WWYD? Lunch after Escape Wedding

[irisbud]

Well, now I have come to the part about the Escape Wedding I HATE: The lunch afterwards where there are few options. I hope some of you can help me out as I feel like I am spinning in circles!

I can make ADRS in about 6 weeks, but I still have NO IDEA how many people will be joining us, as only 8 of the 20 or so invited have decided

Our ceremony is at SBP at noon on Thursday, January 22, 2009. This is bad timing for WDW lunch, as many things close at 2:00! We will be having an Illuminations Dessert Party that evening. Other info: we are staying at BWI the night before the wedding, but will be switching to the GF the day of the wedding (the room situation is okay because of my parents and bridesmaids, we will have a place to get ready if we can't get a late check out from BWI). Hopefully, our GF room will be ready for us when we are ready for it!

Our Options:

(1) Have the ceremony and then have a lunch for everyone afterwards so I can wear my dress and it will cost less, then meet up again later for the DP.

(2) Have the ceremony and then have dinner with everyone later then go on to the DP. I would probably not wear my dress, though, as my planner says I can't wear it to the DP unless we rent the bus (which I won't do) and there wouldn't be time to change for sure . Also, Dinner will be A LOT more expensive (we will be paying for this ourselves).

(3) Have the ceremony, let everyone do whatever they want for lunch/dinner then meet up later for the dessert party.

My mom says go with option 3, because some people may not be able to be at WDW for long, and may not want to be structured all day/night. I agree, but I also think people might be offended if we don't give them a meal.

If we do have a lunch, I am thinking GF Cafe (GF), Captin's Grill (at YC), Fresh (Dolphin), Kona Cafe (Poly), or Portobella Yatch Club (DTD).

GF Cafe and Captin's Grill close at 2, would we be cutting it too close? I LOVE Kona, but their lunch menu is not appealing. PYC looks good, but I am not sure if the four hour limo would be enough (would start using AFTER the ceremony, as we are staying at BWI before).

Any opinions or other suggestions?

Thanks ladies!

 

[DigitalLove]

I can't remember exactly who's PJ I read it on earlier... but whoever it was has been told that they CAN wear their dress to their DP even though they aren't using the bus. So long as they all meet at the gateway at a given time, they will be then escorted to the DP venue. I would ring your planner up again and double check with her, and mention that you know another bride has been given the go-ahead etc

 

[irisbud]

I can't remember exactly who's PJ I read it on earlier... but whoever it was has been told that they CAN wear their dress to their DP even though they aren't using the bus. So long as they all meet at the gateway at a given time, they will be then escorted to the DP venue. I would ring your planner up again and double check with her, and mention that you know another bride has been given the go-ahead etc

Carrie mentioned that as well. I may have to do a double check, as I was told you HAVE to have the bus. You don't have to arrive on it, but you have to pay $$$$ for it

I hope you and Carrie are right, though!

 

[hiwaygal]

I'm sorry I can't give any input on the lunch menus but I thought of another alternative...

Your mom's idea isn't so bad and will allow people time to "soak in the Disney magic between your ceremony and the dessert party. But if you feel "obligated to provide a meal" what about providing each person/family with a few Disney Dollars and they can get something at a place of their choice...maybe a counter service in one of the parks.

Just a thought...

 

[irisbud]

I'm sorry I can't give any input on the lunch menus but I thought of another alternative...

Your mom's idea isn't so bad and will allow people time to "soak in the Disney magic between your ceremony and the dessert party. But if you feel "obligated to provide a meal" what about providing each person/family with a few Disney Dollars and they can get something at a place of their choice...maybe a counter service in one of the parks.

Just a thought...

That's a thought....maybe a good solution...

 

[lurkyloo]

Four hours with the limo should be enough to get you to DD and back if you're only using it for lunch. Say lunch lasts 2 hours, which is generous, you still have an hour on either side for it to make runs between BWI and DD.

I have heard good things about Portobello Yacht Club, and since they're open that whole time, you wouldn't have to worry about rushing (or being hustled out).

I have also heard good things about Fresh, and you all could take a boat to the Dolphin! (Swan?)

I can't remember exactly who's PJ I read it on earlier... but whoever it was has been told that they CAN wear their dress to their DP even though they aren't using the bus. So long as they all meet at the gateway at a given time, they will be then escorted to the DP venue. I would ring your planner up again and double check with her, and mention that you know another bride has been given the go-ahead etc

What I have learned about the whole walking in through the International Gateway thing is that it only works for some DP locations. We were allowed to do it for UK, and I know of another bride who was allowed to do it for Morocco, but they consider Italy (for example) too far for you to walk, especially if the weather is bad. So unfortunately, it's not a hard-and-fast rule that you can walk in and skip the transportation. It's definitely something you have to check with your planner about.

 

[alissa2008]

I say, if you're ok with option 3, go for it! Being that you are having a DP, it's not like you're completely abandoning everyone - especially if they know that you're paying for it all yourselves... I don't see a problem with just having your DP. Unless you feel obligated, I would wing it. Especially because you're right, it's not like there is nothing to keep people occupied, it's DISNEY WORLD!

 

[figmentcookie]

I'd go for the DP too. After our noon wedding, we're having dinner at the Cali Grill and watching Wishes. Everyone we invited is excited to have some quiet time after the wedding mainly because they want to nap.

 

[DecemberBride]

What I have learned about the whole walking in through the International Gateway thing is that it only works for some DP locations. We were allowed to do it for UK, and I know of another bride who was allowed to do it for Morocco, but they consider Italy (for example) too far for you to walk, especially if the weather is bad. So unfortunately, it's not a hard-and-fast rule that you can walk in and skip the transportation. It's definitely something you have to check with your planner about.

I was offered the French "leg" for my Escape Dp party... I was told I could walk there, so I don't know. I didn't ask if I was paying for a bus people wouldn't use, just so I can wear my dress. I'm now hopefully doing a DP over at the GF for Wishes... shezfrombermuda made it sound awesome in her PJ!

 

[purplegirl247]

We were married at the Yacht Club Gazebo at noon, then had lunch at Portobella Yacht Club. Limo worked out fine for us. We had a total of 16 people, so after the ceremony was over, half the crew (my family, mostly) got into the limo, who dropped them off at PYC. In the meantime, our photographer got some extra shots of hubby and me walking over to the Boardwalk (his family trailed behind us). By the time we got to the Boardwalk lobby, the limo was there, so we piled in and went to PYC. It was lovely. After lunch, we did the same thing in reverse (except both drop-off points were the Yacht Club).

You have the option of having personalized menus presented to your guests, with certain things listed (to try to keep things under budget, I suppose). We opted not to do that. Because of the timing, we were given both lunch and dinner menus, which was nice. I think with alcohol and everything (granted, only his side ordered anything alcoholic), I think the total was only around $350 or so. Not bad at all...

Others have had some pretty good ideas as well, but just wanted to let you know that time-wise, it *is* possible to get to DTD and back within the alotted limo time.

GL!

 

[Maddiesmum03]

also, don't forget time for your photos. Our SBP wedding was at 12 noon also , we were eating at Citricos that evening so had only planned to have sandwiches back at the villa after the ceremony and to allow "nap time" for the little ones and Grandad. But we didn't actually make it back to the room until about 2.30, so give yourself plenty of time to get there, whatever you decide to do!

 

[Jessbell34]

I am also having an Escape wedding at Sea Breeze Point and decided to have a reception lunch a Captain's Grille in the Yacht Club Resort, which is just a short walk away from SBP. My wedding is next week so I will let you know how it works out when I get back. I am a little nervous about the atmosphere of the restaurant, so I will see how it turns out! Out of all of the wedding things, I think I am the most nervous about that! I hope the place will not be too casual or too nautical themed. ... and I hope my guests enjoy it.

 

[irisbud]

Four hours with the limo should be enough to get you to DD and back if you're only using it for lunch. Say lunch lasts 2 hours, which is generous, you still have an hour on either side for it to make runs between BWI and DD.

I have heard good things about Portobello Yacht Club, and since they're open that whole time, you wouldn't have to worry about rushing (or being hustled out).

I have also heard good things about Fresh, and you all could take a boat to the Dolphin! (Swan?)



What I have learned about the whole walking in through the International Gateway thing is that it only works for some DP locations. We were allowed to do it for UK, and I know of another bride who was allowed to do it for Morocco, but they consider Italy (for example) too far for you to walk, especially if the weather is bad. So unfortunately, it's not a hard-and-fast rule that you can walk in and skip the transportation. It's definitely something you have to check with your planner about.

Thanks, Carrie. Taking the boat to the S/D is a good idea, too. We are having our DP in Morocco (only location offered to us) so MAYBE we would be able to walk and I could wear my dress without the stupid mega $$$ bus

I say, if you're ok with option 3, go for it! Being that you are having a DP, it's not like you're completely abandoning everyone - especially if they know that you're paying for it all yourselves... I don't see a problem with just having your DP. Unless you feel obligated, I would wing it. Especially because you're right, it's not like there is nothing to keep people occupied, it's DISNEY WORLD!

I feel okay about option 3, BF dosen't know how he feels. He wanted to do B, L, D AND DP for everyone!!!! Um, no.

I'd go for the DP too. After our noon wedding, we're having dinner at the Cali Grill and watching Wishes. Everyone we invited is excited to have some quiet time after the wedding mainly because they want to nap.

That is a good idea. I love me a good nap

I was offered the French "leg" for my Escape Dp party... I was told I could walk there, so I don't know. I didn't ask if I was paying for a bus people wouldn't use, just so I can wear my dress. I'm now hopefully doing a DP over at the GF for Wishes... shezfrombermuda made it sound awesome in her PJ!

I guess I will just have to ask my planner. It sounds like there are some mixed messages about this. A Wishes Dessert party sounds like fun for you!

We were married at the Yacht Club Gazebo at noon, then had lunch at Portobella Yacht Club. Limo worked out fine for us. We had a total of 16 people, so after the ceremony was over, half the crew (my family, mostly) got into the limo, who dropped them off at PYC. In the meantime, our photographer got some extra shots of hubby and me walking over to the Boardwalk (his family trailed behind us). By the time we got to the Boardwalk lobby, the limo was there, so we piled in and went to PYC. It was lovely. After lunch, we did the same thing in reverse (except both drop-off points were the Yacht Club).

You have the option of having personalized menus presented to your guests, with certain things listed (to try to keep things under budget, I suppose). We opted not to do that. Because of the timing, we were given both lunch and dinner menus, which was nice. I think with alcohol and everything (granted, only his side ordered anything alcoholic), I think the total was only around $350 or so. Not bad at all...

Others have had some pretty good ideas as well, but just wanted to let you know that time-wise, it *is* possible to get to DTD and back within the alotted limo time.

GL!

Thanks for the info! PYC sounds like a really good option! Just making sure I am totally clear on this: You were able to wear your dress, right

also, don't forget time for your photos. Our SBP wedding was at 12 noon also , we were eating at Citricos that evening so had only planned to have sandwiches back at the villa after the ceremony and to allow "nap time" for the little ones and Grandad. But we didn't actually make it back to the room until about 2.30, so give yourself plenty of time to get there, whatever you decide to do!

WOW! See, that is my fear, that something will hold us up (pics, whatever) and we wouldn't even make it to GFC or CG before lunch was over!

I am also having an Escape wedding at Sea Breeze Point and decided to have a reception lunch a Captain's Grille in the Yacht Club Resort, which is just a short walk away from SBP. My wedding is next week so I will let you know how it works out when I get back. I am a little nervous about the atmosphere of the restaurant, so I will see how it turns out! Out of all of the wedding things, I think I am the most nervous about that! I hope the place will not be too casual or too nautical themed. ... and I hope my guests enjoy it.

I am a little worried about the atmosphere as well, but I'm sure it will be great . Let us know when you come back!

Thanks for the help ladies!

 

[roozlilone]

I can't remember exactly who's PJ I read it on earlier... but whoever it was has been told that they CAN wear their dress to their DP even though they aren't using the bus. So long as they all meet at the gateway at a given time, they will be then escorted to the DP venue. I would ring your planner up again and double check with her, and mention that you know another bride has been given the go-ahead etc

I'm an Escape bride and we are having a dessert party at the UK Upper Terrace. My WC told me YES I could wear my wedding dress since we are getting escorted from the international gateway. I have to go straight to the DP, can't wander around, but you DO NOT need the bus!! You need to email your WC and check again with her!

 

[roozlilone]

"What I have learned about the whole walking in through the International Gateway thing is that it only works for some DP locations. We were allowed to do it for UK, and I know of another bride who was allowed to do it for Morocco, but they consider Italy (for example) too far for you to walk, especially if the weather is bad. So unfortunately, it's not a hard-and-fast rule that you can walk in and skip the transportation. It's definitely something you have to check with your planner about."

Carrie, I bet you are right!!! You're so smart I've been wondering why I was originally told I required a bus in order to wear my dress and now that I'm having it at the UK Upper my WC said it wasn't a problem. It makes perfect sense, it's so close to the International Gateway!

 

[DigitalLove]

I'm an Escape bride and we are having a dessert party at the UK Upper Terrace. My WC told me YES I could wear my wedding dress since we are getting escorted from the international gateway. I have to go straight to the DP, can't wander around, but you DO NOT need the bus!! You need to email your WC and check again with her!

Ah ha!!! It was YOU I read it from!! I knew i'd seen it somewhere and I hadn't dreamed it up!!

 

[purplegirl247]

Yup, I wore my dress to PYC. That's one of the main reasons we picked it! We also considered Fultons, but it really only has seafood, and I didn't know if everyone would be on board with that. PYC was nice because it had everything from sandwiches to pasta to lamb (yes, my dad ordered a rack of lamb for lunch. he said he wanted to get something memorable, lol).