WDW vs. DLR wedding questions!

[DisneyFan907]

So my boyfriend and I are considering a Disney wedding, it wouldn't be for a few years because we have to save up. But we cannot decide between WDW and DLR. I have been to DLR once about 6 years ago and really had fun but DBF hasn't been to either. We are struggling with which one would be more fun, in our budget, and a better vacation for all our guests. We are thinking about 35 guests but aren't really wanting to spend over $10,000 (not including airfare from alaska). Is this realistic? All advice and opinions welcome!!

I've seen/read tons of great stuff about WDW wedding venues and some about DLR venues but haven't seen much comparison or which is more worth the money, probably because people choose and never really look into the other option typically, but we do not have strong ties to either one we just love Disney! Thanks so much for any advice!!

 

[sarahb01]

I can't help you with DLR, but we also have a strict 10,000 budget. We are going with the Swan and Dolphin at WDW. We are able to get more of what we want using outside vendors, and don't have any minimums that we have to meet.

 

[DisneyFan907]

I can't help you with DLR, but we also have a strict 10,000 budget. We are going with the Swan and Dolphin at WDW. We are able to get more of what we want using outside vendors, and don't have any minimums that we have to meet.

I was reading about Swan and Dolphin, but didn't do much research on it. I'll look into them, thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

The trouble is, your 35 guests make you ineligible for any option with less than a $12,000 minimum at both places. Now if that's the number you're inviting but you only expect 18 or fewer, you can look into the Escape options offered at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Otherwise, the alternatives on-property at WDW would be the Swan & Dolphin, Coronado Springs, Fulton's Crab House or Shades of Green. And of course both Orlando and Anaheim have tons of off-property options.

One advantage of WDW is that there are more private-party options that anyone can book (like a dessert party or a meal) in and around the parks than at Disneyland. For example, you could have your ceremony at, say, Leu Gardens and then book a dessert party in Epcot that evening through Disney Catered Events (the only caveat being that you can't wear a wedding dress to a party inside the park unless you're having a Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding).

 

[DisneyFan907]

The trouble is, your 35 guests make you ineligible for any option with less than a $12,000 minimum at both places. Now if that's the number you're inviting but you only expect 18 or fewer, you can look into the Escape options offered at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Otherwise, the alternatives on-property at WDW would be the Swan & Dolphin, Coronado Springs, Fulton's Crab House or Shades of Green. And of course both Orlando and Anaheim have tons of off-property options.

One advantage of WDW is that there are more private-party options that anyone can book (like a dessert party or a meal) in and around the parks than at Disneyland. For example, you could have your ceremony at, say, Leu Gardens and then book a dessert party in Epcot that evening through Disney Catered Events (the only caveat being that you can't wear a wedding dress to a party inside the park unless you're having a Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding).

Thanks this is really helpful advice. I looked into the Escape packages and would love to do that, but it is hard to cut down the invite list to only 18 especially when my family members have young kids that would LOVE to come. Do you know if using an on-property alternative still allows you the option of using Disney for like the cake and floral or anything like that? Or is it mostly off-site vendors that provide for these alternatives to DFTWs? I know that off-site vendors are often cheaper, but I like the idea of having the cake made on-site so I don't have to worry as much.

 

[lurkyloo]

You can definitely work with Disney on a cake (via your event planner, in the case of a dessert party, or the resort where you're staying/dining), and Disney Floral & Gifts delivers all over property, too!

 

[DisneyFan907]

You are such a wealth of knowledge!! Thank you for all your help! I am sure I will have more questions after going over these new ideas with DBF, but for now you have answered all my questions. Thanks again.

 

[lurkyloo]

Glad I could help!