Ariel's/St. James Room

[lfama]

I did a search, but it didn't come up with anything informative, so I hope this wasn't already discussed!

I am having an Escape wedding. Right now, we're pretty set on Blue Zoo; however, I just saw photos of Ariel's and The St. James Room/patio and I understand Escape brides can book these as well? I have tons of questions!

I plan on having my reception dinner around 6pm on a Thursday, would the minimum still be $1,000 for Ariel's?
What's the minimum for St. James Room at that time and is it different if I wanted to set up tables on the patio?
And would I be able to bring an iPod to play music on?
Is there a rental fee for the room itself for each?
Also, even though it isn't a Wishes wedding, would I be able to set up a Sweetheart table?
Does anyone have a menu they could post from either of these?

Does anyone have any photos of their functions there?

Thanks!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

I plan on having my reception dinner around 6pm on a Thursday, would the minimum still be $1,000 for Ariel's?

Yes

What's the minimum for St. James Room at that time and is it different if I wanted to set up tables on the patio?

I believe that Escape brides are being quoted something like a $650 food and beverage minimum for the St. James Room. The minimum would not change based on what you want to do with tables. The only charge you might have is a set-up fee for that, but I don't think it likely.

And would I be able to bring an iPod to play music on?

Yes, but if you want speakers/mixer/amp from Disney, you will have to pay to rent them. Fees range from $250-$800 based on location. I'm thinking St. James would be on the lower end of that scale b/c it's a convention center venue.

Is there a rental fee for the room itself for each?

No rental fees for rooms at convention center venues like Ariel's and St. James Room.

Also, even though it isn't a Wishes wedding, would I be able to set up a Sweetheart table?

I don't see why not - if you are paying the minimums, you should be able to set the tables up however you want. Again, they might charge you to bring one in.

Does anyone have a menu they could post from either of these?

Disney has implemented a global menu system, meaning you can have any of their catered menus at any location (there are just restrictions on certain items at locations that are far from a kitchen - no worries at St. James/Ariel's).

True, there are "BoardWalk Inn" menus and "Yacht & Beach Club" menus, but the selections and price are entirely customizable, so if the menu you like is too expensive, you can work with Disney to tailor it to your budget.

This website has lots of sample Disney Catering menus: http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/ftw/wdw/menus.html

Does anyone have any photos of their functions there?

There are people on this board planning Escape weddings at these venues right now, but this is a fairly new option for Escape couples so there aren't a lot of pix of Escape receptions there yet.

However, lots of Wishes couples have had functions at Ariel's, and a few in the St. James Room, so you might check out the two sub forums listed at the top of the main Weddings & Honeymoons page to find their reports.

 

[lfama]

Thank you sooooo much, you are so helpful and informative!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

No problem - I'm glad to be able to help!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Am I right in thinking that Ariel's is not going to be available for private hire for much longer?
Are the F & B minimums the same for a reception after 4pm at St James Room?
So if I wanted food from say Yachtmans steakhouse served at St J's this would be okay but items from the menus of say restaurants near, say MK might be a problem in the Epcot area?
Would the menu items be priced the same as they are in their respective restaurants or more?
Do we know the F & B minimums for other smaller reception locations (eg Sago Cay, Key West Room etc)
Sorry I have hijacked the thread but I am sure this information would be of use to all us Escape girls!!!
Thank you all so much for your continuing help and patience with all these questions!!!

 

[CharacterFan]

Am I right in thinking that Ariel's is not going to be available for private hire for much longer?

The information I have is until Sept 2010.

Are the F & B minimums the same for a reception after 4pm at St James Room?
So if I wanted food from say Yachtmans steakhouse served at St J's this would be okay but items from the menus of say restaurants near, say MK might be a problem in the Epcot area?
Would the menu items be priced the same as they are in their respective restaurants or more?

you can get food items from anywhere. We're doing around the "world" theme and are serving our favorite foods. They'll be priced differently because it's coming from catering and not the restaurant.

Do we know the F & B minimums for other smaller reception locations (eg Sago Cay, Key West Room etc)

Sago Cay has been quote both $500 and $100 min for dessert parties. For a reception it's most likely closer to the $1000 number if not more.

Sorry I have hijacked the thread but I am sure this information would be of use to all us Escape girls!!!
Thank you all so much for your continuing help and patience with all these questions!!![/QUOTE]

 

[lurkyloo]

Am I right in thinking that Ariel's is not going to be available for private hire for much longer?

Every year for the past 2 or 3 they have said that Ariel's is being turned back into a table service restaurant, but when Disney's new fiscal year starts in October it's pushed off for another year.

Do we know the F & B minimums for other smaller reception locations (eg Sago Cay, Key West Room etc)

Sago Cay has a $1,000 minimum for dinner/lunch and a $500 minimum for dessert parties.

Somebody posted in the thread you started the other day that the Key West Room minimum is $500: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2229065

In the past, these venues have only been open to Wishes events, and the convention center venues (like the Key West Room and the St. James Room) did not have individual food and beverage minimums for weddings. The ability of Escape couples to book catered receptions is fairly recent, so the pricing is still being set by DFTW, and info is gradually trickling out.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

When you book Sago Cay/ St James/ Key West/Attic, etc, how long do you get the area for? Is it the same for all venues? I really want the Attic or Sago Cay, but since the minimums are so high for the Attic, I would want to stay there for awhile! And with Sago Cay, I would want to see the fireworks, but I do not want to wait until like 9 pm to eat!

 

[lurkyloo]

For Escape events, the time limit is 2 hours.

Regarding Sago Cay, since it is $500 less expensive to only do desserts there, you might just do a dessert party and then take the other $500 you would have spent on doing a catered dinner there and spend it on dinner in a restaurant for your group.

 

[twenty3curls]

What's the booking timeframe for St. James and/or Ariel's for Escape brides? I was told 6 months for California Grill....is this similar for other places?

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

For Escape events, the time limit is 2 hours.

Regarding Sago Cay, since it is $500 less expensive to only do desserts there, you might just do a dessert party and then take the other $500 you would have spent on doing a catered dinner there and spend it on dinner in a restaurant for your group.

I wonder why Escape brides get less than Wishes if we are paying the same minimums (ie the Attic)? DF and I wanted to splurge on the Attic (because your TR made us fall in love with it ) but I don't think I want to pay that much for just 2 hours.

A big part of me wants to change to "wishes" so I get the extra perks, but I don't know how I can spend $12,000 on 19 people

Oh, and with Sago Cay, may planner told me it was $1000, whether for a reception or a dessert party.

 

[CharacterFan]

A big part of me wants to change to "wishes" so I get the extra perks, but I don't know how I can spend $12,000 on 19 people

This is why we switched to a Wishes, and then we were able to invite more people. We're only inviting 30. Also by having our ceremony in Epcot, we have to use DPS and 1/2 our budget is falling into photography. All the little things add up I'm starting to figure out.

 

[lurkyloo]

I wonder why Escape brides get less than Wishes if we are paying the same minimums (ie the Attic)?

I know what you mean - this is how Disney differentiates Wishes and Escape events. If you spend more, you get more service and more flexibility. An Escape wedding is supposed to be a simple package that is easy for them to pull together. We hated the restrictions enough that we switched to Wishes, but you are right - that's a whole lot more money to spend, especially when you figure in tax and service charges.

Oh, and with Sago Cay, may planner told me it was $1000, whether for a reception or a dessert party.

I can reconfirm with Disney, but the info I got last week (after a week of "we're adjusting the guidelines") was that it's still only $500 at Sago Cay if you just do desserts and goes to $1000 for lunch/dinner. Maybe they adjusted 'em again!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Are you able to extend the allowed two hours (for more money, of course!!)? If you hired Sago Cay what time do you think you would need to leave GF to get transport over to Epcot for the Illuminations DP?
Thank you so much

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Lurkyloo......

that was a month ago I got that info, so you would have the more up-to-date information, so your most likely right. We keep thinking of switching to wishes, but we just cannot justify spending almost $4000 more than we need to. With the min of $12,000, add SC and tax, and convert to Canadian $, that is $18,000 for us!!!

I guess I just need to keep in mind that I'm lucky enough to get married at disney, and that the Attic would have just been a nice bonus. I will look into Flying Fish, since min's are lower, but I don't know if we can be there after a noon reception.

 

[Bridie1996]

I posted this in my PJ as well, but thought it might be helpful to have it in this thread. We spoke to our WP today and asked about the St. James room for dinner for about 28 people on a sunday evening in January. Kathleen said we'd have to use both A & B sides of the St. James room for a group that size. She quoted the minimums as:
$1,500 Sun- Thursday
$1,800 Friday and Saturday

Now remember, that is for dinner, Sunday, and for both sides of the room.
(we are planning an escape wedding, but have family in the area who will be joining us for anything we do post-ceremony hence the 28 people)