Using Theme Park Locations...

[GlobalDiva]

Hi all

This is a question to those of you who are using theme park locations...

I would LOVE to do my rehearsal dinner at one of the theme park restaurants. I would need to charter a bus for that, right? What is the flow of the event like? After the event is it a messy endeavor getting people to go back to the bus, or is it awkward to break it to them that they can't stay in the park if they haven't bought a ticket?

Or is my understanding of using park locations totally skewed?! lol I haven't asked any of the Disney Wedding people what the process is, and I think I'd get a more accurate feel from someone who's been through it.

 

[lurkyloo]

If we're talking about Epcot and your guests have park admission, they can all meet at the International Gateway and be escorted in. And maybe you could pay the $12.50 viewing fee to do this if they don't have passes - I'm not sure if the "viewing fee" can be used when you're not actually viewing Illuminations at a DP.

At any rate, DFTW will prolly try to sell you a bus....

 

[MistressOfAllEvil]

At any rate, DFTW will prolly try to sell you a bus....

Okay, sorry for laughing at , uh... I mean with you.

 

[GlobalDiva]

Ah, OK. Well, I wasn't even thinking about Illuminations. I want dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh (not set in stone, I might do a resort instead, but our first choice is Morocco, as DF and I LOVE it), and I don't need the fireworks.

I think logistically a resort will be easier, but ohhh we love Restaurant Marrakesh so much... as do you and your DF because I see you're getting married there Well, not at the restaurant, but at Morocco ;-)

 

[Skylarr29]

Ah, OK. Well, I wasn't even thinking about Illuminations. I want dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh (not set in stone, I might do a resort instead, but our first choice is Morocco, as DF and I LOVE it), and I don't need the fireworks.

I think logistically a resort will be easier, but ohhh we love Restaurant Marrakesh so much... as do you and your DF because I see you're getting married there Well, not at the restaurant, but at Morocco ;-)

I think you will be able to do this but everyone would need park admission and you would probably have to book this on your own through group dining, you never know though, your planner might be willing to help arrange it.

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

How many people are you planning on having for your rehearsal? Have you spoken to a EM about this? Because I don't think you will be able to plan it as such.

I am not sure if they have changed the rules, but last I knew, since I've always inquired about France, rehearsals are:
1. Only done in the mornings before the park opens;
and 2. Except with the exception of Dessert Parties and receptions, guests are required to have a ticket for all meals.

By saying so, I am not sure how transportation would work for restaurant meals. Disney doesn't own the buses, they contract them from Mears. Mears would have to have Disney's ok to drive a bus backstage. Which may not be possible. I know that for rehearsals DFTW will help you by making a ADR for your group. But all other plans they would put on you (i.e; decorations would be constructed by the restaurant, Disney floral, and yourself, dining arrangements are between you and restaurant).

I believe if you are paying to close out a restaurant, which Epcot only allows for weddings and conventions and only the select few, which off the top of my head is only the Bistro de Paris, that Disney will allow guests in without admission and backstage bus transport.

They would lose money for non-admission guests to eat at the valuable table space, and I advise about asking your EM about this before telling guests about the rehearsal dinner plans.

 

[GlobalDiva]

How many people are you planning on having for your rehearsal? Have you spoken to a EM about this? Because I don't think you will be able to plan it as such.

I am not sure if they have changed the rules, but last I knew, since I've always inquired about France, rehearsals are:
1. Only done in the mornings before the park opens;
and 2. Except with the exception of Dessert Parties and receptions, guests are required to have a ticket for all meals.

By saying so, I am not sure how transportation would work for restaurant meals. Disney doesn't own the buses, they contract them from Mears. Mears would have to have Disney's ok to drive a bus backstage. Which may not be possible. I know that for rehearsals DFTW will help you by making a ADR for your group. But all other plans they would put on you (i.e; decorations would be constructed by the restaurant, Disney floral, and yourself, dining arrangements are between you and restaurant).

I believe if you are paying to close out a restaurant, which Epcot only allows for weddings and conventions and only the select few, which off the top of my head is only the Bistro de Paris, that Disney will allow guests in without admission and backstage bus transport.

They would lose money for non-admission guests to eat at the valuable table space, and I advise about asking your EM about this before telling guests about the rehearsal dinner plans.

Well, I was essentially wondering about making a dinner reservation for about 40-50 people at Restaurant Marrakesh. I definitely wouldn't talk to the guests about it without finding out if it's possible first(but ohhh, I so wish it was). I know for sure that 99% of us would have park tickets already, but not sure about a couple of people.

I might just choose a resort restaurant though, to not have the hassle of dealing with buses, etc

Thanks for all the info!

 

[GlobalDiva]

How many people are you planning on having for your rehearsal? Have you spoken to a EM about this? Because I don't think you will be able to plan it as such.

I am not sure if they have changed the rules, but last I knew, since I've always inquired about France, rehearsals are:
1. Only done in the mornings before the park opens;
and 2. Except with the exception of Dessert Parties and receptions, guests are required to have a ticket for all meals.

By saying so, I am not sure how transportation would work for restaurant meals. Disney doesn't own the buses, they contract them from Mears. Mears would have to have Disney's ok to drive a bus backstage. Which may not be possible. I know that for rehearsals DFTW will help you by making a ADR for your group. But all other plans they would put on you (i.e; decorations would be constructed by the restaurant, Disney floral, and yourself, dining arrangements are between you and restaurant).

I believe if you are paying to close out a restaurant, which Epcot only allows for weddings and conventions and only the select few, which off the top of my head is only the Bistro de Paris, that Disney will allow guests in without admission and backstage bus transport.

They would lose money for non-admission guests to eat at the valuable table space, and I advise about asking your EM about this before telling guests about the rehearsal dinner plans.

I was basically wondering about making a dinner reservation for about 40-50 people at Marrakesh. I definitely wouldn't talk to the guests about it without finding out if it's possible first(but ohhh, I so wish it was). I know for sure that 99% of us would have park tickets already, but not sure about a couple of people.

I might just choose a resort place though, to not have the hassle of dealing with buses, and coordinating tickets, etc

Thanks for all the info!

 

[GlobalDiva]

Sorry about the duplicate! I re-typed the message because it said it didn't go through, then I saw it did... tsk tsk