I'm Having Second Thoughts

[NYPrincess422]

Help Dis! Ok, Im a week away from going to Disney for my Planning Session, and for the past week I have been having weird doubts about how I feel about Ariel's as my reception space.

I stare at every possible Ariel's picture I can find, some I like, others, eh not so much. I'm not sure if I should email my planner and discuss my feelings or wait until after the PS.

The main reason why I thought I should voice my thoughts to the planner is so they can check to see what available, etc, and maybe I can look at various spaces besides obviously Ariel's.

Then again, could it just be nerves? We all plan our weddings and select our locations without being able to see them right away, maybe its just nerves. Has anyone else felt this way? I feel bad because we've already signed out LOA, already sent in our Deposit and filled out that questionnaire. I dont know if it would be chaotic to switch a location or not.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

You should definitively ask what other spaces are available and look at them as well. I was not able to have a PS since I was an Escape, and in Canada with no budget to go beforehand, but I would have looked at many spaces if I had the chance.

I booked all my venues based on pictures, and the one I thought I would like least was my favourite, and the two I was in love with through pictures, were not as great as I thought they would be (still really nice, but just different in person).

 

[NYPrincess422]

You should definitively ask what other spaces are available and look at them as well. I was not able to have a PS since I was an Escape, and in Canada with no budget to go beforehand, but I would have looked at many spaces if I had the chance.

I booked all my venues based on pictures, and the one I thought I would like least was my favourite, and the two I was in love with through pictures, were not as great as I thought they would be (still really nice, but just different in person).

Thank you Boardwalk Bride...do you think it would be a big deal to switch?

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I am having the exact same problem. I am signing my LOA in the next few weeks, and I am having second thoughts about using ADH for our reception, so I know exactly how you feel. I wish I could go down for a site visit. It wouldn't hurt to look at a few locations while your down there. Maybe you will see Ariel's and love it, or maybe you will see somewhere else and love it more.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

No, they just send you an addendum to your contract so that the new spaces are on there in place of the old ones

 

[kcampbell]

Ariel's is a location that you can view without a DFTW person so if I were you I would write an email to Ken and Jen and tell them that b/c you haven't yet seen it in person you are having some second thoughts. Ask them to see what else is available and visit the locations on your own before your PS. That way you will get the most accomplished at the PS. Plus, if you change reception locations (to a different resort for instance) your menu tasting techinically should be at the new resort b/c that's the Chef you will work with, but perhaps they can work around that. Definitely email them the sooner the better. And yes, it could be just nerves. You obviously liked Ariel's enough to pick it....what is it that you are second guessing about it?

 

[NYPrincess422]

You should definitively ask what other spaces are available and look at them as well. I was not able to have a PS since I was an Escape, and in Canada with no budget to go beforehand, but I would have looked at many spaces if I had the chance.

I booked all my venues based on pictures, and the one I thought I would like least was my favourite, and the two I was in love with through pictures, were not as great as I thought they would be (still really nice, but just different in person).

Ariel's is a location that you can view without a DFTW person so if I were you I would write an email to Ken and Jen and tell them that b/c you haven't yet seen it in person you are having some second thoughts. Ask them to see what else is available and visit the locations on your own before your PS. That way you will get the most accomplished at the PS. Plus, if you change reception locations (to a different resort for instance) your menu tasting techinically should be at the new resort b/c that's the Chef you will work with, but perhaps they can work around that. Definitely email them the sooner the better. And yes, it could be just nerves. You obviously liked Ariel's enough to pick it....what is it that you are second guessing about it?

I think its probably because I havent seen it. Its so hard to plan and envision it in your head when i have never seen it in real life. I told DF and he's so calm, "dont worry, its going to be fine"..lol. Im sure he's right too, I bet when I see it Ill love it. I think its nerves really. Ken & Jen have been so great too, Im trying to be a good bride, lol.

 

[Janell]

I can't really help, since I have never seen Arials in person. What I can offer is my experiance. We too didn't have a PS, airfare was $800 round trip for one person when we got married. So we decided everything from photos and advice from fellow brides.

In choosing our locations, DH and I made a list of the things we wanted. We were getting married in May, so indoors for us was a must. We wanted the ceremony in a classic feeling location, so we choose WP. For the ceremony, I didn't want a ballroom and DH wanted a privet location. This limited us, but we got a great location, of Living Seas Salon.

After we had our locations we made sure that what ever else we wanted, like choice of photographer, amount of decor and so on would work with the locations chosen.

I can say two years later, that we loved our wedding day, it was better then we thought it could be. I think all Disney locations are beautiful. The only thing you need to make sure the location does for you is fit your needs.

I hope your PS goes well. It should be a lot of fun, with some yummy food.

 

[KR1343]

 

[pixie921]

I was thinking of Ariel's, too, until I saw close-up pictures of the carpet. From a distance, I thought there was a rose pattern -- up close, it is FISH! Now I know the decor has fish hanging from the ceiling (but those are cool looking!), and it's called Ariel's for goodness' sake ... but for some reason I can't get past the koi in the carpet.

I am similarly weirded out by the bird picture hanging in the Whitehall Room, so much so that if we use it, we'll be having our luncheon on the covered porch outside.

I know ... I sound crazy, but I'm okay with it.

 

[ColeV]

I agree, tell your planner just in case, so it's not a sudden decision. I personally love Ariel's and thought it was wonderful. Especially being a close distance to SBP. It is a difficult space to get from the pictures. The ceiling height tends to get lost, and that's my favorite part of the entry. The gates are almost always unlocked, so you can sneak in before your PS easily. I had the same misgivings when I picked it before seeing it as well. Some of the event pictures with the blank white tables really look terrible. After walking in, the space just felt perfect for what we needed, and I loved the separation of dance floor, table space, and the lower section where we put food.
This is probably the best picture I have of how the space "feels" size-wise.

 

[daisygirl902]

I was also so worried about making last minute changes - and if you look at the confuson that I call a PJ you'll get it...lol. But I just changed (at the 4 month mark) from Escape to Wishes, the location of my wedding and added a brunch at the Attic. Then 2 days before they sent my LOA I also decided to change the location of the DP...they have been fantastic and I feel much better about it all - that's what's important.

I get what you're saying about being a "good bride" - when I talked to my original planner Amy I said almost exactly that - I was really concerned about them having to make changes and that I was being crazy to change it all so late in the game...she said "We just want it to be right for you!" - not one person has given me any trouble as we went along.

My advice - contact your planner and see what's available, and try to see a couple of the places so you can compare - seeing them in person might just help you to make the right choice...

 

[girli565]

I know it can look dark in some pictures, but the problem is that the lights aren't on unless there's an event going on. When I went to see it during my PS it was dark, no lights on, but the light coming in from the windows was very nice.

But about 2 years ago I was going to have dinner at Cape May with my mom and we walked by Ariel's. There was a wedding going on and it was beautiful. Very bright from the lights being turned on and it was still early evening and the light streaming in from the windows was lovely.

You need to see the room in person, but I think you'll be very happy with it.

 

[Kimmers127]

Don't stress! I think this is completely normal. I think all of us feel a lot of pressure to make the Absolutely Perfect Decision when it comes to a lot of elements of our weddings - the perfect dress, perfect photigrapher, perfect venue. In reality, Disney has a TON of beautiful locations, and I bet there are a dozen or more that you could be completely happy with. I think you will feel a lot better after your PS, the planning from a distance thing is tough sometimes! Just go with your gut when you see the places in person. And if you change your mind later, it's not the end of the world. (maybe just knowing you CAN change if you need to will make you feel calmer!) You have to be comfortable with what you choose.

Also can I just say, there are some really nice pictures of Ariel's on this thread, and they are completely reinforcing that it's the location for me!

 

[ColeV]

I know it can look dark in some pictures, but the problem is that the lights aren't on unless there's an event going on. When I went to see it during my PS it was dark, no lights on, but the light coming in from the windows was very nice.

But about 2 years ago I was going to have dinner at Cape May with my mom and we walked by Ariel's. There was a wedding going on and it was beautiful. Very bright from the lights being turned on and it was still early evening and the light streaming in from the windows was lovely.

You need to see the room in person, but I think you'll be very happy with it.

Our reception started at 4:30 in the middle of winter, and this is how bright it still was:

 

[superdiz]

Remember you're not locked in on anything until pretty much your wedding day. Disney wants to work with you. Tell your planner that you are having second thoughts and want to keep Ariel's for now but want to know what else is available and see what you can view on your own and what you need a planner with you to see. We went to all the hotels ourselves, Ariel's ourselves, Atlantic Dance ourselves. I think we would have needed someone for Living Seas and the room above the American Adventure. We knew we didn't want a hotel and wanted in park. We also wanted something very different. So we went with the China Pavilion. No regrets! We looked at EVERYTHING before making a decision. I'm glad we did.

Good luck!

 

[girli565]

ColeV - That illustrates exactly what I meant. It's beautiful and light! The OP said on her PJ that she was worried it's too dark but it's really not.

 

[NYPrincess422]

@Colev

Wow, your pictures look great! It looks so bright and "airy"...I think its my nerves and the fact that some of the pics Ive seen are while there are no lights on. Im def gonna wait until after my PS and see it in person.

Thank you so much for posting your pictures, you made me feel better

 

[WDWBride04/19/2010]

I felt the same way. I had my reception at Ariel's in the end. Even when I saw it in person (I think during our P.S. trip) I was unsure. I loved it the day of our wedding tho'. We decorated the chairs w/ivory chair covers w/red sashes (mine&D.H.'s were the opposite...our colors were red+ivory), and it really added to the place. Besides that, our decorations were pretty minimal, but I still loved the place. We had the Lady&The Tramp centerpieces. no scattered pasta tho' (there were young children there) If you wanna find me on FB (Lizzie Margarita Khorshidianzadeh), I can give you the links to some of our pics HTH!

O, and I actually saw ColeV's and it made me feel better!