Proposing is not something you take lightly. In fact, it’s something you likely think about for months on end, and you want it to be perfect.

Popular wedding destinations in Disney World include Haunted Mansion, the Swan Reserve Hotel, and of course, in front of Cinderella Castle. But if there’s one thing Disney World weddings are OTHER than magical, they’re extremely expensive. So maybe you don’t necessarily want your big day to happen in Disney World, but perhaps proposing in The Most Magical Place on Earth isn’t totally out of the question. But how do you go about it? How should you prepare, or know it’s the right decision? We’ve put together a whole list of ideas, tips, and advice for proposing in Disney World below to help you out.

According to a study by the wedding planning website Hitched, one in every 555 proposals takes place in Magic Kingdom, and one in every 1,428 proposals takes place in Epcot, placing them at #2 and #8 on their list of top 10 landmarks to propose. Getting proposed to in front of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, or your favorite attraction does sound pretty unforgettable.

What’s the #1 destination, you may ask? That’s Disneyland Paris, with one in every 500 proposals.

Tips

First things first, your proposal should be tailored to your partner. If they’re an introvert and a private person, getting down on one knee in the middle of Main Street, USA might seem like the picture-perfect proposal but could be an anxiety-riddled nightmare for your partner.

Here’s what we suggest:

• Really KNOW your partner. Ask their friends or family for feedback or thoughts if you’re unsure — it’s much better to be safe than sorry
• It’s your proposal, so do what feels right for you and your partner, but make sure you don’t get sucked into the massive marketed social media pressure of what other people’s proposals look like. Just focus on the two people in this situation that really matter (you and your partner) and not the family, friends, or social media lurkers out there
• If having family and friends around for the proposal is important to you and your partner, take that into account. Disney tickets are very expensive, and not everyone in the family may understand why your engagement needs to happen in the parks, or may not be able to afford to be there for it. You may have to make a tough decision to choose between family and friends being present, or proposing in the parks if it’s not in your budget to secretly provide tickets for those who need them.

That said, if you dream it (and have the money for it), Disney can help make it happen, and they even have a whole crew of Cast Members to specialize in Disney proposals and marriages.

Advice

Here are some basics we’d recommend for ANY engagement experience, no matter where it takes place.

• Arrange for a manicure before the big day. Splurge on an experience at one of the Disney Resort Spas, or collaborate with family/friends for a special manicure before leaving for your trip (that will really make those “show us the ring” photos pop!) If you’re concerned about your partner being suspicious about the manicure, perhaps offer it a few times in advance of the trip, or rely on some family and friends to make up a fib for why it needs to happen. And don’t forget about yourself! Make sure you’re doing whatever you need/want to do to prepare yourself for the big day too.
• Speaking of “Show us the Ring” Photos, spring for a Capture the Magic photo package at the Disney Parks. This moderately priced photo package will provide you with an exclusive Photopass photographer to take those first engagement photos near your favorite Disney park icons. This way you’ll have professional photos to always remember the moment, and it’s especially helpful if you don’t have family or friends in the park with you when the question is popped to take them for you– everyone gets great photos of the event!
• If you book a double package, you can even coordinate to have the Photopass photographer capture the actual question-popping moment! You can tell Disney beforehand about what the photo shoot will be for, so the photographer knows to keep themselves out of view or “distracted” until the moment happens, so as to not tip off your partner.
• Make plans for a nice meal. Even if you aren’t planning to propose over dinner, you’ll want to have a celebratory meal afterward. If you choose to dine on-property, we’ve got a list of some of the best fine dining experiences in Disney World, as well as some of the best table-service restaurants to help you decide. Just make sure to book those reservations well ahead of time! If you need help planning your vacation, we recommend our travel agent friends over at Small World Vacations!
• Snag some of those “Just Engaged” buttons. They’re free, great for those photos, and you’ll get “congratulations” comments all during your stay at the Disney World Resort. You can grab them from many of the shops around each of the Disney World parks. If you’re having trouble finding them, just ask a cast member!

Ideas

Now, here are some more “tailored” ideas that you can consider and weigh against your budget, comfort zone, and the preferences of your partner.

• Strategically timed during a fireworks show (beware of the loud music and make sure your partner can hear you, and remember, there are a lot of people at fireworks shows, so you may not have a lot of space)
• These don’t have to be in the parks! Consider the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, on the BoardWalk, on a Fireworks Cruise, at a fireworks-view restaurant like California Grill, Toledo/Dahlia at Gran Destino Tower, Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort, or Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Take your partner on a special tour, or book a VIP experience to help orchestrate the “perfect” Disney day
• If your partner enjoys wildlife, consider booking the Wild Africa Trek. There is a break spot at the boma in the middle of the savanna that provides a perfectly intimate and special setting. This way your proposal will be around a smaller group of people in a setting you both won’t feel rushed in
• Consider a Special Event, like an After Hours or a Holiday Party if your partner has a certain connection with Halloween or Christmas, or for just a more intimate time in the parks with fewer guests

We’ve also got some ideas for great proposal spots throughout the four parks. Some of these are more obvious, while others may be ones you haven’t thought of before!

• Cinderella Castle (Magic Kingdom)
• Cinderella Wishing Well (Magic Kingdom; it’s tucked away and not commonly crowded)
• Tree of Life Trails (Animal Kingdom; there are so many to choose from that are commonly empty)
• The Garden Courtyard in the U.K. Pavilion(EPCOT)
• The Eiffel Tower in the France Pavilion (EPCOT)
• Victoria & Albert’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa)
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

There are so many ways to have your magical moment in Disney World if it fits what you and your partner are looking for. Find the one that matches your needs the best, and Disney magic will just enhance it! As always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news, tips, and tricks.

See 25 of Disney’s Princess-inspired wedding dresses right here!

Would you ever consider proposing at Disney World? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Proposing At Disney World In 2023: Ideas, Tips & Advice first appeared on the disney food blog.