A Cheeky, Sneaky WDW Week with Sam and Santa Mickey Pre-Trip Report...

[CustardTart]

Cast:
Me: Karen (a.k.a Kaz) 40-something. Loves all things Disney, a Kir Royale in Mizner's Lounge and spending DH's $$$...
Him: Samuel (a.k.a Sam) 14-something. Loves all things Disney, hotdogs and hoarding his own $$$...

OK, so I'm only just back from a trip to the World with my DD and here I am writing yet another pretentious pre-trippie! Sorry. What can I tell you? The truth is I actually earned some cash this year and, rather than spending it sensibly on sagging ceilings and sofas, I decided to blow it on a plethora of DVC points and this treat of a trip for my wonderful youngest son, Samuel!

This is an early Christmas prezzie for him and I've actually been able to keep it a secret for several months - a minor miracle in itself as my lips are usually very loose... Anyway, I'm not intending to spill the beans until we arrive at Gatwick. I have a fabricated fable at the ready and I'm hoping the penny will be s-l-o-w to drop! Well, that's the plan. After being a parent for almost 25 years, I've learnt to be as flexible as a credit card so, should I need to reveal the legend a little sooner than anticipated, rest assured it'll be fine as Samuel is as big a WDW addict as his Ma... ;)

It's an important trip as we're finally staying at our home resort, Saratoga Springs and I'm looking forward to our very first 'Welcome Home'. In a fit of Disney Dining Desperation, I recently panicked and last week added the DDP to our reservation. I only made our ADRs a few days ago but managed to secure everything I felt Samuel would enjoy. I have all park/special event tickets in my (now) dilapidated holiday folder, passports are at the ready and I've pre-booked airport parking - we're good to go...

It's a special trip as, for the first time, I'm hoping to meet up with a few DISboard buddies! I'm not sure what Samuel will make of this but he's a mature young man who's well-versed in dealing with his Mother's madcap moments! Either that or he'll shun the whole shameful shindig - it's anybody's guess...:rolleyes:

So our intense itinerary is as follows:

Dec 14th: Off to MCO for 12.45 flight! Check in at SSR. If not too tired, head to the Turf Club for a mini-meet with my wonderful DIS bud from USA, Colleen...

Dec 15th: AK all day today - I didn't manage to get here in October so we're going to really take our time in this park before heading back to DTD and Samuel's first taste of the DDP...
ADR: Wolfgang Puck's Cafe @ 5.30pm...

Dec 16th: MK in the morning. As Samuel is a keen shopper, we're off to the Florida Mall during afternoon/evening...
ADR: Crystal Palace Buffet Breakfast @ 10.10am...

Dec 17th: EPCOT Future World in the morning. MGM afternoon and evening - can't wait to see those Osborne lights.
ADR: Hollywood Brown Derby @ 6.20pm...

Dec 18th: MK/DTD in the morning. EPCOT World Showcase in afternoon for DISmeet outside Rose & Crown at 3pm...
ADR: Tokyo Dining @ 6.00pm...

Dec 19th: US/IOA with Front of the Line passes...
ADR: Turf Club @ 7.40pm...

Dec 20th: Free morning and afternoon. MVMCP in the evening...
ADR: Whispering Canyon Cafe @ 6.20pm...

Dec 21st: Check out and check in at DTD. Possibly visit Seaworld before heading to MCO for our overnight flight and a rest...

[KayleeUK]

Brilint I love your trippies :)

[saratogagirl]

great start Karen, see you there x

[Lizzy Lemon]

You can't go back already - that's just not fair - I've got to wait at least another couple of years!!!!!! I'll still be gracious and say have a good time (through gritted teeth).

[florida sun]

Sounds fabtastic Karen, have a wonderful time:thumbsup2

[jns]

Lucky you have a ball

make sure and ask for a room near the main building at Saratoga Springs as we were over a 10 minute walk away, we ended up taking the car over to have a swim in the main pool and for breakfast, foodcourt is very small
I think the villas are the nearest

[natalielongstaff]

i agree with wendy :rotfl2:

have a fab time x x x can't wait to see the pics

[mark&sue]

We really like the walk to downtown disney and go for the congress park villas.

Also if you are off to a resort you can just walk to the dtd busstop and get a bus.

We love SSR. Have a great time


susan

[fizz13]

Hi karen,
well i'm really looking forward to bumping into you out there, and i certainly won't be having a dig about 2 trips so close together as i just came back in august:lmao: I think Sam is going to love the suprise, and i'm sure my kids will distract him at the meet, poor sam:lmao: See ya in a few weeks ( i love saying that!)

[CustardTart]

Our Magic Your Way tickets arrived from Mapleleaf Tickets this morning! Call me crazy, but I've already decided that Samuel can have the one with the Incredibles on the front - mine shows Mickey and Minnie in a teacup!!! I opted for the 10 day all-singing, all-dancing, non-expiring MYW tickets as I figured we'll definitely get more than 2 trips out of them and with the current exchange rate (that old chestnut!) they seemed a good deal...

I've decided to try and squeeze in a late afternoon visit to Seaworld on our 2nd full day as I really want to see how that gets decked out for Christmas. OMG, I've just thought, maybe they'll have a Seaworld Christmas bauble!!!! :yay:

And if I don't see Shamu in a santa hat, there's gonna be trouble... :santa:

[Minniespal]

Sounds wonderful Karen.

We were at Seaworld last Wednesday and the decs were certainly up. Didn't see a Seaworld bauble (and I don't think I missed a shop;) ).

[CustardTart]

...We were at Seaworld last Wednesday and the decs were certainly up...

Hurrah!!! :yay: :yay: :yay:

...Didn't see a Seaworld bauble (and I don't think I missed a shop;) ).

Aaargh!!! :sad2: :sad2: :sad2:

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

You lucky so and so's.
Sounds fantastic,Have a wonderful time :goodvibes

[Chilly]

I wish my Mum had surprised me with Disney holidays!

Hope you both have a wonderful time.

[mandymouse]

It sounds like you're going to have a fab time Karen. I can't wait to meet you on the 18th - if you're there early, mine's a Bacardi and diet coke (well I am trying to lose weight :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: ) ;)

[CustardTart]

The VH fly-drive tickets arrived this morning and I'm once more feverish with excitement! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: I just love it when that red envelope plops onto the doormat... :cloud9:

Samuel is now aware that he and I are going on a trip once he breaks up for Christmas. In true cheeky, sneaky fashion, I've suggested we'll be going to Paris for a little Disney dalliance as well as some Christmas shopping. He's just taken his French GCSE mocks so I've told him it'll be an opportunity for him to practice, practice, practice his language skills. :rotfl2: I'm sooo bad!!! :lmao:

Sweet boy that he is, he's even enthusiastic about that notion - so goodness knows how he'll react to the prospect of a whirlwind wander through Walt Disney World..? :cool1:

Watch this space... ;)

[Chilly]

Not long now!

[DisneyJo]

Oooh can't wait to hear about when you tell him :hyper:

[CustardTart]

We've all (me, DH, DS, DD) got bets on when Samuel works out what's going down! :rotfl2: He's a smart kid so I reckon he'll suss it as soon as we head to the Virgin check-in... :goodvibes

[carolfoy]

what a great surprise Karen, what a lovely mum you are

[arieljasmine]

Wow, Karen, you have such an exciting trip planned. Can't wait to hear about your son's reaction!

Laur's princess:

[tiggerwannabe]

I finally made it over! Hi Karen :wave:

He doesn't know? Cheeky seems to be a good word for you my friend :)

Great start, looks like a wonderful trip...I look forward to reading lots more~

...and seeing you Friday night at dinner~

[wils]

What a fab surprise - It's hard work keeping such a secret though isn't it!

Have a lovely time :)

[The Fetherstons]

A wonderful surprise, have a fantastic time

[CustardTart]

What a fab surprise - It's hard work keeping such a secret though isn't it!

Have a lovely time :)

Oh yes!!! Not least coz I am naturally an incredible blabbermouth! It's especially hard when I'm on the laptop researching WDW or DISing and he's sitting across from me all kinds of oblivious to the deception - I just want to shout about it!!! :yay: :yay: :yay:

It's getting close to you spilling the beans too... ;)