Just got engaged at WDW this month and can't wait for our DFTW.. but need advice

[tiggersam00]

I am new to this site, but love reading all the great things everyone posts and has to say! You all encouraged me to call DFTW and start the ball rolling, thank you thank you thank you!
I just got engaged at MK on 12/3, he proposed right after wishes at the wishing well by the castle, it was great, no one around but us, and it was the end of a great day at the park! Actually the next day we decided to take it easy and do a late lunch at Downtown Disney and while DF (not used to calling him that yet) was getting the food, I was in lala land looking at my new ring in the sun.. well I finally looked up and noticed about 6 ladies all staring at me laughing and saying they wanted to see the ring, because I was so mesmerized by it! It was too funny and we kept running into them at DD all afternoon and everytime we saw them they would annouce to the whole store that we just got engaged last night!
Anyways, I just wanted to ask you seasoned Disney Brides and Disney Fiance's when is a good time to get married at WDW? Any time of year better, time of day, day of the week, pros vs cons? Any help would be great!
Thanks

 

[hiwaygal]

Congratulations on your engagement! And the story about the ladies at DTD is funny!

While there are some differences in cost of Wishes weddings based on seasons, you'll see a bigger difference in specific days of the week (i.e. weekend weddings have higher minimums). Generally speaking, the 2009 Wishes weddings have a minimum of $10,000 to $25,000 (depending on time of year and day of the week). You can see some specifics on that if you CLICK HERE

The Escape weddings are a "package" deal and the costs of those don't vary for time of year. Generally the price of that package is about $5,000 (at the Wedding Pavilion, some of the other locations are a little less).

Have you checked out the Disney Fairy Tale Wedding website?

Also check the Magical Kingdoms Website

Other than that, you might want to consider crowd levels and resort costs as these do vary based on the time of year. Weather may also be a significant factor if you aren't used to Florida summers and the heat/humidity.

You can get an idea of Disney's room rates by season HERE.

Personally, I like September/October.

Hope that helps!

 

[Rora]

First off, Congrats!!!

and.. to the DIS!!

I too am planning a DFTW for 2010 (or maybe 2011 )!! Everyone on these boards are so incredibly helpful, you will find everything you need to know, plus more!!

Honestly, any time of the year is a good time to get married at Disney!! You may want to avoid the summer months if you don't like the heat and you might also want to avoid late Nov-Dec. to avoid heavy crowds.

The first step for you is deciding if you want a Wishes wedding or an Escape wedding. Make sure you check out www.disneyweddings.com (although I'm sure you already have! ).

Again, congrats! I'm looking forward to hearing your plans! Be sure to start a planning journal!

 

[Desnik]

Congrats on your engagement! What a wonderful proposal story! My DH and I are having a Wishes vow renewal in Nov. 2009. It was very hard choosing a date. Here is what my thinking was and maybe it will help you. First we didn't want to do it on our anniversary date(July 21) because it is just too hot in July. So then we were set on the end of June 2:30 ceremony followed by reception and dessert party. We thought it was perfect for those traveling with kids so they wouldn't miss any school. Then we changed our minds because of the heat and it always rains at that time in the summer months. So, we decided on Nov because that is the month we go to WDW every year. It is our favorite time to go, perfect weather and low crowds. Also, airfare is usually pretty reasonable during that time frame. We have chosen a 5pm ceremony because I really want to get day photos and sunset/evening photos around the GF(we will have the ceremony at the WP). Also we will have Cindy's carriage and I wanted daytime photos in it and nighttime ones with it lit up! Hope that info helps! Good luck and happy planning!

 

[Desnik]

Oops forgot to add the day of the week we choose! Monday Nov. 9th. I chose it because it is a cheaper minimum($12,000). Also, I figured my guests could have the weekend to travel to WDW, and then that Tuesday is Vet's day so the kids have no school, and DH has off from work. So, one less day the parents have them missing school and one less vacation day for DH to use!

 

[tiggersam00]

Thanks everyone! I am truly appriciative of all your advice! I think we are leaning towards sometime in early 2010 (maybe Feb?) but I have never been to WDW during that time of year (we usually go in Dec or Aug). Has anyone been there during this time of year? I'm guessing it's cooler like in Dec, and I have read that early Feb doesnt have super heavy traffic.
One more question, how many people typically have showed up for your weddings (or RSVPed) A large amount?
Thanks again!

 

[tiggersam00]

oh and i almost forgot, I like the idea of a weekday wedding to have a cheaper minimum, but I think we def need a wishes wedding since we will have a tentative guest list with 200 people, my folks are nuts what can I say! Thats why I was wondering what your RSVP rates were.

 

[lorimay]

Hi and Congratulations on your engagement!

My daughter was married in Disney last Feb. It was of course a true fairy tale to say the least.

while planning we were so worried we were going to freeze especially at the dessert party in EPCOT later in the evening, but the temps. that day broke records it was 87 degrees.

But early Feb. is much quieter than later in the month. I believe the prices are much lower before Valentines Day
hope that helps

 

[Desnik]

Hi and Congratulations on your engagement!

My daughter was married in Disney last Feb. It was of course a true fairy tale to say the least.

while planning we were so worried we were going to freeze especially at the dessert party in EPCOT later in the evening, but the temps. that day broke records it was 87 degrees.

But early Feb. is much quieter than later in the month. I believe the prices are much lower before Valentines Day
hope that helps

Good to see you on the boards! How is Amanda and that handsome grandson of yours? Someone on the boards was kind enough to post pictures of him and give an update on Amanda awhile ago. He is so beautiful!

Sorry to hijack your thread, OP!
To answer your question about RSVP's, I have about 70-75 people on our invite list. So far I have about 35 definite and 15 maybe, the rest no. When we told people about the VR they told us right then and there if they can come or not. I have had 2 families that were originally no, but now yes. As time gets closer I will know better figures.

 

[tiggersam00]

lorimay- wow 87 in Feb! Crazy! That sounds wonderful, now you've got me really excited! But I'm from Boston so anything over 25 sounds great lol! The picture of you and your DD look beautiful!

 

[padisneyfour]

welcome and congrats on your engagement. we were at wdw last jan early feb for the first time(that time of year) and it was nice. warm enough for shorts and swimming in daytime and a light jacket at night. crowds were smaller too( we usually go in july). looking forward to hearing more of your plans! we are planning a VR in 7/2010 for our 20th anniversary.
we chose july because it usually when we go to WDW and it is our actual anniversary too. we are planning for a weekday ceremony early in the day noon or 10 am at the WP, followed by a reception and then a DP that evening.good luck with everything!

 

[lorimay]

Thank you!
No matter what time of the year you chose you will have a wonderful day!
All the best to you ansd have a wonderful time planning. It all goes by so fast!

We are complete opposites because when it goes below 70 here I need a Parka I am a true South Florida girl!!!

 

[PixyDusted]

Congratulations! I couldn't stop looking at my ring either after we got engaged! LOL. So I understand.

We stayed away from October when we were looking into getting married at WDW (we decided on DCL for our wedding but we did look into WDW at one point) because it's usually a peak time for wedding in Florida so the prices may be a little higher than other times. Although, it's a great month in terms of being "holiday free" aside from Halloween which impacts flight prices.

We thought once we got into November it would be tougher for all our family/friends flying in (we live in Orlando) to find good, affordable flights because of Thanksgiving, Christmas, kids who has winter breaks from school, etc. Also, as someone mentioned before, it's much more crowded in the parks then.

We also wanted to stay away from January/February because although it can be in the 80s, temperature wise with the weather, it can also be in the 40s. So you never know! And, to the same point, we stayed away from August/September because it's unbearably hot then.

So yeah...that left us with March/April/May/June/July to choose from. March was out for us because of spring breaks (peak times) and...to stop this story right here....we decided on May 2, 2009 for our DCL wedding.

Whew...mouthful! GOOD LUCK!

 

[tiggersam00]

PixyDusted thanks! It's good to hear from someone who visits WDW all the time (even though I am insanly jealous bc I am looking out my window to a half foot of snow LOL). Loved your PJ by thw way!

 

[PixyDusted]

PixyDusted thanks! It's good to hear from someone who visits WDW all the time (even though I am insanly jealous bc I am looking out my window to a half foot of snow LOL). Loved your PJ by thw way!

Aw, thanks! You're so sweet. And I love your countdown "nametag" ticker! SO MUCH FUN!

If you have any other questions feel free to ask away.

And I miss the snow sometimes even though it's nice not to have BITTER cold weather here! "The grass is always greener on the other side."