Expedition Everest?

[singastory]

Hello everyone, I was just curious whether anyone had any more information on the Experition Everest base camp venue. I've read up on Tamu Tamu and the Belvedere Palace Ruins, but can't find anything for Everest in terms of pricing or food and beverage minimums... The Disney Events website isn't very helpful. I've found conflicting guest count minimums and maximums, and it's not listed as a venue on the Disney weddings website. I'm not currently planning a wedding so I don't want to call and ask... I just enjoy daydreaming! I see Lurkyloo has it as a potential location on her website, so I'm assuming that it's possible to have a reception there? I know AK isn't very popular with weddings but I would LOVE to have mine there someday Has it come up with anyone when talking with your planner?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[DisneyBride1207]

I had asked about it before -- you can't have a wedding until and hour after park closes and I THINK you can't have amplified music because of the animals...The minimum expenditure and guest count was high I think too. They also required you charter a bus for your guests since it is an in-park venue (usually 100/hr for a 40 guest motorcoach at a minimum of like 3 hours, but you have to pay for an hour before your ceremony to an hour after your reception -- we are paying for 9 hours). I tried searching my emails for the info but I believe I only talked to her about base camp on the phone.

So, in all -- it wasn't expensive for the actual venue rental,etc., BUT the limitations and fees that come along with booking that site add up. But, if budget allows, it would be awesome! (wish we could have!)

HOWEVER, every year Disney Fairy Tale Weddings changes the expenses, etc. (they usually go UP), so whatever the rules, minimum expenditures etc. are now, they will most likely be different even by next year!

 

[princesswendy720]

The thing about the Expedition Everest base camp is that you need to rent out the ride to use that venue...and that's something close to $10,000 to do.

ETA: I found this info in another thread:
You can do a Reception in front of Expedition Everest. The event must start 2.5 hours after park close. There is a $3000.00+ venue rental fee, a $10,000.00++ food and beverage minimum expenditure, and you MUST rent the Expedition Everest attraction as well, which is $8500.00+. Meal service for this venue is buffet only. Additionally a Disc Jockey will run around $6500.00 for the Reception.

 

[singastory]

ETA: I found this info in another thread:
You can do a Reception in front of Expedition Everest. The event must start 2.5 hours after park close. There is a $3000.00+ venue rental fee, a $10,000.00++ food and beverage minimum expenditure, and you MUST rent the Expedition Everest attraction as well, which is $8500.00+. Meal service for this venue is buffet only. Additionally a Disc Jockey will run around $6500.00 for the Reception.

Really??!?! How can you even get $10k worth of food for 20 people?? That's the minimum guest count for the venue that's listed on the event group website... I don't even know how that's humanly possible with a buffet... Why would we have to rent the ride if we're not going to ride it? I wouldn't be having a traditional reception with dancing so no DJ needed, at least there's that. Can you link me to that thread?

 

[princesswendy720]

Really??!?! How can you even get $10k worth of food for 20 people?? That's the minimum guest count for the venue that's listed on the event group website... I don't even know how that's humanly possible with a buffet... Why would we have to rent the ride if we're not going to ride it? I wouldn't be having a traditional reception with dancing so no DJ needed, at least there's that. Can you link me to that thread?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2582054

 

[singastory]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2582054

Thanks!

 

[DisneyBride1207]

The thing about the Expedition Everest base camp is that you need to rent out the ride to use that venue...and that's something close to $10,000 to do.

ETA: I found this info in another thread:
You can do a Reception in front of Expedition Everest. The event must start 2.5 hours after park close. There is a $3000.00+ venue rental fee, a $10,000.00++ food and beverage minimum expenditure, and you MUST rent the Expedition Everest attraction as well, which is $8500.00+. Meal service for this venue is buffet only. Additionally a Disc Jockey will run around $6500.00 for the Reception.

OH that's what it was that I couldn't afford! boooooo! I guess that's why we don't see it done often -- like DHS wedding receptions!

To original poster: you can still have an amazingly awesome Disney wedding, don't let that ruin it!

 

[Jilian]

I guess this is why we never see pictures of actual DFTWs in front of Everest? Holy moly that is expensive!!

 

[singastory]

OH that's what it was that I couldn't afford! boooooo! I guess that's why we don't see it done often -- like DHS wedding receptions!

To original poster: you can still have an amazingly awesome Disney wedding, don't let that ruin it!

Thanks so much!! We've talked about marriage but it will definitely be a few years so I know prices will go up. HOWEVER, I can use that time to a) actually get engaged b) convince family that Disney is the way to go, and c) win the lottery!!!!!! I was originally planning Tamu Tamu in my head for the reception but was worried about guest counts, and I think that the Everest base camp would be so beautiful in pictures. When it comes time I guess I could consider it...... maybe... lol. I was planning on us paying for the entire wedding ourselves anyway with a $15-20k budget in my head, and that was for 50 people. If I had more guests it would be easier to meet those higher minimums, but the big question is whether or not I even know that many people! I have no idea if my parents are planning on helping in any way, but if they were, then maybe (big maybe) someday it could happen. I am not very traditional so I wouldn't have lots of floral (who would need it there, right?!), no DJ or dancing really except for a first dance, no one in my wedding party (just me and my man), I don't necessarily want characters or Cinderella's coach, no dessert party... I will keep it in the back of my head.

I looked up the cost of the average wedding in Chicago which is where both our families are from and the price was much higher than I thought, so that gives me some perspective at least. Things at Disney change all the time so maybe I could get lucky. For now I'll be content living vicariously through all of you Thanks for everyone's help!

Do you know if they said you could ride it because you were required to rent it? Or is that an additional fee?

 

[princesswendy720]

I originally really wanted an AK reception but everything adds up so quickly...and we (I) are paying for the wedding on our own. You'd be surprised at how quickly things add up! It's not just the wedding...but rehearsal dinner, welcome dinners, etc. Does you budget include the costs outside of Disney (dress, travels, etc.)? We are having about 50 guests...and everything..including our hotel costs, outside vendors, Disney costs including rehearsal dinner, welcome party, ceremony, reception, bridal portrait..have exceeded the $30K mark! But..we gave ourselves over 2 years to save. I know it will be worth it in the end.

I was on these boards over 2 years before we got engaged, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions or want to chat

 

[Evi]

You do know why they charge so much right...Its couse they need the money to fix the yeti lol.

 

[singastory]

I originally really wanted an AK reception but everything adds up so quickly...and we (I) are paying for the wedding on our own. You'd be surprised at how quickly things add up! It's not just the wedding...but rehearsal dinner, welcome dinners, etc. Does you budget include the costs outside of Disney (dress, travels, etc.)? We are having about 50 guests...and everything..including our hotel costs, outside vendors, Disney costs including rehearsal dinner, welcome party, ceremony, reception, bridal portrait..have exceeded the $30K mark! But..we gave ourselves over 2 years to save. I know it will be worth it in the end.

I was on these boards over 2 years before we got engaged, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions or want to chat

Thanks for the advice and the kind words. I am making sure to keep all of those additional things in mind as well. I know there are many other options for me at Disney, but where's the fun if you don't dream big? Reality might catch up with me some day, but I'll do my best to avoid it by starting to save now! I'm sure it will feel wonderful for you on your big day after spending so much time here!

You do know why they charge so much right...Its couse they need the money to fix the yeti lol.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

keep dreaming big! When it came down to picking what to spend our money on (where we wanted it most), you just have to pick and choose what you want to do/what you can afford. There are so many locations throughout the Disney property that will be just as magical! Yea, you might not be renting out EE ride, but it will be just as magical! There are also other options of having receptions in Animal Kingdom, like at Tamu Tamu or Tusker House (I am not sure about the pricing for those, I have seen them before and I do recall them being more 'normal' in pricing as opposed to 10k rental of EE!) HTH!