Need help with Reception Location

jen2009

jen2009

New Member
Original Poster
I will be getting married March 12, 2009 at the Disney Wedding Pavilion. :sohappy: We are paying for the entire wedding ourselves and need to find a affordable place to have our reception dinner for 30 people. We thought about Ohanas because of the atmosphere and the fireworks at night during dinner. Besides we have eaten there and loved it. We have not eaten at Bomas so we are unsure on the food, but we have read some good reviews. We our paying for everyones dinner and would like to have a nice variety for everyone to choose from. There are some members of the group that have quite an appetite, so a buffet is a must. If anyone can think of anywhere that would be nice and affordable that would be great. I have to make the reservations the first week of September.:) Thanks!!:wave:
 
GiveMeTheMusic

GiveMeTheMusic

Well-Known Member
Ohana is a perfect location....close to the pavilion, very accommodating to large groups and the food is great and all-you-care-to-eat. I highly recommend them.

Boma is nice, but doesn't have the same atmosphere. It's a buffet and feels like one, whereas Ohana is a table service restaurant. It's just a bit more elegant.
 
mrerk

mrerk

Premium Member
I don't know if you can make a reservation for that many without involving either group reservations or your wedding planner. You may want to put out a feeler.

We used one of the private rooms (Napa or Sonoma, can't remember which is which, but it was the one with the MK view) adjacent to the California Grill for our reception. The menu was basically a sampler of all the CG dishes. With us they brought it out family style because that was our preference. I don't see why it couldn't have been done buffet style.

Don't take this the wrong way, but shouldn't your wedding planner be helping you with this? Or are you trying to narrow down the options they have given you?
 
jen2009

jen2009

New Member
Original Poster
mrerk said:
I don't know if you can make a reservation for that many without involving either group reservations or your wedding planner. You may want to put out a feeler.

We used one of the private rooms (Napa or Sonoma, can't remember which is which, but it was the one with the MK view) adjacent to the California Grill for our reception. The menu was basically a sampler of all the CG dishes. With us they brought it out family style because that was our preference. I don't see why it couldn't have been done buffet style.

Don't take this the wrong way, but shouldn't your wedding planner be helping you with this? Or are you trying to narrow down the options they have given you?
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We have spoken with here and she knows what we would like. We are not into having a formal sit down dinner or paying way to much and not having entertainment. She just wants us to let her know so she can book it so that we are sat together. We don't want to have a place where everyone has to remain in the clothes from the wedding. We want everyone to feel comfortable and have a good time. We like Ohanas, but do not know if it would be appropriate for a reception. We think the atmosphere is great and we get free entertainment and the fireworks are a bonus. We just are curious if there is a buffet style place we have overlooked in the many trips to Disney. Everyone on here seems like they know the best places and we were hoping for some good suggestions. I am going to talk to my planner about the room and the cost of everything vs. a buffet dinner elsewhere. Thanks for the tip!!
 
mrerk

mrerk

Premium Member
jen2009 said:
We have spoken with here and she knows what we would like. We are not into having a formal sit down dinner or paying way to much and not having entertainment. She just wants us to let her know so she can book it so that we are sat together. We don't want to have a place where everyone has to remain in the clothes from the wedding. We want everyone to feel comfortable and have a good time. We like Ohanas, but do not know if it would be appropriate for a reception. We think the atmosphere is great and we get free entertainment and the fireworks are a bonus. We just are curious if there is a buffet style place we have overlooked in the many trips to Disney. Everyone on here seems like they know the best places and we were hoping for some good suggestions. I am going to talk to my planner about the room and the cost of everything vs. a buffet dinner elsewhere. Thanks for the tip!!
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Gotcha. Other than what you have mentioned, the only non-park buffets that come to mind are Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary or Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club.
 
MJmagic83

MJmagic83

New Member
I vote for Biergarten in the Germany pavilion. It is a buffet and has great entertainment at specific times in the evening. You could also see Illuminations afterwards if you plan the time right.
 
J

J_Krafty24

Active Member
jen2009 said:
We want everyone to feel comfortable and have a good time. We like Ohanas, but do not know if it would be appropriate for a reception.
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Don't worry about if it is "appropriate" for a reception or not. It is your wedding. You decide what is appropriate. You've already blown classic wedding tradition by having a smaller wedding at WDW. Do something for your reception that shows your personality and that you and your guests will have fun with!
 
jen2009

jen2009

New Member
Original Poster
After speaking with the wedding planner, we are going to have dinner at Ohanas around 5ish and then have a dessert beach party for the fireworks. They are able to set up something for the MK fireworks on the beach at the Poly. The music is piped over the speakers outside. This way we get to enjoy a very entertaining dinner and have fun on the beach for dessert and have free fireworks. :sohappy: Thanks to all who have given suggestions! Now the count down starts, 198 days till we leave for our wedding :p:p:sohappy:
 
jen2009

jen2009

New Member
Original Poster
DisneyJoe said:
I'm sure you are aware that O'hana's is not a buffet?
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We know its a family style with refills when needed. To us it seems like a buffet because of the endless food (to some extent) without having to leave the table. The atmosphere is just so festive. Everyone should leave well feed and happy. Thanks for the info though.
 
L

Lisacope

New Member
That location for a DP sounds very cool!!!
Be sure you find out what the rain back-up location is for your party - we were supposed to be at the GF Marina Patio but got moved to the Whitehall Room. It was a nice location for a private party but the view of the fireworks is partially blocked by the monorail.
 

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