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

[Sarah <3 Disney]

Oh good, so you still get to engrave the slipper. That was my main concern, really!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

You've received a lot of great advice.

When I was working a Character Dinner at Liberty Tree, there was a guy there that had a special menu made up (as in a physical menu with all kinds of romantic things written on it), flowers, and a videographer. The characters came out afterwards to congratulate the couple. (Characters cannot be there during that actual proposal or wedding but can come out after the proposal to congratulate).

You talked about Wishes. If you are lucky the CMs might be able to let you on the stage of the castle before they open it up after Wishes. Basically, the ramps and the Castle Breezeway are closed during Wishes because the majority of fireworks are shot off the top of two of the Fantasyland rides and the back of the castle is fall out. The castle stage is fine, but for crowd control we close it off and do not reopen it until the all clear is give by the pyro crew.

I was working Wishes crowd control when I did Fantasyland attractions and we had a man who wanted to propose in front of the castle. We were able to get the okay to let him up early (before we dropped the ropes) and he was able to have a sort of "private" moment (everybody could still see) and propose right there behind the stage. I can't guarantee this will happen, but you never know until you ask.

These are just some alternative ideas in case your original plan falls through.

Since it sounds like at the moment you are talking about proposing at CRT (which last I heard was still a character meal) that no characters may be present during the actual proposal.

I do still have friends that work there, so if you need help, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

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.

I wanted to clarify this. Characters can be there after the proposal but not during it. This came up several times when I was a performer and a person wanted characters around. Not everybody is always aware of it so sometimes the policy isn't followed, particularly if it is a spontaneous proposal we aren't aware of, but the official policy is no characters at proposals or weddings. (for weddings they are at the reception portion. Even intimate weddings we wait until the vows have been said and they are officially husband and wife to come out). I just don't want anybody to get their hopes up that Mickey can present the ring or something like that.

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.

Definitely do that, and get yourself the Mickey Top Hat Ears! CMs look for things like that and will be congratulating you. If you are there the next day, take her up to Minnie and tell Minnie you just proposed. Minnie loves looking at rings since she doesn't have one of her own and you will definitely be able to get some cute pictures out of the interaction (plus a really neat character experience!).

 

[Decker]

You've received a lot of great advice.

When I was working a Character Dinner at Liberty Tree, there was a guy there that had a special menu made up (as in a physical menu with all kinds of romantic things written on it), flowers, and a videographer. The characters came out afterwards to congratulate the couple. (Characters cannot be there during that actual proposal or wedding but can come out after the proposal to congratulate).

You talked about Wishes. If you are lucky the CMs might be able to let you on the stage of the castle before they open it up after Wishes. Basically, the ramps and the Castle Breezeway are closed during Wishes because the majority of fireworks are shot off the top of two of the Fantasyland rides and the back of the castle is fall out. The castle stage is fine, but for crowd control we close it off and do not reopen it until the all clear is give by the pyro crew.

I was working Wishes crowd control when I did Fantasyland attractions and we had a man who wanted to propose in front of the castle. We were able to get the okay to let him up early (before we dropped the ropes) and he was able to have a sort of "private" moment (everybody could still see) and propose right there behind the stage. I can't guarantee this will happen, but you never know until you ask.

These are just some alternative ideas in case your original plan falls through.

Since it sounds like at the moment you are talking about proposing at CRT (which last I heard was still a character meal) that no characters may be present during the actual proposal.

I do still have friends that work there, so if you need help, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Well, I am now definitely committed to do the proposal at CRT, but do you think there is anything else that would make the experience any better? Like you said, characters cannot be present during the proposal, but maybe something afterward?

I am no good at coming up with ideas, and I am not sure what they really allow, lol.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Hmmm, the ears are a must. The characters can celebrate with you afterwards. A good attendant/captain will inform the characters ahead of time that the proposal is happening (that is what happened with us at Liberty Tree). I don't know how they have it set up for you, but at the one at Liberty Tree the characters were off set when it happened and then came out to congratulate them. It was also the first seating of the night, so yours could be different. I would ask that the princesses be informed so they can congratulate your fiance afterwards. With the last seating you might get lucky and be able to get a group picture with them (You can even try to request it). Believe me, those are not done very often.

You said you have a photographer, is there somebody who can videotpate it for you? What about having the special menus made up? Are they doing that as part of your package? Since you said Cinderella is her favorite, I would make that known ahead of time so that she can get some extra special time with Cindy.

 

[MrToad_at_BLT]

I understand that the characters can not be there when you proposal in an "organized" setting like a restaurant, but what about if you're in the park and it's a character 'meet and greet'?

For example, if my GF and I line up to meet a character and I pop the question right before or after the photo is taken?

Do I need to alert a CM in advance somehow?

If there's another thread on this I apologize but would be greatful if I can be pointed in the right direction.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

It's not supposed to happen and the characters will do everything in their power not to be there, including walking away or turning their back. We simply cannot be there during a proposal. Unfortunately, it will occasionally happen during a meet and greet and we have no knowledge of it. However, those are rare. We absolutely cannot be there, regardless of how the proposal is set up.