Trip to see Swan/Coronado/SOG vs DFTW

[PaulnJulia]

Hello - We just came back last weekend from WDW where we looked at the SOG, Coronado Springs and Swan, and then DFTW...

We got engaged at Cinderella's castle during dinner back in mid-October. Given we live about 800 miles apart, we want to get married this Spring - hopefully April.

First, SOG is "nice", but definitely feels more "rigid" both in terms of how they interacted with us, the rules and restrictions, and it didn't feel incredibly disney-like. And frankly, it wasn't going to be a huge cost savings....No to SOG...

We enjoyed the pictures of RIX, but when we saw it, a reception over 20 people would have to be in a different room, and then that room was only available during certain hours since hotel guests used it for breakfast and lunch...(we want a brunch)....plus the catering person didn't show up! The reception couldn't be done outside there (only DFTW can do a ceremony outside there they said) So RIX was out.

We really wanted the Swan to work...the coordinator (Diana) from Just Marry was outstanding and incredibly helpful. The terrace was very nice and could work - but i. We wanted the beach, but it turns out the children's playground has been expanded, so the ceremony location gets pushed down further towards the end of the water. And the playground so close...The Swan/Dolphin are nice, but definitely felt like convention hotels.

We looked at the resorts and private rooms. We could have made them work, but we weren't "blown away". It didn't "feel Disney" at the Swan even though it is on property...it just felt like another hotel with an outdoor garden.

We met with DFTW, and even though we knew the pricing before going in thanks to Passporter and Lurkyloo, it still was a shock! But the feeling and vibe was totally different. We aren't into the whole idea of the Wedding Pavillion, and prefer either a ceremony at GF outside or in France. But Epcot staff said France has to start at 8AM. Then do a reception at the Isle de Fleurs (France upper terrace). We think this is the direction we want to go, but....An 8 AM ceremony means waking up at what, 5 am? That's not nice!

Our DFTW coordinator hasn't replied in 2 days...we asked If we could do a 9 AM at Sea Point or Boardwalk Gazebo, can we still do a brunch in France outdoors. Anyone know?

Can we still do pictures in France if our reception is there?

Thanks

 

[elphie101]

Yeah, because of the bakery being open to park guests when Epcot opens at 9:00am a France ceremony would be super early I know of a bride via Facebook who had a 10:00am ceremony at Yacht Club Gazebo followed by a reception at the upper France pavilion, so maybe you could do that route!

For what it's worth, I was up at 2:40am for my 9:00am Italy wedding - you can do it if you have to!

 

[PaulnJulia]

Yeah, because of the bakery being open to park guests when Epcot opens at 9:00am a France ceremony would be super early I know of a bride via Facebook who had a 10:00am ceremony at Yacht Club Gazebo followed by a reception at the upper France pavilion, so maybe you could do that route!

For what it's worth, I was up at 2:40am for my 9:00am Italy wedding - you can do it if you have to!

Thanks @elphie - That's good news about the ceremony at Yacht Club and the reception in Upper France!

Oh, getting up early isn't so much about us - it is as much about trying to be considerate for our guests....We may end up doing it anyways!

 

[nonnahs]

I totally feel you on other locations around Disney not being totally "Disney". I want to have around 10 guests and that would push us to the Escapes package! I'm not sure if it's worth the close to double the price from the Memories package!!

Ah its such a hard choice!

 

[CK 1 and 2]

I am struggling with this decision myself...as we speak!