Wishes vs. Illuminations DP

[DisBride011]

Which would/did you prefer? I haven't seen many photos from a Wishes DP. If anyone has any please post them.

TIA

 

[chefbob609]

What type of Wishes DP is offered? I have been to the fireworks DP but it wasn't available to be rented out last time i checked. Do you mean a cruise set up?
I'm doing Illuminations DP because i didn't think there were choices really.

 

[Deb loves Disney]

We had a wishes dessert party at sago cay at the GF. We really loved it! I'm using my phone right now so I can't post pics but if you click on my pj link in my signature I included plenty of pictures and included my opinion of the event.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

just remember that a Wishes DP requires additional cost to have the music piped in...there are pros and cons to both! We are having an Illuminations DP, so of course I'm biased. We looked into a DP for Wishes though and it is also a great option! Sago Cay is the most popular spot. It has a great view of Wishes. We opted for Illuminations because that way we were right up close to the fireworks

 

[KMS'sGlassSlipper]

I had a DP at Sago Cay - I don't have any pictures right now though. There are pros and cons to both. The reason we chose Sago Cay was because it was our rehearsal "dinner" and we were rehearsing at the WP. Most of our guests were staying at the GF, so it would've been easier for them to just show up there (if they weren't part of the rehearsal) then try to get everyone in the same spot to get on a bus to Epcot. Although you have to pay to have the music piped in - you will have to pay a viewing fee at Epcot, so depending on how many people you have, you may want to look at the cost of paying for everyone's viewing fee vs. paying for music being piped in. Also, you have to rent a bus, which is more added expense.

The pros for Epcot are that you are right by the fireworks, and inside of Epcot! Also, they have better menus. I was told that Epcot is better equipped to deal with larger amounts of food (because they have more kitchens, etc.), so the menu options and prices are better. However, I was able to have the GF recreate some of the options that Epcot had and GF didn't.

So overall, there are pros and cons to each. I really think that you need to look at your specific group - how many people, where they are staying, when you are having it... and make the decision based on that. I hope that this helped!

 

[minniebride]

We are having an Illuminations DP. We looked into a Wishes one, but we chose Illuminations for a few reasons:

-Epcot is our favorite park
-We are having a Swan/Dolphin wedding so we thought it would be really special to have an in-park event

 

[pezaddict231]

We had a Wishes DP, there are pics in my PJ. For us the timing worked better, we had an evening ceremony, and the ceremony and reception were in the GF area, so it was nice to have everything in one place.

I can't speak to the food for an illuminations party but we were really impressed with the food from the GF. They will also create whatever you want.

The other big deciding factor was that we wanted to use outside photographers for the wedding day and I wanted them to be able to capture all of the events.

Benefits to Illuminations would definitely be that it's in the park and you are closer to the fireworks. So I think there is a little more wow factor with that, but either way you can't go wrong. All of our guests loved the DP at the GF Marina.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I had both, although I didn't have dessert at either, but did have the venue, food, and fireworks.

We used Epcot for our welcome party night, at the Morocco location. My guests all loved feeling the "VIP" factor of being roped into that area, and we all loved being so close to the fireworks. The things I didn't like about Epcot were that there are a lot more rules to go by, since it is in a park, and the Morocco location, although beautiful, had 2 parts to it, so my group was separated (the tables were scattered out, and some hidden from other tables).

We had our dinner reception at Sago Cay during Wishes, on our actually wedding night. I was absolutely in love with this location, and honestly, it was my favourite venue out of anything we had during all of wedding events! Something about being at the GF, and being able to see the castle, while in your dress, is just so romantic and magical.

I have photos from both below, although my Wishes ones aren't professional (my biggest regret)! I'm sure you will have an amazing time at either, but I know if I had to choose between the two in the future, I would pick Wishes over Illuminations!

Morocco Welcome party-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36733580#post36733580

Sago Cay Dinner-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36835254&posted=1#post36835254

 

[hmdelf]

Boardwalk bride, you wedding seems like a perfect fairytale!!! Thanks for the advice on both aspects. i don't know many brides who could do that. I am doing a VR in 2013 so I appreciate the advice from someone who experienced both.
Great thread!