Most people know that you can get married on Disney property. But did you know that Walt Disney World has over 35 wedding locations to choose from or that they all offer very unique features and atmospheres? With so many options scattered over 40 square miles of magic, it’s easy to get lost in the details. Fortunately, presented to you in no particular order, are the top 6 locations to get married in Walt Disney World and each of their pros and cons.
1. Disney’s Wedding Pavilion – Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Image: Disney
When people think about Disney Weddings, the first image that usually pops into their heads is that of the Disney Wedding Pavilion. Most will recall having heard of the wedding pavilion while riding the monorail, which proudly boasts that “couples may exchange vows in a fairy tale setting.”
Located at the luxurious Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Disney Wedding Pavilion is the happiest little chapel on earth and it is, by far, the most popular location to hold a wedding in Disney property. With a beautiful location on the Seven Seas Lagoon and a view of Cinderella’s Castle (Oh, really? Oh, yes!) it’s hard to imagine a wedding day being less than perfect at the Disney Wedding Pavilion.
Pros:
Available for Escape and Wishes wedding packages
Indoors
Incredible views
Live-streaming video capabilities
Organ music
Comfortable seating
Cons:
Popularity makes venue difficult to book
Added fee for Escape wedding package
2. Wedding Gazebo – Yacht Club Resort
Image: Disney
Located at the Yacht Club Resort, the little white Wedding Gazebo is one of Disney Wedding’s best hidden gems. This quaint locale is situated in a small rose garden just before the bridge over to the Swan and Dolphin Hotels and the Boardwalk Inn. In fact, if you didn’t know it was there, you just might miss it.
One of the best things about the Wedding Gazebo (aside from it’s sweeping views and perfectly trimmed hedges) is the interaction from guests at the resort. The Yacht Club’s balconies face the rose garden and often you will hear guests who oh, ah, and cheer at the weddings below, adding a touch you can only get at a location like this.
Oh, and one last thing; if you plan it right, you can have your reception on the beach and watch the Illuminations fireworks. Just a little added bonus.
Pros:
Available for Escape and Wishes wedding packages
Convenient location
Quaint Disney feel
Incredible views
Outside guests often watch ceremony from resort balconies
Cons:
Outdoors
Partially obstructed view of the ceremony
Additional lighting required after sunset
3. Italy Plaza – Italy Pavilion, Epcot
Image: Disney
Ti amo! That’s how you say, “I love you” in Italian and you’ll definitely be saying it to this wedding location. Believe it or not, you can get married in Italy and Disney World at the same time. All you have to do is say “I do” to the Italy Pavilion in Epcot.
This is a location that’s hard to beat and hundreds of couples every year exchange vows in this breathtaking setting. Though you can get married in other World Showcase pavilions, what makes the Italy Pavilion so special is the fact that it is built around a raised platform, giving off the illusion that the facades are there as a backdrop to the ceremony. No other pavilion showcases a couple quite like Italy.
Pros:
Get married in Italy without actually paying to go to Italy
Raised platform makes ceremony easy to see
Access to Epcot for portrait and group photos
An Italian-themed reception sounds pretty delicious
Cons:
Only available for Wishes wedding package
Outdoors
Morning weddings only
Additional fee for guest transport into park
4. Sea Breeze Point – Boardwalk Inn
Image: Disney
Sea Breeze Point is my personal favorite for a Disney Wedding venue. Is it because I’m biased since that’s where I got married? Yes, yes it is. However, this location has many great qualities that make it a top-notch choice for any couple.
Sea Breeze Point, a three-tiered white gazebo, is located on the pier at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and its views are hard to beat. Guests are encompassed by Crescent Lake, look to the left and you can see people stroll the along the resort and behind the couple is a panoramic view of the Beach & Yacht Club. If you choose to have an evening wedding, you can see the area light up right before your eyes. It’s a magical feeling that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Pros:
Available for Escape and Wishes wedding packages
Convenient location
Quaint old world feel
Incredible views
Partial coverage gives more leeway during bad weather
Access to the Boardwalk Inn for portrait and group photos
Cons:
Outdoors
Needs additional lighting after sunset
Long walk to location
5. Walt Disney Railroad Train Station – Magic Kingdom
Image: Disney
If resorts and pavilions just don’t do it for you, then you’ll find that the Walt Disney Railroad Train Station is a venue dream come true. Yes, Disney allows ceremonies to be held inside the Magic Kingdom park itself. Though it will run you a pretty penny (There’s a $15,000 fee just to cover the basics) the Magic Kingdom Train Station offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
The station is on a second story platform located at the very front of the Magic Kingdom park. It lends a birds-eye view right down the Main Street thoroughfare and a direct eye line to Cinderella’s Castle. There truly is no bad view from here and, as an extra special touch, wedding guests are shuttled in by the authentic and historic Main Street vehicles.
Pros:
Incredible views
Guests transported by motorized Main Street vehicles
Access to Magic Kingdom for portrait and group photos
Partial coverage gives more leeway during bad weather
Built-in sound system
Cons:
Only available for Wishes wedding package
Outdoors
Small location only seats up to 48 guests
Additional fee for guest transport into park
Morning weddings only
6. East Plaza Garden – Magic Kingdom
Image: DisneyThis is it, the wedding venue to end all wedding venues. The East Plaza Garden in the Magic Kingdom is located smack dab in front of Cinderella’s Castle. It’s so close, you can almost taste the magic.
Reserved for those who are willing to shill out a minimum of $75,000 (Yes, I said $75,000) the East Plaza Garden is the type of location wedding goers aren’t soon to forget. And with a budget like that, the sky’s the limit. Lucky couples who marry in the East Plaza Garden will also often complete the illusion with add-ons such as arriving in style via Cinderella’s horse-drawn glass coach, lighting up the sky with festive fireworks, or having Minnie and Mickey as honored guests.
If you’re going to have Disney Wedding, the East Plaza Garden is the E ticket.
Pros:
Incredible views
The “dream location” for many couples
Guests transported by motorized Main Street vehicles
Access to Magic Kingdom for portrait and group photos
Built-in sound system
Cons:
Only available for Wishes wedding package
Outdoors
Additional fee for guest transport into park
Morning weddings only
Popularity makes venue difficult to book
Which wedding location is your dream venue? Let us know in the comments below!
