help please! restaurant???

[Tink&PirateMama]

I'm trying to figure out what restaurant to have breakfast with a cake before our vow renewal (yes, I know it's a little backwards! Such is our life, and our vow renewal, LOL!). But I want to do this all dressed up BEFORE we are swimming with dolphins!

I want to be at the Poly or GF, because that screams 'disney' to me, and we can get some castle pictures too. Ohana seemed good because my kids love lilo/stitch, and it's sorta a family theme, and we love the poly. However, while I was on the phone with them today, I was told that vegan breakfasts are ok, but not the cake (me and DD are allergic to milk/eggs)! But GF will do vegan cakes... And, they told me this worrying info- the breakfast might be too long- they told me 1.5 hours (yikes!), most people say 2. Which is really long if I want to take pictures. So then I go over to GF to talk with them about the cakes. And the BIG problem is that GF said they WILL NOT ship my vegan cake there unless I am staying at GF. Only to GF restaurants. Ugh...

SO, that means, I probably will go witha GF restaurant. Can someone tell me what breakfasts are like at GFC? I have never been there? Or how about 1900 PF?

I don't know what to do!! I don't have to do anything til next month when I book, so I have time, but I'm just so confused about this! I'd like it to be simple and sweet and fun (a cake, something simple to eat, nothing very long or time consuming), then take some beautiful pictures and head out.

Maybe its better to be at GF anyway for a vow renewal breakfast?? I mean, really it seems like it would be nice?? But I have no idea. I've never even looked in the GFC before....

I am excited about the cake though, I'm sure it will be lovely. No idea what we'll do, but I'll call next month and I'm sure it will be wonderful

Please share your opinions to help with my restaurant choice! Thank you so much for your help!!!

 

[Bride-to-be]

1900 PF is fun b/c of the characters (mary poppins) and has a nice buffet.

Another option could be the GF cafe which is very victorian. I don't think the orange juice is fresh anymore (or wasn't last time I was there). We really like going their for quiet lunches after taking the water mice out. It might be a little bit more relaxing than 1900 PF. I think it would be my first choice.

Truthfully I don't know who else serves breakfast there? I think those may be the only two other than the food court.

If you are staying there you could have breakfast delivered to your room or have private dining set up somewhere fun. You can even invite characters to come to your private meal =o)

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

1900 PF is fun b/c of the characters (mary poppins) and has a nice buffet.

Another option could be the GF cafe which is very victorian. I don't think the orange juice is fresh anymore (or wasn't last time I was there). We really like going their for quiet lunches after taking the water mice out. It might be a little bit more relaxing than 1900 PF. I think it would be my first choice.

Truthfully I don't know who else serves breakfast there? I think those may be the only two other than the food court.

If you are staying there you could have breakfast delivered to your room or have private dining set up somewhere fun. You can even invite characters to come to your private meal =o)

Wait- get out- you can do a private meal with characters? I thought it only for disney brides (which I am not officially!). How much does THAT cost? I'm sure it's out of my budget but I want to know! If we did stay there, what type of place could you do private dining- I've never stayed there, but always dreamed of doing that one day! Private dining sounds divine. Seems like GFC would be the best bet otherwise?
Thank you so much!!

 

[gemmybear83]

The Wave at the contemporary does breakfast???

 

[Bride-to-be]

I know people have done private dining in their rooms before. But I think there are a few very small special rooms that can be used at the GF as well. I think the characters are the same price as for the weddings, but I am not totally sure it may be a little less. There may be some sort of a rule (just because there seem to be millions of them) about a character appearing in wedding attire for a non-disney wedding. But getting characters in ordinary attire is no problem.

Its all in a book about the best of the best of disney or something. I will try to see if I can find it for you.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

Do I have to be a GF resort guest to have private dining there, or can I be just a WDW resort guest (as of now we're staying at OKW).

I wonder who you would call about that, and about the character part? I don't care about what they wear, by the way.

Thank you SOOOO much for your help!!!

 

[Bride-to-be]

The contemp would be fun either for chef mickeys or for the wave.

I think this is the book where I read about the private dining -

http://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Guide-...sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241212390&sr=8-1#

I honestly don't know about character prices, last year I was told a number that seems to be very different from what other brides have recently posted. So I don't want to give you the wrong info on price.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

The contemp would be fun either for chef mickeys or for the wave.

I think this is the book where I read about the private dining -

http://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Guide-...sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241212390&sr=8-1#

I honestly don't know about character prices, last year I was told a number that seems to be very different from what other brides have recently posted. So I don't want to give you the wrong info on price.

Thank you! I totally understand. Could you tell me who you talked to that gave you that number? I would like to make some calls, just not sure where to start??? I suppose I start with dining about the private dining part...

I don't want to do the contemporary, DH isn't as big a fan, and we wanted pics from the GF/Poly, not contemporary. Thank you both for the idea, though!!

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

I'm on hold right now, but I just thought, if we want cake and simple food- we could do it on the Grand, which is what we were planning to do in the evening.... Hmmm.... it's more expensive, but reasonable if it's an hour- and would be pretty amazing... I think they require two hours, though, if it's not fireworks time? I'm not sure?

 

[Bride-to-be]

I copied and pasted this from another site. I am not sure how current it is.

Below are the private dining experience menus. I realized when I scanned them they were not readable, so I typed them up quick. I've only included the romantic packages. They also sent me the room service menu from the Grand Floridian, as you can order off that as well. In addition, you could customize a menu based on what you'd like, and they will get a price for you.

I've already set up our dining experience for December. We'll be dining on the balcony overlooking the GF courtyard and Cinderella's castle. The server is going to meet us in the lobby to take us to the location. It's a surprise for my hubby! I'm so excited!

The direct number to Patricia and Carolyn (the two women I've dealt with at GF Private Dining) is 407-824-2578.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me!

****************************
Private Dining
Romantic Dining Experience

For guests seeking that extra special dining experience, with either a Private Romantic Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, the Grand Romantic Getaway is the perfect answer. Enjoy the special moment before the elegant backdrop of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa; dine on the exclusive yacht, the Grand I; on one of our float boats, or in the quiet seclusion of your own suite. Butler Service is available throughout the entire meal, serving you course after course. Choose a meal from any of our existing restaurants, or one of our pre-selected menu packages. To make your experience more “Magical”, allow our Chef’s to design a menu specifically to meet your needs.

Please allow forty-eight hours notice.

Pricing depends on the individual options selected.

The Grand Breakfizz (Romantic Breakfast for Two)
Traditional Eggs Benedict with baked apple slices, served with pastries, fresh fruits and berries, your choice of tow cold and two hot beverages and a split of champagne.
$46.00


Sugar Loaf Seclusion
Crab Cake – Jumbo lump crab cake served with Cajun remoulade sauce
Steak Diane – Sautéed twin beef medallions with a truffle cream sauce, tourné and baby vegetables on a rosti potato.
Mixed berries “Gratinee”, Champagne Sabayon
$78.00++(Per Person)


Fantasmic Experience
Classic Caesar Salad Prepared Table Side
Strip Steak au Poivre – Sirloin of beef coated with crushed peppercorns and sautéed, flambéed with cognac and served with fondant potato.
Bittersweet Chocolate Terrin with hazlenut brittle and brandied cherries.
$57.00++(Per Person)
Champagne and Sparkling Wines – Tattinger “laFrancaise” Brut, France
$65.00++(Per Person)


Grand Floridian Experience
Seafood Cocktail with Three Sauces – Gulf Shrimp, lump crab and Maine lobster with horseradish, remoulade and cognac sauces.
Spinach Salad – Baby leaves of Spinach with diced tomatoes, ****ake mushrooms and a smoked bacon vinaigrette.
Roast Rack of Lamb – with herb pinenut crust and rosemary jus. Carved table side and accompanied with tourne and baby vegetables, braised cabbage and duchess potatoes.
White Chocolate Raspberry Gateau – White Chocolate raspberry mouse “heart shaped” with tropical fruit coulis.
$85.00++(per Person)
Champagne and Sparking Wines-Perrier-Jouet Fleur
$230.00


The Magnolia
Sauteed Mushroom and Leek in Phyllo Purse – Pinot Noir sauce and basil oil.
Crab Stuffed Main Lobster with Mouseeline Sauce – Broiled red skin potatoes and asparagus spears.
Pate au Choux Swans – Filled with white chocolate mousse served in a pool of chcolate cognac sauce surrounded by shaved white chocolate curls.
$69.00++(per person)
Champagne and Sparking Wines – Roederer Estate Rose, CA
$70.00++(Per Person)


Victorian Elegance
Romaine Hearts – tossed table side with a stilton black peppercorn dressing.
Seared Sea Scallops and Gulf Shrimp – Served with saffron risotto, asparagus and a red pepper coulis.
Bananas Foster- Bananas quickly sautéed with dark rum, sugar and banana liquor, served warm over vanilla ice cream.
$70.00++(Per Person)
Champagne and Sparking Wines – Tattinger Comtes le Champagne Blanc de Blanc
$250.00++


Notes:

All packages include your choice of 1 non-alcoholic beverage and 1 bottled water per person.

++ = +6% sales tax and + 18% service charge.

Butler Service is optional and there is an additional fee of $50.00 for the first three hours and $25.00 each additional hour thereafter.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

It IS a one hour minimum... so we could do it on the grand one.... I'm not getting much luck otherwise, but I have more numbers to try!

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

OMG you ROCK! Thank you so much for typing all that!! Looks like you can book further in advance that way too! So excited- and to do it overlooking THE CASTLE would be fantastic. I'm calling now. Not sure if they'll be open though...

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

I had to leave a message... but then talked to DH, he LOVES this idea of private dining- on the grand or at the GF. We've been toying with the idea of dropping our evening plans because it's just so late, and this way, we sorta get what we wanted out of that without all the exhaustion. Either on the grand, or like what you are doing, overlooking the castle (I hope 4 people could fit in that spot), it's just perfect. And then we can have some privacy too- which is so nice. I'm SOOOO excited about these options, better than I would have come up with on my own for sure! I'll post when we actually know what we are doing- I'll probably not hear back until next week.

Thanks again so much!!

 

[Bride-to-be]

haha I didn't type all of that - I just copied and pasted it..

Anyhoo glad you like the idea. the grand 1 is great for the fireworks but for breakfast I might stick to the spot in the hotel itself.

If I can find any info on the characters I will post.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

Oh! LOL! Well, thanks for copying and pasting it!!

Thank you about the character info! I'm not sure if I can budget it, but I REALLY want to know if it's an option!!

I am just so thrilled with this idea, I can't even say how excited I am! It's just SO much better than my original idea- which I started this thread being bummed about!! Nice when things work out that way It would be so much better for photography (not strangers all around us)... and all's I wanted were castle background pictures... it's just perfect

Thanks again! You've made our weekend!

 

[Bride-to-be]

I am so glad you are so happy - I always love those highs!

Here is a clip from a USA Today article about the best things at disney -

But if the "Once Upon a Time Breakfast" is all booked up, you have other options, according to Bob Sehlinger. "The Walt Disney travel company can set up private functions," he said, "which includes renting characters." It's true — opening up your wallet will make Cinderella or Snow White magically appear at your dinner table. Sure, there are plenty of fun character meals, but the chance to have Mickey or Jasmine at your family's private table is wish-upon-a-star material.

Here is a link to the article - http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-01-17-luxury-disney-forbes_x.htm

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

THanks!

It does sound like wish upon a star material to me!! WOW! Well, I'm pretty sure I can do private dining, and the grand, but I have no idea if we could afford the characters- I wonder if it is a comparable cost to what they charge through DFTW, or if they have a restriction us being in wedding attire. I will definitely be asking about it when I talk to them (hopefully early next week!!). Very interesting! I'll post and let you know what happens when I know more!

 

[CharacterFan]

THanks!

It does sound like wish upon a star material to me!! WOW! Well, I'm pretty sure I can do private dining, and the grand, but I have no idea if we could afford the characters- I wonder if it is a comparable cost to what they charge through DFTW, or if they have a restriction us being in wedding attire. I will definitely be asking about it when I talk to them (hopefully early next week!!). Very interesting! I'll post and let you know what happens when I know more!

I think the character cost is the same. I was looking into another event outside of DFTW and got the same prices for 1-3 characters.