Please help choose my Dessert Party Reveal

[cp_princess]

OK so as some people have probably read I'm an extremely lucky Disney bride who is having a Rehearsal Dinner/DP on the Italy Isola. Now we're having the party on 12/3/08 but our guests don't know where or that it's a DP, they just have been told it's a Rehearsal Dinner in Epcot. As a matter of fact most think it's in Canada at Le Cellier since we originally planned to eat there because we like it so much.

So Erik and I have been debating on the best way to announce to our guests the time and place and the fact that in addition to dinner they'll be getting an Illuminations Dessert Party. He thinks we should just tell them up front and not make it a secret. Because he thinks they'll all ask questions anyway. Basically I feel like very little of the wedding week will be a surprise for them. I know this is because I'm so excited and can't help but share all the info. But I feel this is one way to add to their magic quotient for the week.

So I decided I want this to be one big surprise for everyone. The only people who know are Erik, me, his parents (since they are paying) and my parents. I've sworn Erik and my parents to secrecy and told Erik to do the same with his parents. Now here is where I need everyone's help. I'm going to list the ideas I've come up with so far for the big reveal. If you have any other ideas I'd love to hear them too!

Option 1: The night before, during our Welcome Event - which we haven't nailed down yet- we give everyone a large envelope. Included are instructions, an easy Epcot treasure hunt (I'll make up from a Disney book I have and my Disney knowledge) and a sealed envelope that contains the location of the party. On the front of the sealed envelope, and in the directions will be instructions that if by X time (about 20 to 30 minutes before start time) they haven't reached the last clue to please open the envelope so that we can all meet together for the surprise. Then everyone who doesn't want to participate can also open their envelope at that time too so that everyone will know when and where to meet. They'll know it's the last clue because Erik and I will be waiting there for them. However anyone who brings back a sealed envelope - in other words anyone who has solved the hunt- will get a small prize. For instance a bag of candy or a couple of Disney dollars or something of that level maybe worth up to like 5 dollars at the most. I'll also give an estimated start time so people know when and where to start if they choose to participate. Just a note while I love this idea because I think it's a lot of good old Disney fun. Erik doesn't think it's a good idea. His main reason that he shared with me was he thinks that the kids who don't win will get upset that others are getting something.

Option 2: A much simpler option - and if I start getting crunched for time I may end up going this route. But I really want the honest opinions of other people first. So I would create a flyer, with a picture of a gondola on the top. Then on the day of - for all guests on property and the night before at the welcome event for those not staying on property I would present these to the guests. On property guests we'd slip it under their door the night before. Off property guests it would be in their welcome bag. The flyer would say something like: Because we are so excited that you could join us for our wedding week, a special Rehearsal Dinner and Illuminations Dessert Party is being held for all of our guests tonight, 12/3/08. Erik and I would be honored if you would meet us at Epcot's World Showcase, Italy Pavilion so that we can all arrive as a group for the party. Please dress in business-casual attire since we'll have a photographer on hand. We will be meeting up at X time.

Option 3: Same as option 2 except the wording will be different. I'll leave out the part that tells them it's an Illuminations Dessert Party and just tell them we have a surprise at the Rehearsal Dinner and we all need to meet up in the Italy Showcase by the Leaning Tower. Then once everyone is there we'll lead them to the Isola and explain that it's also an Illuminations dessert party. So we still get to see them when they learn about the surprise.


OK all please let me know what you think...

Thanks in advance



Christine

 

[Skylarr29]

I voted for a letter telling them where to meet but no DP info. I am doing the same thing as you. I want to have my rehearsal dinner location a secret so all I am putting on the invites is the time of the rehearsal and "Dinner Immediately Following" I think it will be so much fun to keep it as a surprise! GL with whatever you choose!

 

[Lisacope]

I think your idea sounds really cute but I know that for myself I would really stress out about people not being where they need to be and be on time. It seems hard enough organizing a big group of people without trying to make them think too hard about what they need to be doing and where they need to be. When it got time for the dinner, and some of the people weren't there, I would be worrying about them being lost or not "getting the memo" and missing the party.

 

[Lisella]

Even though Option #1 sounds like fun, I think I like #3 the best. Less stress for you and for your guests. Some people like to be prepared for things, especially if some of them might be tempted to make other plans for after your dinner... With #3 you still get to surprise them a bit while they'll already be ready to spend the evening with you.

 

[KQAN]

One thing I would be concerned about - will all the guests have park tickets for that day? If not, then you'll have to pay the viewing fee for them, and you'd probably have to explain it to them ahead of time, right? Just a thought...

 

[cp_princess]

Thanks everyone who has participated so far. Still looking for more input from anyone who reads but figured I'd answer some of the questions asked.

In regard to tickets. We have told people already that we'll be doing the dinner in Epcot and that everyone is invited and encourage to attend as there will be a special surprise. We've let them know that, while it may be unconventional, they'll need park tickets for that day. Based on the information we've had, talking to our family and closest friends, most of them are making this a Disney vacation, and most of them intend to have tickets that day anyway. The only people who wouldn't be likely to be wandering the parks that day, are my FFIL and his wife, and DF's grandparents, both are in the position where buying a one day park ticket will not be an issue at all. Especially since the FFIL knows exactly what's going on with the party.

Yeah the worry that people will have plans afterwards, or want to rush back to get the kiddies in bed was a concern for me. In their first newsletter we're letting them know that the party is for everyone and that we'll have more details in newsletter 2. By which point I'm hoping to have a more detailed idea of our time line so I can tell them for instance to plan to be occupied until 10:00PM. I'm hoping that by letting them know there's a surprise coming, and the fact that it's a special event they'll be willing to keep that time free or push back bedtime a bit if possible.

I also think that DF is worried that people won't make it to Italy in time to join us. He hasn't said so, just gave the whole kids feeling left out if they don't win a prize. That was one reason I intend to give everyone the answer and a set time to open it. My fear there was that people would be more concerned with proving that they figured it out and not open their envelope in time.

So far most of the replies seem to be leaning toward option 3. I'm looking forward to reading even more responses.

Thanks again,

Christine

 

[shezfrombermuda]

I think I would do option #3 as well. Option #1 is creative and sounds like lots of fun but I think I would stress out and be very worried that people might not show up on time. (especially if you had first timers). Option #3 would still be a surprise but guest would be prepared to stay and be dressed for the party.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I vote for #3 as well! It still lets the party and fireworks be a surprise, but lets people prepare for the evening. Have fun whatever you choose!