Site Visit Suggestions?

[YouLoveJulianne]

Hey everyone! I'm brand new to the boards (after lurking for quite some time!)

My fiance and I are going to WDW later this month for our site visit, and I am beyond excited but also a little nervous that I will forget to ask/do something while I'm there. Any suggestions or tips from former brides who have done the site visit? What things should I ask the planner? Any locations I NEED to see? Any other help?

Thanks in advance!! ::SO EXCITEDD!!::

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Welcome!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

And with regard to your question, I think the best approach is to do your research beforehand and go in with a list of places you are interested in. For example, the beach at the poly is beautiful, but has a very small capacity.

Think about your theme and the kind of place you would want: do you want a traditional ballroom and something more quirky? Do you want a traditional ballroom or something uniquely Disney?

Do you want indoor or outdoor?

Also how many people will you have? If you only have 20 people the GF ballroom probably isn't for you. If you have 100 Ariels is out.

If you have an idea of these things the people on the board can help make suggestions, let you know of any rules or experiences they've had with those situations.

 

[YouLoveJulianne]

And with regard to your question, I think the best approach is to do your research beforehand and go in with a list of places you are interested in. For example, the beach at the poly is beautiful, but has a very small capacity.

Think about your theme and the kind of place you would want: do you want a traditional ballroom and something more quirky? Do you want a traditional ballroom or something uniquely Disney?

Do you want indoor or outdoor?

Also how many people will you have? If you only have 20 people the GF ballroom probably isn't for you. If you have 100 Ariels is out.

If you have an idea of these things the people on the board can help make suggestions, let you know of any rules or experiences they've had with those situations.

Thanks so much for the welcome and the response! I am thinking that we will have about 80-100 people.. I definitely want something out of the ordinary (no typical ballroom - I can stay home and do a ballroom wedding in NY if that was the case! lol). From the pictures on DFTW site we love Sea Breeze Point for the ceremony, and I like the American Adventure Rotunda for the reception.

Other than that I'm open to suggestions. What locations would you suggest that are "uniquely Disney?" Thanks again for the response!!

 

[lurkyloo]

One thing to keep in mind is that you are usually limited to about 3 locations and they all need to be fairly close together. For example, if you wanted to see AAR and the Backstage Prop Shop and Maharajah Jungle Trek, you'd probably be told there was time only for the first two. Also, and this one's obvious, don't waste a slot on someplace you could visit on your own (like Sea Breeze Point and, to some extent, American Adventure Rotunda—American Adventure Parlor, on the other hand, you couldn't visit on your own).

My other tip would be to take lots and lots of reference photos to help you plan decor. And don't worry if you forget to ask something while you're there—that's what email's for!

For us, "uniquely Disney" meant having our ceremony inside Epcot and then having a dessert party during IllumiNations that evening. You can't really get that experience anywhere else.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Ask about rain backups for outdoor locations. If you don't like the backup offered, you might ask about requesting an alternative one.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

(IIRC the backup for SBP is often one of the Boardwalk Ballrooms)

 

[YouLoveJulianne]

Thanks so much ladies! Your tips are very helpful!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I am going to agree with lurkyloo here. We also had our ceremony in Epcot (Italy), our reception on the Boardwalk at Atlantic Dance Hall and then an IllumiNations dessert party back in Epoct at UK Lower. You can't get any more Disney then having your ceremony in a park.

I would highly recommend looking at Atlantic Dance Hall (ADH) while you are on your site visit. Our wedding was in November 2008 and we had 50 people but this place is large enough for over 100. We attending a wedding there a year after our wedding with around 100 guests and it was beautiful.

I know I have posted pictures before and I hope everyone does not get tired of seeing them but here are a few from our ceremony, brunch reception (10:00am 11:00am prereception 11:00am- 3:00pm brunch and dancing and our DP. ADH is definately not a ballroom.

Ceremony

Picture in Italy before the ceremony.

After the ceremony.

ADH for Reception
In front - you can even have your name put on the marque.

All our guests on the dance floor with Mickey and Minnie.

Set up from above.

IllumiNations Dessert Party.

Have fun at your site visit and bring lots of pictures and ideas.

Linda

 

[Ash8716]

I second Atlantic Dance Hall. It is such an amazing location. We did not want to do the ballroom thing either. We could do that in CT! ADH is like renting out a night club. Our guests loved it, we got so many compliments. It is a lot of fun!

One thing to keep in mind with America Adventure Is that you must guarentee 100 guests and if your count drops below they will move your location. I really wanted this location too and was figuring the same guest count as you. It's a good thing we didn't because we ended up with 85 people . If you are looking to do something at Epcot consider a dessert or welcome party. Also look into the Living Seas for a reception.

I agree with everyone else don't waste your time visiting places you can see on your own and really do your research. Put a list of questions together and ask everything no matter how small!!!! You will see there are a lot of rules for Disney weddings so it's best to know everything up front.

Also consider getting Passporters guide to Disney weddings. It is so beneficial especially down the road. It will go into details of ceremony and reception locations. There may be something you hadn't thought about before and will help you build your question list. Good luck

 

[YouLoveJulianne]

I am going to agree with lurkyloo here. We also had our ceremony in Epcot (Italy), our reception on the Boardwalk at Atlantic Dance Hall and then an IllumiNations dessert party back in Epoct at UK Lower. You can't get any more Disney then having your ceremony in a park.

I would highly recommend looking at Atlantic Dance Hall (ADH) while you are on your site visit. Our wedding was in November 2008 and we had 50 people but this place is large enough for over 100. We attending a wedding there a year after our wedding with around 100 guests and it was beautiful.

I know I have posted pictures before and I hope everyone does not get tired of seeing them but here are a few from our ceremony, brunch reception (10:00am 11:00am prereception 11:00am- 3:00pm brunch and dancing and our DP. ADH is definately not a ballroom.

Have fun at your site visit and bring lots of pictures and ideas.

Linda

Linda, thanks so much for the info! And, I will NEVER get sick of seeing Disney wedding photos! Thanks for posting them. I actually like the ADH venue, but DF wasn't thrilled with the pictures he's seen. However, I have chosen that as one of the venues to look at during the site visit because I want both of us to see it in person before he can shoot it down by just looking at it on the DFTW webstie. Btw.. I love the shot with Mickey and Minnie on the dance floor! So cute!!

Thanks for the advice!! And your pictures are gorgeous!

 

[YouLoveJulianne]

I second Atlantic Dance Hall. It is such an amazing location. We did not want to do the ballroom thing either. We could do that in CT! ADH is like renting out a night club. Our guests loved it, we got so many compliments. It is a lot of fun!

One thing to keep in mind with America Adventure Is that you must guarentee 100 guests and if your count drops below they will move your location. I really wanted this location too and was figuring the same guest count as you. It's a good thing we didn't because we ended up with 85 people . If you are looking to do something at Epcot consider a dessert or welcome party. Also look into the Living Seas for a reception.

I agree with everyone else don't waste your time visiting places you can see on your own and really do your research. Put a list of questions together and ask everything no matter how small!!!! You will see there are a lot of rules for Disney weddings so it's best to know everything up front.

Also consider getting Passporters guide to Disney weddings. It is so beneficial especially down the road. It will go into details of ceremony and reception locations. There may be something you hadn't thought about before and will help you build your question list. Good luck

Ashley, thanks for the suggestions! I have been going nuts trying to compile my guest list the past couple weeks because the the strict 100 person minimum of AAR! Thanks for recommending to make a list of questions.. It's something I'm definitely going to start ASAP. And, I may actually check out the Living Seas upon your suggestion (I've always been intrigued about that location!). I've heard of the Pass Porters book before, and it's actually on my Amazon wish list at the moment.. Planning to buy it ASAP! Haha. Looks like I have some planning to do before my trip! Thank again!!!!!

 

[Ash8716]

Ashley, thanks for the suggestions! I have been going nuts trying to compile my guest list the past couple weeks because the the strict 100 person minimum of AAR! Thanks for recommending to make a list of questions.. It's something I'm definitely going to start ASAP. And, I may actually check out the Living Seas upon your suggestion (I've always been intrigued about that location!). I've heard of the Pass Porters book before, and it's actually on my Amazon wish list at the moment.. Planning to buy it ASAP! Haha. Looks like I have some planning to do before my trip! Thank again!!!!!

We did a welcome dinner at Epcot the night before our wedding. It was suppose to be in France but because of weather (it was too cold) they moved it into the Living Seas. I was really not happy about this but it turned out really well. We were really pleased with this spot. I had never been there so had no idea what to expect. There's entire aquarium wall, it was a real hit especially for the kids. There were turtles and fish swimming by through dinner! They did a great job with setup of food. The only restrictions I believe are with sizes of tables. There are already tables of 6 in their which have to be used. You may be able to pay to remove them and bring in tables of 8 or 10 but I'm not sure. You also have your own bathroom separate from the restaurant which I liked. When I get our photos from that night I will post some for you! We should have them soon.

 

[tinydancr06]

The Passporter book is AMAZING! I would get it asap. I actually got the ebook version because I'm a little impatient but I saw the hard copy at Barnes and Noble the other day and I was so excited! Really, though, it has tons of information and may make it so you have a few less questions at your site visit.

 

[YouLoveJulianne]

The Passporter book is AMAZING! I would get it asap. I actually got the ebook version because I'm a little impatient but I saw the hard copy at Barnes and Noble the other day and I was so excited! Really, though, it has tons of information and may make it so you have a few less questions at your site visit.

I bought the ebook version today and put it on my kindle.. I'm already about a quarter of the way through it! Thanks again for the suggestion!

 

[YouLoveJulianne]

It's officially less than 2 weeks until our site visit.. I'm way too excited! My DF is looking forward to the 24 hour day in Magic Kingdom and could care less about the site visit.. hehe .. but it's ok, I'm excited enough for the both of us!
So... I've narrowed down a list of locations that we will see during our trip.. I wanted to share it with you girls (especially since you were so helpful).

Ceremony Locations:
1. Sea Breeze Point (our absolute fave from the pics we've seen)
2. Yacht Club Gazebo
3. Croquet Lawn
4. Wedding Pavilion

Reception Locations:
1. Living Seas
2. Atlantic Dance Hall
3. American Adventure Rotunda
4. Backstage Prop Shop (not sure if this is open because DF said they were remodeling the tour)


I know it seems like a lot, but we will be in Disney for 5 days, so I have no doubt that we could get it done.

I'm pretty sure the only locations that we NEED the planner to show us are the Living Seas, Atlantic Dance Hall, and Backstage Prop Shop (everywhere else we could access and see on our own) - so these will be the locations we request for the site visit.

I do have another question though... I've read somewhere that you could have the reception at the Tower of Terror Courtyard and The Pixar Place... is this true? And if so, what would be the head counts for these venues?

Thanks again, in advance!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Just about every venue at DHS is available for events. I have a breakdown with pricing HERE: http://disneytravelbabble.com/blog/2011/08/02/private-party-locations-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/

Pixar Place holds up to 1,500 with 60% seating, so you should be good even with 100% seating. I can't find the capacity for Tower of Terror Courtyard at the moment, but it is quite large—I'd estimate you could seat at least 100 people at 10 rounds of 10.

 

[YouLoveJulianne]

Lurkyloo, thanks! I'm now obsessed with your website too, btw.