Walt Disney World Resort | Your Fairytale Wedding

This weeks Featured Venue post was written by Disneymooner Gina. Gina used White Hall Patio for her 2009 wedding reception. To read her recaps join the Disneymooner forums.

The White Hall Patio located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is a great choice for the bride and groom who want to celebrate outdoors. The patio area is attached to the Whitehall Room which can be used for cocktail hour or as backup in case of rain. You can comfortably host about 50 guests in the area and still have room for dancing. This area is also a popular location for pre-wedding events.

The patio is the perfect blank canvas to create the wedding decor of your dreams. On one side you have gorgeous french doors leading to the Whitehall Room/Grand Floridian conference area and a small covered area to set up your cake, buffet if you have one, and DJ.

On the other is a short brick wall which can be decorated with flowers, candles or whatever you dream up. In the distance is Cinderella’s Castle, reminding you that you’re in the happiest place on Earth! And up above… ohhhhhh up above is what makes this spot so special, it’s the MONORAIL! The monorail cruises through periodically adding a touch of Disney magic to your event that guests will talk about for years to come. In case you’re concerned, no, it’s not too loud, I promise!

This location lets your decor shine, so get creative with linens and centerpieces, there’s no need to match anything existing because it’s all so neutral.

My husband and I chose Whitehall because we love being outdoors. We were married in January and the weather was exceptional. On of the most unforgettable parts of our wedding was during out first dance when the monorail stopped and everyone on board waved to our guests. That moment made me feel like a true Disney princess!!

If you’re looking for the elegance of the Grand Floridian but wanting to put your own spin on decor this is the venue for you!

Here’s what Disneymooners are saying about White Hall Patio on our forums:

We chose the Whitehall Room and patio for the proximity to the Magic Kingdom. We used it for our Welcome Dessert party the night before the wedding. We wanted a place with options for A/C because it’s so hot in Aug and with a view of Wishes. I definitely thought it was a nice venue but brides should be aware that it is a very obstructed view of Wishes

– Lianne

By Sarah

For as long as I’ve visited Walt Disney World growing up, I always gazed longingly at the Victorian- themed gem nestled on the shores of Bay Lake. I dreamed of staying there one day and thought about how magical it would be to be a guest at Disney’s “Flagship Resort”. When we decided to have our wedding in Disney World, the planning often focused on where we would stay for our two weeks there. We immediately knew we wanted to experience what this resort had to offer. Our decision was based on several factors: the ambiance, amenities, location and value. Wait, did she just say value and Grand Floridian in the same sentence? Let me explain.

As part of the wedding planning process, brides and grooms must face the room block decision. A special perk of this is discounted rooms, which allows the possibilities of staying at a deluxe resort for a significantly discounted rate. We took full advantage of the perk and booked a concierge level room for a price we will never see again. The location of this resort for us was another plus. Not only is it right next to the Magic Kingdom with great transportation services but it was also near two of our wedding event venues. Our rehearsal dinner was at 1900 Park Fare and our ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion. It was a nice touch to be able to see our venue every time we went outside.

The ambiance and atmosphere at the Grand Floridian is next to none. The cast members were there to help with everything we needed during our stay including helping with delivering welcome bags and carrying all our wedding gear upstairs.
The luxurious amenities of this resort are endless. From the rooms and suites, dining experiences, views of the Magic Kingdom, shops, a spa and a salon, it makes for a relaxing experience. I used the Spa in the week before the wedding, several guests used the salon to get their hair perfect, and one guest even had to purchase dress socks that he left home in NY.
Staying at the Grand Floridian was a decision we would make over again. I highly recommend it if you are looking to spoil yourself a little for your wedding or honeymoon. The high level of quality is evident in every aspect of the resort from the pools, to stores and even the grand lobby.