Disney brides are the best people to ask...

[lindybug]

I was a Disney bride back in 2003 (WP/ADH), but I have been "out of the loop" the past few years. I figured you more recent Disney brides would be the best people to ask this question...

I'm thinking of throwing a surprise 40th birthday party for my husband at WDW. But I'm having trouble coming up with venue ideas. It would be in January, and we'd have somewhere between 20 and 40 people. I haven't decided yet if it would be a Saturday night, or a Sunday brunch.

Some ideas I've had so far:

• an Illuminations dessert party (but I would probably want dinner too...)
• dinner/dessert at the Summerhouse (but would weather be a factor in January?)
• dinner at the Coral Reef (but too expensive, I think)
• brunch at the Attic or Whitehall room

I would love to hear any other ideas any of you may have...

Thanks!

 

[Malibelle]

That would be fun. We had our rehearsal party at Ohan'a with 50 people, it was a blast. You could have it there and then a dessert party in Epcot!

or I saw someone have thier reception in the Great Movie Ride in MGM, it could be pricey, I don't know what you are looking to spent. I like the idea of the Attic, it looks so nice up there.

 

[lindybug]

Thanks, Malibelle! O'hana is great, but I was hoping for somewhere more private, like a restaurant with a private room. (We had our RD at California Grill, so I wouldn't want to do that again.)

The GMR would be AMAZING but I am sure that is way more than I would want to spend. I'm hoping to keep this below $3000... Is that even possible?!

The more I think about this, the more I like the idea of a Sunday brunch. I just thought of some more venues that could work for that:

• Ariel's
• Citrico's (since it's only open to the public for dinner)
• Somewhere in the World Showcase? American Adventure would be ideal, since DH is such a patriot. But, I assume we'd have to be done before Epcot even opens, which would be way too early!

Hmmm....

 

[Malibelle]

I think it is possible but I remember looking at the Attic and I think you had a minimum of $5000. Now that is for a wedding. I don't know if its different for a bday. I can tell you that we had 100 people and the dessert party cost us $6000. But you can do it for cheaper.

 

[lindybug]

Hmmm, I have seen a minimum of $2000 for the Attic. I wouldn't be surprised if it was inflated for weddings as opposed to other sorts of parties though!

 

[Tabetha]

You could try the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues - it's pretty fun!

 

[miranda1979]

Hello.. I was just let you know to do an early dinner/late lunch, if you decided to do the dessert party...we had dinner at mexico and then the dessert party after and we were so full from dinner we couldn't eat dessert...But Have fun. it sounds like a great time!

 

[lurkyloo]

You can have dinner at your dessert party! They let you have "a select number of menu items" that are dinner-like in addition to your desserts.

I am having my reception at the Attic, and the minimum is definitely $2,000. Also, everybody at Disney will tell you a million times that it's at the end of a long hall - that seems to be a big deal to them, but if you want buildup to a big surprise, nothing could be better. Your husband would think he was just cruising the halls of the DVC section of BoardWalk Inn, never suspecting what was waiting for him.

The Attic is *gorgeous* - I just saw it Monday and I was SO glad we chose it. The view out all those windows is amazing. Pictures don't really do it justice (it's hard with all the windows to take pix) but I'll post one here anyway!

 

[lindybug]

Thanks for all the great advice, ladies. Keep it coming!

Tabetha ~ I never thought of the HOB... Great idea! Do you know if they have a private room?

miranda ~ Good point about the Illuminations party. When I first talked to Group Sales, they told me they like to have dinner at an indoor location that time of year due to the unpredictability of the weather. But maybe we don't need a dinner at all!

lurkyloo ~ Thank you for those beautiful pictures of the Attic! I wasn't crazy about it at first when I was thinking of it being a nighttime event, but for a Sunday brunch it actually looks perfect! I think that is my first choice so far. I hope to call Group Sales today and find out if it is available for my date/time. Do you happen to have a catering menu for a brunch there, with prices?

 

[MistressOfAllEvil]

We're having our reception dinner after our escape wedding at Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Although we're only having 20 ppl and using half the room, you can have up to 40 ppl. and the minimum is $4000. I don't know if that's too steep for you. And I don't know what the limitations on reserving the room are. But in any event, I hope that helps. I have the menus that my wp sent me to choose from that I would be more than happy to email to you. Let me know!

 

[lindybug]

Mistress ~ Oooh, Jiko would be nice too. I would love to see the menus if you don't mind! Here is my e-mail. Thanks!

 

[MistressOfAllEvil]

Lindybug ~ email sent

 

[lurkyloo]

Do you happen to have a catering menu for a brunch there, with prices?

I'm emailing you all the brunch/lunch related menus I have!

 

[lindybug]

Got your e-mails, Mistress and lurkyloo! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

[melanieewr]

You definitely have some options with your budget.

I am having a Breakfast in France this coming October. I am so excited about it. We are also doing the GMR dinner that week. It is very pricey. The entertainment packages are the budget busters.

When you contact Convention Services, just be upfront about your budget and they will certainly work with you.

The January weather could be an issue for the Breakfast in France.

Good Luck! The planning is so much fun!

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

I had my wedding in The Attic and it was beautiful!! Just looking at those pictures brings me back...a brunch would be PERFECT there!

 

[lindybug]

melanie ~ Ooh, breakfast in France sounds so nice! But, you're right about the weather... The temps can be too unpredictable that time of year.

LIGrumpyGirl ~ Thanks! I have never seen the Attic in person, but the photos look very nice. Would I be able to see your wedding photos?

Well, I spoke with someone at Group Sales today about a bunch of options. I've decided to put a hold on the Attic for a Sunday brunch. I really think my husband will love it, and it'll be a great surprise for his birthday!

Thanks for all your advice and opinions! Disney brides are the best.

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

My site is no longer working for pictures from Disney. I can try and upload a few later this week if you want to see them. It basically looked the same as what you see in the other pictures. We had no guests so that won't be of any help!

The more I read about your party the more I want to go back and have a brunch there - since we had no family there - that might be a good idea for a renewal!

 

[lindybug]

LIGrumpyGirl ~ I would love to see your pictures, but not if it's too much hassle. I'd be interested in seeing more of the room at the Attic. Also, did you or your photographer find it hard to get good pictures, with all the windows around?

I know, the more I think about this party, the more excited I get!