EPCOT Brides and offsite lodging??? please help me!

[Carye]

Some of our family are planning on staying off site because they think the resorts cost too much. I am not one to throw a fit about it, but I am worried about how the transportation will work out. Since my wedding is in Epcot, we are having motorcoaches to take guest to the ceremony, reception, and then back to the resorts, but how will guests get there that are staying offsite? The motorcoaches take you to a back entrance, don't they? And they said their hotel has a shuttle to the parks, but would it run early enough in the morning when the park isn't even open yet? I am so confused...any advice???

 

[MegKate]

Some of our family are planning on staying off site because they think the resorts cost too much. I am not one to throw a fit about it, but I am worried about how the transportation will work out. Since my wedding is in Epcot, we are having motorcoaches to take guest to the ceremony, reception, and then back to the resorts, but how will guests get there that are staying offsite? The motorcoaches take you to a back entrance, don't they? And they said their hotel has a shuttle to the parks, but would it run early enough in the morning when the park isn't even open yet? I am so confused...any advice???

We're having a big problem with offsite as well. Are you having the motorcoach stop at your hotel? If so, they could take a cab to your resort. When they get to the gate, they have to specifically tell the security guard that they're there to visit you. If they say they're there to get a motorcoach, they won't be allowed in.

The hotel shuttle won't work because you can't get in from the front of EPCOT. You have to be brought in the back way, by Disney transport. Or at least that's my understanding! HTH!

 

[Carye]

We're having a big problem with offsite as well. Are you having the motorcoach stop at your hotel? If so, they could take a cab to your resort. When they get to the gate, they have to specifically tell the security guard that they're there to visit you. If they say they're there to get a motorcoach, they won't be allowed in.

The hotel shuttle won't work because you can't get in from the front of EPCOT. You have to be brought in the back way, by Disney transport. Or at least that's my understanding! HTH!

I am having the motorcoach stop at my hotel, so I guess that would work. What I don't understand though, is that the savings by time you factor in taxis for the airport and over for the wedding and back are absolutely minimal $29...I would be willing to give them $29 for the peace of mind knowing there won't be transportation issues on the wedding day

 

[twenty3curls]

Will the motor coaches not stop at offsite hotels?

Is this true for the limo provided for Escape brides?

I will most likely have a few couples staying offsite because they can get suites to share for considerably less than a room of comparable size at a Disney resort. I was banking on my limo picking them up. The hotel in question is less than 2 miles from Epcot's entrance, if that makes any difference...

Anyone know?

 

[lurkyloo]

We also had an Epcot wedding and some off-site guests. We told them the Disney hotel pickup schedule and stressed that if they weren't at one of the hotels in time to catch the bus, they would not be able to attend the wedding. They all drove over in their rental cars.

I was also stressed about this, but it worked out OK. Maybe because of the scary headline on our newsletter that said "If you miss the bus, you miss the ceremony."

Will the motor coaches not stop at offsite hotels?

You can arrange to have them go to off-site hotels but, depending on how far away they are, it could add time and $$$.

Is this true for the limo provided for Escape brides?

I will most likely have a few couples staying offsite because they can get suites to share for considerably less than a room of comparable size at a Disney resort. I was banking on my limo picking them up. The hotel in question is less than 2 miles from Epcot's entrance, if that makes any difference...

You will have to talk to your coordinator about this. If the limo has to drive all over Orlando picking people up, it will cut into your 4 hours of included time. Also, either you or your guests will have to get to the ceremony site way early so the limo can leave to go get the other party.

Your planner can also give you rates for cheap options like town cars and vans.

 

[camara381]

We are not having our ceremony in Epcot but our reception. We have many people staying on and off property. For those that are not staying at a Disney Resort we designated the wedding pavillion parking lot. They can meet the bus there and be transported backstage at the end of the night the bus will take them right back to the WP PL.

 

[Carye]

My guests are not planning on getting a rental car, so it would mean taxi fares back and forth, but I guess it is ultimately their responsibility to get there on time. I like Lurkyloos approach: IF YOU MISS THE BUS YOU MISS THE CEREMONY...lol

 

[CharacterFan]

Right now only my future in-laws are talking about staying offsite.

I do plan on using the You miss the bus, you miss the fun approach.

I have noticed the room prices during value season between a "good" offsite and a Disney value aren't that different. I had to book an offsite hotel for tonight (we leave in 6 hours) and I'm paying $60 with the "resort" fee. Some hotels are now charging $8-10 a person/per night on top of the rate listed on their website or travel site. For $72 I could have stayed onsite. That's with a general public discount.

I also plan to explain discounts and costs in my newsletter. Letting everyone know how to get the best possible rate for their room or package.