Should I ruffle feathers? Help!

[sajetto]

Okay in a previous post I had said that I spoke with my coordinator Juliana. I told her I wanted the WP for Jan 8, 2007. She says the new policy is that those wanting the WP have to wait until 8 months before however, there are plenty of people getting married this year that booked a year ahead. Should a go over her head and ask for someone else to confirm this information or not? Would I just cause trouble doing that. And since I'm not booked for a date could I ask for a different EM or would I really be digging my grave? I'm just really worried b/c I can't even make arrangements for an MK photo shoot, Randy Champman, or an officiant until I get a confirmed date. What should I do?!

 

[Luvndisney]

asked in a previous thread...where is your dinner afterwards? or are you having a reception?

ok already answered my question.

If it really bothers you then call. But don't use the other brides as examples. Just ask them if this is a new policey.

Good Luck

 

[sajetto]

Sorry, I just posted the response in the other thread. This is just an intimate so it will only be the commander's terrace no ballrooms or anything like that. The one thing I really worry about is not being able to book the MK session b/c I've been told that their slots fill up fast and that is one thing I have to have for my wedding.

 

[Luvndisney]

um thats a tough one. I would call and voice your concerns becsue of these reasons you listed. But do not ask for a new EM. Wehn you call ask that you can speak to another em.

 

[sajetto]

Also, I understand that they have not written the 2007 contracts yet so why would they have a new policy for 2007 without having a contract. However updated contract or not, in the past they have booked brides a year in advance and informed them of the new package elements and costs when they were published. WHy should next year be any different?

 

[TInk218]

We were told that they hold the lottery 1 year in advance and at that time you can tenativley hold your date. But you can not sign the contract until 8 months.

 

[sajetto]

We were told that they hold the lottery 1 year in advance and at that time you can tenativley hold your date. But you can not sign the contract until 8 months.

Was this for the wedding pavillion? Do you know the number of another EM just so I can ask??

 

[TInk218]

Yes we are looking at the WP and thats what we were told. Im not sure of the number but our EMs name is Diane.

 

[sajetto]

Thanks for the suggestions. If anyone has the number of another EM could you PM me so that I can call directly? I won't be mentioning that any other brides gave it to me nor will I mention that it seems like the other brides have been told something different than myself. I'm just calling to confirm what the policy is for booking at the WP

 

[JonetteA]

I really hate to start this argument. But I think that they have different time slots for intimates/rehearsals/customs than other. I would just set your date, and come up with a wonderful backup alternative. The WP is nice, but Disney has other magical places.

 

[sajetto]

The WP is nice, but Disney has other magical places.

Unfortunately the MY DF hates the WL and YC... not a gazebo person. He liked suset pointe but it looks like were having at least 13 people (10 max for that location so it bumps us out) I understand there are other nice places but I've wanted the WP since I was 15 years old I'm only doing this once. Can you blame me?

 

[Eric-n-Ariel]

Has anyone who booked since Jan 1st been able to book WP more than 8 mo. out? Maybe it's a rule for those booking now (i.e. - this year).

 

[sajetto]

Jonette, who is your wedding planner I know you started out with a guy and then switched to a different wedding planner later. Was it hard for you to switch. I think I'm ending up in your past situation. The girl I have is sweet but she really seemed unsure of her answers to my questions and I'm not really sure that our personalities mesh well our conversations have been a little brisk but it may just be that she's busy or having a bad day

 

[Rustyflwr3]

We booked exactly one year out, January 13th 2007 for the wedding pavillion. We are custom, so maybe it has to do with whether its intimate or custom. I might talk to her again and if it's the same answer call back a day or so later and just ask whoever answers the phone.

Jessica

 

[engagedatWDW]

I don't know if this information will help or not, but I think the lottery business is reserved for custom ceremonies. The reason I think this is when I made my initial call to Disney Weddings they gave me information about a lottery since I didn't know at that point if I was going to be custom or intimate. Turns out once I got some more info I decided on an Intimate ceremony and was assigned an EM. When I booked my date (approx 10 months out) she just checked the availability of WP and booked us since I already had my hotel reservations. At least for 2006 Intimate ceremonies, all that is required to book is availability (duh) and accomodation reservations - they would pencil you in for the ceremony date and then you'd have to call back within 72 hours with your hotel confirmation number and then it would be finalized.

I'd give them a call back and go in with a game plan - write down the things you need answers to or cleared up.

 

[hiwaygal]

sajetto,

I know you are anxious to get started with the planning...everyone here can certainly understand that panicky feeling! Trust Disney...it will all work out!!

I believe (but am not certain) that it is custom brides who can "book" one year out (even though the contract is signed later).

Have no fear! I decided to have a Disney wedding and planned it all in just 5 short months. As someone else mentioned, Disney is like a well oiled machine with these weddings.

I would just tell your coordinator that you want to book the MK photo shoot (since you know that fills up) for whatever day YOU want. My guess is, your time and date are "penciled" in for the WP and if someone else happens to also want that time, there will be a mini-lottery. Remember, that there are several slots for TIME on the same date! So you will most likely still get the date you want, even if the time is not your first choice.

I don't have my EM's information here, but I will send you her email address in a PM later tonight, if you want it. There are times when it is "appropriate" to go over your EM's head, I did (and went directly to the "top" of DFTW)...it didn't hurt anything but I felt weird...I'm not sure if this is that time or not, that's a decision you have to make.

Again...trust Disney...it will all work out in the end!!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I just have one question.... have you already booked your hotel reservation for the time of your wedding? If not, that may be why they won't let you book one year out.

When I spoke with my EM before I had my hotel stay, I was told she could look and see if the date was available, but I could not book that date until I gave her my ressie number. Then, she had to pull it up with the computer to confirm it. When I called her back with my reservation number, she was able to book the date and time at the WP that I wanted. And I am 11 months out, not 8.

Just a thought, but that may be the problem. Hope you are able to work things out!

 

[sajetto]

We booked for POR last week from Jan 6-16. We even bought our park tickets but we cant add dining until Disney decides the pricing for 2007.

 

[ead79]

No, I don’t think you should ruffle feathers. If you want to politely ask another EM if the new policy is to book at 8 months out for intimate weddings at the WP, then that would be fine. I wouldn’t, however, go over your EM’s head. Back when I was planning my wedding (a custom wedding in 2003), Disney’s policy was that custom brides could reserve their preferences in terms of locations at a year out. Ballrooms could later be taken by corporate events, but this didn’t apply to us because we had an in-park reception. I believe that when I was planning, Disney booked custom brides at a year out and intimate brides at 8 months out. If I were you I would just voice my concerns to my EM and possibly ask another EM for the official policy just to double check.

I have noticed from several of your posts that you seem to be concerned since you do not know many brides who had your EM. Don’t worry—the Disney EM’s have been meticulously trained and have experience. I know it can be frustrating to deal with Disney’s timeline, but don’t worry. They have done thousands of weddings, and they truly are experts.

 

[giddygirl]

I don't think it has anything to do with being Custom or Intimate. We are having a custom wedding and had to wait to confirm the wedding pavilion / sign the contract at the 8 month mark. They give brides that are having a reception in a park the opportunity to sign a year out but that's because the in park reception locations book up really fast (and are available for more functions than just receptions). My EM did tell me that they had me pencilled in for the date and time of the wedding. Do you know if you EM has done that yet?

P.S. I definitely agree with an earlier poster that you shouldn't give the, "Well this bride got it, why can't I?" line. Sharing information oustide of the FTW department should work in everyone's favor, not just the brides... KWIM?