Can they really do this?

[wendy darling]

Thanks Wendy, and Happy Belated Birthday! WL is very popular around here

thanks DisneyBride03!!

what's your favorite resort and park??

my favorite park is Magic Kingdom (fantasyland to exact)

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Favorite park is MK as well...as far as resort...I am partial to the Poly, had pre wedding and wedding there. But enjoyed the GF as well. I guess I am still waiting to choose that resort that will be my family's favorite. We actually talked abt changing to WL for next trip. It will be DD's first trip, @ 14 mths old.
ANother poster gave me a great idea abt taking her photo at the totem pole....and every year take the same photo! So I am currently researching WL...this would be our 4th change! I have Resort Commitment DISorder!! lol

I think we "hijacked" this thread as they call it....sorry!!

 

[zumbergc]

Someone was mentioning about when they have reserved sections in Italy for wedding parties.

A viewing fee has to be paid per person attending illuminations.
So if you have 20 guests you pay for a viewing fee, I can't remember the exact amount I'm thinking its near $20, but don't remember what the cost was a few years ago, plus they keep raising the prices.

You also have to pay for escorts, that bring you into the section, guard the section and bring you back to the exits or to your transportation. You need so many escorts per so many people.

If you have any decorations, table clothes, etc, you have to pay to rent that stuff too.


You also have food and bev min for the locations. So, the fees add up for an illuminations event.

Who pays. Many brides, grooms pay for the viewing fee. A select few will use the peoples tickets and swipe them if they have already been in the park that day, that have the park hopper tickets, and want to save the couple money. A very few minority have the people pay who are attending.
It seemed to be regional thing about who payed, etc, and if the people attending were trying to save the wedding couple money.

An illuminations party is by no means cheap, you have to pay the viewing fee and the min for food and bev, probably means the cost will be at the min around $40pp.

 

[Tinker74]

I don't see any flames here ...Believe me this thread is very tame compared to a LOT of poolhopping threads i have read in the past..
I think we all just have a genuine curiosity as to how this will play out. We are all here to learn more about disney and this is one senario I have never come across before so iam dying to know the outcome...maybe the party mother does have an arrangment...maybe she doesn't...Lots of us here just want to know if this is possible...and after all that was Beejies question in her opening post.
Iam certaintly not worked up by it though...absolutley not angry ..a bit bemused and a lot nosey.
Beejie please keep us updated.

 

[LoriZH]

Well good morning everyone this is one heck of a thread! lol

I guess I must have missed a page when putting in my unwaranted opinion, lol.

I had no idea the mother did not properly arrange this with Disney, I was thinking that the list with the parties on them at BC included SAB, but looking at it again, it doesn't. Hmmm....If she did just talk to one CM and they just said "oh sure, no problem" I am hoping for her and the birthday girl's sake that she got their name and CM ID, so that her and her child's guests do not get stopped at the door and are not allowed, that would really stink for the kids and the parents who took the drive. If she is a DVC Member, just how many can she get into SAB at once? Now, I am the one who's really nosy! Hopefully, she did arrange it properly and those little kiddies don't get turned away, that would be sad.

Gonna, subscribe because I am NOSY

 

[verchad]

It's nice the entire class was invited. You have other plans and can't go. If you didn't have other plans you could probably have car pooled with another family and cut the gas expense in half. If money is so tight that $10 of gas is an issue then buying a gift might also be a problem.

First, I do think it seems a little over the top to have to go 90 miles for a kids birthday party, whereever it may be held.

Maybe there is a method to the party kids parents madness. I know at my daughters school she was at in kindergarten, they asked for all things like invitations to be dealt with after school time. They didn't want some kids getting invites and others not, too darn PC if you ask me. Anyway, this would definitely sort out those that are friends and those that are just passing aquaintances in the kids class.

I do think things are geting out of hand though. While in KINDERGARTEN, my daughter was invited to birthday parties with clowns, magicians, face painters, okay. But also a beauty shop/makeover party ( girls got hairdos and way too much makeup ), a dance school party ( pizza, cake, and they learned a "routine" to do for the parents the end of the party.

First grade (at a new school) has been a little better, so far 2 skating rink parties, a regular party, but one that was a sleepover. Now it's just 1st grade and this school runs 1-5. We hardly knew the kids, let alone the parents, guess what our answer was, yes to the party, no to the sleepover part.

I know the kids like a lot of the over the top stuff, but more and more, it's just the parents that seem to try to outdo each other.

 

[dannyh23]

If she is a DVC Member, just how many can she get into SAB at once? Now, I am the one who's really nosy!
Gonna, subscribe because I am NOSY

Us DVC members do not have any "special" rights to SAB -- quite frankly it disgusts me that someone thinks the are "entitled" to try and pull something like this off just because they are a DVC member.

It's this sort of stuff that makes me shake my head when people think that just because they have paid $$$ for a membership that they think they are above the rules.

Bottom line -- she can't get ANYONE in -- unless she has a reservation for the day at YC, BC, or BCV. They don't let people, let alone a big party, in just because they are DVC members. With all the people on DIS that are "connected", I think there may be a few people on the lookout for this party -- CM's included -- I just hope a bunch of cast members don't get yelled at to the point that they turn a blind eye and let this occur.

It's also too bad she's promised a whole bunch of kids something she can't deliver. She'd be better off taking them all over to Blizzard Beach to avoid a scene and a huge disappointment!

 

[elijahpep]

Us DVC members do not have any "special" rights to SAB -- quite frankly it disgusts me that someone thinks the are "entitled" to try and pull something like this off just because they are a DVC member.

It's also too bad she's promised a whole bunch of kids something she can't deliver. She'd be better off taking them all over to Blizzard Beach to avoid a scene and a huge disappointment!

I agree with you DannyH. According to Beejie, the OP's later posts in this thread, the DVC member holding the party isn't even offering the kids
drinks or cake. So it would seem in the given scenerio that the Member did
fork of the $$$ for membership but isn't willing too fork over the $$$ for Blizzard Beach. Seems a little bizzare to me the whole thing, but you're right that Blizzard Beach would be the better scenario, regarding entry to the resort (if it's as difficult as others have stated) and CMs wouldn't be helping a member break rules and no unhappy children.


As to DMRick statement about what DVC owns. DVC is it's own group in the Disney family of companies. Beach Club Villas is owned by DVC and is adjoined to a Disney resort but DVC has it's own MS lines to reserve those villas at BEach Club. SAB is the theme pool attached to BC,BCV, and YC. If my understanding is correct. Also, DVC members pay maintaince fees yearly for the upkeep of the BCV and it's pools, which would include SAB, yet SAB isn't exclusive to BCV, but the enitre BC/YC/BCV area. However, DVC members are only allowed to visit SAB if staying at BCV and are supposed to abide by the rules for use of the pools as any other resort guest staying at BC/BCV/YC resorts. DVC members have, to my knowledge, no special preivledges regarding use of SAB.


~DW

 

[castleri]

I agree with you DannyH. According to Beejie, the OP's later posts in this thread, the DVC member holding the party isn't even offering the kids
drinks or cake. So it would seem in the given scenerio that the Member did
fork of the $$$ for membership but isn't willing too fork over the $$$ for Blizzard Beach. Seems a little bizzare to me the whole thing, but you're right that Blizzard Beach would be the better scenario, regarding entry to the resort (if it's as difficult as others have stated) and CMs wouldn't be helping a member break rules and no unhappy children.


As to DMRick statement about what DVC owns. DVC is it's own group in the Disney family of companies. Beach Club Villas is owned by DVC and is adjoined to a Disney resort but DVC has it's own MS lines to reserve those villas at BEach Club. SAB is the theme pool attached to BC,BCV, and YC. If my understanding is correct. Also, DVC members pay maintaince fees yearly for the upkeep of the BCV and it's pools, which would include SAB, yet SAB isn't exclusive to BCV, but the enitre BC/YC/BCV area. However, DVC members are only allowed to visit SAB if staying at BCV and are supposed to abide by the rules for use of the pools as any other resort guest staying at BC/BCV/YC resorts. DVC members have, to my knowledge, no special preivledges regarding use of SAB.


~DW

You have it absolutely right - the bottom line is that every Diseny Pool has signs that say for the exclusive use of guests staying at the resort so whether is is SAB or the pool at CSR unless you have paid very big bucks to reserve the pool for a private party it is not the thing to do to invite 20 familys to come and swim with you. I do feel sorry for the birthday child if this thing goes the way it should. There is always the chance that being Disney they will let them in rather than face the issue of bad publicity and a huge scene at the pool. Of course on the other hand letting them in could cause issues with all the people who are paying to stay there and can't find a chair by the pool. Isn't looking like a winning situation for anyone. Maybe it will rain and no one will come.

If I read the thing about Blizzrd Beach right it would cost an admission ticket plus about $16 per child so in the neighborhood or $50 a child- if she isn't getting refreshments I don't see her going for this one either.

 

[Lilysmom]

I'm going to agree with the PP who says that the mother may not have been comfortable sharing the entire story and may have tried to downplay it. For all anybody knows she could have forked over whatever Disney's "fee" was and that settles that.

I for one know that I don't discuss my financial matters with friends or family, let alone school acquaintances. I wouldn't have said, "Oh yeah Sally... it cost me xyz."

As far as driving to the party, I never EXPECT people to show for my children's parties or any party we host for that matter. We have friends we invite that live an hour away. Some years they can make it and some years they can't. I invite then because that is the polite thing to do. The final decision is theirs on whether or not they want to attend.

You can't please everyone. If the situation had been that we KNEW the woman paid the extra money and she had only invited a select few there would have been a bunch of posts about how annoying it is when people who have money flaunt it and inconvenience everyone else or can you believe that my DD/DS/DG etc WASN'T invited to this party????

Hope you have fun with the Cub Scouts! Sounds like you made a decision you were comfortable with.

 

[CanadianGuy]

She'd be better off taking them all over to Blizzard Beach

OMGosh what a great idea.. I'd never actually thought about having a birthday party at Blizzard Beach.. Heck -- that'd be fun for adults even!!!!

Knox

 

[DMRick]

You have it absolutely right - the bottom line is that every Diseny Pool has signs that say for the exclusive use of guests staying at the resort so whether is is SAB or the pool at CSR unless you have paid very big bucks to reserve the pool for a private party it is not the thing to do to invite 20 familys to come and swim with you. .

Actually, the bottom line is that Disney owns the place and can do whatever they want with the rules.

I agree with the other person that said the Party giver may not want to give out all the info to someone that admittedly isn't even a close friend.

Only on this board, do I see people post that this and that isn't allowed. As if Disney isn't allowed to decide what they will allow.

This mom may very well have paid extra, or talked with the hotel manager, or arranged something with guest service. Disney does like to give out pixie dust and this may be one of those times. I see no where where the OP indicated the party giver had a sense of entitlement. She said she asked and got permission. Good enough for me...and even if it wasn't..it doesn't matter. It only needs to be good enough for Disney.

I just wish I lived close enough and could go..for several reasons. I too would love to see what happens when people get there. I assume it will be just as the party owner thinks it will be. I'd just like to be the one who got to post..yup, she had permission, just like she said, and in they all went. Then, I'd like to sit at Beaches and Cream with an ice cream cone, and watch them all have fun.

 

[Tinker74]

You know when we go on our August trip we are spending one night at BCV..we plan to spend the day relaxing at stormalong bay and then have dinner and illuminations in epcot.
Our friends are staying at POR and it never even occured to me to invite them over to SAB...because everything I have always read on here tell me that is a no no.

 

[dannyh23]

You know when we go on our August trip we are spending one night at BCV..we plan to spend the day relaxing at stormalong bay and then have dinner and illuminations in epcot.
Our friends are staying at POR and it never even occured to me to invite them over to SAB...because everything I have always read on here tell me that is a no no.

Try it and let us know how it works out! In all seriousness, they did build a fence around the whole thing, and give out wristbands after checking resort id's... The signs do say for exclusive use of YC, BC, BCV guests only, but I'm sure at one point or another, some nice cm's may have let some people in during slow times... but don't expect it.

You've got a better chance of sneaking in to Poly or GF's pool...

...but if you learn the secret password or handshake that lets your friends in when staying at POR, you can tell me and I promise I won't tell anyone else!!!

 

[mrzrich]

Here's something I don't like about this entire situation that has nothing to do with money or whether or not she's allowed to have 40 guests at SAB

She invited all these children to a Party at WDW. Which is 90 minutes away As adults we know an invitation is something that you can accept or decline, no biggie...BUT

These are kids...they are 9 and 10...and the invitation says Beach Club at WDW. If somebody invites a 10 year old to WDW, they want to go (Ok I'm 35 and I want to go!)

BUT you are a parent who has to say "No Johnny its too far, blah, blah" As a matter of fact the mother told they OP that she is expecting just that.

I think its an unfair position to put a parent in. They have two choices, be a bad guy who says "No you can't go to the party at WDW" or they can drive 3 hours for a 2 hour party.

You're lucky you have a prior commitment OP

 

[makinorlando]

When I had DD's b-day at Disney (we do live close about 40 minutes, but still more than I like asking parents to transport their kids for a party, and DD wanted to include more than I could transport in my SUV) - I did not send invitations to the children, I called the parents first - this allowed them to check their calendar and decide if it was something they wanted the child to do before the kids knew about it. I also included the parents in the invite to breakfast at 1900 Park Fare if they were driving their child. Fortunately DDs friends who she wanted at her party are only children so I did not have siblings to consider!

Although we are close you would be surprised at the number of families who rarely/never go to Disney. DDs best friend has lived her since she was 2, and has been to MK once when she was 5 - she's 9 1/2 now!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am a BCV owner, mother of 4, who objects to the idea of a SAB pool party, unless Disney collected extra $$ from the parents, to have a CM/life guard police and protect these kids, lol. Kids in groups, not with their families, do not behave like kids WITH their parents...... they get very excited, run around, etc. Of course, they are kids, this is what they DO, whether on school trips, camp outings, or birthday parties. Stormalong Bay is not that safe for this sort of behavior......... for one thing, the lazy river section is very deep, over my head for a large portion of it. ( I once stupidly brought my handicapped teen aged son in there, thinking he would float in a tube like he does at the water parks. He fell out, was hanging on me, water over both our heads, and those lifeguards did not help or even see us, another guest assisted me..... ) and to get to the slide, you have to sort of leave the pool area, and cross a public walkway to go up the stairs to the slide (I hate that, me in my bathing suit walking between sometimes well dressed guests heading over to Epcot/ for unaccompanied kids, just dangerous for many reasons). Quite simply, SAB is very large, and not the best place to keep track of a large group of kids........ the kids who stay in a pack can be troublesome, and kids that slip away to "explore" could be worse.

 

[traci]

I'm going to agree with the PP who says that the mother may not have been comfortable sharing the entire story and may have tried to downplay it. For all anybody knows she could have forked over whatever Disney's "fee" was and that settles that.

I for one know that I don't discuss my financial matters with friends or family, let alone school acquaintances. I wouldn't have said, "Oh yeah Sally... it cost me xyz."

As far as driving to the party, I never EXPECT people to show for my children's parties or any party we host for that matter. We have friends we invite that live an hour away. Some years they can make it and some years they can't. I invite then because that is the polite thing to do. The final decision is theirs on whether or not they want to attend.

You can't please everyone. If the situation had been that we KNEW the woman paid the extra money and she had only invited a select few there would have been a bunch of posts about how annoying it is when people who have money flaunt it and inconvenience everyone else or can you believe that my DD/DS/DG etc WASN'T invited to this party????

Hope you have fun with the Cub Scouts! Sounds like you made a decision you were comfortable with.

very well said

 

[minijeanie]

OP I am a little surprised the BC allows non-guests to use Stormalong Bay, also! My sis and I were there on a chilly, uncrowded day in March. she had left her room key up in the room, and had to go all the way back up to get it before they'd give her a wrist band. I would have NOT liked it, if I had found out that 20 non-guest children and their families had been allowed in without even being overnight guests!

To the pp who booked the extra room, that was a very good idea! Problem is, wouldn't you have to book enough rooms to have a keycard for each swimmer? Like, if 20 people showed up, pay for 4 rooms (5 keycards in each)?

I totally agree with you. If I am paying $200 plus a night to stay at BC, there is no way I want 20 plus kids and family at the pool. It is hard enough to get a lounge chair as it is.

 

[mrzrich]

When I had DD's b-day at Disney (we do live close about 40 minutes, but still more than I like asking parents to transport their kids for a party, and DD wanted to include more than I could transport in my SUV) - I did not send invitations to the children, I called the parents first - this allowed them to check their calendar and decide if it was something they wanted the child to do before the kids knew about it. I also included the parents in the invite to breakfast at 1900 Park Fare if they were driving their child. Fortunately DDs friends who she wanted at her party are only children so I did not have siblings to consider!

Although we are close you would be surprised at the number of families who rarely/never go to Disney. DDs best friend has lived her since she was 2, and has been to MK once when she was 5 - she's 9 1/2 now!

I like the way you handled your daughter's party. Good Idea calling the parents first. Yes, sadly many Floridian children have never been to WDW, I went to nursing school with a girl who was 20, was born and raised here and had never been.