Thank you so much! What do you mean my marina, sago cay and fireworks cruise? Are they just different means of implementing a desert party?

Thanks again! I really appreciate it.

If you want a dessert party at the GF, the Marina and sago Cay are 2 locations to have one there or a cheaper alternative might be to do a fireworks cruise on a big yacht that fits 13 ppl or a pontoon

 

[lurkyloo]

Thank you for all your help! It's greatly appreciated. Are you able to request a secluded area when booking a meal through the restaurant itself?

It depends on the restaurant. Some have private rooms, some have private-ish areas, some have neither. Which are you considering?

Also...

Pictures of GF Marina: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/marina-patio-terrace/

Pictures of Sago Cay: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/sago-cay-pointe/

Pictures of all venues: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/

Info on Fireworks Cruises: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/2012/08/15/illuminations-wishes-fireworks-cruises/

 

[fallonkendra]

We are also planning on an Escape wedding, and are looking at doing a reception at Homecoming Kitchen in Disney Springs, followed by a dessert party.

I have a question about the guest count - I know the maximum is 18, but we just found out that one of my fiance's sisters is pregnant - the baby will be ~5 months old at our wedding. Does a baby that young count against our guest list? Or does it follow the same rules as entering a Disney theme park (only 3 and up require a ticket). Up to this point, the youngest person on our guest list would have been in their late 20's, so this wasn't a question I needed to ask...

 

[lurkyloo]

Same rule—guests under age 3 don't count toward the guest limit.