How Long is the Site Visit Appt?

[SyrCinderella]

Our DD has a site visit set for Jan 13th - how long do those meetings usually run? They are giving us the tour of GF, WP, and a couple of other locations. Can we talk with the SM about her general wishes at that time (she has a pretty good idea of what she wants, based on the wish book), or is it strictly venues only? From what Ive read here (thanks to all of you for your help!) I guess the planning session is at 8 mos. How flexible is the 8 mos. for the planning visit - is a few months early or later ok? (Trying to plan my DVC points - bank or not bank?)

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Hey-

Expect it to last between 4 and 6 hours.

They really don't budge on the real planning sessions to well, becuase they need the contractual agreement and deposit first- and that's right around that 8 month mark. You get a call from your planner about 2-3 weeks after the contract is processed, etc.

 

[twojo21]

the site visit & planning session are normally 2 different occasions.

the site visit is just a chance to see the different locations & get some preliminary figures & ideas to a sales manager. our site visit lasted alittle less than 2 hours.

the planning session is for custom brides only once your wedding is booked with disney normally at or within the 8 month mark & is a chance to meet the florist, finalize plans & ideas and have a food tasting. ours lasted alittle over 5 hours.

 

[SyrCinderella]

Thanks for the quick replies - sounds like we have to go back in July for a March event (or Feb if future son-in-law gets his way - he wants Oct) I have a feeling that Oct is cutting things too close anyway...

We were hoping maybe we could do the planning session on our Apr trip, but I guess that wont work.

 

[Janet2k]

Our DD has a site visit set for Jan 13th - how long do those meetings usually run? They are giving us the tour of GF, WP, and a couple of other locations. Can we talk with the SM about her general wishes at that time, or is it strictly venues only?

Early in 2004, I booked a FTW custom vow renewal for October 27, 2004. During my family's vacation at the end of that May, my husband and I met with a FTW Sales Manager for a bit of a pseudo-site visit. Our visit consisted of sitting in a small conference room inside Franck's for an hour or two as we picked our Sales Manager's brain regarding dinner parties. When the end of July rolled around, I flew to WDW for an on-site planning session. My planning session was an extremely intense day due to the fact that my dinner party was being held inside the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. That planning session lasted 8-1/2 hours, but I know that is not the norm (most planning sessions last somewhere between 3 to 6 hours). Three months after my planning session was my actual vow renewal. It was beyond magical.

I wrote about what I went through as I planned my custom vow renewal. I went into great detail, especially regarding the marathon planning session. If you'd like to read about it, click here.

I hope your daughter has as much fun planning her wedding as I had planning my vow renewal. I wish her every happiness in the world.

 

[Laurafoster]

ours was just over 2 hours - although most of that was taken up by me taking pics!!!

 

[SyrCinderella]

Janet2K - Thank you for your wonderful posts! I have to tell you DD didnt want a reception in the GF ballroom - it felt too big somehow, but she REALLY liked your pics of the Summerhouse party! That is just about exactly what she wanted, and it is one of the places we told the SM we wanted to discuss. (Also asking about the GF marina). We had no idea about how vast the choices are and what is available until we read your posts. Thank you so much for taking the time to share in such detail!

I will pass along your message to DD, she is very excited to begin the process. Thank you for your good wishes!

 

[Janet2k]

I will pass along your message to DD, she is very excited to begin the process.

SyrCinderella, I'm glad my posts helped. I spend so much time writing them that I sometimes wonder if it is worth the bother. But then I'll hear from someone like yourself who has seen a side of Disney that they didn't know existed until they read one of my posts. That makes all the late-night hours spent slaving away over a keyboard worthwhile. Thank you for the kind words.

I adore the Grand Floridian. I know that someone recently posted that they were canceling a marina dessert party because they didn't like the backup location that was blocked for them in the event of inclement weather. All I can say is that for my outdoor events, the backup locations that were blocked for me were wonderful. I had no problem moving forward with my outdoor events because I knew the indoor locations were equally as lovely. Please remember that backup locations depend upon scheduling, but that holds true anywhere. For example, if you are having a dessert party at Epcot, the backup locations are not all the greatest (and from the photos that I remember seeing of the backup location in Norway, it is in an upstairs room that has no windows). But try not to fret too much over that. No matter where the party is held, it will be fun and memorable and that is all that really matters.

Again, my best wishes to your daughter.