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

[meryll83]

Looks like I just got in in time with the Universal tickets, they've gone up $10 a piece now, which isn't a lot, but still, I got me a bargain!


Can anyone help me out with my above little query at all? I thought it would be an easy one :

Ok - quick budgeting question - if you are only having the soft drinks included in the dessert party base price, does this mean you don't have to pay the $100 bartender fee, or is he your server of the soft drinks anyway and you have to pay this regardless?

Just trying to get my budget organised, as it's creeping up a bit!
For the dessert party elements I have the dessert package itself, viewing fee if applicable, set up fee of tables/chairs etc, centerpieces/chair covers to be decided, Disney's photography to be decided, and I think that's all the elements involved, just wanted someone to confirm the above, if we don't have alcohol and use the included drinks, is there still a bartender fee??? Or is there anything else I'm missing also?

Thanks girlies, I know you'll help me get organised, someone has to!!

 

[figmentfan814]

Can anyone help me out with my above little query at all? I thought it would be an easy one :
Just trying to get my budget organised, as it's creeping up a bit!
For the dessert party elements I have the dessert package itself, viewing fee if applicable, set up fee of tables/chairs etc, centerpieces/chair covers to be decided, Disney's photography to be decided, and I think that's all the elements involved, just wanted someone to confirm the above, if we don't have alcohol and use the included drinks, is there still a bartender fee??? Or is there anything else I'm missing also?

Thanks girlies, I know you'll help me get organised, someone has to!!

For our dessert party we just did the included drinks- lemonade, coffee, and tea and we didn't have to pay for a bartender. I'm not sure with the soft drink package though.

 

[meryll83]

For our dessert party we just did the included drinks- lemonade, coffee, and tea and we didn't have to pay for a bartender. I'm not sure with the soft drink package though.

Yes, it's just the included drinks thing I meant, tea coffee, some sort of fruit punch etc, isn't it?
So I won't need the bartender fee then that's good news!

 

[figmentfan814]

Yes, it's just the included drinks thing I meant, tea coffee, some sort of fruit punch etc, isn't it?
So I won't need the bartender fee then that's good news!

We actually switched out lemonade for the fruit punch because I had nightmares of someone dropping red punch down my dress

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I didn't catch what time you needed the bar, but I found out that the Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian is open earlier than others. There's a gap of time in between the end of the ceremony and our dinner ressies so I'm going to invite everyone to the Tambu Lounge for drinks since our ressie is at 'Ohana. Dunno if that helps or not.

 

[meryll83]

We actually switched out lemonade for the fruit punch because I had nightmares of someone dropping red punch down my dress

Oh lordy, don't make me paranoid now!

I didn't catch what time you needed the bar, but I found out that the Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian is open earlier than others. There's a gap of time in between the end of the ceremony and our dinner ressies so I'm going to invite everyone to the Tambu Lounge for drinks since our ressie is at 'Ohana. Dunno if that helps or not.

That's a good idea, the Poly is just a nice monorail ride away for the guests, we'll be kept busy with Randy until dinner time as we have him booked til 5.30pm anyway, but we can always send people along there if they can't get a drink at the GF I love the scenery at the Poly.


Just been informed by wayneg over on the UK boards that the 10% flying club member discount is reducing down to 5% after June 30th, so after sending a text to the outstanding wedding party, Si's mum has just got back to us to say her and his dad will book on Sunday when we go round for Father's Day. So hopefully we'll have them booked at the weekend! Woohoo!

That just leaves Tim and Jackie (who have been adament that they aren't going to book until the end of the year!) and Adam and Anna (who were waiting til July when NYC/WDW could be booked together but apparently might have changed their minds and might just do WDW now!) to still get booked, we'll see if my text changes anyone's mind!!

Oh and possibly a couple of blokey friends who just can't get organised enough to meet up and discuss the packages and prices that I've already found for them!! Mind, I priced them up with Travel City as they wanted to do it as cheap as poss...

 

[orangetiggs]

my fvc page doesnt say anything about reducing the 10%

 

[meryll83]

my fvc page doesnt say anything about reducing the 10%

It's Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club discount , not the Frequent Virgin Club discount that's changing
Unfortunately we haven't spent enough yet for FVC! Although if they count my parent's bookings as mine (which they should as I did book it all even though they chose to put it on seperate references) then I should be a member after this holiday!

 

[orangetiggs]

oh i see i have been a member for years so i was worried when i heard that!

 

[meryll83]

oh i see i have been a member for years so i was worried when i heard that!

No you're good, don't worry!
Once you're a member do you stay a member, or do you have to keep spending whatever their criteria is to stay eligible?

 

[orangetiggs]

i think the new rules are that you have to spend so much to stay but I have been a member for around 7 years now so i think i'm still on old rules, we only go with virgin holidays so i dont think it will ever be a problem, in 2 years we have had 3 holidays with them so hopefully i'm good

 

[meryll83]

Went round to Si's parents today to help get them booked, then when we got home Tim & Jackie text us to say they booked today also!!

Woohooooooooooooo!

Si's parents are actually on later flight times as Economy were totally booked up on our flight times They're going for a straight 2 weeks (not 15 nights like us and my parents), so arrive the same day as us on the later flight, and leave a day earlier.

T&J are going out a week before all of us, so it's slightly cheaper for them as they avoid the school half term altogether, but they're still be with us all for the wedding week

Si's brother Adam, and Anna were on the phone today, they are now looking at a twin centre with either Cancun or Miami rather than NYC, and I suspect they might get booked in the next couple of days too

Looks like my tip about the flying club discount going down worked wonders
Unfortunately T&J tried to do it online and then after booking asked when the 10% discount comes off, so I had to explain they should have called to do it, as they only have 5% off now by doing it online, the offices are now shut but I've told them to call Virgin first thing in the morning and explain the mistake they made, and I'm hoping they'll be nice and take the additional 10% off for them. Fingers crossed!

So that really just leaves the two boys, Geoff and Prev, to decide if they're gonna come too.

Totally excited and impressed that almost everyone is booked now!!!!!!!


Wrote another letter today asking Virgin to confirm in writing that my mum's dining plan is defo booked as they keep telling me they'll send an updated invoice and they don't (still shows as half board on her booking) - I'll let you know if they get back to us....

 

[Chilly]

I'm glad everyone is now nearly all booked, must be a huge relief to you.

 

[baywatchextra]

just to check u didnt get the 10% off if you added your park passes right?

 

[meryll83]

just to check u didnt get the 10% off if you added your park passes right?

I think you're supposed to do it all at the time of booking, but my dad's ticket got added at a later date and they still honoured the 10% off that too. Is that what you meant?

However, until 30th June, direct through Disney, they're currently £165 for 14 days, so that's a really good deal! I think Virgin have a max percentage that they will price match to (so they tell me over the phone, it doesn't say that anywhere in the literature ) and there's are currently around £196 so I don't think they'll go as low as these prices.

 

[Lynn5700]

Oh how exciting!!!!! Glad they are all booked

 

[meryll83]

Oh how exciting!!!!! Glad they are all booked

I know!!! Soooooooooooooooo excited!!
And I was panicking we'd never get anyone booked, but here we are, still well over a year out and we're nearly all done

You're up early/late!

 

[Goldeelox9]

SO glad you got everyone booked.....What is the transfer into dollars? the exchange rate?

 

[meryll83]

SO glad you got everyone booked.....What is the transfer into dollars? the exchange rate?

Well almost everyone....
One of the boys, Prev, text Simon yesterday to say he didn't think he'd be able to afford it, so unfortunately that means Geoff needs to find another buddy to go with him to avoid single occupancy costs

Haven't heard from Adam and Anna yet, but they might be the only ones left to book now if Geoff won't be able to go.

We have all booked through Virgin Holidays here in the UK, however the Universal tickets I bought directly the other day for a total of $174.36 converted to a cost of £90.86 when it came off my card, so it's a pretty good rate at the moment I thought
Just have to hope that when it comes to paying off the bulk of the wedding the rate is good too! (Does anyone know with Escape weddings that once the deposit is made, can you pay off other elements while the rate is good before the final balance is due?)

 

[orangetiggs]

if you friend books direct with disney he doesnt have to pay single occupancy! they just charge per room! might be a way to go for him