Extremely casual and inexpensive rehearsal dinner

[DisneyLover1234]

We have a very large amount of people for our rehearsal dinner. Even at 30 pp its about 3500. Does anyone know if there is anywhere on Disney property that we could bring our own food or anywhere close off property that we could do that? We just want to do something simple like get some winn dixie platters/drinks. We have looked into renting a ballroom, but the minimums are crazy and then there is no way to just have the minimum because all of the food costs so much. Any ideas?

 

[chipscinderelly]

What about renting a DVC villa (or renting points) for the evening and having the night catered via one of the local grocery stores or pizza places?

Others have gone to Pizzeria Uno and some other close establishments but that requires your guests to have transportation.

 

[dakcp2001]

How much is Ohanas per person? A lot of people seem to go there. Maybe try off property? There is an Olive Garden nearby that some people have used.

If you want to do your own, then I think renting a DVC villa is a great suggestions, as the prev poster mentioned.

 

[lurkyloo]

We held a casual meet 'n' greet between lunch and dinner so we didn't need to worry about food. We were hanging out in one of the more private common areas at Beach Club Villas and our guests just dropped in whenever they felt like it. Most of them made dinner plans together afterward.

But I think the idea of renting a villa is a great one if you want to serve food. I've also heard of people having pizza by the pool, but this could be tricky with a large group because you don't want to crowd out other guests.

 

[Goldeelox9]

I know someone who is having a rehersal lunch at Raglan road for about $350 for 20 people. You may want to give them a call and see what they can set up. She is having a set menu (like 4 choices) and it's in a private room!

 

[DISNEYMAGIC2005]

I know someone who is having a rehersal lunch at Raglan road for about $350 for 20 people. You may want to give them a call and see what they can set up. She is having a set menu (like 4 choices) and it's in a private room!

I love this idea! Does anyone have the number?

 

[lurkyloo]

407-934-3818

 

[DISNEYMAGIC2005]

Thanks!

 

[DisneyLover1234]

thanks for all the ideas ladies! I am going to be calling these places this evening. I checked Disney for having pizza by the pool and it was 28.95 per person for just pizza!! then if we added soft drinks, it came out to 52 per person, so that was out.

 

[lurkyloo]

You could just call a local pizza place - it'd be way cheaper!

 

[DisneyBuff27]

We have a very large amount of people for our rehearsal dinner. Even at 30 pp its about 3500. Does anyone know if there is anywhere on Disney property that we could bring our own food or anywhere close off property that we could do that? We just want to do something simple like get some winn dixie platters/drinks. We have looked into renting a ballroom, but the minimums are crazy and then there is no way to just have the minimum because all of the food costs so much. Any ideas?

I have been down to Florida many of times i dont know if all your guest will be getting cars or not but they have a wonderful place off of 192 called hullians OMG such good food!!! They have a out door place that would be very pretty for a rehearsal dinner.

 

[figmentfan814]

I would also suggest checking the Swan and Dolphin. We had our rehearsal luncheon at FRESH in the Dolphin hotel and paid around $25 per person. They had a separate room that they set up for us too and I was even able to order a groom's cake from their bakery.

 

[TiggerificSox]

Has anyone else done anything at Downtown Disney?? This seems like it may be cheaper than some of the on property locations. What did the $350 at Raglan Rd include? Does anybody know?

 

[NikkiPants]

The Villa idea seems awesome and cheap.

Also, how come Lurkyloo knows all? OMNISCIENT, I TELL YOU!!!
And thank god for that

 

[wdwcrazy]

If you are looking to do something casual then there is a park nearby. It is right off of SR 535 which is the road near Downtown Disney. It is called Dr Philipps Park and it is a short ride from turning left out of the village area. They have picnic pavillions that you can reserve inside the park. It is a very nice park by a lake and it has a small water park area for kids. I don't know what it costs to rent the pavillion but I have seen the signs up for private parties many a times. It is a nice place if you are looking for casual and want to bring in your own food. Maybe hire a caterer and some staff and save the money spent on the ballroom or restaurant. Good luck.

 

[auntpunkin]

I have been looking into the same thing! We have about 25 for our rehearsal dinner and want to spend about $1000 max. I looked at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney and this is what they sent me..

I'd be really interested in Raglan Road if you find out what they offer!

 

[M303871]

We had the same problem with our rehersal dinner, and ended up ordering pizza delivery, and bought soda at the local wal-mart, I think the total cost for 38 people was around $100. We used the open patio area behind Trout pass pool bar, that way if anyone wanted a cocktail they could buy one.

 

[scottish/canadian]

I don't know how casual you want, but, for a bit of a welcome get together, we reserved a bunch of tables at the Orlando Ale House just off property (just past the Olive Garden on 535). It's a Sports bar with loads of TVs and Pool Tables, etc. Great if a lot of the people don't know each other. We had guests from Canada, UK and US. The drinks are SUPER cheap and so is the food (but actual decent pub food). The guys actually went back for my DH's bachelor night. They apparently all had steaks and drank buckets of booze (I saw him, so I believe it) and it wasn't more than a few hundred bucks for more than ten of them.