Discounts, costings and budget planning for guests.

[Transatlantic]

First of all, this is my first post on these forums and while I've already found them very informative it's a little overwhelming. So if I'm posting in the wrong place, my sincere apologies.

I only got engaged on June 16 and we have tentatively agreed that 18 to 24 months is when we (and our respective families) will be able to afford our dream wedding. The information we've gotten from disney was helpful, but it simply doesn't answer my questions in regard to pricings, costs, budgeting and all of that money stuff. The post your budget thread has been the only good info I've been able to get.

I live in Ireland and my Fiance is in Ohio. So that in itself is causing major planning road blocks. Basically it's a big ask for family to travel and book rooms in the resort.

Money is an issue for most these days and while I figure that I can just about stretch a Wishes midweek for 30-35 our families are concerned with their personal transport and accomodation costs.

I was hoping people might be able to share what kind of discounts their guests got for both accomodation and park tickets (I know my family would want to make a vacation out of it since they're travelling so far).

To be armed with the information my guests want to know could be the difference between having a Disney wedding or not.

 

[lurkyloo]

The Disney wedding ticket discount is a measly $20 off any park hopper pass.

When you set up a Wishes wedding room block, the hotel discount is usually about 30% off rack rates at convention-center Deluxe hotels, 15% off at other Deluxe hotels, a little less than 15% off at Moderates, and less than 10% off at Values.

Note that this is for a room-only reservation. If guests want package reservations with dining plans and tickets, they will not be able to book through the wedding block and get those discounts. This is significant because (for your guests) there are lots of great packages and extended-stay ticket offers available to residents of the UK and Ireland that might be a better deal than booking room-only through the wedding block. Even your American guests may find that one of the offers currently available to the general public is better than the wedding discount. (Although Disney has said they're going to be reducing the amount of general-public offers in the future.)

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

First of all, this is my first post on these forums and while I've already found them very informative it's a little overwhelming. So if I'm posting in the wrong place, my sincere apologies.

I only got engaged on June 16 and we have tentatively agreed that 18 to 24 months is when we (and our respective families) will be able to afford our dream wedding. The information we've gotten from disney was helpful, but it simply doesn't answer my questions in regard to pricings, costs, budgeting and all of that money stuff. The post your budget thread has been the only good info I've been able to get.

I live in Ireland and my Fiance is in Ohio. So that in itself is causing major planning road blocks. Basically it's a big ask for family to travel and book rooms in the resort.

Money is an issue for most these days and while I figure that I can just about stretch a Wishes midweek for 30-35 our families are concerned with their personal transport and accomodation costs.

I was hoping people might be able to share what kind of discounts their guests got for both accomodation and park tickets (I know my family would want to make a vacation out of it since they're travelling so far).

To be armed with the information my guests want to know could be the difference between having a Disney wedding or not.

Hello, welcome, and congratulations!

I don't know if I have many answers for you but I can try to help.

If you do a room block, usually you can get a good percentage off normal room pricing. I'm not sure what the percentages are exactly, but I think it's somewhere around 10% for value resorts, 20% for moderate, and 30-35% for deluxe. It also depends greatly on the time of year, so if you pick a date during non-peak seasons, you will get better prices.

For tickets, all DFTW gives you is $20 off a park-hopper ticket.

If you don't want to do the room block, I've heard that it's a super good deal to rent DVC points.

Also, your guests are not required to stay on property. There are many hotels around the area that are much less expensive. However, one of the perks of staying on property is they would get free transportation to and from the airport and resorts, as well as to the parks. So if they don't plan on going anywhere else, they would not have to get a rental car or taxi or whatever if they stay on property, which may be a money saver, and a big convenience.

Hope this helps a little, I'm sure more people will come along with more ideas!

 

[lyncecelia]

I'm usually a lurker on this part of the boards since DBF and I aren't "Facebook official" (we are hoping to get married in 2014, and do look at wedding stuff a lot). But this question I felt I would come out of the woodwork to answer.

I'd definitely check out Carrie's (Lurkyloo) book (Passporters Guide to Disney Wedding and Honeymoons) and her podcast (Inside Disney Weddings and Honeymoons). Tons of amazing advice on there (she is one of the few that were able to stay WICKED close to the minimum for her wedding.)

Disney's prices change all the time, so it's hard to predict so far in advance, but the book gives a REALLY good guideline. DBF and I listen to the podcasts a lot (he thinks the chemistry between the two hosts are amazing) and it's just great to get the inside tips. I'd definitely recommend the e-book because you get free update downloads as the book (and prices) update.

 

[Transatlantic]

Thanks for all the tips and info so far. I'll definately be checking out the e-book and podcast and while ghe discounts you guys have shared is generally a little dissapointing (I was hoping to be able to sell the idea to my married with children sisters as 'the cheapest you'll ever be able to do Disney for) it's certainly a start.

I've got fairly good ideas of what I'd like and while I'm perhaps naive, I really believe that I'll do it in budget. Thing is, I've gotten quite a bit of resistance from family about the cost and not having it at home in Ireland. We're determined though, and if it comes down to it my Wishes wedding may turn into an Escape without my 3sisters, their spouses and Children. Though that would be devistatingly sad. In some ways I don't want to get my hopes up too high until this roadblock is overcome.
Thanks again and I look forward to more lurking and posting in the future.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

As our amazing Carrie said, remember that there is no requirement for your guests to stay on property. I know you and your groom would have to adhere to a minimum stay at a WDW resort, but your guests wouldn't. It may be an idea to check out cheaper hotel rooms or villas for your guests. If several people are willing to 'bunk in' together, you can rent 4 or 5 bedroom villas very close to WDW, for fairly reasonable rates. If your guests are determined to stay on property, there is always the option of renting DVC points and booking, say, two bedroom villas which can accommodate up to 8 or 9 people and this may be cheaper than separate hotel rooms.
I assume, being in Ireland, that you can access the British deals which, at some times of the year, include free dining. This can save quite a lot of money, as although your guests would have to pay for their accommodation and park passes, they would get their food for free!!
Now I am going to do one of my shameless plugs for a Swan wedding!!
A wedding at the Swan and Dolphin is a fantastic way to save money. Your wedding is still at WDW and can incorporate almost everything a DFTW can. The two exceptions are Cinderella carriage (but a horse and carriage can still be booked) and the MK photo shoot (a shoot in any of the other parks can be arranged). Having your wedding at the Swan would cost you far less than even an Escape package through DFTW, you would be able to have as many guests as you choose, and you are afforded the same flexibility as you would experience with a 'Wishes' wedding. Sometimes, flexibility is something which is sadly lacking in the smaller DFTW packages!!
My DH and I recently had our VR at the Swan and it was perfect!!! We felt like we missed out on none of the Disney magic, had our photos taken at several locations around WDW (BLT, Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, GF and, for our TTD session the Poly), had the cake, floral, photographer etc that we chose and, to boot, paid probably about half of what we would have if we had gone through DFTW. We had a cocktail hour at Mizner's Bar, reception dinner at Citrico's (both at the GF) and finished the day with drinks and fireworks at the Top of the World Lounge.
Feel free to check out my PJ/TR (TR is still a work in progress). The link is in my signature. If I can be any more help, don't hesitate to ask!!
Good luck whatever you decide!!

 

[Jilian]

If you aren't opposed to staying off property I've heard wonderful things about bonnet creek, if you go over to the resort section you'll find all sorts of reviews and pricing. They have multiple bedroom units and at certain times of the year the prices are ridiculously low. I've seen a 2BR unit for $120/night! They are located right between the Disney resorts, I think next to carribbean beach resort? You'd lose out on the magical express transportation from the airport but they do offer shuttles to the parks. We seriously considered staying there but with so many people coming from out of state we wanted the magical express.

 

[Transatlantic]

LOL Tinkerbell, you obviously fell head-over heels for the Swan and Dolphin!
I'll certainy check out your PJ.

One of the options my futre in-laws were considering was going with one of the cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort, though I would think that the villas are more comfortable and more fitting. But when the numbers crunch, looks like the cabins are half the price!

Which leads me to wonder, are Fort Wilderness cabins include in the block-discounts?

I guess I should just give-up the idea that all my guests would stay on the WDW properties and start calculating with only our stay in the budgeting and transport to and from the event across the Orlando area.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Yes I loved it!! Also I am just trying to help out other brides by highlighting that there are other options if DFTW don't suit or are byond their budgets

 

[Transatlantic]

Yes I loved it!! Also I am just trying to help out other brides by highlighting that their are other options if DFTW don't suit or are byond their budgets

I do kinda have my heart set on the Pavillion for the ceremony, but as my two married sisters keep saying, KEEP AN OPEN MIND. Which I intend to do. I guess I'll not have any hard-solid decisions until it comes time to pay deposits and do contracts etc. Since we're over 18months away, I guess that won't be for a few monts yet. So my primary concern is getting ideas and working provisional budgets. With that all important budget consideration in mind, I'll look into the swan and dolphin more.

A question on that though, can you have an epcot desert party if your at the swan or dolphin hotels?

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Yes, you can have an Epcot dessert party (anybody can)!! It would be arranged through the events team though and not DFTW. The only issue would be that you would not be allowed to wear your wedding dress into Epcot.
If you have your heart set on a DP, remember that if you go for an Escape package through DFTW and you add in a DP through them, your minimum would automatically be $7500.00 (I think, unless it has gone up recently). If you have the a Wishes wedding, a DP would count toward your minimum, provided it is on the day of the wedding itself.