Honest opinions only please

[JessHooper]

Hi everyone! My fiance and I are doing our intimate wedding in November. But since its only an intimate we can't do a 'reception'. We want to do dinner at Cape May's buffet for our dinner after the ceremony. What does everyone think about that? All honest opinions needed and welcomed. Also, can you suggest a better place for a couple on a budget? TIA! ~Jess

 

[olbear]

Cape May is my absolute favorite place to eat at Disney. However, I myself would not eat there after my wedding. Some may think I'm crazy, but if you are looking to pay the same and eat at a buffet. I would highly recommend 1900 Park Fair in the Grand Floridian. They do have a room toward the back, that is kinda separate from the main dining room. So maybe you could request they seat you and you party/friends/family there. Be sure to tell them what it is for.

The only disadvantage I can see is there may be alot of little Cinderella's around. (kids) But then there are plenty of kids at Cape May too. I just find it a tad bit noisier.

But the positives are far more! The food is absolutely wonderful. And since it is in the Grand Floridian you can order a special cake to be made and delivered to you table. I ordered an anniversray cake for us last year and it was just the most gorgeous and delicious I have ever ate. Outisde of my own as I do wedding cakes myself. If you want, I can e-mail you a picture. You can e-mail me at win77pooh@bellsouth.net. They can also do Cinderella's slipper dessert for any young princesses you may want to treat.

More positives...Cinderella and Prince charming will be there and you can have some great photo opportunities. We got lucky and our waitress talked to the CM with the characters, and they took us outside for pictures with Cindy & her prince in the coach plus others. It was just great. We just have an absolutely wonderful time whenever we have dinner there. It is our second favorite. The atmosphere lends itself a bit more to your celebration than Cape May. If you do decide to eat there just don't forget to tell them why you are are there celebrating. Not saying they will do it, but many times, they sprinkle your table with Pixie Dust and do some special things. Again, I am not saying they will absolutely do this. If you go not expecting anything you will be not be dissapointed, but if they do well, then GRREAT!!!

You could always have a friend or family member go a bit early before your ressiesand maybe they will let you put table favors up to make it special and more personal. Not sure, but again you could ask.

Whatever you decide, be blessed and have a wonderful time!!

Blessings,
Winnie

 

[Christine]

Well, I really like the Cape May Buffet but I'm not sure that would be my pick for an "after wedding" dinner. Are you strictly interested in a buffet? Are you looking for intimacy? Is this a group thing? Can you give more details?

 

[sajetto]

Hi Jess!


We are also doing an intimate and were thinking of Cape May, 1900 Park Fare, or Ohana's. None of them really seemed like a great idea for an after wedding dinner and I know if I was eating there as a park guest and say a wedding party walk in, I would like it was odd (this is just as honest as I can be)

Because of this, we thought about doing the Yachtsman's Steakhouse or the Cali Grill both of them quoted me nearly $2000 after tax and tip so I said no way.

Our solution was to eat offsite. We are all getting 2 shuttles(vans) to take us to a resturant in orlando. We've called 3 different places and the quotes were much more reasonable.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Honestly, I wouldn't go for Cape May Cafe. I just wouldn't want to stand on line with people I don't know, wait for the steam trays to be refilled, and dodge families with lots of little ones, or people standing around in shorts and fanny packs at my wedding dinner. I would definitely look for a quieter table service place at a resort. I would make differing recommendations based on your budget and tastes, so more info would help. Do you plan on paying yourself? Wearing your gown? How many people? What ages? (etc.) Also-

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!!

 

[bicker]

I agree with Lulu, on both accounts. I'd recommend Flying Fish, and if that's too pricy, even Spoodles would be better IMHO.

 

[Aimeedyan]

What about GF Cafe? Have you checked out the menu there? GF is so romantic and "weddingy" anyways and the Cafe has pretty affordable dining options in a really beautiful environment - a little nicer than Cape May.

I think 1900 is a great idea, too, and the characters might be a lot of fun! It, too, is a much nicer atmosphere than Cape May but still a buffet.

Kona would be good - and more affordable.

I know none of those are at Epcot, though.

 

[Lewisc]

If you want to do a reception check at S/D and at the DTD hotels, they don't have the same rules Disney has.

 

[Terk-1]

I think Cape May would be fine. Then you can go outside over to the walkway connecting the YC & BW and view Illuminations. Another thing would be to see if you could get an Illuminations cruise. It's about $130 (I believe) for up to 12 people and would be a fun way to finish the evening off. If you want to do this, I'd work with your Disney Wedding planner to see if they can set it up for you, as this can be a really tough thing to get.

Another place I'd recommend is O'Hana's, if you were looking for some good food. It's served family style and I'm sure they can give you tables behind the bar, but next to the windows. Another option here is also doing a Wishes cruise. It too is about $130, seats the same amount of people and gives you a great view of Wishes from the lagoon.

 

[bicker]

Another place I'd recommend is O'Hana's, if you were looking for some good food.

Just don't expect Irish food there!

Seriously, 'Ohana is a nice, fun restaurant, especially with children. The food was a little salty for my taste, but otherwise good.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

For a less expensive but still nice restaurant I would recommend the Grand FLoridian Cafe. Good food, and a nice atmosphere. Plus you can't beat the ambience of the Grand Floridian for a wedding dinner.

 

[lovesdumbo]

The fireworks cruises are now $250.

I was out front at the Poly last Oct with my DD, a friend and her DD. We were waiting for my DH to arrive from the airport. There was a bride who had just had her dinner at OHana's. She gave the girls flowers. Looked liked they all had a great time. It is a fixed price but served at the table. I'm not knocking Cape May-I've never been there. I think you can have a fun/memorable time anywhere!!!

 

[pinkminnie]

I see no problem in Cape May. It is a wonderful place to eat. If it is a smaller sized party and they enjoy having fun they will love it. My DH and I love to eat at the pricier places, however, I grew up in a family that would definitely be more comfortable dining at the Cape May than any of the the so-called fancy places. It just depends on what you are comfortable with. We were just regular folks, so eating at Cape May would have been considered really doing it up big! We love the Cape and eat there on every trip.

 

[JessHooper]

Well, what we're looking for is a classy place to do our dinner for about 15 people and 3 kids. We are definately on a budget, so if you guys think of anything classy and nice for us to go, let me know! My email is jessljones1982@yahoo.com

 

[jann1033]

not familiar with Disney weddings but is there any reason you can't just go as a group to someplace like Artist point? it's only 18 people so i would seem most places should be able to seat that many...or if that's too pricey although the food is just OK to me ( only ate there once along time ago so maybe it's better now)how about por? the resort itself is pretty even if the restaurant isn't really fancy. i don't think I'd like Ohana and to me a buffet is kind of less elegant just cause no one is really waiting on you, people are jumping up and down to get food etc, not really conducive to enjoying a special meal.

edited to add

to me Ohana is kind of loud with the races and singing and such...ok for family type deals but at a wedding you want to talk to your guests and not real conducive to that imo so that is why i would try for a more adult, off the beaten path type place.

 

[Aurora63]

i don't think I'd like Ohana and to me a buffet is kind of less elegant just cause no one is really waiting on you, people are jumping up and down to get food etc, not really conducive to enjoying a special meal.

I agree. Have you looked at the menus on allearsnet.com? The price per person for Cape May for dinner is $25.99...if you took your guests to Artist's Point, the most expensive entree is $32...I'd guestimate about $50 pp if you factor in drinks and dessert. Even so, I think the extra expense is worth it.

You can even work with the restaurants to create your own menu, giving your guests choices of certain items, maybe eliminating the most expensive things to keep your costs down. I'd look into Citrico's or Artist's Point.

Hope you have a great wedding!

 

[eblack0409]

Just wanted to say congrats on your upcoming wedding!

 

[brando5111]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

Cape May - NO WAY - Just not "special enough" for this day. I agree with other posters. Perhaps Grand Floridian Cafe would be better, it's a much classier atmosphere!

Good luch whatever you choose.

Best,
Brando

 

[snowbunny]

The adult price at 'Ohana is exactly the same as Cape May - $25.99. Personally I would do 'Ohana. It would be a fun atmosphere but served at the table so a touch more elegant than a buffet.

I had a very small hotel wedding (I think it was 22 people, some of the details are fuzzy as it was 16 years ago) and intimate dinner afterward. Not at WDW but that would have been fun!