Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[MEK]

While the other unauthorized visitor was still inside the chapel, I slid past the main entrance and continued to follow the path out to the lake. There at the end of the path was another lovely trellis. This one was perfect for outdoor wedding pictures....

Wowsa - Who wouldn't want wedding pictures with this back drop?

I actually took the next pictures while standing underneath the trellis.

I figured no one could get mad at me for standing here. It was innocent enough and I finally started to relax and enjoy myself.

Imagine what the view was like before all those trees got so tall!

This is the path heading back towards the chapel and towards the Poly

I stopped for a few more pictures:

Perhaps I was trying to work up the courage for what was about to happen next.

I was so close now. To my left was the bride's vestibule. To my right was the chapel. What to do?????????

Well, you know what I did, don't you? I walked right up to that chapel door, took a deep breath, held it, and reached for the door. Would the door open? Would an alarm go off? Would there be someone in there telling me to GO? Would there be another door inside?

Amazingly, the door was light in my grip and flung open rather easier.....




Cue the Hallelujah Chorus .............









There it was! The Inside of the Chapel!

It literally took my breath away! Seriously, it was 10 times more beautiful than this picture can begin to display. I couldn't believe it.

I stood in stunned silence for a few seconds before I realized that I better darn well get my butt in gear and get a few more pictures before I needed to hightail it out of there.

Now I know they say every little girl dreams of being a princess, especially on her wedding day. But seriously folks, I was never the princess type. Yet standing there I realized that this place was the end point of any little girl's princess dreams. It was simply breathtaking.

And how perfectly planned?

And architectural feat to arrange this chapel in such away that a perfectly unobstructed view of the castle was in the backdrop. Some thought sure went into that. Take about pixie dust!

I love the stained glass. I love the whole vine thing. The whole idea of a fruitful vine and all that. Subtle, yet biblical.

The whole chapel displayed such understated elegance! Nondenominational, but perfect for any type of ceremony.

I felt so fortunate that I had this chance, however brief, to visit the wedding chapel. But I didn't want to press my luck, so I hightailed it out of there to head back up the beach to meet Jen.

Continued in the Next Post......

 

[MEK]

When I got back to the beach there was Jen happily reminding me that it was......

Day 5!

As I was walking over to meet Jen, I noticed a CM come out of a building adjacent to the chapel. She was leading a young woman and her parents into the chapel. I felt like screaming out. "Its gorgeous! You will love it!" But I bit my tongue.

Instead, I told Jen what I had just seen. We both circled back to the chapel, but stood safely away from the entrance. We did sneak a peek into the vestibule.

I still had my distance lens on, so it was hard to get a picture of the whole room.

Jen and I did try to reenter the chapel after the CM and the touring bride were gone, but the door was now safely locked. So, unfortunately, Jen was never able to see the chapel.

On the way back to the quiet pool I took a few more pictures.

I love this pic! It makes me smile!

I don't remember exactly where I was when I took this next picture, but I was obviously trying to push the limits of the zoom lens!

Up Next.....

Jen and I hit the main pool and then head on out to conquer the world - the world showcase that is!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I am so very glad that you decided to take your chances and go into the chapel. It is absolutely gorgeous and that comes from a not-so-princessy gal. Now I see why they charge out the behind to hold a wedding ceremony there. Beautiful....simply beautiful!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I've been thinking....Joe and I need to renew our wedding vows.



BEAUTIFUL! I've seen a few pics of it before, but you captured it really well, I love the close-ups of the vine stained glass. If I'm ever near it I will surely be attempting to get inside and see for myself!

And I can't believe that is the quiet pool! Wow. It's incredible. I'm looking forward to seeing the main pool!

 

[Nermel9]

OMG!!! The wedding chapel is amazing!!! I would love to go check that out someday...although, it might be kind of hard for me, when I was planning my 2009 trip, I was seriously considering a WDW wedding. Like, seriously enough that I called and requested information and almost started talking to my parents about the idea, but unfortunately, a series of horrible events happened in my family right before my trip and I knew it would never happen. I would like to renew my vows there someday, though! I'm not a huge fairy tale, princess-y kind of girl, but I LOVE Disney World, and there is nothing better to me than a Disney Wedding! I don't think I would have been brave enough to just walk in!

 

[MEK]

I am so very glad that you decided to take your chances and go into the chapel. It is absolutely gorgeous and that comes from a not-so-princessy gal. Now I see why they charge out the behind to hold a wedding ceremony there. Beautiful....simply beautiful!

I think they have to charge out the behind or absolutely every girl in America (and half the UK) would want to get married there. There would be waiting lines to get in there. It really is that special and I am so glad I got a chance to see it!

I've been thinking....Joe and I need to renew our wedding vows.

I thought the same thing about Denny and I when I walked in there!

AMAZING, I tell you! I have read about Disney weddings before, but I guess the chapel is the creme de la creme!

BEAUTIFUL! I've seen a few pics of it before, but you captured it really well, I love the close-ups of the vine stained glass. If I'm ever near it I will surely be attempting to get inside and see for myself!

Oh, you you should. I am sure I just got lucky because they were getting ready to show it to a bride. They probably open it up ahead of time because it probably leaves a bigger impact on the bride to be.

And I can't believe that is the quiet pool! Wow. It's incredible. I'm looking forward to seeing the main pool!

It really was beautiful. Perfectly secluded! Every possible amenity!

OMG!!! The wedding chapel is amazing!!! I would love to go check that out someday...although, it might be kind of hard for me, when I was planning my 2009 trip, I was seriously considering a WDW wedding. Like, seriously enough that I called and requested information and almost started talking to my parents about the idea, but unfortunately, a series of horrible events happened in my family right before my trip and I knew it would never happen. I would like to renew my vows there someday, though! I'm not a huge fairy tale, princess-y kind of girl, but I LOVE Disney World, and there is nothing better to me than a Disney Wedding! I don't think I would have been brave enough to just walk in!

I'm sorry your original wedding plans for Disney did not work out. That must have been so hard and disappointing.

How lovely it would be for you and Brandon to have your vows renewed there. I can honestly say that the wedding chapel looked like the most perfect place in the world for a vow renewal. I do envy the brides who get married there. It so perfect.

Believe me - if you had been as close as me you would have gone in too. There was no way not too!

 

[KatMark]

MaryEllen, your pictures of the Chapel (God Bless you for being courageouos enough to go in and get them) are absolutely stunning. The Chapel takes my breath away.

Your pictures of the GF are stunning as well. Unfortunately, though, it does not change my mind about not wanting to stay there; it remains near the bottom of our list for places we would stay (Mark won't even walk in the place since our first and only visit there).

I do love the themeing of the quiet pool.

 

[glennbo123]

Wow, I've never seen the inside of the Wedding Chapel. It looks gorgeous and you said the pictures don't do it justice...that's hard to believe.

Nice job sneaking in.

I never thought that the Castle would be the backdrop to the altar area. Pretty cool.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Holy crap am I behind! Lemme catch up and I'll post in a couple minutes.

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Here we go folks!

I'm behind, so this will be a lot of pics, with little commentary (the way people like me best, quiet).

Monorail! I always loved the monorail, but staying on the monorail line and then eating breakfast on the monorail line, and then pool hopping on the monorail has really really really made me LOVE the monorail!

Preview!

Look at the above pictures closely. What I noticed is how different the background is behind the chapel, but it doesn't look like the chapel has moved at all. Wierd!

When we got off the monorail we started snap, snap, snapping away right there on the platform... until we were shooed away by the monorail personnel because we needed to move away so the monorail could leave. Oops.

This is when I started thinking about WDW architecture and how everything is themed. BLT feels so blah; could be any concrete building when you look at it, but just the roof color here is so distictive.

Details, details, details....

I believe we stopped so someone could hunt for a battery.

I want this to be the view from my bedroom window!

Here we go outdoors...

It was a picturesque day, my friends, which made me rather pensive. I'm not a beach-person but I enjoyed this day immensely. Just a quiet day with beautiful skies and good company in a great location.

It doesn't get better than this folks!

D4D

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oh Mary Ellen!! THANK YOU for the lovely chapel pictures!! I told DH I should start showing them to the girls and brainwash them into wanting their weddings there. He said something to the effect of, "that will not be cheap", to which I answered, "that's never stopped us before"!

Just lovely pics all around!! I can't wait to get back there!!! 7 weeks!!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Where was I?

Oh yeah! Sitting at a table... enjoying the day.

Next to me was a fine looking lady reading a book. And I noticed this:

Cool! She has a hidden Mickey on her ankle!

We dipped our feet in the pool but where the BLT pool unrefreshingly warm, this pool was COLD! I went up to the slide but I did not go down. Well, first of all I had my camera with me, but as I said before - !

The view was nice...

At some point I wandered away and then wandered back. MEK then wandered off and I was close behind - sans camera - then it hit me: When else am I going to be here? This close to the Wedding Chapel at WDW? GET YOUR CAMERA! So I turned around and walked back to get it while MEK moseyed on. As you can see, she got the ROCKSTAR shots of the Wedding Chapel! YOU ROCK! I was a little late to see the inside like she did... but I got some nice shots; for another post!

D4D

 

[MEK]

MaryEllen, your pictures of the Chapel (God Bless you for being courageouos enough to go in and get them) are absolutely stunning. The Chapel takes my breath away.

The chapel really does make your heart beat a little faster - doesn't it? I really had no choice but to go in. I mean, I was so close and I had been stalking around for a good 10 minutes. That was plenty of time to work up the courage to get my butt in there.

Your pictures of the GF are stunning as well. Unfortunately, though, it does not change my mind about not wanting to stay there; it remains near the bottom of our list for places we would stay (Mark won't even walk in the place since our first and only visit there).

I know exactly what you are saying because, until this September visit, I too had absolutely no desire to stay there. Then, suddenly, that changed after this visit. I think being immersed in it helped. It became very life like and animated and I completely did a 360. Weird!

I do love the themeing of the quiet pool.

That was one of my all time fav pools. Like the Poly pool, but much, much less crowded.

Wow, I've never seen the inside of the Wedding Chapel. It looks gorgeous and you said the pictures don't do it justice...that's hard to believe.

Believe it. It was simply breathtaking in there. I don't know what girl would not have just melted. Especially if you are a Disney fan. It really is the ultimate!

Nice job sneaking in.

\

Thanks! I really went into stealth mode!

I never thought that the Castle would be the backdrop to the altar area. Pretty cool.

Once I saw it I had this weird flashback, like I had heard that before or seen it on a documentary. Could be my imagination, but I'm pretty sure they strategically planned it that way so the castle would always be the back drop. Smart eh?

Holy crap am I behind! Lemme catch up and I'll post in a couple minutes.

D4D

I wondered where you have been hiding!

Here we go outdoors...

It was a picturesque day, my friends, which made me rather pensive. I'm not a beach-person but I enjoyed this day immensely. Just a quiet day with beautiful skies and good company in a great location.

It doesn't get better than this folks!


D4D

I couldn't agree more! It really was a perfect day!

I love this pic and have no idea where you found this cute little table!

Oh Mary Ellen!! THANK YOU for the lovely chapel pictures!! I told DH I should start showing them to the girls and brainwash them into wanting their weddings there. He said something to the effect of, "that will not be cheap", to which I answered, "that's never stopped us before"!

That is too funny! Let the brainwashing begin! Too bad I have boys! You must promise to invite me to the first wedding!

Just lovely pics all around!! I can't wait to get back there!!! 7 weeks!!

I'm so jealous! You really have the perfect trip planned - Disney cruise followed by Kidani! Perfect, just perfect!

 

[MEK]

Where was I?

Oh yeah! Sitting at a table... enjoying the day.

Next to me was a fine looking lady reading a book. And I noticed this:

Cool! She has a hidden Mickey on her ankle!

We dipped our feet in the pool but where the BLT pool unrefreshingly warm, this pool was COLD! I went up to the slide but I did not go down. Well, first of all I had my camera with me, but as I said before - !

The view was nice...

At some point I wandered away and then wandered back. MEK then wandered off and I was close behind - sans camera - then it hit me: When else am I going to be here? This close to the Wedding Chapel at WDW? GET YOUR CAMERA! So I turned around and walked back to get it while MEK moseyed on. As you can see, she got the ROCKSTAR shots of the Wedding Chapel! YOU ROCK! I was a little late to see the inside like she did... but I got some nice shots; for another post!

D4D

Jen - these are all really good! I wondered what you where doing while I was stalking the wedding chapel. And I totally forgot about the hidden Mickey on that ladies foot! Nice stealth camera action!

 

[Charleston Princess]

about the tractor beam pulling you in!

That's it -- I have decided -- Chelsea will need to get married at Disney. Hope she doesn't mind.

Beautiful pictures of the wedding chapel -- I have never seen the inside before. What a background with the castle!

Love the Halloween Mickey on the monorail -- so cute!

 

[jenjolt]

Where as before this I was leaning towards our 10yr vow renewal on the beach at the Poly, seeing those chapel pictures has me second guessing myself LOL!! What a gorgeous location, Disney sure does know how to throw a wedding!!! WOWZERS!!


Loved all the photos, what a great day so far!!!

Can't wait to hear how you conquered the world!

 

[princessjv]

I want to get married at the wedding pavilion!

Too bad I'm already married.

Small mute point.

Maybe I can start working on it now with my kids.

Well maybe just my son. {so we don't have to pay for it}.



BTW- maybe the sign in the water shoud read "stay out of the darn lake!"

 

[SoonerGirl]

MEK your pictures of the wedding chappel are gorgeous! I know someone whom I met here on the DIS that got married at WDW, she had Cinderella's carriage drop her off at the chappel and everything, talk about a girls dream! Her wedding pictures are AMAZING!

Very cool pic Jen!

That is too funny! Let the brainwashing begin! Too bad I have boys!

Me too! I'm hoping one of my boys (or both) will pick a Disney loving girl to marry and I can help persuade her

 

[Practically_Perfect]

Ladies - your pictures of the GF are absolutely gorgeous!! You should post some of them in the Resort Pics forum for the GF - it's in need of some shots like yours!

 

[eandesmom]

gorgeous gorgeous pictures ladies! So many I love that it's hard to comment on them all.

Mary Ellen,

Love the interior with the stained glass. Sigh. Do you know there is a new line of Disney Princess inspired gowns coming out?(I think they blew it on the Cindy dress but I digress). I'm not a princessy girl either (though fairly girly) so oh what a setting! What pictures! It's funny, I've seen a couple of wedding pictures from Disney Weddings including the interior of the chapel but never noticed the castle backdrop either.

I remember looking in when K and went to the GF spa in 08 but we didn't try to go in. good for you for seizing the moment!

Jen, I love your candids! The sand writing, the hidden mickey tattoo.

Fun fun fun!!!

Great monorail and GF shots all around ladies!

What a fun morning you had.