Hey Escape Brides! Tell me about your reception plans!

[disprincessatheart]

Our plans so far:

2:30 pm ceremony at the WP, followed by cake and cider at the GF, then pictures around the resort for us and cocktails for our guests at Mizner's.

After that we'll be heading over to the Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner at about 5:30 or 6. I don't know if we'll be able to fit in the semi-private room (holds 16) but I'm sure the manager will be able to work with us. We're also considering California Grill for dinner - the view is just spectacular and since we can take the monorail, less hassle with getting everyone from point A to point B. Besides, I think it would be fun to ride the monorail all gussied up in my dress.

I'd absolutely love to be able to do a DP for Illuminations but I don't think it's going to be in the budget. DF and I have been kicking around the idea of treating our group to a Tomorrowland Terrace dessert buffet the next day for Wishes, but that's still under discussion.

I think you might be a little too tight on time. We had a 2:30 ceremony that started a little early, then pictures and cake cutting. We barely had time to walk to narcoosees in time for dinner at 5:30. Plus mizners doesn't open until 5:30. We did get extra champagne for our group that was served with the cake, and obviously we were there past 4:30, but by the time we cut, danced, ate and then everything was boxed up, there wasn't time to do anything before dinner. I would definitely plan on dinner on the monorail!

the tomorrowland terrace must book up REALLY early and quickly because there isn't ANY openings for the entire 9 days we are in disney for our wedding/honeymoon in January. unless for some reason it isn't open at that time of year? I haven't looked much further into it than trying to book a spot on the online bookings part of the Disney page and it says there is nothing available.

I think they might not be booking past December yet - they only open these up a couple months ahead.

For the op - we did the 2:30 wp ceremony, then dinner at narcoosses followed by a wishes cruise on the grand 1 yacht. By the time we had cake and then dinner (four courses) no one wanted more dessert.

 

[winterhart534]

I think you might be a little too tight on time. We had a 2:30 ceremony that started a little early, then pictures and cake cutting. We barely had time to walk to narcoosees in time for dinner at 5:30. Plus mizners doesn't open until 5:30. We did get extra champagne for our group that was served with the cake, and obviously we were there past 4:30, but by the time we cut, danced, ate and then everything was boxed up, there wasn't time to do anything before dinner. I would definitely plan on dinner on the monorail!

That is really good to know! Honestly, I was going off what the planning packet said as far as the timing for dinner reservations. I admit it felt like there wasn't enough time to "herd the cats" from point A to point B. I was thinking about maybe having a noon ceremony and seeing if we could add a meat and cheese or a fruit plate to the cake and champagne time and *then* make our way to wherever we have dinner. It's all a work in progress at this point but thanks for the info!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

How far ahead can you make a reservation for a group? We have around 30 people, do we have to wait until its the normal time others make ADRs (180 days out)?

Shannon sweetie - In theory, yes you would need to wait for the 180+10, but if I were you, I would contact your chosen restaurant's manager ahead of that and let them know you are a large party for a wedding reception. I did this with Citrico's and Viviana, the manager was excellent. She explained that I couldn't 'officially' book until 180+10 but assured me that since she knew all about it, we were sort of 'pencilled in'. When the ADR window rolled around, she actually booked it for me - I didn't have to do anything!!! We were so happy with the cast ans service at Citrico's, they really bent over backwards to make our day special!!!

 

[MrsDuck]

Is there dancing at Jellyrolls now? It's been a while since we've been there, but every time we went it was just a dueling piano sing-along bar, no dancing or anything.

I had a private meal in the Key West Room and then a private DP at SCP to watch Wishes.



Yeah I don't think they have dancing at Jellyrolls. If you want dancing then you want the Atlantic Dance Hall.

There isn't "official" dancing but how could you not at least tap your foot to the music? I'm not talking about serious dancing but a bit of partying. Sorry if my comment misled other brides!

 

[Chilly]

That is really good to know! Honestly, I was going off what the planning packet said as far as the timing for dinner reservations. I admit it felt like there wasn't enough time to "herd the cats" from point A to point B. I was thinking about maybe having a noon ceremony and seeing if we could add a meat and cheese or a fruit plate to the cake and champagne time and *then* make our way to wherever we have dinner. It's all a work in progress at this point but thanks for the info!

I extended my cake and champagne reception and that worked well, I had the fruit plate.

I agree that you wouldn't make it to the Boardwalk in time.

 

[Shannon84]

Shannon sweetie - In theory, yes you would need to wait for the 180+10, but if I were you, I would contact your chosen restaurant's manager ahead of that and let them know you are a large party for a wedding reception. I did this with Citrico's and Viviana, the manager was excellent. She explained that I couldn't 'officially' book until 180+10 but assured me that since she knew all about it, we were sort of 'pencilled in'. When the ADR window rolled around, she actually booked it for me - I didn't have to do anything!!! We were so happy with the cast ans service at Citrico's, they really bent over backwards to make our day special!!!

May be a silly question, but how can I find a direct contact number for a certain restaurant? I know of the disney dining phone line, but wasnt sure, thank you so much!!

 

[princessK30]

May be a silly question, but how can I find a direct contact number for a certain restaurant? I know of the disney dining phone line, but wasnt sure, thank you so much!!

I couldn't find them anywhere online either, I emailed my planner for contact info for each one and she sent me direct numbers, names and/or email addresses

 

[tinkerbell 766]

May be a silly question, but how can I find a direct contact number for a certain restaurant? I know of the disney dining phone line, but wasnt sure, thank you so much!!

Shannon sweetie - I only have the e-mail address of the manager at Citrico's but let me know if you want that and I will PM it to you.
I was a S/D bride so didn't know about the DFTW planners providing a list of restaurant contacts
Good luck!!

 

[Shannon84]

Shannon sweetie - I only have the e-mail address of the manager at Citrico's but let me know if you want that and I will PM it to you.
I was a S/D bride so didn't know about the DFTW planners providing a list of restaurant contacts
Good luck!!

I am actually a potential future S/D bride myself so Karen didn't have the infromation for Captain's Grille, which is what I am looking at (for a lunch reception) I am going to try and call Disney sometime this week to see if I can get it

 

[Wonderment]

We’re having a dessert party at the “Rose and Crown” where we reserved the pub side for our bar and special treats. We have a signature drink that is offered on the M.S. Dixie in Lake Tahoe, the Emerald Bay, and we ordered key lime cupcakes and tuxedo strawberries to enjoy. We’ll have everything beautifully decorated with glowing pink and blue Mickey gel candles, decorative silver sashes and personalized Mickey ears for everyone. The final touch of the evening will be the fireworks our guests get to enjoy while we try to get the perfect shots from our D.P. photo session.

 

[winterhart534]

I think you might be a little too tight on time. We had a 2:30 ceremony that started a little early, then pictures and cake cutting. We barely had time to walk to narcoosees in time for dinner at 5:30. Plus mizners doesn't open until 5:30. We did get extra champagne for our group that was served with the cake, and obviously we were there past 4:30, but by the time we cut, danced, ate and then everything was boxed up, there wasn't time to do anything before dinner. I would definitely plan on dinner on the monorail!

I wanted to come back and update on our plans - we ended up NOT getting the 2:30 spot our our date due to a previous Wishes booking and went with the 12:00 time slot instead. As soon as I got the confirmation of our "new" time, I remembered this thread and thought "Well, its just meant to be! Now we'll have time and won't be rushed to dinner"

We STILL can't decide between Yachtsman's or California Grill for dinner! Citrico's doesn't do much for me and we have several seafood allergies so Narcoosee's isn't an option. DF and I had an amazing meal at Yachtman's this past August (plus the manager was a total sweetheart!) but how can you beat the views from California Grill? It's been several years since I've eaten there so I don't know how the food is currently. I can't wait to get my planning packet!

 

[lurkyloo]

I had the opportunity to eat at California Grill several nights in a row this spring, and the food was excellent on each occasion. I'd always wondered if the place was overrated, but to see that kind of consistency in execution confirmed that it really is one of the best restaurants at WDW (not that I don't love Yachtsman...).

 

[heatherlove]

Our plans aren't definite yet but so far we're talking about just adding some hors d'oeuvres to the cake celebration and we're definitely doing the DP. If we get an earlier time slot for the ceremony, then we might end up doing a lunch/dinner reservation and then the DP afterwards.

Either way, we're doing the DP so everything else kinda depends on what time slot we can get for the ceremony. If we have a 2:30, I'm not sure we'll have time to do a dinner in between. 12:00 okay fine... 5:00 definitely not.