Making Her Wishes Come True: Surprise Proposal Trip!

[golf4miami]

Well hello everyone!

I recently found the Dis, as you can see by my low post count, while planning for a very special trip for my Dgf and I which will take place this upcoming September. But Shhhhhhhh! She has no idea it's happening, so you'll have to keep it a secret with me.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Narrowing Down the Dining Options
• A Very, VERY Rough Outline
• The Ring! And a Minor Edit of the Plans
• Real Life Update #1 (Mumford and Sons!)
• Almost ADR Time Update!
• The one with the Park Hours
• The Park Plan (As it stands now)
• Yes, Maybe, NO (MAGIC KINGDOM EDITION)
• Yes, Maybe, NO (EPCOT EDITION)
• Yes, Maybe, NO (HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS EDITION)
• Yes, Maybe, NO (ANIMAL KINGDOM EDITION)
• Real Life Update #2 (Saving and a Disney Surprise)
• ADRs Have Been Made!!
• It's A Great Day! Plus Spending/Savings Update.
• Got and email from the Wild Africa Trek!
• Caution: Real Life Update
• I'm a Tough Mudder!
• The Details Begin: Pre-Trip!
• Saturday/Sunday Sept. 7th-8th - TRAVEL DAY!
• Monday, Sept. 9th - Day 1 (Part 1)
• Monday, Sept. 9th - Day 2 (Part 2)
• Tuesday, Sept. 10th - Day 2
• Wednesday, Sept. 11th - Day 3
• Thursday, Sept. 12th - Day 4
• Friday, Sept. 13th - Our Last Park Day
• BIG CHANGES!!!
• 18 Days Left!
• 3 Days left! Time to say Goodbye. See you on the other side!

INTRODUCTIONS:

I guess I should probably introduce you to us. I (Ryan) am on the left and am a HUGE Disney addict, who among us isn't, if we're on this board. I have been to Disney 6 times including two back to back Christmas trips in 2010 and '11. My favorite park is either Epcot or MGM (I will never call it HS unless I have to). My most recent trip to the World was where the picture below originates and it was also her first trip ever to Disney!



Speaking of her, the name is Hannah. I got the privilege of introducing her to Disney World and she has since started to fall just as in love with it as I am. Before our trip she wasn't exactly sure how much she would like it and thought, "It's just for kids". But she found out just how wrong she is! Her favorite park is Animal Kingdom, she just loves the animals.

THE PLANS

We both live in Ohio and are in our early 20's so this trip has definitely been all about the tight budget and aggressively saving for me. On our last trip we did a good job of splitting the costs, this time I won't have this luxury. We currently have 6 night stay booked at All Star Movies. We will be driving down from Ohio since we are young and can do this on the cheap. Leaving on a Saturday night we will arrive early Sunday and then leave the following Saturday morning.

I don't have any in depth plans as far as what parks on what days we will be doing or what ADR's we will have but I hope to have these settled soon as we are 212 days out as of today!

THE PROPOSAL

Again, I'm not sure what day this will happen yet as I want to see the park hours first. However, the plan is to get us in on the Wild Africa Trek and popping the questing before or while we are eating lunch at the end of the Trek. I already have the ring bought and paid for, but it has yet to be delivered. I personally designed it and am having it made one of a kind just for her.

Anyway, I guess I should let it go for now. I'll come back as I get things narrowed down as far as what restaurants I'm going to want us to eat at and such. I'll see you guys around!

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

How awesome to plan on proposing at Disney World! I'm in and can't wait to read more!

 

[Happy Duck]

Congratulations! I'm excited to follow along!

 

[daisy_77]

Oh how fun and exciting!!! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[golf4miami]

Alright I thought I would start getting everything lined up as far as where I'm going to want to get ADR's when they become available.

SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING

• Cinderella's Royal Table
• Chefs de France
• Via Napoli
• Rainforest Cafe
• California Grill
• Ohana
• Jiko

All of these are places that she hasn't eaten before which is a high priority on my list. I really don't want to make her repeat too many experiences unless we absolutely loved it last time. One of those is on the following list.

CONSIDERING

• Coral Reef (We've eaten here before but we both LOVED it)
• 50's Prime Time
• Yak and Yeti
• Kona Cafe

All of these places come highly recommended. However we're only going to be doing 5 TS meals (one for each day in the parks) while we are on our trip so narrowing it down is really going to be a pain. Although a fun one at that!

 

[happybelle]

Joining in.

 

[Angiea1114]

Joining! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[rebeccaariel]

Joining in! I'm not the most romantic person on the planet, but I have to say my secret wish is to be proposed to at WDW (or in New Zealand in front of a hobbit hole - nerd alert ) so I'm gonna live vicariously through you two here

 

[blakrose9999]

I have to say I think your proposal plan sounds great. My now DH proposed to me on our first Disney trip back in 2008 and I thought it was amazing. I do know from my experience you can contact Disney to have special touches done at the time.
My DH did it at our big family meal (we were with his whole family) at Crystal Palace. He had purchased a beautiful flower arrangement from the Disney florist that was delivered to our table. He also worked with the CM's at the restaurant to have the flowers brought out and have Piglet (my fav character) come to our table at the same time. Happy planning.

 

[golf4miami]

I just realized that I hadn't said thanks to everyone who has joined in so far!

How awesome to plan on proposing at Disney World! I'm in and can't wait to read more!

Thank you for joining in, I can't wait to get my plans more settled and keep you guys updated!

Congratulations! I'm excited to follow along!

Thanks for jumping on!

Oh how fun and exciting!!! Looking forward to reading more!

I'm looking forward to giving you more to read!

Joining in.

Thanks!

Joining! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks! I can't wait to let you guys follow along.

Joining in! I'm not the most romantic person on the planet, but I have to say my secret wish is to be proposed to at WDW (or in New Zealand in front of a hobbit hole - nerd alert ) so I'm gonna live vicariously through you two here

I'm hoping that I can do a great job of letting you live through my PTR and (if I have enough demand) the TR that is to follow. Knowing I have people like you following along makes me more excited to share my planning.

I have to say I think your proposal plan sounds great. My now DH proposed to me on our first Disney trip back in 2008 and I thought it was amazing. I do know from my experience you can contact Disney to have special touches done at the time.
My DH did it at our big family meal (we were with his whole family) at Crystal Palace. He had purchased a beautiful flower arrangement from the Disney florist that was delivered to our table. He also worked with the CM's at the restaurant to have the flowers brought out and have Piglet (my fav character) come to our table at the same time. Happy planning.

Thank you for the suggestions and for following a long with me. I do plan on letting the Wild Africa Trek people know when I make my reservation with them what the plan is. I'm hoping I can make this really magical for her, that is my biggest goal. This whole thing is about really making a magical time for her and I hope I can do that.

Thank you everyone for joining in! It really gives me the motivation to keep the PTR up and really make my plans the best possible. I'm hoping this will be good for everyone involved.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Your plans sound wonderful so far. I look forward to reading along as you make the trip even more magical for your soon to be wife. You're such a cute couple!!

 

[Cendrillon92]

Adorable couple! Can't wait to hear all about your plans and how the proposal goes.

 

[LadyBeBop]

We currently have 6 night stay booked at All Star Movies. We will be driving down from Ohio since we are young and can do this on the cheap. Leaving on a Saturday night we will arrive early Sunday and then leave the following Saturday morning.

Hate for this to be a semi-Debbie Downer post, but I have a few logistical questions.

1) What part of Ohio are you guys coming from?

2) Does Hannah know about the trip? Sounds like you need her for part of the driving.

3) Have you guys ever driven overnight?

Yeah, I know you guys are young, but in order for you two to make it, you need some good sleep before the trips. Both going and coming from WDW.

Now, I think it can be done. Our best was driving from just south of Cincinnati (where we live) to Gainesville. Left Erlanger, KY at midnight on the 4th of July and got to Gainesville (about 2 1/2 hours north of WDW) about 3 PM. And that's with an hour long traffic jam in Lexington. (a drunk driving accident following a rock concert at Cincinnati's Riverbend).

Just know what you two are getting into. Overnight driving can be rough. That overnight trip was 15 years ago, when we were in our 30s. We're both in our 50s now, and we can never do it again. Now, next time, we'll probably leave at 4 AM and drive as far as South Georgia.

 

[golf4miami]

Hate for this to be a semi-Debbie Downer post, but I have a few logistical questions.

1) What part of Ohio are you guys coming from?

2) Does Hannah know about the trip? Sounds like you need her for part of the driving.

3) Have you guys ever driven overnight?

Yeah, I know you guys are young, but in order for you two to make it, you need some good sleep before the trips. Both going and coming from WDW.

Now, I think it can be done. Our best was driving from just south of Cincinnati (where we live) to Gainesville. Left Erlanger, KY at midnight on the 4th of July and got to Gainesville (about 2 1/2 hours north of WDW) about 3 PM. And that's with an hour long traffic jam in Lexington. (a drunk driving accident following a rock concert at Cincinnati's Riverbend).

Just know what you two are getting into. Overnight driving can be rough. That overnight trip was 15 years ago, when we were in our 30s. We're both in our 50s now, and we can never do it again. Now, next time, we'll probably leave at 4 AM and drive as far as South Georgia.

Great questions and I thank you for reminding me what I am getting into. We actually live just north of Dayton so I'm sure you have a fairly good idea of where we are coming from. So, I guess that answers question 1.

2) Hannah has no idea about the trip and it will stay that way until about a week before, even then she will not know where we are going. I am happy to say that I don't think I will need her help for the trip.

3) I have driven overnight many times. She actually used to go to college 5 hours away from me and so I have had a lot of practice of long drives on short rest. Futhermore, on our first trip to WDW together I did all of the driving. We left around 10pm at night and drove through the night. It was pretty glorious actually to not have to worry about traffic and I loved every minute of it. Although, some energy drinks were consumed.

 

[golf4miami]

Hannah and I will have five days in the parks and about a half day on the day we arrive. I figured it was about time to start putting things into a rough outline so that (maybe) I can narrow down which ADR's I will need to get for us. Hopefully you guys can help out with some pointers as well.

ARRIVAL DAY

• Putt-Putt @ Winter Summerland (We did Fantasia Gardens last time)
• Downtown Disney
• Dinner @ Earl of Sandwhich

Animal Kingdom Day (Preferably our 2nd day in the parks)

• Wild Africa Trek
  • Proposal
  • This our lunch
• Dinner @ 'Ohana (Early enough to watch Wishes from the beach.)

Hollywood Studios (MGM) Day

• Rope Drop
  • TSM Fastpasses, TOT, and Rockin' Rollercoaster in that order.
• Lunch @ Pizza Plannet or Fairfax Fair
• Dinner @ Jiko

Epcot Day

• Rope Drop
  • Soarin', Test Track, Mission space, in that order
• Lunch @ a World Showcase quick service
• Dinner @ Via Napoli
• Illuminations!

Magic Kingdom Day

• Rope Drop
  • Space, Thunder, and Splash Mountains, in that order.
• Lunch @ Pecos Bill's or Tortuga Tavern
• If it gets too busy, head back to the hotel for a nap
• Dinner @ California Grill

FREE DAY! (Last day in the parks)

• Relax and enjoy the parks.
• Park hop and do what we've missed
• Lunch @ Wherever strikes our fancy
• Dinner @ Chefs de France
• Fantasmic?

My biggest question mark is where I'm going to fit Fantasmic in on our trip. I really see no logical place for it. HELP! Otherwise I think I've done pretty good. Thoughts?

EDIT: Also, I've added a Table of Contents on the first page. I hope it makes your navigation of my updates easier.

 

[happybelle]

Could you either drop your Jiko reservation or come back afterwards on your DHS day? Sometimes you can't do it all.

 

[Happy Duck]

I agree with happybelle. If it is that important to you, you'll go on the last day. But you might find when you are there that it doesn't matter as much in that particular moment. Just go with the flow and make new memories together!

 

[letthewookiewin]

It just depends on how important Fantasmic! is to you. We have taken the DSs once to see it. Since this is most likely the last WDW trip for us for a while, I might show them a youtube video to jog their memory. Then, if they have it the night we are planning on being at DHS, and the DSs really want to see it, I'll get the package. If they don't want to see it, no big deal.

 

[indimom]

Signing in. I'm glad you weren't dozens of pages in, I was able to read everything! That's so exciting that you'll be proposing on your trip. I can't wait to read more about it.
And don't worry too much about the driving. DH did it at 37 all the way through the night, all by himself, and had no trouble at all. Yes, energy drinks were consumed, but he even made it through the next day with no trouble and no need for a nap. I'm sure as a 20-something, you'll do fine.
And if you do get tired, just pull off and get some sleep somewhere. The parks will still be there 6 hours later, right??
Happy Planning! (You are gonna show us a picture of the ring when it arrives, right??? You aren't going to make us wait until September! )

 

[golf4miami]

Signing in. I'm glad you weren't dozens of pages in, I was able to read everything! That's so exciting that you'll be proposing on your trip. I can't wait to read more about it.
And don't worry too much about the driving. DH did it at 37 all the way through the night, all by himself, and had no trouble at all. Yes, energy drinks were consumed, but he even made it through the next day with no trouble and no need for a nap. I'm sure as a 20-something, you'll do fine.
And if you do get tired, just pull off and get some sleep somewhere. The parks will still be there 6 hours later, right??
Happy Planning! (You are gonna show us a picture of the ring when it arrives, right??? You aren't going to make us wait until September! )

I agree 100% on the pulling off. It's better to sleep a couple hours in a rest stop and be safe than try to power through and end up in a ditch. I will say that going through Atlanta at about 5 or 6 am was pretty cool on our last trip.

As far as the ring is concerned, yes, I will give you guys a sneak peek at the ring. In fact it was just finished this week (I designed it and had it custom made) and I will be picking it up tonight after work. I'm so excited to see it

I'll be doing an official update to my PTR tonight that includes the ring and a minor adjustment to my plans taking into account what everyone else said. So stay tuned everyone!