Wedding Guests!

[Lynn5700]

DO they have to stay in Disney World in order to come to the wedding? Everybody is freaking out and dont want to pay to stay at Disney World.

 

[shaun&miranda]

If you have a Custom wedding, you have to guarantee that you and your guests will book a certain number of room nights in Disney Hotels. This is known as your "room block".

But depending how many guests you have, not everyone has to stay on property. I'm having a custom wedding, but only 22 guests. 8 people are staying off property the rest of us are in Disney hotels, because we have already met our room block minimum.

I think for intimate weddings, the bride and groom have to stay on property, but I don't think any other intimate guests have to!

Don't freak out too soon - just speak to Disney and find out how many nights they need you to book for your choice of wedding package.

Miranda

 

[lurkyloo]

If you're having a custom (I can't remember!) you have to guarantee a certain number of WDW hotel room nights, but your own stay counts. (It is determined by the number of guests you have - you have X number of guests, Disney wants you to guarantee Y number of room nights).

Also, your guests will get a discounted room rate at any of the WDW hotels you select for your room block. I think when they find out how cheap the Value resorts are they'll stop freaking out.

And if worst comes to worse, you can always post on here how many more room nights you have to fill and other DISers going to WDW during your dates can add their reservations to your room block to help you out.

If the search function is working today, search on "room block" and you'll get a ton of helpful info!

 

[Thumper's Tara]

If you're having a custom (I can't remember!) you have to guarantee a certain number of WDW hotel room nights, but your own stay counts. (It is determined by the number of guests you have - you have X number of guests, Disney wants you to guarantee Y number of room nights).

Also, your guests will get a discounted room rate at any of the WDW hotels you select for your room block. I think when they find out how cheap the Value resorts are they'll stop freaking out.

And if worst comes to worse, you can always post on here how many more room nights you have to fill and other DISers going to WDW during your dates can add their reservations to your room block to help you out.

If the search function is working today, search on "room block" and you'll get a ton of helpful info!

I don't have my notebook here with me, but I do remember my WC saying that for 75 guests or more, you only have to have 75 room nights. I think she said that for 50 guests it was 50 room nights.

Also, tell them not to stress until they see the discounts. I know that I was very impressed with it.

I hope this helps!

 

[princessblueeyzes]

I had an intimate and requested my guests to stay in WDW just so that way there was no problem with reaching them when needed. It was also very quick and easy to meet up with them.

 

[DisBride2007]

It really isn't as expensive as people think. I also had some cheap relatives who were moaning about this. They booked the All-Star resort which we had in our room block. I think it was $83 a night after tax for that resort (in January). In the end, all of our guests ended up staying Moderate or Deluxe. NO ONE stayed in the value resort!

 

[pixie08]

It really isn't as expensive as people think. I also had some cheap relatives who were moaning about this. They booked the All-Star resort which we had in our room block. I think it was $83 a night after tax for that resort (in January). In the end, all of our guests ended up staying Moderate or Deluxe. NO ONE stayed in the value resort!

Yep it is fairly cheap...same as off property but all the perks as well. We sent out a newsletter informing people of the free transportation, ticket discount, free magical express etc. and all of our 65 guests are now staying on property.We also did a poll to see what resorts people liked (we only offered 4) to see where the majority would stay. for us we have an even amount staying at each deluxe, mod and value. If you think almost everyone will want the under $100/night than you can always block 2 values and a moderate- just a thought!

 

[Lynn5700]

OK well here is the problem. My Aunt and her husband can't afford to go whick I understand and I said if you can't make it then I understand.

She said that I am selfish and expect people to have to pay 3000 and a gift to go tomy wedding.I said I am not expecting people to give me a gift.That's not why I am inviting people to a wedding.

She said my mind is clouded by people who have had destination weddings.

She started crying and went into her finances with me. This was what I wanted to do from the beginning and when I mentioned it to her she freaked and said people won't be able to afford to go so I went on planning my wedding to have it here in Jersey and seriously it will cost me 30000 easy.

She upset me because she went on telling my dad, who is always worried about money, that its going to cost 4000. I was like no way.


I told her that they don't have to stay in the parks and nothing seems to work for her.
I feel bad if she can't make it but i'm sorry this is what my fi and I wan't to do so may be I am being selfish.

I explained to her that it is saving us money and she sais well its not saving her money.I say people can go if they want if they can't then I understand.

I feel like I'm going to ruin our relationship.

I know I can't please everybody, but she cried to me and said that she want's to go. She is the only one who is being so negative about all of this.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Why does it cost $3000 or even $4000 to attend a DFTW? I have guests flying in from Canada to Orlando for a few nights and it won't cost them that much money. You guys have the advantage of cheap airlines and direct flights too! I have a family of four who is attending and they're estimating under $3000 USD for three nights at Pop Century. That's four round trip airfares from Canada, two days of theme parks for four people and dining. Souvenirs aren't included because that's subjective. I also have two guests who are attending the wedding but are not planning to visit the theme parks. That's an even cheaper trip.

Your guests need to think of it as a vacation in addition to the wedding. I had some problems and resistance from some family members too, especially over finances. I know how you feel. In the end, I just put in earplugs and forged ahead with tough love. My DF said it's our wedding, not theirs. Eventually, they all booked their flights except for the one sibling who can't get time off work. As much resistance that we saw early in our planning, most of it has calmed down and there is no long term loss in family relationships. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't do anything differently.

 

[Lynn5700]

I have no idea where she is coming up with 3000 to 4000 dollars.I tried to tell everybody it's like going on a vacation too and she still does'nt understand

She just want's me to have it her way but I can't. We won't be happy having our wedding in Jersey and paying like 30000 grand. I could have the wedding in like a firehall,woo hoo, yeah I don't think so. My whole family knows how much I love Disney.

Oh yeah she also told me that if they were going on a vacation they would'nt go there.

They have a 3 year old btw and before we started planning our wedding at Disney they were talking about going to Disney next year but now all of a sudden thry can't afford it.

I understand it if they can't afford it,I was just upset because she is calling me selfish and I honestly don't want to hear about their personal finance problems. Sorry if its mean but I have my own financial responsibiltys to worry about.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I agree with everything you said. You're allowed to be a bit selfish and indulge in your wishes and dreams. While your guests are important, you need to take care of yourself first and worry about your guests second. You just need to convey it nicely and then let time take its course.

It doesn't matter who you are or what you're doing. If it involves a diverse crowd then you cannot satisfy everyone all of the time. That holds true whether you're a musician, politician, comedian, teacher, restaurant chef, wedding planner or theme park operator. There will always be a segment of people who don't like your decisions. In the case of a Disney wedding, it's your aunt and anyone over at TheKnot.com's forum. The majority of your guests loves it though, so keep going with the planning!

 

[DisneyFairy19]

I know that for my family they are already excited about staying there but I am not sure about the rest of some family and friends... Try not to stress it out.. I know it can be hard not to, but dont let Family or friends work you up on not staying on Disney Property..

 

[TheSawas]

Awww deary.

You are not selfish and are dealing with the same problem I am . . . my grandmother will have a fit when she learns of our wedding plans. I don't expect everyone to be there and that doesn't effect our decision to have a DFTW.

I have come to notice that many other people are vicariously imagining their own wedding through yours. Don't forget who the bride is. <--- YOU

You have everyone here to offer support and encouragement because many of us have made the same decision you have and deal with the same problem.

Jenny

 

[Lynn5700]

Thank you so much girls for your support.I just wish that my wedding did'nt cause so many problems.

She's making me feel like a spoild brat.

 

[dolcezena]

I really feel for you - in fact my incredibly large extended family is the reason DF & I have been planning to elope since we got married! I love them because they're my family, I just don't always LIKE them!

Anyway, cliches become cliches for a reason, because they're true! - IT'S YOUR DAY! I know it's hard, but you do what's going to make you & your DF happy. You're making memories for the two of you to share, not trying to help someone else learn what magic can be found at WDW!

 

[mermaidbride1108]

Just to do a write-up of a possible budget for her - like the hotel, airfare and food. Maybe then she'll realize she's wrong and Disney's not so much.
I agree with you, I live in Philly and weddings are so expensive in this area!

Do the Wedding you want - the Wedding is about the marriage and the marriage is about two people, you and your fiance. It's not about the guests.

Hopefully she'll come around

 

[Tabetha]

Thank you so much girls for your support.I just wish that my wedding did'nt cause so many problems.

She's making me feel like a spoild brat.

She's making YOU feel like a spoiled brat? Funny, by the sounds of her behaviour, it seems the other way around to me!

 

[Lynn5700]

Awww deary.

You are not selfish and are dealing with the same problem I am . . . my grandmother will have a fit when she learns of our wedding plans. I don't expect everyone to be there and that doesn't effect our decision to have a DFTW.

I have come to notice that many other people are vicariously imagining their own wedding through yours. Don't forget who the bride is. <--- YOU

You have everyone here to offer support and encouragement because many of us have made the same decision you have and deal with the same problem.

Jenny

She's making YOU feel like a spoiled brat? Funny, by the sounds of her behaviour, it seems the other way around to me!

I know she totally is the one who is being selfish.

By the things she sais is what makes me feel like I'm being a brat,but I totally know that I am not. She just does'nt get that it's our wedding and if people can go and SHARE it with us then they can,I'm not making people spend thier money.

I get it that she want's to be there but can't afford it but that's not my problem.

I told her that this is saving Tim and I so much money and she fires back well it's not saving your guests money!

 

[dolcezena]

Ummm, forgive me for asking - but why did you invite this woman to your wedding?!?!? OK, I know why, but sheesh! You could always try the appeal to the heart...."You're so important to me/mom/whoever I thought you'd like to share our joy" Nothing gets my family members more than thinking they're less "loving" than another!

 

[alauniira]

I know what you mean. Having a disney wedding mean leaving out my 80 year old grandmother and that kind of bothers me, but thats why we are having a full reception at home too. I invited people I didn't expect would go and they are the ones giving me the most trouble, but I didn't want them to be mad either. When they call I just tell them I understand that they can't go and I am not at all upset, I just wanted them to know they are welcome and to save the date for our home reception.