Private Dining Question

[PrincessTanyuhKaypoo]

Hi everyone!

I wasn't sure if this was the correct place but I'll try anyways. I'm thinking of doing a private dining event for my mom's birthday, and was wondering if anyone who has done an event could pass on any knowledge to me. I like to have a heads up before I call so that way I'm not completely clueless.

I was wondering how they do payment for an event. We won't be staying at the GF, but at POFQ, would it be billed to my room or do I pay in advance?

For a party of 6 what location options are available? I don't want to do the Yacht, but Wishes will be shown on the night of my event (Feb. 4th), and thought that might be a nice extra touch.

If adding the butler option, does he/she just stand back during the different courses or do they go to get the next course? If not is the food just brought out at once and served as required?

I know these are questions I should ask PD but I was also hoping there may be something I haven't thought of yet.

Thanks so much!
TanyaKP

 

[risy]

bump

 

[snuggles]

I'm not sure but I'll send this back up top for some answers.

 

[Penny12]

Hi Tanya

I'm in the process of booking some private events for a big group of us (200 people) from the DISboards in June this year, I am happy to share what I know but no guarantee that it'll be the same for your smaller party or whatever venues you decide upon

For my events, pre-payment in full is required. If a contract is required for your venue (for instance if you wanted to rent an area at a resort or park) then a 20% deposit of the minumum food & beverage requirements for that location is necessary. There is also a 'tiered' cancellation penalty which is % based on the minumum food & beverage requirement for that location - in other words the closer to the event, the bigger the penalty WDW will charge you.

I do not know if this is the case with the Grand Yacht I which is what I assume you are talking about for Wishes though. It's possible that if you just hired the yacht there would be no penalties if you cancelled, once you bring catering in to the equation though I imagine that would change.

Of course, this is only an issue if you plan to cancel - it's moot if you are sure you will be doing the event

Other locations that I have heard of for small events are within the parks inside a (non operating) attraction after park closing. ie. on the set of the Great Movie Ride, or Ellens Energy Adventure. Expensive but goes without saying they are cool. I believe there is an area somewhere at the GF where you can watch Wishes from that they set up for intimate dessert parties. There are also a number of private rooms at both parks and resorts. I know there's one somewhere at MGM (and has a patio for outside dining) and there is a great room at the Boardwalk (directly above Jellyrolls) which has a verandah where you could watch Illuminations from if you timed it right. These locations probably also have a food and beverage minimum for the location (rather than per person) so it really depends what kind of budget you are prepared to look at for your event.

Everything I've seen leads me to believe that you are served food in much the same way as in a restaurant, your waiter will bring each course to the table as you require it. What you should remember though is that you are specifically paying for something that you are requesting of WDW, not WDW saying "here's what we offer, come and get it if you feel like it" as they do with the parks and restaurants, etc. If you want something done in a particular way then you let them know and they'll do it (Within reason of course)

No.1 point to remember. When talking to Disney they usually talk in net figures. Both tax and Gratuity need to be added on with most options...and they add the gratuity (mandatory 20%) to your fee <i>before</i> they add the tax (6.5%).