Ambitious Proposal Day at Animal Kingdom?

[KJeff90]

Greetings from California! What started out as a simple one-day, theme-park free, stay at Kidani Village before a Disney Cruise out of Port Canaveral on a Friday in September; has now evolved into a proposal day filled with ambition and chaos. ChatGPT (that silly people pleaser that it is) has finessed me into thinking that the following scenario is all plausible. This post is gonna be a doozy; I'm gonna keep it kinda loosey-goosey conversational, and talk to you like you're a high-school buddy I haven't seen in years.

Before everything, I thought I would give some background on the fun/chaotic logistic variables leading up to all this:

• We’re a total party of 12, but it’ll just be me, my brother (he’s high-functioning on the autism spectrum), and my hopefully-soon-fiancé boyfriend at Animal Kingdom.
  The other 9 (cousins, some of their significant others, and a baby) will hit the free waterpark arrival perk.
• Our trio is flying in the night before and staying at the Hyatt Regency at MCO. Everyone else is coming in on staggered redeyes, with the latest landing around 6:45 AM.
• We’re all taking a transfer from MCO to Kidani Village. We don’t expect the villa to be ready, so we’ll drop bags and head to the park.
• Animal Kingdom is a favorite for the two of us. It felt like the obvious proposal setting. I also "gave him a choice" and he wants to get on Flight of Passage for the first time.

Now the plans for the day:

• We’re using the Premier Lightning Lane Pass to hit all the heavy hitters without the pressure of rigid scheduling.
• My goal is to propose by 11:30 AM. Earlier = fresher (hopefully photogenic) faces before Florida Humidity kicks in.
• I’m torn on reserving "Capture Your Moment" vs. “just wing it” with a Photopass photographer near the Tree of Life.
  • Pros: Scheduled time = better control, possibly better photo
  • Cons: Adds pressure + rigid timing
    Still undecided, so thoughts are welcome.
• After the proposal, I’ve got a lunch reservation at Tiffins. Air conditioning, bubbly, and some quiet time to celebrate = yes please.
• From there, we’ll spend the afternoon knocking out attractions(might sneak in one or two before the proposal?). With Premier Lightning Lane and fewer rides at AK, I feel like we can get it all done without stress? (Let me know if I’m delusional.)
• That night we’re meeting up with the rest of the group for a celebratory dinner at Jiko at 7:30 PM. Tiffins at 11:30 + park time in between = should give us enough space to digest and refresh?

If Florida starts Florida-ing with the weather:
If it rains or something’s off, we’ll still enjoy the park day with Premier Lightning Lane, and I’ll shift the proposal to Animal Kingdom Lodge(not first choice). My understanding is that there are a few nooks and crannies that I could pop the question.

Why it means so much...
I know there’s a lot of focus on “the moment.” But I’m not expecting one photo or one pose to define everything. What’s driving all this planning is a boyfriend who wants his boyfriend to feel like this is the start of something big: something full of heart, joy, and adventure.

So... have at it. Is this doable? Too ambitious? Anything you’d add, swap, or rethink? Open to recommendations, schedule fixes, and honest-but-kind critiques.

 

[cruising spud]

I think your plan will work. You even factored in the weather. With a Premier Pass you should be able to do all of the rides and shows that you want.

One thought-don't know if it's at all possible but...have you ever heard of DeVine? She is a walking tree that roams (at least she used to) the private pathways of Animal Kingdom near the Tree of Life. I wonder if you called Animal Kingdom and explained your situation if they would let you know when she is roaming. Maybe talk to a cast member upon arrival. You could coordinate your proposal with her arrival. Probably one in a million, but who knows.

Best wishes with your proposal

 

[pooch]

No helpful suggestions just an “awwww, so sweet ”. I hope it works out magically & congratulations to you both. Sounds like he is getting a great guy.

 

[kylenne]

Next time just ask the experts on the message board to help you plan the itinerary. We would have gladly helped.

 

[ParrotBill]

There will be plenty of Photopass people at the bridge framing the view of the Tree of Life. Whisper in their ear what is about to happen and ask for some additional photos at the bridge side looking to the trees and water without people in the background.

Get that going by 11:00 if your lunch is 11:30. Good luck, hope the weather is good!

If you are in AKL, There should be some outdoor overlooks with enough shelter for good pictures.

 

[imbelle]

Good Luck, sounds like a great plan!

If the weather doesn't cooperate, here's a couple of usually non-busy spots at AKL that could work for a nice proposal setting. Both are at the far end of the lobby floor (the end with the big window).

 

[Marthasor]

My questions are - have you considered possible jet lag in this scenario? Also flight delays or cancellations? If some of your party doesn't arrive by 6:45 am, will you head over to WDW without them? Is this the only day you can go to the park? I would definitely have a plan B and even plan C in place.

 

[Mle8308]

Congratulations! Just FYI, the Tree of Life is under renovations for the new upcoming Zootopia. Some of the pathways are closed or walled off. Don't want ugly walls to ruin your proposal! Just a logistical consideration.

 

[KJeff90]

There will be plenty of Photopass people at the bridge framing the view of the Tree of Life. Whisper in their ear what is about to happen and ask for some additional photos at the bridge side looking to the trees and water without people in the background.

Get that going by 11:00 if your lunch is 11:30. Good luck, hope the weather is good!

If you are in AKL, There should be some outdoor overlooks with enough shelter for good pictures.

Thanks, I really am hoping for great weather too. At least photo-worthy weather. Heat would seems okay, but want to try to void ominous cloudy weather, or worse... the sky spitting at us.

Good Luck, sounds like a great plan!

If the weather doesn't cooperate, here's a couple of usually non-busy spots at AKL that could work for a nice proposal setting. Both are at the far end of the lobby floor (the end with the big window).

Thanks for these photos, really helpful. Seems nice and cozy which is our vibe. Will definitely have these locations in my back pocket.

My questions are - have you considered possible jet lag in this scenario? Also flight delays or cancellations? If some of your party doesn't arrive by 6:45 am, will you head over to WDW without them? Is this the only day you can go to the park? I would definitely have a plan B and even plan C in place.

We arrive early afternoon the day before, so I think there is some time to adjust. It's definitely better than flying in the morning of. We have to wait for the other 9 because we have a Sprinter booked to pick us up from MCO. Finally, it is the only day we can hit up a park because we embark on the Treasure the next morning.

Congratulations! Just FYI, the Tree of Life is under renovations for the new upcoming Zootopia. Some of the pathways are closed or walled off. Don't want ugly walls to ruin your proposal! Just a logistical consideration.

Didn't even consider how much would be walled off with It's Tough to be a Bug being out now! Im hoping not too much is walled off, but im also hopeful that Photopass will be staged in places they know are still photogenic.

No helpful suggestions just an “awwww, so sweet ”. I hope it works out magically & congratulations to you both. Sounds like he is getting a great guy.

Thanks for the support! Im trying my best here, lol.

 

[Dug720]

I did a CYM at AK for my 50th and got amazing pictures. The best part is there should be a second person with the photographer to clear the area so there aren't other people in your shots - something that doesn't always happen with regular photopass photographers. They also put the best photographers on those shots so they know where to go to get the best shots. And if you can swing it right at opening, all the better - while people are doing the "Pandora 5K" to Flight, the areas around the Tree of Life and such are even more clear.

 

[imbelle]

Good Luck, sounds like a great plan!

If the weather doesn't cooperate, here's a couple of usually non-busy spots at AKL that could work for a nice proposal setting. Both are at the far end of the lobby floor (the end with the big window).

Or for something more dramatic you could make the proposal on the bridge that spans the AKL lobby.

 

[KJeff90]

I did a CYM at AK for my 50th and got amazing pictures. The best part is there should be a second person with the photographer to clear the area so there aren't other people in your shots - something that doesn't always happen with regular photopass photographers. They also put the best photographers on those shots so they know where to go to get the best shots. And if you can swing it right at opening, all the better - while people are doing the "Pandora 5K" to Flight, the areas around the Tree of Life and such are even more clear.

Your review of your personal experience is really helpful, I just might add it back to the itinerary based on how you're highlighting that they have the best of the best on duty.

Or for something more dramatic you could make the proposal on the bridge that spans the AKL lobby.

THIS! Before we evolved into including the park day, this was the original plan! I think this will be the contingency plan. It was always a dream of ours to stay at AKL, and now the dream is coming true at Kidani. Could make for a smooth transition to Jiko if I wait until that late afternoon/early evening.

 

[Pyxie]

I second the thought of considering CYM. I've done it twice (not at AK) and the photographer and assistant will do everything they can to make this work for you. It almost feels like being a VIP with a private photographer (I mean I guess you kinda are for that snort time lol).