D'oh - Dumb Intimate Mistake!! (aka: don't do what I did!)

[starseed]

Sooooo... I am soooo stupid. For some reason, I thought that I could have an Intimate through DFTW and then book something with the Meetings & Conventions people directly for a party afterwards.

I've been reading a lot of posts on the board about people planning parties at the Grand Floridian and Epcot directly. I thought that instead of reservations at a restaurant, I could do that for MY wedding after the Intimate ceremony.

That's what I thought, but NOOOOO, I CAN'T!!!

I was firmly told by the Meetings and Conventions CM that in order to have a private party through them after the wedding, I would have to do a Custom wedding with DFTW. I feel so silly because I have been doing so much research and I didn't even know this.

But I also feel that it's strange that Disney will not allow you to book a private party outside of DFTW just because you are having an Intimate wedding. There is a big gap between $2500 Intimate (non-WP) and a $10000 Custom weekday minimum. There are ten of us in total and I would be willing to pay $5000 for a package with the option to plan a reception party.

So the moral of the story: Don't do what I did and try to think outside the box!!!

 

[happylalagirl]

I have heard they are strict about intimates not having big receptions afterwards... it does seem a bit silly... if you were to do it the day after though, no one could stop you...

 

[twoDISNEYfans]

I was told the same thing! So we are doing a big thing the night before at Ohanas and we are having a ceremony the next morning at noon!

 

[janine]

I did the same thing (I have a post somewhere on it).
I booked mine for the grand floridian marina for our party of 17.
GF were happy to book it all for me. I had chosen the menus, booked entertainment and floral, you name it!!
Then......they cancelled it all, and told me no.
I was furious at what had happened, especially as I was 7 weeks out, and almost cancelled the wedding. Thankfully I never did because it was so magical!!

I had to move venue, and they did compensate me for what they had done, which was very good of them to do, but it was a very upsetting time, especially as my DH2B at the time had a major operation the same day they cancelled the reception!

It is a crazy situation, as I too was around $3000 under a custom budget, but wanted something a little nicer than just a meal in a restaurant.

Recap of booking my event:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=978966

Recap of cancelling my event:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=983311

 

[starseed]

Hello!

Thanks for your replies, everyone!

Janine: Here is where I feel REALLY silly. I have previously read through your great trip report and I still didn't get it through my thick skull that trying to book an event outside of FTW is considered a no-no.

And how lucky am I that I was merely shot down at a mere question, rather than to have gone through the time and energy of planning and then to have it cancelled and also to have your then futureDH to have gone through an operation! But from the trip report and your beautiful pictures, it looks like it all turned out well. btw: Congratulations!!

I was quite upset about it yesterday and even did some number crunching to see if it would be worthwhile for us to go Custom... But who am I kidding? We are only ten in total and I have my heart set on Sunset Pointe. I already have a date and time penciled in for a Saturday - which we also like. We would have to change everything around AND pay all that money just so I can have a more personalized reception. Ya right, welcome to reality!

Janine, do you mind me asking how you were able to have the American Adventure reception? I am pretty much resigned to an ADR for the Yachtsman, but if it's possible to have other options... well...

thanks again, everyone!

 

[WDWbride2007]

Starseed,

There are a couple of options for an intimate reception. You can book the private room at Fulton's Crab House in DTD. They are separate from Disney, and they will even let you bring in the intimate wedding cake. The room is quite lovely with its own balcony. Last I heard, the F&B minimum for the room was $2500 (not including tax and tip). Your other "Disney" option is to book a reception at the Swan/Dolphin. Again, they are separate from Disney, so it would not be a problem. They have ballrooms and nice hospitality suites. Some of the restaurants, such as Palio, have private or semi-private rooms. The contacts at the crab house and the swan are both very friendly and helpful. Let me know if you need any help or info. Good luck...not all hope is lost yet!

 

[janine]

Hi
The head of DFTW offered us the AA VIP to compensate for cancelling our GF plans.
It upset me so much I would have called it all off and gone elsewhere.
It was very good of them to have done what they did, and to be honest I am glad it worked out in the end because the stress of Damian being so poorly at the time too meant I was at breaking point with it all.
I think it is about time Disney changed this policy. I doesn't make sense, because surely you are spending more money than you would if you only have a meal afterwards.
It upsets so many intimates that they cannot have a nicer touch unless they spend the custom minimum.
We tried & tried to add things to our event in order to bump it past the $10,000, even with characters, magician, balloon artist, caricature artist, extra floral, bbq on the Yacht Club beach, cake upgrage we still couldn't reach it, certainly with what we deemed to be value for money items anyway.

I would ask your EM what your options are and take it from there.
I stayed at the Yacht Club and have to say if I didn't have my reception at Epcot I would have had it in the Yachtsman steakhouse. It was lovely in there, and the Yacht & beach club resorts are out of this world.

 

[WDWbride2007]

starseed,

You can also have an Illuminations dessert party through FTW. My EM mentioned that we could serve desserts and some hot appetizers. Janine brought up a good point with the Yachtsman. They have a semi-private alcove that seats about 12. You could speak directly with the restaurant manager to set this area up for you. They can even make customized menus for your party.

 

[starseed]

Hello again!

WDWbride2007 - Oh! Judging from your ticker, you must be so excited! And thank you for the info on Fulton's Crab House and the Swan/Dolphin. I am looking into Swan/Dolphin, but I really do want to have dinner/reception on "official" Disney property. I understand that it is absolutely beautiful and Just Marry looks to be a pleasure to work with. So I may be swayed otherwise. And Fulton's looks good too, buy DFi really dislikes seafood - even the look of it! He ixnayed the idea before I got to saying "... House".

Janine - I am so glad Disney was able to turn the bad experience you had during your planning into a wedding you were happy with. It's really the very least they could do. And definitely from my perspective ( ), I agree they should change their policy regarding Intimates or at least offer more options... especially now that they have pared down the Intimate offering significantly from what it used to be (ie - no rooms, no tickets, no officiant...).

As our wedding is scheduled for January 07, I will have to wait until next year's prices are released and also until July in order to make ADRs. Oh I do wish we can have a Custom... but it is just TOO much for what we need!!

thanks for all the info, everyone!

 

[starseed]

starseed,

You can also have an Illuminations dessert party through FTW. My EM mentioned that we could serve desserts and some hot appetizers. Janine brought up a good point with the Yachtsman. They have a semi-private alcove that seats about 12. You could speak directly with the restaurant manager to set this area up for you. They can even make customized menus for your party.

I am interested in the Illuminations dessert party... but I also thought that this is something else that FTW does not like for Intimates to do.

Am I wrong in thinking that there were some posts about having the DPs being cancelled by FTW? And if that's not the case, where can I find out more about it??

THANK YOU AGAIN!

 

[WDWbride2007]

Starseed,

Intimates are now allowed to book Illuminations dessert parties through DFTW. You need to pay a site rental fee (~$200 but depends on the site), $90 for an event guide, $450 for a bus (to transport guests to and from Epcot), $12.50 per person viewing fee, and $19.50 per person minimum on food and beverage. As I mentioned before, the food can include desserts and appetizers. You should definitely ask your EM about it. Good luck!