Dessert Party Questions

[daisygirl902]

I am in the very very early stages of making plans for an Escape Wedding. I keep seeing all kinds of posts about a dessert party in Epcot - What is it? What do they normally serve? How long do they last? Approximately how much do they cost for around 14 people?

Any advice would be appreciated - I am planning a casual dinner for the group (I believe we will all be on the DDP) - but would love to hear more about the DP at Epcot as it may be something to try to cram into my budget!

 

[NikkiPants]

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you are! Escape wedding, informal fun dinner, and hopefully a dessert party!
From what I gather, there is a menu you can choose from as to what you want to be served at your Dessert Party. They have it at Epcot right before Illuminations, so you get an area to yourself/your guests to have dessert and then watch the show!
The only thing I'm unsure if is the guest minimum. I think there may be a 20 person minimum?
If that is the case, I am going to ask if I can pay a 20 person minimum and go from there as far as food costs go. I have 14 people, as well, thusfar.
It sounds like a wonderful way to thank/welcome your guests! If you find out any more information, let me know and I will do the same for you.

 

[Chilly]

Yes the cost is set at a 20 person minimum

 

[lurkyloo]

The Japan Pavilion is available to groups of 10 or fewer. If you have between 10 and 20 people, you are usually given Morocco (and sometimes the smaller patios in France or Italy, if they become available) and then just pay a small-party charge.

 

[Dizneydawn]

I am deliberating between a wishes wedding and an escape wedding. Small group of about 15 is our best guess. Can you have a dessert reception with an escape wedding or is it only available for wishes weddings? Not sure if the Wishes wedding might put us at more OOP than needed since our group is so small and would love to implement that piece of the dessert party no matter the size.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

I am deliberating between a wishes wedding and an escape wedding. Small group of about 15 is our best guess. Can you have a dessert reception with an escape wedding or is it only available for wishes weddings? Not sure if the Wishes wedding might put us at more OOP than needed since our group is so small and would love to implement that piece of the dessert party no matter the size.

We are doing an escape and you can definitely do a dessert party. We only will have 2 guests (our kids), and are planning on having it in Japan.

 

[Nicsnick]

We are having a dessert part later this month after our Escape wedding. We have 11 people total. We will be in Morrocco. The total cost for 11 of us (6 have park tickets) is going to be about $900. I created a custom menu which is $26 per person and we have transportation since it is in Morrocco. I want to wear my dress and was told that walking is not an option.

Since we have less than 20 people there is a $50.00 fee.

I hope this information helps someone!!!

 

[meryll83]

We have 12 people, the minimum dessert cost is $22 per person, (ours is $28pp) but we don't have to pay for 20, just us 12 At least our BEO doesn't mention that, nor has our planner!!!

We have been limited to using Morocco for our location, due to our smaller party size, but that's the only limitation we've been set....

 

[Chilly]

See this is where the DIS comes in handy, I've only got 10 people but haven't been offered Japan.

I was told this:

The food and beverage minimum for use of this venue for a Dessert Party is $22.00 per person (exclusive of wedding cake, service charges and sales tax) for a minimum of 20 guests and a maximum of 60 guests. There venue rental fee is a $275.00 plus tax. Disney charter bus transportation will be required. An additional $12.95 plus tax per person will be charged for viewing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Restrooms used at this facility are shared with day guests and are located outside the venue area. All talent performing within Epcot® must be secured by Walt Disney Entertainment through your Wedding Event Planner. All floral, décor items, photography and videography must be provided by Disney. Amplified entertainment and characters are not available for use in this location; existing background music only. Opening and closing park hours are subject to change at any time; therefore, event and entertainment hours will vary.

 

[meryll83]

Just ask them about it Claire,

Say you've heard that Japan can be used for smaller parties and you thought Morocco was also available for the same.

Can't hurt to ask, it's a shame that people get different answers isn't it? Was it recently you were told this or a while back? We've only just added our dessert party last week and it's been okay for us....

 

[Chilly]

Just ask them about it Claire,

Say you've heard that Japan can be used for smaller parties and you thought Morocco was also available for the same.

Can't hurt to ask, it's a shame that people get different answers isn't it? Was it recently you were told this or a while back? We've only just added our dessert party last week and it's been okay for us....

Just recently I asked. I might have an 11th guest now so Japan would be no good but they don't know that!

Can you PM me with the cost on your BEO as i'm wondering about changing from the Garnd 1 to a DP instead.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

I want the smaller pavilions in France or Italy, but don't think I'm allowed and have only been offered Morocco, that's there's a 20 person min for the other 2. I'm not even allowed to pay for the extra 'guests', say we have 16 and I pay for 20 anyway.

You are allowed to invite extra people though, so if any DISers are there the same time as you

 

[meryll83]

Just recently I asked. I might have an 11th guest now so Japan would be no good but they don't know that!

Can you PM me with the cost on your BEO as i'm wondering about changing from the Garnd 1 to a DP instead.

Here is the breakdown from the BEO, it doesn't list the tax / service charge bits seperately for some reason, but it does show the total costings:

1 venue package Morocco @ $200 $213
12 modified Petit Classics menu @ 28 pp $432.99
1 outdoor set up fee (chairs & tables) @ $75 $75
1 luxury van transport @ $120 $120
1 luxury van transport @ $120 $120

$965.87 total

The centerpieces have been lumped into our main floral budget seperately, but above gives you the basic costs of the party itself, the luxury vans seat a max of 8 people each. The $12.95 viewing fee isn't on there for some reason, perhaps it's because we mentioned our guests will all have passes, but I thought this was meant to be paid for in advance. Still, I won't complain!!
Let me know if you need to know anything more....

 

[Chilly]

Here is the breakdown from the BEO, it doesn't list the tax / service charge bits seperately for some reason, but it does show the total costings:

1 venue package Morocco @ $200 $213
12 modified Petit Classics menu @ 28 pp $432.99
1 outdoor set up fee (chairs & tables) @ $75 $75
1 luxury van transport @ $120 $120
1 luxury van transport @ $120 $120

$965.87 total

The centerpieces have been lumped into our main floral budget seperately, but above gives you the basic costs of the party itself, the luxury vans seat a max of 8 people each. The $12.95 viewing fee isn't on there for some reason, perhaps it's because we mentioned our guests will all have passes, but I thought this was meant to be paid for in advance. Still, I won't complain!!
Let me know if you need to know anything more....

Thanks, to swap or not to swap

 

[NikkiPants]

Hey this helped me a ton! Haha, thanks ladies!
Another questionl; does the Dessert Party have to occur the day of the wedding or can it be the night before or after?

 

[Nicsnick]

Youc can acually book a dessert party any night!!! But you can only wear your dress if it is on your wedding night.

 

[NikkiPants]

Thanks!

Also, what's up with this? http://magicalkingdoms.com/ftw/wdw/menus/gfdessert.html
I know you can see Wishes from GF, is this a Wishes Dessert Party?

 

[lfama]

Here is the breakdown from the BEO, it doesn't list the tax / service charge bits seperately for some reason, but it does show the total costings:

1 venue package Morocco @ $200 $213
12 modified Petit Classics menu @ 28 pp $432.99
1 outdoor set up fee (chairs & tables) @ $75 $75
1 luxury van transport @ $120 $120
1 luxury van transport @ $120 $120

$965.87 total

The centerpieces have been lumped into our main floral budget seperately, but above gives you the basic costs of the party itself, the luxury vans seat a max of 8 people each. The $12.95 viewing fee isn't on there for some reason, perhaps it's because we mentioned our guests will all have passes, but I thought this was meant to be paid for in advance. Still, I won't complain!!
Let me know if you need to know anything more....

The cost of the transportation was only $120? I heard it was $450! How many people does that van hold?

 

[meryll83]

The cost of the transportation was only $120? I heard it was $450! How many people does that van hold?

I think that might be the motorcoach you've heard about. I actually enquiried about that first, as I didn't realise there were other options. I can't remember how many the motorcoach fits now, I was just told it would fit our whole party.

The luxury vans were recommended to us by our planner, and these actually seat 8 people each, so we're using 2. It would have been nice to have everyone all together, but 2 luxury vans are cheaper than 1 motorcoach...

A mini-motor coach which will hold your entire party- $435.75/5 hours (minimum charter is 5 hours)

Two luxury vans which can hold up to (8) guests each- $120.00/3 hours (minimum charter is 3 hours)

 

[PrincessShea]

Two luxury vans which can hold up to (8) guests each- $120.00/3 hours (minimum charter is 3 hours)[/COLOR]

Sorry to be annoying, but I am still a little unclear. Are the luxury vans $120 each? Or $60 each?