Question about transportation

[SamSam]

As our Anniversary Celebration at Epcot UK Lochside (appetizers and drinks) is drawing near (next month), I've been visiting these boards again for last minute tips and helpful ideas. I'm not sure how I missed it before, but if I'm reading posts correctly, transportation must be provided for our guests to get them to Epcot.

Is that correct? If so, I'm not sure why my contact at Disney catering hasn't made that clear. I know that several of my family members plan on making a day of Epcot and will already be there (it's a casual celebration). Everyone has tickets so admission isn't an issue.

If it is required will I have to go through Disney Catering or can I arrange it with Mears on my own?

Last minute jitters, working out all the little details but still very excited to be having 23 family members join us.

 

[lurkyloo]

It's really only the wedding events that enforce the transportation thing, and even then, not every location in Epcot necessitates it. Transportation is not usually required for UK Lochside because it is so close to International Gateway—that's why your planner hasn't mentioned it.

 

[MrRomance]

As our Anniversary Celebration at Epcot UK Lochside (appetizers and drinks) is drawing near (next month), I've been visiting these boards again for last minute tips and helpful ideas. I'm not sure how I missed it before, but if I'm reading posts correctly, transportation must be provided for our guests to get them to Epcot.

Is that correct? If so, I'm not sure why my contact at Disney catering hasn't made that clear. I know that several of my family members plan on making a day of Epcot and will already be there (it's a casual celebration). Everyone has tickets so admission isn't an issue.

If it is required will I have to go through Disney Catering or can I arrange it with Mears on my own?

Last minute jitters, working out all the little details but still very excited to be having 23 family members join us.

I can't comment on Epcot venues, but we hired the small patio at Fantasmic! for our reception meal through Disney Catered Events. If your guests have park tickets (ours do) they still charge the "viewing fee" and I'm assuming that they will refund it. We only needed transportation for my wife and I as she wants to wear her wedding dress and it will (and I quote...) "compromise the integrity of the princesses for her to walk through the park".

 

[tric8783]

Our DP is in the UK upper and lower and we're not using any transportation. Most of us are staying at the BC so we're meeting everyone there and walking right over. My planner had no issues with this!

 

[TabZ]

We only needed transportation for my wife and I as she wants to wear her wedding dress and it will (and I quote...) "compromise the integrity of the princesses for her to walk through the park".

best

line

ever

 

[lurkyloo]

I If your guests have park tickets (ours do) they still charge the "viewing fee" and I'm assuming that they will refund it.

They will refund it. They used to just take your word for it and not charge up front, but now the policy is to charge the viewing fee up front and refund it after they get a count of guests at the event with their own admission.

 

[tric8783]

They will refund it. They used to just take your word for it and not charge up front, but now the policy is to charge the viewing fee up front and refund it after they get a count of guests at the event with their own admission.

Our planner actually told us this was optional (just spoke to her last Friday), we could also choose how many people we wanted to pre-pay for/estimate how many people will have tickets of their own. We're pre-paying the viewing fee for 1/2 assuming at least 1/2 of our guests will have tickets!

 

[lurkyloo]

Considering MrRomance's experience, it sounds like this may just depend on the whims of the planner, like so many things at Disney. Hopefully your planner's approach will become the standard one—it's nice not to have to shell out extra money right before the event if you don't have to!

 

[SamSam]

Thanks so much everyone for your quick replies, it's a relief to know it's not required. I will probably still hire some transportation for those guests who plan on being back at our resort (Kidani) to rest, etc. and get ready for the evening in Epcot.

 

[Ash8716]

We did not use any transportation either. Our planner was fine with this as many of our guests had park tickets and were making a day of the park. The guests who didn't have tickets were met at the front gate by CM. We also did a BOC for the guests who didn't have tickets. It was taken from the $1000 deposit remaining.

 

[erin.w]

They will refund it. They used to just take your word for it and not charge up front, but now the policy is to charge the viewing fee up front and refund it after they get a count of guests at the event with their own admission.

In reality - I'm glad I looked back when we got our final bill because they over charged us for the number of people. We knew who had annual passes and used them to get in. They mis-counted. Lesson learned - know the number of people ahead of time!

 

[SamSam]

Thanks for all the good advice, I will definitely keep tabs on all who have tickets. Right now the all do, now if they just follow my advice and make that day their Epcot day (for those that have one day-one park tickets).
Trying to pin people down on what they plan is the hardest part, I don't mind ordering a van or limo for those that plan on being back at our resort before the celebration, I just don't want to line transportation up and find that 'everyone' is already in Epcot!

I think I just need to relax and go with the flow more, as this is our 40th I doubt we'll do something to this scale again so I need to just take a breath and enjoy.

 

[SamSam]

whoops starting a new thread for this question.