Private Dining Disappointment for Locals

[wdwpluto]

We live locally and I had the idea to try and set up a private dining experience for DH and I to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary (we got married at WDW back when we lived in NJ).

I heard from GF private dining today and you can only book a private dining experience ($200) IF you rent the Grand One (like $350) or are staying at a Disney Hotel.

She kept trying to push the Grand One rental on me and I said "thanks but no, we'll be spending our money elsewhere".

Pretty unfair to us locals, no? Heck, we spend nearly $900/year on passes and they want us to shell out for the yacht because we're not staying on property (when we live 30 mins away)?

 

[deej696]

What are the private dining options? My DF and I live about an hour away and this sounds like something we may want to do after our wedding at WDW next year. I agree that it kinda stinks you have to stay at a resort, but we will already be there. Any insight into the options???

 

[disnut8]

It does suck for the locals and also for the "no-so-locals". We're from Atlanta and go down frequently during the year (every three day weekend, Thanksgiving, etc.). We have annual passes and usually stay offsite. We can't get a lot of the "neat" stuff because we don't stay onsite. But, Disney is a business and they cater (no pun intended) to people who don't go to Disney World that often.

To offset all that, we just rely on our knowledge of Disney World and figure out ways to overcome all that. For your situation, I would consider something like getting a resort reservation for one night and then ordering room service for your own very private dining experience. And it doesn't have to be at Disney World. Gaylord Palms isn't that far away.

 

[fla4fun]

So if you book a room on property, you can book private dining? Can it be a value room? It would certainly be a lot cheaper to book a value room than to book the Grand One. Just a thought.

 

[MulanMom]

Maybe you need to be staying in a Disney hotel so they can arrange private dining in your room?

 

[MinnieGirl33]

So if you book a room on property, you can book private dining? Can it be a value room? It would certainly be a lot cheaper to book a value room than to book the Grand One. Just a thought.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[deej696]

Where can one have private dining? What are the options??

 

[Tiffany]

We live locally and I had the idea to try and set up a private dining experience for DH and I to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary (we got married at WDW back when we lived in NJ).

I heard from GF private dining today and you can only book a private dining experience ($200) IF you rent the Grand One (like $350) or are staying at a Disney Hotel.

She kept trying to push the Grand One rental on me and I said "thanks but no, we'll be spending our money elsewhere".

Pretty unfair to us locals, no? Heck, we spend nearly $900/year on passes and they want us to shell out for the yacht because we're not staying on property (when we live 30 mins away)?

Where were you looking to have your private dinning arranged if you are not staying at one of the deluxe resorts?

 

[ccigliano]

Just want to know what "Private Dining" is.

 

[DVC Sadie]

The last time we had "private dining" was over 5 years ago and we were staying conceirge at the GF and had a small anniversary party. They set up the meal and entertainment for the children outside where we could all enjoy the firework show.

We also had a nice, intimate cocktail party on the "Breathless" several years ago which included hor dourves and drinks.

You can order "private dining" or a private party by calling the WDW special occasion coordinator or speaking with your conceirge at the WDW where you will be visiting.