Caution for Nov/Dec Disney Weddings

[CottontailCurl]

Hey there everyone! I've only been reading Disboards for a few months now and the 2 forums I spend the most time at are Fort Wilderness and Disney Weddings (love reading wedding trip reports and have been brought to tears several times by reading about your experiences). I hope it's not inappropriate to write a caution here since I don't have a Disney Wedding planned but thought you might like to hear it.

We were in Walt Disney World from December 9th through the 14th with the afternoon of the 11th spent at the Grand Floridian. My family had tickets for MVMCP and planned to meet at the Gingerbread House at the GF before going over. My kids and I arrived early, maybe 3:30ish and had the pleasure of seeing a newly wedded couple out on the balcony across from the second floor elevator. I didn't get to see what she looks like but can tell you the back of the bride's dress was gorgeous! I thought it was sweet to kind of be a witness to what might be a future Disney Wedding trip report. We went on downstairs to check out the tree and gingerbread house and later on, after my family arrived, noticed that the couple had moved indoors and onto the staircase to take pictures there. It was cool to see the stairs that I've seen in so many trip reports and wedding photo albums but that feeling was overshadowed by how upset I was for this bride and groom. This is where the warning comes in. The Grand Floridian was crazy packed with people. Where the photos I've seen of couples were of them and a grand staircase, this poor couple had people raining down the staircase with them. Their photographer's assistant asked the stream to walk down the left hand side only but I don't know how they could take decent pictures even with them only on one side. When you look at other photo albums with couples in front of the Christmas tree, there is no one (practically) in those pictures (this is an album I saw from a wedding earlier in the month I believe) but there is no way they could take tree pictures with the hotel in the background without several people in the photo. I thought the crowds were because of the Christmas party and people stopping in at the Gingerbread House on the way, but when we walked out the front door where people are dropped off when they arrive, there were several busloads of people at that entrance. I read recently that there are bus tours in the central Florida area that take people around to the resorts to check out the Christmas decorations. I don't know how much control photographers have over when they can use the Grand Floridian for shoots but if you have a November or December Wedding and plan on taking pictures inside the Grand Floridian I would ask your photographer to help you plan your photos for very early in the day or very late in the evening. I'm hoping that I was the only one upset by this and the bride and groom laughed it off as 'one of those things'!

We were sort of part of another wedding last week. We walked from MGM to the Swan Hotel, checked out their very unfestive digs, walked down the path toward the Yacht Club and started to hear the faint sound of bagpipes. A quick check with my kids confirmed it was coming from somewhere at the Boardwalk and I wasn't moments from the Pearly Gates! We walked on further until we were near the Yacht Club boat pier and the sound was louder, very lovely, and had the attention of several people passing by (one couple from the UK; "ahhh, the bagpipes"). By the time we made it to the wedding couple they appeared to be in Reception Mode, I didn't want to butt in to their private moment with friends and families by staring so we walked on. How do wedding couples out in the public areas of WDW feel about gawkers? I had the urge to watch but it felt peeping tommish.

Anyway, congratulations to the newly married couples! Still wondering if they are disboarders and if their trip reports will show up here!

 

[TinkBride]

As far as gawkers go.......

Some brides LOVE it and enjoy the fact that people shared in their special day and were happy to offer their congratulations.

But as with everything, I am sure other brides do not appreciate it. They may feel as if the moment is private and they want to share it with their family and friends only. Or they may just be shy by nature and don't like the extra attention.

I think it is one's personal feelings either way. I am sure any bride and groom would appreciate a smile and congratulations if you were to see them out.

As far as i am concerned anybody can gawk at my wedding with no fear of it bothering me. The more the merrier right? So if anyone is on the Boardwalk on March 9 @ 5:00ish.......gawk away!

 

[JonetteA]

I can definately talk a little on the gawker issue. We were very lucky as we had our ceremony in the World Showcase before it opened to the public. I saw our "security" squad moving people away from the location when I was hid in the Rose and Crown. However, I was informed that people would be able to see us. I think based on the location you realize that this could happen. I got stopped several times when we were taking pics around the showcase for "pictures with the bride" from total strangers. I felt that this was fine and the people were so nice to ask first. Some just gawked and took pictures.

For the YCG, which is what I think you were talking about, it is definately a roll of the dice. You never know what people are going to hang outside their room, beach towels, etc. Although, the past wedding that we attended at the YCG we did see some kids and adults pull out chairs to watch the beautiful wedding we were witnessing. Two little girls went inside and got their dolls and brought them out so that they could see a Fairytale come true.

I asked the bride later if she had noticed, and she said no. Just like I did not notice that day if anyone saw us or not. I know I got tunnel vision that day on just watching, looking and loving my husband.

 

[Maggimus]

We had a lot of lookers at our wedding in November at Sea Breeze Point. We didnt mind... they werent disruptive or anything. I think it depends on the comments made aloud (lots of drunks lingering around at some hotels)...

That is so nice of you to post that about the staircase. Its a huge picture spot and I can only imagine what that bride and groom must be feeling. Some people are lacking in respect.... we all know this seeing we have all been to WDW atleast once and know the horrible people we encounter in lines, etc.

Thanks CottontailCurl- you are welcome here anytime

 

[cryssi]

it was kind of neat to have people oohing and ahhing when I was sitting in the coach waiting to go to the ceremony (is that narcissistic?) LOL People walking out of the hotel (the coach was parked right outside one of the DLH towers) stared, smiled, offered congratulations...some stood around until I was driven around the corner to the rose court garden...mothers told their little girls that they could have that when they got married...it was so cute!

 

[stitch042004]

As far as gawkers go.......

As far as i am concerned anybody can gawk at my wedding with no fear of it bothering me. The more the merrier right? So if anyone is on the Boardwalk on March 9 @ 5:00ish.......gawk away!

i could defnitley be in the area to gawk away.

 

[JoD]

Alot of people watched my DH and I getting our pictures taken at the GF and is was nice, they congratulated us and just watched. As we walked out of the WP the monarail stopped for a few mins. and they watched us walk over the bridge, you can see it in some of our pictures. I think it's nice to get all the attention. We also had a couple of people walking down the GF staircase as we were taking pictures but our photographer Joe handled it well and put someone at the top of the stairs to stop anyone from coming down.

 

[pixie08]

Thank you for posting this!

This has been a concern for me...I don't mind a few people looking or whatever and that is to be expected but large crowds of people gushing through lobbies at an intimate time (and nervous at that) would make me batty! Since our wedding is late June and fairly high attendence we are doing what we can to avoid this.
a. we are using the pavilion so it is private.
b. we are avoiding the grand for pics (this was never a priority for me anyway) and opting to do pics around the grounds of the boardwalk for me and shipwreck beach for the guys.

Some people like it though and so for those people it is not an issue I guess

 

[superdiz]

I personally thought it was hilarious that we had gawkers 3 people deep and all along the entire railing at the China Pavilion while we were taking photos outside. LOL We felt like celebrities for a day and now will be forever in those people's vacation photos and/or video LOL

The staircase was annoying. The one thing I will say to guests, is if you see a wedding being photographed, don't be a jerk, there's an elevator that is in full service right there, use it. There are also other staircases going down to the main floors, use them. Don't include yourself in the ignorant parade. I couldn't believe we kept getting interrupted for morons walking down the stairs. I would rather walk the extra 15 steps to the next staircase or take the elevator. Brides are typically on the staircase for 15 minutes or less. Have a little respect. I personally wouldn't do that to anyone taking photos, I make great efforts to move OUT of simple vacation photos when I see them being taken. I bet these are the people who continue right through photos as well.

RAH RAH RAH apparently you see this had me miffed on my wedding day and the wedding day of my friend who had it much worse than I.

 

[kimnkel]

I was married at Disney on 12/14 and had my pre ceremony photos taken at the GF, where we were staying. It was about 3 pm, and while the lobby was crowded, it was manageable. Everyone was very nice about trying to stay out of the way of the photographer, even though I was more than willing to accomodate them-- not expect them to accomodate us. The lobby of the GF is a public place, and I felt I was not entitled to special treatment simply because I was in a wedding gown. Yes, I would walk around a bride having her picture taken, but then that's me. I don't expect everyone else to do as I would do.

As for gawkers--well. Everyone loves a wedding, and I felt honored to have so many well-wishers. Everyone was so sweet and kind--complete strangers wishing us well and complimenting us. The people gathered around, asking if it was a "real wedding" or for a magazine--and then acting as if they were honored that I would speak to them. A little girl asking if I was a princess, and me telling her absolutely, and so is she, and then getting a hug from her. It is all part of the Disney magic--the bonhomie of the crowd; total strangers sharing special moments.

If that is not for you, or if shyness prevents you from enjoying the attention (and trust me, I am more introvert than extrovert, but loved the good vibes I got from the crowd) then perhaps a Disney wedding is not for you. There are plenty of quiet churches, and a Disneymoon could always follow!

I loved my wedding! It truly was the happiest day of my life!

 

[Maggimus]

Yay for KimNKel- congrats!

 

[D&R love Disney]

Our wedding was at SBP and I really enjoyed getting looks and hearing the congratulations. We also had dinner at YSH and enjoyed the other vacationers comments.

 

[CottontailCurl]

We had a lot of lookers at our wedding in November at Sea Breeze Point. We didnt mind... they werent disruptive or anything. I think it depends on the comments made aloud (lots of drunks lingering around at some hotels)...

That is so nice of you to post that about the staircase. Its a huge picture spot and I can only imagine what that bride and groom must be feeling. Some people are lacking in respect.... we all know this seeing we have all been to WDW atleast once and know the horrible people we encounter in lines, etc.

Thanks CottontailCurl- you are welcome here anytime

Thanks so much for the welcome! I do believe I'm addicted to wedding trip reports! In your picture in your sig, is that taken in the area between International Gateway at EPCOT and the Boardwalk? If so, that's where the bagpipe couple was.

Thanks for everyone's comments about holiday wedding pictures at the Grand Floridian. I just wanted to say again that as people were rounding that staircase and starting the first couple steps down, they'd look down, see the wedding couple, start to walk back up the stairs but get waved back down on the left side of the couple by the assistant. So, the people I saw were trying to be mindful of the couple, I'm just concerned that it can't be very romantic to be in that mess unless you're one of the Bradys and you're used to masses of people everywhere .

Did I mention this board is addictive? I was only supposed to check things out for a few minutes here and 'just one more page' of a trip report soon becomes the entire thing read, another post leads to another trip report (thanks for sneaking them into your signatures!!). Thanks everyone for taking the time to write them.

 

[CottontailCurl]

A little girl asking if I was a princess, and me telling her absolutely, and so is she, and then getting a hug from her.

That's the sweetest thing I've read today! 12/14? Did you get married in the Boardwalk area and have bagpipes by any chance?

 

[Laurafoster]

We were married in Dec at the YCG and had a few onlookers. One thing i will say though is that this really isnt specific to Nov/Dec brides. We went in April last year around easter time and the same thing occured. I guess any peak time you have the risk of it. I personally had no problem with it at my wedding - i got lots of congratulations which was nice!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

We were married a year ago today We were actually taking pictures on the Grand staircase now. We had a massive crowd. However, for those people who didn't move out of the way, Disney Photographic Services was able to digitially edit and remove. On the staircase especially, people have a tendency to stop in their tracks and retreat into a corner not realizing they are still in the picture. Most of the time, the assistants can clear them out and when they can't, you either don't see those pictures or computers work magic. The hardest one to get is infront of the piano.... that one took some time!

People all gone! Poof! Just like Disney magic!

 

[PrincessMo]

This is a great thread I have to say. Its nice reading everyone's experiences with this.

I was married December 7th 2005 at the Wedding Pavilion so I didn't have gawkers for the ceremony. But for pictures inside the grand floridian and out there were lots. Luckily I did not have the same problem at the Grand Floridian with the staircase and Christmas tree. I remember Randy Chapman allowing only one couple down that staircase. And he was all over the place taking a million pictures of me and everyone else on there.

Also, for Cinderella's Coach...there must have been at least 50 people outside that door watching us get in and pull away. And as they say..."the crowd went wild" when I started my princess wave (that i practiced with both hands for an entire year...oh yes, i'm not ashamed..LOL). And people walking by would stop and take pictures...anyone over at the wedding pavilion was taking pictures. It was really pretty cool...I felt so beautiful and famous.

The same thing happened at the BoardWalk as well. There was a story teller with little children in the lobby telling them a story (well i think she was a mime telling them a story with movement) and she came over and made a fuss over me and all the children ooh'd and ah'd. It was pretty cool.

So, yeah...as others have mentioned...being in a public venue you will get that but at least it is good gawking. And they are "checkin' you out" because you look drop dead gorgeous and your wedding looks fabulous. And they are probably also jealous. I mean who doesn't want a Disney wedding!

Have A Magical Day!

Maureen

 

[allisonswonderland]

I was going to say we did not really have that many problems EXCEPT at the reception at Ariels during the time when Mickey and Minnie were there - people were trying to come in and our EM had to close the gates - people were taking pics- and just walking into our reception- thank goodness for the fish tank otherwise there would have been a problem!

 

[PrincessBride07]

As a very experienced Disneygoer (I worked there for 8 months on the college program and at another time lived in Orlando for a year with an annual pass to Disney), I can tell you that no matter what time of year you go you will have gawkers. I will admit that I would go on Saturday nights sometimes to see the brides and groom have there pictures taken at GF. (I did maintain my distance and did not interfer with the sessions.) There are times when WDW is less crowded. November is actually pretty uneventful with the exception of the beginning of the month (Food and Wine Festival) and Thanksgiving weekend. December is only good for those first two weeks. Once you get close to Christmas (say around the Friday before Christmas), it is the craziest you will get all year. If you are looking for other "dead times" I would suggest January till early February and middle to end September. Another good indicataur of the crowds is the rates. The value season is the least crowded.

 

[IrishCinderella]

The staircase was annoying. The one thing I will say to guests, is if you see a wedding being photographed, don't be a jerk, there's an elevator that is in full service right there, use it. There are also other staircases going down to the main floors, use them. Don't include yourself in the ignorant parade. I couldn't believe we kept getting interrupted for morons walking down the stairs. I would rather walk the extra 15 steps to the next staircase or take the elevator. Brides are typically on the staircase for 15 minutes or less. Have a little respect. I personally wouldn't do that to anyone taking photos, I make great efforts to move OUT of simple vacation photos when I see them being taken. I bet these are the people who continue right through photos as well.

RAH RAH RAH apparently you see this had me miffed on my wedding day and the wedding day of my friend who had it much worse than I.

I'm "the friend". I agree, walk around another way if you can. It can get pretty annoying.

But, having said that, I'm really shy - I was often referred to as the "anti-bride" during the wedding planning, etc. I was actually completely dreading the GF staircase pictures. I was surprised, however, on that day I barely paid any attention to the all the people staring. I was just so involved with my family and friends.