Planning a Disney World Proposal? – 8 Fantastic Tips for Popping the Question at the Happiest Place on Earth
This is it! You’re ready to take things to the next level and plan on popping the question at the Happiest Place on Earth. Your Walt Disney World proposal is almost upon you! But how do you make it absolutely perfect?
Once you’ve picked the perfect spot, it’s time to do the hard part – figure out how to make the most of your moment! Here are our biggest tips to make your proposal go as smoothly as possible.
Plan To Proposal Early
If you are visiting the parks for multiple days, try to plan your proposal early in the trip. Preferably, you should do it within the first day or two if possible. This way, you can celebrate together after the proposal and enjoy the rush of the big moment. (It will also cut down on your anxiety or nerves so you won’t be as distracted or stressed out for the majority of your trip)
You can snag reservations at your favorite Walt Disney World dining locale or even make sure you have a FastPass for your favorite ride after the big moment. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy each other – and your trip – before you tackle the wedding plans.
Check the Weather
As anyone who’s been to Central Florida knows, the weather can be extremely temperamental. It’s common to begin the morning with fair skies and end in a torrential downpour. You may also get unexpected rain in the middle of your day for an hour or two. If this happens, make sure you have a backup location (with rain cover!) in mind just in case.
Each park has places to weather a storm, as it were, that you should know about just in case. Even with the possibility of rain, you can still have a perfect day. Just be prepared to work around it!
Do Your Research
Do you know what rides are closed for refurbishment during your trip? Do you know which restaurants are taking reservations? Are there any events happening on the day of your trip? You’ll want to put the same kind of research into planning this moment as you would in choosing a ring and picking the perfect spot in the park. You don’t want to get caught on a parade route or stuck in a crowd during the fireworks and risk being stepped on when you take that knee.
Make Your Disney World Proposal Personal
Marriage proposals should be about both you and your significant other. This means that you should make the moment as personal as possible. You’ll both remember – and cherish! – this moment for the rest of your lives. Make sure it’s meaningful for both of you. That can mean choosing their favorite spot for the proposal or a place that is important to both of you. It may mean riding “it’s a small world” for the 4th time even when you’ll never get that song out of your head.
Make your full day about the two of you and your favorite things. And don’t hesitate to pamper your significant other either! You want to make this a day they’ll never forget!
Ask the Cast Members for Help Popping the Question
Disney Cast Members are some of the friendliest and most helpful people you’ll find anywhere. They work hard to make your day special. So don’t hesitate to ask them for assistance. For example, if you want good photographs of your proposal, make sure you prep the PhotoPass photographer discreetly before you start.
Make sure your requests are reasonable. You may not be able to bring out Mickey to hand off the ring, but you can probably request a certain area of a restaurant or that they wait to bring out a celebratory glass of champagne. If they are unable to accommodate you, don’t expect preferential treatment. Remember that cast members are people and have their own expectations and responsibilities for their job. Be kind and courteous!
Hire a Professional Photographer
If you want to be assured of getting great photos for your engagement, hire a professional. It is the best way to ensure the quality of capturing your moments. PhotoPass photographers are experienced – but they won’t be dedicated solely to you and your moment in the same way.
You can find local photographers available online, many of who are very familiar with the park and have annual passes. If you are traveling as a group (and may not have the money to drop on that added expense), you may ask a friend who is skilled with a camera to stand in. Additionally, Disney introduced a new service – Capture Your Moment – in early 2020 that allows you to book an official Disney photographer for a private shoot in The Magic Kingdom during your park day.
Expect the Unexpected
Even with all the planning and forethought you’ve put into this, you can only control so much. There will always be factors outside your control. This is especially true when you are managing a trip that’s already complicated enough with managing hotels, park tickets, and any reservations you might have. Disney tries to make things as easy for guests as possible – but things happen!
Be prepared to pivot if something doesn’t go your way. There’s no point in stressing yourself out if you face an unexpected hiccup in your plans. If you’re prepared for anything, you can quickly shift gears and pull off a flawless proposal (and perfect Disney day) despite any setbacks.
Celebrate!
Lastly, get ready to celebrate once you get the resounding “Yes!” Make plans for what you’ll do after that big moment. Want to use that adrenaline to fly around the galaxy on Space Mountain? Have a glass of champagne at Be Our Guest? Go for it!
Make sure you check in with a cast member for your complimentary buttons as well! These will often signal to other cast members that you’re there for a special occasion. You can also pick up cute matching mouse ears if that’s more your style.
And most importantly? Enjoy yourself! This is your big day too!
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