Disneyland FTW Question...

[Janet2k]

I am approximately 2 years from my 25th wedding anniversary. Since I have time on my side, I went to the Disneyland Fairy Tale Weddings website and filled out the "Request Information" page: click here.

In response to what I filled out, I received a generic e-mail message. My question is, will they also send me a brochure in the US Mail or do I need to telephone them and ask for it specifically? What has been everyone's experience with either the FTW folks in California or Florida? (Please note: When I planned my vow renewal in WDW three years ago, I didn't really do any advance planning. I simply spoke with them and booked the date.)

 

[Janet2k]

By the way, below is the "generic" information that was e-mailed to me. I was pleased to see some pricing information (that is always helpful).

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Dear Disneyland Resort Guest,

Thank you for your interest in Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings. With our
magical tradition, we can make your wishes and dreams come true.
Included below is the information you have requested.

For more information, check date availability or to make an appointment
to meet with a Wedding Specialist, please feel free to call us at
(714)956-6527.

Congratulations on your upcoming special event.
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings
Anaheim, California

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A GUIDE TO YOUR CUSTOMIZED
WEDDING AT THE DISNEYLAND® RESORT
IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The most special moment of your life can also be the most enchanted. At Disneyland® Fairy Tale Weddings, with our magical tradition and history, we make dreams magnificently and memorably come true.

Booking Your Wedding, Vow Renewal or Commitment Ceremony
Disneyland® Fairy Tale Wedding offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m 5:00p.m. Venue tours are available and must be scheduled in advance with a Disney Wedding Sales & Service Manager. It is recommended that you determine availability of your preferred wedding dates in advance of your visit to the Disneyland® Resort.

Deposits
A retainer of $2,000 will act as your commitment to host your wedding at the Disneyland® Resort and enable us to begin planning your events and reserving hotel room accommodations. The retainer will be applied toward your wedding and is non-refundable once it is received. Retainers are required to confirm your wedding event space and special hotel rates.

Food and Beverage
Dinner Receptions
A minimum food and beverage expenditure of $110.00 per person, plus 21% service charge and 7.75% sales tax, will apply to functions beginning after 2:00 p.m. at the Disney s Grand Californian Hotel®, Disneyland® Hotel and Disney s Paradise Pier® Hotel.

Lunch Receptions
A minimum food and beverage expenditure of $85.00 per person, plus 21% service charge and 7.75% sales tax, will apply to functions beginning prior to 2:00 p.m. at the Disney s Grand Californian Hotel®, Disneyland® Hotel and Disney s Paradise Pier® Hotel.

Wedding Expenditure
A minimum expenditure of $12,000 for events Friday through Sunday, or $10,000 for events Monday through Thursday, excluding tax and gratuity, is required. During the holiday seasons a higher minimum may apply. Food and beverage, flowers, décor, music, entertainment, special transportation, ceremony site fees and any other services exclusively for the wedding event will apply toward reaching or exceeding this minimum if provided by the Disneyland® Resort and Disneyland® Fairy Tale Weddings.

For receptions only, there is a $1,000 room rental fee.

Guest Accommodations & Theme Park Tickets
We are pleased to offer special room rates at any of the three Disneyland® Resort Hotels for any guests attending this special day. In addition, special priced Theme Park tickets will be offered.* Your Disney Wedding Sales & Service Manger will be happy to discuss the availability and details of these opportunities for you.

To encourage your guests to take advantage of these attractive offers, Disney will send "Save the Date" announcements, "Guest Reservation" and Disney Ticket forms. These forms will be personalized and coordinated for you.
*Ticket prices and quantities subject to change.

A standard room is offered for your special first night together in the Resort location of your reception. Suite upgrades are available at an additional charge, based on space availability.

Parking
Self Parking Couples hosting their wedding, vow renewal or commitment ceremony at the Disneyland® Resort will receive self-parking for their guests. Guests will be directed to park their vehicles in available Resort Hotel parking locations.

Valet Parking Couples may host their guests valet parking for a flat fee of $14.00 per car attending. If they choose not to, their guests will pay the standard fee for valet parking if requested.

Ceremony Locations
Disneyland® Hotel $2,200
The Rose Court Garden at the Disneyland® Hotel proposes a private and truly romantic ambiance. More than 800 flourishing rose bushes accent the stately lawn and lead the way to the breathtakingly beautiful gazebo. Vibrant color, lush landscaping and splendid architecture render this venue unforgettable.

Catering Options
Our award-winning culinary staff will create a tantalizing meal with your personal tastes in mind. Your Disney Wedding Sales and Service Manager will be pleased to provide you with sample menu suggestions showing the wide variety of options available or custom design a menu specifically to your culinary tastes.

All of our wedding receptions include the following:
" Service staff
" Head table or Sweetheart Table
" Linens and napkins
" Elegant Resort table settings.
" Skirted tables for your guest book, place cards and gifts
" Cake table and serving of the cake.
" Wooden parquet dance floor

Specialty Enhancements
" Cinderella s Crystal Coach from $2,700.00
(includes a white horse, the Royal Footman, and white floral accents.
Available only at the Disneyland® Hotel or Disneyland® Park. Limited
availability and subject to cancellation during inclement weather.)
" Castle Backdrops from $ 3,200.00

Floral
Our award-winning floral designers look forward to creating breathtaking wedding flowers for your special day. Prices will vary according to specific flowers chosen, seasonal availability and size of arrangements. Below, you will find a sampling of available floral offerings. Below, you will find a sampling of available floral offerings.

" Bridal Bouquet
" Maid of Honor/Bridesmaid Bouquet
" Flower Girl Basket
" Mother/Grandmother Corsage
" Toss Bouquet (complimentary with bouquet purchase)
" Boutonnieres
" Ceremony Décor
" Centerpieces

We will be happy to design your wedding flowers from you own suggestions and photos. Please contact your Disney Wedding Sales & Service Manager for details.
(Note: A floral set-up and delivery fee will be applied per wedding.)



Reception Décor
" Specialty Chair from $ 12.00 per chair
" Specialty Chair Covers from $ 7.00 per table
" Specialty Linen Custom Pricing
" Custom Disney Themed Enhancements Custom Pricing

Musical Entertainment
Personalize your wedding celebration with Disney entertainment. Choose from ceremony musicians to lively, crowd pleasing DJs and bands. Some of our most popular options include:
" Classical Guitarist from $ 925.00
" Harpist from $ 800.00
" Pianist from $ 750.00
" Classical String Trio from $ 1,500.00
" String Quartet from $ 1,800.00
" Disc Jockey (4 hours) from $ 1,995.00
" Bagpiper from $ 725.00
" Live Band from $ 6,000.00
Note: All prices are subject to change.

Themed Entertainers
" Major Domo from $ 1,565.00
" Fanfare Trumpeters (2) from $ 1,000.00
" Fanfare Trumpeters (4) from $ 1,600.00
Prices for the above musical entertainment include the performers, instruments, microphone, power, set-up and technical support.

World Famous Disney Characters
" Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from $ 1,200.00
Character appearances based on one 30-minute set within a one hour time frame. Additional appearances can be added for an additional charge.

Disneyland® Park Weddings
Create a real-life Fairy Tale Wedding inside Disney s California Adventure® Park or Disneyland® Park. Premium in-park events are held after scheduled operating hours, with limited availability, and are priced independently from Disneyland® Resort Hotel wedding events.

For a customized Disney s California Adventure® Park or Disneyland® Park wedding and dinner reception, please contact a Disney Wedding Sales & Service Manager for more information on these very special options. Theme park weddings, receptions and pre/post wedding events are based upon availability and food & beverage minimums.

California Marriage License Requirements
To obtain a California Marriage License, applicants may go to the Orange County Courthouse at 211 West Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana (located at the intersection of Broadway and Civic Center Drive), (714) 834-2710. The Marriage License office is located on the second floor. The hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. They are closed on all major holidays.

Information needed for marriage license:
" Driver's license, birth certificate or passport.
" If you are divorced, proof of dissolution of your last marriage must
be provided, (i.e., month, day and year that the marriage legally
ended).
" Both applicants must be present to obtain a license. No blood test is
required.

Two types of marriage licenses are available:
" Public
" Confidential
The license will be issued at the time of application and is valid immediately. It must be used within 90 days of the issue date.

All prices and guidelines are subject to change without notice.

Have a Magical Day!
- - - - - - -

 

[Lisacope]

My experience with the DFTW folks in FL is that they are just not very techie! The "wishbook" thing on the website is a little creaky and when we were meeting with Joe DeMatei in Fl and he was showing us stuff on his computer we jokingly suggested that we could swap technical knowledge and software for our DFTW VR! (MY DH works for a little company called Microsoft and I used to work there)

 

[RangerPooh]

I would just call them. At least they gave you the basic information in the "generic" email as their site isn't as helpful as it probably should be. Depending on who you speak to, they might not be too willing to speak to you before 18 months out, but that all depends on who answers the phone. As for a brochure, I don't know if they actualy send them out. I remember filling out the form many times back when we were planning and never received one, but things may have very well changed in 4 years.

 

[lurkyloo]

I got a brochure from them a few months ago when I requested info, but I think you got way more info in that email than was in the brochure! There was one page at the back that had some pricing, but it was out of date - those minimums are higher than I remember.

You may notice this when you call, but Disneyland's Fairy Tale Weddings department is not the well-oiled machine that Disney World's is.... in fact, it was because of their lack of organization/options that I decided to have my wedding in Florida even though I live about 40 minutes from Disneyland!

However, you've already had so many cool events at WDW, maybe you could teach 'em a thing or two out here in CA!

 

[Janet2k]

My experience with the DFTW folks in FL is that they are just not very techie! The "wishbook" thing on the website is a little creaky and when we were meeting with Joe DeMatei in Fl and he was showing us stuff on his computer we jokingly suggested that we could swap technical knowledge and software for our DFTW VR!

Lisacope, I haven't played with the "wishbook" thing yet. I suppose at some point I probably should. And I loved your comment about technical knowledge. Too funny! I'm an engineer and I know exactly what you mean.

 

[Janet2k]

I would just call them. At least they gave you the basic information in the "generic" email as their site isn't as helpful as it probably should be. Depending on who you speak to, they might not be too willing to speak to you before 18 months out, but that all depends on who answers the phone. As for a brochure, I don't know if they actualy send them out. I remember filling out the form many times back when we were planning and never received one, but things may have very well changed in 4 years.

Thanks for the info, RangerPooh. I probably will break down and call them at some point soon.

The "generic" info in the e-mail was nice, so at least I have a feel for their pricing. But I wasn't interested in pricing info at this early stage. I really wanted to see photos/videos of their ceremony/reception sites. What they have on their website isn't really of much use to me since the photos are so small. I need LARGE photos in order to get a better feel for their venues (I belong to the "one can never have too much information" category!).

I will be contacting them at some point next year in order to set up a site inspection. I actually looked into hosting a private event in Disneyland two summers ago, so I do know what they are capable of pulling off in the "private event" category. It should translate over into the "Fairy Tale Weddings" category. Or so this girl thinks! Of course, Disney could always prove me wrong.

 

[Janet2k]

I got a brochure from them a few months ago when I requested info, but I think you got way more info in that email than was in the brochure! There was one page at the back that had some pricing, but it was out of date - those minimums are higher than I remember.

You may notice this when you call, but Disneyland's Fairy Tale Weddings department is not the well-oiled machine that Disney World's is.... in fact, it was because of their lack of organization/options that I decided to have my wedding in Florida even though I live about 40 minutes from Disneyland!

However, you've already had so many cool events at WDW, maybe you could teach 'em a thing or two out here in CA!

Lurkyloo, I'm glad to hear that you received a brochure. I now have hope that I may receive one, too, without further prompting. I think I'll wait until the end of October to contact them, if a brochure hasn't arrived by then.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that the pricing info looks different. When I was planning my FTW in WDW, I had some old pricing info initially. When I received the official stuff from WDW, it was a lot higher than what others had been charged just a year or two prior. The difference was quite noticeable.

Back to the info that you were sent, I'm hopeful that the photos in it are larger than what is found on the official website. I honestly don't want to look at a photo that is only 2-7/8" by 3-5/8" in size (yes, I pulled out a ruler & measured!). I'm in my 40's and need to see things on a LARGER scale (at least that's my story & I'm stickin' to it!). I understand that the brochure probably doesn't have too much detail in it, but I thought it would be a good place to start -- in conjunction, of course, with the official Disneyland FTW website.

Thanks for the heads-up regarding the CA office. I'm very sorry to hear that. Hopefully, they'll be on the ball when I get around to contacting them. I'm not sure if we want to celebrate our wedding anniversary in Disneyland, but I thought we should at least look into it. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised by what can be done there. It will be fun to find out.

 

[cryssi]

Definitely give them a call! They should be able to e-mail you additional pics.

I'm a little shocked at the coach price! LOL! Egads!

What type of locations/event were you thinking of?

 

[Janet2k]

Definitely give them a call! They should be able to e-mail you additional pics.

Cryssi, thanks for the heads-up regarding photos. If they have some to e-mail, that would definitely suit my needs. That is, as long as they're larger than 2-7/8" by 3-5/8"!

I'm a little shocked at the coach price! LOL! Egads!

Yes, $2,700 is nothing to sneeze at. At least the coach in Disneyland is much more elaborate than the one in Walt Disney World. But I am not the Cinderella type, so I don't think I would book it. Then again, my husband is kinda the dashing prince.

What type of locations/event were you thinking of?

Right now, I'm simply not sure. It all depends upon whether or not we want to keep the guest list small or open it up a bit. If we keep it small, it would only be family. If we open it up a bit, we would invite family and close friends.

It also depends upon how much money we're willing to spend. If we keep it small, it might simply be a ceremony and lunch/dinner at a restaurant. If we open it up a bit, then we would consider something more elaborate, possibly in one of the theme parks.

When I was in touch with the Disneyland folks two years ago, some wonderful event ideas were passed my way. The gentleman who I was working with was quite imaginative (and he had the Disney spirit to the Nth-degree). I don't know if he's still with Disney, but I hope he is because I would love to pick his brain. He actually offered to meet with me when I was in Disneyland for the official 50th anniversary parties. I didn't take him up on his kind offer and I've regretted it ever since.

For the official 50th celebration, I got to attend some very special seminars, a lunch inside one of the ballrooms at the Disneyland Hotel, a dinner inside one of the ballrooms at the Disneyland Hotel, a live auction (watching Marie Osmond auction off her doll was a hoot & a half), a special panel discussion, a breakfast on the Mark Twain Riverboat (before the theme park was opened for the day), and possibly the most incredible dinner party that has ever been held inside the Disneyland Theme Park. The entertainment for that party was beyond wonderful. It included, believe it or not, four of the original Mouseketeers. Watching them sing and dance on stage was beyond magical, ~sigh.~

The events that I spoke of spanned three days. Each one was better than the last. Disneyland's event folks truly went all out. And because of those events, I have a slight idea as to what is possible in the Happiest Place on Earth. But I still would like to see what the FTW folks have up their sleeves.

 

[cryssi]

I had the coach only 2 years ago and it was $1800, I believe.

I'm so jealous of the 50th events you were able to attend! I'm glad that we got married during the 50th (although it took a little more effort to be able to have our DCA reception).

I would think that they can do anything...for a price! LOL! We would have loved a castle wedding, but it was cost and time prohibitive...perhaps more time than cost b/c it wouldn't have started until 10:30pm or something.

 

[Janet2k]

I had the coach only 2 years ago and it was $1800, I believe.

Cryssi, looking at what you were charged, I'd have to say that you had the coach without the horse and Royal Footman.

Just kiddin'! My, my, my! That is quite a price increase. What I was sent stated the following:

Specialty Enhancements
" Cinderella's Crystal Coach from $2,700.00
(includes a white horse, the Royal Footman, and white floral accents.
Available only at the Disneyland® Hotel or Disneyland® Park. Limited
availability and subject to cancellation during inclement weather.)

Looking at that price again, I don't think my husband is quite the dashing prince after all. I think he'll have to hoof it on his own.

I'm so jealous of the 50th events you were able to attend!

I still can't believe that I attended them. It was very sureal, especially when I got to listen to some of the Disney Legends speak. The stories that they told were both humorous and heartwarming. I just wish I would have been able to videotape it so that I could remember it always. Perhaps one day Disney will release it on DVD for purchase.

As to the party inside the theme park where I got to watch some of the original Mouseketeers sing & dance, I didn't have my camcorder with me. For some bizarre reason, I left it back in my room at the Grand Californian. I'm still kicking myself in the butt over that. *dang* *dang* *dang* Hopefully, someday Disney will release a DVD of that too. It sure would be fun to relive the incredible entertainment that Disney put on for the guests. Wow! Wow! WOW!

I'm glad that we got married during the 50th (although it took a little more effort to be able to have our DCA reception).

Okay, where are your photos? I would LOVE to see them. And I'd love to hear about the hoops that you had to jump through for your reception. Please point me at your trip report!

We would have loved a castle wedding, but it was cost and time prohibitive...perhaps more time than cost b/c it wouldn't have started until 10:30pm or something.

I have seen photos of a few Sleeping Beauty Castle weddings. They looked lovely. However, I am an old married broad. I'm not sure if something like that would work for me. It would kinda be like looking at those photos from grade-school days. You know the ones -- "What does NOT belong in this photo?" But I will look into it nonetheless. It certainly can't hurt to find out what is possible.

I really do want to pick Disney's brains in regards to everything that can be done. I honestly have no preconceived notions at this point in time. Plus, I think it would be helpful for me to share whatever I find out so that others may know what options might exist when it comes time to plan their own FTW events.

I've always tried to share as much as I can. I think I've primarily only kept what I've paid a secret since that is extremely personal information and I never want anyone to ever associate any of my events with a price tag. I only want folks to get a feel for the magic that Disney is capable of pulling off. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Lisacope]

Over the phone about your event?

 

[Janet2k]

Over the phone about your event?

Lisacope, no, but my event is two years out so I really didn't think they'd call me at this point in time. I was simply hopeful that I'd at least receive the generic FTW Marketing packet in the US Mail, whatever that packet may be.

Do you happen to know if the Disneyland FTW folks have a generic DVD that they send out to their prospective clients? I'm hopeful that they do, but I honestly have no clue. I'm primarily interested in getting an overview as to what is possible in both the Disneyland hotels and theme parks. The more information that I can get my hands on at this early stage, the better. It will give me time to mull over what sort of celebration my husband and I want - a simple one or a more involved one.

 

[RangerPooh]

When we were planning our wedding DFTW was not very flexible as to where we could use for our wedding. Obviously things have chnaged as Cryssi was able to have her weding inside DCA (and ahs gorgeous photos I might add), and so have others that I know. As for the hotels your options are the rose court garden at the DLH and the wedding garden at GCH. Pictures of those sites are on both Disney's site and the sticky at the top of the forum. Unless there are other options that's about it for the hotel ceremony sites. PPH use to have a location next to the pool, but it wasn't the nicest location IMO. Then there are the ballrooms too for both ceremony and reception. Inside DCA there's the Sun fountain (don't know the name). You can also use the Animation building. We asked about the Wine Country area and they were wishy-washy, but others have used it since. Another location that's nice is the central area looking out over the bay (don't know the name) next to the bridge. It's a larger open site, but I don't know if it's ever ben used before.

Here is some info I found that might give you some ideas for locations. It lists site capacities, and has a few pictures that might inspire another fabulous event. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlm/en_US/index?id=ThemedEventsPage

 

[cryssi]

ha ha...um, I have yet to do a trip report... I have a vendor review in the DL FAQ sticky above. Keri has much more info than I do...

I haven't really heard of anyone having a ceremony other than the RCG or GCH, but receptions, I know that several people use the Animation building, like Keri said. Actually, that's what we wanted to use, but we had too many guests! Apparently now, there are even more in-park locations you can use, too. It kind of stinks for us who have already been married, but I guess they are always improving/changing. (Although what the earlier brides were able to have was an DL photo session all over the park. They had restricted it to just the castle, then eliminated it altogether).

 

[lurkyloo]

Right now Disneyland's Fairy Tale Weddings department is working on creating a set of "cheaper" in-park weddings than the $65,000 Sleeping Beauty's Castle extravaganza.

When I called in July to ask about having a small wedding in New Orleans Square, they told me they were working on an "intimate" in-park wedding package for 20 or 25 people - for a mere $25,000. And that's just the ceremony site fee. The reception, decor, entertainment, food, etc. all costs extra. They seem to think $25,000 is reasonable because it's the site fee for a Magic Kingdom wedding, never mind that WDW will let you have 50 people there.

At any rate, it wasn't feasible for us because they are still figuring out how to do this and were not sure it'd be ready in time for our February wedding. It seemed like they hadn't even considered using New Orleans Square until I asked for it - I'm kind of sad, because that's where I really wanted to get married, and now all these other people will get to use my idea!

I guess there's always a vow renewal... Better start saving my pennies!

 

[cryssi]

I guess it wasn't so much that we had to jump through hoops as we just had to get approval from Theme Parks for the reception. I think you have to do that anyway for an in park event regardless. The fact that it was the 50th limited our choice of dates. It had to be after the summer season, as there were events all summer. I'm not quite sure why we didn't go with an earlier September date...we picked the 3rd available one, I think. We also went with a Friday wedding, as DCA closed at 8pm that day. If we had wanted a Thursday wedding or earlier in the week, the park would have closed at 6 or 7, I think.

 

[scarlett873]

I would love to do a Disneyland vow renewal someday! That's where DH and I pretty much rekindled our romance 10 years after we broke up in high school. It holds such special meaning to me...

Here's hoping that they start offering lesser, and I mean LESSER, expensive packages for those kinds of things someday!

And Cryssi, I, too, would love to read a trip report and see your pictures! Quit decorating cakes and get to typing!

Please?

 

[cryssi]

Ha ha ha...hopefully before our 5th anniversary...