HELP!! Possible DP venue change

[happylalagirl]

I am hoping all of you can help us. We were originally scheduled to have our DP on the French Upper Island. That was back when we expected to have 75 guests. Our numbers have now fallen to around 49. I am guessing we are going to be bumped. I have a phone call in to Marion. Howver, my DF is all about ambiance, which is why he fell in love with the upper french island. We had been offered the lower UK, but DF wasn't thrilled with it. Does anyone have any suggestions AND pics to share with us? Thanks guys!!

 

[JonetteA]

How about French Lower? We had our dessert reception there and were about your numbers. I will have to figure out a picture this week.

 

[Luvndisney]

did you tell disney yet? sounds like you did because i would recommend not because to be honest they might not check but then you would have to pay the higher cost. depends what is improtant to you. jsut tell them you have the numbers. But any location is great. and uk lower is a very nice location and like jonette said france lowere is an option. good luck

 

[SRUAlmn]

We are booked for French Lower! Someone posted some pictures for me (along with others,) let me go find them

OK, here are the French Terraces
http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/france_terraces.htm

I'm still looking for the others.

 

[dznystar]

We're having our whole reception at the French Island during Illuminations. We're only planning on having about 50 guests, and they have the whole thing reserved for us. We're having pre-reception on the upper, dinner on the lower and then dancing back on the upper. Everything will work out. Good luck!

 

[SRUAlmn]

We're having our whole reception at the French Island during Illuminations. We're only planning on having about 50 guests, and they have the whole thing reserved for us. We're having pre-reception on the upper, dinner on the lower and then dancing back on the upper. Everything will work out. Good luck!

This is very interesting to us! We are currently booked for the Napa room, but don't like any of the food options, and might run into a problem with space as we think we're going to have more people able to come than we initially intended. What time of day is your wedding? Would it be dumb to have a noon wedding and then not have a reception until night? What is the minimum for the French Pavilion? Where does the food come from? Thanks!!

 

[dznystar]

This is very interesting to us! We are currently booked for the Napa room, but don't like any of the food options, and might run into a problem with space as we think we're going to have more people able to come than we initially intended. What time of day is your wedding? Would it be dumb to have a noon wedding and then not have a reception until night? What is the minimum for the French Pavilion? Where does the food come from? Thanks!!

We haven't actually had our planning session yet, but Pam explained that they will block off one section of the lower island to set up a kitchen. We're having a 7:30 wedding (which is pushing the limit for time trying to make it to illuminations). I dont' see why it you couldn't do this with a noon wedding. The food and bev. minimum is $100 per person. However, you also have to pay a site fee $275, Illuminations viewing fee (12.50 perperson) and bus transportation ($88 per hour). Entrance is escorted through the backstage area of the park. Our reception is from 8:30pm- 1:30am. We originally wanted the GF but this works out to be about the same, plus you get the fireworks.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We haven't actually had our planning session yet, but Pam explained that they will block off one section of the lower island to set up a kitchen. We're having a 7:30 wedding (which is pushing the limit for time trying to make it to illuminations). I dont' see why it you couldn't do this with a noon wedding. The food and bev. minimum is $100 per person. However, you also have to pay a site fee $275, Illuminations viewing fee (12.50 perperson) and bus transportation ($88 per hour). Entrance is escorted through the backstage area of the park. Our reception is from 8:30pm- 1:30am. We originally wanted the GF but this works out to be about the same, plus you get the fireworks.

So there is no overall food and beverage minimum or is it what it normally is for dessert parties? We were going to do a reception and a dessert party. Why not combine the two!?!? Great idea

 

[happylalagirl]

How about French Lower? We had our dessert reception there and were about your numbers. I will have to figure out a picture this week.

There is a convention (full of doctors) that took over the lower French and the arm. They had originally offered to pay for the UK lower venue rental if we gave up the upper french but my DF didn't want to. Now that I think about it, I think the Dr. Convention actually has the UK lower booked also... help... any other pics of other venues?? I've heard a few people doing theirs in Monaco... any other suggestions?

 

[Luvndisney]

if all the areas are blocked off I would ask your planenr waht is available adn explain to him/her that you need to have a locaton and they need to coem up with a solution. Morocco us small I think maybe for like 20 people. I think there is Italy West Wing....which they might be using now. Its off to the left side of italy isola...in my opinion the best streaight on view and can hold probably your guest numbers. Its beautiful.....only trouble is there is no separation between you adn park guests so they typically make you purchase a tree wall ro something crazy for privacy. Check into it. Way bakc in the beginning when we planned we asked about thsi spot as well, but we outgrew those places. Good Luck. I am pming you a npicture of us from that location so you can see what a fabulour view it is.

 

[hmgolden]

happylalagirl - For your size group I would look into the west wing of the Italy Isola. I would also check in with your planner to see if they are actually going to bump you.

SRUAlumn - Just FYI - Disney is generally very against having a large gap between your ceremony and your reception times. We tried to do it, and were strongly discouraged. I'm not sure if its something they won't budge on or not. Just wanted to let you know there will most likely be some resistance from them.

 

[SRUAlmn]

happylalagirl - For your size group I would look into the west wing of the Italy Isola. I would also check in with your planner to see if they are actually going to bump you.

SRUAlumn - Just FYI - Disney is generally very against having a large gap between your ceremony and your reception times. We tried to do it, and were strongly discouraged. I'm not sure if its something they won't budge on or not. Just wanted to let you know there will most likely be some resistance from them.

Thanks, that's what I figured. There seems to be resistance anytime you want to do something non-traditional, so I don't think I want to step on any toes. I'll just keep it as is.

 

[dznystar]

Srualmn- the actual food and bev minimum for that epcot is $19.50 per person, but since it is part of a custom wedding, that goes towards your actual cost of $100 per person. Since we're having a later wedding, we want to have a lighter fare, mostly hors d'eurves and desserts, probably an open bar with a limit and with just staying at the min. per person. Hope this helps.

 

[dznystar]

happylalagirl- have you thought about having it possibly at the American Adventure Rotunda, or at the Odyssey where they hold the Grand Gatherings? There is also the Living Seas. Just throwing out some options.

 

[pixie08]

The min for french upper is 50. I think they would be ok with 49 I would push to keep that spot if you love it so much. We are having our dp there as well...the planters and view make it one of the best! italy is nice as well.

 

[JonetteA]

I would explain why you don't want to move. If they do make you, I would definately do some negotiation. We had a similar situation. I just explained to my planner that we were not interested in moving. The people above us that night were wonderful! The only concern we had since it was a corporate function would be the amount of drinking. We had no problems.

 

[happylalagirl]

The min for french upper is 50. I think they would be ok with 49 I would push to keep that spot if you love it so much. We are having our dp there as well...the planters and view make it one of the best! italy is nice as well.

OHMYGOODNESS!!!! If it's only a min of 50 ppl, that would be fabulous!!!! Thank you so much for this post.

As for the Italy West Wing, if it comes down to having to change, I would definitely look into that. What a perfectly magnificent view!!

 

[pixie08]

Your welcome just thought you should know that so they couldn't push you around over 1 or 2 people I am sure Disney will make it happen though!Good luck.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Could someone rank the locations in order of preference? I have heard a lot of mention about the UK or the Italy Isola or the upper French, but not many people mention the lower French (which is what we have.) I was just wondering where it ranks as far as 'niceness.' Thanks

 

[happylalagirl]

Could someone rank the locations in order of preference? I have heard a lot of mention about the UK or the Italy Isola or the upper French, but not many people mention the lower French (which is what we have.) I was just wondering where it ranks as far as 'niceness.' Thanks

We looked at the French Lower as an option, but my DF liked the way the planters were situated on the upper terrace. I personally liked the lower better, but I wanted him to be happy. I was already happy - I got my fairy tale wedding. hehehehe

They are equally as beautiful. I think the main difference is one is more isolated than the other. Good luck!! I know you will have a wonderful time!!