My PC, GF, VWL, BCV, VWL, and SSR vacation
- Thread starter Janet2k
- Start date
i was incredibly excited that at long last the summerhouse party details would unfold... but alas, they have not... and i will wait as best i can, checking in only every ten minutes or so, until the time has come to read the rest of the adventure of jane bond and friends and family...
janet, thank you for the time, energy, love, and attention to detail that you put into your trip reports... they truly are magical!
janet, thank you for the time, energy, love, and attention to detail that you put into your trip reports... they truly are magical!
Ron from Michigan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 5,938
Janet ! Oh Janet ! where are thou.......
I have been patiently waiting to share the following definition with you folks:
sum·mer·house
(Merriam-Webster OnLine Dictionary)
Pronunciation: 's&-m&r-"haus
Function: noun
1 : a country house for summer residence
2 : a covered structure in a garden or park designed to provide a shady resting place in summer
It felt good to finally put that in a post.
Truly one of Disneys prettiest resorts is the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Whenever I view that resort (click here), I find myself sighing at its sereneness. Its hard to explain, but a sense of calmness overtakes me. Its a wonderful feeling to have. So when I was planning an outdoor meal for my family & friends and wasnt making any headway at any of the other resorts, I had no qualms at all about planning an event at Disneys grand ol dame, the Grand Floridian Resort. I knew it would be magical.
Here is the map again of the Grand Floridian Resort that I have marked with an arrow and the word DINNER in order to reflect where my dinner party was being held: click here. And for a more realistic view of that area, please take a look at the following photograph: click here. Circled in yellow is the location of the Summerhouse patio and beach area. It was a nicely-sized area, both private and quiet. Perfect for an intimate dinner party. And as I had found out that weekend, a very popular site with the party crowd.
On the evening of the dinner party, my family arrived at the Summerhouse (click here) a few minutes before 6 PM. The party wasnt scheduled to start until 6:30 PM, but I wanted to make sure that we were there to greet our guests as they arrived. According to Page 2 of my Banquet and Events Order (BEO), the dinner party would flow according to the following schedule:
- - - - - - - - - -
Event Agenda:
6:30 PM 9:30 PM SUMMERHOUSE BBQ
4:30 PM Power Drop & Set Up
6:00 PM 6:30 PM Arrival time of Guests
6:15 PM 6:20 PM Character arrives at Marina for Float Boat
6:30 PM Event starts
6:35 PM Character arrives via Float Boat at Summerhouse
6:35 PM 7:05 PM Traditional Mickey Appearance
7:05 PM Character departs via Trolley
7:05 PM 8:20 PM Dinnertime
8:30 PM 8:45 PM Depart for Marina West
8:30 PM Bartender Departs for Next Set
8:45 PM 9:30 PM Desserts at Marina West
- - - - - - - - - -
For reasons that I have already stated in my trip report, I had kept that agenda a secret from my dinner guests. Heck, I had kept most of it a secret even from my own husband. Pretty sneaky, eh?
It was fun knowing that the BEO was the pseudo-script for the dinner party. As I stood at the Summerhouse that evening, I was curious to see how closely reality would match theory.
Theory vs. Reality, Part 1
Page 2 of the BEO stated the following information:
- - - - - - - - - -
Setup Style: Custom
* Please set stanchions around the entire Summerhouse location
* Please post signs as private event
- - - - - - - - - -
As I looked around the Summerhouse area, I could see that stanchions (click here) were already set up. (Note: I apologize for the quality of that image it was taken from some video footage of the dinner party.) The stanchions were brass and they had a black ribbon cord that could be hooked up from stanchion to stanchion in order to cordon off the area from the general public. Those stanchions were located at every entrance to the Summerhouse patio.
As to the private event signs that the BEO also spoke of, they were already in place too: click here. I was amazed that the signs were truly themed to my event a Summer barbeque. Kudos to my Grand Floridian Convention Services Cast Member and his wonderful team for their amazing attention to detail. I was awed by it (who says the little things dont count?).
As I stood at the Summerhouse, it was nice knowing that theory had matched reality one-for-one. My Grand Floridian Convention Services Cast Member definitely knew his stuff.
Within a minute or two of my familys arrival, my Convention Services Cast Member spied us. He walked over to us and informed us that they werent quite ready for us yet but would be in about five minutes time. I told him that we had arrived early in order to ensure that we could greet our guests as they arrived. I also mentioned that we were in no hurry to enter the patio area. With that, he went back to work and I began to take a few photographs of the area. It was a glorious Summer evening.
As I looked around the patio area, I was immediately taken in by the vivid colors that were used for the table settings. The whole area was awash in Technicolor. I felt like Dorothy must have felt when she left her dreary farmhouse and stepped out into Munchkinland: click here.. As that photo showed, the bright reds and crisp whites were offset by the lush, green landscaping. To say that my expectations were exceeded as I looked around at the partys setup would be the understatement of the year. Everything was gorgeous.
As you folks know, Disney Event Productions had recommended that a lighting package be used for the party since it would be lasting into the evening. They had recommended a lighting package for two main reasons: 1) safety and 2) ambience. My proposal (click here) stated the following:
- - - - - - - - - -
Technical Services
Audio Package: (BGM)
Portable Lighting System:
This portable lighting package will enhance and emphasize your
Entertainment with a splash of color. Package includes par lights,
ultimate stands and technician setup and strike.
Technicians: Set/Strike Technician
20 Amp 120 Volt Duplex
Temporary Power Installation
Temp Drop Permit Fee
Electrician
- - - - - - - - - -
The charge for this was noticeable, so I was curious to see what lighting package would be used.
My curiosity was satisfied soon enough. If you take a look at this photograph again (click here), make sure to pay close attention to what is sitting in the shrubs located behind the table in the foreground. As you can see, there were two main stands of lights. The spotlights on top of those stands were of various colors: click here. Believe it or not, the lighting was really unobtrusive. After I initially spotted it when I had first set foot on the patio, I didnt pay much mind to it for the rest of the party. That is, until the day had turned into night. Click here to view a photograph that shows the lighting at night. I must admit that the area was beautifully lit, and after the sun had set, the lights helped create a certain ambience one of warmth and intimacy. Disney Event Productions knew exactly what they were doing with those lights (click here) the lighting truly enhanced the atmosphere of the party (click here).
An audio package was also a part of the technical services package for the dinner party. This was stated as BGM on the Disney Event Productions proposal. Would the music truly be background music (BGM) or would it be too loud and detract from the dinner party? I can honestly say that it was background music. In no way did it detract from the party, rather, it enhanced it. Again, Disney did a wonderful job with this. No complaints from me whatsoever. Dont you just love it when the professionals are that professional? I know that I do.
Youre probably wondering if there was anything else that I could have asked Disney to do in order to take my party to the next level. Im sure there was. They are Disney after all, and there is no limit to what they can accomplish. However, for the goal that I had in mind for my dinner party (a relaxing evening spent with friends), there wasnt anything that I would have added. Not one thing. It was perfect exactly the way it was.
Sure, Janet2k, whatever you say. But I bet youre regretting not having the Fab Five at your party, arent you? you ask. My answer? I have no regrets in not having Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto (the Fab Five) at my party as had originally been proposed to me by Disney. And Ill tell you why. I dug through a pile of my vacation videotapes last night until I found the one containing footage of the Summerhouse party. I loaded that video footage onto my computer (Praise the Lord for IEEE 1394) and watched it for the first time. When it came to the part where Mickey Mouse had arrived by boat, I tried to imagine what that boat would have looked like had the Fab Five been on it. I must admit that it would have looked awesome. But as I viewed the video footage and watched Mickey Mouse walk up to the Summerhouse patio and begin interacting with my daughter and Floridafams son and daughter, I was thankful that I had gone with just Mickey. The interaction between one character and three children was just right. Five characters, however awesome it would have been, would have completely overwhelmed the children. And viewing that video footage really drove that point home to me. The decision that I had come to after a few sleepless nights prior to my vacation had been the right one. I was still awfully glad that I had invited just Mickey Mouse to the Summerhouse dinner party.
Another point that I should mention revolves around photography. As you folks know, I only had one Disney photographer at my party. If the Fab Five had been in attendance, my poor photographer would have had to call in for reinforcements. There is no way that he would have been able to keep up with the volume of photographs that five characters and nine guests would have generated. My guests brief time (30 minutes) with the characters would have been completely engulfed with photograph-taking and nothing else. That meant the children would have missed out on the opportunity to color in their coloring books with Mickey Mouse. That precious coloring time would not have happened they would have been too busy posing for photos with Donald. Too busy posing for photos with Minnie. Too busy posing for photos with Pluto. Too busy posing for photos with Goofy.
Last but not least, the reason why I felt my dinner party was perfect without any further embellishments was because the Grand Floridian Resort is simply stunning. Adding anything further to the party in an attempt to enhance it would have detracted from the beauty of the resort and its surroundings. Please take a look at this photo and you will see what I mean: click here. With such a background, was there honestly a need for anything more? Simply put, the answer is no. And I say this after having just visited the site two weeks ago.
During my Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal planning trip, Nutz4dzny and I found ourselves at the Grand Floridian one evening. We had stopped by Mizner's Lounge for a late-night drink. After we were through, we decided we wanted some soup from Gasparillas Grill (they have the best chicken noodle soup). As we walked outside the resort, I asked Nutz4dzny if she wanted to see the Summerhouse area. Of course, she said yes. And so we walked through the venue that evening. I explained a little bit about the dinner partys setup, that is, where the chef had been situated, where the bartender had been situated, where the dinner table had been situated, and where Mickey Mouses boat had beached itself. As I stood there viewing the venue, I realized that everything on the evening of my party had been perfect. It was a wonderful feeling to have.
Theres something about me that you folks dont know yet I try awfully hard to live my life without any regrets. I can honestly say that I succeeded on the night of the Summerhouse dinner party. I have no regrets. Not a one. It was a perfect evening spent with friends both old and new. Life just does not get any better than that. Or does it? Just wait until you hear me describe the actual party.
sum·mer·house
(Merriam-Webster OnLine Dictionary)
Pronunciation: 's&-m&r-"haus
Function: noun
1 : a country house for summer residence
2 : a covered structure in a garden or park designed to provide a shady resting place in summer
It felt good to finally put that in a post.
Truly one of Disneys prettiest resorts is the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Whenever I view that resort (click here), I find myself sighing at its sereneness. Its hard to explain, but a sense of calmness overtakes me. Its a wonderful feeling to have. So when I was planning an outdoor meal for my family & friends and wasnt making any headway at any of the other resorts, I had no qualms at all about planning an event at Disneys grand ol dame, the Grand Floridian Resort. I knew it would be magical.
Here is the map again of the Grand Floridian Resort that I have marked with an arrow and the word DINNER in order to reflect where my dinner party was being held: click here. And for a more realistic view of that area, please take a look at the following photograph: click here. Circled in yellow is the location of the Summerhouse patio and beach area. It was a nicely-sized area, both private and quiet. Perfect for an intimate dinner party. And as I had found out that weekend, a very popular site with the party crowd.
On the evening of the dinner party, my family arrived at the Summerhouse (click here) a few minutes before 6 PM. The party wasnt scheduled to start until 6:30 PM, but I wanted to make sure that we were there to greet our guests as they arrived. According to Page 2 of my Banquet and Events Order (BEO), the dinner party would flow according to the following schedule:
- - - - - - - - - -
Event Agenda:
6:30 PM 9:30 PM SUMMERHOUSE BBQ
4:30 PM Power Drop & Set Up
6:00 PM 6:30 PM Arrival time of Guests
6:15 PM 6:20 PM Character arrives at Marina for Float Boat
6:30 PM Event starts
6:35 PM Character arrives via Float Boat at Summerhouse
6:35 PM 7:05 PM Traditional Mickey Appearance
7:05 PM Character departs via Trolley
7:05 PM 8:20 PM Dinnertime
8:30 PM 8:45 PM Depart for Marina West
8:30 PM Bartender Departs for Next Set
8:45 PM 9:30 PM Desserts at Marina West
- - - - - - - - - -
For reasons that I have already stated in my trip report, I had kept that agenda a secret from my dinner guests. Heck, I had kept most of it a secret even from my own husband. Pretty sneaky, eh?
It was fun knowing that the BEO was the pseudo-script for the dinner party. As I stood at the Summerhouse that evening, I was curious to see how closely reality would match theory.
Theory vs. Reality, Part 1
Page 2 of the BEO stated the following information:
- - - - - - - - - -
Setup Style: Custom
* Please set stanchions around the entire Summerhouse location
* Please post signs as private event
- - - - - - - - - -
As I looked around the Summerhouse area, I could see that stanchions (click here) were already set up. (Note: I apologize for the quality of that image it was taken from some video footage of the dinner party.) The stanchions were brass and they had a black ribbon cord that could be hooked up from stanchion to stanchion in order to cordon off the area from the general public. Those stanchions were located at every entrance to the Summerhouse patio.
As to the private event signs that the BEO also spoke of, they were already in place too: click here. I was amazed that the signs were truly themed to my event a Summer barbeque. Kudos to my Grand Floridian Convention Services Cast Member and his wonderful team for their amazing attention to detail. I was awed by it (who says the little things dont count?).
As I stood at the Summerhouse, it was nice knowing that theory had matched reality one-for-one. My Grand Floridian Convention Services Cast Member definitely knew his stuff.
Within a minute or two of my familys arrival, my Convention Services Cast Member spied us. He walked over to us and informed us that they werent quite ready for us yet but would be in about five minutes time. I told him that we had arrived early in order to ensure that we could greet our guests as they arrived. I also mentioned that we were in no hurry to enter the patio area. With that, he went back to work and I began to take a few photographs of the area. It was a glorious Summer evening.
As I looked around the patio area, I was immediately taken in by the vivid colors that were used for the table settings. The whole area was awash in Technicolor. I felt like Dorothy must have felt when she left her dreary farmhouse and stepped out into Munchkinland: click here.. As that photo showed, the bright reds and crisp whites were offset by the lush, green landscaping. To say that my expectations were exceeded as I looked around at the partys setup would be the understatement of the year. Everything was gorgeous.
As you folks know, Disney Event Productions had recommended that a lighting package be used for the party since it would be lasting into the evening. They had recommended a lighting package for two main reasons: 1) safety and 2) ambience. My proposal (click here) stated the following:
- - - - - - - - - -
Technical Services
Audio Package: (BGM)
Portable Lighting System:
This portable lighting package will enhance and emphasize your
Entertainment with a splash of color. Package includes par lights,
ultimate stands and technician setup and strike.
Technicians: Set/Strike Technician
20 Amp 120 Volt Duplex
Temporary Power Installation
Temp Drop Permit Fee
Electrician
- - - - - - - - - -
The charge for this was noticeable, so I was curious to see what lighting package would be used.
My curiosity was satisfied soon enough. If you take a look at this photograph again (click here), make sure to pay close attention to what is sitting in the shrubs located behind the table in the foreground. As you can see, there were two main stands of lights. The spotlights on top of those stands were of various colors: click here. Believe it or not, the lighting was really unobtrusive. After I initially spotted it when I had first set foot on the patio, I didnt pay much mind to it for the rest of the party. That is, until the day had turned into night. Click here to view a photograph that shows the lighting at night. I must admit that the area was beautifully lit, and after the sun had set, the lights helped create a certain ambience one of warmth and intimacy. Disney Event Productions knew exactly what they were doing with those lights (click here) the lighting truly enhanced the atmosphere of the party (click here).
An audio package was also a part of the technical services package for the dinner party. This was stated as BGM on the Disney Event Productions proposal. Would the music truly be background music (BGM) or would it be too loud and detract from the dinner party? I can honestly say that it was background music. In no way did it detract from the party, rather, it enhanced it. Again, Disney did a wonderful job with this. No complaints from me whatsoever. Dont you just love it when the professionals are that professional? I know that I do.
Youre probably wondering if there was anything else that I could have asked Disney to do in order to take my party to the next level. Im sure there was. They are Disney after all, and there is no limit to what they can accomplish. However, for the goal that I had in mind for my dinner party (a relaxing evening spent with friends), there wasnt anything that I would have added. Not one thing. It was perfect exactly the way it was.
Sure, Janet2k, whatever you say. But I bet youre regretting not having the Fab Five at your party, arent you? you ask. My answer? I have no regrets in not having Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto (the Fab Five) at my party as had originally been proposed to me by Disney. And Ill tell you why. I dug through a pile of my vacation videotapes last night until I found the one containing footage of the Summerhouse party. I loaded that video footage onto my computer (Praise the Lord for IEEE 1394) and watched it for the first time. When it came to the part where Mickey Mouse had arrived by boat, I tried to imagine what that boat would have looked like had the Fab Five been on it. I must admit that it would have looked awesome. But as I viewed the video footage and watched Mickey Mouse walk up to the Summerhouse patio and begin interacting with my daughter and Floridafams son and daughter, I was thankful that I had gone with just Mickey. The interaction between one character and three children was just right. Five characters, however awesome it would have been, would have completely overwhelmed the children. And viewing that video footage really drove that point home to me. The decision that I had come to after a few sleepless nights prior to my vacation had been the right one. I was still awfully glad that I had invited just Mickey Mouse to the Summerhouse dinner party.
Another point that I should mention revolves around photography. As you folks know, I only had one Disney photographer at my party. If the Fab Five had been in attendance, my poor photographer would have had to call in for reinforcements. There is no way that he would have been able to keep up with the volume of photographs that five characters and nine guests would have generated. My guests brief time (30 minutes) with the characters would have been completely engulfed with photograph-taking and nothing else. That meant the children would have missed out on the opportunity to color in their coloring books with Mickey Mouse. That precious coloring time would not have happened they would have been too busy posing for photos with Donald. Too busy posing for photos with Minnie. Too busy posing for photos with Pluto. Too busy posing for photos with Goofy.
Last but not least, the reason why I felt my dinner party was perfect without any further embellishments was because the Grand Floridian Resort is simply stunning. Adding anything further to the party in an attempt to enhance it would have detracted from the beauty of the resort and its surroundings. Please take a look at this photo and you will see what I mean: click here. With such a background, was there honestly a need for anything more? Simply put, the answer is no. And I say this after having just visited the site two weeks ago.
During my Fairy Tale Weddings vow renewal planning trip, Nutz4dzny and I found ourselves at the Grand Floridian one evening. We had stopped by Mizner's Lounge for a late-night drink. After we were through, we decided we wanted some soup from Gasparillas Grill (they have the best chicken noodle soup). As we walked outside the resort, I asked Nutz4dzny if she wanted to see the Summerhouse area. Of course, she said yes. And so we walked through the venue that evening. I explained a little bit about the dinner partys setup, that is, where the chef had been situated, where the bartender had been situated, where the dinner table had been situated, and where Mickey Mouses boat had beached itself. As I stood there viewing the venue, I realized that everything on the evening of my party had been perfect. It was a wonderful feeling to have.
Theres something about me that you folks dont know yet I try awfully hard to live my life without any regrets. I can honestly say that I succeeded on the night of the Summerhouse dinner party. I have no regrets. Not a one. It was a perfect evening spent with friends both old and new. Life just does not get any better than that. Or does it? Just wait until you hear me describe the actual party.
jennymouse
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2001
- Messages
- 4,175
Sounds wonderful! Can't wait to read more!
Oh Janet, just reading your Post brings me back to when we were there as you stated planning for your Fairy Tale Wedding Vow Renewal. What a lovely moment it was to walk around the summerhose area at midnight as you explained where everything had been. Knowing that I had planned to be there in May but back problems kept me from going, I swore "Nothing" will keep me from your October special day and then the miracle happened! We are going! I will be in a back brace from my recent surgery planned for Sept. 2, but the doctor approved the trip!
Thanks for everything you and Bonzi1 did for me on our most recent trip. I just want people to know on these boards that Janet is one SPECIAL Lady and my best friend and one of the most devoted people to these Boards!
Thanks for everything you and Bonzi1 did for me on our most recent trip. I just want people to know on these boards that Janet is one SPECIAL Lady and my best friend and one of the most devoted people to these Boards!
zalansky
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/sponsors/s
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2003
- Messages
- 4,088
Thanks for the wonderful installment!
Only one problem, I cannot open any of the pictures. Is anyone else having this problem? I get an error message saying the page is not loading or another error message....I am dying, DYING to see the pics of the summerhouse area!!!
Only one problem, I cannot open any of the pictures. Is anyone else having this problem? I get an error message saying the page is not loading or another error message....I am dying, DYING to see the pics of the summerhouse area!!!
Disney Hot Mama
DIS Veteran<br><font color=coral>Onion haters unit
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2004
- Messages
- 1,499
Me too! I am dying to see those photos because the descriptions are so wonderful it has be foaming at the bit to see them!
I've never been able to open any of Janet's photos. Always get the same error message and I, too, am dying to see what it looked like.
Janet, your wonderfully descriptive writing enables me to see the party in my head, but I just know the pictures must be awesome!
Janet, your wonderfully descriptive writing enables me to see the party in my head, but I just know the pictures must be awesome!
Its probably a good time for me to note that the photos in my Summerhouse on-line photo album were taken by a variety of folks: my family, Bonzie1s family, and my Disney Event Productions photographer.
My Disney photographer did a phenomenal job with the Summerhouse dinner party photographs. I was very pleased, just as I had been pleased last Fall when another Disney photographer had taken photos of my familys Haunted Mansion Movie Set Dinner Event. I will definitely use Disney again in the future for my photography needs.
My Disney photographer did a phenomenal job with the Summerhouse dinner party photographs. I was very pleased, just as I had been pleased last Fall when another Disney photographer had taken photos of my familys Haunted Mansion Movie Set Dinner Event. I will definitely use Disney again in the future for my photography needs.
#1hockeymom
<font color=blue>Wants to DRIVE the zamboni
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2001
- Messages
- 7,103
I have always loved reading about your adventures and I think you're topping yourself with the descriptions of your latest party! Bravo Janet!
I am so glad we were able to meet and speak to each other as I now feel like I am reading your posts more through you, which makes them even more special.
Thank you for sharing your stories with all of us!
Debbie
I am so glad we were able to meet and speak to each other as I now feel like I am reading your posts more through you, which makes them even more special.
Thank you for sharing your stories with all of us!
Debbie
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