Where did you have your DP & how many guests?

[minniebride]

I've only seen pics from UK Lower & Morocco........my first choice has been UK Lower, but now I'm concerned about ash and smoke getting on us (December wedding, maybe windy?).

I saw some pics of Morocco & I loved the pics, but I cannot envision where it is, if there are any view obstructions, & also how big it is (we will have around 40-50 guests).

I've seen one Sago Cay DP, but I really have my heart set on an Illuminations one.

I have not seen any other pictures or heard much about the other venues.

Which site did you/will you have, how many guests, and why did you choose it? Any photos or links to TR's??

Thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

There are lots of great photos of the Morocco Oasis location that show where it is in relation to the rest of the pavilion here:

http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/morocco.htm


The site holds up to 60 people, and the view is pretty dang good.


The problem with picking your venue based on reports of smoke and ash is that it all depends on which way the wind is blowing, so it could happen anywhere. I've seen IllumiNations from UK Lower 4 or 5 times now and only once had ash blowing our way.

 

[minniebride]

There are lots of great photos of the Morocco Oasis location that show where it is in relation to the rest of the pavilion here:

http://www.tazfoto.com/webhtml/morocco.htm


The site holds up to 60 people, and the view is pretty dang good.


The problem with picking your venue based on reports of smoke and ash is that it all depends on which way the wind is blowing, so it could happen anywhere. I've seen IllumiNations from UK Lower 4 or 5 times now and only once had ash blowing our way.

Thank you Carrie! Wow, that is even more gorgeous than the pics in the TR I saw & I thought the TR pics were gorgeous!

Is one DP location more or less popular than another? I guess I am nervous about getting an available Epcot DP! We are getting married during a busy week in December (NOT this year-in 2011!) and I'm looking to do the DP on a Saturday night (our wedding is on Sunday). So, I'm thinking that we will be competing with DFTW brides (who come first for booking DP's I'm guessing) and a very busy park weekend where others might be trying to book holiday party DP's. I'm trying to be prepared with giving them all my preferences and also researching all the sites in case I have to just take what they give me......this is the only thing that I feel is inconvenient about being a S/D bride, as opposed to a DFTW bride!

Am I over-worrying about this? Will it not be as difficult to book as I"m thinking? I'm used to the battle of booking ADR's at popular WDW restaurants, so I guess I'm thinking it might be the same? We do plan to call about 9 months out to start the booking process.

 

[girli565]

We had our Welcome DP at sago cay for about 30 people. It was lovely. There are pictures in my TR I believe on page 34 on. I'm not sure exactly of the right page but it's in that area.

 

[minniebride]

We had our Welcome DP at sago cay for about 30 people. It was lovely. There are pictures in my TR I believe on page 34 on. I'm not sure exactly of the right page but it's in that area.

Thank you!! This is my back-up site, if we don't get an Illuminations DP booked. Since we are having a S/D wedding, we really want to have an event in a park & Illuminations is kind of a special fireworks for us Still, if we can't get an Epcot site booked, SC will be our next choice.

I just looked through your pictures and they are gorgeous! Your food looked so yummy! Sago Cay really is a beautiful site!

 

[lurkyloo]

Is one DP location more or less popular than another? I guess I am nervous about getting an available Epcot DP! We are getting married during a busy week in December (NOT this year-in 2011!) and I'm looking to do the DP on a Saturday night (our wedding is on Sunday). So, I'm thinking that we will be competing with DFTW brides (who come first for booking DP's I'm guessing) and a very busy park weekend where others might be trying to book holiday party DP's.

I can see why this would be nerve-wracking! But if it makes you feel better, there are so many different places to have dessert parties that I don't think you'll have trouble. Also, DFTW brides do *not* get preference over anybody else. If anything, it's conventions who get first dibs. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[minniebride]

I can see why this would be nerve-wracking! But if it makes you feel better, there are so many different places to have dessert parties that I don't think you'll have trouble. Also, DFTW brides do *not* get preference over anybody else. If anything, it's conventions who get first dibs. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Thanks Carrie! Have you ever heard of someone trying to book a DP 9 months out and not being able to book one?

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Just crashing in here

Can I ask when is the earliest you can book a DP if you aren't having a DFTW please? Is it at the 9 month mark?

 

[minniebride]

Just crashing in here

Can I ask when is the earliest you can book a DP if you aren't having a DFTW please? Is it at the 9 month mark?

I think Carrie told me to start calling 9 months out!!

 

[SamSam]

Another crasher.

Is it possible to arrange for appetizers with wine and drinks rather than desserts at the dessert locations? It's something DH and I have always wanted to do for our anniversary.
Thanks.

 

[lurkyloo]

The earliest *anybody* can book an Epcot dessert party is 6 months. I say start calling 9 months out to get the ball rolling, though.

You can add appetizers and non-dessert items if you want—however, at a certain point, if they think you are trying to do a full meal, a different, higher food and beverage minimum applies. It's best to speak directly with a planner to find out what the rules are when you want to book. They seem to change a lot!

 

[SamSam]

Thanks lurkyloo. We are not doing a package, just celebrating our anniversary with 30+ guests.
With not doing a package, do I still need a planner or just call catering?
Sorry, I'm clueless about most of this.
I just know we want appetizers and bar for illuminations.

 

[minniebride]

Thanks lurkyloo. We are not doing a package, just celebrating our anniversary with 30+ guests.
With not doing a package, do I still need a planner or just call catering?
Sorry, I'm clueless about most of this.
I just know we want appetizers and bar for illuminations.

If you are just doing an anniversary DP (no vow renewal ceremony), you do not need a planner. Just call Disney Catering to book your dessert party!

 

[SamSam]

If you are just doing an anniversary DP (no vow renewal ceremony), you do not need a planner. Just call Disney Catering to book your dessert party!

Thank you! I've enjoyed reading everything on this board, it's all been very helpful even though we aren't doing a vow renewal.

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks lurkyloo. We are not doing a package, just celebrating our anniversary with 30+ guests.
With not doing a package, do I still need a planner or just call catering?
Sorry, I'm clueless about most of this.
I just know we want appetizers and bar for illuminations.

You will be assigned a planner after you call Disney Catered Events, usually one who works at the Disney resort where you're staying.

You might be interested in this thread where I described in detail the booking and planning of our IllumiNations anniversary dessert party at UK Pubside in Epcot:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2121903

 

[minniebride]

Carrie (or anyone!)-quick question:

Can you book a DP if you are NOT staying at a WDW resort the exact night of the DP?

We want to have our DP the night before our wedding and we are planning on staying at the Swan that night because we are getting married there the next morning. We are staying at the WL for the rest of the trip. Do you think that will be a problem for booking?

Otherwise, I know my parents will be staying at a WDW resort that night so I guess I can ask them to do the official booking.....

 

[gemmybear83]

Another crasher.

Is it possible to arrange for appetizers with wine and drinks rather than desserts at the dessert locations? It's something DH and I have always wanted to do for our anniversary.
Thanks.

I'm having a bit of mixture and starting off with international cheese an dried fruits this $9.75 per person and then have lots of yummy sweet desserts! The menus on magical kingdoms should help!

 

[SamSam]

I'm having a bit of mixture and starting off with international cheese an dried fruits this $9.75 per person and then have lots of yummy sweet desserts! The menus on magical kingdoms should help!

We're just odd in that we prefer no sweets, the various menus look wonderful, I especially like the offerings through California Grill but I"m not sure those can't be arranged for an Illuminations viewing.

In a perfect world it would all be very simple and one phone call would take care of it.