Rehearsal Dinner

[skiqt323]

Where is everyone having their rehearsal dinner? We are having about 45 people and want something more low key than the wedding, but not something as simple as a bbq. We are staying at the GF and would love somewhere that is on the monorail as well. What do you think it would cost for 45 people?

 

[disneychickforever]

A lot of brides have the rehearsal dinner at Ohanas, which is in the Polynesian Resort. I think that might be a great place for you. Ohanas isn't super fancy but it's still close to the GF (like you said, you wanted one on the monorail line).

If you feel Ohanas is over played, try Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary! A nice character meal will feel really disney like.

Sorry I can't answer the cost question though...

 

[lurkyloo]

Ohana costs $26.99/adults, $12.99/kids. The prices go up during holiday periods though. Also, people have had mixed results booking for large groups (50 people). Sometimes they're totally amenable, other times they act like it's a huge hassle. You would have to book the first or last seating, usually around 5:30pm or 9:00pm.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

We are researching this as well but we are looking toward a restaurant in DTD or Boardwalk. We are having between 25-30 people. We are thinking about (hopefully) to make a personalized menu and have our guests choose from, have them pay for their own drinks and possibly doing lunch instead of dinner to keep the costs down.

Does anyone know if buses go from the hotels to the Boardwalk? I have a feeling we have taken one to there before but I don't remember if it was from DTD or from a hotel. Thanks!

 

[Skylarr29]

Our rehearsal dinner is at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney. We have about 35 people attending (it is a welcome party as well) and it will be at 4:15p.m. It is dinner time but since it is early we will be able to order off the regular menu instead of a banquet menu. We are ordering appetizers to be ready when everyone gets there and then they will order their entree. We are paying for non alcoholic drinks but if anyone wants something else the table will get a bill from the server. We did this to keep costs in check and to discourage everyone from drinking too much since we have a 10am wedding. I think the most expensive entree on the menu is about $26.00 so we are estimating $40 per person.

 

[lurkyloo]

Does anyone know if buses go from the hotels to the Boardwalk? I have a feeling we have taken one to there before but I don't remember if it was from DTD or from a hotel. Thanks!

Unfortunately, the buses don't go from resort to resort (including the BoardWalk) - they only go to theme parks and Downtown Disney, so guests will have to change buses there.

 

[beachprincess23]

We are also going to have a large number at our rehearsal dinner. We are thinking of having it at Narcoossee's (GF), but it will depend on how many people they can seat.

We went there for dinner last year right around MK fireworks time, it was so pretty! They dimmed the lights and played music that went along with the fireworks. It was a perfect view! Hopefully they can seat a large number because we think it will be really fun for our guests to see.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Unfortunately, the buses don't go from resort to resort (including the BoardWalk) - they only go to theme parks and Downtown Disney, so guests will have to change buses there.

Yeah, that is what I was afraid of. It will be something we have to think about. You know though, it makes me wonder how people get from their hotels to the Fantasia mini golf? You would think Disney would have the buses running to that as well. Which would be perfect since it is a 5 min walk from there to the Boardwalk. Oh well!

 

[kermit0223]

We are having our rehearsal dinner at the Yacht & Beach Club's Cape May for the New England Clam Bake buffet. Should be for around 30 people. Our planner sent us several menu options to choose from....but we are going to go with the regular menu they offer, more affordable that way! It's also walking distance from SBP where our rehearsal is.

 

[*Valdez*]

Yeah, that is what I was afraid of. It will be something we have to think about. You know though, it makes me wonder how people get from their hotels to the Fantasia mini golf? You would think Disney would have the buses running to that as well. Which would be perfect since it is a 5 min walk from there to the Boardwalk. Oh well!

I know everytime we go we have to take a bus to Hollywood Studios then take the boat to either Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, or Yacht Club.

 

[imnotaprincess]

We're actually hosting our rehearsal dinner for about 42 people at the Summerhouse at the Grand Floridian. We were thinking of doing Ohana's but really wanted someplace where we could actually talk to our guests. We didn't feel like we would be able to do that there. Crowded restaurant, etc...

Maxine gave us the menus, and we're having the chip n dale rehearsal - hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken etc. We've made it a luau theme and plan to make our own "ohana" feel.

A little more costly, but didn't feel it was too over the top for our own private event.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

We're actually hosting our rehearsal dinner for about 42 people at the Summerhouse at the Grand Floridian. We were thinking of doing Ohana's but really wanted someplace where we could actually talk to our guests. We didn't feel like we would be able to do that there. Crowded restaurant, etc...

Maxine gave us the menus, and we're having the chip n dale rehearsal - hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken etc. We've made it a luau theme and plan to make our own "ohana" feel.

A little more costly, but didn't feel it was too over the top for our own private event.

This was our original plan for 25-30 guests and it was going to cost about $1500 and we don't want to spend that much. We are way over budget and need to cut where we can.

 

[pixie08]

We actually had ours at Ohana which was a big hit but we only had 25.

We were planning abrunch the next day for around 50 people (it never went through we wanted to rest lol) at the GF Cafe. Our planner told us the have a semi private area in the back so that might be a nice laid back option.

Or you can always plan through DFTW.

 

[skiqt323]

The more I look, I am leaning towards Ohana's, we just came back from a wedding in Hawaii and I don't think ohanas can compete with that, haha. We were going to go with Rain Forest cafe, but I don't really like anything on their menu and it was waaay to loud to talk at all. Would Ohanas be a good place for a rehearsal dinner?

 

[gibsi53]

What about a rehersal desert party?

 

[skiqt323]

We were thinking that, but we are having our cocktail hour during illuminations and we don't want to double up.

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Hi, not sure if they still offer it, but we had our Rehersal Dinner at the Hoop De Doo Revue. Could be because we are Crockett's and they actually did the Davy Crockett skit for the last number (they usually did either Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone). It was such a blast! I loved that it was family style dining, we had front seating (and like 50 people!) The food was great, and like I said, it was cool since my DH's family are descendants of Davy Crockett, so it was even more fun (plus the fact you had to take the Crockett bus to the Campground at the time, so that was fun too.

But I digress. I don't know many families who would be in my situation! But the Hoop De Doo is an awesome dinner show, and everyone has a great time!

 

[lurkyloo]

That's really cool! Did you arrange it through your wedding planner or on your own?

 

[SarahInMN]

We're planning a "welcome dinner" rather than a rehearsal dinner and are inviting all of our guests (which will be around 50 people) at the California Grill. Our home resort (about 1/2 of our guests will be there) is the Grand Floridian so the CG is convenient and we'll be able to watch the MK fireworks.

We're super excited!!