Reception ideas for Intimates... Cruises? Private dinners?

[ChocolateMouse]

if youre having an intimate please bear in mind that if the DFTW people find out youre having a proper "reception" they will probably cancel it. janine had this happen to her.

You've got to be kidding! Two days ago I thought I was on top of things with my intimate DFTW. Then I found out they don't provide a stereo to play music (first dance). Today I've read they might cancel my so-called "reception"?

When I talked to my intimate consultant, she wasn't too interested in anything after the ceremony. I asked her if we were on our own and she said "yeah, basically." I made many calls to Disney - group sales, grand gatherings, WDW-DINE, WDW-PLAY, etc. I spent a lot of time and effort learning what I could do. I inquired about dining, dessert parties, cruises and so forth. I even called non-Disney owned vendors like Fulton's Crab House.

I spoke to group reservations at Narcoossee's and the lady explained what they could do for me including working with the Grand Floridian bakery. We talked about dinner, personalized menus, custom desserts, making another cake to show off on their cake stand, hanging out in their lounge with the live piano player and enjoying the Wishes fireworks. She even liked the idea of us walking around the GF in our formal wear to take photos. I was very happy talking to her.

A day later, my DFTW consultant called me back and asked what I was doing. She had found out from one of the above groups that I was inquiring about group bookings. I explained I was just trying to organize a nice dinner with my guests and view fireworks afterwards. She said all she could do was book an Illuminations dessert party for me. I declined since she quoted me a minimum of $1300 for it. Eventually, I made my own bookings based on conversations with Grand Floridian cast members.

I've since been passed to a wedding planner. I still have my bookings (or at least I haven't heard otherwise), but if DFTW cancels them then I'm just not going to Disney anymore. That's just being a bully and we all have our limits.

 

[*MissNorway*]

That sucks!

It seems it toally depends on who your planner is. Mine provided menus, booked tables and everything....

 

[ForKeeps]

When I talked to my intimate consultant, she wasn't too interested in anything after the ceremony. I asked her if we were on our own and she said "yeah, basically." I made many calls to Disney - group sales, grand gatherings, WDW-DINE, WDW-PLAY, etc. I spent a lot of time and effort learning what I could do. I inquired about dining, dessert parties, cruises and so forth. I even called non-Disney owned vendors like Fulton's Crab House.

I spoke to group reservations at Narcoossee's and the lady explained what they could do for me including working with the Grand Floridian bakery. We talked about dinner, personalized menus, custom desserts, making another cake to show off on their cake stand, hanging out in their lounge with the live piano player and enjoying the Wishes fireworks. She even liked the idea of us walking around the GF in our formal wear to take photos. I was very happy talking to her.

A day later, my DFTW consultant called me back and asked what I was doing. She had found out from one of the above groups that I was inquiring about group bookings. I explained I was just trying to organize a nice dinner with my guests and view fireworks afterwards. She said all she could do was book an Illuminations dessert party for me. I declined since she quoted me a minimum of $1300 for it. Eventually, I made my own bookings based on conversations with Grand Floridian cast members.

I've since been passed to a wedding planner. I still have my bookings (or at least I haven't heard otherwise), but if DFTW cancels them then I'm just not going to Disney anymore. That's just being a bully and we all have our limits.

I think you should be ok. I had the Chef's Domain at Citricos (a nice dinner), my guests hung out at the GF while I went for pictures, and I chartered the Grand 1. I never even mentioned the Grand 1 to my WC. And when I booked it, I told them flat out that we were getting married earlier. Of course, my WC didn't seem to be on the ball about much. As far as I'm concerned, if you play by their rules (i.e., you're not having a reception but a nice dinner and you have other activities planned that are available to ANY OTHER WDW guest) then what right do they have to cancel anything? Just keep on keeping on with the planning. So far all we know is that for some reason a GF summerhouse booking seems to break the DFTW "rules" for intimates, but as long as I've been on here I haven't heard anything about fireworks cruise cancellations, or cancellations for reservations in a restaurant.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

About the Wishes cruises, the 21 ft Basic cruise doesn't have the music piped in??

I just booked that and would be upset if that were the case.

 

[hisprincess]

About how much does the Grand 1 cost?

 

[CharlotteQL]

You've got to be kidding! Two days ago I thought I was on top of things with my intimate DFTW. Then I found out they don't provide a stereo to play music (first dance). Today I've read they might cancel my so-called "reception"?

When I talked to my intimate consultant, she wasn't too interested in anything after the ceremony. I asked her if we were on our own and she said "yeah, basically." I made many calls to Disney - group sales, grand gatherings, WDW-DINE, WDW-PLAY, etc. I spent a lot of time and effort learning what I could do. I inquired about dining, dessert parties, cruises and so forth. I even called non-Disney owned vendors like Fulton's Crab House.

I spoke to group reservations at Narcoossee's and the lady explained what they could do for me including working with the Grand Floridian bakery. We talked about dinner, personalized menus, custom desserts, making another cake to show off on their cake stand, hanging out in their lounge with the live piano player and enjoying the Wishes fireworks. She even liked the idea of us walking around the GF in our formal wear to take photos. I was very happy talking to her.

A day later, my DFTW consultant called me back and asked what I was doing. She had found out from one of the above groups that I was inquiring about group bookings. I explained I was just trying to organize a nice dinner with my guests and view fireworks afterwards. She said all she could do was book an Illuminations dessert party for me. I declined since she quoted me a minimum of $1300 for it. Eventually, I made my own bookings based on conversations with Grand Floridian cast members.

I've since been passed to a wedding planner. I still have my bookings (or at least I haven't heard otherwise), but if DFTW cancels them then I'm just not going to Disney anymore. That's just being a bully and we all have our limits.

I've pretty much done the same research did and I can NOT believe that your WP called you back like that. I really can't understand the reasoning behind booking an Intimate means that you can't do something nice/creative for your guests afterwards.. it's almost like they're against it. I love the idea someone else had where they did the Grand 1.. I want to find out more about that one.

Luck, luck, luck to you! I'm sure it will all work out just fine.