lilsqueakrr
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2010
OMG adorable! Love!
Juli & Wayne ~ WP/WH 11/1/12: Our day was a fairytale... recap started!
- Thread starter CityGirlLost
- Start date
CityGirlLost
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
Just back from our trip to the World, including our site visit. I have 1000 photos to edit. Literally. And then I can write a trip recap.
CositaRicaFabulosa
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2011
I can't wait to see the trip recap! I've just read through your whole PJ and I love your plans so far. I'm doing an Escape wedding, but I'm getting some inspiration from yours and how you are planning on blending your two families together because that's what we're doing, too.
CityGirlLost
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
It's been over a month since our trip to Disney World and our site visit with DFTW.
How'd it go? Not good.
We were in Florida for almost a week and our appointment at Franck's was the last morning of our trip. While we were in Disney we did not have email access and my phone was destroyed on the first day in the parks by a sudden rainstorm. At one point I checked my voicemail from Wayne's phone and there was a slightly frantic message from a guy at DFTW saying that someone else wanted our appointment time and would we be okay giving it up and he needed us to call back immediately.
Um, hello? What? I made that appointment a month prior and settled it with the Diane and her assistant Jaqui. I confirmed and reconfirmed the appointment. I was REALLY TICKED OFF by the message--both content and the tone. How completely ballsy!!!
I called back and got voicemail and left a curt message that we are on vacation from Pennsylvania, my appointment was made months ago and that we intended to keep it and that I was upset and angered by the message that was left for me.
When we arrived for our appointment there was no apology nor mention made of the message or the couple that wanted to usurp my appointment. We met with a guy and he was friendly but put off the attitude that our presence was bothering him. Like we were interrupting other things he had to do. It was awkward feeling. He made me feel very self-conscious and strange. Not the feeling a bride should have when making decisions about her wedding.
So we sat in one of the planning rooms and discussed the locations we were interested in and asked if he had any further site suggestions based on our theme and our plans. He showed us some pictures on his computer and then stood in front of the laptop and checked several spreadsheets without talking to us. Wayne and I sat there looking at each other. It was like the end of Willie Wonka where Charlie is waiting to give back his Everlasting Gobstopper and just doesn't know what to say or do.
We found out that our first choice for a reception site is not possible because the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is using it. So much for the Wonders Lounge! Our second choice is/was the Living Seas Salon but we couldn't see that either because there was a corporate event there that day. Our third choice is/was the Nutcracker Ballroom at the Contemporary and we discussed what it is that we like about it and he said that it's boring and needs a lot of decor and suggested we look at the Whitehall Room and Patio at the Grand Floridian.
At this point, I assumed we'd get to see both rooms and compare.
Wayne and I are not huge fans of the Grand Floridian. We had a meal there some time ago and felt like there is this strange atmosphere of snobbishness, for lack of a better word, that doesn't really fit with our feelings about the Walt Disney World Resort. It's beautiful but it doesn't feel like "us".
First we walked over to the Wedding Pavilion and we were completely in love with it from the second we walked through the door. It's more beautiful in person than in pictures and I'm getting all teary-eyed just remembering walking up the aisle.
Then we went back to Franck's and the DFTW guy asked for keys to the car and we were loaded into a very nice SUV and driven across the parking lot to the Grand Floridian Convention Center.
It's beautiful. We walked to the end of the hallway to the Whitehall Patio. It's a beautiful space as well. It's a large covered patio with gingerbread trim work that opens to a large outdoor space that's bordered with a low, red brick wall. You can see the castle and the monorail passes overhead just beyond the courtyard. It's absolutely perfect. We're getting married in November. Will we be able to have the reception outdoors?
Then we looked at the Whitehall Room. It's small. The wallpaper was a green trellis pattern on white and the drapes were a gray-green stripe. It's not what I'd pick out for my house but it was okay and would work with the feel we want to create.
But then there's this giant, hideous mirror with huge Floridian birds on it. It's just ugly. The guy explained that they often cover the mirror for weddings. The carpet is also over-the-top with ugliness but he said that the large medallion in the center is often covered by a dance floor. On our way out, he mentioned that they are re-doing the wallpaper and the drapes.
I figured we'd be off to one of the other sites next. At this point, he hadn't told us there was an event at the LSS. Even still, I figured we'd go see the Nutcracker over at the Contemporary. Nope, he drove us back to Franck's and that was it.
We reconvened in the little planning room and discussed other things like our anticipated number of guests and that was it. He gave us a folder and graciously indicated that the meeting was over. I felt really cheated.
I've read other recaps of site visits and most couples get dragged all over Lake Buena Vista looking at rooms and we got to see one measly room at our least liked resort and then we're sent on our way? I'm getting riled up just remembering.
I think we need another trip to explore other options and I'll be requesting someone besides that guy!!!!
How'd it go? Not good.
We were in Florida for almost a week and our appointment at Franck's was the last morning of our trip. While we were in Disney we did not have email access and my phone was destroyed on the first day in the parks by a sudden rainstorm. At one point I checked my voicemail from Wayne's phone and there was a slightly frantic message from a guy at DFTW saying that someone else wanted our appointment time and would we be okay giving it up and he needed us to call back immediately.
Um, hello? What? I made that appointment a month prior and settled it with the Diane and her assistant Jaqui. I confirmed and reconfirmed the appointment. I was REALLY TICKED OFF by the message--both content and the tone. How completely ballsy!!!
I called back and got voicemail and left a curt message that we are on vacation from Pennsylvania, my appointment was made months ago and that we intended to keep it and that I was upset and angered by the message that was left for me.
When we arrived for our appointment there was no apology nor mention made of the message or the couple that wanted to usurp my appointment. We met with a guy and he was friendly but put off the attitude that our presence was bothering him. Like we were interrupting other things he had to do. It was awkward feeling. He made me feel very self-conscious and strange. Not the feeling a bride should have when making decisions about her wedding.
So we sat in one of the planning rooms and discussed the locations we were interested in and asked if he had any further site suggestions based on our theme and our plans. He showed us some pictures on his computer and then stood in front of the laptop and checked several spreadsheets without talking to us. Wayne and I sat there looking at each other. It was like the end of Willie Wonka where Charlie is waiting to give back his Everlasting Gobstopper and just doesn't know what to say or do.
We found out that our first choice for a reception site is not possible because the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is using it. So much for the Wonders Lounge! Our second choice is/was the Living Seas Salon but we couldn't see that either because there was a corporate event there that day. Our third choice is/was the Nutcracker Ballroom at the Contemporary and we discussed what it is that we like about it and he said that it's boring and needs a lot of decor and suggested we look at the Whitehall Room and Patio at the Grand Floridian.
At this point, I assumed we'd get to see both rooms and compare.
Wayne and I are not huge fans of the Grand Floridian. We had a meal there some time ago and felt like there is this strange atmosphere of snobbishness, for lack of a better word, that doesn't really fit with our feelings about the Walt Disney World Resort. It's beautiful but it doesn't feel like "us".
First we walked over to the Wedding Pavilion and we were completely in love with it from the second we walked through the door. It's more beautiful in person than in pictures and I'm getting all teary-eyed just remembering walking up the aisle.
Then we went back to Franck's and the DFTW guy asked for keys to the car and we were loaded into a very nice SUV and driven across the parking lot to the Grand Floridian Convention Center.
It's beautiful. We walked to the end of the hallway to the Whitehall Patio. It's a beautiful space as well. It's a large covered patio with gingerbread trim work that opens to a large outdoor space that's bordered with a low, red brick wall. You can see the castle and the monorail passes overhead just beyond the courtyard. It's absolutely perfect. We're getting married in November. Will we be able to have the reception outdoors?
Then we looked at the Whitehall Room. It's small. The wallpaper was a green trellis pattern on white and the drapes were a gray-green stripe. It's not what I'd pick out for my house but it was okay and would work with the feel we want to create.
But then there's this giant, hideous mirror with huge Floridian birds on it. It's just ugly. The guy explained that they often cover the mirror for weddings. The carpet is also over-the-top with ugliness but he said that the large medallion in the center is often covered by a dance floor. On our way out, he mentioned that they are re-doing the wallpaper and the drapes.
I figured we'd be off to one of the other sites next. At this point, he hadn't told us there was an event at the LSS. Even still, I figured we'd go see the Nutcracker over at the Contemporary. Nope, he drove us back to Franck's and that was it.
We reconvened in the little planning room and discussed other things like our anticipated number of guests and that was it. He gave us a folder and graciously indicated that the meeting was over. I felt really cheated.
I've read other recaps of site visits and most couples get dragged all over Lake Buena Vista looking at rooms and we got to see one measly room at our least liked resort and then we're sent on our way? I'm getting riled up just remembering.
I think we need another trip to explore other options and I'll be requesting someone besides that guy!!!!
DoomBuggy0922
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2010
Ugh!!!! I'm sorry you were not treated with the respect you deserve! Seriously, what's up with that?! You should leave your site visit with a better idea of where you want to have your reception, not a lesser idea and feeling bad!
I'm sorry.
With the amount of people who WANT to work for DFTW, there is really no excuse for behavior like that!
I'm sorry.
With the amount of people who WANT to work for DFTW, there is really no excuse for behavior like that!
donald&daisy
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2007
I posted on your other thread, but just wanted to voice my sympathies here too. Well that kind of sounds like someone died, but it does sound like you got the short end of the stick. Oh and there's a thread on the main board with pics of the newly renovated Whitehall room sans the scary bird mirror (which totally turned me off too).
madamemim1975
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2010
Juli - that just plain sucks! I'm sorry you had that experience on your site visit. We had Michelle for our site visit and she did take us to multiple spots. She took us over to the Boardwalk and SBP and the Attic. She also showed us the Pavilion and Sago Cay/Marina for our Dessert Party. I can't believe he only showed you ONE room. That is just nuts to me. We never felt rushed and before we even starting she sat us down and asked us what kind of 'feel' we want for our wedding and offered suggestions. I would have NEVER even thought of a reception at Narcoosee's and once she took us there, we knew thats what we wanted. I hope you can go back and look again and have a better experience.
CityGirlLost
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
It's November second... we're under a year and I am so confused by the room block craziness.
madamemim1975
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2010
Juli - Congrats on being the year out!
I was SO boggled by the room block, that we chose not to do one. The discounts, in all honesty, weren't the greatest. I've found better discounts on my own. This way all of our guests can stay where they choose. We already have 25 nights booked for our free night
We are only having about 40 people at our wedding though so it might be easier to have one if you are expecting more guests.
I was SO boggled by the room block, that we chose not to do one. The discounts, in all honesty, weren't the greatest. I've found better discounts on my own. This way all of our guests can stay where they choose. We already have 25 nights booked for our free night
We are only having about 40 people at our wedding though so it might be easier to have one if you are expecting more guests.
CityGirlLost
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
Madame Mim- You can do that? Forgo the block and still get the free night???
Laura- If you want to be there and can be there... come. I'll send you (and your family) an invite!
Laura- If you want to be there and can be there... come. I'll send you (and your family) an invite!
madamemim1975
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2010
Juli - we asked and they said yes. We had to have 10 nights booked minimum I think and then 25 for the free night. It is written in our contract that way and states our free night is at the Polynesian (we had to choose which resort before the contract was written). Since we knew that we were booking 8 nights ourselves, we knew that 10 wouldn't be a problem. We just have to give them everyone's reservation numbers to link it to our wedding to get credit for our free night. We have over 25 now and that is just us, my parents, and my 2 brothers and their spouses. I would just shoot them an email and ask. You know how they are always changing everything!
MrsDuck
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2011
Just wanted to jump on-board with your PJ!!
Your Save the Dates are amazing!! Great job! I saw your engagement pictures on the Disney Wedding Blog and loved them!
I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with DFTW.
I hope you get a chance to go back and get someone else!
Can't wait to read more. Congrats on being at a year!!
Your Save the Dates are amazing!! Great job! I saw your engagement pictures on the Disney Wedding Blog and loved them!
I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with DFTW.
I hope you get a chance to go back and get someone else!Can't wait to read more. Congrats on being at a year!!
CityGirlLost
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
Hi all! Guess what came in my email today... our LOA!!!! Wooo hooo!
There are a couple of corrections that need to be made and some clarifications but we're on our way! We have to send it back to DFTW with our $2K (yikes! right before Christmas!!!) and we're all set!
I'm all fluttery and nervous.
I set up our honeymoon registry and our Facebook webpage.
It's starting to feel really really real!
There are a couple of corrections that need to be made and some clarifications but we're on our way! We have to send it back to DFTW with our $2K (yikes! right before Christmas!!!) and we're all set!
I'm all fluttery and nervous.
I set up our honeymoon registry and our Facebook webpage.
It's starting to feel really really real!
BethieTink
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2009
Juli,
Just wanted to post and say congrats on getting your LOA! Everything looks great. Can't wait to read more.
Just wanted to post and say congrats on getting your LOA! Everything looks great. Can't wait to read more.
CityGirlLost
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
I dropped the envelope with our check and our signed contract off at the post office this morning. I guess I can start moving on to the real projects for the wedding and shopping and saving (more) and all that hardcore stuff because we're good to go with DFTW.
I am excited and nervous and ecstatic and freaking out (in a good way) all at the same time.
I just keep saying, "OMG, OMG, OMG..."
Wow. It's really happening.
I am excited and nervous and ecstatic and freaking out (in a good way) all at the same time.
I just keep saying, "OMG, OMG, OMG..."
Wow. It's really happening.
CityGirlLost
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
I suck at keeping up with this!
Let's see, since the last post:
I lost my job, after signing the contract and right before Christmas.
Struggled with unemployment until just two weeks ago.
We booked our wedding trip. We're staying in a Nemo suite at the Art of Animation resort from October 29th until November 4.
In terms of wedding planning, not a whole lot has happened. We were assigned Maxine as our planner and I was all excited until she mentioned that she was moved to Hawaii to set up the wedding program at Aulani.
We booked our planning session for May 31- June 3. I can't wait. I think that's when it will feel really real for me. Setting up the menu and picking a cake. Maxine keeps telling me that we don't really have to do anything until that session.
We decided to use Glynn Ferguson of Sensational Ceremonies but I still have to make the deposit.
I've started working on our invitations and will post those to my blog when they're ready.
We're set on having a dessert party. I don't know what site they have in mind for us.
I just started a new job. It's a temp job but it's a paycheck and apparently they hire temps to permanent jobs frequently. Wish me luck on that front.
Let's see, since the last post:
I lost my job, after signing the contract and right before Christmas.
Struggled with unemployment until just two weeks ago.
We booked our wedding trip. We're staying in a Nemo suite at the Art of Animation resort from October 29th until November 4.
In terms of wedding planning, not a whole lot has happened. We were assigned Maxine as our planner and I was all excited until she mentioned that she was moved to Hawaii to set up the wedding program at Aulani.
We booked our planning session for May 31- June 3. I can't wait. I think that's when it will feel really real for me. Setting up the menu and picking a cake. Maxine keeps telling me that we don't really have to do anything until that session.
We decided to use Glynn Ferguson of Sensational Ceremonies but I still have to make the deposit.
I've started working on our invitations and will post those to my blog when they're ready.
We're set on having a dessert party. I don't know what site they have in mind for us.
I just started a new job. It's a temp job but it's a paycheck and apparently they hire temps to permanent jobs frequently. Wish me luck on that front.
MrsRomance
Counting down until the next DFTW :D
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2012
Hi Juli!
Just caught up, LOVE all your ideas so far. I am so envious of anyone crafty....I am just not that way made! Good luck with the new job and hope it pans out for you!!
Just caught up, LOVE all your ideas so far. I am so envious of anyone crafty....I am just not that way made! Good luck with the new job and hope it pans out for you!!
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