Okay, has anyone done this?

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Okay, still in the midst of freaking out about 'Ohana not being open for lunch. I've looked at a few other places, but I really have my heart set on 'Ohana and I want to try to make it happen.

My Mom suggested to move the ceremony time to 3:00 instead of 12:00 but I just feel like I have so much already booked on the 12:00 that it sounds like it'd be a huge headache.

The other thing I was thinking - if the ceremony is at 12:00, it ends probably around 1:00-ish, and is it safe to say we'd be done with pictures around 2:00-2:30?

If so, has anyone ever had appetizers catered? I know I can't do it at the ceremony location but is it possible to have like private dining (like at the Polynesian) cater us appetizers? I just dunno where we'd eat them. I'm still waiting on an e-mail back from Kathleen (I e-mailed her two days ago and she hasn't replied)

I just don't think the cake would be enough to hold everyone over until the first seating at 'Ohana (I think it opens at 5:00, right?)

 

[Skylarr29]

If you really want 'Ohana I think it would be best to move to the 3:00p.m. time slot. You still have plenty of time to sort things out. I think it will be more of a headache to try and entertain your guests for all that time and worrying about the time constraints. I think you may be hard pressed to find something in private dining... I don't think they are allowed to work with Escape brides. GL whatever you decide.

 

[Chilly]

You could go for high tea at the Grand Floridian which is served in the afternoon.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=305

 

[lurkyloo]

There's a 3:00 ceremony time for Escapes? I thought it was 10, 12, 2:30 and 5...

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Yeah, 2:30 whoops.

I was rocking some Google last night and I think I may have come up with a solution (I hope!)

The Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian, there seems to be a discrepancy between websites as to when it opens. One website says 1:00 for drinks, 5:00 for drinks and appetizers. I think if it really opens at 1:00 that it'd be perfect to wait around to be seated at 'Ohana at 5:00. Maybe I could call management and beg them to let me use private dining to just get a cheese platter down there (since I'm staying there anyway).

I'll have to see. Keeping my fingers crossed for some pixie dust here.

 

[curiouser]

I'd definitely call to make sure. They share a kitchen with 'Ohanas which may be why they don't start serving food until 5pm

 

[Lynn5700]

Jessie I hope everything works out.if worse comes to worse I think that you have enough time to switch the time.It will be annoying but if it's what you have to do I think it will be ok,you have plenty of time.Good luck!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Okay, I spoke with my wedding planner (Kathleen) and she said that she called the Polynesian for me and they said the Tambu Lounge opens at 1:00 and serves both drinks and appetizers. Wooooooooooo!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

That's a really great idea - congrats on making it work! We were considering using that lounge for our meet 'n' greet... sounds like it would have worked well!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

That's a really great idea - congrats on making it work! We were considering using that lounge for our meet 'n' greet... sounds like it would have worked well!

Oh, awesome!! Actually, do you know how big the seating area is? I remember when we went to 'Ohana I only saw a few lounge chairs scattered around but I really didn't look into it at the time.

 

[keenercam]

Jessi -- Just a quick question. Are you considering still having your ceremony at noon and then having everyone hang out at Tambu Lounge until 5? I am trying to remember where that lounge is, but it may be the area right outside O'hana's. It is pretty open and public and not enclosed at all. And the seating is pretty spread out. I just thought I'd point that out. We had a hard time finding seating there when people were waiting to be seated at Kona or O'hana. I'm also not sure if you'd want your guests spending 4 hours there between your ceremony and a 5:00 dinner seating, though the resort is gorgeous and your guests would surely enjoy wandering around and checking out the shops there -- I don't remember how many guests you have and whether any of them are children. Good luck!

 

[lurkyloo]

As I recall, there were maybe... six seating groups with chairs/footstools in circles? I'm bad at this - I've only been up there twice. Maybe a big Polynesian/Ohana fan can help us out!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Jessi -- Just a quick question. Are you considering still having your ceremony at noon and then having everyone hang out at Tambu Lounge until 5? I am trying to remember where that lounge is, but it may be the area right outside O'hana's. It is pretty open and public and not enclosed at all. And the seating is pretty spread out. I just thought I'd point that out. We had a hard time finding seating there when people were waiting to be seated at Kona or O'hana. I'm also not sure if you'd want your guests spending 4 hours there between your ceremony and a 5:00 dinner seating, though the resort is gorgeous and your guests would surely enjoy wandering around and checking out the shops there -- I don't remember how many guests you have and whether any of them are children. Good luck!

Well, the ceremony starts at 12:00 and we have cake cutting, pictures, etc. I figure we'd probably be heading over to the Polynesian around 2:00-2:30 or so. We have 14 guests, people can go back to their resorts if they want to I guess but I just want to give the option that I'm feeding people at least before dinner. But, yes.. It is gorgeous, I'm worried about it being too long of a stretch, too.

As I recall, there were maybe... six seating groups with chairs/footstools in circles? I'm bad at this - I've only been up there twice. Maybe a big Polynesian/Ohana fan can help us out!

Hmmmm, yeah.. maybe this isn't the best solution as I thought. I just dunno if it makes sense to make ressies at Kona Cafe for a few appetizers and drinks. Maybe it does, ugh.. I dunno!

 

[Chilly]

As I recall, there were maybe... six seating groups with chairs/footstools in circles? I'm bad at this - I've only been up there twice. Maybe a big Polynesian/Ohana fan can help us out!

Thats what I remember as well. You have to think of what you'd do if no seats were free.