OKW Pool Party

[FranP]

Hi - we have been members at OKW almost since the beginning, but this is the first time we want to do something like this. DD and her husband are having a vow renewal at Sea Breeze Point on Nov, 5 - we will be hosting about 20 guests at OKW week of Nov. 4-9. We want to have a "Welcome Pool Party" with drinks and snacks on Nov. 4. I spoke to Member Services and they said we didn't have to get any special permission as long as the guests were staying at OKW and that we could being in food and even use the grills which are near the pools.

We anticipate doing this at one of the other pools (not the one near Olivia's), at around 7p.m. Has anyone ever done anything like this?? We don't expect to be loud, so we don't think we would get complaints from other guests and we are only talking about 20 people - 3 are little kids - and the adults are pretty much over 30, so we wouldn't be wild, etc.

If anyone has done this or something like it, what did you do about food? We were thinking snacks - cheese/crackers, shrimp platter, little sandwiches, etc. - and wine/beer/margaritas, maybe. Where did you get the food? We were thinking calling the Publix or the closest Wal-Mart to see what they could do.

Any help or suggestions would be helpful. BTW, this is their 10th anniversary, and she was a Disney Bride 10 years ago at the WP.

Thanks!!!

 

[Beth]

We did this as part of my 35th birthday over Memorial Day weekend 2 years ago.

There were 17 of us. I opted to try the Turtle Pond Pool. Since it was a holiday, I was a little concerned over the crowds.... so my cousin drove down there about an early with his son, and he reserved us a couple tables.

All of our guests drove to WDW, so, ahead of time, I had everyone volunteer for some different things. We were grilling, so I had the meat, buns, toppings, drinks, sides, chips, plates, etc all covered by everyone.

When they arrived the day before - we assembled everything in one of the 2-BR's, then just drove it down there that morning.

As it turned out - no other parties showed up to cook out that day. There were hardly even any swimmers in the pool! We had a great time!

But - as far as having someone else do it. Everyone has their own personal preferences... but "I'm a Publix girl," and would have them do everything. I've had them do sandwiches and shrimp platters MANY times - never had a problem. You can call and order it ahead of time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Here's a few shots from the cookout:

 

[FranP]

Thanks for your reply - I didn't realize the grills were so close to the pool and that there was a portico-type overhand with the tables. We have been to that pool before, but were just there to swim and kinda bypassed looking at everything else, except the hot tub LOL. I will call Publix to see what's available - we are arriving on Sunday afternoon, so I would have to oder stuff before that day. I'm going to show the pictures to my DH though, because if the grills are that close, he might want to do that in addition or instead of the snack platters.

Thanks!!

 

[bpmorley]

That is a great idea. Never even thought of a cookout.

 

[snyderla]

We've had family cookouts at the Southpoint pool several times. They usually are among our favorite days of our trips! So relaxing and nice to visit with our family that lives in FL, we often times meet at WDW for vacations together. A couple of times we have had other OKW guests join us, but that was OK!

Lori