If you could change anything about ...

[sarah_n_brian2006]

What would you change to DFTW if you could??

 

[PrincessBride07]

you mean besides the prices?

I would change two things: 1: update that wish book. It doesn't really help, and some of the information is misleading. 2: offer more/be more vocal about locations. I would like to see more locations offered, and for them to actually tell you they are offered.

 

[wendy46001]

I want them to offer a dessert party at MK....

 

[lurkyloo]

I totally agree about the Wishbook and the lack of info on locations. My big thing...

Transportation! The five-hour minimum on the charter bus is highway robbery - it doesn't work for any combo of ceremony and reception, which means you can't just have the bus before and after your event, you have to pay for it to sit around during the entire thing.

Also, the lack of cheaper transportation alternatives that you can actually use is a drag (why do they even offer town cars if they're going to tell you not to use them?)...

Oh! One more thing! Charging $1,000 for the digital copies of any pictures taken by Disney - on top of the thousands it costs just to use Disney - is ridiculous. No other photographer anywhere does this. I can't believe, with all the business they're losing to Randy, et al., that they still do this.

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

I totally agree with the wishbook.It's been like 2 years since they updated it. No where on the website has the new MK photo shoot information. Locations are poorly described. Need more pictures of locations to be viewed by everyone. How about a real selection of floral choices added to the Wishbook. I could go on forever!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I wish that the options were more readily available to research. The wealth of information on these boards is invaluable, but I truly feel sorry for the people who just don't spend a lot of time on message boards. It's like, the Wedding Planner doesn't offer information unless you specifically ask in that direction. How do you know what to ask if you don't know what exists as an option, you know?

 

[Starr W.]

I wish that the options were more readily available to research. The wealth of information on these boards is invaluable, but I truly feel sorry for the people who just don't spend a lot of time on message boards. It's like, the Wedding Planner doesn't offer information unless you specifically ask in that direction. How do you know what to ask if you don't know what exists as an option, you know?

Much easier to do the standard locations for a ceremony/reception, everyone at DFTW knows the routine for WP/insert popular reception location/ DP.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Much easier to do the standard locations for a ceremony/reception, everyone at DFTW knows the routine for WP/insert popular reception location/ DP.

I guess I should've been more specific. I was referring to my experiences thus far in planning our Escape wedding. It seems Wishes brides have it a little easier since they have more formal receptions, etc. Our dining plans are more "up in the air" as Escape brides and I just feel like it's difficult to plan our options. I have to worry about whether we'll be sitting together, eating off a fixed menu, etc.

 

[PrincessBride07]

Much easier to do the standard locations for a ceremony/reception, everyone at DFTW knows the routine for WP/insert popular reception location/ DP.

I think that is the problem. They advertise that the sky is the limit (well your checkbook at least) when planning your wishes wedding, then they give you a list of options. We all know that there are locations used for weddings/receptions that are not on that list. If the couple doesn't know to ask about other locations, then they will never truly know all their options.

Mermaid_Ariel, I agree with you to some extent. I don't feel that DFTW should help out too much with the dining, because if they did it would be along the lines of a Wishes wedding. I do believe that they should at least point you in the right direction though. There has to be some sort of person that deals with large group dining. I image there is a Grand Gatherings dining person you could talk to.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Mermaid_Ariel, I agree with you to some extent. I don't feel that DFTW should help out too much with the dining, because if they did it would be along the lines of a Wishes wedding. I do believe that they should at least point you in the right direction though. There has to be some sort of person that deals with large group dining. I image there is a Grand Gatherings dining person you could talk to.

I agree with you. I just feel like they haven't given me any direction whatsoever. Even if I was told to contact Grand Gatherings I would've been fine with that, too. I actually didn't know about Grand Gatherings until about a month ago. I found out about it poking through the boards. hehe

 

[meryll83]

I guess I should've been more specific. I was referring to my experiences thus far in planning our Escape wedding. It seems Wishes brides have it a little easier since they have more formal receptions, etc. Our dining plans are more "up in the air" as Escape brides and I just feel like it's difficult to plan our options. I have to worry about whether we'll be sitting together, eating off a fixed menu, etc.

I agree,
Just because we are having an Escape wedding as only a few guests can make the trip, it doesn't mean we wouldn't like a formal meal and small reception.
It's kinda like, you're Escape so we'll help you with your ceremony but if you wanna eat, you're on your own!

Ooh and also - if we wanna book well in advance, let us! Check in every few months to make sure we're still going ahead, but don't make us wait til 12/8 months to tell us if you'll have us!!

 

[Starr W.]

I guess I should've been more specific. I was referring to my experiences thus far in planning our Escape wedding. It seems Wishes brides have it a little easier since they have more formal receptions, etc. Our dining plans are more "up in the air" as Escape brides and I just feel like it's difficult to plan our options. I have to worry about whether we'll be sitting together, eating off a fixed menu, etc.

I've looked at both for our VR, and that's what's pushing me to really consider a Wishes ceremony. Inconvient times, not a lot of lunch options are a really pain.

We want something "out of the box" to celebrate our 20th, and you can't really get that with an Escape package.

 

[lurkyloo]

I've looked at both for our VR, and that's what's pushing me to really consider a Wishes ceremony. Inconvient times, not a lot of lunch options are a really pain.

And that's really the point, for Disney - they want you to throw up your hands in exasperation over the limited Escape options so you'll pay for a Wishes wedding. They have no incentive to make it easier for Escape brides to book a wedding meal.

www.mouseweddings.com does a really good job laying out all the options for Escape meals...

 

[Starr W.]

I think that is the problem. They advertise that the sky is the limit (well your checkbook at least) when planning your wishes wedding, then they give you a list of options. We all know that there are locations used for weddings/receptions that are not on that list. If the couple doesn't know to ask about other locations, then they will never truly know all their options.

Since I'm looking 6 yrs out, I don't think they want to hear from me yet! But I would like some info as we want something unique to celebrate 20 yrs.

Okay I'm going to be my usual sarcastic self and suggest maybe they tell you about the "cool locations" aka not on the standard list if you dont' mention you are on a tight budget.

 

[Starr W.]

And that's really the point, for Disney - they want you to throw up your hands in exasperation over the limited Escape options so you'll pay for a Wishes wedding. They have no incentive to make it easier for Escape brides to book a wedding meal.

www.mouseweddings.com does a really good job laying out all the options for Escape meals...

I think I've gotten more ideas from Mousewedding and the gang here, about some of the "peachy keen" locations The problem with the meal options are I don't feel like you really get a good "flow" with an Escape wedding.

I don't like the locations for the Escape weddings, WP too church like, SBP-way to close to the walkway for my tastes, YCG-too surrounded by hotel rooms. Other locations will be to small

The only thing that really appeals to me off that list would be the Napa Room at the Cali Grill.

 

[hiwaygal]

And that's really the point, for Disney - they want you to throw up your hands in exasperation over the limited Escape options so you'll pay for a Wishes wedding. They have no incentive to make it easier for Escape brides to book a wedding meal.

www.mouseweddings.com does a really good job laying out all the options for Escape meals...

You are right...that is the point.

The Escape package is intended to be just that, a package with limited options for upgrading.

It's not intended to be a cheap alternative to a Wishes wedding.

Sometimes I'm amazed at all the options there are for an Escape package. Disney could make it much easier on themselves and simply say the package deal is the package deal - no substitutions. From my perspective, Disney does a lot to accommodate brides.

 

[caryndisneydiva]

I think I've gotten more ideas from Mousewedding and the gang here, about some of the "peachy keen" locations The problem with the meal options are I don't feel like you really get a good "flow" with an Escape wedding.

I don't like the locations for the Escape weddings, WP too church like, SBP-way to close to the walkway for my tastes, YCG-too surrounded by hotel rooms. Other locations will be to small

The only thing that really appeals to me off that list would be the Napa Room at the Cali Grill.

there are 2 other, little known, ceremony site options at the bw, one of them is the lawn in front of the inn pool (near the garden suites), it's pretty big, i didn't like it though because it's right on top of the guest rooms, but it's a beautiful spot. the other one is near adh and the walkway to the swolphin...i didn't learn about that one until later and i might have considered it as that was the path we traveled often when working there...

they used to do weddings right near the big tree (which has since become diseased and cut down) at the bw by the garden suites, but they stopped since it's no longer there...

 

[Starr W.]

there are 2 other, little known, ceremony site options at the bw, one of them is the lawn in front of the inn pool (near the garden suites), it's pretty big, i didn't like it though because it's right on top of the guest rooms, but it's a beautiful spot. the other one is near adh and the walkway to the swolphin...i didn't learn about that one until later and i might have considered it as that was the path we traveled often when working there...

they used to do weddings right near the big tree (which has since become diseased and cut down) at the bw by the garden suites, but they stopped since it's no longer there...

I think I saw the one near ADH and the walkway, it seemed kind of quiet.

Where is the croquet lawn at the BW? On Mouseweddings.com someone had a Mad Hatter Tea Party reception there.

DH really liked Lurky's ceremony, he's kind of on their line of thinking, "if we're going to do it at WDW, lets have it in a theme park." Yes, I want to deal with the charter bus .

 

[PrincessBride07]

Since I'm looking 6 yrs out, I don't think they want to hear from me yet! But I would like some info as we want something unique to celebrate 20 yrs.

Okay I'm going to be my usual sarcastic self and suggest maybe they tell you about the "cool locations" aka not on the standard list if you dont' mention you are on a tight budget.

First off I completely appreciate the sarcasm. (and that is not meant to be sarcastic either.)

I just don't think that all the cool locations are necessarily budget busters. Also, I ended up in the AA Parlor for my reception. I had to switch it to there because of miscommunication (my part) and misleading information (DFTW website). If I would have known about the parlor room at the beginning, I could have saved myself the embarrassment of having to change locations at my planning session. I just wish that the website would say something on the lines of "more locations maybe available. Please speak with a Fairtale Wedding Consultant".

 

[OceanGdss]

Where is the croquet lawn at the BW? On Mouseweddings.com someone had a Mad Hatter Tea Party reception there.
.

I believe it is behind JellyRolls. If you walk between JellyRolls and ADH and go left behind the guest rooms you will come to it