casual welcome party suggestions?

[TiggerificSox]

Hi... I am trying to think of a unique "casual dinner" location to rent out for a welcome party. I'm not sure on the number of people just yet. I'd be interested in beaches, private rooms, patios, etc.... A light meal would be awesome... nothing super expensive or elaborate (honestly a cookout would be good.) Any and all ideas are welcome!!!

 

[polynesianbride]

If you want casual and you don't mind being in a restaurant with other people I would vote for OHana's at the Polynesian! It's my favorite

 

[TiggerificSox]

I like Ohana also... it is on the list if I cannot come up with another idea. I'm trying not to spend a fortune. Does anything know anything about any of the hotel beaches and what kind of areas they offer? (Just a thought I had based on looking around the disboards)

What about anywhere at the boardwalk? Are those considered to be Disney restaurants? Just curious. (Like ESPN, Spoodles, etc)

 

[malibustacey]

Good question, because all my guests will be flying from the UK, so we will be here together for a few days before the wedding. I was thinking about what we should do together before the wedding. And we dont really have the money to have anything elaborate at all.

(i was just thinking of getting everyone together at a certain time in front of the castle at MK and buying everyone a hot dog and get a disney photographer to take a photo of us all outside the castle with a hot dog- casual and fun! - we can all enjoy a day together, and hopefully managing to get on the rides all together!)

 

[Briarprincess]

We had planned a BBQ on Shipwreck Beach at the Yacht & Beach Club as our welcome party/rehearsal dinner. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Corn on the cob, apple cobbler, etc., and open Beer-Wine bar. It was about 2 hours long.
However, it was REALLY hot out that day, and there was a chance of rain (I think like 80%). Because of this, Disney moved us inside to our backup location (a convention center room).
While not what we had originally pictured, it still turned out really well. Most of our guests were very happy to be inside with the heat.

 

[linzwylie]

We are staying in a large villa, so we are having everyone come over and we will provide food and drink there also the kids will be able to play in the pool.

Linz xxx

 

[TiggerificSox]

We had planned a BBQ on Shipwreck Beach at the Yacht & Beach Club as our welcome party/rehearsal dinner. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Corn on the cob, apple cobbler, etc., and open Beer-Wine bar. It was about 2 hours long.
However, it was REALLY hot out that day, and there was a chance of rain (I think like 80%). Because of this, Disney moved us inside to our backup location (a convention center room).
While not what we had originally pictured, it still turned out really well. Most of our guests were very happy to be inside with the heat.

If you don't mind my asking, how much does something like this cost? This sounds great!

 

[Skylarr29]

You will definitely spend more for a private function IMO. For example 'Ohana is approx. $27.00 per person for all you can eat, nice atmosphere, and you may even be able to time it to see Wishes during dinner or dessert.

A private function will usually have a rental fee and then if you add decor it starts to add up. We looked into a party on shipwreck beach but I was getting way carried away with the theming/decor and the cost skyrocketed in no time.

I know someone on here had a BBQ at the Ft. Wilderness beach area and my friend Sara-Jayne had a cook out at the Grand Floridian Summer House as part of her wedding reception and they had milkshakes and a Caribbean band etc. and it was a lot of fun...even though it was SO hot.

Another thing to consider is weather, are you going to be happy if it has to be moved inside? We ended up changing our wedding reception location because we did not like the back up location and could not accept the fact that we might have had to move inside.

There are tons of things you can do, it all depends on what you want and what you want to spend.

 

[TiggerificSox]

I know someone on here had a BBQ at the Ft. Wilderness beach area and my friend Sara-Jayne had a cook out at the Grand Floridian Summer House as part of her wedding reception and they had milkshakes and a Caribbean band etc. and it was a lot of fun...even though it was SO hot.

Do you know how expensive the Summer House is? Also, was your friends event like a "post reception"? I'd consider that over a dessert party on the wedding day.... just a side note!

 

[Skylarr29]

I don't know how much the event was. It was in the middle of the day after the brunch reception, and before the dessert party. Instead of having a break we partied all day. I will ask her and see if she doesn't mind sharing.

 

[Briarprincess]

If you don't mind my asking, how much does something like this cost? This sounds great!

Welcome Party- $3,613 total
This included:
-41 “Chip and Dale” Rehearsal Dinner Buffets @ $44pp = $1804
-4 Children’s “Chip and Dale Rehearsal Dinner Buffets @ $22pp = $88
-1 Gluten Free Child’s Meal @ $22pp - $22
-Hosted Beer and Wine Bar @ $7 each - (65 served drinks) = $455
-Soft Drinks, Assorted @ $3.75 each – (49 served) = $183.75
-Bottled Water @ $3.75 each – (14 served) = $52.50
Bar- $455, Catering Not Taxed- $52.50, Catering total- $2,097.75, Service Charge- $521.05, Sales tax- $199.79 = TOTAL $3326.09
-Plus minimal Floral decorations @ $270 plus $17.55 tax for another $287.55

We decided that with the location, we didn't need much decoration wise, and no entertainment for 2 hours because our guests would much rather mingle and hang out together. Boy were we right. We had people lingering well after in the room just talking and they ended up moving to one of the bars to continue. Mind you, these were people who had never met! Exactly what we wanted from the party.
The decorations we did have were small centerpieces for the tables that had an electric candle in the middle for "when it started getting dark." (Our party was from 4-6 in August, it doesn't get dark until later but the florist insisted we should have them... not a big deal since they ended up looking nice turned on inside.) I would suggest that if you do something like this that you ask what kind of lighting is provide if the event goes into dusk/nighttime since it gets darker earlier in October.
But I REALLY enjoyed this as it gave everyone a chance to meet in a much more relaxed setting and have a great time.

 

[TiggerificSox]

Thanks! This board is deadly! I'm going to blow my 30k minimum in no time.... which is bad because it's also my maximum!

 

[Skylarr29]

Thanks! This board is deadly! I'm going to blow my 30k minimum in no time.... which is bad because it's also my maximum!

It is deadly lol. Also, if your minimum is 30k don't forget that doesn't include taxes and service charge so you will spend a few more K's at least on top of it. There is a food/Bev charge of 21% and sales tax on certain items of 6.5%. Just wanted to let you know so you budget accordingly.

 

[TiggerificSox]

Thanks! A food/bev charge of 21% is definitely good to know about while planning!

 

[Skylarr29]

Thanks! A food/bev charge of 21% is definitely good to know about while planning!

You're welcome. Just to clarify, if you have a 30k minimum you have to reach it BEFORE the taxes and service charges are added in so if your service charge and tax is 3k you will spend 33k because you have to reach the 30k minimum.

 

[lurkyloo]

Do you know how expensive the Summer House is? Also, was your friends event like a "post reception"? I'd consider that over a dessert party on the wedding day.... just a side note!

The Summerhouse has a $1,500 food and beverage minimum but no venue rental fee.