Proposal trouble...[Updated: She said YES!]

[cstoops17]

I am planning on proposing to my girlfriend at Disneyland on February 6th. What I want to do is have our pictures taken in front of the castle, and have someone in the background holding a sign up that says " Brittany, will you marry me? -Chris" Then later at dinner that night, I am going to show her the picture and propose. Here's the problem... Only her and I will be going on this trip (from Sacramento) and I don't know anyone who lives down there to help me out with this: I need someone to hold the sign and to let the Disney cameraman in on it, so they don't say anything. I was originally thinking that I could find a cast member to help me out or even a park visitor. But then I realized that we are always together on these trips since it's just the two of us. The only time we're apart is for the occasional bathroom break. So how am I supposed to "secretely" find someone to help me out and give them the sign without her seeing? I am desperate for any advise that anyone has. My time is running out quickly and I am starting to get discouraged.

Thanks in advance! (oh and don't worry, fortunately for me she does not read the mouseplanet discussion boards).

[underthesea1987]

Maybe you could call in advance?

[ChurroGirl]

During one of your bathroom breaks tell her that you have to go do something and that you should meet up somewhere. Use the bathrooms that are in the walk way between the castle and the Rancho. After she goes in, go over to the PhotoPass Camera Person, tell them whats going on. Typically at that spot because of how popular it is there are usually 2-3 PhotoPass peoples that should be able to help you out, tell them what you want to do. If not, find a really nice looking family who is relaxing around there, tell them your plans, see if they will help.

GO BACK to the restrooms, grab your girlfriend, tell her since you are so close to the castle that you should get a picture taken in front of it. When you go to the PhotoPass go to the same person you had just spoken to^ and vola!

How romantic and special for you both. Best of luck to you! And if I lived in the area I would so go and try to help out!

[cstoops17]

During one of your bathroom breaks tell her that you have to go do something and that you should meet up somewhere. Use the bathrooms that are in the walk way between the castle and the Rancho. After she goes in, go over to the PhotoPass Camera Person, tell them whats going on. Typically at that spot because of how popular it is there are usually 2-3 PhotoPass peoples that should be able to help you out, tell them what you want to do. If not, find a really nice looking family who is relaxing around there, tell them your plans, see if they will help.

GO BACK to the restrooms, grab your girlfriend, tell her since you are so close to the castle that you should get a picture taken in front of it. When you go to the PhotoPass go to the same person you had just spoken to^ and vola!

How romantic and special for you both. Best of luck to you! And if I lived in the area I would so go and try to help out!

That's actually a really good idea. Ok, this is starting to seem more and more possible. I'm nervous and excited!! Thank you.

[ChurroGirl]

Of course its possible! Anything is possible in Disneyland!

There are plenty of people in Disneyland, visitors and CMs who would be willing to help you out!

Just make sure that you tell everyone that you will be right back to do it. So that you dont have to sincronize a time or anything. Just run from the restrooms to the Photopass people and then run back!
I am sure it will go off without a hitch!

And you have to come back and tell us how it all goes!

[cstoops17]

And you have to come back and tell us how it all goes!

Definately!

[MammaSilva]

A couple more 'hints'....buy a big tipped marker so you don't have to premake the sign. Run into the mens room and there should be a diaper change station with these really nice 'big' towels that are designed to be used on the diaper change station...use one to make your sign and take it with you over to the photopass folks so you don't have to hand off the sign or try to hide it while walking thru the park.

[Tinkermommy]

That is SO sweet!

If you get worried that the bathroom break might be too complicated, or just want a stand-by helper, let me know. We'll arrive there on 2/6 for my daughter's annual birthday weekend at the DLR, and we'd be delighted to help.

We won't arrive at Disneyland until later in the day (after school's out), so it might not work for you. But if you think that might work and you want the help, PM me and I'll give you my email and cell number.

[ChurroGirl]

TinkerMommy! That is so nice!

What a wonderful community we have here!

[cstoops17]

That is SO sweet!

If you get worried that the bathroom break might be too complicated, or just want a stand-by helper, let me know. We'll arrive there on 2/6 for my daughter's annual birthday weekend at the DLR, and we'd be delighted to help.

We won't arrive at Disneyland until later in the day (after school's out), so it might not work for you. But if you think that might work and you want the help, PM me and I'll give you my email and cell number.

Wow! I am just blown away by your extremely generous offer. I certainly would not want to impose though. I think it's just amazing that you'd like to help make this magical once-in-lifetime event possible. We need more people like you in this world. Please let me know if you are really ok with this, and I will definately send you a private message so we can work out the details. I really can't thank you enough!!

[DizneyMommy]

Isn't that something that guest services would arrange ahead of time is he called? Worth a try anyways...

[MammaSilva]

Isn't that something that guest services would arrange ahead of time is he called? Worth a try anyways...

They could but it would come with a price tag on it, the way he's planning to do it would be a lot less expensive.

[Malcon10t]

Was posting the same as MS....

[RockDoc07]

When I proposed to DW I was trying to set it up from the entire day in advance. I was being very elusive and she said in retrospect that she thought I was acting sort of "weird"

Anyway, I went to the Camera Shoppe the day of when we first got to the park and told them what I was planning. They told me exactly what has been advised here-- to go and talk to the CMs taking pics in front of the castle. I did that, and the woman said she would be happy to help! When I went back later in the day though, she wasn't there so I had to improvise. What I told the CM there was that I was about to propose to my gf. What he did was take the "setup" pic with my camera, and then took the proposal pics with his park camera, so we have great "professional" photos of the actual moment I got down on my knee. They are still conversation pieces today when we have guests come over our house. So definitely talk to them and set it up! The pople at city hall oddly enough are not very helpful in this endeavor.

Congratulations and good luck!!

Cool Runnings
Doc

[cstoops17]

When I proposed to DW I was trying to set it up from the entire day in advance. I was being very elusive and she said in retrospect that she thought I was acting sort of "weird"

Anyway, I went to the Camera Shoppe the day of when we first got to the park and told them what I was planning. They told me exactly what has been advised here-- to go and talk to the CMs taking pics in front of the castle. I did that, and the woman said she would be happy to help! When I went back later in the day though, she wasn't there so I had to improvise. What I told the CM there was that I was about to propose to my gf. What he did was take the "setup" pic with my camera, and then took the proposal pics with his park camera, so we have great "professional" photos of the actual moment I got down on my knee. They are still conversation pieces today when we have guests come over our house. So definitely talk to them and set it up! The pople at city hall oddly enough are not very helpful in this endeavor.

Congratulations and good luck!!

Cool Runnings
Doc

Hey thanks for the info and advice. I really appreciate it. The support on here is really amazing.

[menicksmom]

Do you think there's a chance that when someone is holding a sign, other people around you will start pointing, clapping, talking about it, which might make her turn around and see the sign??

[cstoops17]

Do you think there's a chance that when someone is holding a sign, other people around you will start pointing, clapping, talking about it, which might make her turn around and see the sign??

That's a really good point, something I hadn't thought about. What I will need to do is tell (whoever holds the sign) to immediately take it down if that happens. I'm hoping its going to be a real quick thing. My plan for after the picture is taken is to get the Photo Pass scanned and then say "I'm craving ice cream, let's go to the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor." I want to walk in the opposite direction from the castle, to make sure she doesn't see anything. If there are any other things that you think might potentially ruin the surprise, please let me know. I want this to go perfectly for her.

[MammaSilva]

Keep in mind that it will take a minimum of two hours for the photo to show up...while I think your idea is very cute, seriously, if you want the most bang for your buck in the photo department, instead of the sign....go find the photopass person like everyone has suggested, but instead of the sign, just go old school, drop to one knee and propose...the photo pass folks have GREAT cameras that if they know what the story is they can snap off shots like crazy so you'll have ever single emotion caught on "film" (ok so I know it's digi but memory card just doesn't have that 'ring' to it LOL) for ever...if you really wanted to do something cute with the sign, you could have one that says 'she said yes' and ask someone to hold it up while you're kissing? Just another idea in the pot.

[cstoops17]

Keep in mind that it will take a minimum of two hours for the photo to show up...while I think your idea is very cute, seriously, if you want the most bang for your buck in the photo department, instead of the sign....go find the photopass person like everyone has suggested, but instead of the sign, just go old school, drop to one knee and propose...the photo pass folks have GREAT cameras that if they know what the story is they can snap off shots like crazy so you'll have ever single emotion caught on "film" (ok so I know it's digi but memory card just doesn't have that 'ring' to it LOL) for ever...if you really wanted to do something cute with the sign, you could have one that says 'she said yes' and ask someone to hold it up while you're kissing? Just another idea in the pot.

Thanks for the suggestions MammaSilva. I guess I just want to do something different. I always hear about proposing in front of the castle (there are so many videos on Youtube) and I hadn't heard of of anyone doing this before (even though I know it's most likely been done a lot)

[MammaSilva]

What ever you end up doing she's going to love, if you do the photo just plan the wait time into your day...it'll be wonderful.

[letitsnow]

When you go to the photopass place don't they have it where you can customize the background or the lettering on the picture? maybe you can see if there is an option where they can customize it to say "will you marry me? ~Chris" and have them put the date on there? Maybe you can call if they have that and then you can eliminate having to find someone to hold a sign?

[MammaSilva]

Actually they don't do custom to that degree, they have a border that says Engaged but they don't do text like you're suggesting, that would be the perfect answer if it were possible

[letitsnow]

i personally would loved to have been proposed to in front of the castle and get the moment caught on camera!!! sigh......

good luck! i'm sooooo excited for you! i wanted to renew my vows there in august for our 10 year anniversary which is next year. can i bring my own priest or pastor there and get married somewhere on site? just a lil private renewal of vows?

[cstoops17]

When you go to the photopass place don't they have it where you can customize the background or the lettering on the picture? maybe you can see if there is an option where they can customize it to say "will you marry me? ~Chris" and have them put the date on there? Maybe you can call if they have that and then you can eliminate having to find someone to hold a sign?

That would be awesome if they did that. I called and asked and unfortunately they do not. Like MammaSilva said, they do have an "Engaged" marking though.

[letitsnow]

well maybe u can do the engaged one and then when u propose then you can say i was hoping you'd say yes, then present the ring and then the engaged photo?