Rehearsel Dinner - HELP!!!!!!!!

[jamie0201]

Can anyone give me some good ideas for the rehearsel dinner?? My fiances mother wants to do this as feasible as possible, and disneys prices are not feasible enough for her. We have approx. 30 people who will attend the rehearsel. I called rainforest cafe and I am waiting on a quote back from them! Now she is thinking of renting a 2 story villa at the old key west with her vacation points for that one night, so we can do it there and order dinner in (pizzas and beer). Or she is thinking of going off property, to a pizza place. I dont think I want that! I wanted something a little nicer. Am I wrong to want something better?? What does everyone else think of all of this?? HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!

 

[megan926]

Hi. How are you in getting access to I-drive? There are some nice places there...Cafe Two To Tango (I think I spelled it wrong) and even Portofinos @ Universal is beautiful. I am not sure if you are trying to stay on Disney property though...How about a fun character dinner??? Just some suggestions....hope they help!

Megan

 

[ballroombelle]

I love the informality of rehearsal dinners (as compared to the oftentimes more formal wedding receptions).

I am not convinced that there AREN'T inexpensive options on property. What kind of budget per person are you looking for? Have you checked Deb Wills site (wdwig.com) which has menus plus prices?

Off the top of my head the British restaurant at Epcot seemed reasonable...and there're the view of the fireworks if you time it right.

Check out Deb Wills site...I'm sure you'll find a reasonable onsite option. And offsite wouldn't be the end of the world, either.

 

[ahutton]

Our group was about that size, and many of our guests were staying at Dixie Landings (now Riverside) so we arranged our dinner at Boatwrights. Everyone ordered off the menu, and we were seated in a an area that was a bit up and away from everything. I believe our bill came to around $650 for 30 people, some had more expensive entrees than others, a few ordered drinks from the bar but most had soft drinks. Our EM made the reservation for us, but it was not billed into the wedding.

 

[fugayzee]

HI Jamie

We are having our rehersal at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary hotel it is a buffet diner. It is about $23 for adults & $16 for kids. The food is really good & they even have a make your own sunday bar along with all kinds of cakes & cookies. Oh, it's a charachter dinner w/ Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goffy, & Chip & Dale. I love it there, its alot of fun!

 

[jamie0201]

Thanks for the ideas ladies!!! Ill look into them.

Unfortunatley, my future mother-in-law will do anything not to pay a lot of money. Her newest idea, is to use her vacation points to rent a grand villa at the old key west resort and have everyone there for pizza and beer. I told her before she books it, to make sure it will be comfortable for 30 people to sit down and have dinner, and be able to move around. I dont want everyone standing and uncomfortable. Otherwise, I told her Im fine with it, as long as there is room. For some reason I dont think there will be, considering it sleeps 12... How can 30 people be comfy in there??

I loved the idea of a character dinner, but there is no way she will spend $23 per person!!!

Im going to keep looking though!!

Thanks
Jamie

Im open to anything else??

 

[Jenn]

I hate to say it - but, maybe you might consider splitting the cost with her? Then, you can choose a location that you like, and a budget she can handle.

My sister had her rehearsal dinner at O'Hanas. We had about 20 people and the bill was $500 or so. We were going to all chip in, because the groom's Mom (father passed away) just couldn't afford that type of expense. The brother of the groom ended up taking the check and paid the bill, which we all thought was very generous of him.

 

[Jenn1979]

In order to conserve money, we are going for a no frills rehearsal dinner, we plan on having about 20 people and we are all going to hang out around the pool at All Star Movie resort (where we are staying) and ordering pizza enough for all. Drinks to be provided by each individual (since most will already have refillable mugs, and anyone who wants to spend money on a drink can). Once we are done, we are all going to go to MK to watch the fireworks and parade. Nothing fancy...just some time together.

 

[ahutton]

We haven't had 30 people in our Grand Villa - but FYI - they are VERY large and spacious. We did have 12 people stay in it, all adults, and we all had plenty of space to hang around in any one area, the living room, dining room or patio.

 

[jamie0201]

Thanks for the info! I just want to be sure there will be enough room for everyone to be comfy, if that is the way we do this!

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[hmgolden]

Jamie - I don't know how the Grand Villa's at the various resorts compare, but the night of our wedding, my parents ended up with 23 people in the Grand Villa they were staying at in the Boardwak, and we still had plenty of room. I hope that helps ease your mind if that's the way you end up going

-Helen

 

[jamie0201]

Thanks!!

 

[ahutton]

And the villa at OKW is actually larger than Boardwalk!

Maybe if pizza and beer is not appealing to you, will she consider other food options? There is a Winn Dixie down the street - take Hotel Plaza Blvd to 535, turn left and go about 2 miles - they may have something that is still cost effective but appeals to you a little more?

 

[jamie0201]

I am actually ok with pizza and beer. I just thought it would be more fun to go out someplace. As long as the OKW Resort Grand Villas are large enough to fit 30 people, maybe a little less, for dinner then I am ok. I just dont want anyone uncomfortable.


Thank you everyone so much!

Im always open to ideas/suggestions!!!