Cinderella Castle Detail
  • On Mar 11, 2025
    Juan pablo Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi! I’m staying at Riverside Port Orleans and planning to propose at the Beach Club lighthouse at sunrise. Can I park there early, or are there entry restrictions? If not, what’s the best way to get there at that time? Thanks!

    Hi Juan Pablo, and welcome to planDisney! I can’t think of a better place to pop the question than at the Most Magical Place on Earth, and you’ve picked a beautiful place on Crescent Lake for the occasion. It would be an honor to help you plan this special day!

    It’s a little tricky to get to the Beach Club Resort so early in the morning. Parking at Disney Resort hotels is reserved for overnight guests (of that particular hotel) and visitors with dining reservations. It looks like sunrise on May 23, 2025 is around 6:30 A.M. When I’m going somewhere to watch the sun rise, I typically like to be at the spot 30-60 minutes before that time to see the pretty colors in the sky. Since we’re talking about 5:30 A.M. to 6:00 A.M., Disney transportation won’t be running and the Hollywood Studios parking lot won’t be open yet, which is in walking distance to the Beach Club Resort.

    You might be able to take rideshare service from Port Orleans Riverside to Beach Club Resort, but it would be up to the security booth whether they’d let you through without a dining reservation. I’ve gotten turned away, even when I’ve been in a rideshare car and wasn’t parking. You might have better luck getting dropped off at the Dolphin Hotel, which is a short walk away from the lighthouse. There’s also Minnie Van Service, but it might not be running that early.

    After such a magical morning, I think a celebratory breakfast is an order! The Cake Bake Shop on the BoardWalk opens early and is the practically perfect place for a special occasion! This restaurant is absolutely beautiful and the food is equally delicious. With a 7:00 A.M. reservation, it's possible you could arrive early and park at the BoardWalk Inn, which is also a short walk to the lighthouse. But, again, it'll be up to the security booth whether they'll let you through much earlier than your reservation time.

    Make sure to pick up complimentary I’m Celebrating and Happily Ever After buttons to wear during your vacation! If you can sneak away the night before, you can get buttons from the front desk at Port Orleans Riverside so you’ll have them for the proposal. Otherwise you can pop into the Yacht Club or Beach Club Resort to pick them up afterwards.

    And don’t forget to take lots of pictures to commemorate the occasion! The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs through June 2, 2025 and it’s a beautiful place to take photos with all the colorful plants in the background. There are even several festival-exclusive Magic Shots, just ask PhotoPass photographers for more information. And, since it’s an extra special day, you might be interested in doing a Capture Your Moment session. You’ll get 20 minutes with a dedicated PhotoPass photographer and you can book it for any of the four theme parks. The PhotoPass photographers know all the best picture spots and how to strategically avoid crowds in the background. This is a great way to get lots of photos to remember your trip.

    I’m wishing you the most magical beginning to your happily ever after! And if you have any other questions, we’d love to have you back at planDisney.

    JoAnna
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Meet the Panelist: JoAnna, New York

Hi, friends! I’m JoAnna, an Imagineering nerd and dog mom from New York. I’ve traveled to all of the Disney parks around the globe, but Disney World will always be home.

Whether I’m navigating Rider Switch with my nephew or snacking around World Showcase with my friends, I love discovering what’s special about each of the different Disney destinations. I can’t wait to help plan your next adventure and get you on your way to making magical memories!
Learn More About JoAnna

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