switching venues - ADH vs AA

[CutieBugNY]

Ok so with all our guests comming we've been told it's going to be a tight fit at AHD, so we'd have to get rid of our tables of ten and seat people at smaller tables and completly negate the ambiance I was tring to create. SO our planner has said that we can move everything to accomidate the American Adventure in Epcot but i'm not sure if that causes more problems then it solves. Here are my pros and cons for both, Please help if you know anything about either venue or would just like to voice your oppionions. I really am torn and don't know what to do I need all the help I can get!!


ADH: Pros:
-My fiance LOVES it!
- Our wedding would move over the course of much of the day 2:30-9:30
- There is an outsie area to the dance hall to go out and get some air
- We'll be ending with a fireworks dessert party a BANG effect!
- It ends eariler and gives us time to do somehing afterwards with our firends
- We don't have to change any other services
- we will be at multi venues, WP/ADH/Italy

CONS:
- People at small tables, breaking up large families
- What do I do for center peices for 30 small tables with out increasing our floral budget?
- Large table center peices are mostly candles, but reception is mid-day, will they show up?
- we have 170 guests, and only 57 seats for cocktail HR plus we need to fit food stations in the small upstairs area
- too many tables on the dance floor if we go all tens, leaves NO dane floor
- Will disco lights do anything with the day light?
- If it rains we can't use the upper patio for cocktail hour
- Will people at the back tables be able to see whats going on on the dance floor?


AA Pros:

-Huge Dance floor in center
-All tables of 10
-Night time ambiance for candles and lighting
- More eligant venue
-Only one movement with busses
-No need for a dessert Party so - that cost
- Fireworks during cocktail HR
-We can sleep in!
- No furniture removal fee

CONS:
-Goes till 1:30am What if peopel ahve early morning flights home? Should I care?
-Can I change hair/makeup and Rev to 7:30 ceremony times
-Party is 1 hr less b/c no dessert party
-From 7:30-1:30
-Rental fee but less then funiture removal fee
- What will guest do till 7? If they go to parks will they be too tired to Party till 1:30?

HELP PLEASE!!!!!

 

[IndyBride]

That's tough! But to fill your day you can get a message, have a late brunch or lunch with your bm or family. I don't think you need to worry about everyone's departure time the next day. Who's to say they wouldn't go out after a 930 wedding anyway? The thing that sounds like the biggest lost is the dessert party! But, if they get to see fireworks during cocktails that sound great. Except odds are you won't be there. So al lthe fireworks pictures may not be there. Good luck! Personally, I wouldn't want everyone crammed into a room and that's the way it sounds like it would be.

 

[Skylarr29]

I vote AAR! That's where we were but we had to move... we are having the opposite problem as you - too few guests.

We chose the GMR at HS and still have the same 7:30 ceremony time.

DF and I are having in room massages to start the day off and then me and my girls are going to spend the morning getting ready together.

Another possible pro for AAR (depending on your style) is that you have the option for a plated meal where at ADH I don't think you can. I know DF family was anti buffet.

 

[PrincessTanyuhKaypoo]

We had our wedding at the WP- 12:00 noon ceremony and our reception at ADH. I wouldn't have changed it for the world, and I really truly mean that. I had not one, not two, but three seperate meetings with our sales manager because we kept running in to issues with different venues. I saw just about every possible venue on property from Epcot to the Studios with the resorts in between.

I really love the AAR but ADH fit my DH and I so much better. Our reception was during the afternoon and I can address a couple of your worries. We did have the larger 10 top tables, but choose to seat only 8 per table so that we could use the existing large ADH chairs. We did not have to use the small tables- I didn't love them either- but after seeing them it wouldn't have been such a huge issue for me. I had 3 different candles on each table and the effect was noticeable- it's still dark in ADH even with the whole wall of windows in the back. Also the lighting system was really cool, again even in the middle of the afternoon! We have some grand photos that are enhanced by the disco ball/lighting system in ADH.

I've seen receptions at both locations and whichever you choose will be beautiful. I just think there are 2 very different feelings you get from the locations.

Also after our wedding, we had hoped to have free time as well. After getting everything back to the room, undressing and just relaxing for a short time it was already almost 9:00 p.m. We had enough energy and time to grab dinner with friends. This might not be the case for you, just our experience.

You have a large guest list so in the end you have to make the best decision for you and your guests. Whatever you choose, Disney will make it amazing!

 

[lurkyloo]

Yes - ADH is buffet-only, so AAR has that advantage if it's important to you.

Really, the cons on the list for AAR are minor compared to those on ADH's cons list. Plus, having a shorter reception is a GOOD thing - think of how much you'll save on drinks!

 

[twiu]

The only thing about AAR that I'm not thrilled about is the bathroom situation. Don't you have to use the outside bathroom that the guests use? I'm not sure about this, but I think so. I wouldn't want to be walking outside in my dress (or a guest in that case) while other people are there with shorts & a tee shirt on.

I have the same situation with Atlantic Dance. I really want the 10 tops, but I can't spend $2500 to kick them out. Although I know you had it in your budget.... think about it. I've heard from people who used the existing seating that it was actually great because it forced people to be more social. You're not really breaking families up, you're just giving the option to hang with more than just the usual people they hang with.

 

[lurkyloo]

There is a small bathroom on the third floor of AAR that they will open for a fee. Otherwise, yes, you walk out the front and around the side to use the guest bathroom. Wouldn't that make for some interesting ladies' room conversations?

 

[Skylarr29]

That would be interesting. Unless it is an EMH night the park will be closing after Illuminations anyways so I don't think it would really be too much of a problem, to each his own though lol! I think it would be quite entertaining to waltz into a restroom with an entourage lol!!!! I told Robert I am going to call everyone 'Peasant' on my wedding day (like the Prince from Enchanted around New York City)

 

[Starr W.]

That would be interesting. Unless it is an EMH night the park will be closing after Illuminations anyways so I don't think it would really be too much of a problem, to each his own though lol! I think it would be quite entertaining to waltz into a restroom with an entourage lol!!!! I told Robert I am going to call everyone 'Peasant' on my wedding day (like the Prince from Enchanted around New York City)

I would pay the fee and use the inside bathroom. I found the outside bathrooms to be pretty "well used" by illuminations time. DH even made a comment about the men's bathroom needing some attention.

 

[Skylarr29]

I think you can pay a fee to have the public bathrooms cleaned after closing or something.... not sure exactly what my planner said but you can pay a fee somewhere lol!