Rehearsal Dinner Vent

[hcb0883]

I am so frustrated about my rehearsal dinner I have 24 ppl. coming and my planner is telling me that the only way to do one the dinner is to host a private event. Now I have no problem with this but, my future In-laws have volunteered to pay and all the minimums a like 2,000.00 + + which she says she refuses to pay.This is ridiculous that DFTW is stating that the restraunts will not accommodate my party without a private event !!!!!!!! Any advise

 

[princessdisneybelle]

What kind of feel do you want? I mean you could go have it at any restaraunt, but you might have to make the arrangements. Might not have a private room, but could still be great.

 

[PrincessBride07]

I would try calling disney dining (or the particular restaurant you want) directly. Another possibility is to call the people with Magical Gatherings. They may be able to accomodate you better. GL. Let us know how it goes.

 

[twojo21]

sorry to hear your having problems. we had our rehearsal dinner at whispering canyon cafe, there was 13 of us, we were near the back of the restaurant kind of secluded but not private (that might be the issue, do you want a private room?). we paid in advance on our master account, i booked the dinner on my own through group dining & then spoke to my planner & had her add it to my master account.

i would try group dining & see what you can do. ohanas seems to be a popular rd place & it has big tables that can accommodate bigger groups. best of luck.

 

[hcb0883]

I originally wanted to have it at The CG but my planner told me I had to have it in a private room and the least expensive of the rooms is 2000.00++ so my future MIL told me we would have to find another venue. So we discussed it and decided on the living seas so I called my planner and talked to her assistant. She told me that the restraunts will not book a party of more than 12 without the use of a private room because there was no garuntee that we would be seated in the same are and that with a party that size we would have to order dinner thru epcot catering.

 

[StitchBride]

Our planner made reservations at Ohanas for us and we're having 50+ people. The only thing she did say is that 1)we aren't all at the same table, but it will be close to each other and 2) We had to take either first or last seating.

HTH but I know the CG is picky about stuff...so you may want to choose another restraunt!

 

[Skylarr29]

Your planner is not entirely correct. Here is some info on using the California Grill for parties etc.

ANYWAY, I thought I'd post the options we were given for a RD at the CA Grille: 1) order from the banquet menu (seated in the Napa or Sonoma rooms) or 2) go with a group/large event menu (seated in the main dining hall). The latter, it was explained to me, worked as follows:

"Your guests may be seated on separate tables but we will do our best to get the tables close together or side by side. The first course will be served to your guests 15 minutes after the scheduled arrival time. Your group will have use of the tables for 2 1/2 hours. After that time, $500 per ½ hour room charge will apply. The Wine Room is not guaranteed or exclusive unless all 32 seats are reserved.

This is how our group menu works: Our chefs will prepare our three most popular flatbreads and our three most popular sushi items to be served to the table to share. Your guests will be served a Hearts of Romaine Salad followed by a scoop of house-made sorbet to "cleanse the palate". Your guests will have a selection of five entrées that will include two fresh fish items, two meat items, and one pasta item. Crème Brule will be served for dessert.

Pricing for the group menu is $65.00 per person plus consumption, plus 15% service charge, plus 6.5% tax (discounts do not apply). Coffee and soft drinks are included. Alcohol, specialty coffee, specialty tea, and bottled water are billed on consumption. We require a major credit card to confirm your priority seating reservations. If you cancel within 3 days of your reservation, your credit card will be billed $10 per person plus tax and gratuity. If your group cancels less than 24 hours ahead, your credit card will be billed $45 per person plus tax and gratuity. If your group does not cancel and is a no-show, your credit card will be billed $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. Once the guest count is guaranteed, the group will be charged for the guarantee. If you have any questions or would like to book your party, please call us directly at 407-824-3878. A credit card is required to hold your seats, otherwise all seating is booked on a first come basis."

 

[pooh98378]

I originally wanted to have it at The CG but my planner told me I had to have it in a private room and the least expensive of the rooms is 2000.00++ so my future MIL told me we would have to find another venue. So we discussed it and decided on the living seas so I called my planner and talked to her assistant. She told me that the restraunts will not book a party of more than 12 without the use of a private room because there was no garuntee that we would be seated in the same are and that with a party that size we would have to order dinner thru epcot catering.

You need to talk to someone else. In 2003, we had a BIG family vacation to WDW (including all my aunts, uncles, etc.). I know we did not have 24, but we definitely had more than 12 (my guess is that there were probably around 16 people). We had lunch at the Living Seas and there was no problem. We just called and made normal reservations like you would to any restaurant at WDW. So, unless something has changed in the last three years, you shouldn't have a problem as far as getting in. For seating, they sat us near the back in about three big booths that were next to each other.

 

[JoD]

We had our rehearsal dinner for 39 people at Cape May in the Beach Club. We booked it ourselves and they let our party arrive before they opened and put us all together in the corner of the restaurant.
It worked our perfect for us and everyone loved the food.

 

[aprincess72]

You might consider a Downtown disney restaurant as well. We are having our wedding dinner at Raglan Road. They have a semi-private room called the Snug that seats up to 26 people. We aren't having to pay anything for the room and they are even doing some special set up for us. I was given the option of doing a full menu or limited menu. The most expensive thing item on the menu is $28 so I think we can get out of there for around $800.
They have been awesome to work with so I highly recommend it!

 

[Laurafoster]

I think the issue is more that they will not guarantee you will be sat together in a restaurant! We had Ohanas and had 27 people and had to have either the early or late seating but it worked out great in the end!

What about restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin? Some of their restaurants have private rooms? Or theres Fultons at DTD? Jonette had a fab looking rehearsal dinner there?

 

[hcb0883]

Thank you ladies for all your comments! It has made me feel a WHOLE lot better I appreciate all your recomendations

 

[disprincessatheart]

We had (might still have) reservations for 20 ppl at the Grand Floridian Cafe for our rehearsal dinner, and for a while we had a reservation for 40 ppl at Chef Mickey's for a rehearsal breakfast - we changed our minds on that later, hence the two reservations. We were also told we had to do either first or last seating, but that was the only limitation. While I'm sure there are some restaurants that simply can't accomodate or wouldn't be appropriate, I think in general more are able to be used than not able. I'd push back on this one.

 

[figmentfan814]

I have been exploring options at some of the Downtown Disney restaurants for my rehearsal dinner. I have talked to the Portobello Yacht Club and Wolfgang Puck Cafe. I have also been exploring some options of restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts. The rest of my wedding is being planned through DFW, but I figured I could handle this portion myself. Plus, the restaurants start out at cheaper rates than some of the minimums required by Disney.

 

[pixie08]

We are having 21 people at OHana's, no minumums to deal with and the food is a set price which is a plus. It is laid back and that is what we wanted since the wedding is a bit more formal. It is costing us way under $2,000. We made our own ressies and we are having it billed to our wedding account so we do not have to worry to much that day.

There are a ton of inexpensive nice places on property I have seen used:
Ohana, Whispering canyon cafe, 1900 park fare (characters but has a small private area you can request) GF Cafe, Spodles

Then there are the pricier Cg, Jiko, Narcoosee's etc

Only thing is with Restaurants for larger parties you usually have to do the first or last seating.Good luck!

 

[Laurafoster]

Someone had a fab looking dinner at the rainforest - out on that private patio over looking the water? I think it was TwoJo21 - that looks like a great idea!

 

[twojo21]

hi laura!

thanks for the compliment. we did have a private welcome dinner for all our guests at dtd's rainforest cafe the sunday before our wedding, it was a blast.

hcb0883 you can read/see more under my trip report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1209040&page=2&highlight=twojo21