Why can't we find a reception venue?

[jarrdisney]

I proposed to my fiance on 12/11/07 and we plan on having our wedding mid dec 08. We plan on having anywhere from 45-55 guests but would have no problem cutting our list by a few in order to secure a great reception. Everything we have seen so far hasn't blown us away. We plan on having the ceremony at sea breeze point mid day and would LOVE a venue afterwards that was NOT a typical ballroom. A lot of the epcot locations are after the park closes and the studios are the same. The Napa room would be great if we could fit a small dance area (6 people or so) but our wedding planner doesn't think it would be possible. Also, it seems nearly all the menus there are family style. How do you order a steak midrare and have someone serve that to you off a platter? We don't want a buffet. Is there anything out there at all or are we too picky? I would even be into having something on the boardwalk lawn. Having the whole reception in a standard looking ballroom just doesn't scream disney to us. Does anyone have any ideas at all? At first the attic seemed ok, but that's a 50 guest max and is buffet only. I'm also not into the idea of wicker chairs. I want something with a view. Something that makes people say, "I'm glad we cam all the way to disney world for this."

 

[caryndisneydiva]

how about living seas salon in epcot? it's a private room so you're not limited by park hours. i chose it because it was nothing like a ballroom or banquet hall.

 

[lurkyloo]

Well, I'm not crazy about wicker chairs (or floral chintz for that matter) either, but I fell in love with the Attic when I saw it in person. And it has a stellar view of the lake, with Spaceship Earth in the background.

We are able to have enough room to do our first dances, too, although not a full-on dance floor. The buffet-only thing is a drag though.

I also did not want a ballroom. Disney is not very forthcoming with ideas for alternatives - you really have to be persistant.

Plated, nonbuffet meals are not served family style - everyone gets their own plate of food like at a regualr restaurant. That said, I don't think people can select how they want their steak cooked at a Disney wedding.

What about Narcoossee's? You'd get the whole restaurant, and it has a view. Or Chef's de France? Also not a ballroom, and it has a view... or windows, at least! American Adventure Parlour has windows too! You can use both places while the park is still open.

 

[lurkyloo]

P.S. ...

Something that makes people say, "I'm glad we came all the way to disney world for this."

This was a huge deal for us, and the only thing we could think of that would make people say that is to get married inside one of the parks.

 

[Luvndisney]

i agree there are some excellent reception venues.

The attic looks great,
Living Seas - although there is not a view or the park but one hell of a view of the tanks,
American Adventure parlour
The ADH - not in a park but it does have a great view of the resort area and def. not a ballroom
Try restuarants around resorts.

 

[Skylarr29]

I also did not want a ballroom. Disney is not very forthcoming with ideas for alternatives - you really have to be persistant.

Plated, nonbuffet meals are not served family style - everyone gets their own plate of food like at a regualr restaurant.

I just wanted to clarify that at the California Grill, the dinners are served family style all except for I believe the San Simeon. They will not bend the rules on that one (it is the restaurant, not Disney, that is so strict) The lunch menus are plated meals except for the buffet choices obviously.

What about having the whole of California Grill? If you have a morning ceremony you can have a lunch reception with plated meals. Even though they are plated, no one gets to choose how to cook the steak, you choose at your tasting (which California Grill does not offer so keep that in mind when making your choice)

I am not sure chef de France is a choice but the Bistro de Paris upstairs is. I think there is a 10K food ane beverage minimum there but there is a great view!!! HTH

 

[lurkyloo]

I am not sure chef de France is a choice but the Bistro de Paris upstairs is. I think there is a 10K food ane beverage minimum there but there is a great view!!! HTH

You're right - it's Bistro de Paris upstairs that's available.... I always get 'em mixed up!

 

[twiu]

How about the Adventurer's Club at PI? I saw pics of someone having a rehearsal there and it sooo cool. Not sure if they non buffet dinners though. That place is awesome!!!

 

[phillyflygrl10]

How about the Grand Floridian Summerhouse? It is outdoors and has a great view of the Seven Seas Lagoon. There are also reception locations in Grand Floridian restaurants. This website is really helpful:

http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/ftw/wdw/customrecep.html

 

[Dakwister]

Grand Floridian's: Whitehall can hold 40+ people (I' m having 50+). It has an outside patio that over looks the castle and inside area that is like a small round ball room. I didn't want to do a standard ball room either. We are having a dance floor and a sit down meal there.

 

[jarrdisney]

Thank you all for the replies. We're actually looking into the whitehall room right now. We love what we have seen so far. I'm sure my fiance or I will post what we come up with. thanks again

 

[DisBride2007]

Also, it seems nearly all the menus there are family style. How do you order a steak midrare and have someone serve that to you off a platter? We don't want a buffet.

This was already suggested, but I'm going to second the Living Seas. It's in Epcot, and while it's a private room that doesn't have a view of the parks, you enter through backstage Epcot, which is a very exciting opportunity for most people to see. There's definitely room for dancing and it's a great size for the amount of people you're thinking. Also, you're not restricted with park hours, which I know was a concern for you.

As far as the menus, you are not restricted to the DFTW menus. You can invent your own and they will price it out for you. You can request certain entrees from Disney restaurants, or you can even provide your own recipes.

GL with your decision, and let us know what you choose!