Wedding Reception - Extra Magic Hours - Non Resort Guests

[LotsOfQuestions]

We are invited to a wedding reception at Epcot. It is in the evening with special viewing of Illuminations. The invitation says entrance to Epcot is included.

The reception is on a day that Epcot has Extra Magic Hours. I am trying to schedule daycare for our children and need to know how long to tell them, so I have a strange question.

We are not staying onsite - so we don't qualify for the Extra Magic Hours.

However, what are the rules for large parties? For the time the reception starts - if we all have to leave after Illuminations, it doesn't seem a very long time for the reception.

So, my question is - if guests are part of a large reception - do they get to stay longer, or do those of us who are not resort guests have to leave after Illuminations?

Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You need to call the coordinator.
2) Non-resort people are asked to leave.
3) However, there may be special arrangements made such as
. . . inside Odyssey Restaurant
. . . inside another venue

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

1) You need to call the coordinator.
2) Non-resort people are asked to leave.
3) However, there may be special arrangements made such as
. . . inside Odyssey Restaurant
. . . inside another venue

Thanks! I will plan on leaving right after Illuminations.

 

[Skylarr29]

That is a good question to ask the person who's wedding you will be attending. If it only an Illuminations dessert party then while you don't have to leave after the party you won't be able to ride the attractions with out an EMH wristband. The person may have another venue reserved for after Illuminations such as a dinner reception etc. so the only one who will really know the answer to this question is them.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

That is a good question to ask the person who's wedding you will be attending. If it only an Illuminations dessert party then while you don't have to leave after the party you won't be able to ride the attractions with out an EMH wristband. The person may have another venue reserved for after Illuminations such as a dinner reception etc. so the only one who will really know the answer to this question is them.

Thanks,
I thought I would try the question here first, as I didn't want to sound like I was asking the bride if she was providing even more extra special privileges. I mean - including entrance into Epcot is already a more than expected gift to her guests. Although, we did purchase park hoppers (and let her know so she wouldn't have to buy our tickets) so that we could experience the magic of all of Disney.

It is an appetizer and dinner party.

But I will just ask her when she thinks it will be over without even mentioning the Extra Magic Hours.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I recently attended a convention held at the Swan and included in the convention was an IllumiNations Dessert reception at Epcot. It was on an EMH night and one of the Disney people came to the area where the recepton was being held and gave anyone who wanted one an EMH wristband. They did not ask to see any room keys.

I know that no special arrangments were made for wristbands, as I was the person who signed the contract with Disney of the reception. I did not ask if this is standard procedure.

On a side note, the amount charged for special entry into the park is an "on consumption" item. If, for example, you have a Disney pass which you use to get into Epcot, either a pass that was used earlier in the day or some sort of DM entry, and use that to get in for the reception they will not be charged the additional price for your entry.

 

[mufasa0505]

A lot of brides use Illuminations as a sort of "cocktail hour" and the reception (dinner, dancing, etc.) takes place somewhere in the park (many options in Epcot-I won't list them and spoil the surprise).

I would ask the bride how long you should reserve the babysitter for. Some in-park receptions last until 2am or longer!

 

[mufasa0505]

A lot of brides use Illuminations as a sort of "cocktail hour" and the reception (dinner, dancing, etc.) takes place somewhere in the park (many options in Epcot-I won't list them and spoil the surprise).

I would ask the bride how long you should reserve the babysitter for. Some in-park receptions last until 2am or longer!

And you'll have a blast, so don't cut out early!

 

[CleveRocks]

2) Non-resort people are asked to leave.

I VERY STRONGLY disagree.

No one is EVER asked to leave the park during EMH. There is no prohibition against non-resort guests being inside a theme park during evening EMH. It's just that while inside during EMH they can't ride/go into any rides/attractions. A wristband is not required to just walk around. You wouldn't be permitted to get into line for Test Track, and wouldn't be permitted to walk into Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, but no one would stop you from walking into a restaurant, for example.

Seriously, CMs don't sweep the park asking people to leave.

 

[katedrew94]

We recently (last month) were part of a large group who had a dessert buffet/reserved Illuminations seating and there was someone there handing out wristbands at our terrace. They did not ask to see room keys.

Have fun!

 

[zumbergc]

We were married at disney several years ago, and read lots of details involving wedding receptions at epcot from other ladies planning, and reports from their weddings.

Generally what is going on for the receptions in epcot are one of the following.
Sometimes the bride/groom rents special buses for their guests.
You are taken to your reception venue. There are a certain number of epcot CM's per certain number of guest. When you get off the bus you are directed to your reception location.
Other times, the guests meet at the back entrance. Then the guests are escorted to the reception location. They don’t really have access to the park.

Sometimes the bride and grooms have illuminations as part of their reception.
You may start their, or start at a "reception" location at epcot, and then be escorted over by the CM’s. The wedding cost’s add in cost’s for a epcot viewing fee. I don’t remember the exact cost. Sometimes people have been in the parks earlier that day, and then the bride, groom would be happy if the CM’s used your ticket media so they didn’t have to pay a viewing fee if you’ve been in a park and have the hopper option. Your bride, groom would be happy to save some cash!!

Your bride/groom pay a viewing fees for seeing illumination.
I’ve never heard of a bride/groom paying for entrance into a park, for an entire reception guest list. I’ve never read a review stating that their guests were able to stay in the parks either after the reception ended or illuminations was over, or after a fantasmic party.
After illuminations or after the reception the guests are escorted out of the park via the way the bride/groom arranged it. If you were private bus in, then that’s how you get out.
You would be escorted out by the Disney cm’s if you walked in.

We had an epcot location for our rehearsal dinner. We bussed our guests in. People who wanted to stay in epcot, had their tickets swiped by the CM’s and then could get into the parks after the rehearsal dinner was over.

Private corporate events are held by lots of companies. You never know what the companies paid for their employees. They don’t just give out the bracelets to wedding guests to let them stay later. The guests would have to have paid for entrance into the park, or the unlikely event your bride/groom paid for entrance into the parks for all the guest. The viewing fee they pay is not close to the cost of a 1 day ticket.
You would have extremely awesome bride/groom to pick up a days cost at a park.

Like another Disney bride mentioned. Some epcot receptions don’t start until 8-9pm, so they may go on way past park closing. It all depends on what the bride/groom picked out.

Your best bet is to ask the bride/groom how long the wedding & reception is planned for especially since they could have something shorter or more lengthy all depending on what they planned out. Just let them know your planning day care. I’m sure they would be happy to let you know.