Ohana Welcome Reception Questions

[roseviolet]

Hi everyone! I've been reading these boards for quite awhile but never needed to post until now.

My fiance and I are getting married November 9, 2008 and we want to have some sort of a welcome party. We were thinking about Ohana. We are guesstimating a group of about 60 (Possibly scary 80) people. Have any of you ever reserved for a group this big and how did you reserve? We called Disney Dining and Group Reservations and both said our party was too large so they gave us the number for the actual restaurant. I called and left a message but no one has called me back so now I'm hoping maybe someone here can help me. I just want to know things like how solid my numbers of guests have to be and what the procedure is for something so large.

We already talked to our planner and she seems to keep steering us towards catered events which we are not really interested in. Any suggestions of what to do or what other restaurants have been accomodating would be great.

Thanks!!!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

I think 60-80 people might be too many for a restaurant without a private dining room available. Maybe you could look into restaurants where you can rent out their private room?

 

[lov2b@disney]

When I called just recently I believe the max was 47.

 

[FIREFLY01]

You Could Always Try 4 Reservations Of 15 Just In Different Names One Your ,one Df,one Fmil, One Another Parent....

 

[autumnbride2B]

We had a welcome dinner the night before our wedding for a group of 75. We had it at Ariel's - there is a $1000 food/bev minimunm and no venue fee, so with a group your size you wouldn't have any problems meeting those requirements. For such a large group I think you will have better luck having a private room or venue instead of trying to make multiple reservations at a restaurant.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We are getting married November 10, 2008 - the day after you. We were thinking of a rehersal/welcome dinner at 'Ohanas also. We will probably be having between 50 and 60 people at our wedding. I think we have decided to just have the bridal party and immediate family at the dinner (which would be 25 people) and then asking everyone meet us somewhere after (maybe Jellyrolls).

Where are you having your ceremony and reception? We are getting married in Italy in Epcot and our reception will be in Atlantic Dance Hall. Glad to see another November bride.

Linda

 

[roseviolet]

Thanks everyone! I guess we were just hoping for the impossible. All of the menus that our planner gave us for catered events were at least $45 per person while Ohana is more like $26 per person so we were just hoping to save some money this way.

Now for another round of questions. At somewhere like Ariel's would we be able to maybe just have appetizers or something to keep the cost down? And what restaurants have a private dining room other than perhaps the California Grill? I read somewhere on here about someone using the Rainforest Cafe but they didn't mention if there was a set menu or the amount of people at their event.

Oh and our ceremony is at the wedding pavilion with a reception at the Atlantic Dance Hall. Glad to see another November Bride too!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I know of someone (about a year or two ago) that did a mini-golf welcome party at the Winterland Summer Mini Golf (not sure of the exact name). Not sure if they will still do this or not but this would definately lead to getting everyone to meet each other.

I am sure there is someplace you can just do small food that would keep expenses down. There is also the Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness. They do breakfast, lunch and dinner and the prices are 11.99, 12.99 and 17.99. Not sure what size parties they take but it might be something to look into. Someone also recently did a BBQ I think it was also at Fort Wilderness. If I can find their thread I'll let you know.

Now, as far as ADH, as your wedding is the day before mine, I was wondering what you are doing for centerpieces. We are trying to keep costs down but it is a large room and I don't want the centerpieces to look lost.

Linda

 

[roseviolet]

Now, as far as ADH, as your wedding is the day before mine, I was wondering what you are doing for centerpieces. We are trying to keep costs down but it is a large room and I don't want the centerpieces to look lost.

Linda

Thanks for the suggestions Linda! Yesterday we contacted the Rainforest Cafe, Bongos, the House of Blues, and the Swan & Dolphin to get more info about group resevations with them so hopefully we should get some response. If not though I think the Trail's End may work for us. I know it's a restaurant that is often overlooked so they probably would be happy to accomodate us.

As far as centerpieces go I'm really not too worried about them being overwhelmed. I would never be able to afford anything grand enough to really be on the scale of the ADH. So I was actually thinking of doing very very low centerpieces so at least everyone can see each other at their tables. What I'm thinking of I haven't really seen pictures for and I'm not really sure if they are even possible. I have my planning session in May and hopefully my planner will be able to let me know then if my ideas make sense.