If they do a topper it will probably be a flat piece of white chocolate with a screen print, standing up. If it were me, I'd rather ask them to leave room for the toy and put it on myself!
MUCH!(And I love the idea of the cruise to see the lanterns!)
Ok- I've got MONTHS to plan this, but I wanted some thoughts since this may wind up requiring some extra work on my part.
We're planning on going in Nov as a treat for DD3's 4th bday. Her big sis got a lovely cake made by Chef Brian for her 5th bday (pictured below).
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So, I was planning on something similar for DD3 for her bday. Her princess is Ariel- so......i.e. instead of frames of gold and flowers, it woud be frames and accents of coral, starfish, seaweed etc. framing pics of Flounder, Sebastian, Scuttle and 4th on the back side (maybe Max or even King Triton) ...and instead of a white and yellow marbled fondant, it would be multiple shades of blue and turquoise marbled with a posible luster finish. I'd love to have a white chocolate Ariel on top surrounded by an intricate backdrop of coral...the problem...they don't offer a white chocolate Ariel.
Obviously, I could have them transfer an edible image of Ariel to some white chocolate and stand it up in the center of the cake, but the whole 2D thing leaves me pretty cold. I don't consider buying a toy an option since one of my big rules for cakes (ones I make and ones I purchase) is that any toppers or decorations must be edible. While I'm hardly a pro and some of my work was more of a learning process than a success...you can see from my cake gallery that I really try to stay true to this "must be edible" rule. Gallery --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/houcusechickie/sets/72157624710575326/ SO, in any event, a plastic topper is just not an option.
So, the only other option I know of if I really want her to look spot on, be edible and be 3D is to buy an Ariel toy, buy some silicone mold making materials, and try and mold her out of some gumpaste/fondant...then hand paint her. I've never done molds like this before...so it would also be another learning process. I was planning on delving into this technique anyway since her home bday cake is supposed to be Dora themed...I just don't know about the stress in all of this since it's a lot of work and I'd have to hide it from her (i.e. only work when she's asleep).
Does anyone have any thoughts about how I can pull this off w/o either settling for a 2D topper or making it myself? I've just never seen anyone get a WDW cake where the chef has handmade a 3d edible character. TIA
That's because Disney won't allow the pastry chefs to create their own custom 3-D versions of characters, due to problems with maintaining the integrity of the character likeness. The only 3-D characters offered are those pre-made white chocolate figures, and those apparently go through months of revisions and review before a new one is approved for use by the pastry team. The last new one they created was Stitch for Aulani.
I say if you'd have fun making it yourself and can safely transport it to Disney, have them leave space for it on your cake and put it on top when the cake arrives.
Ok- I've got MONTHS to plan this, but I wanted some thoughts since this may wind up requiring some extra work on my part.
We're planning on going in Nov as a treat for DD3's 4th bday. Her big sis got a lovely cake made by Chef Brian for her 5th bday (pictured below).
[/url][/IMG]
So, I was planning on something similar for DD3 for her bday. Her princess is Ariel- so......i.e. instead of frames of gold and flowers, it woud be frames and accents of coral, starfish, seaweed etc. framing pics of Flounder, Sebastian, Scuttle and 4th on the back side (maybe Max or even King Triton) ...and instead of a white and yellow marbled fondant, it would be multiple shades of blue and turquoise marbled with a posible luster finish. I'd love to have a white chocolate Ariel on top surrounded by an intricate backdrop of coral...the problem...they don't offer a white chocolate Ariel.
Obviously, I could have them transfer an edible image of Ariel to some white chocolate and stand it up in the center of the cake, but the whole 2D thing leaves me pretty cold. I don't consider buying a toy an option since one of my big rules for cakes (ones I make and ones I purchase) is that any toppers or decorations must be edible. While I'm hardly a pro and some of my work was more of a learning process than a success...you can see from my cake gallery that I really try to stay true to this "must be edible" rule. Gallery --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/houcusechickie/sets/72157624710575326/ SO, in any event, a plastic topper is just not an option.
So, the only other option I know of if I really want her to look spot on, be edible and be 3D is to buy an Ariel toy, buy some silicone mold making materials, and try and mold her out of some gumpaste/fondant...then hand paint her. I've never done molds like this before...so it would also be another learning process. I was planning on delving into this technique anyway since her home bday cake is supposed to be Dora themed...I just don't know about the stress in all of this since it's a lot of work and I'd have to hide it from her (i.e. only work when she's asleep).
Does anyone have any thoughts about how I can pull this off w/o either settling for a 2D topper or making it myself? I've just never seen anyone get a WDW cake where the chef has handmade a 3d edible character. TIA
Could you possibly do the white chocolate sand castle topper? Have you seen that? I think it's adorable and it works really well with an Ariel theme. You could have Ariel in the front frame so she's a focal point, and then have Flounder, Sebastian and Scuttle in the other frames. Then you wouldn't have to try to create an Ariel topper at home, or worry about getting it safely to Disney.
Here is a picture of the sand castle topper:
[/IMG]
Now to work on sketches! 
Here's the info on the Cinderella's Royal Table Princess Package:
Price: $90 plus tax and gratuity ($112.05 total)
What's Included:
- Pixie dust on the table
- Princess balloon (choice of Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Aurora, Belle or Jasmine)
- Fancy, fondant-covered vanilla or chocolate cake featuring Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Tiana, or Ariel (6-inch cake, feeds 57, according to Disney)
- Name on the cake
- Barrette-style crystal tiara (full-size tiara available for an additional $17 + tax and gratuity)
Rules:
How to Order: Email wdw.crt.special.events@disney.com or call 407-824-4477
- Theme park admission required
- CRT reservation required
- Princesses will visit table but cannot present the package/cake
- CRT will not store your cake after you get it
- You can swap the 6-inch cake for an 8-inch (+ $15) or a 10-inch (+ $40); just know that Disney underestimates the number of guests their cakes can serve. A 6-inch may serve as many as 10 if you cut the pieces smaller.
They will send you a 4-page PDF with info about the package. Here are the pages with the photos on them...
I left a message for Eric at the number she gave me and as of yet, I haven't heard back from him. I am almost tempted to call the " private" number and order a special cake. Not that I want to spend the extra money, but at least I will know I will have the cake I want to celebrate my DGD 18th birthday. How long should it take to get someone to call back? thank you
I have just been ordering a package at CRT for DD. The balloon is standard with all the princesses on it there is no choice.
The cost breaks down:
Balloon - $10
Tiara - $20
Cake - $60
They let me get a slipper dessert (offer dark or white chocolate) for $12.50 instead of the cake.
All organised by the email address within a day.
Well, I am having trouble getting in touch with someone also. I called the "private" line as I didn't know it was private until the very nice lady told me. She was so friendly that I almost ordered a special cake as that is what she does
I didn't even think about that! What an AWESOME suggestion! I have to think on it a bit, but it's definitely better than me making Ariel or settling for a 2D Ariel standing topper. I think she might be OK w/Snow White instead of Ariel...or even Minnie (possibly)...but Ariel is #1 and this would certainly make for a striking cake. Thank you soooooooo much!
Thanks for the suggestion. I called the poly and the lovely woman who answered said that private dining doesn't have lunch hours so I sould try calling back around dinner time and someone should answer.Thanks for the info! I'll update that post.
I would call the Polynsian's main line and explain that you are trying to get hold of someone in Private Dining to order a cake but the phone just rings off the hook. They can try another number for you or even wait on the line with you to see if anyone picks up.
I'm not sure what you mean by the "private" line. At resorts with Private Dining (i.e., room service) that's who you call to order a cake.
Thanks for the info! I'll update that post.
plus $42.50 sounded better to DH than $90 for a cake he wouldnt eat 
