Illuminations Vs. Fantasmic Dessert Party

[ead79]

Butterfly Bride, I posted pictures of the Italy Isola over on the Morocco thread.

 

[froglady]

I have a question. I'm having a small anniversary party (dessert) at Epcot and will be wearing an ivory gown. Not a bridal gown, but actually a bridesmaid gown. DH & DS will be wearing tuxes, and many of the guests will be dressed up. We were just planning on taking the boat/walking from BWI.

Do gowns count? Do I also have to add transportation? $$$ I just found out about the venue charge (I've been to a dessert party in the past, before the charge) plus MANDATORY Illuminations charge; doesn't matter if your guests have APs, etc. I'm afraid if they keep adding all of these charges, my plans will be changing. This is on top of what I'm paying for a suite, a couple of rooms for guests, hairdresser, and I haven't gotten the flower quotes yet!

 

[ItGirl753]

I have a question. I'm having a small anniversary party (dessert) at Epcot and will be wearing an ivory gown. Not a bridal gown, but actually a bridesmaid gown. DH & DS will be wearing tuxes, and many of the guests will be dressed up. We were just planning on taking the boat/walking from BWI.

Do gowns count? Do I also have to add transportation? $$$ I just found out about the venue charge (I've been to a dessert party in the past, before the charge) plus MANDATORY Illuminations charge; doesn't matter if your guests have APs, etc. I'm afraid if they keep adding all of these charges, my plans will be changing. This is on top of what I'm paying for a suite, a couple of rooms for guests, hairdresser, and I haven't gotten the flower quotes yet!

I thought if your guests have a park pass for that day then you don't have to pay the 12.50 viewing fee. Now I'm worrying again!

I could be wrong, but I thought any formal attire needs private transportation. (For example, in the honeymoon or family photo shoots you're not even allowed to wear anything formal.)

 

[pixie08]

I am not sure about the formal attire but you will not be charged the viewing fee if you use your park admission.

 

[LilyStar]

The reason is you CAN NOT walk through the park in your gown..there is no way around it. IF you want to wear your dress you must be dropped off backstage by private Disney trasportation and escorted to your party location.

Well apparently someone forgot to stop the bride I was standing in line with at Test Track a couple months ago. She came complete with gown, bridesmaids and groomsmen in tuxedos. They were standing in line right in front of us.

The whole point I think is silly about this rule of Disney's is that if they REQUIRE you to arrive at the park for a dessert reception that YOU are paying for, that they should be able to provide transportation. They had no problem sending a private car to pick us up when we wanted to tour the DVC program. And it was free and there was absolutely no guarantee we would even buy anything (which we didn't). For a dessert reception, I can see them saying you all have to meet at a Disney resort so that they can give you a ride but paying extra for this is ludicris to me. of course just my opinion.

Ok, stepping off my red-headed step-child intimate bride soapbox.

 

[Chrissie-riel]

Lilystar - we can feel your frustration!! Just because we know and understand the rules doesn't mean that anyone likes them!! Kudos to the Test Track bride who snuck in! But the point is, she was probably at some point in her fun asked or escorted to leave the park. I wouldn't want to risk it personally!! Way to important of a day to have the party squelched right in the middle of the fun!!

 

[DLR2WDW]

Lilystar - I am just trying to be realistic...Keep in mind that every service has some sort of cost associated with it. You didn't pay for the car on your DVC visit because it is wrapped into the sales process...you may not have purchased anything, but there are hundreds of people that do which compensates for your "free" ride. If the busses were "free" for a dessert party, the cost would probably have to be rolled into the cost of the actual location rental or some other portion of the wedding process.

 

[Tinkerbell8956]

Someone was asking about prices on here...somewhere, we are looking into a dessert party right now for this September, we were told that if we did basically the bare minimum for food for 20 people its going to be somewhere around $850. This includes site fee, host fee, table and chair set up, etc.

 

[LilyStar]

Lilystar - I am just trying to be realistic...Keep in mind that every service has some sort of cost associated with it. You didn't pay for the car on your DVC visit because it is wrapped into the sales process...you may not have purchased anything, but there are hundreds of people that do which compensates for your "free" ride. If the busses were "free" for a dessert party, the cost would probably have to be rolled into the cost of the actual location rental or some other portion of the wedding process.

Agreed, I know that everything has it's "cost" even if we don't see it. I do believe they should roll in the cost of this transportation into the party cost, for better customer service. Like you choose the package that includes transportation (if you're wearing your gown) or the one that doesn't. It's all about customer perception in this business. I work for a "Large Ticketing corporation" and when a venue figures in it's $35 service charge for a $1000 VIP package, you better believe that package costs $1035 with no mention of a service charge. Because if we said to our customers, your ticket costs $1000 and then we're tacking on $35 service charge and a $20 handling charge and a fee of $50 for mandatory UPS shipping, they would get Pi$*ed off....and I don't blame them.

But alas, we can't change Disney...but I can voice my opinion.

 

[mhcueball2]

This is what we have figured for the Lower UK for 35 guests:

440 - viewing fee
875 - food (about $25pp)
275 - site fee
75 - setup fee
600 - bus transportation
100 - junk fees
-----
2365

 

[pixie08]

This is what we have figured for the Lower UK for 35 guests:

440 - viewing fee
875 - food (about $25pp)
275 - site fee
75 - setup fee
600 - bus transportation
100 - junk fees
-----
2365

That looks about right for 35 people!

 

[ItGirl753]

I may have 60 people. I think I am going to ask them to rsvp if they will have an epcot ticket that day, and walk to the DP! So they will choose whether or not they attend. I won't be able to wear my dress, but then it'll be an excuse to buy a special, cute outfit! I think it'll cut out a big chunk of money!