Planning to Propose at Grand Floridian Private Dining, Need Help Please!

[Decker]

Hey everyone! I'm new here, but I have been browsing through the boards looking for ideas. I am planning on proposing to my gf (which will be next week), and I came down to the conclusion that I want to do it during the private dining at the Grand Floridian. I have looked into other options, such as CRT, but it was too late. I believe that doing it at GF would be great, just because it will be personal and private, just how we like things to be.

The issue is that I am having trouble communicating with the planner at GF to set it up. From all of the posts that I have read pertaining to the private dining at the GF, they were planned by other women, so I was under the assumption that the one that I have spoken to was new, (I cannot remember her name right now, hopefully she will call back so I can get it.) I told her exactly what was going on, and that I am interested in setting up a reservation. She didn't seem too interested, and after getting through the constantly annoying "Um's", "So's", and "And's", she finally reveals the fact that she is indeed new, and that I am her second case to be dealt with. I am giving her the benefit of the doubt, and since I knew she was relatively new in her position, I was being very lenient about the situation. She said that she will be emailing me the menus once the chef customizes and prepares them for her to send. I am hoping that it receive them soon.

Also, one of the things that really irked me a lot, was the fact that I told her 3 times that I am planning to make a proposal to my gf and would like some assistance with it, she just completely ignored my request, only to continue to tell me how everything will go, what kinds of meals I will be eating, etc.

How do I go about getting assistance with proposing to my gf if the planner is ignorant to my requests? Should I speak with the butler the day of? Or does this even sound like it is turning out to be a good idea?

Can anyone please assist me with this?

 

[Bride-to-be]

You should call the florist. Usually all of the engagement packages are done directly through them. A popular option is to get a white pillow made of carnations and have a glass slipper sitting on top - that way you can put the ring in the slipper.

You can check out their website at www.disneyflorist.com. I would def call and ask them for help. I wouldn't leave anything until the day of, just because I assume you want it to be a surprise.

Also if you are dining in a private location (out of sight of other guests) you can hire characters to come and help with the proposal.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

First off Congrats on your upcoming day

Second, tho it does sound like you are trying to stick to the first gal you talked to about the proposal, if she isn't being helpful I would move on to someone else. I would ask to speak to the manager directly and see if some strings can be pulled. You don't need that added stress.

Good Luck AND KEEP US POSTED

 

[lynn46356]

I might be able to help a bit. My husband and I are making a trip to WDW for our 25th anniversary this Dec. I'm trying to plan a private dining meal for a surprise to him. I actually talked to Pat last night at the GF. We played phone tag a few times but I finally gave her my cell phone number and she called last night at 8 p.m. our time/9 p.m. Florida. I was somewhat surprised she phoned at that time of day but it didn't matter to me. She had mentioned on a message that I would be either talking to Donna or herself. Maybe Donna is new? Not sure. She mentioned she would be getting a new menu from the GF chef and I gave her my email to send it to me. I have the costs, etc. if you want more info. Hope this helps. If you need more info, feel free to send me a pm. Congratulations and hope all works out for your surprise proposal!!!!

Lynn

 

[Decker]

You should call the florist. Usually all of the engagement packages are done directly through them. A popular option is to get a white pillow made of carnations and have a glass slipper sitting on top - that way you can put the ring in the slipper.

You can check out their website at xxx. I would def call and ask them for help. I wouldn't leave anything until the day of, just because I assume you want it to be a surprise.

Also if you are dining in a private location (out of sight of other guests) you can hire characters to come and help with the proposal.

That sounds like a great idea, with the glass slipper. I have seen that done before on these boards. I will contact them about that right away.

Also, how would I go about hiring a cast member to assist with the proposal?

First off Congrats on your upcoming day

Second, tho it does sound like you are trying to stick to the first gal you talked to about the proposal, if she isn't being helpful I would move on to someone else. I would ask to speak to the manager directly and see if some strings can be pulled. You don't need that added stress.

Good Luck AND KEEP US POSTED

Thank you very much! I will be looking into it more, and hopefully I can get this resolved rather quickly.

 

[Decker]

I might be able to help a bit. My husband and I are making a trip to WDW for our 25th anniversary this Dec. I'm trying to plan a private dining meal for a surprise to him. I actually talked to Pat last night at the GF. We played phone tag a few times but I finally gave her my cell phone number and she called last night at 8 p.m. our time/9 p.m. Florida. I was somewhat surprised she phoned at that time of day but it didn't matter to me. She had mentioned on a message that I would be either talking to Donna or herself. Maybe Donna is new? Not sure. She mentioned she would be getting a new menu from the GF chef and I gave her my email to send it to me. I have the costs, etc. if you want more info. Hope this helps. If you need more info, feel free to send me a pm. Congratulations and hope all works out for your surprise proposal!!!!

Lynn

I'm unable to PM yet. I don't have 10 posts yet, lol.

I would like to talk to someone else about it. When you call them up, do you hit #7 to redirect to the private dining reservations, or is there another method of doing so?

 

[Bride-to-be]

What specifically did you want a cast member to do?

If you do the glass slipper pillow thing then at a specified time your butler will walk up to you with the pillow with a white napkin draped over it. He will then say "Decker - I believe your lady dropped something" and will at that point remove the napkin.

 

[Decker]

What specifically did you want a cast member to do?

If you do the glass slipper pillow thing then at a specified time your butler will walk up to you with the pillow with a white napkin draped over it. He will then say "Decker - I believe your lady dropped something" and will at that point remove the napkin.

That would be perfect! I am in the process of purchasing the glass slipper pillow, but I haven't been given a reservation number. I've been trying to call GF all morning for it! lol

Plus, an idea that the florist said was to get the slipper engraved together afterward, so we can share the moment forever!

Now I am really getting excited!

 

[Bride-to-be]

Yup thats what we did! It was a lot of fun and the arabas brothers treated me like a princess when we walked in the next day and it just made the whole experience so much more fun.

At the same time - just make sure your fiance-to-be likes cinderella.

 

[lynn46356]

Yep, I pressed 7. I called on Tuesday and received a phone call back last night. Hope you can get something ironed out for your proposal!

Lynn

 

[DisneyFairytale]

What specifically did you want a cast member to do?

If you do the glass slipper pillow thing then at a specified time your butler will walk up to you with the pillow with a white napkin draped over it. He will then say "Decker - I believe your lady dropped something" and will at that point remove the napkin.

What a beautiful idea. A lucky lady she is

 

[Decker]

Yup thats what we did! It was a lot of fun and the arabas brothers treated me like a princess when we walked in the next day and it just made the whole experience so much more fun.

At the same time - just make sure your fiance-to-be likes cinderella.

Oh, I'm not worried about that at all! She is a Disney fanatic, lol. Born and raised by it. Cinderella is one of her favorites, so I know she wont be disappointed!

 

[lurkyloo]

You should call the florist. Usually all of the engagement packages are done directly through them.

The Walt Disney World Florist offers engagement gift packages, but they do not stage engagements with cast members or private dinners with butler service at the Grand Floridian.

That can either be done through GF Private Dining (which the OP is currently working through) or through Disney Catering & Convention Services:407-828-3200.

However, it may be too late to start working with Catering & Convention Services at this point, so hopefully Pat at Private Dining will come through for you, Decker.

Here's a link to a report by a DISer who arranged a private anniversary dinner at the Grand Floridian, which sounds similar to what you're doing: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2094394

Congratulations!

 

[Decker]

Well, never mind about doing the proposal at GF. I got a call back for the Cinderella's Royal Table engagement package, and we set up a date for June 4th at 9:15 at night! This is so awesome!

It may be a public proposal, but I don't care, because it will be at the happiest place on earth for us.

 

[mskayjay]

Decker I want you to know that I am sitting at my desk on my lunch break at work with tears in my eyes. I just think this is sooooo amazing. I am bookmarking your thread and I hope you are able to have you and your lovely lade come back and tell us about the moment.

We just did our 25th anny at WDW in September and celebrated at the CalliGrill and it was awesome. Ironically, I got an email from a friend today with a "Bucket List" question thing on it and we started talking about things we would add to our BL. I mentioned I had never been proposed to or shopped for a wedding dress and always wanted to do both. We knew we wanted to get married, found out we were preggo, and just said "let's do it". My honey never asked me officially and I don't think he knows how much it means to me...... A life moment missed out on. I can just imagine the joy this is going to bring you both.

Congratulations and the very very very best of luck and love to you both!
mskayjay

 

[Bride-to-be]

YAY how very exciting! Aren't the fireworks at 9? If so its perfect because after the fireworks you can surprise her with dinner and go straight in.

Once upon a time before they changed the CRT to be a princess meal I saw a proposal there at the table next to us. It was so romantic - the entire restaurant was in tears! The only reason I mention this is because the DF had provided disney with a bunch of disposable cameras and so when the waiter brought the dessert tray out with the ring a number of castmembers all appeared taking pictures. I am sure they must have gotten at least one great shot of the jaw dropping moment. So my advice - if they don't already include a photographer with the new packages - give disney some cameras or even a video camera ahead of time to so they can catch the moment on tape!

 

[Decker]

From what I have seen on the Disney Calendar, Wishes starts at 10:00PM, so I can either do the proposal right before or right after. I'm not sure what I would want.

I spoke with Meredith, and she said that a photographer is included in the package, so that is a relief as well.

The only thing that kinda upsets me is the fact that this is a package deal, and that I didn't prepare it myself. But, if you think about it, I did all of the research, and made all the effort to do this, so that I can show her that I want to be with the one I love forever.

Also, we will be going in decent attire, because since we are not scheduled to spend that day in any park, we can prepare for the dinner. She has a casual dress that she is bringing for whatever, and I will be wearing slacks and a button down. I know it's more of an informal restaurant, but I want to make this look good for us! lol

 

[Bride-to-be]

Thats great about wishes and the photographer!!!

I wouldn't worry too much about all of it being a package. You got the package and hte reservation which is impossible for most people. Every time we have eaten there we have always had to plan the vacation and buy airfare around the date that we could get for the castle. Also how is she ever going to know its a package?

One other thought which I saw in a disneyland proposal story - right after the guy proposed he pulled out a pair of minnie bride ears for his fiance to wear. I know its the end of hte night but then she would have them to wear for the rest of the trip. Its just a small inexpensive thought to think about.

 

[Sarah <3 Disney]

I am just curious now, with the package, how is the ring presented? I really liked the pillow and glass slipper idea. Congrats!

 

[Decker]

I am just curious now, with the package, how is the ring presented? I really liked the pillow and glass slipper idea. Congrats!

The way that it's done is the ring is in the slipper, but a flower is placed so that the ring wraps around it. Then the flower, with ring around, is places in the slipper towards the toes, so that it doesn't move around in the slipper. But, the flower is big enough so that the ring doesn't sink down into the toe area.

Hopefully I described that properly, lol.