DP Location - Help!!!

[pooh98378]

We have a group of around 50. We are currently booked at UK Lower, but we found out that we can't have any additional seating other than the benches. We can move to French Lower and have additional seating. However, I was really impressed with the view of UK Lower when we saw Illuminations last time. Which one would you choose? For past brides, how was your experience at these locations? Has anyone had a DP at UK Lower with around 50? Did you wish you had additional seating, or did most people mingle? Thank you!!!

 

[PrincessBride07]

It sounds like you would prefer to have it at UK terrace. Is it possible for you to have both the upper and lower terraces? You would have room for everybody then. Also, the upper terrace has tables there so you would have additional seating.

The French Island wouldn't be that bad. Have you ever thought of Italy? I know they say you have to have a minimum of 100 (or something like that), but they can lower it. The wishbook says the French lower is a min of 50, but DFTW said they will go as low as 30.

GL.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

We had the Lower UK with nearly 50 - and it was fine. We had the benches and we also had some high tables and a couple of low tables with a few seats -are Disney saying that they are not letting you have those, because you have to have somewhere for people to eat their desserts, that makes no sense and a bit off if Disney are saying that?

I booked my DP for orginally 45 and invited a few more nearer the time.

It is a great view from their. I do really love French Lower also but I thought it was too big for 50 but that's just my personal opinion. I've attended 4 DP's at French Lower and all have been for over 50 people but again the view was really good!

 

[KellyJo18]

We just went through this same situation for our wedding in June - originally we had UK Lower booked for our group of around 65 people. During our planning session our EM informed us that no tables or chairs are allowed at the Lower UK location if you have over a certain number of guests. I believe the limit is around 35 if you are wanting to use tables with chairs or even just the high boy tables to stand around. Disney was not budging at all on this. I was quite upset that they do not inform people of this when this location is booked. They say it holds up to 100 people so it would make sense to automatically assume a group smaller than that could fit comfortably with tables. Anyway, we went ahead and requested to rent UK Upper in addition to UK Lower. Our EM called yesterday to inform us that it was available so our guests will have the option to stand in lower with the better view or grab a seat in UK Upper. Renting two locations is only an extra $250 (the venue fee) which isn't horrible and should allow our guests to be more comfortable during the DP. I know I struggled deciding what to do and was losing sleep over it. Good luck with figuring it all out!

 

[pooh98378]

We had the Lower UK with nearly 50 - and it was fine. We had the benches and we also had some high tables and a couple of low tables with a few seats -are Disney saying that they are not letting you have those, because you have to have somewhere for people to eat their desserts, that makes no sense and a bit off if Disney are saying that?

They told me with 50 people, they cannot add any additional seating -- I don't know about tables.

 

[JonetteA]

We had ours at Lower French. You can see the link to my pics in the trip report link at the bottom of my signature! I loved our view. Randy and Stan managed to work it just right for the beautiful photos.

 

[pixie08]

They told me with 50 people, they cannot add any additional seating -- I don't know about tables.

hmm this is what i was told as well. We are having closer to 60 and have upper france or what they now call "terrace du fleurs". I think there is a great view from there personally and I love the ambience with all the potted plants! UK lower is great we were at a dp there and the view is awesome. I don't think you can go wrong!

 

[pooh98378]

Jonette -- Thanks for the link to your pics! I had been trying to find some of Lower France and wasn't having any luck. You guys had a really great view from there also!

Princessbride & KellyJo -- Thanks for the idea of Upper and Lower. It was actually KellyJo's original thread that made me aware of this situation. Luckily I found out now (9 mos beforehand) instead of later because I would NOT be very happy if this happened close to the wedding.

Thanks everyone so far for your input and suggestions!

 

[JonetteA]

For a small group it really wasn't a bad deal with UK lower to use existing seating. For a group of 50 that could be a challenge to have everyone stand around. I really enjoyed the lower France. There is a set of steep stairs if that is a consideration for you. I love the Upper France as well for a location.

 

[pixie08]

For a small group it really wasn't a bad deal with UK lower to use existing seating. For a group of 50 that could be a challenge to have everyone stand around. I really enjoyed the lower France. There is a set of steep stairs if that is a consideration for you. I love the Upper France as well for a location.

right. I agree it may get a little tight in UK with 50 people and tables unless she did both upper and lower UK! But I think the French Island is awesome (upper or lower!) we just had to use upper because of wheelchair access but I love both.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Hi! We are holding ours in the lower French. The minimum is 50, but I 'think' they did tell us we wouldn't be charged for 50 (30 I think?) Someone sent me a bunch of pictures in another thread, I'm going to go find them.


OT:
Jonette! I just went to your trip report to see your DP pictures and realized we have the SAME dress (only mine is white) I was reading your advice and saw that you suggest asking the alterations people to tack the top layer to the dress. We are going to have the WP ceremony, a Cali Grill reception, the Dessert Party and then a MK photo shoot. Should I have them tack it? Thanks!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Found it!

Here is a link to a place with pictures of the upper and lower french areas
http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/france_terraces.htm

 

[pooh98378]

Thanks everyone for your help! It was a hard choice, but we decided to go ahead and book Upper and Lower UK. Hopefully, it will work out! Thanks again -- you guys are awesome!