With Valentines Day around the corner, there are many guys planning out the perfect way to pop the question. Disneyland is a popular spot to propose year-round, but on Valentines Day you are even more likely to see someone on bended knee. For those planning a special moment, here are a few of the best places to propose at the Happiest Place on Earth.
5. The Disneyland Main Entrance
The Main Entrance to Disneyland holds the promise of great things to come. Why not start your new life together with a proposal in front of the floral Mickey? Disney usually has a photographer stationed at the Main Entrance, so you can get a snapshot of the moment. When the photographer gets ready to snap your photo, ask him to wait a moment, and then bring out the ring. Be ready to hear some cheers from the various guests around after she says yes.
Afterward, you can stop at City Hall (Guest Relations) on Main Street and get a special button to commemorate your day. You can also buy the bride and groom Mickey ears at the Mad Hatter shop as another way to commemorate the occasion.
4. Signature Restaurants
Disneyland has several fine dining experiences that make the perfect setting for a romantic Valentines dinner and to pop the question. With Valentines Day being one of the busiest times for restaurants, I highly recommend making your reservation well in advance.
The Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is a wonderful restaurant with an extensive wine list. I have dined there several times and the food and service have always been impeccable. Not surprisingly, there has been at least one proposal each time I dined there. It is a wonderful spot.
The Carthay Circle restaurant inside Disney California Adventure is another wonderful place for a special meal together. The classic charm of the decor combined with the refined menu items makes this a great place to propose.
The Blue Bayou is one of the best spots to propose because the dimly lit restaurant has a romantic feel no matter when you visit. At least one person a week proposes at the Blue Bayou and on Valentines Day there are usually 4-5 proposals.
3. Mickey’s Fun Wheel
You may have to ask the Cast Member for your own gondola, but the view from atop Mickey’s Fun Wheel is hard to beat. Be sure to get in the line for the non-swinging gondola. Proposing is enough of a thrill. You don’t need to add a swinging cabin to the mix.
2. Fireworks
Disneyland has one of the best nightly fireworks shows, which can be the perfect backdrop for your proposal. The fireworks launch from behind ToonTown, which makes the area in front of “it’s a small world” a good place to see the show. There is a terraced parade viewing area to the right of “it’s a small world” that is typically less crowded. This could give you a semi-private area to propose before or during the fireworks.
The Disneyland Railroad is closed for refurbishment this year, but you can still access the Main Street Train Station. At the top of the stairs you will find a few benches with a great view of the castle and Main Street.
Why not brave the crowds and stand smack dab in the middle of Main Street or in front of the castle? You’ll have plenty of people around to take a photo for you and you will likely get a big round of applause afterward from the spectators.
1. Sleeping Beauty Castle
As the most iconic place in Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty Castle makes a great backdrop for a proposal. Dropping to a knee on the drawbridge is one way to do it, but the crowds will take away from the specialness of the moment. You will have better results if you propose somewhere to the east of the castle. The walkway leading to Snow White’s Wishing Well is usually a good spot and not as crowded as if you were to stand directly in front of the castle.
A Disney photographer usually roams that area, which would be an ideal way to capture the moment. As the photographer to take your picture and then when you’re posed in front of the castle, drop to one knee and be Prince Charming.
What’s out this year
A few of the most popular spots are not accessible this year because of extensive closures for the Star Wars land construction. The Mark Twain is closed, as is the Sailing Ship Columbia and the Disneyland Railroad (and the Lilly Belle presidential car). One of my personal favorites, the Court of Angels staircase in New Orleans Square, is no longer accessible to the public. You need to be a Club 33 member to access the picturesque winding stairs.
If you can’t decide on the perfect place, odds are that you already have a few favorite spots at the park. Whether that is your favorite ride to enjoy together, favorite place to grab an ice cream cone, a bench where you like to people watch, or the place where you met, it is always great if you can propose in a spot that holds special meaning to you both. Good luck!
Photos via Reddit, Disney, Loren Javier
