Illumniations Dessert Party vs. Wishes

[Mommy Poppins]

I am still debating the Grand I for a Wishes Cruise vs. an Illuminations Dessert Party following our vow renewal. Does anyone have any strong feelings one way or the other. My EM sent me the dessert menus and location spots and fees for Illuminations and all of the menus say 20 person minimum. We will only be a group of 13. Also, not sure which spots are suitable or available for a group of 13. We would really like to serve our wedding cake with ice cream and tuxedo strawberries, so I probably need to contact them again and see what the price for that would be. Do I go through my EM or through private events? Also, what is the latest as far as can intimate brides wear their gown to the dessert party?

Our 90 days is approaching at the end of the month to try and reserve the Grand I for Wishes. Again, we would like to serve our cake and strawberries on the cruise. I need to find out from GF private dining what the cost of this would be also.

So, what are your opinions ladies?

 

[princessblueeyzes]

I PM you. Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

PM'd you back!

Here is the info I received from my EM incase anyone else is interested regarding the Illuminations Dessert Party:

You can wear wedding attire IF you purchase a motorcoach to transport your group backstage at Epcot. You'll be met by a host/hostess who will escort you to the party location. The cost of the motorcoach is $436 (5 hour minimum). Otherwise, a guest relations person will meet you and your guests at International Gateway (no wedding attire permitted) and escort you to the party location.

 

[heathrow42]

We did a Wishes cruise one night (the regular kind.. like for family gatherings) and my only real complaint was the bugs. Having only done one of them, I don't know if this is the norm.. but everytime they had the lights on there was a swarm of gnat like bugs.. when we got off the boat, they were all over us. ick!

Again, I've only done it once.. but I would check over on the planning board and ask on the illuminations/wishes cruise thread

--heather

 

[twojo21]

the grand 1 is nice & you can serve food in the room below on the boat. the food & beverage would be handled by private dining at the grand floridian. fyi its $400 for the rental.

as for the illuminations dessert party youll have to pay a small party fee for the venue & food. you would be limited to venues like uk, morocco terrace, japan terrace, italy west wing. intimate brides/vrs are not allowed to wear wedding attire.

i would go with the grand 1 is your situation.

 

[Laurafoster]

If you really want to wear your wedding dress, as i would. I would go for the grand 1 cruise!

 

[Chrissie-riel]

We did a Wishes cruise one night (the regular kind.. like for family gatherings) and my only real complaint was the bugs. Having only done one of them, I don't know if this is the norm.. but everytime they had the lights on there was a swarm of gnat like bugs.. when we got off the boat, they were all over us. ick!

Again, I've only done it once.. but I would check over on the planning board and ask on the illuminations/wishes cruise thread

--heather

Hey Heather - Where is that thread? I can't seem to find it, even did a search and it's not coming up. Thanks!

 

[Eric-n-Ariel]

Hey Heather - Where is that thread? I can't seem to find it, even did a search and it's not coming up. Thanks!

They're in the Strategies Board. Let me see if I can find you a link. BRB

Illuminations Cruise Link
toward the bottom of the first post there are links to Illumination Cruise threads for the next 4 months

 

[Mommy Poppins]

You can wear your wedding attire IF you purchase a motorcoach to transport your group backstage at Epcot. You'll be met by a host/hostess who will escort you to the party location. The cost of the motorcoach is $436 (5 hour minimum). Otherwise, a guest relations person will meet you and your guests at International Gateway (no wedding attire permitted) and escort you to the party location.

 

[JessHooper]

I am still debating the Grand I for a Wishes Cruise vs. an Illuminations Dessert Party following our vow renewal. Does anyone have any strong feelings one way or the other. My EM sent me the dessert menus and location spots and fees for Illuminations and all of the menus say 20 person minimum. We will only be a group of 13. Also, not sure which spots are suitable or available for a group of 13. We would really like to serve our wedding cake with ice cream and tuxedo strawberries, so I probably need to contact them again and see what the price for that would be. Do I go through my EM or through private events? Also, what is the latest as far as can intimate brides wear their gown to the dessert party?

Our 90 days is approaching at the end of the month to try and reserve the Grand I for Wishes. Again, we would like to serve our cake and strawberries on the cruise. I need to find out from GF private dining what the cost of this would be also.

So, what are your opinions ladies?

I've never heard of the Grand I for a Wishes Cruise. Does any one have any info on prices and what the mins and maxs are for it? Is it true that the Illuminations Cruises will only accomodate 10 adults? We will have between 15 an 20 guests. TIA ~Jess

 

[Janet2k]

I am still debating the Grand I for a Wishes Cruise vs. an Illuminations Dessert Party following our vow renewal.

Tough choice. Both are lovely. If I were choosing, I would go with the Illuminations Dessert Party since I could rent the Grand 1 yacht anytime but probably would only do an Illuminations Dessert Party once in my life.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Grand 1 yacht, here are some links that might prove useful:
Grand 1 Yacht Info on Official WDW Website
Grand 1 Yacht Info on Dis Website

If you search the boards, you'll find that several Dis'ers have rented the Grand 1 yacht over the years for various reasons. All the posts that I've read about the yacht have been favorable.

I hope this helped.