Disney World Engagement

[MattyDee623]

Hey everyone! New to the site, so apologize in advance for any basic questions I ask. Anyways, I am planning to propose to my GF during our family Christmas trip to Disney World! Was maybe planning to do it on Christmas day, still trying to figure that one out. But, I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with Disney Engagements and how that went for them? Or, if anyone has gone a different route from Disney Engagements but still had Disney involved? I spoke with a rep from Disney Weddings and she gave me a starting price point of $5,000 and told me that a planning specialist would be in touch with me for addtl details so still currently waiting on that. Thanks everyone in advance!!

 

[lurkyloo]

So "Disney Engagements" is just the marketing front for Disney Meetings & Events, which, as you learned, has a $5,000 minimum expenditure for events of any kind. Disney doesn't really offer any other type of engagement assistance. Sometimes people are able to ask a cast member for help on the spot, but really the only thing you could plan ahead of time would be a photo shoot via Photopass or Capture Your Moment. These often turn into proposals!

 

[LovesTimone]

I know several people that have gotten engaged at Disney, and seen several people get engaged in the parks... and each have done it on their own...

I personally would not spend 5,000 dollars on something that you could do yourself... take into consideration what would be the most special for just the 2 of you... what would be the most personal and lasting memory...

You could do something simple like take a evening Christmas eve stroll around the boardwalk or whatever resort your your staying at... and pop the question then... so you both have some time just the two of you to surround yourself in your moment... Simple yet really romantic...

I know several people that have gotten engaged in MK at Cinderella's wishing well.
One of our friends that got engaged in the Haunted Mansion on the ride. Why you wonder... that was the first ride that they rode together on their first trip together to Disney. So it had special memories.. He said that he knew she was the one, when they both said "Step into the dead center of the room" at the same time... and the rest was history...
We have seen several couples get engaged on main street during the fireworks,
Another couple we know got engaged, in Epcot under the trellis next to the Tea shop in England.

Another friend of ours rented a Boat for the fireworks cruise at the Grand Floridian and then after their families met them on the dock, and went to Narcoossee's for dinner afterwards.

DH and I were walking along between POFQ to POR back to our room early one morning, it was right along the river, and happened upon a couple getting engaged, it was so sweet... We asked them if they wanted us to take a few pictures, which we did...

Cali Grill is another spot we have seen a couple people get engaged...

Wishing you both a life filled with magic and pixie dust...

 

[person]

I know several people that have gotten engaged at Disney, and seen several people get engaged in the parks... and each have done it on their own...

I personally would not spend 5,000 dollars on something that you could do yourself... take into consideration what would be the most special for just the 2 of you... what would be the most personal and lasting memory...

You could do something simple like take a evening Christmas eve stroll around the boardwalk or whatever resort your your staying at... and pop the question then... so you both have some time just the two of you to surround yourself in your moment... Simple yet really romantic...

I know several people that have gotten engaged in MK at Cinderella's wishing well.
One of our friends that got engaged in the Haunted Mansion on the ride. Why you wonder... that was the first ride that they rode together on their first trip together to Disney. So it had special memories.. He said that he knew she was the one, when they both said "Step into the dead center of the room" at the same time... and the rest was history...
We have seen several couples get engaged on main street during the fireworks,
Another couple we know got engaged, in Epcot under the trellis next to the Tea shop in England.

Another friend of ours rented a Boat for the fireworks cruise at the Grand Floridian and then after their families met them on the dock, and went to Narcoossee's for dinner afterwards.

DH and I were walking along between POFQ to POR back to our room early one morning, it was right along the river, and happened upon a couple getting engaged, it was so sweet... We asked them if they wanted us to take a few pictures, which we did...

Cali Grill is another spot we have seen a couple people get engaged...

Wishing you both a life filled with magic and pixie dust...

Kind of like Las Vegas for weddings, I suppose...

 

[JKeenz]

Hey there! My husband proposed to me at MK in 2010 so I will share a little with you from my perspective.

My husband proposed very quietly just the two of us by the castle before park opening. Then we went to our breakfast reservation afterwards and called our parents after that. It was just right for us. We got our “just engaged” buttons and enjoyed all the congratulations from CMs and other guests for the rest of our week.

You know your girlfriend better than anyone, so I would just say think about what she would want, and what is right for the 2 of you as a couple. Would she want the attention and extra thoughts that goes into a choreographed proposal? If so, then definitely see what Disney has to say! But if she wouldn’t want a big deal over it, or for you to spend more than you already spent or will spend on a ring, maybe something quiet is best.

I recently heard you can book a short photo session through Disney for a reasonable price too. It’s called “capture your moment” and it’s only $50 for a 20 minute session. I’m sure the photos aren’t cheap, but this would definitely make Photo Pass worth it as well.

Just sharing my perspective from someone who's been there. Have fun and congratulations!!!

 

[kvogel11202]

Hey everyone! New to the site, so apologize in advance for any basic questions I ask. Anyways, I am planning to propose to my GF during our family Christmas trip to Disney World! Was maybe planning to do it on Christmas day, still trying to figure that one out. But, I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with Disney Engagements and how that went for them? Or, if anyone has gone a different route from Disney Engagements but still had Disney involved? I spoke with a rep from Disney Weddings and she gave me a starting price point of $5,000 and told me that a planning specialist would be in touch with me for addtl details so still currently waiting on that. Thanks everyone in advance!!

My future SIL proposed to my daughter in the lobby of the Riviera (it was supposed to be the balcony OFF the lobby, but he panicked). He did a scavenger hunt designed by a furloughed cast member - she went to the resort and scouted locations for us and everything. It cost WAY less that $5000 and was in a location that was special to them. Actual cost was around $40. I also hired a photographer to capture the proposal and do an engagement shoot through the same fb group - I'm not sure if we're allowed to list the group, but it's called Ear For Each Other. You'll find lots of talented furloughed and laid off cast members - I used Next Page by Meg and Ine Quinn photography

 

[MATTERHORN]

My future SIL proposed to my daughter in the lobby of the Riviera (it was supposed to be the balcony OFF the lobby, but he panicked). He did a scavenger hunt designed by a furloughed cast member - she went to the resort and scouted locations for us and everything. It cost WAY less that $5000 and was in a location that was special to them. Actual cost was around $40. I also hired a photographer to capture the proposal and do an engagement shoot through the same fb group - I'm not sure if we're allowed to list the group, but it's called Ear For Each Other. You'll find lots of talented furloughed and laid off cast members - I used Next Page by Meg and Ine Quinn photography

That sounds amazing!

Quick question, so on the scavenger hunt, does someone actually go and hide clues or do you get them all at the very beginning?

 

[The WDW 3]

I’ve seen a couple of photographers get pulled out of the line to help with a proposal real quick.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

My husband proposed to me at Victoria and Alberts back in 2010 and it was amazing. He called Disney Florists I think and they had kind of a set for this: a bed of white flowers with blue ribbons and pearl little mickey pins, a glass slipper in which was a red rose and in THAT was the ring and AROUND the whole thing was a tiara.

We had dinner and then the maitre d' at V&A brought out a covered silver tray and said, "Something for you to enjoy before dessert" and lifted the lid and there it all was. He got down on one knee, I cried, the room applauded, it was great!

He doesn't remember exactly how much it cost but thinks it was like $200. I mean. Besides the dinner, which was a lot more.

 

[kvogel11202]

That sounds amazing!

Quick question, so on the scavenger hunt, does someone actually go and hide clues or do you get them all at the very beginning?

Sorry, I was away from computers for a bit! We got a box with the hunt and a small "prize" box with a lock, the clues revealed the code to open it and her ring was inside. We used "distraction" hunts for everyone else and it was just sheets of paper they gathered clues (some required pictures ) for the rest of the group.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Sorry, I was away from computers for a bit! We got a box with the hunt and a small "prize" box with a lock, the clues revealed the code to open it and her ring was inside. We used "distraction" hunts for everyone else and it was just sheets of paper they gathered clues (some required pictures ) for the rest of the group.

Thank you! That sounds awesome!

 

[WishesQueen]

I thought I heard years ago that Disney has a code word so a photo pass cast member can be prepared to get the shot. Sorry no experience but I heard the same story a couple of times so I assumed it true

 

[ForceofWill]

Yeah, for an engagement don't involve Disney and just plan something while there. I'm sure you can figure out somewhere that would be special for you two while you're there that wouldn't cost $5 grand lol. You're just picking a time and spot to pop the question.

The wife and I did a little 10yr renewal/ceremony thing on our trip in 2019. It was at Newton Park, in Winter Garden at Lake Apopka. After looking into the ceremony prices at WDW, it was a big NOPE lol.

 

[Shanton]

My fiancé proposed to me in front of the castle in September of 2019. He hired a local Orlando photographer to meet us there at a specific time to capture it during the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party as a surprise. There are several out there who specialize in just this sort of thing. I think he googled it to find one. I know Disney recently started offering photography services you can hire for it too, but I think hiring outside is probably still cheaper.

 

[Sorahana]

My husband proposed to me on the beach of the Polynesian during Happily Ever After, specifically at the Hercules part because that part has special meaning to us. He planned it with my friends (who live in FL and met through my CP), they took photos on their phones of it.

I would also recommend the Capture Your Moment sessions as an option; I wish those were around a couple years ago! Also, like others said you know your GF best. Is there somewhere in the patk that's special to you? Also, think of places off the beaten path too within the parks or resorts to make it that much more special. Sending you all the good vibes!

 

[winterwhite]

My husband proposed to me in front of the castle in 2013.

It was the first test of Magicbands, and we had a fastpass for the castle viewing in what was then the rose garden. We had a nice, pretty private spot with the fully lit castle in the background. Only bummer was it was dark, so I didn't actually see my ring until we were on the bus later Also, the whole crowd saw it, and cheered, but I felt bad we were taking them away from the castle show.

Even so, it was free. We had some pictures taken the next day (also in front of the castle).

 

[tguz]

I proposed to my Fiancee at the Grand Floridian Cafe. I ordered the Cinderella Chocolate Slipper dessert with "Will You Marry Me" written in drizzled chocolate. She had no idea what was about to happen and the staff of the cafe made it so special.

 

[anitag888]

My son proposed to his gf in the West Wing at BOG in December. When we arrived at the check-in station, I covertly explained to the cast member that he was planning to propose, and asked for the West Wing because the rose had special meaning for the 2 of them. All of the CMs went into overdrive to make it perfect, using word of mouth, they alerted every member of our service team including the manager who came over afterward to congratulate them. We ordered a bottle of the special BOG rose, and they even went out of their way to give us a bottle label as a keepsake. His fiancee said it was absolutely the most perfect proposal she could have asked for. No prior planning that involved Disney itself, and the CMs at BOG were so excited because they said they rarely get proposals there. They even made up a special plate of "grey stuff" just for the newly engaged couple.

 

[MattyDee623]

Hey everyone! Thanks for all your responses! Didnt expect to receive all of this advice. Sorry it took me a while I have been crazy busy with work. I was communicating with a Disney planning specialist and was honestly very disappointed. I would ask questions that he would never respond to or even answer. Huge shout out to kvogel11202 ! I feel that's the exact thing I am looking for. I'll be checking that out here pretty shortly. Thanks for all the love everyone, really appreciate it!

 

[sabrecmc]

My brother proposed to his now-wife in front of the Castle by presenting her with one of the large glass slippers engraved with "Will You Marry Me?" and holding the ring. We just told the photopass photographer early on, so they were ready. It was completely free, totally awesome, and didn't require massive coordination to pull off, which I think is a plus for an engagement, honestly. He was so nervous as it was, I can't imagine anything more complicated!