Dessert Party extended hour price?

[DaPookie]

Hey folks!

Does anyone know how much it costs to extend your dessert party? I'm looking for the prices for both with and without the food being extended also.

TIA!!

 

[lurkyloo]

I was quoted $6 per person (+ tax and service charge) for 30 minutes to extend the food service. It's free to stay longer without extending food service....


Really, everyone talks about how much food there is leftover from a standard DP, you prolly wouldn't need to pay for more just because you were staying longer.

HTH!

 

[DaPookie]

I was quoted $6 per person (+ tax and service charge) for 30 minutes. They didn't mention anything about food and drink costs being extended - I guess they figured I didn't want to extend service, just the time we were at the party....


Really, everyone talks about how much food there is leftover from a standard DP, you prolly wouldn't need to pay for more just because you were staying longer.

HTH!

Thanks!

I didn't want them to bring out MORE food per se, just that the orginial food maybe would stay and be eaten up!

Maybe it's one cost for both?

 

[Cinderella22]

I was told by my planner that it would be an extra $400.00 per hour.

 

[Lisacope]

My dessert party is supposed to start at 9:00pm, wishes is supposed to be at 10:00pm, nobody said when it was supposed to end.... I was guessing that it was going to be from 9:00pm - 11:00pm - I had better be sure and ask about that at my planning session!

 

[Janet2k]

Remember, there are health laws that kick in regarding food. For my last outdoor event, I was told what the timeline would be. Food played a big part in that timeline, especially for an event where the weather was usually hot & humid (we're talkin' Florida here). Disney is a stickler for health laws -- and rightfully so.

If my event went over its scheduled timeline and I wanted the food to continue to flow, that is where things could get costly. Each existing tray of desserts or platter of food would have to be thrown away and replaced with fresh items. As you can imagine, a food budget could easily increase in such circumstances. Just thought I'd mention this. So, if anyone is considering having food served non-stop during a long event, especially one that is being held outdoors, they need to discuss with their Event Manager how the food situation will be handled if the event runs into overtime.

Lisacope, most dessert parties run about 90-minutes. I think that's still the timeframe that most dessert parties fall within. Definitely discuss your event's timeline with your Event Manager.
.

 

[lurkyloo]

I was told Illuminations DPs only last 1 hour - I think Janet's getting preferential treatment!

 

[Janet2k]

I was told Illuminations DPs only last 1 hour...

Wow, Lurkyloo, 60-minutes? That seems like it's cutting it close. How early can guests show up before the Illuminations show begins? I think the show lasts around 20-minutes or so, so the 90-minute timeframe always seemed to be okay. But if it is now 60-minutes, it sounds like an "eat and run" kinda situation to me. Yikes!

 

[Janet2k]

I need to note that I have been a guest at Illuminations' parties but never a host. That 60-minute timeframe sure sounds short. Your guests show up, grab a bite to eat, munch on it while the fireworks are being shot off, then board a bus for the ride back to their resort. Definitely an "in and out" kinda situation. Wow. Simply wow. And to think that I always thought 90-minutes was kinda short.

 

[Janet2k]

I was told Illuminations DPs...

Lurkyloo, did they give you a timeline for an Illuminations Dessert Party? I would think that your guests would be picked up at their resorts (or at the wedding ceremony location) and transported to Epcot such that they would arrive at the venue sometime between 8:15 PM and 8:30 PM. Then Illuminations would begin at 9 PM and last approximately 15-minutes (or whatever its length is). After the fireworks show, I would hope that the guests could munch/drink/relax until 10 PM, when they boarded the chartered motor coach for the ride back to their resorts.

At least that is how I had hoped the timeline would play out. If you've got the official timeline, please share because I've been considering hosting a Dessert Party in Epcot for my next vow renewal. Thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

I know! My BEO says 8:30-9:30 for Event Start and Event End.... That's why I know the add-on price, cuz I was like "8:30-9:30 and then we're escorted out? How much to extend it?"

Transportation does indeed put my guests there around 8:20, but then it says "9:30 - escort guests backstage for bus departure." Boooo!

 

[Janet2k]

I know! My BEO says 8:30-9:30 for Event Start and Event End.... That's why I know the add-on price, cuz I was like "8:30-9:30 and then we're escorted out? How much to extend it?"

Thank you for the information. I would definitely pay to extend it, at the very least, by 30-minutes. An hour with your loved ones is definitely too short, especially when 15-minutes of it is taken up by loud music and booming noises.

I wish I could remember the timeline for the last Illuminations Dessert Party that I attended. I was inside the theme park already, and I ~think~ I showed up at the venue around 8:15 PM or 8:30 PM. I'm fairly certain that I hung around for at least 30-minutes or so afterwards. I don't believe I had a camera with me for that event. If I had, I would have the timeline since my photos would be time-stamped. Darn me for not having a camera! *grumble* *grumble*

 

[disprincessatheart]

I am just now looking into a DP for us (no wishes that night = no wishes cruise = needed a new plan) and the packet I got yesterday says Illuminations DP from 8:30 to 9:30 as well. I didn't even think about asking to extend it, but now I will!! We were going to be well under the 5 hour bus minimum, and there's no way I'll want the day to end any earlier than it has to, so extending to 10 instead for an extra $6ppn sounds good to me!!!

 

[Starr W.]

We saw a couple of DP's over MLK weekend(did Illuminations twice since we were staying at BCV). Most seemed to be running late other than the really big group we saw.

The first was Thursday night and the guides were waving those red light wands at 8:45PM ushering people over to the UK area.

Then Saturday night, we saw the big group of businessmen at Italy and this was surprising, a group was having all the food just outside of the gate from BCV, then they went in watched and came out and started eating and drinking again.

I agree with Janet2k, 60 minutes is really a very short time for any sort of gathering. Do they give you more time over at GF for a Wishes DP?

 

[shezfrombermuda]

We saw a couple of DP's over MLK weekend(did Illuminations twice since we were staying at BCV). Most seemed to be running late other than the really big group we saw.

The first was Thursday night and the guides were waving those red light wands at 8:45PM ushering people over to the UK area.

Then Saturday night, we saw the big group of businessmen at Italy and this was surprising, a group was having all the food just outside of the gate from BCV, then they went in watched and came out and started eating and drinking again.

I agree with Janet2k, 60 minutes is really a very short time for any sort of gathering. Do they give you more time over at GF for a Wishes DP?

I do not have a contract yet but the time given to me for a GF Wishes DP is
8:30 - 10:00PM. I was told usually outdoor events with entertainment cannot be extended past 10PM. I am happy with an hour and a half.

 

[Janet2k]

The first was Thursday night and the guides were waving those red light wands at 8:45PM ushering people over to the UK area.

Yikes! That is indeed a late-start. I hope they at least got to hang around after the fireworks show had completed (and I'm not talking about for 15-minutes, either).

Then Saturday night, we saw the big group of businessmen at Italy and this was surprising, a group was having all the food just outside of the gate from BCV, then they went in watched and came out and started eating and drinking again.

I've seen them set up the area near the International Gateway for large group functions. My guess is that area is used because there's really not much space inside the actual World Showcase for a large gathering. Well, without having the gathering take over the World Showcase, that is.

I agree with Janet2k, 60 minutes is really a very short time for any sort of gathering.

Thanks, Starr W. I sometimes don't like voicing my opinion in public since it oftentimes runs against the grain. But in this case, I do feel that 60-minutes is too short for an Illuminations Dessert Party. Especially when you consider the fact that 15-minutes or so is eaten up by music & fireworks. But, hey, I obviously like to eat at a leisurely pace.

Do they give you more time over at GF for a Wishes DP?

Good question. I've had three events at the Grand Floridian's marina. I don't have any of my BEOs handy, but if I can track them down, I'll let you know what the timeline was.

Of course, an event at the Grand Floridian is completely different than an event at Epcot. The resort operates differently than the theme parks do. I also had to pay to have the Wishes fireworks soundtrack piped into the venue. That came at a price. For an Illuminations event, the soundtrack is free (lucky ducks!). That means that you have more money in your budget to spend on other things. But I do adore the Grand Floridian. The Cast Members who work there have never been anything but wonderful to me and my family. I'm definitely biased.

 

[Janet2k]

I do not have a contract yet but the time given to me for a GF Wishes DP is 8:30 - 10:00PM. I was told usually outdoor events with entertainment cannot be extended past 10PM. I am happy with an hour and a half.

Very true, Shezfrombermuda. The Grand Floridian does have a noise ordinance and it used to kick-in at 10 PM (my guess is that is still the same today, based upon what you just shared).

I remember seeing a wedding reception at the Summerhouse. They had a DJ playing music and when 10 PM hit, he told everyone that it was the last dance of the night. True to his word, when that song ended, he packed up his gear and headed home.

I think the timeline that you mentioned sounds perfect. If you choose to have an event at the Grand Floridian, I hope it turns out as nicely as my events have. I adore that resort.

 

[shezfrombermuda]

Very true, Shezfrombermuda. The Grand Floridian does have a noise ordinance and it used to kick-in at 10 PM (my guess is that is still the same today, based upon what you just shared).

I remember seeing a wedding reception at the Summerhouse. They had a DJ playing music and when 10 PM hit, he told everyone that it was the last dance of the night. True to his word, when that song ended, he packed up his gear and headed home.

I think the timeline that you mentioned sounds perfect. If you choose to have an event at the Grand Floridian, I hope it turns out as nicely as my events have. I adore that resort.

Thanks Janet! I saw your pictures of your Halloween dessert party and they are excellent. I only hope my party looks half that good!

 

[Lisacope]

Our DP at the GF is supposed to start at 9:00pm and Wishes is scheduled to be at 10:00pm - this is making me think the party must be at least an hour and a half. Good point about the food though - I really would like my event to be at least two hours - I'll ask about it.

 

[JaxTeach]

Our DP in December was from 9:00-11:00pm. We did not have to pay extra for the extension. We had the food removed at 10:00pm. If you want to keep the food, they have to reprice the regular menu for you. We had an Escape wedding so they will possibly charge Wishes couples.

I haven't finished my TR yet, BUT 1 hour is way too short for the DP. We were extremely rushed. DH and I did not really get to enjoy the party or spend time with our guests (we had our bus leave at 10:00pm to get some older guests back "home"). We arrived a few minutes before showtime (due to transportation, getting in backstage takes a while for security reasons). We had to get setup for our pics at 9:20ish. Illuminations begins at 9:30 (during the holiday season anyway) and lasts until almost 9:50 with the holiday tag. We did not stay until 11:00pm because somehow Epcot was not informed that our BEO said our DP was from 9:00pm to 11:00pm. I recommend extending the DP or having it on a night before or after the wedding.