Is this possible?

[Princess SarahK]

Has anyone ever hosted a welcome brunch at a moderate resort? Port Orleans-Riverside is my moderate room blocked hotel and we want to have a welcome brunch. Since Boatwrights is currently closed during those hours, is it possible to rent out the restaurant and serve brunch there? I wouldnt mind having it somewhere at a Deluxe resort but if more guests are at the moderate, it makes more sense as Im worried about transportation for them.

Thoughts? Comments? Advice? Im open!! TIA Everyone!!

 

[sambycat]

i have no idea, but i will just chime in to say that unless you are renting out the whole shebang and spending quite a pretty penny, i doubt they are going to open a restaurant that isn't (right now at least) normally open. i.e.; staff the entire thing and serve food --> $$

we had a surprise bridal shower at o'hanas - i think 8 of us? and that was just dont thru regular dining and my MOH did add some pixie dust and small decor without it interfering with anyone else. we also made 3 ADRs of 10 at crystal palace one day, all saying we were celelbrating the wedding, and we were able to have our final party of 20 all seated together, although they couldn't guarantee that ahead of time.

my initital thought would be see about making however many group ADRs at like park fare or some other breakfast/family style/buffett breakfast and just say you are all celebrating the wedding. i know thats not a moderate, but breakfasts are usually more affordable.

good luck!

 

[Princess SarahK]

I totally agree with you! Im worried about them giving me problems for opening up the restaurant and all, but if they do it for Narcoossees and other places at the GF youd think theyd do it at POR? I wish the ADR's would work but with 65-100 people I think they would throw me out on account of being a pain in the a$$! Im expecting it to cost a pretty penny, and am probably doing this in lieu of my beloved DP.. Either way, theyll cost about the same. Ay caramba!

 

[sambycat]

girl if you are into going that "big" and for that many guests, you can do something fabulous and i am betting a "private" event not based solely out of or around a restaurant will give you more bang for your buck - assuming you can resist going INSANE on decor - cause its hard to resist that! i don't know all the ins and uts of that, but you'd definitely have a great space and more tailored menu. i'm know pwople have done that and i know carrie's book (aka the disbride bible) has good info!

i want to come.

 

[Princess SarahK]

Yes, Carrie's book has been my Bible lately! I go and check stuff almost daily! The problem is finding a place and decent menu. The one I liked at first was the GF Cafe (I think) but now they dont rent it out anymore..poop! Oh and no decor for the brunch..were saving the big guns for the wedding! This is more of a meet and greet type thing. I want to have something else besides the wedding since its a destination event and dont want them to think, "We could have gone to a ballroom reception in Houston." So Im trying to find some extra oomph and magic...and right now Im stumped.

Any ideas?

 

[sambycat]

so for that many people though, why not a buffet at like whitehall room and patio or something? i guess that does get to complicated. but no matter where, and i don't know all the various locations, i can highly recommend our buffet menu and don't the "event" menus kind of work for any site?

OOOHHHHH - what about the attic for a buffet brunch thing? seriously, omelet station, mickey waffles, fruit, bacon, sausage, and some kind of potatoes - that is ALOT of food and if you stay away from the extra entree or even the fruit per se, its GOT to be cheaper then any restaurant menu with the same caliber of food.

or what about something at downtown disney? whats open for brunch there? fultons? tha could be fun?

 

[super_k0116]

Why not just do a dessert party as your welcome event? Or are you set on having a brunch at a resort?

You might want to call Disney Private Dining and ask about this.

 

[Princess SarahK]

hey super k! the reason im starting to doubt the DP is because i feel like i am getting more for my money with a brunch. with the costs broken down a DP is roughly 40-50pp (including set up and viewing fees or music piping, depending on location)and thats only for about 30 minutes.. and for that i could have a full meal with my guests. i know its fireworks and everything, which is why i am so in love with the idea but i think for "bang for your buck" its kind of a loser. also another reason we may not be able to fit the DP in is bc our wedding is on a Sunday. Im thinking guests will arrive friday or friday evening, heck maybe even on saturday. so a DP on friday would really be tight, and its not an option on saturday since DFs parents want a rehearsal DINNER (at dinnertime, they are particular about this) at an offsite restaurant...Texas de Brazil. so really im stumped. i wish it could work, i would prefer a DP for certain reasons and then part of me wants the buffet too! --mickey waffles mostly..

sambycat: since were having 80-ish im afraid whitehall isnt big enough. do you think it is? youve been there more recently! also, were having our pre reception there..do you think thats weird to have two events in the same room? id hate people to think "geez could she only book these two spaces..gah Disney's not as wonderful as i thought"..im really afraid of that. i want to boost everyone's opinion of disney and show those naysayers whats up! lol... i really like the attic! is that big enough? right now im thinking, Narcoossees, napa or sonoma room, possibly the attic, and im looking into DTD ones now too.

Any other ideas out there??

 

[MissManners]

New to the boards here!

We are in a similar boat having about 150 guests at our wedding, and about 80 guests at our Rehearsal/Welcome dinner. Our planner had originally told us that most places don't accept reservations over 40-50 people, but that we should just call the manager of whatever restaurant we wanted to go to and see if they would work with us.

'Ohanas was more than willing to accommodate our needs for a reservation for 80, and we are getting married in December 2011. They simply penciled us in for the day and we have to call back at the 180 or 90 day mark (I forget which one it is) prior to the day we need it. We are doing a dinner instead of a brunch, but bottom line it doesn't hurt to call and ask! Everyone has been very friendly and helpful thus far.... hopefully this post doesn't jinx that! Good luck!

 

[Princess SarahK]

New to the boards here!

We are in a similar boat having about 150 guests at our wedding, and about 80 guests at our Rehearsal/Welcome dinner. Our planner had originally told us that most places don't accept reservations over 40-50 people, but that we should just call the manager of whatever restaurant we wanted to go to and see if they would work with us.

'Ohanas was more than willing to accommodate our needs for a reservation for 80, and we are getting married in December 2011. They simply penciled us in for the day and we have to call back at the 180 or 90 day mark (I forget which one it is) prior to the day we need it. We are doing a dinner instead of a brunch, but bottom line it doesn't hurt to call and ask! Everyone has been very friendly and helpful thus far.... hopefully this post doesn't jinx that! Good luck!

Awesome! Thank you so much! I will be calling tomorrow!! And welcome to the boards! I cant wait to read about your plans, especially since were in the same boat!

 

[julierocks]

This sounds like a great idea. What is the phone number for Ohana's?

 

[MissManners]

I believe DF just called the Disney Dining number and was connected to 'Ohana through them.... he had to leave a couple messages but they called him back and were able to square everything away.

 

[julierocks]

Thanks! Our wedding is in December 2011 too!

 

[MissManners]

Whispering Canyon is another family style option too.... it is located at Wilderness Lodge...... they would probably be able to do something similar to what we are doing, just depends on what kind of food you are looking to have!

 

[Chilly]

What about ADH for a brunch?

Or the GF Marina for a meal/buffet with firework view?