Private party ideas

[cbombard]

anyone out there create their own special event with a little Disney magic? Looking for ideas for 2020. In June of 2020 it will be our 25th wedding anniversary, our daughters high school graduation, as as graduation for a close family friend. We travel with this family often and they too are Disney fans.

I have seen the blog of the wonderful couple that did a private dessert at England pavilion with a private table/viewing. What other things have people done? Tips and tricks appreciated. There will be 8 of us minimum, maybe as many as 16. Most likely just the 8.

Thinking something private that gives a little extra magic to a trip.

I do not have a budget yet, looking for ideas and realistic price expectations.

Love to hear what you have done, and see photos and anything else you are willing to share.

 

[hiroMYhero]

anyone out there create their own special event with a little Disney magic? Looking for ideas for 2020. In June of 2020 it will be our 25th wedding anniversary, our daughters high school graduation, as as graduation for a close family friend. We travel with this family often and they too are Disney fans.

I have seen the blog of the wonderful couple that did a private dessert at England pavilion with a private table/viewing. What other things have people done? Tips and tricks appreciated. There will be 8 of us minimum, maybe as many as 16. Most likely just the 8.

Thinking something private that gives a little extra magic to a trip.

I do not have a budget yet, looking for ideas and realistic price expectations.

Love to hear what you have done, and see photos and anything else you are willing to share.

Some guests set up private event meals that include characters of their choosing. The Character Events group will give you a list of characters with costumes (regular and rare) from which to choose and they will hang out with you for 30 minutes. One character runs close to $800 - in the hierarchy of character performers, these are considered the "elite" who are hand-picked for events.

I recently heard that Disney will set up a private Monorail/Dine/MK fireworks viewing evening similar to the Highway in the Sky dining/dessert/fireworks Party that is currently scheduled through September @ $160/person.

 

[Karin1984]

Check out the wedding board on the Dis, there are plenty of Disney brides who plan private parties for all budgets and sizes.
And Dis'er @lurkyloo has a beautiful collection of pictures and podcasts about everything Disney Weddings, including private parties. http://disneytravelbabble.com/
Earlier this year she had a private party for her anniversary in Universe of Energy. But also check out her Tower of Terror party. It's brilliant.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

You could rent the Grand One Yacht at the Grand FLoridian and maybe cater a meal as you sail on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. THe yacht is pricey, but not bad per person if you have a crowd.

 

[lurkyloo]

Here's a link to complete details on planning a private event at Walt Disney World. From there you can access the details on our IllumiNations dessert parties, Tower of Terror anniversary party and Universe of Energy anniversary party.

And this link shows all the private event locations at Walt Disney World.

 

[cbombard]

You could rent the Grand One Yacht at the Grand FLoridian and maybe cater a meal as you sail on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. THe yacht is pricey, but not bad per person if you have a crowd.

This is an interesting idea.. Depending on the size of our final crowd this might be a great idea.. thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Tagging @Regan117 on this discussion.

 

[anomamatt]

The Character Events group will give you a list of characters with costumes (regular and rare) from which to choose and they will hang out with you for 30 minutes. One character runs close to $800 - in the hierarchy of character performers, these are considered the "elite" who are hand-picked for events.

Just to update this, we did one last Christmas and the base private meet & greet cost was $1300 for 30 minutes (which is more than plenty of time) -- not sure if it has gone up since (would not be surprised). And that doesn't include the meal or space charge (cannot have a M&G without a meal and must have a rented space for the meal). All and all, it's super expensive (you'd be lucky to be under $5K, nothing close to $800). We did Belle in her Christmas dress.

 

[cbombard]

Just to update this, we did one last Christmas and the base private meet & greet cost was $1300 for 30 minutes (which is more than plenty of time) -- not sure if it has gone up since (would not be surprised). And that doesn't include the meal or space charge (cannot have a M&G without a meal and must have a rented space for the meal). All and all, it's super expensive (you'd be lucky to be under $5K, nothing close to $800). We did Belle in her Christmas dress.

So I understand, JUST Belle was $1300, correct?

 

[lurkyloo]

Current prices are $1,200 for the first character and $500 for each additional character at the same appearance. Some characters and venues require a backdrop at an extra charge, and there are also sometimes charges for different costumes. Your event planner can tell you if this is the case.

 

[anomamatt]

So I understand, JUST Belle was $1300, correct?

Yep. I don't recall the breakdown, but it could have been that her christmas attire was extra. But I know the character price alone was $1300 / 30 mins.

@lurkyloo is the expert, but from my understanding it's not possible to do "just character(s)" and no meal (I've asked several times and have always been told no). And for a small party (family of 4 in my case), it's not very cost effective. Well, none of WDW is cost-effective, but you know what I mean. What we paid would have been the same price if we had 10 people and then it's not a crazy price broken down per person (or it's less crazy).

I would totally pay to have characters meet my kids again, if we could forgo the meal and space charges... Having them spend 30 minutes with their favorite princess was priceless. This year we are going to save some money and just do a 2nd VIP tour day.

 

[anomamatt]

Current prices are $1,200 for the first character and $500 for each additional character at the same appearance. Some characters and venues require a backdrop at an extra charge, and there are also sometimes charges for different costumes. Your event planner can tell you if this is the case.

Your detailed write-ups, your site, and such are amazing! I wish I had found it sooner, it's such a treasure trove of information. And my personal interactions with the Disney Event Group have not been positive... so hard to find out what things will cost, etc. And they once actually told me to do a character meal instead (e.g., akershus)... haha.

Do you know if Grand Floridian private dining can have add-on characters? That could be a good solution for a smaller party...

 

[lurkyloo]

I'm so glad you find the site helpful! That's an interesting question... characters are booked through Disney Event Group, so maybe the private dining contact at GF could coordinate with them on that. However, they cannot appear in public outdoor locations. That 5th floor balcony may be OK if it's not super-visible to other guests, but you'd have to see what they say.

 

[lurkyloo]

Oh, and tips for working with Disney Event Group: If you're still working with your sales consultant, you'll get more specific detail from your event planner when you get handed off. If you're already working with your event planner, try CCing his/her assistant on every email—sometimes they're better at responding. Numbered lists/bullet points help too.

 

[MommaBerd]

Tagging @Keels - Have you heard about Highway in the Sky Dine Around. If you aren't familiar, you start at the Contemporary with a drink and appetizer, then you hop on the monorail and continue to Poly and GF for additional drink and food at each stop. (I'm really simplifying here.) Final destination is top of Contemporary for cordials, desserts and fireworks. She is planning a private one (really, a buy-out) for her group of friends. Here's the DIS thread with reviews: https://www.disboards.com/threads/highway-in-the-sky-dine-around-with-wishes-viewing-area.3563105/

 

[mustlovecats]

Oh, and tips for working with Disney Event Group: If you're still working with your sales consultant, you'll get more specific detail from your event planner when you get handed off. If you're already working with your event planner, try CCing his/her assistant on every email—sometimes they're better at responding. Numbered lists/bullet points help too.

Any chance you can you provide a price breakdown for your dinasour party?

 

[lurkyloo]

Tiki Dinoversary Party at Universe of Energy — Pricing Breakdown
(Click HERE link for photos and complete details)

• One-way vans: $42 each; holds 8 people
• UK Lochside Venue Fee: $250
• UK Lochside Food & Beverage Minimum: $460
• IllumiNations Viewing fee for guests without park admission: $15
• Test Track Ride mix-in fee for guests without park admission: $15
• Universe of Energy Venue Fee: $3,600
• Universe of Energy Food & Beverage Minimum: $1,080
• Floral & Decor: Depends on what you want.
• Sales tax on everything: 6.5%
• Service charge on food + beverage only: 24% + sales tax on the service charge

I had to save up a while for this party, but it was TOTALLY worth it!

 

[quandrea]

anyone out there create their own special event with a little Disney magic? Looking for ideas for 2020. In June of 2020 it will be our 25th wedding anniversary, our daughters high school graduation, as as graduation for a close family friend. We travel with this family often and they too are Disney fans.

I have seen the blog of the wonderful couple that did a private dessert at England pavilion with a private table/viewing. What other things have people done? Tips and tricks appreciated. There will be 8 of us minimum, maybe as many as 16. Most likely just the 8.

Thinking something private that gives a little extra magic to a trip.

I do not have a budget yet, looking for ideas and realistic price expectations.

Love to hear what you have done, and see photos and anything else you are willing to share.

I've done a few. We worked with the Swan on a vow renewal. Had Mickey and Minnie there. That was back in 2011.

I've done two Epcot Illuminations dessert parties. Both came in at the $500 mark. One was U.K. Pubside. The other Bonzai Terrace. We had sweet and savoury options at both.

This October we are having brunch at Animal Kingdom in Dinosaur Lounge. Following brunch, we are doing a Safari ride mix in. That event is costing about $600.

I think these are a great value, considering what Disney charges for their dessert parties and character meals, California Grill brunch, etc.

I've worked with the same planner for all and she offers unbelievable service. She will bend over backwards to make things happen.

 

[Timothy02359]

I did a surprise birthday/dessert party at the French pavilion through Disney catered events for my wife 2 yrs ago. We had about 25 people for an illuminations viewing with a custom 3 tiered cake. We also had cookies, soft drinks and coffee. Total cost came to about 1,900. I think the cake alone was around 450$.

 

[mustlovecats]

Tiki Dinoversary Party at Universe of Energy — Pricing Breakdown
(Click HERE link for photos and complete details)

• One-way vans: $42 each; holds 8 people
• UK Lochside Venue Fee: $250
• UK Lochside Food & Beverage Minimum: $460
• IllumiNations Viewing fee for guests without park admission: $15
• Test Track Ride mix-in fee for guests without park admission: $15
• Universe of Energy Venue Fee: $3,600
• Universe of Energy Food & Beverage Minimum: $1,080
• Floral & Decor: Depends on what you want.
• Sales tax on everything: 6.5%
• Service charge on food + beverage only: 24% + sales tax on the service charge

I had to save up a while for this party, but it was TOTALLY worth it!

That's awesome! I tried to do a specialty event for my honeymoon in 2014, similar to your TOT dessert party, but they wouldn't even talk to me because I didn't have 10 people, even though I offered to pay for 10.

It looks like you have more than the minimum, but maybe I'll try again for our small vow renewal I'm hoping to plan in 2019.