FINAL Illuminations Dessert Arrangements - UPDATED POST #1 8/8/06

[akasleepingbeauty]

Now that we have gotten some great input into doing the Illuminations Dessert Party, I think we need a "final" thread to see if we have enough for the night we end up choosing.

So, please post if you can attend Sunday and/or Monday night (since these two nights have the most votes on the poll) and include the number of people in your group (a range is fine if you aren't sure who else can make it - I am just interested in making sure we have the minimum at this point).

Please also include your choice of dessert options so we can try to finalize that choice as well. Remember the cost quoted below does NOT include the venue fee or tax and gratuity - so plan on about $8-10 more per person than the price below each menu option - for further detail see the original poll/thread on this subject.

DESSERT MENU OPTIONS:

For the Child in You
Florida Lemon Bars, Double Chocolate Brownies
White Chocolate Chip with Macadamia Nut Cookies and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chewy Rice Crispy Treats and Chocolate Marshmallow Squares
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Hot Tea and Lemonade

$19.50++ per person
(Based on 1 hour of service, 20 Person Minimum)

Old World Classics in Miniature
Pastries in Miniature to include:
Chocolate and Pistachio Cannoli
Fresh Fruit Tartlet, Vanilla Cream Filled Pastry Horns
Chocolate Éclairs, Orange Marmalade Roulade
Italian Style Ricotta Cheesecake, Chocolate Pecan Pies
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Hot Tea and Lemonade

$24.50++ per person
(Based on 1 hour of service, 20 Person Minimum)

Build your own Desserts
Freshly Baked Shortcake, Vanilla Ice Cream, Seasonal Berries and Fresh Fruits
Fruit Sauces, Whipped Cream and White and Dark Chocolate Sauce
Chopped Nuts, Crushed Cookies, Colorful Sprinkles and Broken Candies
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Hot Tea and Lemonade

$27.00++ per person
(Based on 1 hour of service, 50 Person Minimum)

Deluxe
Stemware Glasses Filled with Classic Tiramisu,
English Trifle, Fresh Fruit and Berries
Pastry Selections in Miniature to include:
Fresh Fruit Tartlet, Vanilla Cream Filled Pastry Horns, Chocolate Éclairs
Chocolate and Pistachio Cannoli
Orange Marmalade Roulade
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Hot Tea and Lemonade

$29.50++ per person
(Based on 1 hour of service, 20 Person Minimum)

Supreme
Classic Tortes to include:
Sacher, Dobos, Strawberry and Chambord
Stemware Glasses Filled with Classic Tiramisu,
English Trifle, Fresh Fruit and Berries
Pastry Selections in Miniature to include:
Chocolate and Pistachio Cannoli, Fresh Fruit Tartlet
Vanilla Cream Filled Pastry Horns
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Hot Tea and Lemonade

$39.50++ per person
(Based on 1 Hour of service, 20 Person Minimum)


So, here is my entry just to get us started

Sunday - yes - 2
Monday - yes - 2
Dessert choice: Old World Classics in Miniature

Thank you all for your input and I am looking forward to putting this all together!

Just as an FYI as I don't think I covered this specifically before, all attendees are the same price - adult or child. I know this makes it especially pricy for the little ones in our group but that is Disney's policy on this type of event. So, just keep this in mind when making your decision so there are no surprises down the line.

**********************************************************************
UPDATES AS OF 8/8/06

Here is that final price breakdown by group size based on the numbers of attendees, Old World Classics in Miniature desserts, tax, gratuity, and venue fee.

1 $37
2 $74
3 $111
4 $148
5 $185
6 $222
7 $259
8 $296
9 $333
10 $370

Once I get the contract and have it all "in writing", I'll start collecting payments. I'll accept paypal, checks, money orders - whatever is easiest for you. The final payment for the event is due by November 17, 2006 so I just need to have the money a few days before that to make sure I have the funds available to pay Disney. I'll post again once I am ready to accept payments and we'll go from there!

Lastly, please let me know the final number in your group (for those who weren't sure initially) or if you have had a change of plans and cannot attend or if you would still like to join in the fun. I just want to make sure I have as firm a number as possible once I receive the contract!

FYI - the party will begin at 8:30 p.m. and last until 9:30 p.m. Obviously arriving at 8:30 p.m. would be best but if you are a little late that is fine also. Last time our group was able to hang around a bit as they were cleaning up and getting ready to go even though it was past 9:30 so hopefully we'll have that opportunity this time as well.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Sunday - no
Monday - YES - 2
Dessert Choice: Build Your Own (although they ALL sound great)

 

[xterratri]

Sun yes 4
Mon no
Old world classics

 

[wtpclc]

Sunday - no
Monday - Yes 2 minimum, could have 5.

Deluxe option.

 

[Maherae]

Sunday - yes-3
Monday - no
Dessert - Old World Classics

 

[MelRhoads]

Sunday yes 2 adult one child
monday yes same

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks for organizing this Rhonda! I know it's hard trying to make things work for the most people, and thanks for tackling it.

Sunday - yes - 5
Monday - yes (most likely) - 5
Dessert - Old World Classiscs in Miniature

 

[getnthinr]

Sunday - yes
Monday - yes (slightly more convenient)
range of 1-3 folks (probably just me)
Dessert - Old World Classics in Miniature

Thanks again, Rhonda!

 

[debm]

Sunday--yes --2 (but probably just me)
Monday--no
"Build your own desserts"
Thanks! Debi

 

[solotraveler]

Sunday-- Yes (Sad party of one )
Monday-- Yes (Preferred) (Sad party of one )
Dessert-- Deluxe (though they all sound pretty good)

Thanks so much Rhonda! This will be great!!

 

[Jen117]

Sunday: YES
Monday: YES

2 people for sure, possibly 6 if the whole gang comes (2 would be children).

My Choice is either For the Child in You or Old World Classics.
I won't bring the kids unless the desserts are kid friendly because they would just complain otherwise.

 

[keenercam]

Sunday: yes (2)
Monday: yes (2)

Dessert choice: absolutely no preference.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Just curious Rhonda - so do you get to pick where the event will be in EPCoT, or does Disney put you somewhere based on how many people there are in the party, day, etc.? I have no thoughts or preferences, just curious how it's done.

 

[andromedaslove]

Sunday - Yes - 4
Monday - No
Build your own dessert

 

[RedSonya]

Sunday - Yes 2
Monday - Yes 2

Any dessert is perfect, I love all sweets!
Thanks Rhonda, this is a huge task and you are doing a great job.

Sonya

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

So here are how things are looking at this point.

Sunday: 30 as a minimum and 37 as a maximum

Monday: 22 as a minimum and 31 as a maximum

So for now, it looks like it will be Sunday night although more input over the next couple of days could change that.

As far as dessert choices, it looks like Old World Classics in Miniature is the favorite at this point but we'll see once the weekend is over.

I'll let posts accumulate over the weekend and on Monday I'll contact Disney about availability etc. of our 1st (and if necessary) 2nd choices of dates.

Dave - there are a couple of nice areas they hold these events in - the one I organized last time was held right next to the UK restaurant right down by the water. I'll inquire as to our options and see which sounds best.

I really hope we can get this all worked out as it is such a great event and I think everyone will enjoy it!

 

[TXBelle]

What a great idea! Thanks for organizing this Rhonda.

Sun- 2
Mon.- 0 (We have to leave on Monday)

We love all kinds of desserts. Any selection is fine with us.

 

[macrosswife]

Great idea!!! Thanks for undertaking the organization!!!

Sunday-Yes-3
Monday-No

We like the "Child in You" option, but everything sounds great!!!

~Kimber

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hoping we will be there in January

Sunday yes
Monday yes

either day will be fine
either menu will be fine

ETA, it will be 2 of us.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

Another update:

Sunday 37 as a minimum 44 as a maximum

Monday 24 as a minimum 33 as a maximum

I will check back tomorrow morning so that I can call Disney tomorrow to see what kind of availability we have.

From past experience, I know that we will need to pay for this up front. Disney faxes a bunch of paperwork that I will fill out and fax back along with payment information. I will find out how much we need to pay immediately and then when the rest is due (probably within a week or so). I am fine with paying for this on my cc but since it will be such a large amount of money ($1500 +/-) I will need to receive payments from people in advance - I just don't think my dh would understand how much I trust my fellow WISHers

So, once I get the information from Disney with final numbers etc. I will post again to let you all know. I can then give everyone a "total" for their group. At that point, if you are okay with the price, I will need a firm committment on your participation and the number in your group. I believe that we can add people as we get closer to the date (although I am not positive and will find out when I talk to Disney tomorrow) but decreasing our number increases the cost for others and could cause problems with our booking.

If things go as expected (with the number of participants and dessert choices), I figure the cost to be about $37/person (adult and children pay the same) total for the Old World Classics in Miniature (currently the first choice). This includes the $24.50/person dessert fee, the tax, the gratuity, and the $200 venue fee (none of which are negotiable). If we have fewer people than 40, the price will be slightly higher (approx $39/person if we have 30 people) as we have fewer people to spread the venue cost over.

Here are the approximate costs for different sized groups:

1 $37
2 $74
3 $111
4 $148
5 185
6 $222
7 $259
8 $296
9 $333
10 $370

I have a paypal account but I do pay a fee for accepting payments (30 cents + 3% for each transaction). I can also accept personal checks, cashier's checks, or money orders if anyone would rather do that. I don't care which way as long as we can get the funds together before I have to make that big payment to Disney

Tomorrow I'll start a new thread with this information as well as the new details from Disney. Please email or PM me if you have any questions!