Torn on reception ideas - anyone feel like me?

[Pezalicious]

For my reception, I have all kinds of ideas. Basically, I want something a little different than most where I can have a good time with my future hubby, our family, and maybe a few friends. My 2 leading ideas so far would be either the GMR dinner or a dinner at the Adventurer's Club. Both locations would include lots of interaction from the performers, which leads to a few worries. My boyfriend can be rather shy about that stuff, so he wouldn't want to interact himself.. which I can set up ahead of time, so that wouldn't be too much of a problem. But the only real Disney fans in the group will be me and my mom. So no matter what venue I choose, I'm worried the guests won't get into it very much and it will be a bust.

Does anyone have guests you have to invite, but who you know might also kinda bring your time down? I would feel terrible if I put together an elaborate reception with entertainers for my guests, only to have everyone shy away from it or think it's too silly. Does anyone know how entertainers help draw out the crowd? Also, this would be a relatively small reception with 20-25 people tops. Does that make it awkward because there aren't enough people for the performers to interact with?

 

[caryndisneydiva]

why don't you do a nice smaller reception at a place like the attic and then invite some "unwanted guests?" i forget how much they cost, but that is just SO funny...

 

[Pezalicious]

That would be pretty funny, unless it became obvious that they were hired and actually invited.

But right now I'm still wanting my vision, my dream. I'm just not sure if I have the right crowd for it.

 

[lurkyloo]

The Attic with Uninvited Guests sounds great to me, but I'm biased cuz that's my reception spot and I LURVE it. If you're not familiar with the Uninvited Guest, s/he is a character like the Major Domo/English Butler/etc. but s/he's supposed to seem like some random tourist who crashed your wedding. Apparently it's hilarious. I don't know if s/he would stick out too much if you only have 25 guests, though.

Also, I know someone who had an Adventurer's Club reception, and apparently it was awesome. Even though some of your guests may not be in to Disney the way you are (and goodness knows many of my guests aren't!), I can almost guarantee that either reception spot - the AC or the Great Movie Ride - will make them instant Disney fans. You can't help but have a good time at a Disney wedding!

 

[Pezalicious]

Lurkyloo, that is my hope. I want to bring them over to the Mouse's side somehow!y I step foot on Disney property and suddenly I'm all excited and my heart feels all light and fluttery. There's just something about Disney magic that makes it impossible for me to be in a bad mood or have a bad time. And since this is my dream wedding and my dream day, I want to make it as memorable and exciting as possible. I'm also trying to find ways to make it what my boyfriend would want, but that's close to impossible. He won't help me at all and just tells me that he wants what I want. His idea of a wedding and reception would be a keg of Miller Light and some KFC in the park. I'm actually going to offer that to him for our Philadelphia reception.


I just had one more idea - a private reception at the 50s Prime Time Cafe - yet another interactive event that I think would be great fun, but maybe not for my guests. It's a good thing I've got so much time to figure all this out. Making a decision is going to be so hard!

 

[Skylarr29]

I think the GMR would be excellent! This is actually really where my mom wants us to hold our reception but I am not sure if that is what I am looking for. I think it would be great with a small number of guests. Janet2K had her vow renewal dinner there and she had a relatively small guest list as well as someone else who just had a dinner there. I think it would make it even more interactive with the small guest list and you can even give details/facts about your guests ahead of time.

 

[calla28]

Since I had to change my date and were now getting married in Jan of 09 we have decided to do a wedding and reception In Narnia.

 

[Pezalicious]

I figured there would be more interaction per guest because of the small number of people who would be there.. which is great for me, I just don't know if it would be good for the guests. Does anyone know how the performers interact with guests at the GMR? I have an idea for the Adventurer's Club, but not for GMR.


Is Narnia in the GMR now? I'm on the west coast, so I usually get my Disney fix at DLR. Sadly, it's been around 7 years since I've been to WDW so I know a lot has changed.

 

[calla28]

I'm not sure ~lol~ Our wedding will be my first trip to Disneyworld.

 

[honey2741]

What is the GMR? Attic? These are receptions sites where? How is it interactive? Thanks!

 

[Skylarr29]

The Narnia is not in the Great Movie Ride.

This is a post by Janet2K, it should give a GREAT deal of information on the GMR. It was sooooo helpful to us when we were considering the location.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread...erid=&highlight=Great+movie+ride+vow+renewal+

 

[Skylarr29]

What is the GMR? Attic? These are receptions sites where? How is it interactive? Thanks!

You can find info on these locations with pictures and descriptions at www.disneyweddings.com

 

[mla1977]

Pez,

From my research, there are two options: the uninvited guests and the lost tourist (or what ever they are called). I would probaby go for the lost tourists myself. I'm pretty sure that most of the people I would be inviting don't "get" it, but there is a fair amount who do. Surprisingly, the people who would be most likely to bring me down are two of the people that have to be there unless we elope.

 

[Lisacope]

from the little I know about the Adventurer's club, I don't think someone would have to be "into Disney" to find this fun. Also - I would not underestimate the ability of an open bar to "open up" some of your guests!

 

[helloirishkitty]

I definitely feel like you! I have no idea where I want my reception. I've always wanted it IN a park, but now that I'm faced with so many limits with timing, I'm looking outside of the parks. I also want a Sorbet course, so that limits me too. There are just so many decisions to make... DF picked the WP (which I didn't minnd) so he wants me to basically pick out the reception site. I'm literally at a loss.. lol. I'm probably just going to have to scout out my own locations and then suggest them to DFTW.. and hopefully get a yes

 

[JonetteA]

I think you would be surprised how people will modify their behavior. My dad and brother think that Disney is a dark and evil force. But I will tell you for the nah sayers, I have pictures with both of them dancing with Minnie Mouse. I was at another friend's wedding, and there were all of these people that were not really sure of how to react to chip and dale....all of us Disney Brides knew how though!!! When Mickey came out though, you should have SEEN the mad dash of people that ran up to him...those who were so reserved before. I have seen this happen over and over again. Make sure that you have some outgoing people in your group that can mingle and interact and you will be surprised how easily people get in the act. The talent at Disney is really in-tune to how people react to them. If this is what you want, I wouldn't worry that much about it!

I wanted something that was in the park as well. We had our ceremony in the park and it was wonderful! I would not change that at all! We had a brunch reception and then Illuminations that night. It was a great event! I can't wait to do it again!

 

[Janet2k]

My 2 leading ideas so far would be either the GMR dinner or a dinner at the Adventurer's Club. Both locations would include lots of interaction from the performers...

Pezalicious, you've mentioned two great venues. My FTW VR at the GMR was beyond incredible. Disney did a wonderful job with it.

I have also been at the Adventurers Club many times over the years, most recently last year. That place is a hoot & a half. My family & friends have never had a bad time there.

I think you've got yourself a tough decision to make.

 

[Janet2k]

We climb the highest mountains,
just to get a better view.
We plumb the deepest oceans,
because we're daring through and through.
We cross the scorching desert,
martinis in our hand.
We ski the polar ice caps,
in tuxedos looking grand.
We are reckless, brave, and loyal,
and valiant to the end.
If you come in here a stranger,
you will exit as a friend.
KUNGALOOSH!

 

[Janet2k]

I have thrown a small handful of photos into a new on-line photo album: click here. I'll try to add more photos soon.

In the meantime, here are a couple of my favorites -- probably because they involve the club's drink -- Kungaloosh!

CLUB SONG:

Marching along we're adventurers
Singing the song of adventurers
Up or Down, North, South, East, or West
An adventurer's life is best
An adventurer's life is best

 

[Janet2k]

I thought I'd better post a link to photos of my GMR event: click here. I'm pretty sure that you've seen them before, but in case you haven't, there they are. I really need to add more photos to that album. I haven't shared too many of the actual event. Yikes!

So many photos... Such little time...

Again, have fun deciding what type of event you want for your FTW. If you have any particular questions, just let me know -- or if you're looking for any particular photos, just let me know.