Credit: Inside the MagicGuests at Disney’s Pop Century Resort are used to seeing a lot of memorable moments—kids taking their first dip in the Hippy Dippy Pool, families grabbing photos with giant yo-yos and Rubik’s Cubes, or friends enjoying a late-night Mickey bar under the Florida stars.
But one group of guests recently witnessed something far more unusual: a full wedding ceremony, apparently without Disney’s permission, right in the resort’s courtyard.
The short but surprising event was caught on camera by TikTok user @hannahg28362, who was having her hair braided poolside when she noticed the couple, an officiant, and a cell phone photographer gathered nearby. The ceremony took place just outside the Hippy Dippy Pool gates, in a public area used daily by resort guests.
@hannahg28362 congrats to the happy couple 🤍 y’all go see Jenny at Pop #disneyworld
There were no floral arches, no white chairs, and no reception waiting in the wings—just a quick exchange of vows and rings, before the small group went on their way.
Disney’s Rules on “Unauthorized” Events
While the sight of a wedding at Walt Disney World isn’t unusual—Disney hosts hundreds each year—what is unusual is having one without booking through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.
According to Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules, “unauthorized events, speeches, or demonstrations” are prohibited on Disney property.
That includes unapproved weddings. The reason is simple: Disney manages its spaces very carefully for both guest experience and legal liability. A surprise wedding in a public resort area could potentially block guest access, disrupt activities, or create safety issues.
Officially approved events go through a full planning and scheduling process, ensuring Cast Members are aware and that the space is properly reserved and staffed. Pop Century’s main pool area—the brightly decorated Hippy Dippy Pool in the 1960s section—is not one of Disney’s approved wedding venues.
Where You Can Get Married at Disney
Couples dreaming of a Disney wedding have plenty of options—but all of them go through Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. This official program has been running since 1991 and offers nearly 50 approved venues in Florida alone.
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Italy Isola at EPCOT, where couples can say “I do” with World Showcase Lagoon as their backdrop
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Disney’s BoardWalk Inn ballrooms and gazebos, for a whimsical seaside feel
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Coronado Springs Resort courtyards and terraces, offering romantic Spanish-inspired architecture
Disney Fairy Tale Weddings packages range in price from $15,000 to $100,000+, depending on the location, number of guests, and extras chosen. Packages typically include:
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Venue rental
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Catering & bar service
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Floral arrangements and themed décor
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Transportation for the couple and guests
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Entertainment (including live musicians or character appearances)
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Photography & videography
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A full wedding planning team and day-of coordinator
For many couples, the allure of an official Disney wedding isn’t just the location—it’s the ability to integrate Disney touches throughout the day, from custom castle-shaped cakes to Mickey-shaped floral arrangements.
Why Some Couples Go “Off the Books”
The couple spotted at Pop Century didn’t appear to have booked through Disney. While we can’t know their reasons for sure, there are a few common motivations for unapproved ceremonies:
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Cost: Disney weddings can be expensive, even for smaller guest lists. An official event at a Disney resort can quickly climb into five figures.
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Availability: Booking popular venues like the Wedding Pavilion or EPCOT’s Italy can require significant advance planning, sometimes over a year out.
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Simplicity: Some couples prefer a quick, low-fuss exchange of vows without the formalities of a large event.
Still, choosing to marry on Disney property without permission is risky. Beyond potentially being asked to leave mid-ceremony, it can violate resort policy and result in removal from the property altogether.
Pop Century: A Unique Choice for a Wedding Backdrop
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is known for celebrating 20th-century pop culture with oversized icons from the 1950s to the 1990s. The Hippy Dippy Pool, where the couple wed, is the resort’s main pool and features flower-shaped water jets, bright colors, and giant foosball players as décor.
It’s a fun, energetic space—more associated with cannonballs and pool games than romantic ceremonies. But perhaps that was the point. For couples who met in the ‘60s section, bonded over a love of Disney value resorts, or simply wanted something playful, the Hippy Dippy Pool offers a cheerful, if unconventional, backdrop.
The Bigger Picture: Disney as a Wedding Destination
Disney weddings have been featured on television specials, in countless YouTube vlogs, and even in dedicated social media communities where brides and grooms share planning tips. For some, it’s a lifelong dream.
But that dream usually comes with Disney’s signature planning process: strict guidelines, curated locations, and careful coordination to ensure everything fits the company’s brand and guest experience standards.
When a couple goes outside those guidelines—as in the Pop Century case—it becomes a reminder that the “Most Magical Place on Earth” is still private property, with rules in place to keep it running smoothly for millions of guests a year.
While the Hippy Dippy Pool wedding was likely a sweet, memorable moment for the couple involved, it’s a rare sight you won’t find in Disney’s marketing materials. For most couples, the safest way to tie the knot at Disney is through the official Fairy Tale Weddings program, which offers magical backdrops without the risk of breaking the rules.
That said, for the handful of brave romantics who choose an unapproved ceremony, they’re guaranteed one thing: a story no one else can quite match.