Meryll83's SBP/Citrico's/Morocco PJ - Update: Trip Report now underway!!

[meryll83]

I have a nose for finding sales!! Holidays go till end of march but i have plenty to spare and they need using. saturdays are good too, you know me im easy!!! as long as im not on call grrr xx

Maybe we could take a couple of Fridays off each and have an early weekend? We could do maybe York and Leeds or summat on these days and then do the Scarborough shops on Saturday afternoons.
I might be able to drive then or we could take the choo if you don't wanna drive?

 

[baywatchextra]

for you i shall drive, im venturing out in the brum on my own next week again n i think we're going to invest in sat nav - how brave am i!!! xx
p.s. finished my xmas cards... i know, im amazin!

 

[meryll83]

Does anyone have any good pictures of France or the UK (dessert party locations)?

France isn't on mouseweddings.com yet and i'm not sure about the UK from the pics I can see.....

Still trying to decide on those pesky locations

 

[orangetiggs]

look on tazfoto.com he has some good locations pics

 

[meryll83]

look on tazfoto.com he has some good locations pics

These are great pictures, thanks!
Hmmm, are some of the UK terraces shown on mouseweddings actually the French terraces then? They look the same.

And what is the French Island arm mentioned on mouseweddings?
any ideas?

 

[orangetiggs]

sorry i'm not sure, i liked uk lower as its always where we watched illuminations when we fly over so we were happy with it

 

[JaxTeach]

These are great pictures, thanks!
Hmmm, are some of the UK terraces shown on mouseweddings actually the French terraces then? They look the same.

And what is the French Island arm mentioned on mouseweddings?
any ideas?

Yep, on Mouseweddings the French terraces are in with the UK terraces. I'd say the last 10 photos are actually of the French terraces on the UK page on Mousesavers. The French terraces have those large flower-shaped planters. In fact only the first 6 pics on that page are of the UK terraces.

The UK Upper area is the place with the wrought iron tables with umbrellas. We are having our DP here. It's good for a small group. We were also looking into the French Island Arm, but I honestly couldn't tell you where exactly that is. We were considering it because of our small size.

I think both locations provide an excellent view of the show.

 

[disprincessatheart]

French Island is kind of one large area with 3 sections that can all be used, or be used separately. In the french island section on Taz's site, the second to last picture is the arm. If you're looking at the very first picture of the whole area, you're looking at the lower and upper (easy enough to distinguish) and the arm is the area off to the left under the two bushy trees (you can't actually see the arm itself, but that's where it is in relation). The upper is a circle with the planters, the lower is a c shaped patio with no planters, and the arm is also c shaped. You can get to the arm from where the upper and lower meet to the left or from the beginning of the bridge from France to the UK. We were planning our reception there last year, so I have looked at that area alot. My pics are not better than the ones taz has though. Hope that helps.

 

[meryll83]

Yep, on Mouseweddings the French terraces are in with the UK terraces. I'd say the last 10 photos are actually of the French terraces on the UK page on Mousesavers. The French terraces have those large flower-shaped planters. In fact only the first 6 pics on that page are of the UK terraces.

The UK Upper area is the place with the wrought iron tables with umbrellas.

French Island is kind of one large area with 3 sections that can all be used, or be used separately. In the french island section on Taz's site, the second to last picture is the arm. If you're looking at the very first picture of the whole area, you're looking at the lower and upper (easy enough to distinguish) and the arm is the area off to the left under the two bushy trees (you can't actually see the arm itself, but that's where it is in relation). The upper is a circle with the planters, the lower is a c shaped patio with no planters, and the arm is also c shaped. You can get to the arm from where the upper and lower meet to the left or from the beginning of the bridge from France to the UK.

Thanks girlies,

I think I finally understand where everything is now!!
I've had an old Epcot park map out as well sussing it out!

So now I'll wait to hear from DFTW and see what the official minimums are, and where they'll let me use.

I know all locations are supposed to be prime viewing, but has anyone noticed any locations where the small islands in the middle of World Showcase lagoon kinda get in the way of seeing the globe or anything else when Illuminations is on?

 

[meryll83]

Ok, so I've spoken to Heidi today.

She's going to send us a DVD and further information pack (what exactly this will contain I do not know) and I went through some minimums with her.

She said with us not being able to book til 12 months out, I should next touch base with her in August (how far away is that?!!!)

She mentioned that with us wanting specialist locations we couldn't confirm these til 8 months out, but then said coz they were theme park locations we could in fact confirm them at 12 months out Slightly confused there but she did say 12 months for all the locations we've selected.

She tried to steer me away from Morocco as it has an obstructed view and the French arm as "there are so many other prettier places". Apparently this can have as few as 10 guests though, so if our guest numbers fall at least there is a back up. She actually tried to steer me in the direction of the UK terraces, each of which have a minimum of 20. Apparently UK Lower is now known as UK Lockside, and Upper is just UK Terrace now. She said their new details come out in October, so she's just getting used to the changes.
Apparently France has a minimum of 50, I didn't ask about splitting the French terraces, which I really should have, as I'm quite interested in the Upper Terrace of France, I wouldn't have though you need 50 for that. Maybe I'll email her.
The French arm is for 20 guests minimum and Italy west again 20.

The LSS apparently doesn't have a minimum occupancy, but a minimum food & bev expenditure of $3500. This may depend on our guests numbers, as at the moment that averages at a lot per person, but we only have 15 absolute definites. Gotta get those numbers up to 20 for one of the "unobstructed" dessert parties though!!

Think they were the main (new) things I learnt, but I definitely want to touch base again before August!!
What tricks have you fellow UK brides been using to get your dates pencilled in sooner? I did explain as all guests would be from the UK we would probably be booking holidays before this time.

 

[orangetiggs]

I had a nightmare with heidi!! sorry to put a dampener on things but she was awful to deal with, I think I have bills number who I dealt with after heidi (he was so great leading up to my contract and I was sad to leave him for my planner)

Heidi was great with all the beginning details but then she was a nightmare to contact never returned emails and I got a bit lost with her.

I got my date penciled in but had no guarentees that it would be mine, but i got it done around 18 months out so that might be the difference

 

[meryll83]

do you think i should just wait now until 18 months out and start from scratch with someone else! Who did you speak to that penciled you in?

 

[Whoopdedoo]

Hiya,

When I called before the 12 month mark I spoke to Brianna and she was amazing. She was so patient as I read out my 4 pages of questions and when I finally called at the 12month mark she remembered talking to me, it was so sweet as she must of spoken to loads of Disney Brides before then. If you want her email or tele number pm me and I'l let you know. I'm not sure how the "pencilling in" works but I gave all my details about what date I was looking at and how many guests I would be having.. it meant that she had it all ready for me when I phoned at the 12 month but that was pretty much it. I just told her what venues I wanted and I was lucky enough to get them.

xx

 

[meryll83]

thanks for the offer of contact details girls, my only worry is wont they be able to see from their systems that i have already spoken to heidi and redirect me to her? Omg so funny, i am using si's phone at the mo to check for updates and when i first typed heidi then the predictive text brought it up as 'hedge'!

 

[disprincessatheart]

Yes, when you call in they will direct you back to Heidi, but you can request to speak to someone else if you'd rather. I spoke to someone this summer, then did nothing and called back in October. The person on the phone looked me up and asked if I wanted to speak to the same person again and I said yes as I was fine with her for the sales process. I'm dying to get to my real planner now though!

 

[Missy H]

Hiya,

When I called before the 12 month mark I spoke to Brianna and she was amazing. She was so patient
xx

I also had Brianna, she was the best and did everything to help me with I had to change the date because of family issues!

We now have Karen as our planner, does anyone know what she is like?

 

[meryll83]

Perhaps I'll try and speak to someone else next time then.

Think I'll leave it now til around April or so, or perhaps whenever Virgin release their holiday packages for that time, as I know a couple of friends will probably want to book with them again.

I think in the New Year I'm going to send some early invitations which a small bit of a info about WDW and rough price guidelines so I can get some official responses from friends and family, and provide a bit more info for those who are unsure. It's so difficult for some people when it's a big commitment like this, and yet others are like "Yep, I'm there!" straight away. I think it's really those who have never been before that need the extra informational support, anyone who's been before seems to have agreed (at least verbally) immediately!! I get disappointed when people aren't as excited as me about going to Florida!

 

[orangetiggs]

Thats what we did, we sent out a small newsletter with a rsvp just seeing who would be interested and where they would like to stay etc as i knew about the discounts that disney offers

 

[meryll83]

Thats what we did, we sent out a small newsletter with a rsvp just seeing who would be interested and where they would like to stay etc as i knew about the discounts that disney offers

Do you still have a template at all? This is exactly what we need!
(Obviously delete any personal info but the rough template would be awesome if you still have it!)

 

[orangetiggs]

I'm sure I do have them but they are at home, I'll have a look tonight and see if i can email them to you