The Disney World Resort attracts millions of visitors annually, showcasing the magic in different ways for various guests. From the beauty of the four theme parks to the theming and atmosphere of over 25 hotel Resorts, Disney World offers splendor like no other, and for some, it poses the perfect backdrop for their own use.
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Central Florida, has attractions, rides, and experiences. There’s dining and character meet-and-greets, fireworks spectaculars such as World Showcase’s Luminous The Symphony of Us and Happily Ever After at Cinderella Castle, and a whole host of thrilling rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the TRON coaster, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.
Related: Disney Issues Statement Regarding TRON Lightcycle Fiasco at Magic Kingdom
Sure, Disney World is facing a rebellion with fans challenging prices, the necessity of services like Disney’s Lightning Lane, and the rising costs of tickets. Yet, still, they flock back to the resort for their Disney vacation fix. It’s true that there are more moving parts to a Disney World trip than ever before, which turns guests off.
Many have since claimed they are “Universal people,” heading over to Disney World’s competitor, Universal Orlando Resort. The Comcast-owned theme parks recently welcomed a third gate, Universal’s Epic Universe, which was initially dubbed the “Disney killer.” But despite its opening, guests are still heading out to the Disney World parks–even if they are complaining about it.
And while the parks welcome everyone most days of the year, there are times when some utilize the Lake Buena Vista locations for corporate buyouts or their own personal use. Over the years, the Disney theme parks in Orlando have been used by companies for private events. For example, last year, one company took over Hollywood Studios and had Maroon 5 perform.
This year, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will close early again. On August 16, 2025, the Disney park will shut three hours early at 6 p.m. for unknown reasons. This closure will likely be for some kind of private event, and it will be interesting to see what it turns out to be. Over the years, there have been many reasons for both park and hotel resort closures–including the wedding of an heiress.
One Guest Shuts Down Disney World Resort for Personal Use
In 2023, billionaire Hilda Maria Bacardi, the heiress to the Bacardi rum empire, shut down the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort for a three-day celebration. The event was the wedding of her daughter, Erica Vazquez-Bacardi, to Joey Depriest-Capparelli. Hilda Bacardi is the 5th generation of the Bacardi spirits family, with a net worth of nearly $4 billion.
Celebrity wedding planner David Tutera told PEOPLE how he transformed the Resort’s Palm Ballroom into a “whimsical, magical and beautiful forest” for the bride and groom’s dream “I dos.” The fairytale wonderland consisted of trees up to 15 feet and “hybrid delphiniums, French tulips, and garden roses plus dark, glossy gardenia foliage.”
Related: Disney Bride Warns Fans What To Know Before Spending $25,000+ on a Park Wedding
Guests who attended the lavish event were greeted by live violinists and cellists while eventually lounging on sofas and loveseats amid the magical forest setting. The food and entertainment described are fitting for a billionaire heiress’s nuptials, with the wedding cake featuring the family’s very own Bacardi rum. Tutera said the aim of the event was to “[b]ring a moment of disconnect from everyday life and allow guests to see the beauty, to experience the joy, and to head home knowing they have seen and been part of something that may never be created again. Now that is magical.”
Disney Park weddings
It is not the first, and certainly won’t be the last, wedding at Walt Disney World Resort. While the Bacardi wedding happened in the deluxe Four Seasons Resort, other guests can opt for weddings at the pavilion at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or even in front of Cinderella Castle inside the Magic Kingdom Park. Just a couple of years ago, one guest shut down the Magic Kingdom for her wedding after-party, giving all her guests the freedom to roam the world’s most visited theme park.
Would you tie the knot at Walt Disney World Resort? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
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