Engagement Help Please!!

[trekkinDave]

Hello folk,

I've been searching high and low on the internet for good information about the best way to propose to my girl friend at WDW in two weeks from now. We have been together for 5 years and this will be our first vacation that is just the two of us. All of the leg work has been done, we are booked at Port Orleans french quarter, have a dining plan, and tickets.... I have gotten her parents blessing, and the ring is BEAUTIFUL.

I have a few idea's in my head but for some reason, I cant seem to hammer down the final idea that I would like to use.

1) The wishing well at the castle was my original idea... have her close her eyes really tight and make a wish and POOF when she opens her eyes I am on a knee with the ring, and using a line like "You've made all my wishes come true... will you marry me?" Im not positive where the well is and when it is accessible though, and I don't want to screw it up

2) The rose garden- Just a standard proposal there, nothing fancy.. but I have heard its really pretty there.

3) The circle in front of Cindy's Castle- She LOVES to pin trade and I have already purchased a Mickey proposing to Minnie Pin on E-Bay. my idea is to try to get a photo pass photographer in on it and ask him/her to wear the pin backwards and then convince my girl to trade pins with his secret pin.. when she get the proposal pin and looks confused.. i would then propose to her on the spot with the castle in the back ground. Also, the photopass person would be on had to then take a few shots (which i would love to have) of her saying yes. The hitch here, how to I talk to the photo guy without her knowing, and if the photo person will be receptive to the idea.

4) Very Simular to the idea with the pin and the photopass photog... but without the photog.. just tell her i got her a pin... make her pick a hand.... the ring in one and the pin in the other... make sure she has the pin... then when she is confused about the pin's meaning.. pop the question.. maybe i can get a photo pass photog in on it too.

5) There is always Cindy's Royal Table... but I don't think I will get reservations this close to travel.


Finally, I had planned on doing it the second day of the 5 we are there... do the ladies think i should do it the first night we arrive?

And finally finally... are there any suggestions on things to do about our engagement? I have heard that telling guest services get you a Just Married (engaged) pin. Do they give you special treatment if you tell them you got engaged? Should I tell the world then? Any advice would be helpful!!!

 

[Disneychix]

Oooo! Congrats! I like option 3&4. Or 2. Anyway you do it I'm sure it will be special!

Any place by the castle will be mobbed so it depends what kind of a scene you want for the proposal. Is your GF into public apperances or would she like a nice quiet proposal? Do you want to be in a park or will she want to start calling a million people to tell them which is hard to do in the parks.

I love the idea that you already have the mickey proposing pin. Perhaps you can 'get' a CM to 'trade' it to her telling her it's good luck or something. POFQ has a CM pin trader in the lobby. You can perhaps talk to him.

Also, I wouldn't be able to wait until the second day but do it if you can! I'd be too excited!

 

[trekkinDave]

I am leaning toward options involving the pin myself.... I think it would be nice and a complete surprise.

How helpful are the photopass people? Do you think they would be willing to play along? I understand they are pretty busy, especially on the main pathways by the castle where everyone wants a picture.

I would LOVE to have a picture of her getting the ring, but maybe I can just stage a picture after she gets the ring, so that the photo will look nice.. LOL

also, I am not opposed to doing it in the semi public walkways since, in my experience, december 2 weeks before christmas usually isnt that busy compared to other times.

we sat down last night to plan out the meals to make reservations for and the days at each park, so I am feeling more like doing it the first night we arrive for two reasons... 1) with the EMH and whatnot, the day i originally wanted to go to MK is now Hollywood studios, so unless i change the days around i would have to wait till thursday (we leave friday) 2).... well i think it would be nice to have te WHOLE vacation together engaged...



Any advice on tellg guest services?

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

OMG!!!!
#3!!!!
That is a perfect proposal!!! I don't know your GF's personality, but I would love a public proposal like that!!! To get everything together, I would rely on the help of guest services in the park. Place a phone call or two and maybe a few emails. I would even let the hotel know- maybe they would have some suggestions on how to pull it off.
You will certainly have to post the pictures!!!! I am such a sap for this stuff!!
Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[acm563]

Awww, that is so sweet. I too like idea #3, wonderful plan and I dont think you would have any issues getting the photographer to assist with your plan. I agree to contact guest services to see if you can get some assistance on your idea.... Wonderful ideas and you have really put a lot of thought into this

 

[Soilap]

I'd defnitely go for 3 or 1. What you could do is tell her you have to go to the bathroom and leave her at a disney store (with a photo peson close by) Tell her to wait there, check out the pins and everything, while you go to the restroom, talk to the photoperson and have him/her wait outside the store.

You could also take an emergency restroom break just as you arrive at the sotre. Tell her that you'll come back, look for a photoperson who's at a nice location and convince them. Then take your true beloved to the place where the photoperson is at.

I'd also mail customer service and see if THEY can arrange something.

 

[trekkinDave]

anyone got the email address for customer service?

are the photogs really that agreeable????

 

[savannahjean85]

I vote for number three.
I would try to contact guest services. I had recently read about someone who got help from the photopass cast member and they were very helpful (proposal situation).
I would think the going to the "bathroom" trick is a good idea. Maybe it would be good to find the photopass person about an hour to half an hour before your propose and tell them the idea/story and set a time to return back to the photopass cast member.
Good luck!

P.S.
http://www.mouseweddings.com/wdwromance.html#places

suggests:
"If you will be staying at a Disney resort but not on the Club Level, you can ask the Lobby Concierge for help when you arrive. Quite frankly, the service they are prepared to provide is variable. One of them might be a romantic at heart and bend over backward to assist you, while another may offer you little or no help. If the first one you speak with isn't helpful, come back later and speak with a different person.

If you've already arrived on property and you have an idea for a creative proposal but no idea how to arrange things, try approaching a Cast Member in the area where you want to make the magic happen. Seek out someone who seems friendly and isn't super-busy at the time. As with the Lobby Concierge, your results will be variable, so ask a different Cast Member if the first one isn't enthusiastic.

"

 

[Nie0214]

#3! And make sure you come back and tell us how it went!

I am sure there's someone on the Disney staff willing to help you. Like the above post, if the first person doesn't help, ask another!

 

[iLOVEmickey1]

Such a great idea! I like the pin trading one too!

Definately ask .. I went once to the city Hall guest relations at MK for help with a surprise anniversary gift.. Im sure anyone will help!

Congrats!

 

[kpadalik]

Definitely do #3!!! It is very original and she will be like "how did you get all this planned?" She will love it! Please keep us updated and let us know how it all goes! Good luck!

 

[trekkinDave]

Is there any truth to the "just engaged" badge at disney that I have read about? If so.. what is is, where can we get them, and what exactly does it do?

 

[Pumbaa_]

Number 1 would be my pick. It is simple, requires no other people involved and can be done at your leisure!

COngratulations and have an awesome trip!

 

[JLPooh]

I would pick No. 2; in the Rose Garden. Since you are going in December, I would wait and ask her at night when the castle lights are on. Another thing; is you can have roses delivered to your room; just make sure you are already gone for the evening and they will be their when you get back.

This is what worked for my husband when he asked me a year ago today!!!

Have Fun and Good Luck!!!

 

[auroralark]

I have to vote for #3. That sounds like an awesome proposal to me. I'm sure whatever you end up doing, your girlfriend will be THRILLED!

Good luck!

 

[luckyfin]

Not an option that you posted, but if it were me, I would have loved to be proposed to on one of the horse drawn carriage rides that travels through Port Orleans. We did this on our honeymoon and anniversary trip. So romantic

 

[sflen]

What about the outside walkway at the california grill during wishes or the beach at the polynesian during wishes?

 

[savannahjean85]

Is there any truth to the "just engaged" badge at disney that I have read about? If so.. what is is, where can we get them, and what exactly does it do?

I am pretty sure the answer is no, right after we got engaged we asked about them but CMs told us they was not one. I do know that some people get the just married button and take a marker and cross out married and switch it to engaged.

Not an option that you posted, but if it were me, I would have loved to be proposed to on one of the horse drawn carriage rides that travels through Port Orleans. We did this on our honeymoon and anniversary trip. So romantic

LOL this reminds me of how DF carried the ring all around the WDW in his pocket, waiting for the perfect moment. He was thinking of asking on the carriage ride but went against it cause our driver made the mood less than romantic.

 

[Mrs D]

I really like #3 just because it's the most unique. A horse drawn carriage or walking her into the rose garden will be a tip off. Not that a tip off is bad, but the pin trading is out of left field!

Yes, most photopass photogs are really nice, helpful. I agree if you can find one with a 'big' personality that would help make it perfect. There are tons of shops along main street and tons of photopass photgs there too. Stroll down the street, you are scoping out the photogs, once you find one you;d like to approach, go to a store to browse pins, slip out to the "bathroom" and fill the photog in and give him/her the pin. You may want to ask if they can wait for you a little closer to the castle.

First I'd get in touch with guest services now to see how they may be able to help. I know you can do a resort photo shoot, maybe you can schedule a photog for this??

I'm pretty sure I remember ppl wearing just engaged buttons. DS wore a bday button and lots of CMs and guests wished him happy bday! He got free cupcakes and some pixie dust. Oh, when I mentioned it upon check in they sent up a balloon with the mickey weight and an autographed Mickey photo.

On a separate note, I believe I remember that if you have photopass pics taken when you go to edit them there is a just engaged border you can add. Perhaps someone with a current photopass account can check that out.
Either way, you will likely want to pre-order a photopass CD or get in a photopass share.

Best of luck to you!

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

Dave, we are waiting in anticipation...come home and post soon!!!