Dessert Party- Sago Point or EPCOT?

[MainStMandy]

Right now we have Sago Point booked. HOWEVER, while we were in Disney last june we saw a DP/Reception and Df loved it. I like that we don't need transportation if we have it at the GF but we both love the idea of EPCOT too.

Pro's and Con's to both??? Df is also worried about seeing the fireworks...he has a degenrative eye condition and has really bad eye sight.

Thanks girls!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I am having the same issue!! I am/was sure that I was going to book Morocco but now I am having second thoughts. Here are my pro and con's, they may differ from yours, but hope it helps!

Epcot
Pros:
-the "wow" factor of being in a park to watch the fireworks
-I am staying at BC, so we, and possibly other guest can walk
-VIP feeling of being in a secluded area in a busy park (I know it sounds a little odd, but hey, I like feeling special once in awhile )
-The food generally seems to be cheaper

Cons:
-venue fee
-viewing fee's for people without park tickets
-if not offering transportation, there could be a mad scramble to share with park guests

Sago Cay
Pros:
-more money spent on food, less on venue and viewing fees (for example, I could spend $1000 at SC, which means I am getting over $50 in food a person, but for the same price at Epcot, it would prob be more like $30 pp)
-Get pics at the GF (if you haven't already)
-Still a really nice area
-probably less noise than Epcot (although I am not sure)

Cons
-not in a park, may feel like an "outsider" unless you pipe in music
-for me, it's transportation for myself that I don't need if EP
-possibly not as much of a "wow" factor as EP


As you can tell, I really don't know what to do either! Since I am having a noon ceremony, we are having a "cocktail" menu instead of desserts for a DP since people will be hungry again. I can't decide if I want to spend more on food and bev, and go to Sago Cay, or more on ambiance, and go to Epcot

 

[ChocoKat]

I had the same problem, I sooo loved how the Italy Isola looked. But then I remembered I wouldn't be able to bring outside photogs into Epcot and that broke the deal.

I much rather have my own photogs than having so so photos and doing it in Epcot, plus since we are having the VR at the WP and the reception at the GF it really wasn't hard to figure out we could just herd the guest to SC for dessert.

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

They are both great. The pro for Epcot is that you are right there and you don't have to worry about piping in music. The Con is that you will have to pay for a charter bus for a minimum of 4 hours.

 

[honey2741]

Cons:
-venue fee


Since I am having a noon ceremony, we are having a "cocktail" menu instead of desserts for a DP since people will be hungry again.

Does anyone know what the venue fees are for the various Epcot locations?

Cocktail menu, eh? Do you have a "cocktail" menu to share or are you customizing? I really like this idea! I'm not really a HEAVY dessert type of person. Thanks.

 

[lurkyloo]

Does anyone know what the venue fees are for the various Epcot locations?

They're all in that book you bought!

Cocktail menu, eh? Do you have a "cocktail" menu to share or are you customizing? I really like this idea! I'm not really a HEAVY dessert type of person. Thanks.

All of Epcot's menus are on Magical Kingdoms: http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/ftw/wdw/menus.html

 

[PrincessShea]

I cannot speak about Sago Cay, but my DP in Epcot was awesome. I, and everyone there agrees it was the best part of the wedding. It was so magical to be in the park; the atmosphere was indescribable. I loved the "VIP" feel to being in a roped off section. Every other day of my life I am in the peasant section of everything, so it was nice.

The food and drinks were fun, and of course, you cannot beat the fireworks. I think no matter where you are assigned, you are basically "right there".

So basically, it was awesome

I'm sure a DP at Sago Cay could be just as nice though. The GF has a great atmosphere as well...and at the end of it all its really about the people you are with, and with the right group you could have a great time hanging at the TTC.

 

[BecBennett]

I'm planning on using SC, also for the photographer aspect.

 

[Chilly]

Could you do a cocktail/buffet menu at Epcot for your reheasal/welcome dinner and then Sago Cay on the wedding day?

 

[MainStMandy]

Yea...we talked to Df's mom last night and when we mentioned that our rehearsal dinner would be bridal party and parents only she was shocked. I guess she was planning (more like insisting) that everyone be invited to our rehearsal/welcome dinner. So we may get to do both, lol.

Thanks for everyones opinions!

 

[honey2741]

They're all in that book you bought!

All of Epcot's menus are on Magical Kingdoms: http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/ftw/wdw/menus.html

Absolutely!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Does anyone know if you can hire outside transportation for Sago Cay?

 

[chipscinderelly]

Does anyone know if you can hire outside transportation for Sago Cay?

I'm sure Disney would be happy to offer this to you for their price if you want to provide it! Depending on your numbers you may want to look into one way transportation or smaller vehicles vs the charter bus.

 

[MainStMandy]

Are the minimums different for a "dinner" vs dessert party? And if they aren't, is it possible to do dinner for less than $30 per person??

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Are the minimums different for a "dinner" vs dessert party? And if they aren't, is it possible to do dinner for less than $30 per person??

I beleive for Epcot the minimums are the same. I have the menu for a cocktail style reception, with menus ranging from $28 to $41 pp. For Sago Cay, what I understand from my planner, and through reading Carries updated book, is that the minimum is raised to $1000 if you are having a meal.

The menu that is $28 looks really good to me! It includes:
Deluxe Cheeses with Grapes and Crackers
Market Vegetable Display with Lemon-Dill Cream
Chicken Quesadilla with Green Chile Salsa
Vegetable Spring Roll with Dipping Sauce
Potato Chips with Caramelized Leek Dip

I personally think a meal can be made from that, especially if it is more informal!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Just out of interest, has anyone ever had a DP or reception at the GF Marina?

 

[lurkyloo]

Does anyone know if you can hire outside transportation for Sago Cay?

There's no policy preventing this (outside vendors just can't go backstage), so you might want to investigate your alternatives. However, the company Disney uses, Mears, does the lion's share of the transportation business in Orlando.

Are the minimums different for a "dinner" vs dessert party? And if they aren't, is it possible to do dinner for less than $30 per person??

As Boardwalk_Bride said, they go up at Sago Cay if you want to do dinner. Some of the Epcot locations also have a different food and beverage minimum for dinner vs. just a dessert party. For example, Italy Isola has a $75/person minimum and French Island has a minimum of $50/person for the upper and lower terraces.

Just out of interest, has anyone ever had a DP or reception at the GF Marina?

DISer Janet2K did. Here's her report, but all her picture links are broken, unfortunately...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=938090&referrerid=93883


We saw a party being set up there when we stayed at the GF on our honeymoon. I have a better pic of it somehwere...

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

DISer Janet2K did. Here's her report, but all her picture links are broken, unfortunately...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=938090&referrerid=93883


We saw a party being set up there when we stayed at the GF on our honeymoon. I have a better pic of it somehwere...

Thanks a lot! It is too bad her links are broken, but the comments on her pictures are good .

I think the Marina looks amazing! However, I think your book said you need a min of 20 people, and I have 19. I don't think I would mind spending an extra $500 to get that spot! We have enough drinkers in our group, I am sure they can consume that in alcohol anyway

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I had both. Just like others have said, there's pros and cons of both.

Epcot is more "logistics." Getting guests to Epcot, etc. So, I was really glad it was the day before the wedding, when we didn't have all the stress and other things going on. As it was, we still had guests not make it, so that would have been more stressful on the day of the wedding. But IllumiNations set a great "Welcome to our Wedding" mood as far as the magic goes. It definitely has a lot of WOW!

Sago Cay was more casual. We had a morning wedding, and didn't want our wedding to end at 3:00pm. So, it was a great way to extend it, without wearing people out or packing too much in. Also, all of our wedding day events were at the GF, so that put less stress and timelines on our guests. Plus, it's Wishes, which is more typical to the Disney characters and such. I would also add I think Wishes can have quite a bit of wow, too, but you'd really have to pay for the music piped in for it to give you the total ambience.

As for food, we had a buffet dinner at Italy Isola for $58 pp. I don't think it can get much cheaper than that, because it was pasta. But, I guess you could always ask. Maybe do "heavy h'ors doeuvres." I'm not sure if our minimums were different, because it wasn't a "Wedding" event. Sure, our DFTW WP planned it, but it did not count towards our minimums for the wedding.