Welcome Dinner

[Laurafoster]

I dont know where to start in choosing a place for a welcome dinner. There are going to be 23 people in total which includes 2 young kids. I want something quite "Disney" as 10 of the guests have never been to WDW before and 5 dont like disney

So i really want somewhere that everyone will remember and with good food?!

 

[groomtb]

You want something inside the parks or in resorts? buffet or casual sit down dinner.

Heard California Grill is quite a good place to eat. located in the Contemporary Resort.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I would highly, highly suggest taking the Napa Room at the California Grill. There is a $3000.00 minimum expenditure. My thinking... the room looks right into the Magic Kingdom (it's a very unique view). Check the Wishes schedule. The music is piped in and you have a view no one will forget! I have the dinner packages list. PM me with your private email if you want them sent.

Or, at a lesser cost, plan to meet your guests for an IllumiNations dessert party or cruise. Look into a Grand I rental- I'm not sure what the fees are or if they can accomodate 23. Janet2K had that gorgeous dinner and dessert party at the Grand Floridian summerhouse... they moved to the marina area for a dessert party and fireworks viewing.

The Unofficial Disney Wedding Guide may have some good ideas, suggestions, and stories from others.

 

[twojo21]

were having our welcome dinner at downtown disney's rainforest cafe at their private terrace. we have a set menu with appetizer, salad, entree, dessert & sodas for like $35/adult & $11/child. its costing us about $2000. we liked the easy location at dtd, the rainforest theme, the food is good & guests can then explore dtd, pi or go back to their room afterwards.

ohanas at the polynesian is fun & has good food served family style on long tables for a set price i think like $24/adult. you could also do one of the character buffets like 1900 park fair at the grand floridian with cinderella & friends or chefs mickeys at the contemporary with mickey or the clambake at the yacht clubs cape may cafe which is a seaside buffet at dinner or whispering canyon cafe at the wilderness lodge which is just good, wilderness themed & fun. were having our rehearsal dinner at whispering canyon.

 

[Laurafoster]

I ddnt know the rainforset had a private terrace - that might be a gd idea as our guests are staying at disney but different resorts! i'll look into that thanks!

I did like the idea of ohana's - is it better to do it on the luau thing or a normal day - is there entertainment usually?

 

[twojo21]

for the rainforest cafe, you contact them directly for group dining i worked with laurie.

as for the polynesian, ohanas is better than the luau spirit of aloha show in my opinion plus its cheaper $24/adult vs. $50.22/adult. ohanas does have some entertainment ie dancers, distant view & piped in music of the mk fireworks & games ie hulla hoops at dinner.

 

[groomtb]

I ddnt know the rainforset had a private terrace - that might be a gd idea as our guests are staying at disney but different resorts! i'll look into that thanks!

I did like the idea of ohana's - is it better to do it on the luau thing or a normal day - is there entertainment usually?

ohana and luau option was thought about months ago while planning our wedding...
read lots of review on the luau and decided not to do it cus it's quite a typical corny disney show, that's not the kind of luau show we'd want and waste $50/person on....food was ok but seems like they'll rush you through. but that's just my personal perspective on the whole luau thing...
Ohana was high on our list until they changed their menu : replacement of the grilled shrimp took them off our list. but read at the restaurant board that lots of people liked the changes.

 

[evedein]

Laura, when is your wedding? I just got back from DD's(melmel) wedding last Tuesday. We had a welcome Wishes Dessert Party at the marina at the Grand Floridian. It was wonderful & very inexpensive. We had 11 people but the area could easily hold twice that many. It was very relaxed, away from the crowds, with a good view of the fireworks across the lake. Our menu was very simple since it was 8:30 & everyone had already had dinner earlier: fruit & cheese platter followed by a dessert platter of french pastries & small chocolate eclairs (so yummy). We had plenty of desserts left over. We had one Cindy's slipper as a center piece, coffee, tea & soft drinks. Oh, & we had a BUTLER (very cool), he set up tables & chairs & served us our treats & went to get us anything else we wanted. It started at 8:30PM. Wishes went off that night at 10PM (time varies with park closing times). The whole thing cost me about $350. If you want Wishes music piped in it's about another $300 I think. It was a beautiful night, a little chilly, so we took our coats. The hot chocolate the butler went to get for us helped a lot. If it had rained, they would have moved us inside. There is no view there, but they said they let you know when Wishes is about to go off & people go out side long enough to watch. I think the same thing happens with Illuminations.
It was not as elaborate as Janet's, but it fit easily within our budget & everyone loved it. We booked the whole thing through Private Dining at the Grand Floridian.
HTH
Eve

 

[iluvwdw2]

We haven't started our official planning, yet (have to wait until May). But, we are thinking about buying tickets for everyone to see Cirque du Soliel, followed by dinner at Boma. I thought this would work well for our Welcome/Thank You for coming We will have 35 people at our VR Ceremony.

 

[janine]

Laura, when is your wedding? I just got back from DD's(melmel) wedding last Tuesday. We had a welcome Wishes Dessert Party at the marina at the Grand Floridian. It was wonderful & very inexpensive. We had 11 people but the area could easily hold twice that many. It was very relaxed, away from the crowds, with a good view of the fireworks across the lake. Our menu was very simple since it was 8:30 & everyone had already had dinner earlier: fruit & cheese platter followed by a dessert platter of french pastries & small chocolate eclairs (so yummy). We had plenty of desserts left over. We had one Cindy's slipper as a center piece, coffee, tea & soft drinks. Oh, & we had a BUTLER (very cool), he set up tables & chairs & served us our treats & went to get us anything else we wanted. It started at 8:30PM. Wishes went off that night at 10PM (time varies with park closing times). The whole thing cost me about $350. If you want Wishes music piped in it's about another $300 I think. It was a beautiful night, a little chilly, so we took our coats. The hot chocolate the butler went to get for us helped a lot. If it had rained, they would have moved us inside. There is no view there, but they said they let you know when Wishes is about to go off & people go out side long enough to watch. I think the same thing happens with Illuminations.
It was not as elaborate as Janet's, but it fit easily within our budget & everyone loved it. We booked the whole thing through Private Dining at the Grand Floridian.
HTH
Eve

Hi, do you have the phone number for the private dining at the marina?
I am still desperate to book somewhere for my dinner after the service. I would love to incorporate the fireworks too,
Thanks
Janine

 

[evedein]

Janine, the number for private dining is 407-824-2473. They can accomadate anything from an itimate dinner for 2 to larger groups. They e-mailed me a private dining menu & we were able to choose from that. They were very helpful, especially since we were told by the EM that since DD was having an intimate wedding, that this sort of event was not possible. So we just didn't tell her.
HTH Eve

 

[princessblueeyzes]

Sorry to Hijack the thread.
Evedein, Did your DD wear her wedding dress to the marina? If so were you able to get pictures of her and her DH with the fireworks? Was it an intimate wedding? Sorry lots of questions.

 

[WDWbride2007]

Janine, the number for private dining is 407-824-2473. They can accomadate anything from an itimate dinner for 2 to larger groups. They e-mailed me a private dining menu & we were able to choose from that. They were very helpful, especially since we were told by the EM that since DD was having an intimate wedding, that this sort of event was not possible. So we just didn't tell her.
HTH Eve

Eve,
Did you mention to private dining that your daughter was an intimate bride? If so, did they hassle her concerning her dress? I have heard that some intimate brides are told they cannot have a private event. Thanks!

 

[evedein]

Since our event at the marina was a welcome party & not on the wedding day, the issue of wearing her gown did not come up. I did tell them that she was an intimate bride & that the EM said because of that, thatwe could not book a private event. Private Dining said that we could. Since the Grand Floridian is not IN the parks, I think that there is a good chance that you could wear your gown, but I'm not certain. Best to call Private Dining directly for the answer. Let us know the outcome. I'm sure other Intimate brides would be interested too.
Eve

 

[janine]

Hi
Thank you for the phone number.
I just called them and whooppee! they are sending me a menu.
The nice lasy told me there was commanders porters terrace available. Actually there were 2 areas available outside. We could also watch the fireworks from there too.
I never mentioned the wedding. I will add that later as things progress.
Does anybody know what commanders porters terrace is like? any piccies greatly appreciated
Janine

 

[janine]

quick update on my message above.
I am booked!! yippee. we are having dinner by the waters edge with a great view of wishes. Just what I wanted.
Grand Floridian private dining are fantastic!
Janine