Epcot Dessert Party

[DisMama5]

Hey guys!

I was hoping to get some insight from people's past experiences with having a private Epcot DP. I have done some researching and I believe the location that would fit us best is UK lochside (lower), we have 30 total. We will be getting married the same day and then head over to Epcot for the DP that night. I am not a DFTW bride so I know I can't wear my dress in the park for it, which is fine with me.

Because this is over a year out Disneys catering events won't give me much of any info which is tough because I need to some how budget as this trip is our destination wedding and on a tighter budget. I know prices are subject to change of course until secured in contract but any insight on how much this would cost would be so greatly appreciated because I have no a clue and don't even know if it's even an option for our budget. I did talk to one person who said for 30 ppl it would probably run around 2k plus tax. Any more insight anyone? Thanks in advance

 

[lurkyloo]

Hi! For UK Lochside, you’re looking at a venue fee of $250, an $85 setup fee, a food and beverage minimum of $460, and a $12.95 viewing fee for each person who doesn’t have park admission (because you're not planning through DFTW, which now charges $10/head regardless). There's a 23% service charge on food and beverage and 6.5% tax on everything, even the service charge. Although the menus they will send you list various price points that will put you over $460 on food, you can customize your menu to get it down to the minimum if you need to. I'll attach the standard menus to this post.

 

[DisMama5]

Hi! For UK Lochside, you’re looking at a venue fee of $250, an $85 setup fee, a food and beverage minimum of $460, and a $12.95 viewing fee for each person who doesn’t have park admission (because you're not planning through DFTW, which now charges $10/head regardless). There's a 23% service charge on food and beverage and 6.5% tax on everything, even the service charge. Although the menus they will send you list various price points that will put you over $460 on food, you can customize your menu to get it down to the minimum if you need to. I'll attach the standard menus to this post.

Wow thank you sooo much! This helps a ton. The only info I was able to get from DCE was that it would be a 2k minimum? But from the info you gave me it looks like I could hit just a little over that, so logically it would hit the 2k minimum they mentioned and get what we want? Is there really a 2k minimum or where did they pull that number from?

I added the two menu options I liked best, one menu set for the adults (20) and then the other for the children (10), along with all the other fees besides the service charge and 6.5 tax, aside those two things it brought me to 1643.50.

Break down
Adult choice menu: $31.50 x(20) adults
Children choic menu: $29 x(10) children
Venue fee: $250
Set up fee: $85
Viewing fee: $12.95 x(30)
**** this totals $1643.50

I'm not sure how to figure out the service charge and tax so I'm not sure how much more that will bump the total up but I'm assuming over the 2k mark?

Another quick question- I liked one certain menu for the 20 adults and then the children's menu for the 10 children, are you allowed to pick two different menus by per person like I just did?

How is the view from UK lochside for illuminations?

Thank you again so much!! Truly appreciated!!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Wow thank you sooo much! This helps a ton. The only info I was able to get from DCE was that it would be a 2k minimum? But from the info you gave me it looks like I could hit just a little over that, so logically it would hit the 2k minimum they mentioned and get what we want? Is there really a 2k minimum or where did they pull that number from?

No, that's the stock answer that the people answering the phones at DCE give to scare off lookyloos! We've done private events for much less.

I'm not sure how to figure out the service charge and tax so I'm not sure how much more that will bump the total up but I'm assuming over the 2k mark?

Service charge is .23 x food total. Tax is .065 x everything, including the service charge.

Another quick question- I liked one certain menu for the 20 adults and then the children's menu for the 10 children, are you allowed to pick two different menus by per person like I just did?

No, they don't charge kids at a separate price for dessert parties the way they do at wedding receptions. They make enough of every food item to feed your entire group, so that will actually cost you $31.50 +$29 for each of the 30 people. But they could take some menu items from each and do a combined menu - just tell them the price point you're aiming for.

How is the view from UK lochside for illuminations?

One of the best!

 

[DisMama5]

Wow those pictures are absolutely stunning!!!! You have been beyond a huge help. It sounds like we will be able to afford this which makes me so happy

We aren't staying on site and then second I said that they turned me away also. I didn't realize that was needed to have a Epcot DP. They did mention though if we are FL residents we could book 1. Thankfully we do have a FL address in the family that I think we will use in order to book it. I didn't realize there was so many guidelines to this simple DP!

Thanks again, so much!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Glad to help!

 

[Doodlebug25413]

I want a dessert party, but we have so few people it's just not worth the cost to us. I am looking at either an Illuminations pontoon boat cruise or a Wishes pontoon cruise. And will be bringing our cake with us or doing something in room or at a brunch/dinner. Haven't quite decided yet. Since you have a lot more people then me, you won't be able to do the boat cruise. : (
My BFF had her dessert party at UK, it was fabulous!! I remember the tuxedo strawberries she had swapped out. OMG I think I ate a whole tray!