Did you go down before your planning session?

[MegKate]

Being a bit crazy as I am, I really would like to see the SBP and Ballroom up close and personal. I've got the week of Columbus Day off, and I've found a 230.00 round trip ticket to Orlando, flying out of Manchester, NH. I could stay at my dad's timeshare (Vistana Resort on SR 535, 2 miles from WDW). I would have to pay for a car, but that's about it.

Rob wouldn't be able to go as he's at some weather convention that week. Plus I'm thinking it would be nice to have some sun as we're forecasted to go down to the high 20's Thursday morning.

But is it worth it or even necessary? Or are these the ramblings of a sun starved Maine-r?

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

You can definitely do a site visit before your planning session. Disney will even take you around to the different sites. I am all about site visits because I wasn't feeling the Attic before and then I saw it in person and I was in love. They are worth it if you can get down there.

 

[lov2b@disney]

We did a site visit before our planning session. At about a year out! I would definately do it! Hey, any excuse to get to WDW

 

[Beep]

We were on vacation last year and checked out the options. So glad we did as we fell in love with SBP and originally were going to go for the WP. We didn't look at reception venues as we are having an Escape and will be going to a restaurant.

Just a point, the GF staff were really 'off' with us and refused to let us look at any of the restaurants unless we had pre-arranged with a wedding planner or had made an appointment or had ADR's.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge on the other hand couldn't do enough for us.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

I would definitly do a site visit. I did one right after we called DFTW at 18 months to reserve our date. I am so glad we did it reinforced our location choices!

 

[bridetobe789]

I live close so it's easy to just jump in the car but am SO glad we didn't reserve the first site. We were going to do an escape and when we saw the sites we realized we definitely wanted to do the wedding pavillion and so we figured things out and went wishes!! The pictures are gorgeous online for the sites but some look VERY different in person... Very important to make sure you book what you want since you never know if someone else may book the same time and different place!! Good luck!

 

[Keira1387]

We live close by, so we went and did our own "site visit" before we had our offical site visit with Disney. We were able to narrow our choices down for the reception, and it was fun to explore the different places on our own.

 

[MegKate]

I think I'll plan it out tomorrow. My dad and step mother are coming up here the 14 + 15 to look at the leaves. I'll grab a ride with them home (Worcester, Massachusetts), and then fly out early on the 16th. I'll only be there for one full day, 2 half days but I think it will be good enough to see the sites and put my mind at rest. I'll call my WC Pam tomorrow and make sure I can get a site visit on the 17th. I'll go back home (Limestone, Maine) on the 18th. Rob flies home from that weather conference the same day, so I'll ride back home with him. Woo Hoo!

And I can go to Epcot and ride Mission Space and see what they did to Spaceship Earth. I'll post back about details. I'm glad I'm going because I've never been to the Boardwalk area - I've only passed it in the boat from Hollywood to Epcot. I'll also take many pictures of the sites and post back from my adventure!

Thanks to you all - as always!