Planning Sessions

[jshora]

I was wondering how many people fly to Disney for their planning session and how many have just done their planning session over the phone?

Due to the fact that I'm running in the Disney World Marathon the first weekend of January, I don't really want to have to fly back three months later for a planning session and then six months later for the wedding. I'll do if it it is absolutely necessary, but unfortunately I'm just not made of vacation time (and I really can't afford to take unpaid time off of work). I'm just not sure how it works if you do your planning session over the phone.

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[2nd Time Bride]

I think a lot of us Escape brides only plan over the phone and via email but I am not sure about the Wishes brides. I think, from reading your PJ, you are a Wishes bride - correct?

We are going the Escape route and had no site visits or planning sessions.

 

[Nikisha421]

Escape brides only get a phone planning and what I can see so far is that they all seem to turn out well.

 

[erin.w]

We are going there for our planning session. We are also using the trip to get the groom's tux fitted and my hair and makeup trial. This trip was somewhat planned already as we go every 6 months and the timing worked out perfectly. Either way, I'm sure we would have scheduled a short trip for the planning session.

 

[DVC Bride 2011]

We did a site visit in January when we were first thinking about a DFTW but that was only because we go every January and we were already there. We were not going to do a planning session mostly because of cost, but DF got some backpay that the Army owed him so we are using that to go down in November for our planning/tasting session and for an engagement session with our photographer. I really wanted a chance to meet our planner in person and to try the food before we decided what to serve. And of course I wanted to go to Disney again

 

[CityGirlLost]

Why not see if you can try to get your PS done when you're already going to be there. It's not at the normal interval, I know, but I swear I've read here of other brides who've done their PS way in advance.

 

[kmaclou]

We'll be down there for the marathon, too! My DH is running it - I'll be cheering.

I don't see why you couldn't do your PS while you're down there. We flew down in January for our PS for our May wedding, but it was quick trip. Down on Sunday, planning session Monday, home on Tuesday.

 

[jshora]

I was told by our coordinator (being that is not October yet I don't have my Event Planner yet), that they would not schedule a Planning session that far in advance (10 months) since they will be too busy with the weddings with the planning sessions for the June weddings. I probably just need to wait and talk it over with my Event Planner when I get one, but I'm just soo impatient and excited!!!

I'm actually running the Goofy Challenge this year (Donald Half Marathon on Saturday followed by the Mickey Full Marathon on Sunday). I'll need all the cheering I can get to make it through the Marathon!

I'm watching flights for April, since that would be 6 months out, to see if I can get something reasonable. I still have my Seasonal Pass from when I lived in Florida and the DF is an Annual Pass holder and a Vacation Club member. So, the flights are usually the most expensive thing for us. The problem is that our planning session would be right around the same time as Spring Break. Flight prices are going to suck, but oh well...

 

[2nd Time Bride]

I was told by our coordinator (being that is not October yet I don't have my Event Planner yet), that they would not schedule a Planning session that far in advance (10 months) since they will be too busy with the weddings with the planning sessions for the June weddings. I probably just need to wait and talk it over with my Event Planner when I get one, but I'm just soo impatient and excited!!!

I'm actually running the Goofy Challenge this year (Donald Half Marathon on Saturday followed by the Mickey Full Marathon on Sunday). I'll need all the cheering I can get to make it through the Marathon!

I'm watching flights for April, since that would be 6 months out, to see if I can get something reasonable. I still have my Seasonal Pass from when I lived in Florida and the DF is an Annual Pass holder and a Vacation Club member. So, the flights are usually the most expensive thing for us. The problem is that our planning session would be right around the same time as Spring Break. Flight prices are going to suck, but oh well...

Ugh - having lived in Minneapolis I know what you are talking about - airfare is always soooo high from there! Do you travel a lot? If not, I can PM you with some ways we kept airfare down when travelling out of MN, which we did a lot.

Good luck in the Marathon!!

 

[helloirishkitty]

We did our PS at exactly five months out- I was told they wouldn't book it before 6 months out. We were only there for 2 days, 3 nights.

I would have gladly done it over the phone but DF had never been to WDW before so I figured I would show him where we were getting married before we did

 

[kmaclou]

I was told by our coordinator (being that is not October yet I don't have my Event Planner yet), that they would not schedule a Planning session that far in advance (10 months) since they will be too busy with the weddings with the planning sessions for the June weddings. I probably just need to wait and talk it over with my Event Planner when I get one, but I'm just soo impatient and excited!!!

I'm actually running the Goofy Challenge this year (Donald Half Marathon on Saturday followed by the Mickey Full Marathon on Sunday). I'll need all the cheering I can get to make it through the Marathon!

Yep, just wait until you get your planner. It's really up to him/her as to when they can meet with you. You may be able to sneak one in while you're there - they really try to be as acommodating as possible.

You're doing the Goofy?!?! Holy moly, you go girl!

 

[Disney-Chick]

I was told by our coordinator (being that is not October yet I don't have my Event Planner yet), that they would not schedule a Planning session that far in advance (10 months) since they will be too busy with the weddings with the planning sessions for the June weddings. I probably just need to wait and talk it over with my Event Planner when I get one, but I'm just soo impatient and excited!!!

I'm actually running the Goofy Challenge this year (Donald Half Marathon on Saturday followed by the Mickey Full Marathon on Sunday). I'll need all the cheering I can get to make it through the Marathon!

I'm watching flights for April, since that would be 6 months out, to see if I can get something reasonable. I still have my Seasonal Pass from when I lived in Florida and the DF is an Annual Pass holder and a Vacation Club member. So, the flights are usually the most expensive thing for us. The problem is that our planning session would be right around the same time as Spring Break. Flight prices are going to suck, but oh well...

I know flights can be expensive and im not sure where you are located but my DF , DD and I drive it every year. I am locted in Nova Scotia, Canada. About 35 hours away. The first year we flew it cost the 3 of us $2500 and to drive it with food/gas/hotel etc not even $1000 for both ways. If we tried to fly then we couldn't go every year. It would be to much money.

Im sure everything will work out for you and I cross my fingers you find great deals.