Bride-to-be's totally confusing PJ - Beach towel design =o)

[Bride-to-be]

wow! Still lots of choices and a whole nother month to figure it out! I'd be going crazy by now!

Here's the thing though. We have two solid plans - both of which we are really happy with. In the long run its going to come down to the construction and the answers we get on a bunch of questions. If it all works out its going to be a tough choice and I am almost scared to make it because we really like both options. So for once I am completely calm and finally just excited. I really wish we could afford to do both options and smush it into one big week, but we have to draw the line btw reality and fantasy somewhere.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Sounds like you had a productive trip. Glad you have a couple of options that you love. Can't wait to hear the final verdict.

 

[LLLBelle]

Both options sound great!!! It sounds like your trip went well I think I would have a hard time as well (but I would lean towards the castle )

It sounds lovely!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Sounds like you have a ton of stuff going on in both options. When you say everyone can stay at the contemporary or everyone can stay at the Boardwalk do you mean all your guests?

Good luck with getting the Roots into the park for your ceremony. If you do, there will be a lot of angry brides calling Disney.

 

[Bride-to-be]

When you say everyone can stay at the contemporary or everyone can stay at the Boardwalk do you mean all your guests?

Good luck with getting the Roots into the park for your ceremony. If you do, there will be a lot of angry brides calling Disney.

I know its a huge long shot but I figure having the roots is something worth asking about.

For a very long list of complicated reasons we have to have all of our guests stay at the same hotel for the night before the cruise also the night after if we go with plan B.

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I was just reading more of your plans. I am confused with option B.

Plan B
Napa Room/Everyone stays at the Contemp/Chef Mickeys Breakfast/Cruise Beach Ceremony/ Everyone spends the next night at the Boardwalk/LSS Dinner/ French Upper Fireworks.

You will have a rehearsal dinner at the Napa room? Then stay at the Contemporary, have breakfast at Chef Mickey's, go on the cruise and have a beach ceremony then go back to Disney, stay at the Boardwalk and have a reception at LSS and a dessert party in France?

Is that right?

Also in the Napa room are you having a buffet? I had never heard of the option to have an all you can eat plated meal. Is that a new option?

 

[irisbud]

...
Then we looked at the Living Seas Salon which was much brighter than I was expecting it to be. The windows were much smaller than I had hoped but oh well. One nice surprise is that there is a conference room with a big window. They suggested we could use it for Kids Nite Out and have lots of games and movies and stuff in there. Big Bonus. The only thing that concerns me is that I really felt like the space was too big for our group especially compared to how small and cozy the napa room is. DF really loved it and so it is still in the running.

We also looked at French Upper which I thought I would hate and I really loved it. I am so glad our coordinator picked it for us. The reason i like it so much is because it has all of these big planters with flowers all through the space which provides lots of seating so everyone can sit (if they wish) to see the fireworks.

So Plan A

Napa Room/Everyone stays at the Contemp/Castle Wedding/CG Breakfast/Call the whole Cruise a reception

Plan B

Napa Room/Everyone stays at the Contemp/Chef Mickeys Breakfast/Cruise Beach Ceremony/ Everyone spends the next night at the Boardwalk/LSS Dinner/ French Upper Fireworks


We should know the final plans for construction in 4 weeks and we will make the decision then.

I am confused. I thought you couldn't do the reception at Palo because your guests would not allow their children to stay in any kind of Kid's Club? Why would using Kid's Night Out be okay but using the servies on the Wonder would not? Since this was one of your major hang-ups as far as doing the cruise wedding, then I guess I don't see why it is a hang-up at all?!?!? Just curious as to what the difference is

As far as Disney allowing the Roots to photograph your wedding at the Castle...I do not see that happening. I agree with Toni, there would be a mob of angry brides coming down on DFTW. Hard. I really can't see them bending on this as they would know they would be called out on it, especially in this day and age.

I hope everything works out for you, though, and you get the wedding of your dreams. I also hope DFTW gets back to you ASAP. I know it's hard to make a decision without all the info you need right now, but once you have it, you can make a decision and give up the space you won't be using (esp. if you decide against the cruise) to others who might want it .

Good luck

 

[Bride-to-be]

I was just reading more of your plans. I am confused with option B.

Plan B
Napa Room/Everyone stays at the Contemp/Chef Mickeys Breakfast/Cruise Beach Ceremony/ Everyone spends the next night at the Boardwalk/LSS Dinner/ French Upper Fireworks.

You will have a rehearsal dinner at the Napa room? Then stay at the Contemporary, have breakfast at Chef Mickey's, go on the cruise and have a beach ceremony then go back to Disney, stay at the Boardwalk and have a reception at LSS and a dessert party in France?

Is that right?

Yes thats right.

Also in the Napa room are you having a buffet? I had never heard of the option to have an all you can eat plated meal. Is that a new option?

The Napa room isn't a buffet. Its plated, but for the meat they give you three options and instead of having your guests decide ahead of time or at the beginning of the meal they apparently bring it out on platters and the servers walk around to all the guests offering the three options. Our coordinator said it was really great because that way if someone wants to try everything they can and if they only like chicken they can just have chicken and he said they are really good about coming around with more until everyone has had enough. I was really confused about it before but now I think it sounds great!

I am confused. I thought you couldn't do the reception at Palo because your guests would not allow their children to stay in any kind of Kid's Club? Why would using Kid's Night Out be okay but using the servies on the Wonder would not? Since this was one of your major hang-ups as far as doing the cruise wedding, then I guess I don't see why it is a hang-up at all?!?!? Just curious as to what the difference is

With the kids night out at the LSS the conference room is connected to the main room so the kids could walk out to see their parents and the parents could easily go in to check on the kids whenever they wanted. The kids still get a party and the choice to join in the kids party or stay with the adults. so its a little different than just the kids clubs on the ship where the parents aren't close by. I think of it as being the same as if we COULD rent out palo w/ kids we would set something up for the kids in the little private room. At this point I am beyond frustrated and not even thinking about anything cruise anymore as far as receptions stuff.

 

[ElleBren]

With the kids night out at the LSS the conference room is connected to the main room so the kids could walk out to see their parents and the parents could easily go in to check on the kids whenever they wanted. The kids still get a party and the choice to join in the kids party or stay with the adults. so its a little different than just the kids clubs on the ship where the parents aren't close by. I think of it as being the same as if we COULD rent out palo w/ kids we would set something up for the kids in the little private room. At this point I am beyond frustrated and not even thinking about anything cruise anymore as far as receptions stuff.

Actually with KNO the kids can't just walk back and forth. They are signed in by their parents and can't leave unless the parents signs them out. Also I am not sure how many times they can go in and out. The parents on the other hand can go visit as much as possible. When I had our event the kids were a 2 min walk away in one of the other ballrooms. I was able to check on kids any time I wanted.

I didn't give options to kids, hence the KNO. All kids, including our dd went into the play room and then at the end got picked up. Most parents went to check on them, but it was more like a look in. All my little cousins had an amazing time, I don't think the parents even needed to check in for the kids sake.

 

[irisbud]

With the kids night out at the LSS the conference room is connected to the main room so the kids could walk out to see their parents and the parents could easily go in to check on the kids whenever they wanted. The kids still get a party and the choice to join in the kids party or stay with the adults. so its a little different than just the kids clubs on the ship where the parents aren't close by. I think of it as being the same as if we COULD rent out palo w/ kids we would set something up for the kids in the little private room. At this point I am beyond frustrated and not even thinking about anything cruise anymore as far as receptions stuff.

That makes more sense. Sorry you are still so frustrated

On another note, do you have any pictures from your trip? We all love pictures

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

The Napa room isn't a buffet. Its plated, but for the meat they give you three options and instead of having your guests decide ahead of time or at the beginning of the meal they apparently bring it out on platters and the servers walk around to all the guests offering the three options. Our coordinator said it was really great because that way if someone wants to try everything they can and if they only like chicken they can just have chicken and he said they are really good about coming around with more until everyone has had enough. I was really confused about it before but now I think it sounds great!

Oh ok it's the crown service option. Got it.

 

[Bride-to-be]

That makes more sense. Sorry you are still so frustrated

On another note, do you have any pictures from your trip? We all love pictures

I took a few I didn't take as many as I should have. I will try to upload them tonight. I am frustrated with the cruise in general. But I still like the cruise a lot as a vacation type thing I think our guests will like it a lot too. At this point I am pretty relaxed and excited about the whole thing.

Oh ok it's the crown service option. Got it.

Ahh so thats what its called. Sorry I didn't know.

ElleBren - thank you so much for the heads up about that. I just emailed asking. I totally understand the necessity of it if its a different room but since its connected I never imagined the kids would have to be signed in and out. If thats the case then I have to talk to DF about it, and see how he feels but my guess is that we probably wouldn't do it.

 

[PixyDusted]

On another note, do you have any pictures from your trip? We all love pictures

I agree! We want photos! It's a little odd that in 17 pages of your PJ the only photos you have posted are of dress options and such. So I'm sure you can understand most of us wanting to see photos of the happy couple. It's nice to put names with faces.

 

[irisbud]

I took a few I didn't take as many as I should have. I will try to upload them tonight. I am frustrated with the cruise in general. But I still like the cruise a lot as a vacation type thing I think our guests will like it a lot too. At this point I am pretty relaxed and excited about the whole thing.

I'm glad you aren't feeling so frustrated now. I know if I were a guest I would definitely love a free cruise


I was reading through your PJ again and looking at your dress. Did you say your already have it? Do you have any pics of you wearing it you could upload with your trip pictures. That is such a goregous dress, I would love to see it on someone other than the model. I'm sure it looks great on you

Also, did you happen to take any pics of where you want the MK ceremony held. I know they are usually down at the Swan Boat Landing and I can't visualize the place you are looking at

Can't wait to read more!

 

[ghoulish delight]

Even though you didn't get details hashed out completely, it sounds like you and your DF are headed on the right track now! So yay! One thing I know for sure is your wedding (regardless of which plan you two go with) will be freaking amazing! And I'm anxiously following each and every detail! Hehe.

And I agree with the other girls! More pictures, please!

 

[Bride-to-be]

haha as soon as I get home and have a chance I will try to post some pics. And yes I do have the dress and I did take a pic or two in it. I got really freaked out a few weeks ago after seeing somebody else wearing the same dress so I took some pics and never quite got them off my camera. I fear you guys are going to be disapointed because we didn't take a ton of pics at disney - just a few random ones. I can show you the spot we want for the castle ceremony and such. The best photo op I didn't have my camera for - cinderellas coach was parked right in front of us at francks!!!

I can also tell you these things -

1) We tried Tonga Toast for the first time and didn't think much of it - we thought it was very so-so (don't kill me!!!). But the lillikoi juice was really good - just overpriced at $4 for a little glass.

2) We went to the CG and tried the Fairy Tale Cuvee for the first time. It was ok - it really wasn't great. I figure if our guests at any point are going to see the champagne being poured its worth having it just for the label - if not I think we would upgrade to something different. Also the food and the presentation was excellent but the atmosphere was horrible. We ate at like 10pm and the lights were on full blast, there were no candles, no music and really no atmosphere whatsoever. The place gets an A for food and an F for atmosphere. Also the fireworks are over Space Mountain and not the Castle... In the future I think I would pay a little bit more to go to Victoria and Alberts instead. Overall I am so glad we went - now we know we need dimmed lights candles and music for the napa room!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

The fireworks are actually shot in a lot so that no park guest is caught by burning embers..They are shot to match the front of the castle since there are thousands standing in front of the castle and only a hundred in CG.
They didn't lower the lights during Wishes? They have always lowered the lights as much as safety allows and piped in the music..It is my favorite place to eat and watch the fireworks.

 

[CharacterFan]

Sounds like your trip was really productive.
Both options sound like great ideas.
I like option 1. You can just relax and enjoy the cruise and get a dream wedding. Where your dress would be perfect, and yes we'd love to see pictures.

Hopefully your WC will get back to you shortly on all your questions.

DFi and I both are huge Pop Century fans. We're going to put it on our room block so our guests can choose to stay there.

I love Roots photography. If they were in town when I was, I was going to see if they'd do my engagment pictures. I don't think Disney will let you use a different photographer though. I wish you could still use outside. I'm not sure if I'm sold on them yet, but they are getting better, for what I've seen.

I won't kill you for not liking Tonga Toast. There are things everyone seems to think everyone loves, that there is a group out there that doesn't like.

I can't wait to hear what you decide. Thanks again for the information on the Living Seas.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

Well, if you want an opinion, I LOVE option one. WOW- a dream disney CASTLE wedding and a relaxing cruise- sounds fantastic!! I couldn't imagine anything better than that!! it sounds like you are happy and relaxed and things are great. Good for you!

 

[KSchwagg86]

So from another thread, I got the impression that you are paying for your guests' cruise? Is this correct? If so-WOW