Using your own Ipod/Pad etc for music instead of DJ at Disney

[hpfan100]

Hi all,

I'm having an Escape wedding at DLR and I am using my own electronics to play music. I'm looking over my timeline from them and it doesn't look like there is a huge time for just dancing? I was hoping to boogie down with my maid of honor!

Has anyone out there used their own play equipment at Disney that could give me some insight to how it worked out?

 

[LadyD]

I know you said your were getting married at the Grand Californian. Where is your reception there?? It may depend on your reception location. Your planner should be able to get the information related to an iPod/ipad hook up for you. I know the website says they can start at around $100 for a "music patch."

 

[hpfan100]

I know you said your were getting married at the Grand Californian. Where is your reception there?? It may depend on your reception location. Your planner should be able to get the information related to an iPod/ipad hook up for you. I know the website says they can start at around $100 for a "music patch."

the patch costs about 175 for the reception and is included with the ceremony. I guess I'm just trying to figure out how to put this all together. Just wanted to hear some first hand experiences to see how it went for others.

 

[lirija]

Hi all,

I'm having an Escape wedding at DLR and I am using my own electronics to play music. I'm looking over my timeline from them and it doesn't look like there is a huge time for just dancing? I was hoping to boogie down with my maid of honor!

Has anyone out there used their own play equipment at Disney that could give me some insight to how it worked out?

I'm wondering this same thing, except for WDW. I have the info from Carrie's book, but would like to hear how former brides felt about it. Did it seem cheesy in any way (like a DJ isn't cheesy lol) or was it smooth and unnoticeable? We're doing a Wishes wedding, so really wondering how the reception music and dancing will work using an iPod. Is there a speaker in case someone wants to introduce a song, etc?

 

[huskies90]

I'm wondering this same thing, except for WDW. I have the info from Carrie's book, but would like to hear how former brides felt about it. Did it seem cheesy in any way (like a DJ isn't cheesy lol) or was it smooth and unnoticeable? We're doing a Wishes wedding, so really wondering how the reception music and dancing will work using an iPod. Is there a speaker in case someone wants to introduce a song, etc?

I am curious about this too. We are also doing a Wishes wedding at WDW and we are thinking about getting an iPod set up to go with either a jazz band or solo jazz guitarist. The iPod would play when the musicians are on break or after the three hours. We are also considering just doing the iPod - depending on the number of guests that attend - We think we will end up with 40 people. We are doing brunch at a pretty small venue so I'm not sure if there will be much dancing. I think a DJ would be overkill.

 

[OrlandoDJChuck]

Disney has a ipod/speaker setup that is approx $300 for the reception. You simply plug your own ipod into the professional speaker they provide. An ipod setup usually works best if you are having a small luncheon/dinner, without much time scheduled for after the meal.

Keep in mind that using this setup, you must assign someone you know to MC and operate the ipod. In other words, don't count on your wedding coordinator or any other Disney Cast Member to make public announcements or cue music- that's why Disney has the DJ option.

That being said, ipod setups work very well in certain situations. Alternately, any of the Disney DJs are very professional and will keep your reception running smoothly... and also count toward your enhancement minimum.

I know I'm a tiny bit biased... but I hope this helps!

 

[microgrl]

We used an iPod instead of a DJ for our reception in the Living Seas Salon. We asked my brother if he would be the MC and we were provided a microphone for his use. We set up playlists with the music for the dances, eating, characters and dancing. Everything worked pretty well.

The only thing that went wrong is I noticed when the "eating" music playlist repeated but I was too busy to go change the music. A DJ would have noticed that the guests were ready for a change in tempo and would have made the adjustment without prompting. Everyone (my mom) started complaining that they were tired and requesting info on when they could leave. Of course this was before Donald and Daisy came out and I was like, "no one leaves before the Ducks arrive!"

In the end everything worked out fine and we all had a great time. Also, if you are going to have characters you'll have to figure out what to play while they are there while DJs do this all the time and have songs prepared.

 

[lurkyloo]

I would not rely on just an iPod if dancing and a boisterous party atmosphere is a big component of your reception.

For us, the iPod worked great because all we wanted was background music at a casual brunch. I spent hours assembling playlists for the cocktail hour, the eating part of the reception, the rest of the reception and the first dances. I added about 15 minutes of extra songs to each playlist so that the music wouldn't run out if Patrick's cousin wasn't around to switch to the next playlist (we gave him a little cheat sheet on which playlist to activate when). We didn't need an emcee because we thought it would be silly to be announced to a mere 32 people.

But if you're having characters or want a more traditional reception, with lots of activity on the dance floor, announcements, etc. a DJ is the way to go. S/he will make your life much easier leading up to and during the reception!

 

[Bewitch324]

Carrie: Did you and Patrick do a first dance? I know your reception was pretty casual and laid back with no guest dancing, but I can't remember if you guys did dance together or not.

We are having the harpist for the ceremony (with the organist at WP) and then by herself at the pre-reception, then switching to an IPOD for the reception. Not really planning on having anyone make announcements or anything, am just planning kind of a mellow playlist for background music with separate playlists of 1 song each for our dance and the cake cutting. I think Frank would be happy to skip the dance, especially since we're not having any other dancing, but I would really like to have that moment together....but I am worried it will be lame...

Brooke

 

[lurkyloo]

It will totally not be lame! We had a first dance, and we did mother-son and father-daughter dances. We just put each of these in its own labelled playlist so our cousin/iPod runner would know where to go when we told him it was time for each of those dances. (I gave him a little cheat-sheet of roughly when each playlist should start).