Site Thread - French Island Lower

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Ok ladies... I'll start this off. Every so often, I will edit this first post to combine info and pictures as much as possible. Instead of posting alot of pictures, I will often post links to websites with pictures. I will also add quotes from other websites about restrictions and information.

This is from the Disney Weddings Website:
This attractive location set on French Island also offers a romantic experience for you and your guests including an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower replica and the World showcase.
Guests gather at a private dessert party location to view IllumiNations, a rhapsody of lasers, lights, fountains, music and fireworks which encompasses all of World Showcase Lagoon.

SPECIAL GUIDELINES
Food and beverage minimum for use of this venue for Reception or Dessert Party is $17.50 per person (exclusive of service charges and sales tax) for a minimum of 50 guests.
Cold food items and a limited Chef's choice of hot food items can be served at this location.
An additional $12.50 per person will be charged for viewing IllumiNations:Reflections of Earth.
Disney charter bus transportation required to use this venue.
One park host/hostess at a charge of $90 each will be required per each 50 guests at this venue. After three hours, a $20.00 per hour charge will be applied for each additional hour.
A set up fee of $75.00 will apply if tables and chairs are requested.

Required Wedding Minimums for hosting a Wishes Wedding
The following minimum wedding expenditures (excluding tax and service charges) must be met to host a wedding event at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort. These guidelines, based on season, day of week, and time of day*, have been designed to offer a variety of options to fit your budget, party size and personal wedding wishes.

Minimums can be met through a combination of food & beverage, floral, décor, music, entertainment, photography/videography, special transportation, venue rentals, and other wedding day services.

*During certain seasons, and on holidays, a higher wedding expenditure may apply. Please ask your Wedding Consultant for more information regarding those times.

Food & Beverage Minimum Expenditure
A minimum of $75.00 per person, plus 20% service charge and 6.5% sales tax will apply to functions beginning prior to 2:00pm and a minimum expenditure of $100.00 per person and plus 20% service charge and 6.5% sales tax will apply to functions beginning after to 2:00pm.

The best pictures I have found are from Taz:http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/france_terraces.htm

A sound system is $450 for this site. (Please remember these prices are not guaranteed). This includes set-up and tear-down. You need to bring you own CDs and some one to do your announcing.

You could have candle light as long as the candles are protected by some sort of glass, like votives, or hurricane glass, or vases.

You can also request a round-trip bus. This bus would go directly from your pick up location (for me it's the Yacht Club) to Epcot, then back to the pickup location (again for me that's the Yacht Club). I was estimated $365 for this. My SM also told me that for another stop it would be an additional $50. This is great for those of you on a tight budget. (like me)

Tables for 8-10 guests come dressed in a floor length white linen, and an uncovered banquet chair. As posted by Pixie08, you can also have black linens.

The buffet tables will be set up near the arm, where a kitchen/prep area will be set up (I believe on the arm)

Be prepared for minimal tables and chairs for a dessert party, receptions should have seating for all guests.

 

[TheSawas]

I'm really glad you posted this information (some of which was especially helpful such as knowing the tables are covered in white linens and the basic set-up of the area). MY EM suggest the French Terrace and for some reason I just thought I really wanted the UK . . . needless to say the pictures and information you have posted made me feel confident in my EM's suggestion.

THANKS!

Jenny

 

[pixie08]

Just FYI we were offered black linens so if you are interested this may be an option as well!

It seems for DP they do not set up too many tables and chairs though- it is more of a mingling type of thing. We are having about 65-70 people on the upper french Island for a welcome dessert party. They are setting up 7 4 top tables with chairs (so about 28 seats) and 7 high boy tables so people can rest their drinks and food.

Just thought I would share!

 

[disprincessatheart]

A few things worth noting for brides wanting to use this for a reception site instead of a DP.
1. The minimum guest count doesn't always apply - we're only have 35 ppl and aren't paying extra.
2. you can upgrade the linens to other colors
3. the provided chairs are plastic - the kind that don't fold but stack - these are also upgradeable. We're doing a banquet padded chair with white cover and purple bow for $10.50 ppn (2006 price)
4. you can only do buffet dinners as there is no kitchen close enough to assemble and serve plated dinners
5. cake choices don't include mousse fillings due to lack of temperature controls - don't want to eat spoiled wedding cake!
6. you're required to use private transportation for the bride and groom, and it's highly recommended for the entire group. The pricing for the bus is $85 per hour with a 3 hour min and it will make as many stops as you want


That's all I can think of for now, but it's a beautiful site and I don't think anyone would regret doing any event there!! I'll post pics after my wedding - just 8 weeks now!!

 

[PrincessBride07]

I just wanted to add that my WC told me that they will allow a 30 guest minimum for this site. (Lower Island only)

 

[DisneyFairy19]

I am considering having Dessert party at Italy Isola or in UK.. Thanks for posting the info.

 

[DLR2WDW]

The information about the food and beverage minimum is outdated...it is actually $19.50 per person plus the tax and gratuity.

 

[mom2cinderella]

Cold food items and a limited Chef's choice of hot food items can be served at this location.

Does anyone have a list of what the Cold Food items and Chef's Choice items are?

Thanks! Michele

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

I'll post what I can, but as prices can change with no warning, I will use the $, $$, $$$, $$$$. But I haven't gotten a new list yet