Possible Escape Wedding - questions galore!

[Cruncy Tortillas]

Hi!

It's not official that we are having a Disney wedding yet but it's something we are looking into [aka me still trying to convince him! ] and I was just wondering some things.

If this happened - we'd be getting married at The World and there would only be about 4-8 guests so it would be an Escapes package. I know that comes with a cake and champagne reception and I do love that and I would want that.

My question is could you add on a dessert party too with the escapes package in addition to that? Not necessarily on the same day (holy desserts!) but maybe like the next day? Would you still get the wedding special with this package or not because it is only escapes? And also because it would be a different day and in addition to regular reception? Would I just have to book it at regular price with Disney Catering? (All the guests would be staying on site if that matters.)

And final weird general dessert party question, exactly how private is the private dessert party?

Onto venue....

For getting married at The World I know at least Escapes brides are lowed down the list if they want to get married at the Wedding Pavilion. I was wondering if there is an ideal time of year where not that many weddings are happening at The World where an Escape bride could have a better chance at getting the Pavilion?

And this is a very odd question but I was just wondering and I know it depends on time of year....but when is the best actual time of day to get married at the WP in terms of having the best sunlight? lol

Also, what are some final things I can convince my fiance to have a wedding here? He's a Disney fan too!

P.S. - If I can convince my fiance, I would love to get Carrie's book about this stuff!

 

[lurkyloo]

Welcome!

My question is could you add on a dessert party too with the escapes package in addition to that? Not necessarily on the same day (holy desserts!) but maybe like the next day?

Yes, you can add one on. Your Escape Collection planner can help you with that.

Would you still get the wedding special with this package or not because it is only escapes?

Not sure what you mean... Dessert party prices are the same whether you do them through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings or Disney Catered Events. The only difference is that in-park events have a mandatory $10/person (except bridal couple) viewing fee through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, but if you do them through Disney Catered Events you only pay $12.95 for those guests who don't have park admission.

And also because it would be a different day and in addition to regular reception? Would I just have to book it at regular price with Disney Catering? (All the guests would be staying on site if that matters.)

The dessert party would be an add-on, not a replacement for the 20-minute cake and Champagne reception that comes with Escape. So it doesn't matter when you do it.

And final weird general dessert party question, exactly how private is the private dessert party?

Only you and your guests are allowed into the venue, but each venue has a different level of privacy. UK Lochside in Epcot is extremely private because it's down a long path away from the main walkway. The Grand Floridian Marina is directly in front of Gasparilla Island Grill, so you will have a lot more traffic going by and maybe people standing around at the edge of your party to watch the show.

You can see photos of all the venues here: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/

For getting married at The World I know at least Escapes brides are lowed down the list if they want to get married at the Wedding Pavilion. I was wondering if there is an ideal time of year where not that many weddings are happening at The World where an Escape bride could have a better chance at getting the Pavilion?

It's not that they're lower on a list, it's that Wishes couples have an earlier shot at booking the Wedding Pavilion than Escape Collection couples do. But as you surmise, during less popular seasons and on less popular days, there's less competition. Just didn't want you to think you would be treated as a second-class citizen for choosing Escape!

The most popular month is October. December and November are pretty popular too. September would be lighter because it's hurricane season, and it's usually not too busy the rest of the year if you avoid holidays. I'd shoot for January (except Marathon Weekend) or early February (before President's Day) for the best combo of availability, crowds and weather. Also, picking a weekday will greatly increase your chances. Saturday is THE most popular day of the week for weddings.

And this is a very odd question but I was just wondering and I know it depends on time of year....but when is the best actual time of day to get married at the WP in terms of having the best sunlight?

Not odd at all, and definitely a good thing to consider! Photographers recommend you aim for morning or late afternoon for the best light. Midday has the harshest light. In Florida, morning is usually a safer bet in terms of weather, especially during hurricane season, when they have afternoon showers pretty much daily.

Also, what are some final things I can convince my fiance to have a wedding here? He's a Disney fan too!

• It is unique. None of your friends has had a wedding like this.
• Your guests will say it's the best wedding they've ever been to.
• Disney makes the planning really easy—there are so many little annoying things you don't have to think about, like cutlery rental or heat lamps.
• You don't have to leave the next day for your honeymoon cuz you're already on it.
• You can visit 11 "countries" in a single day, plus the realms of Fantasy, Adventure, Tomorrow and Yesterday. Also, animals. And Tower of Terror.
• There are so many other fun activities at WDW, you could be there 2 weeks and not set foot in a park if you didn't want to. See Honeymoons, Part 1 and Honeymoons, Part 2.
  
• Dole Whips! (Or Citrus Swirl or Mickey Bars or Tonga Toast or Mickey Waffles—pick your poison)

 

[Cruncy Tortillas]

Welcome!



Yes, you can add one on. Your Escape Collection planner can help you with that.



Not sure what you mean... Dessert party prices are the same whether you do them through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings or Disney Catered Events. The only difference is that in-park events have a mandatory $10/person (except bridal couple) viewing fee through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, but if you do them through Disney Catered Events you only pay $12.95 for those guests who don't have park admission.



The dessert party would be an add-on, not a replacement for the 20-minute cake and Champagne reception that comes with Escape. So it doesn't matter when you do it.



Only you and your guests are allowed into the venue, but each venue has a different level of privacy. UK Lochside in Epcot is extremely private because it's down a long path away from the main walkway. The Grand Floridian Marina is directly in front of Gasparilla Island Grill, so you will have a lot more traffic going by and maybe people standing around at the edge of your party to watch the show.

You can see photos of all the venues here: http://disneytravelbabble.com/disney-weddings/wdw-venue-photos/





It's not that they're lower on a list, it's that Wishes couples have an earlier shot at booking the Wedding Pavilion than Escape Collection couples do. But as you surmise, during less popular seasons and on less popular days, there's less competition. Just didn't want you to think you would be treated as a second-class citizen for choosing Escape!

The most popular month is October. December and November are pretty popular too. September would be lighter because it's hurricane season, and it's usually not too busy the rest of the year if you avoid holidays. I'd shoot for January (except Marathon Weekend) or early February (before President's Day) for the best combo of availability, crowds and weather. Also, picking a weekday will greatly increase your chances. Saturday is THE most popular day of the week for weddings.



Not odd at all, and definitely a good thing to consider! Photographers recommend you aim for morning or late afternoon for the best light. Midday has the harshest light. In Florida, morning is usually a safer bet in terms of weather, especially during hurricane season, when they have afternoon showers pretty much daily.

• It is unique. None of your friends has had a wedding like this.
• Your guests will say it's the best wedding they've ever been to.
• Disney makes the planning really easy—there are so many little annoying things you don't have to think about, like cutlery rental or heat lamps.
• You don't have to leave the next day for your honeymoon cuz you're already on it.
• You can visit 11 "countries" in a single day, plus the realms of Fantasy, Adventure, Tomorrow and Yesterday. Also, animals. And Tower of Terror.
• There are so many other fun activities at WDW, you could be there 2 weeks and not set foot in a park if you didn't want to. See Honeymoons, Part 1 and Honeymoons, Part 2.
  
• Dole Whips! (Or Citrus Swirl or Mickey Bars or Tonga Toast or Mickey Waffles—pick your poison)

Thank you so much! You answered all of them, and so well! Thank you!

Yes, a big reason this appeals to me is that this would also be out honeymoon too so it's like you can just combine costs of wedding + honeymoon. I live in a very expensive area so it's like, 30k-40k for a big wedding I wouldn't be comfortable having and that's NOT including a honeymmo that would be like 5k+. But with Disney Escapes, it would be anywhere from 15k-20k, maybe a little more, for the wedding of my dreams, everything he wants, people closest to us to enjoy, and it would also be a honeymoon all rolled into one so it's actually a lot cheaper overall.

And I am such an indecisive person, so I really like how the Escapes is just "pick from these options, no substitutions." I know a lot of brides don't like that but for brides like me, it takes a lot of stress off our shoulders! Plus, I think the options are super cute already!

I do have another question I thought of - I know wedding dresses aren't allowed in the parks but what about downtown disney or the boardwalk? If we went, it would defnintely be abit more about relaxing and less about going into parks for rides. I don't know how I will feel on the day regarding if I want to change out of wedding dress but I want to be clear about my options. Is wedding dress forbidden in downtown disney and boardwalk too? Or is that okay?

Also, do they still have the cute marriage certificate?

 

[geek+nerd]

DH and I had an Escape wedding in 2011. After our off property lunch with our guests, we went downtown and rode characters in flight in our wedding clothes.

We had a dessert party that night. Our five year old niece and I were the only ones who stayed in our wedding clothes for that. Poor DH was too hot. He wore his groom ears, though. I was he$# bent on wearing my dress in a park

Our wedding is the best I've ever been to! Our guests loved it. Adding on the dessert party definitely makes it unforgettable.

 

[lurkyloo]

The only place they can stop you from entering in your wedding attire is a theme park. The resorts and Saratoga Springs have no prohibitions on it.

Walt Disney World wedding haven't received a commemorative marriage certificate in the 10 years I've been tracking them. Maybe you're thinking of the Disney Cruise weddings?