Does this sound right?

[TinkerBabe1010]

Happy Holidays!!!

Okay, so finally, for the first time today, I called DFTW.

I talked to someone, who I don't really think knew much because everytime I asked her a question she put me on hold-- I'm presuming to go ask someone else. However, she was very nice.

I'm not planning a wedding until April of 08 (we were originally planning October of 08). But I've decided to bite the bullet and start graduate in fall of 08 and of course, don't want my first semester to prevent me from going on a luxurious honeymoon! Good news is I get to get married sooner!!

So the girl I talked to said I can't get anything on the books until April 1, 07. Is that right? I know people say 12 months, but I've also heard 18 months and 15 months, and I know some people have their weddings scheduled WAY out. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure that was right-- I would love to get something on the books sooner.

Secondly, we're going to have a big rehearsal dinner-- we're going to invite every person who is in for the wedding, which will probably be around 150 people. Now, I thought that maybe we could all go to a restaurant or something. I really wanted to do Ohana's and thought they could seat us all as soon as they open for dinner.

However, the woman I talked to told me that for that size the only option would be to have a private catered evening in a ballroom.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but that's along the lines of what I want to do for the reception itself, and I was hoping for something more fun for the rehearsal dinner. Does anyone know if this is accurate? I guess we'll have to come up with something else.

Has anyone else had an event such as a rehearsal dinner for a group this large (150ish)? What did you do?? The other two ideas we had was doing a LONG Illuminations dessert party with lots of appetizers, drinks, and desserts; second idea was a night at the adventurers club at PI with food, which they do, I like that idea a lot. So, we have some thinking to do.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or done either of these two types of parties? We really want to do something memorable and just plain fun for the rehearsal dinner.

I'm SO sorry for writing such long posts!! I really don't know how to get to the point of anything... lol.

Thanks ladies, you all are such a lifesaver!!

 

[Belle1981]

TinkerBabe- The only thing I can give input on is the 12 month stuff. You can't book anything until a year out HOWEVER from 18 months you can speak with a wedding planner who will take all of your info and answer all your questions. Once you have made contact it should be pretty seamless to book April 2007. I am in the same boat as you except we are having it May 1 2008. I have been speaking with Disney for a little over a month now. They have put together my file so that when it comes time to book in May we are good to go. Now I believe the only places you can book a year in advance are the theme parks and a few other venues like Ariel's....I hope it helps a little bit! Congrats by the way!

 

[TinkBride]

I would try contacting group reservations to ask about the 150 guests for the rehearsal. While the wedding dept. may not be able to schedule it for you, you may be able to schedule it yourself. It is worth a shot. I know they are pretty particular about larger groups in resturants down there. I had trouble getting ressies for 18. We either had to do it at 5:00 or 9:00. But, since you were already planning on an earlier time, they may be able to work with you or give you options you may have not thought of. Good Luck!

 

[TinkerBabe1010]

TinkerBabe- The only thing I can give input on is the 12 month stuff. You can't book anything until a year out HOWEVER from 18 months you can speak with a wedding planner who will take all of your info and answer all your questions. Once you have made contact it should be pretty seamless to book April 2007. I am in the same boat as you except we are having it May 1 2008. I have been speaking with Disney for a little over a month now. They have put together my file so that when it comes time to book in May we are good to go. Now I believe the only places you can book a year in advance are the theme parks and a few other venues like Ariel's....I hope it helps a little bit! Congrats by the way!

Belle, Thanks!! Our weddings are going to be pretty close together!! Yay for 2008 spring weddings

What number did you call when you first wanted to talk to someone? I did the thing where I clicked on something on the disneyweddings.com and then they called me right away. However, the girl really didn't seem to know what she was talking about. When you called did the automatically give you to a wedding planner?

We want to have our reception at AAR, so we should be able to book it then. Aren't you the bride who is having her reception at Epcot with dinner and everything else in one of the illuminations locations? Or am I getting that wrong? If you are, I'd love to hear more about that idea if you don't mind sharing!!!

Thanks so much for your help, and congrats to you too!

 

[TinkerBabe1010]

I would try contacting group reservations to ask about the 150 guests for the rehearsal. While the wedding dept. may not be able to schedule it for you, you may be able to schedule it yourself. It is worth a shot. I know they are pretty particular about larger groups in resturants down there. I had trouble getting ressies for 18. We either had to do it at 5:00 or 9:00. But, since you were already planning on an earlier time, they may be able to work with you or give you options you may have not thought of. Good Luck!

Thanks, Tink! I'll def. try that. By the way, you're getting married on my DF's birthday, so we will def. think of you on that day!! Congrats and thanks for the help!

 

[Tinkerbellz]

Just to put my .02 in.

I was told when I was contacted on November 2nd that they would not even pencil me in. I was told to call back on March 19 to the date to schedule my VR. I was floored. In knew I could not etch that date in stone until then, but I was expecting to be "pencilled" in. Amy (the person I spoke with) gave me generic pricing information and basic site information but would not go much further than that.

Good Luck on your scheduling... The planning is fun and creating things for the wedding is even more fun. I'm biding my time, but I will be VERY upset if my date rolls around and it's full.