Questions about the escape package and substitutions

[DVCajun]

I've been lurking around trying to find out some answers to my questions, but haven't seen them asked yet, so hopefully someone can answer them.

If you opt to use Randy Chapman (or other non-Disney photographer), do you get a credit on your package bill for the Disney photo part? Ditto for the musicians. Ditto for the flowers.

Also, if you call 370 days before your date, will they let you reserve it? It's kind of nerve wracking to think about waiting until the actual day, but I guess that's what everyone does?

 

[dmslush]

They pencilled me in at one year, I don't know if they will let you call any sooner than that. but, it doesn't hurt to try!

We booked outside photography, and they didn't let us get a credit, but they let us substitute the honeymoon photo shoot for the bridal photography.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

They wouldn't let me not even one day before have a discussion with them about details. It was so ridiculously rigid and unsettling.

I don't think they credit for anything unused since it's part of the package but I do know you can substitute the photography portion for a honeymoon shoot if you opt for an outside photographer.

 

[lurkyloo]

The only substitution allowed is for photography - you can have a Honeymoon Photographic Session inside one of the parks (during park hours, no wedding attire allowed). However, you will only get two 5x7 prints, not the 20-print album they give to people who pay for the session. Also, they say there's a $50 charge for doing parks other than MK, but several people have said they weren't charged.

Also, there's a new policy where you can't use outside vendors for floral & decor or entertainment (i.e., musicians) at outdoor locations (i.e., all the Escape wedding locations except the Wedding Pavilion). The exception to this is personal floral like bouquets and boutonnieres.

And one last thing! Right now Sunset Point can't be booked until 8 months out. But the other outdoor locations can be booked 12 months out.

Sorry for all the bad news...

 

[DVCajun]

Wow -- that's pretty strict of them. What a bummer.

I actually want a beach wedding, at the beach club. Anyone know anything about that? Also, I don't think we're going to even need a musician or florist --we're going very casual (think linen pantsuit for one bride and calf length dress for the *other* bride, and bare feet for both) -- we're probably going to be holding a flower. Not exactly necessitating a florist. But if we don't get a credit, guess we'll have to figure out how we'll use their services.

As for the music .... we were thinking CD player. I said casual, right? LOL We like "Kiss the Girl" for our post-ceremony music.

Anyway -- so re: photography -- if we use an outside photographer, can we exchange the Disney photographer for pics inside the parks IN our wedding attire? I'm most interested in pics on castle balconies, etc. before park opening.

Thanks for all of your help!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Disney's pretty strict about keeping to the Escape package, so you have to have it at one of the five sites they offer. Sunset Pointe at the Poly is kinda beachy... It may be on grass, but it has palm trees! There is sand nearby! And you can see water!

Or you could see if they'd let you do the Wedding Pavilion Beach if you paid the extra dough to have a Wedding Pavilion ceremony. I know they let Wishes weddings use it....

Alternatively, I believe the Swan/Dolphin has a beachy wedding site - check out the sticky at the top of this forum.

Oh yeah, and re: photography, the only package they let you swap for is the Honeymoon one where you can't wear your dress(es). But they will happily sell you the Magic Kingdom Bridal Portrait Session (where you CAN wear your dress) for $1,000.

 

[DVCajun]

But they will happily sell you the Magic Kingdom Bridal Portrait Session (where you CAN wear your dress) for $1,000.

I bet!!!

 

[XmasPixie]

Alternatively, I believe the Swan/Dolphin has a beachy wedding site - check out the sticky at the top of this forum.

And the Swan packages do allow you to substitute - you can actually put together an a la carte package only paying for the services you need. The downside is that you cannot have a Magic Kingdom photo shoot since the Swan packages are not through Disney. But you could book Disney for a honeymoon shoot but as the others have said it is during park hours and no wedding attire BUT a calf lenth dress for "one bride" (provided it does not look like a wedding gown) and a pant suit for the "other bride" would probably not be a problem. Love your post-ceremony choice of music.

 

[DVCajun]

It's not so much park pics that I want -- it's the pics on the castle balcony.

 

[DecemberBride]

I will say you're right about Disney keeping close to the Escape locations... but my disney floral and WC have been amazing with helping me keep costs down on other things I want (floral and other a la carte things)... so don't be afraif to ask!