Those who have had an Illuminations dessert party????

[Skylarr29]

Were you allowed to choose which desserts you wanted if there was not a preset menu for it. We were wondering if they could create a custom menu for us with some of our fave goodies like stuff from the Boardwalk Bakery and such?? ALso one last thing to clarify since I have heard mixed answers CAn you wear your wedding dress if you have a DFTW intimate ceremony??? Thanks so much!

 

[twojo21]

not sure about a complete custom menu but i know you can add customized items to your base dessert party menu, we are. were adding bride & groom strawberries, caramel apples, candy bowls, cocoa & milk. the dessert parties are so neat, i cant wait!

as for intimate brides wearing there dress/wedding attire in epcot for their dessert party from my understanding no. i would check with your em or epcot catering to clarify so you dont have any problems.

 

[cjb71870]

A for sure NO on wearing your dress! We were married there last year and took the guests to see Illuminations private location. And, for sure!! NO DRESS!!!

 

[Skylarr29]

I may switch to a custom just because of this no dress thing. I honestly think that is ridiculous to drop this kind of money and not be allowed to wear your dress when it is still a DFTW and a private event.

 

[MApigletfan]

Skylarr29 you are having and intimate and a Illuminations dessert party? I was told we could not do that. We are having in intimate in the morning and I wanted to do something with our friends and family (18 total) for the night of the wedding, I asked about this but told it was only for custom weddings. Do you mind telling me how much it is costing and does everyone attending need park passes?

 

[Skylarr29]

Skylarr29 you are having and intimate and a Illuminations dessert party? I was told we could not do that. We are having in intimate in the morning and I wanted to do something with our friends and family (18 total) for the night of the wedding, I asked about this but told it was only for custom weddings. Do you mind telling me how much it is costing and does everyone attending need park passes?

You can have one but unstead of going trhough disney weddings you go through epcot even t planning i think. Your em should be able to give you the number and Ill try to find it for you too. It is a 12.50 viewing fee for watching Illuminations. Your guests do not need tickets to get in you just pay the viewing fee. There is also a $90.00 host fee for every 50 guests that attend. There may also be a small party viewing fee depending on the amount of guests you have. The starting menu is $17.50 and is called the child in you. I am trying to arrange to have my own selection instead of going with one of their preset menus. It has lemon bars, cookies, rice crispie treats and I think a few others and lemonade and tea I believe.

Also as I just found out you can not wear your dress.

 

[MApigletfan]

Thanks for the reply - one more question does the 12.50 viewing fee apply to everyone or only those without tickets? We were going to do a Illuminations cruise but we would have need two boats and when I called they were all booked up so now we are looking for something else to plan for the night of our wedding. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Skylarr29]

Thanks for the reply - one more question does the 12.50 viewing fee apply to everyone or only those without tickets? We were going to do a Illuminations cruise but we would have need two boats and when I called they were all booked up so now we are looking for something else to plan for the night of our wedding. Thanks again for the info.

They also have a magic gatherings wishes cruise so you can call and see if they have any of those available and they also have desserts before the cruise. I think that one is about $30 a person and you can wear your dress. ALso I have heard that either all your guests have to have tickets or you have to pay the viewing fee for everyone they now ownt check individual tickets cause I guess its harder for them. The magical gatherings cruise also has a visit from peter pan and captain hook I believe.

 

[twojo21]

fyi-with smaller groups there is also a small party fee & a limit on locations for epcot illumination dessert parties.

 

[MApigletfan]

Skylarr is you have the number for the Epcot Event Planner could you give it to me, I would like to call and see what they can do for me. I have already called Magical Gatherings and they do not have that Wishes cruise running that night, actually they told me they had nothing going on for that night at all. Thanks!

 

[Skylarr29]

Skylarr is you have the number for the Epcot Event Planner could you give it to me, I would like to call and see what they can do for me. I have already called Magical Gatherings and they do not have that Wishes cruise running that night, actually they told me they had nothing going on for that night at all. Thanks!

If you're hosting an Intimate Wedding and want an Epcot Illuminations Dessert Party or Reception, you must work through Disney's Epcot Events Catering department and NOT your Fairy Tale Weddings coordinator.

If you're not hosting a wedding at Disney at all but would like to have a private party inside Epcot, you should also deal with Epcot Events Catering.

Please note that only Fairy Tale Wedding brides may wear their wedding gown to a dessert party at Epcot. If you get married at the Swan or elsewhere (not a FTW/Disney location), you cannot wear your gown. Sorry!

The minimum guest count for a party at Epcot is 25. (You can have fewer guests but there is a "small party" fee of $50.) You'll need to hire a Disney host -- at $90 per host -- for every 50 guests that attend your party. If you'd like cocktail tables and chairs set up, there is a $75 fee. Bar options include bill on consumption, package, and cash bar.

If your guests do not use their own Park Hopper pass to get into Epcot on the day of your party, you will be charged a $12.50 viewing fee per person. You and your guests are admitted into Epcot one hour prior to the event.

For more information, contact the Park catering Event services management team at (407) 828-3200.

Click here to download an Adobe Acrobat pdf file that includes menus and pricing.

Menus and Prices Subject To Change Without Notice
All Prices Subject to a 20% Service Charge
and 6.5% Sales Tax

There that should be most of the info you need. Good luck with your planning.

 

[MApigletfan]

Thank you so much for the info, I am going to call them first thing in the morning. We are getting married in the morning with lunch following and then nap time, so wearing my gown is not an issue. Thanks again so much for the info.

 

[Moonbeams]

Skylarr,

No on the dress. Disney is concerned with guests confusing brides with Princesses (no joke) and so they are solid on that rule.

For the menu, if you can dream it, and Epcot can make it, then pretty much they'll let you have whatever you want. However, I had so much food, beverage, desserts, etc. at mine and totally forgot that people will come, watch the show and then go. So, be carefull not to over-order. Sadly, so much will go to waste if you do!

But it was amazing and you will really love it. Just be sure your guests know where to go (don't leave it all to the guides!!!), to arrive way early and encourage them to not eat before they get there!

Berry

 

[lorileer]

You can design your own menu -- they will work with you.

And the $12.50 viewing fee is only for those without tickets.

 

[Skylarr29]

Is the viewing fee only for those without tickets or does it have to be everyone has a ticket or everyone is charged the viewing fee?? I heard that all your guests had to have the tickets because they will not spend the time to check just some of the guests. Probbaly half of my party will have ap's. Thanks

 

[Pamlur]

I'm a grandmother; I have absolutely no business in this forum, but I was just reading along. This is so hard to understand; you can wear low-slung jeans with your "thong" peeking out, and about anything else you want to, but you can't wear your wedding dress to your party if you didn't get married onsite.

I'm glad I'm past all of that.

 

[Skylarr29]

I'm a grandmother; I have absolutely no business in this forum, but I was just reading along. This is so hard to understand; you can wear low-slung jeans with your "thong" peeking out, and about anything else you want to, but you can't wear your wedding dress to your party if you didn't get married onsite.

I'm glad I'm past all of that.

Thats right and even if you do get married there and pay a lot of money if you have an intimate veremony you may not wear your dress to the party. We are actually changing from an intimate to a custom now because of it and that means we are having to spend more money.

 

[lorileer]

In regards to the Viewing Fee ...

When I had my Dessert Reception last year (it was not for a wedding, however), the guests who did not have tickets and had to pay the viewing fee had to go to Guest Services at the front of the Park and be escorted in. A guide escorted them straight to Morocco (where our reception was). The other guests with tickets just went to Morocco at the specified time on their own. They did not have to pay the viewing fee.

 

[JonetteA]

How do I politically figure out if my guests will use passes that day, this could save us a good amount!

 

[Boo0105]

Why is it that only custom brides can wear their dress to the Illuminations Dessert Party and not intimate brides? Isn't it basically the same dessert party? Has anyone been given a reason?