Was Considering a Disney Wedding, But...

[FancyIndia]

My fiance and I wanted to do a Disneyland wedding when we first got engaged a little over a year ago, but had to put off our wedding because we wanted to purchase a house. Now that we have been in our house for almost a year and realized that a wedding is still very realistically in our budget, we are looking back into Disneyland for our wedding. I have a couple of questions, though, before I even start:

1. How are the planners? Are they easy to work with? Can you easily get a hold of them? (I have heard a couple of horror stories of other venues' planners)

2. Is it realistic to stay within the minimum expenditure as a budget? (We are looking at the Wishes package for Disneyland) We asked and they guy wouldn't give a yes or no, which made me nervous. We don't plan to add a bunch of extras, or anything.

3. This is more a comment, but we called to ask some general questions and the representative on the phone was very shady and secretive. He didn't want to answer questions (maybe he didn't know the answer) and when he did answer some, it blatantly contradicted what was on the website. Should we let this be a big deciding factor as whether to choose Disneyland or not? Is this a common problem?

4. We weren't really considering the Escape package, but he gave us some info on it in case we were really concerned with budget. He said that all guests had to be over the age of 18, which seemed odd to me. Is this true? What is the reasoning?

We were so sure until this phone call, and now I am just scared!

 

[lurkyloo]

1. How are the planners? Are they easy to work with? Can you easily get a hold of them? (I have heard a couple of horror stories of other venues' planners)

Most of the Disneyland brides who post on this and other boards seem to have no problems working with Disneyland's wedding planners. In fact, some feel they get even more personalized attention than you'd find at a bigger venue that does many more events per year.

2. Is it realistic to stay within the minimum expenditure as a budget? (We are looking at the Wishes package for Disneyland) We asked and they guy wouldn't give a yes or no, which made me nervous. We don't plan to add a bunch of extras, or anything.

Yes, it can be done (my tombstone will be etched with "She was only $70 over the minimum" ) but you have to be willing to make trade-offs. For example, we cut out centerpieces at the reception so we could afford a pricey charter bus to shuttle our guests around (not something you'll have to worry about at Disneyland, though...).

Also, don't forget that tax and service charge are calculated on top of the minimum, so you'll automatically be spending at least a couple thousand more than the minimum. And the minimum is just what you pay Disney. Outside vendors, bridal attire, rings, the honeymoon, etc. will cost you more on top of what you pay Disney.

3. This is more a comment, but we called to ask some general questions and the representative on the phone was very shady and secretive. He didn't want to answer questions (maybe he didn't know the answer) and when he did answer some, it blatantly contradicted what was on the website. Should we let this be a big deciding factor as whether to choose Disneyland or not? Is this a common problem?

4. We weren't really considering the Escape package, but he gave us some info on it in case we were really concerned with budget. He said that all guests had to be over the age of 18, which seemed odd to me. Is this true? What is the reasoning?

We were so sure until this phone call, and now I am just scared!

This happens a lot. Do not be discouraged. The people who answer the phones are not the people you will actually deal with when you start planning your wedding, nor are they often very well informed. Some of them seem to think it's their mission to screen out "cranks" who aren't serious about having a Disney wedding, but the unfortunate consequence is they can scare off those who are serious too. Just be polite and take everything they say with a grain of salt til you get to talk to a real planner.

 

[FancyIndia]

Thank you for the info! This definitely lifted my spirits about this situation.

 

[aibarra5]

Hi,
I am planning on having an escape wedding next year. When I have called the office it seems that some of the people who answer the phones know more than others but once you talk to the actual planners they will fill you in. When I spoke with them last there was no age restriction for the guests. If a guest was under 2 they did not count as part of your 18 guests unless they were having the reception meal.

Every blog that I have read has said great things about their Disneyland planners. As for staying in your budget that is up to you- The Escape wedding is pretty affordable even if you did some add-ons. The Wishes wedding seems like it may be easy to get carried away with customizations but I do not know personally- obviously.

Hope that helps.