Making the first call?

[beatlesblonde]

So I'm thinking about calling the folks at DFTW and "dipping my toe in the water" so to speak. FDH and I are planning on an Escape wedding next December we'll be at the 12 month "penciling in" window soon. What should I expect when calling them? Will I get and actual person or just be leaving a message and waiting for someone to call me back? What should I say? I'm sure they get tons of calls every day.

Also we'll be on vacation at WDW this December and plan on visiting the site locations to check them out in person. Is it possible for us to meet with someone while we're down there? Or at the very least visit Franck's? I feel like I have tons of time, yet I feel like I'm running out of time too (is that weird or do other brides feel like this? ) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TIA!

 

[acwinsett]

I'm in the exact same situation! We're looking at a December 2009 escape wedding. It seems so far away, and yet I feel a sense of urgency to get as many detail taken care of as soon as possible so that we don't have to worry about them later.

We went ahead and booked our hotel rooms so that we can get those paid for before we sign the FTW contract, but we have not made the phone call to the wedding coordinator yet.

Best of luck! Please keep in touch and let me know how it goes

- Andreah

 

[honey2741]

Wow, I'm in the exact same situation. I'm looking to do an Escape Wedding in December 2009, too! I suggest to call them and let them know you are interested. I did, and was able to speak with a Sales Consultant who has emailed me information on menus, dessert receptions etc. It just helps to be able to take my time to analyze what I want to do. Of course, I have to wait until December to "officially" book the date. Also she suggested I book my 4 day hotel reservation in advance, so when I do call back in December to reserve the date, this will already be taken care of.


I will also be at WDW in December on vacation and all you have to do is make an appointment in advance with DFTW and they will meet with you. It shows committment if you book your hotel room reservation (Escape wedding) in advance.

Congrats to the both you!!!

I wonder if we are getting married on the same date?

 

[ClemsonGirl]

I too am in the exact situation you ladies are!! We are actively planning our December 2009 escape wedding! We called DFTW in September and they assigned us a coordinator (Brie). She is basically just our contact at the moment as we cannot officially book until December. She sent us information in e-mails and we also call her directly whenever we have a question. We also have booked our rooms! Our coordinator told us its such a busy time of year (especially since we are going to be staying through Christmas and New Years ) that it would be a good idea to go ahead and book the rooms since you can always change your mind on those later. I totally get what you're saying about having a lot of time, yet running out of time! I can't believe how the time is flying and I feel like I need SO much time to choose and gather all of the things for my wedding! How exciting to see other December '09 brides!!!

I will also be at WDW in December on vacation and all you have to do is make an appointment in advance with DFTW and they will meet with you. It shows committment if you book your hotel room reservation (Escape wedding) in advance.

I did not know this! I am planning on going to Disney for a day in December to do wedding stuff. Do you know what you would do in your meeting with them? TIA!

 

[beatlesblonde]

Thank you so much for your help and advice ladies. It's nice to see other December '09 brides (don't you just love WDW at Christmas time ) We're not quite ready to book rooms yet (I go through an authorized Disney travel agency), so is that really a deal breaker with them as far as commitment goes? We're not committed to a particular date or time of day as long as it's in those first two weeks of December. I've always gone that time of year and not had a problem with booking a room so I'm not to worried about it.

Is there a certain time of day that would be best to call? Should I ask for anyone in particular? I'm kinda nervous because it's such a big step in the planning process.

 

[acwinsett]

From what I hear, you don't have to wait to call a planner, but you have to have a resort confirmation to sign the contract. We're aiming for the Wedding Pavilion, so it will be April before we can confirm our exact date. We have a pretty good idea when we'd like to have the wedding, though, so I went booked our resort this weekend. If plans change, then resort payments are 100% refundable. I'm encouraging our guests to do the same.

I told my fiancee that we need to have the rooms completely paid for BEFORE April, because at that point we'll need to starting sending mega-bucks to Disney for the wedding

 

[beatlesblonde]

Hmmm, I did not know about having to have our rooms booked to be able to sign the contract. That's a good thing to know. Well I guess giving them a call won't hurt anything right?

 

[Calleigh]

Hi girls !

I was originally planning my wedding for Christmas 2008, but finally I will be a december 2009 Disney bride, like you!
And I am asking exactly the same question : when should I make the first phone call ?.

 

[honey2741]

I did not know this! I am planning on going to Disney for a day in December to do wedding stuff. Do you know what you would do in your meeting with them? TIA!

I was under the impression DFTW would take me around to see some of the sites I am interested in. Also help to answer any questions. At least thats what they told me on the phone.

 

[honey2741]

We're not quite ready to book rooms yet (I go through an authorized Disney travel agency), so is that really a deal breaker with them as far as commitment goes? Is there a certain time of day that would be best to call? Should I ask for anyone in particular? I'm kinda nervous because it's such a big step in the planning process.

No, its not a deal breaker. It was only advice the Sales Consultant at DFTW suggested. You can always make your reservatons when you have "offiicially" confirmed with DFTW your date. You can call DFTW anytime, either way they will get back to you. I generally call in the morning. Go ahead and press the keys on your phone and call. You will feel so good you did!!!

 

[beatlesblonde]

I called and spoke to a lovely lady (I wanna say her name was Rain, at least that's what it sounded like). So took all of our info and is going to pass it along to a consultant and someone should be calling in 1-2 business days! Yeah!

 

[MegKate]

I called and spoke to a lovely lady (I wanna say her name was Rain, at least that's what it sounded like). So took all of our info and is going to pass it along to a consultant and someone should be calling in 1-2 business days! Yeah!

Good! I definitely would call. I called in August, as soon as I decided that a DFTW was going to be the way to go. I had my wedding coordinator assigned then, and it was great to establish a rappor with her before the nerve wracking day of "did I get my date" one year out. I was able to ask questions about the locations and narrow down where I wanted to be. I got my first choice, but I don't know if that's just the luck of the Irish or what?

More than likely it's all the crossed fingers of all the DISBrides!!