Ariel's - Beyond September 2011

[princesswendy720]

So Disney's site currently says Ariel's is only available to book for events until September 2011. What happens after that date? Are they renovating? Turning it into a restaurant for the public? Just not doing private events there anymore? Does anyone have any inside info on the possibility of it opening up again for weddings and when that might be? With the likelihood that ADH is now being limited to receptions of 150+ people...I feel like Disney is starting to severely limit the amount of specialty venues outside of the theme parks.

 

[helloirishkitty]

I don't know if that is definitely going to happen, but Ariel's disappearing from the list of options has been a rumor since I was first planning a DFTW for February 2009. My planner back then (late 2007) told me that it may *not* be an option in 2009 so I had booked ADH. It may be that they are eliminating it and turning it back into a restaurant. My only guess is that they're limiting the areas outside of theme parks so that they can control every aspect of the wedding (and therefore get more $$$)... photography, floral, everything... which stinks

 

[princesswendy720]

I don't know if that is definitely going to happen, but Ariel's disappearing from the list of options has been a rumor since I was first planning a DFTW for February 2009. My planner back then (late 2007) told me that it may *not* be an option in 2009 so I had booked ADH. It may be that they are eliminating it and turning it back into a restaurant. My only guess is that they're limiting the areas outside of theme parks so that they can control every aspect of the wedding (and therefore get more $$$)... photography, floral, everything... which stinks

This is exactly what I was thinking. With the new 150 person minimum for ADH it only makes it even more clear. I'm so angry because I feel like I have to compromise on something - unique location or having my outside photographer...which is pathetic. I don't feel like I have should have to have one or the other when they are the most important aspects (other than my groom being there).

 

[Princess SarahK]

I was told by my coordinator that Ariel's is available through the entire calendar year of 2011, so til the end of December. Beyond that Im not sure what theyre doing with it. I was considering it for my November wedding and saw it at our site visit but ended up ruling it out. So it WILL be available through Dec 2011 based on my coordinator's email. HTH!!

 

[girli565]

For the last 3-4 years DFTWs has been saying that Ariel's was going to be unavailable after X date because it is beingh changed to a table service restaurant but it keeps getting pushed back.

When I first contacted DFTWs in June of 2009 I was told Ariel's would not be available for my date of Dec. 2010 bc it was being converted. Then I changed my date to June 2010 and it was still available.

You just have to keep asking because with DFTWs every bride gets a different answer. They are def not consistent.

 

[princesswendy720]

Well that's good news then...at least there's some hope! Hopefully when it comes time for me to sign a contract, they'll have made a decision on whether or not it will be available through 2012.

Is Ariel's one of the venues you can sign a contract for 16 months out or is it 12 months?

 

[girli565]

Well that's good news then...at least there's some hope! Hopefully when it comes time for me to sign a contract, they'll have made a decision on whether or not it will be available through 2012.

Is Ariel's one of the venues you can sign a contract for 16 months out or is it 12 months?

I think you can contract it at 16 months like you can ADH. Convention center venues can be booked at 12 months out. This is all for Wishes Weddings of course.

I had my reception at Ariel's and it was very nice.