Rhiannon Hendricks
Getting married at Disney World is a dream come true for many, and it is possible to make this dream a reality. Disney offers a range of wedding packages and venues, including the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. However, there is a catch: weddings within the parks must usually take place either before the park opens or after it closes, which can result in very early or very late ceremony times. Unless, of course, you are willing to pay a premium to shut the park down during opening hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding planning | Planning can begin 16 months prior to the wedding with a Disney Wedding Consultant. |
| Wedding locations | Weddings can take place at the Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs, EPCOT, Pandora - World of Avatar, Cinderella Castle, Italy Pavilion, and Disney cruise ships. |
| Wedding times | Weddings can take place before or after park opening hours. |
| Transportation | Disney provides transportation for the wedding couple and guests. |
| Food and beverage | All food and beverage, including the wedding cake, must be provided by Disney. |
| Wedding services | Disney provides majority of the services for the wedding, including a day-of coordinator. |
| Wedding costs | Disney weddings can range from $7,500 to $50,000 or more. There is a $40,000 ceremony fee for the Magic Kingdom location. |
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What You'll Learn
- Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings provides planning and services
- Ceremonies are usually before parks open or after they close
- Ceremonies can be held in Disney Springs hotels and restaurants
- Disney provides transportation for the wedding party and guests
- Disney weddings can be budget-friendly or extremely expensive
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings provides planning and services
Planning Process
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings team offers a comprehensive planning process to ensure your wedding is tailored to your vision. You can begin planning with your dedicated Disney Wedding Consultant up to 16 months in advance for weddings and vow renewals that include a ceremony, reception, and meal. During this time, you'll work together to determine the perfect date, time, and location for your event. Disney also provides a Day-Of Coordinator to ensure your wedding day runs smoothly.
Venues and Locations
Disney offers a variety of unique venues and locations for your wedding. Whether you choose to exchange vows in front of the iconic castle, or opt for one of their ballroom locations, each setting provides a fairy tale backdrop. Additionally, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings team can assist you in selecting the best location within their resorts, depending on your preferences and the size of your event.
Transportation
Transportation is another aspect that Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings team can arrange for you and your guests. Options range from chartered motor coaches to specialty cars for the wedding couple. If your wedding is held within one of the theme parks, transportation for you and your guests is required and will be provided.
Catering and Menu Tastings
Disney's catering services are renowned, and they offer a wide range of culinary options for your wedding reception. You can schedule menu tastings with your Disney Wedding Planning Team to sample the various menu options and select the perfect cuisine for your special day. All food and beverage, including the wedding cake, will be provided by Disney, ensuring a seamless and delicious dining experience.
Additional Services
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings team can also assist with other important aspects of your wedding. They provide non-denominational ceremony locations, allowing you to customize the content of your ceremony with the officiant of your choice. Additionally, they offer fireworks displays, horse-drawn carriages, and floral and decor options to enhance the magic of your wedding day.
With Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, you can relax and let them handle the majority of the planning and services, ensuring your wedding is a memorable and enchanting experience.
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Ceremonies are usually before parks open or after they close
Getting married at Disney World is a dream come true for many. However, if you want to get married inside a Disney theme park, you will likely have to do so before the park opens or after it closes. This is because Disney cannot close off the main section of the park during normal hours for a wedding, as regular visitors pay a lot of money to visit and plan their vacations months in advance.
There are exceptions to this rule, mostly at EPCOT, where weddings can sometimes take place in the Italy pavilion after the park closes. However, these exceptions will cost you a pretty penny. One source mentions that Disney will close the park early if you pay enough, but the exact amount is not disclosed. Another source mentions that a ceremony at the Magic Kingdom costs $40,000.
If you want to get married in front of the Cinderella Castle, you will have to be prepared for a very early or very late ceremony. This means that you and your guests may have to be at the resort at odd hours. For example, one person who had their wedding at EPCOT at 7 AM had to ask their guests to meet at the resort hotel at 6:30 AM. Another person who had their wedding at 8 AM was getting their hair and makeup done at 2 AM.
Despite the unusual hours, getting married at Disney World can be a magical experience. You can even ride the attractions after the park closes, as one person rode Remy's Ratatouille Adventure twice after their wedding!
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Ceremonies can be held in Disney Springs hotels and restaurants
Ceremonies can be held at Disney Springs hotels and restaurants, with a variety of venues to choose from. The closest hotel to Disney Springs is Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, which offers affordability and versatility, with a riverboat-style building and a beautiful rooftop option.
For those seeking a romantic setting, the Terralina Crafted Italian Restaurant, inspired by northern Italy, is located right on the water. The House of Blues in Orlando is another option for those looking for a unique and musical twist on their special day.
If you're looking for a truly magical experience, consider the Disney Aerophile Balloon Wedding, where you can exchange vows while floating high above Disney Springs. This option is perfect for couples who want an unforgettable and whimsical ceremony.
Disney Springs offers a range of venues for private events, and their wedding planning team can assist with transportation and menu tastings, ensuring a stress-free and memorable experience. Ceremonies can also be customised to suit your preferences, with the option to bring in additional services or choose from a variety of Disney-provided services.
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Disney provides transportation for the wedding party and guests
Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings offer transportation for the wedding party and guests. This is an important service, as Walt Disney World covers 43 square miles, and guests may struggle to navigate the resort without assistance.
Disney offers charter buses, which can be hired for a minimum of five hours and cost $75 per hour. These buses can fit up to 50 people. Couples can also hire a private motor coach for their guests, which allows them to drink without worrying about driving later. One couple reported that they were charged for nine hours of motor coach service, at a cost of $702. Another couple reported that they paid $714 for eight hours of motor coach service, which included four hours of use. Cinderella's Glass Coach is also available for $3,500.
Couples can also arrange for transportation by limo, van, or boat. One couple arranged for a limo to take them to their ceremony, while another couple took a Friendship Boat from the ceremony to the reception. Disney also offers a complimentary bus service between Disney Resort hotels, Disney theme parks, Water Parks, and Disney Springs.
Some couples have noted that the transportation requirements for a Disney wedding can be confusing and expensive. Disney requires couples to charter transportation for their guests when events are in-park, which can add to the cost. Additionally, Disney's five-hour minimum for charter buses may not be long enough to cover the entire ceremony and reception, leading to additional costs.
Despite the potential challenges, transportation provided by Disney can enhance the guest experience, ensuring that they arrive at the wedding venue safely and on time. It also allows guests to fully enjoy the Disney experience, without worrying about navigating the large resort.
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Disney weddings can be budget-friendly or extremely expensive
Disney weddings can be as extravagant or as budget-friendly as you like. While it is possible to spend upwards of $55,000 on a Disney wedding, there are also ways to keep costs down. The price of a Disney wedding depends on several factors, including the day of the week, time of day, number of guests, and choice of venue.
For example, lower minimums tend to apply to weekdays, while weekends and holidays have higher minimums. Additionally, the number of guests can impact the cost per person. A wedding with 20 guests at Disney reportedly cost $2750 per person, including access to the park and possibly hotel accommodations. Another couple spent a total of $55,070.48, which included a minimum expenditure of $10,000, venue fee, floral/decor, food, and beverage.
To keep costs down, consider having a smaller guest list, choosing a weekday wedding, and opting for a less expensive venue. One person who had a Disney wedding noted that they spent about the same amount of money as they would have for a local wedding, but had fewer guests and a more unique location.
Disney also offers a range of services to help create a magical experience. These include transportation for the wedding couple and guests, a day-of coordinator, menu tastings, and ceremony locations designed as non-denominational options.
While Disney does not typically close its parks for weddings, it is possible to have a ceremony in front of the castle before or after the park opens or closes. This option may come with an early or late start time, which some may find inconvenient. However, for those with the budget, it may be possible to pay to have the park closed early.
Overall, Disney weddings can cater to a range of budgets, and with careful planning, it is possible to create a magical experience that suits your financial and personal preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Disney World offers weddings at Magic Kingdom after the park closes for the day. There is a $40,000 ceremony fee for this location.
No, Disney does not host weddings during park opening hours.
Weddings usually take place very early in the morning or very late at night. For example, weddings at Epcot have taken place at 7 am or 8 am, and 11 pm.
Disney World weddings can cost upwards of $50,000, but it is possible to have a wedding for $20,000 or less. Intimate weddings start at $7,500.
There are over 45 wedding and reception venue options at Disney World. Some examples include the Italy Pavilion at Epcot, Disney Springs, and the House of Blues Orlando.
