Getting married at Disneyland, but not through the official channels?

[audrabolster]

Has anyone heard of anyone getting married at Disneyland? Not at the resort in the gardens? I'm talking about having a friend "officiate" and parents. No dress, no hub bub as we could never afford that at all. Maybe saying vows on a ride, or in front of the castle during fireworks?

Thoughts?

 

[hiwaygal]

From http://www.mouseweddings.com/weddingfaq.html

Can I have a wedding at a Disney theme park or Disney resort without going through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings program?

Not really. If you want to be married in a theme park or Disney-owned resort at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you must plan the event through Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings program.

Disney's theme parks are private property. If you attempt to hold a wedding on your own in any public area, you are very likely to be detected. Disney has plenty of hidden cameras and undercover security everywhere, and they actively seek out unauthorized weddings. When you are discovered, you'll find yourself unceremoniously removed from the premises.

I've been asked if it's possible to get away with a private wedding in one of Disney's hotel rooms or suites. Maybe, but I really don't advise trying this. You won't be able to get any catering (i.e. through room service) without being discovered. If the housekeeping staff notices something, it will probably be reported and this could ruin your plans. Do you really want to sneak around on your wedding day?

Only participants in the Fairy Tale Weddings program receive certain privileges, including the right to wear wedding attire at the Disney resorts and the ability to get professional wedding photos taken in the Walt Disney World theme parks (for an extra charge). Also, other than the exception noted below, it is only by using Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings that you can have Disney characters at your reception.

That one exception: the Downtown Disney hotels and the Swan and Dolphin are on Walt Disney World Resort property, but they are not owned or operated by Disney. Because of their relationship with Disney, if you have your wedding at one of those hotels, you can have Disney characters at your reception. However, you don't get the full privileges of a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding. Couples who marry at the Downtown Disney hotels or the Swan/Dolphin are not allowed to wear wedding attire at the Disney resorts and they aren't able to have professional wedding photos taken in the theme parks.

 

[alissa2008]

If its anything like WDW, you can be escorted out or possibly banned if you get caught doing this!

 

[audrabolster]

bummer! thanks for the info guys!

 

[Janell]

Ive heard of people doing this in DLR. Like on the Steam Boat or some other locations. I think as long as your not to load with what your saying, don't look like its a wedding and its quick, then you should be fine. Because your just a group of friends chatting, they don't know whats being said.

 

[poohnpigletCA]

we renewed our vows in Disneyland. We had on normal clothes and I had a minnie bride ears. A friend took video, another pictures, and the third did our vows. However, on the video all you hear is snow white singing as we were in front of her wishing well.

 

[pennyring]

What a bunch of hooey that quote from Mouse Weddings is! LOL!

Of couse you can get married in a hotel room or suite. As if the Mickey Police care what you do as long as you're a respectful guest of the hotel. Please. They make it sound like the Mouse is some nefarious Big Brother type character.

I know people don't recommend getting married in the park, but as long as you're discreet, it's not a problem.

 

[hiwaygal]

What a bunch of hooey that quote from Mouse Weddings is! LOL!

Of couse you can get married in a hotel room or suite. As if the Mickey Police care what you do as long as you're a respectful guest of the hotel. Please. They make it sound like the Mouse is some nefarious Big Brother type character.

I know people don't recommend getting married in the park, but as long as you're discreet, it's not a problem.

It's not just the opinion of the mouseweddings site. It is, quite simply, Disney's policy/rules.

Whether or not one chooses to follow them is, of course, a personal choice.

 

[perla75]

Just a side idea to pass along....

A co-worker told me that her DS & DBIL got married overlooking WDW! She said that they exchanged vows on a hot air balloon ride with a friend who was a JoP. I'm assuming the bride was not wearing a formal wedding dress....

 

[perla75]

What a bunch of hooey that quote from Mouse Weddings is! LOL!

Of couse you can get married in a hotel room or suite. As if the Mickey Police care what you do as long as you're a respectful guest of the hotel. Please. They make it sound like the Mouse is some nefarious Big Brother type character.

I know people don't recommend getting married in the park, but as long as you're discreet, it's not a problem.

Nope, not hooey at all. I don't know about DLR, but WDW is pretty strict about this & they do follow through on kicking you out if caught. They have no choice but to be strict about this policy because otherwise no one would pay their outrageous prices to go through their packages!

Not worth the risk IMO. Getting married is supposed to be one of the most honest occassions of your life. Why on earth would anyone want to celebrate it doing something disonest?? Doesn't really set up good karma or a tone for the first day of your lives together...

 

[BayouPrincess]

Nope, not hooey at all. I don't know about DLR, but WDW is pretty strict about this & they do follow through on kicking you out if caught. They have no choice but to be strict about this policy because otherwise no one would pay their outrageous prices to go through their packages!

Not worth the risk IMO. Getting married is supposed to be one of the most honest occassions of your life. Why on earth would anyone want to celebrate it doing something disonest?? Doesn't really set up good karma or a tone for the first day of your lives together..

Well said Perla. I couldn't agree more!