Upcoming Proposal Help

[WilliamH1]

First off, hi to everyone and I'm lucky to have found this site!

I will be going to Disney World with my girlfriend in the next few months to celebrate my exit from the U.S. Marine Corps. What she does not know is that I will be proposing to her on this trip as well! I have 4 questions that I hope some of you can take time to answer for me, as countless hours of lurking on this forum haven't found me all the answers quite yet!

1) I have never been to Disney World, so I am turning to the experts on this forum for a little help! First off, I will be proposing to her at the wishing well by the castle. Is there a fast, romantic way to get from the Grand Floridian Resort to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom (the Castle)? Or, will I just have to hop on the monorail to get there (blah)?

2)Before heading off to the castle, I would also like to watch the fireworks on the beach of the Polynesian Resort. Is this even possible if I am not a Polynesian Resort guest?

3) At the time of the proposal, I would like a photographer to be there. Does anyone know a number I can call to make this happen? I dont need the whole Proposal Package for $310+ for 30 min of photography time, I am just looking for 1-3 pictures to be taken. Any ideas?

4) Last but not least! Will I have enough time to watch the fireworks on the beach and make it over to the Castle, or will the park be shutting down by then??

Thank you in advance for your time and help. I hope I posted this in the right place! Take care all

 

[Rob562]

First off, hi to everyone and I'm lucky to have found this site!

I will be going to Disney World with my girlfriend in the next few months to celebrate my exit from the U.S. Marine Corps. What she does not know is that I will be proposing to her on this trip as well! I have 4 questions that I hope some of you can take time to answer for me, as countless hours of lurking on this forum haven't found me all the answers quite yet!

Congratualations! And thank you for your service in the USMC.
Let's see.....

1) I have never been to Disney World, so I am turning to the experts on this forum for a little help! First off, I will be proposing to her at the wishing well by the castle. Is there a fast, romantic way to get from the Grand Floridian Resort to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom (the Castle)? Or, will I just have to hop on the monorail to get there (blah)?

If you want fast, your only option is the monorail. It's just one quick stop. Though you could perhaps ask to ride up front with the driver in the cockpit.
If you want romantic but not as fast, you could take one of the water launches over to the MK. The boat dock is on the Lagoon, between Narcoosees and the Conch Key building.

2)Before heading off to the castle, I would also like to watch the fireworks on the beach of the Polynesian Resort. Is this even possible if I am not a Polynesian Resort guest?

Yes, you can watch the fireworks from the Polynesian beach. Really the only thing you can't do at a resort that's not your own is use the pools and fitness centers. (Though GF and Poly share a fitness center, so that's a moot point). You can also take the water launch from the Poly over to the MK (you could even take the water launch from the GF to the Poly, but I don't know in what order the stops are)

3) At the time of the proposal, I would like a photographer to be there. Does anyone know a number I can call to make this happen? I dont need the whole Proposal Package for $310+ for 30 min of photography time, I am just looking for 1-3 pictures to be taken. Any ideas?

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Disney's photographer services. But a few possibilities...

Once you're in the park, if you can get away from your girlfriend for a few minutes, you might be able to find a Photopass Photographer who'd be willing to go with you and take photos.

Or, if your heart isn't 100% set on proposing at the wishing well, there's a photo spot near the entrance to the Rose Garden in the Hub with a terrific view of the castle behind you. In the evening there's always a Photopass photographer stationed there taking pictures. You could tell your girlfriend that you just want to get a picture taken and get in line. When it's your turn, whisper to the photographer that you'll be proposing to her so that he'll be ready, and then when you go to pose for the pic, get down on one knee...

4) Last but not least! Will I have enough time to watch the fireworks on the beach and make it over to the Castle, or will the park be shutting down by then??

It depends on what the park hours are. If Wishes is scheduled to happen *at* park closing time, then there's no way to get into the park afterward.
But if the park has later hours (like on the nights where they're open until 11PM and have two runnings of Spectromagic with Wishes in-between), you'll have no problem getting in. Or if it's a night with Evening Extra Magic Hours, you can get into the park at any time during EMH, even after the published regular park hours.
Just be aware that even if the park is open after Wishes, MANY people leave after the fireworks. So for about 20-30 minutes afterward you'd be like a fish swimming upstream trying to get into the park.

Good luck!

-Rob

 

[WilliamH1]

Hey Rob,

Thanks a lot for the great info, I really appreciate it! You gave me some great things to think about and plan out, and took a whole bunch of "what ifs" out of my mind. So, thanks again!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Congratulations!!

First of all - the wishing well is the BEST place to propose! I always dreamed of being proposed to there. Didn't happen that way for me, mine was still wonderful. However I think you're making a great choice.

Ways to get to The Magic Kingdom...
-Take the monorail. This is really the quickest way. If you want to get from the Polynesian to the Magic Kingdom before it closes you would need to take the monorail.
-Rent Cinderella's Carriage: It's $2700 for Disney brides. I have no idea if anyone else is even allowed to rent this. But if you called Disney they would be able to tell you. Seeing as how this is horse drawn, it will not be quick but it would be romantic!
-Rent a limo: through Disney it's $84 an hour with a 3 hour minimum.

Watching the fireworks from the Poly beach is my other favorite thing about Disney! I did this on my honeymoon, and it's very very romantic. What will be really nice is if you can get back to the park for the "Kiss Goodnight". What that is, is a special lights show done after the fireworks at the castle about 30 minutes after park close when people are still filtering out. I think it's pretty magical. It would be nice to propose during that.

A couple that I am friends with also got engaged at the wishing well, and did have it photographed. He called Disney and told them his plan, and they worked with him. I don't know if they set him up with a photo session, but I am guessing that is the best way to do it. I know it's more money, but it's a priceless photo and it's a guaranteed way to get it. You could always just go to City Hall when you arrive at MK and tell them of your plan. They will do their best to help you if they can.

Some helpful numbers & links:
www.disneyflorist.com - in case you want something delivered to your room.

Dining Reservations
(407) 939-3463

Guest services:
(407) 939-6244

 

[MsDisney~NY]

I've never sseen the "Kiss Goodnight Light Show" at MK. I am going to have to catch this when I'm there next.