Vow Renewals?

[ConnorsMama]

Hubby and I are approaching our 10 year anniversary in November of 2014, and he suggested that we have our vows renewed at WDW!

I've already requested information, but I'm wondering if anyone here has done a vow renewal at WDW, and what your thoughts were?

I'm in shock that he suggested this, so I'm jumping on it while its fresh!

Thanks in advance!

Brooke

 

[jac1976]

Do you know what package you are interested in?

My husband and I want to renew our vows with just us and our 2 kids, so we're doing the Memories Package. It's the smallest, least expensive option for a DFTW, but it is perfect for us. We were allowed to book the date 6 months out. This particular package allows for the bride and groom and up to 4 guests. So far I have been thrilled with Disney. There's not much to plan with a Memories Package, but my planner has been very helpful.

Our actual renewal isn't until August (45 more days!) so I can't tell you what my final thoughts are yet, but I'll be happy to let you know in September.

 

[Chilly]

Vow Renewals and Wedding are classed the same at Disney so both cost the same and you have the option of the same packages.

The basic info can be found on DFTW's website.

 

[ConnorsMama]

We are looking at the Escape package so that our extended family can attend. I've read the Website and was just hoping to hear some first hand account to from people.

 

[Chilly]

I had an escape wedding and it was the best day of my life so far. Do you have any specific questions?

 

[Lorelei528]

I had an escape wedding and it was the best day of my life so far. Do you have any specific questions?

Yep, I agree with Claire! I also had an escape wedding and it was perfect from the 6am photo shoot to the end of our IllumiNations dessert party that night!

If you have any specific questions, sometimes it's easier to start there.

 

[ConnorsMama]

Sorry, yes! I would love to know what locations you all used. Leaning towards the gazebo at Beach Club (Yacht Club?), but not sure!

Also, did you work with a travel agent or directly through Disney?

 

[connorlevismom]

We just did a WDW vow renewal in October. We had a wishes package as we had 35 people there and we did:

Welcome Party - Tamu Tamu (which moved to Pizzafari because of the rain)

Ceremony and brunch - Canada

Reception Dinner - Italy Isola

It was all amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

 

[bigr3ddog]

We haven't been married yet, but we love the yacht club wedding gazebo. We preferred it over sea breeze point and it will be our location if we don't get the Epcot venue we want. The allure of an in park wedding was just too much to resist. That being said, we did look at Canada as well, and we decided not to keep Canada as an option only because we don't really have a history in Canada like we do at uk or France or Italy. But the Canada site is beautiful too.

We have our site visit in a few weeks and we really hope we like the attic for our reception. It also works for escape weddings since capacity is 36. There are four tables inside that seat 16 and five outside for another 20. The outside is covered. Although escape weddings don't have receptions, you can add one on. If you have dftw help you with it, it's limited to two hours. you won't have all the options that come with a wishes reception, but it can still cap a very nice wedding or vow renewal.

 

[bigr3ddog]

Oh I forgot to tell you that we're local, so that's how we've been able to see various ceremony sites in person before our site visit. For us, seeing the venues made a difference. From the pictures alone, we were thinking sea breeze point, but after seeing the yacht club gazebo, sea breeze point fell to a backup for us.

As for travel agents, I don't think you can arrange a Disney wedding through a travel agent. I think escape weddings require a four night stay. I don't know if you're allowed to secure a lower room rate or if the room is part of the escape package. If you are permitted a lower room rate, travel agents, particularly independent certified Disney travel agents, can often find better discounts than dftw will offer, especially if you're an ap holder or a Florida resident.

 

[Lorelei528]

We had our ceremony at Sea Breeze Point, our wedding dinner in The Wine Room at Jiko and our Dessert Party in Morocco to end the festivities.
Everything went through DFTW directly and all resort bookings for guests as well. We did use a travel agent fir our resort because we used the Annual Passes we got from Disney and I wanted someone to watch the discounts etc....

 

[Chilly]

Sorry, yes! I would love to know what locations you all used. Leaning towards the gazebo at Beach Club (Yacht Club?), but not sure!

Also, did you work with a travel agent or directly through Disney?

That's not a very popular location so its much easier to get your prefered date and time.

Book with Disney direct for the VR, i've only heard bad things about doing it through a TA.

 

[ConnorsMama]

That's not a very popular location so its much easier to get your prefered date and time.

Book with Disney direct for the VR, i've only heard bad things about doing it through a TA.

Interesting, I've only heard good things about working with a travel agent.

We can't book until our 8 month window, so I'm hoping to visit a few locations in person on our December trip.

 

[lurkyloo]

Chilly was referring to the UK resident practice of booking a Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding/vow renewal through a British travel company. Some of them offer Escape Collection wedding packages as add-ons to the vacation booking you make with them. It can be kind of a nightmare because then you have this middleman between you and Disney as you're planning the wedding, whereas if you'd just booked the wedding directly with Disney, you could work directly with your wedding planner.

But it looks like you're in Texas, so no worries there...

 

[ConnorsMama]

Our booking window is open! Yay!

Currently looking at Sea Breeze Point the day after our anniversary (which sadly falls on Thanksgiving this year and they aren't doing ceremonies that day).

Now trying to coordinate guests. Our families are being a bit flaky in their commitments...

Lurkyloo, I stumbled upon your site the other day and I spend three solid 90 minute conference periods reading essentially the entire thing! Then I sent it to a friend doing a Wishes Wedding in June of 2015. Everything was beautiful!

Hoping for some new insights!

 

[lurkyloo]

So glad you like the site!