By Brittany Nelenby | ESPN.com Walt Disney World Resort officials said Friday that the resort plans to open its first ever wedding pavillion at its new Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, set to begin on Saturday, Aug. 17.
The pavilion, designed by architects J.R. Meyhofer and J.L. Williams, will offer a dining experience, a marketplace, and a “family friendly space” that will be themed after the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
It will be open to guests from July 25 to Aug. 1.
The plan is for guests to have a wedding in the pavilion by the end of the year.
“We think this is a perfect opportunity for people to experience what the pavillion can offer,” Disney spokeswoman Lauren Fickler told ESPN.
“Weddings are a great time for families to be together.
The best part is it’s a little bit of everything, and it can be as simple as a group of four or five, or you can have an experience that will delight the whole family.”
The pavillion, which will open in 2019, is expected to include about 50,000 square feet of space.
Disney said it will be a new location for the event and will be part of the larger World Showcase Pavilion.
A full-service wedding and reception will also be offered at the pavillon.
It is expected that guests will be able to book their own private receptions.
It’s not clear when the pavillions opening date will be.
The Walt Disney Company has said it plans to have about 20 pavillons at its parks and resorts around the world.
The company will begin a pilot program this summer to open more pavilions in parks around the U.S. and Canada.
Disney has not announced which pavilons will be opened this summer.
