9 very Orlando proposals and gender reveals
Central Florida is home to many unique, beautiful venues that provide the perfect backdrop for engagements and gender reveals. From the theme parks to quiet gardens, a golf attraction and a zoo, here are nine places to pop the question or discover your baby’s gender in the Orlando area.
Disney
With four theme parks, two water parks, one shopping destination (Disney Springs) and various hotels and resorts, there are plenty of places for Disney fans to pop the question or reveal a baby’s gender at Walt Disney World.
While Disney doesn’t currently provide any specific services for gender reveals, some characters have been known to help out with the surprise by presenting expecting parents with either boy or girl clothes or stuffed animals.
However, for those looking for some engagement assistance, Disney’s Fairytale Weddings team can create a completely customized proposal experience. A few popular options include a horsedrawn carriage ride through Disney’s Port Orleans Resort followed by a proposal in the garden gazebo; the “glass slipper proposal” at Cinderella’s Royal Table, in which the ring is presented in a glass slipper; or a dessert boat cruise across the Seven Seas Lagoon during the nighttime fireworks show.
More info: 321-939-4610; disneyweddings.com/ engagements/florida; disneyworld.disney.go.com
Icon Park
Those looking to reveal their child’s gender in a major way should look no further than The Wheel at Icon Park. The attraction offers a gender reveal package, in which the party waits in a special viewing area for The Wheel to light up blue or pink. Then, everyone is escorted to a private capsule for photo ops. This option is currently offered on Fridays and Saturdays after sunset during operating hours.
Want to propose? A trip around The Wheel is a great opportunity to take in Central Florida sights and provides plenty of time to get down on one knee as you complete a rotation. An evening trip is likely more romantic as the tourist corridor lights the night sky. Pro tip: Swing by the Sky Bar before or after to pick up a bottle of bubbly to celebrate.
More info:
407-601-7907; iconparkorlando.com/groups/genderreveal; iconparkorlando.com/tickets-packages
Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove offers a unique package in which a dolphin delivers a buoy with a personalized message, from “Will you marry me?” to “It’s a boy (or girl).” Crystal O’Hea, vice president of marketing for Discovery Cove, said the resort has done similar things during 20-minute under
water experience SeaVenture.
The water resort also offers a Premium Proposal Celebration Package that includes the aforementioned dolphin experience, plus a photo package, tote and private cabana with a floral engagement and ring display.
In addition to Discovery Cove, some guests opt to propose during one of SeaWorld’s many animal encounters, but the planning is up to the proposer.
More info: 6000 Discovery Cove Way in Orlando; 407-513-4600; discoverycove.com
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The zoo’s up-close animal encounters that ordinarily serve as a great proposal or gender reveal option for animal lovers are limited amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Julia Krall, director of community engagement at the Central Florida Zoo.
“But if you want to come and propose at the giraffe habitat during the feeding or in front of another animal exhibit, you’re welcome to,” she said.
Another option for those who plan in advance: Request a message from one of the zoo’s inhabitants. This offering allows patrons to craft a message up to six words and select an animal messenger, from river otters to macaws, lemurs, sloths, giraffes and more. The zoo then creates the one-of-a-kind photo with the personalized message and will either mail the photo or provide a high-resolution download. Pricing starts at $30.
More info: 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford; 407-323-4450; centralfloridazoo.org
Pirates Dinner Adventure
Arrrr you ready for matrimony or to discover the gender of your baby? If the answer is yes, Pirates Dinner Adventure has a couple of swashbuckling services. For gender reveals, the captain will interrupt the dinner show to present expecting parents with a colored bandanna. For proposals, the couple is brought aboard the ship, where the pirates make the proposer bend the knee to pop the question in front of the audience.
More info: 6400
Carrier Drive in Orlando; 407-206-5100; piratesdinneradventure.com/orlando
Bok Tower Gardens
really have a special package,” said Erica Smith, director of marketing at Bok Tower Gardens. “The number one thing that we get asked that we can’t do is allow engagements in the tower.”
Smith said as long as guests don’t block paths or interfere with other visitors, “you can basically do what you want.” She said she’s even seen guests spread rose petals leading up to the proposal.
Bok Tower Gardens has also hosted gender reveal parties. Contact the marketing department for details.
More info: 1151 Tower Blvd. in Lake Wales; 863-734-1210; boktowergardens.org
Topgolf
More info:
Universal Orlando Resort
While Universal doesn’t offer proposal or gender reveal packages, they do allow both within the parks. Choose from a wide array of magical movie backdrops — including the popular proposal location in front of Hogwarts at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure — or a more serene location, such as Central Park at Universal Studios.
More info: 6000 Universal Blvd. in Orlando; 407-363-8000; universalorlando.com
Leu Gardens
More info:
Want to reach out? Email me at kchristiansen@orlandosentinel.com. Find more fun things on Instagram @fun.things.orlando and Facebook @fun.things.orlando.