Stuffing Our Faces On Land and Sea - A Wedding & Honeymoon at WDW/DCL

[BarbP]

Love that you love food! Looking forward to more. Thanks for writing this.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Joining in! Love the wedding picture - can't wait to see more! I'm also enjoying your reviews and I am interested to hear what you chose for your wedding reception menu.

 

[kastoney]

Your lunch at yacht club looks great. So have to try some of those fries sometime. I'd bath in truffle oil if that wouldn't be frowned upon.

Your rehearsal dinner food was presented really well. Definitely doesn't look like standard buffet fare. Pizza and pasta sounds devine to me. I've had the cobbler at WL and the topping looked nothing like that. Maybe that's how they do it in Washington. #confused

 

[hockeygirl14]

cant wait to read more! I'm an event management student and think Disney weddings are incredible!

 

[Misha72683]

We woke up nice and early on Friday morning for our ADR at Crystal Palace with a handful of our friends. One of our groomsmen and his wife invited us to come along with them almost as soon as they booked their trip, and I didn't hesitate to say yes - Crystal Palace is one of those places I know I visited during my Disney trips as a child but can't for the life of me remember, and since DH and I don't seek out character meals on our own I was excited to try out a place we otherwise wouldn't get around to for awhile.







I felt a little awkward trying to taking pictures of the full buffet, so all I have for you is pictures of my plate:


Starting from the top of the plate - Pooh's Puffed French Toast, corned beef hash, Mickey waffle (of course!), breakfast potatoes, potato casserole, breakfast pizza, eggs with I want to say some kind of spinach in them (what else would be green?) a sausage frittata, some watermelon & a strawberry and breakfast lasagna.

Yep, I go all out

The standouts on this plate were by far the breakfast pizza & potato casserole - I loved the crunchy peppers and even though I haven't had much in the way of breakfast pizzas before (I always avoided eggs until recently) I feel like it was definitely excellent! As for the potatoes - they were cheesy and gooey and tasty and WONDERFUL! Yum Yum Yum. And of course who can resist a Mickey waffle?

The other items on the plate were fine - nothing out of this world but nothing awful as well. I grabbed the puffed french toast and breakfast lasagna due to their online popularity but neither impressed me much. If anything I thought the breakfast lasagna was a little weird. That being said, I would totally try both on my next visit to CP (whenever that may be) just to be sure.

Plate #2 was more of the favorites and some extras: more breakfast pizza & cheesy potatoes, some Disney bacon, a cheese danish & apple & raisin quinoa (look! I can try to be healthy!)



I don't know why I persist in grabbing Disney bacon - maybe in the hopes that one day it'll magically taste like real bacon? The quinoa was a poor choice, it smelled amazing from the pot but did not taste delicious to me. I don't think I even touched the cheese danish; who has room for pastries when Mickey waffles & breakfast pizza are on the line?

(By the way, I have no picture of Kevin's plate, but I can tell you exactly what he got with confidence - Mickey waffles. Just Mickey waffles. You'll see when we get to the cruise that my DH is a creature of habit...)

And of course, it's not a character buffet without characters. I will say (from the perspective of someone who doesn't care about characters at all) that I appreciated that the characters looked at our table of 6 20-somethings and said hello, took a quick picture, and left. Much appreciated



If I had to pick a favorite Pooh character, it would be Tigger - I relate to his hyperactiveness - so we all enjoyed seeing this picture later to see that Tigger was actually looking to replace Kevin!



Based on the food I would give Crystal Palace a 7/10. I would very happily come here in the future for breakfast pizza, cheesy potatoes and Mickey waffles and be happy as a clam. The characters will keep me away for some time though, unless we travel with friends again like this, or whenever we visit with little ones of our own.

I'm now tempted to eat at Crystal Palace. My little ones love Winnie the Pooh. We aren't really planning on many breakfasts, but this one does sound decent and I think my husband would like the waffles.

 

[MagicKingdomMommy80]

I'm loving your dining review. I can't wait to see the wedding reception pics! You've inspired me to look into renewing our vows at Disney in 2016.

 

[elphie101]

Love that you love food! Looking forward to more. Thanks for writing this.

Thank YOU for reading it!!

Joining in! Love the wedding picture - can't wait to see more! I'm also enjoying your reviews and I am interested to hear what you chose for your wedding reception menu.

I'll try not to post TOO many wedding pics here - it is a dining review after all

Your lunch at yacht club looks great. So have to try some of those fries sometime. I'd bath in truffle oil if that wouldn't be frowned upon.

Your rehearsal dinner food was presented really well. Definitely doesn't look like standard buffet fare. Pizza and pasta sounds devine to me. I've had the cobbler at WL and the topping looked nothing like that. Maybe that's how they do it in Washington. #confused

Glad to see I'm not the only one confused by the "cobbler". I've since been told by my MIL that I was confusing my cobblers with crumbles, so maybe that's just what I was expecting - but regardless it wasn't that good.

I believe you can get those fries at Yachstman too, should you be visiting there any time in the future!

cant wait to read more! I'm an event management student and think Disney weddings are incredible!

Planning this wedding has seriously made me consider going into wedding planning as a career - I don't think I could ever hack it though! Kudos to you for living in that world!

I'm now tempted to eat at Crystal Palace. My little ones love Winnie the Pooh. We aren't really planning on many breakfasts, but this one does sound decent and I think my husband would like the waffles.

If you kids love Pooh then I think it's a great breakfast! Sounds like it has something for everyone for you

I'm loving your dining review. I can't wait to see the wedding reception pics! You've inspired me to look into renewing our vows at Disney in 2016.

You absolutely should renew your vows at Disney!! I'm already planning our Disney vow renewal 15 or 20 years isn't too far away to plan is it?

 

[elphie101]

Well guys, it seems all my promises of wedding food pictures have come up short! I don't have nearly as many pictures as I would like of the food itself (though I suppose pictures of the people who were there is far more important ) but I can still share with you our menus!

Our reception was held at Atlantic Dance Hall on the Boardwalk (where the food is cooked over at the Boardwalk Inn and then brought over). Because Atlantic Dance Hall does not have it's own dedicated kitchen, it is strongly recommended that you host a buffet vs a plated meal in this venue, which is what we wanted anyway!

I can't remember if I mentioned it previously, but because our ceremony was in Epcot we were required to have a 9:00am ceremony time, no earlier, no later (so that everything could be set up and broken down before World Showcase opens at 11:00am). Because of this, we got to serve brunch at our wedding! Our menu was as follows:

**Pre-reception/Cocktail Hour (we weren't serving any alcohol at 10:00am so I don't think you can call it a cocktail hour ):

• Cinnamon Rolls, Danish and Croissants with Whipped Butter, Jams, and Preserves
• Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and Selection of Teas

**Reception Menu:

• Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil with Balsamic Drizzle
• Seasonal Vegetables Tossed with Citrus Olive Oil and Sea Salt
• Parmesan-crusted Chicken Marsala
• Hardwood Smoked Bacon
• Egg Cookery Station: Made-to-Order Omelets, Choice of Smoked Salmon, Ham, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Onions, Mushrooms, Peppers, Asparagus, Salsa and Egg Substitute
• Mickey Waffle Bar: Made-to-Order Mickey Waffles with choice of Seasonal Berries, Caramelized Bananas Foster, Warm Maple Syrup and Whipped Cream
• Martini Action Station: Yukon Gold Potatoes, Grown-up Truffle Macaroni and Cheese or Creamy Parmesan and Champagne Risotto, with toppings of Lobster Meat Salad, Aged Cheddar, Chive and Crisp Prosciutto
• Assorted Juices, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Iced Tea, and Selection of Teas

And now, some food pictures for you all:

0797_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr
I know I've shared this already, but can you ever really have enough pictures of Mickey Waffles?

0795_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr
Truffle Mac & Cheese on the right, with mashed potatoes on the left and all the toppings - all the mac & cheese, potatoes & risotto were served in these little blue martini glasses (perfect for having off to the side as you fill your plate with other things!)



The martini action station as it was on our menu tasting several months prior to the wedding, just to give you a visual of how it looks all put together! From left to right we have the risotto, the mac & cheese and the potatoes.


Parmesan crusted chicken marsala (also from menu tasting trip)

I very nearly took a picture of my plate at the reception - my phone was right next to me! I decided to pass though, so no pictures of what I ate, but I am very pleased to tell you I did NOT leave hungry! I had a little bit of everything except the risotto (which I hadn't enjoyed at the menu tasting), including Mickey Waffles with banana foster sauce, an omelet with mushrooms, peppers, onions, bacon, cheese and salsa, some fantastic bacon (nothing like the thin limp standard Disney bacon - this was the REAL stuff!), the greatest parmesan crusted chicken you could ever dream of (crispy on the outside but moist and flavorful on the inside), one loaded mashed potato martini and TWO mac & cheese martinis when my DH was accidentally given one with the lobster topping (he has a shellfish allergy). My wedding planner at Disney told me the day we met she has a reputation for making sure her couples eat at their reception, and I'm pleased to say she succeeded!

I will tell you though, it was incredibly weird chowing down on your food while half your guests haven't gotten theirs yet - I definitely felt impolite!

And of course, what's a wedding without wedding CAKE! We have plenty of pictures of this beauty:

0687_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0690_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0938_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0940_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

I know, I know looking at pictures of cake isn't the same as eating it. I'm sorry guys, I wish I could share it with you.

Our cake was yellow with white chocolate mousse filling and almond with amaretto crunch filling (the almond cake was a sheet cake from the kitchen, to save money). Both flavors were served with buttercream frosting (which Disney puts in between the fondant and the cake) and both were, of course, delicious. Even Kevin, who initially hated the amaretto crunch at our cake tasting (he said "cake was not meant to be crunchy" ) loved it on our wedding day!

As did my MIL. I think this is her favorite wedding picture:

0974_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

And now because I can't help myself, just a few non-food pictures from the wedding day. Trust me, I'm exercising a severe amount of restraint here Of course, all photos are taken by Root Photography

0293_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0322_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0339_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0483_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0186_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

0692_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

1035_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

More wedding day pictures are imminent in my planning journal/TR, but I won't spam you all with them here!

Coming Up Next: Our Illuminations Dessert Party

 

[Jennifer in WA]

LOVE the wedding pictures. Absolutely stunning!!!! Makes me want one of my kids to get married there one day. Thank you for sharing!

 

[hockeygirl14]

Your wedding looked amazing - congrats! I always wondered what Disney wedding food was like, and now I know..looks good!

 

[kastoney]

Wow, your wedding pics are amazing. How cool to get married and then get to take pics around the world. You can tell everyone you got married in Italy, then Germany, France, etc. what an amazing day.

How dare you enjoy your wedding and not take food photos? Seriously can't believe you even took the pics you did. And Mickey waffles at the reception. Perfection.

 

[BarbP]

What a stunning cake. And the food looks amazing! And what a BEAUTIFUL bride.

 

[EvilQueensRock]

Subbing! Love food reports! One week and we'll be there too!

 

[elphie101]

LOVE the wedding pictures. Absolutely stunning!!!! Makes me want one of my kids to get married there one day. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you!! You should highly encourage it - getting married at WDW was quite literally a dream come true!!

Your wedding looked amazing - congrats! I always wondered what Disney wedding food was like, and now I know..looks good!

Thank you! Trust me, it tastes good too - I've heard dinner is just as delicious!

Wow, your wedding pics are amazing. How cool to get married and then get to take pics around the world. You can tell everyone you got married in Italy, then Germany, France, etc. what an amazing day.

How dare you enjoy your wedding and not take food photos? Seriously can't believe you even took the pics you did. And Mickey waffles at the reception. Perfection.

Thank you so much I did run into that a few times pre-wedding where I would just casually say we were getting married in Italy and someone would get confused and say "I thought you were getting married at Disney?"

To be fair, half those were from our wedding planning trip (which was WELL documented) - but I'm glad I wasn't taking plate pictures at my own wedding reception. I found the line, and I did not cross it!

What a stunning cake. And the food looks amazing! And what a BEAUTIFUL bride.

Thank you so much - everything was amazing!!

Subbing! Love food reports! One week and we'll be there too!

Hooray!! Take me with you!

 

[elphie101]

A few hours after our reception ended we gathered back at the gates of Epcot with our wedding guests and led them to our private dessert party in France - specifically what's known in Disney Wedding terms as 'Eau De France', or the lower pavilion right on the water that you pass as you cross the bridge from UK to France. We wanted to give a little taste of the parks to all our guests and keep the day going (and of course, hang around in our wedding gear a little longer!)

We designed our own menu with the Disney Wedding team, of the following:

• Sundae Bar to include Strawberry, Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream, served with Chocolate Sauce, Caramel Sauce, Pineapple Sauce, Strawberry Sauce, Oreo Crumbs, Candy Pieces, Whipped Cream, Cherries, Nuts, and Jimmies
• Nacho Bar with Guacamole, Cheese Sauce, Bean Chili, Jalapeno's, Sour Cream and Salsa
• Disney Popcorn
• Mini Cronuts
• Fruit Punch, Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and Selection of Teas

Yes, cronuts. Like the kind you can get at the Refreshment Port. Behold the food pictures!

1057_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr
Sundae bar in all it's glory (as well as demolished cronut tray at the end)

1059_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr
Freshly stocked cronut pyramid - these should be a requirement at every wedding

1058_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr
Giant bowl of sinfully delicious Disney Popcorn, along with Nacho Bar station further down the line (of which I have no dedicated pictures of).

If you couldn't tell by my captions, everything was fantastic. I especially heard rave reviews about the nacho bar and cronuts (though not mixed together - ew), but I think people really enjoyed themselves! We even got to smuggle some cronuts out for eating later in the trip (which you'll see later). The guacamole from the nacho bar was the only thing that left a little to be desired - it was very creamy and pureed and salty, as opposed to a bit chunkier and cilantro-y like you might assume, but frankly it was still delicious.

And now, to give you an idea of the setting, and some gratuitous smooching with fireworks pictures! (all photos again by Root Photography:

1070_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

1071_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

1069_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

1068_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr
The Brazillian Tour Group having a private party directly above us.....only in Disney!

1087_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

1090_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

1117_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

1129_Finnigan by elphie101, on Flickr

And that's a wrap on my wedding day everyone. It was more amazing than I ever could have dreamed, and I wouldn't change a single second. Getting married at Disney is well worth it

 

[Whatsername]

Oh my goodness, your wedding and reception looks stunning! That mac and cheese... those cronuts...

Congratulations on what looks like an absolutely beautiful day!

 

[BarbP]

Fabulous! What a beautiful setting and everything looks wonderful!

 

[kastoney]

What an amazing end to your wedding day. You had me at nachos and sundaes, but dear lord Cronuts too. And a pyramid of them. Think they would have had to roll me out of there.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Your wedding and all the food look fabulous - thank you so much for posting.

However I've got to ask what exactly is a cronut? I've never heard of them before but try certainly look yummy- we are coming to wdw and will look out for them .

 

[SweetSpot]

I love the afternoon brunch wedding and dessert party idea!! Your wedding looks amazing. My daughter would love to get married at WDW.

Did you have to pay for all the guest to have access to the park for the dessert party or did they get park admission as part of your wedding package?