The ceiling of the Be our Guest restaurant.
If you look out the windows it's actually snowing in the forest!
So you're in love. It's her. Then, gentlemen, this article is for you. And it's for your happy girl.
I was standing on a bridge in a fairytale land. It was twilight just outside a forest. The sky was a swirly pink and turquoise. In the background was a castle. I closed my eyes and I could hear a waterfall and lilting music. It was one of the most romantic places I've ever been. On that bridge I thought "Oh yes, this is where a boy should propose." I wasn't in Europe or even in a dream. I was standing on the bridge leading to Beast's Castle in New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. (See more on New Fantasyland in this recent blog post.)
There is something about Walt Disney World-- something lush, happy, romantic and absolutely memorable. Sure, Walt Disney World is about families but it's also about friends and adventures and love. True, passionate, bubbling over love. Imagine, if you will, what happens when you combine a love for your partner with the love you both share for all things Disney. It's magical. It's absolutely magic.
A girl dreams about her proposal her entire life. When we're little, this usually involves a pony. There's a prince and he leads his pony (with braids in her mane) towards you and there's a shiny ring that's pink and enormous. When we get a little older we wonder "Will it be him? Is he the one I want to spend Sunday mornings with? Will he be the one I see with our daughter perched on his shoulders waiting for the fireworks to start?" And if it is him, we wonder how will he do it? How will he propose? Will he get down on one knee? Will it be something I can't wait to tell my friends and our grandchildren someday?
If you have found the one and you both love all things Disney, then there really is no better place to propose then in the Happiest Place in the World. Here's how:
Propose on a safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Call 407 938 3000 for details.
1. The ring.
Do you know what she likes? Ask her. If you'd like to keep it a surprise, ask her mom, her sisters or her friends. Look at her jewelry. Does she have simple taste or is she more adventurous? If you want to do this all on your own, you can't go wrong with a simple solitaire in white gold, like this one from Tiffany.
If you are already at the Walt Disney World resort reading this and didn't bring a ring, pop into Uptown Jewelers on Main Street USA (Magic Kingdom) and pick up a ring. Pink, perhaps?
The bridge to Be Our Guest.
At sunset it's one of the most romantic spots in the entire Kingdom.
2. The Proposal.
No matter how you ask her, she will always remember that moment when you ask her to be your wife. Before you propose, think about what she likes. Would she want it to be just the two of you or would she blush and throw her arms around you with joy while guests clap for the two of you?
Here are some ideas that take the magic up a few notches.
Try these proposals you can do on your own:
- When you're in the Magic Kingdom, go to the Wishing Well adjacent to Cinderella Castle (If you're approaching the castle from Tomorrowland, the Wishing Well is on the right.). Have a coin ready to give her to toss in the wishing well. Ask her to close her eyes and make a wish. When she opens her eyes, you're on one knee with the ring inside a glass slipper. Follow up with a dinner for two at Cinderella's Royal Table. Call 407 824 4477 for reservation and 407 WDW GIFT for information on glass slippers.
- At twilight, pause on the bridge to Beast's Castle in New Fantasyland. Ask her to look up at the castle. What does she see in the window? As she focuses on this, get down on one knee with the ring. Ask her if she'll do you the great honor of becoming your princess. After the round of applause from other guests, enter the Be Our Guest restaurant where you already have a reservation. Toast your engagement with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. I recommend the Pan-seared Salmon on Leek Fondue or the Sauteed Shrimp and Scallops in a Lobster Sauce.) Click here for more information on Be Our Guest or to make a reservation.
- Did you first fall in love on your trip to Paris a few years ago? Have the two of you always wanted to go to Italy? Propose in one of the countries in World Showcase (Epcot) with the Eiffel Tower in the background or in the romantic piazza. Celebrate your engagement with a romantic dinner in Chefs de France or Tutto Italia Ristorante followed by Illuminations.
- Sunset Point on the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney's Polynesian Resort is the perfect place if you love tropical locations. Sunset, water and Cinderella Castle in the background make this choice super romantic. Follow with dinner at Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. Continue the theme with a honeymoon at Aulani in Oahu, Hawaii.
Propose just before the fireworks begin in the Magic Kingdom! Every time the two of you see
fireworks, she'll be reminded of just how romantic you are!
These proposals take it over the top:
- If your girl never got over her pony fascination or she is a real girly girl princess, go big. Go for the horse drawn carriage followed by dinner at Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. For help with this one, call 407 939 7529.
- Are you an experienced diver? Explore DiveQuest and go for a dive in the 5.7 million gallon aquarium at Epcot. If you tell the dive guides your plan, they will give you a white board for you to write your proposal on. As you descend in the tank, guests (including your girlfriend) can watch you dive through one of the 56 giant windows. Imagine her face when you flip the white board towards her that asks "Marry me, darling?" Because your dive guide will know in advance what you're planning, he can also capture this moment (both you and her) on video.
- While you are at dinner, schedule a Dream Maker to transform your resort room into one that is fit for a Princess. Roses? Chocolates? A tiara waiting for her? If you are more of a private person who wants to make this celebration between just the two of you but still be unforgettable, this is your option. Call a Disney Dream Maker at 407 WDW GIFT for help in making this dream come true.
- Do you both love the water? Rent the 48-foot Sea Ray "Grand 1" yacht and with the wind in her hair, ask her to be your first mate. Cal 407 824 2682 to reserve this very special boat.
- Whisk her away for a surprise trip. Reserve the airline tickets, hotel and park tickets without telling her where you are going on your trip. Every moment of this special getaway is a surprise from the destination to the hotel to the couples massage at Senses and finally the moment you ask her to be your princess. This is one she will always remember. This is the one every other guy will have to top. I know. Because this one, this one happened to me.
If you have fallen head over heels, madly, absolutely, wildly in love and would like to propose in a way that represents you as a couple but you don't know how to begin, call Disney Weddings at 321 939 4610 to speak to someone who would love to help you make your dreams come true.
Happy Valentine's Day!
