Reception at Canada Terrace, Epcot - view of Illuminations?

[Debs24]

Hi all

Just wondered whether anyone out there has any experience of a wedding reception (or a dessert party) at Canada Terrace, please?

My daughter and her fiance are looking at this space as a possible venue for an evening reception for 14-18 people (wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast will have been at WP and Grand Floridian in the morning).

There appear to be limited options for receptions in Epcot for small parties of under 20 people, so it may be that it's Canada or nothing, but does anyone know whether we'd get a decent view of Illuminations from there?
I understand it's a requirement to hire a Disney host/hostess for a few hours whilst we use this location - is it part of their role to arrange for the party to be taken to a decent viewing spot if the view from Canada Terrace isn't fantastic?
The wedding guests will mostly be Disney World virgins and it would be a real shame if they missed out on the show!

Ideally, we are looking for a location where we can hold a reception/meal for our small party and also be able to watch Illuminations as a group, but I guess it's possible that a dessert party may be our only option in the end. We have looked at the options for dessert parties around Epcot but, again, it is only the smaller locations which are available to us and many of them seem to offer standing room only, which isn't ideal as our party includes guests with disabilities, a few aged 70+ and possibly two very young children!

Also, the planned wedding date is in August (not THIS August - I wouldn't be this calm if the wedding was so close!!) so there is a possibility of a little rain shower every now and then(!) - does anyone know whether there is an indoor alternative for parties at Canada Terrace in case of wet weather?

Any comments and ideas for possible alternatives will be most gratefully received!

Many thanks.

 

[lurkyloo]

Disney's literature says that IllumiNations can't be seen from Canada Terrace. It seems like you might be able to glimpse the higher fireworks from there, but it's definitely not an IllumiNations viewing area. There is the Canada Overlook dessert party spot across the "street" and down toward the entrance to World Showcase, but its view is not that great—lots of branches overhead to block the higher fireworks.

I understand it's a requirement to hire a Disney host/hostess for a few hours whilst we use this location - is it part of their role to arrange for the party to be taken to a decent viewing spot if the view from Canada Terrace isn't fantastic?

No. They just lead you from the entrance/backstage to the party location, guard the entrance, and then escort you back to the exit/transportation you've hired. The only time they would help you move to a different location is if your party gets rained out—then it would be set up inside, and the guide would lead you to the outdoor location you'd booked so you can watch the fireworks.

Unfortunately, most of the smaller viewing locations Disney has set aside do not have very good views. And if you book one, that's the one you get—there's no latitude for moving around looking for a better spot.

Ideally, we are looking for a location where we can hold a reception/meal for our small party and also be able to watch Illuminations as a group, but I guess it's possible that a dessert party may be our only option in the end.

Adding a meal to an IllumiNations event at Epcot increases the food and beverage minimums dramatically. For example, a dessert party at Rue de Paris, a smaller viewing area for 20-100, bumps the food and beverage minimum from $460 to $2,255.

We have looked at the options for dessert parties around Epcot but, again, it is only the smaller locations which are available to us and many of them seem to offer standing room only, which isn't ideal as our party includes guests with disabilities, a few aged 70+ and possibly two very young children!

It is a drag that so many of the smaller spots are standing-room only. Outpost Overlook has tables and chairs, but the view is crummy. Vikings Landing has benches (Disney says it can't guarantee they'll be there, but they've been there for YEARS!), but it has the same "branches overhead" view problem as Canada Overlook. The small spots in France and Morocco have decent views, it's just that whole standing-room thing that gets you...

I would suggest inquiring about the slightly larger venues with 20-person minimums, like UK Lochside/UK Terrace, Morocco Oasis, and Isola West Plaza. In the past, groups smaller than 20 have been allowed to use these spots if larger groups don't book them. This may mean a white-knuckle wait til 30 days out from the wedding (which is when Disney will know if no one else wants them), but the trade-off is a much nicer space. You may also have a better chance since your high-end estimate is 18 people—that's practically 20 people!

Also, the planned wedding date is in August (not THIS August - I wouldn't be this calm if the wedding was so close!!) so there is a possibility of a little rain shower every now and then(!) - does anyone know whether there is an indoor alternative for parties at Canada Terrace in case of wet weather?

There's always an indoor backup, but it's hard to say what space they'd give you as a backup for Canada Terrace. They don't assign it til 30 days out, for one thing. Sometimes the dessert party rain backup is American Adventure Parlor/Dining Room and sometimes it's Norway Loft, but both of those are so far from Canada that they don't seem practical. I don't know of any closer indoor spaces, unless they'd put you in the Odyssey ...

 

[Debs24]

Wow!

What a fantastic, informative response - I am hugely impressed and very grateful for your input!
You have helped tremendously with our planning.
Now we're armed with your info we're turning our thoughts to the whole range of options available to us including changing the time and location of the ceremony, reconsidering the reception venue and looking for options for evening entertainment for our small party!
I'm certainly not complaining though - we've plenty of time to make our decisions but at least we'll be more likely to make the right ones now!

Many thanks once again!

 

[lurkyloo]

No problem—I'm sure it'll all work out for you and the event will be amazing!