Today was tough

[Whipperwhirl]

Hello - My name is Whip - it’s been 9 months since I placed our deposit for our kids Christmas day surprise trip to WDW. Today 12/12/08 was a very trying day, not because it is Friday or MF is going on without me - but it was a very trying day because I have to keep our surprise a secret – I know you will understand.

It has been 7 months since I found the podcast.

Nine months ago we hadn’t been to WDW world since Jan 2002.

TODAY - we are annual pass holders looking forward to our “year of Disney” (We plan on going back a number of times in the next year – (Star wars weekends, food and wine fest, and MNSSHP).

TODAY – I know “WTH” – “MNSSHP” – is.

TODAY - I have a locked closet - - -Jam packed full of Color Coordinated, DISign inspired, Disney related luggage to surprise a family of 4 with a Disney World Trip on Christmas Morning.

TODAY – I pulled out my DIS unplugged team autographed copy of “The complete Walt Disney World 2008” and put the final touches on my daughters Amazing Birthday race birthday around Epcot.

TODAY – I signed onto the DIS to follow ADP’s live report from MF . . . . about a hundred times – at work.

TODAY – I dug up my daughter’s autograph book from 2002 so we wouldn’t have to stand in line for the same signatures all over again and squeezed it into her already jammed packed luggage bag she knows nothing about.

TODAY – I put on my first wrist watch since about . . . uh – our last Disney tip - Jan 2002. I only got a new watch so I could better keep track of ADR’s, show times and park schedules. I put it on today – not only because this is the day it arrived – but also - because I need time to get used to a watch – they bother me.

FINALLY TODAY – I cried like a baby when my (almost 9yo) daughter said “I don’t want to grow up” as I was putting her to bed. It was the hardest thing - EVER - for me to know how close we are to her amazing Disney year. I so badly wanted to tell her so that she doesn’t have to grow up. I so badly wanted to tell her that in less than two weeks from now – She will truly feel like a kid, if only for a few weeks more.

I don’t know how I am going to make it the 25th . . .WHIP

[LilGMom]

:hug:

You are going to give your family an amazing memory on Christmas Day!!!!! Good luck keeping it a secret until then.

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Stay strong, sister.

[DISNUT21]

I must agree with you in that this is one of the best most loving communities to be apart of on the web. But, nonetheless, don't tell your girls about your trip... hold tight until Christmas as the surprise will be all the more better. How do you plan on telling them Christmas day? Are you leaving soon after Christmas breakfast?.. you have no idea how I wish to be a fly on the wall when you tell them. Tell us how it goes and heres a little bit of pixie dust dustpixiedust: for you guys to have an awesome trip and great weather for your WDW trip.

[Whipperwhirl]

Thanks for the support - this is getting so much harder as time goes by.

I was full blown tears as writing my earlier post - I feel much better just getting it out.

I have a very elaborate plan to break the surprise. With elaborate plans - there is elaborate room to go wrong.

I have two little ones - DD almost 9 (B-day during our trip) and DS4. We officially leave on an airplane December 26th - but I have rented a hotel room at the airport just so we can leave on December 25th - this way they will have all day to adjust - tell their grandparents, brag to their cousins, etc - and we still leave the same day as the surprise. We will go swimming at the hotel - get room service - watch a movie - they are going to love it.

Anyway My plan to announce the surprise is very elaborate . . .

All year long I have been planting the seed that wouldnt it be neat to get a pet skunk. DD aways laughs - considers it for a moment - and then says but I dont think they would make a very good pet - what if they get scared.

So Christmas morning my husband and I are going to announce that we are finally going to give them have wanted all year long - their pet skunk! My BIL is comming over with a pet carrier. He is going to make it look like its hard to control. Then when she goes to check out the carrier there wont be a live skunk but a webkinz skunk, a variety of disney gifts and a countdown calendar.

The countdown calendar explains that we were only kidding and that instead of a skunk we would give her something she has really always wanted - A Disney vacation! The only problem with the countdown calendar is it is all messed up - the numbers are wrong. She is basically going to rip off every page of the calendar trying to find out when we leave and the last page is Zero - we leave today!

this helps so much just to talk about it - My DH just doesnt feel the same way about planning like I do. Thanks again - Whip

[mamato3princesses]

:worship: You are amazing! To not only surprise your kids, but to plan the disclosure of the trip in such a FUN way....WOW! I have always wanted to surprise my girls, but I have zero willpower. LOL

Have a FAB time...you rock, Mom!! :rockband:

[bcvdreamer]

Wow! How fun, you're so creative. You'll have to keep us posted on their reaction and your trip.

Have someone else video their reaction. We surprised our boys two years ago and they still talk about it all the time. It does get harder to keep the secret as it gets closer. You can do it!:goodvibes

[mejkjj97]

You are going to have such an Amazing trip!!
I give you so much credit keeping it a surprise and you and your children will always remember it.
Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

[Sharkmeister]

I totally understand how you feel. I too am surprising the kids with a Disney vacation on Christmas Day. We fly out on the 26th. With only 11 days to go it is starting to get real hard. I don't want to leave the packing until the last minute. Thankfully the kids are still clueless (I think?), everyone else is sworn to secrecy.

[DVCsince02]

What a wonderful Mom you are! :)

[lorax123]

That is so cool. I wouldn't be able to keep it secret that long. That's gotta be tough!

On the boat ride to GF yesterday, I over heard a guy talking about how they suprised their kids. The kids got up, ready for school, then mom and dad told them forget going to school, we're going to Disney world.

I wanna do that someday!

[BRobson]

Wow what a great mom you are :hug: You will remember this Christmas day for ever - stay strong, its not long to go now :lovestruc

[Whipperwhirl]

I just want to say thank you again for all of your kind words - I truely woke up this morning with a regained sense of willpower - I think all of you gave it to me. Your the best. :) Whip

Sharkmeister - we can do it!

lorax123 - Dont give me any ideas!

[GOLFDISNEY72]

Can I go:worship:

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

OMG that is a fantastic plan. You are the best mom ever!!! Stay strong dont spill the beans that is too good a plan.

[SamSam]

What a wonderful, truly creative surprise. I can't wait to hear how your kids react.

[calypso*a*go-go]

Hang in there, just a few days to go and the big secret will be out and the smiles on your kids' faces will be worth every day of anxiety you've gone through. Please, please, please give us an update as soon as the cat (or in this case -- the mouse) is out of the bag! :goodvibes

[TyTyandMickey]

:cool1: Sounds cool. My mom and dad surprised me on my birthday this year (I am 8) Your kids will love it.

Please put pictures up if you can.

Thank you

[Whipperwhirl]

5 days - 5 days - I can do it - I can do it.

My Mother says today - why not tell them tommorrow when we are all over - NO WAY - Christmas morning it is . . . I can do this - its only 4 days ... or 107 hours ... or 6428 minutes ... or 385695 seconds .... it sounds so far away when I put it in seconds. Whip

[NeverLandDreamer]

Have a wonderful time! You can do it!

Sending hugs...

[Mouse Skywalker]

Stay strong Whip. You can definitely do it. I love the Christmas surprise idea.

I surprised my girls with a Disney trip when I went for the marathon in January 2007. My surprise wasn't near as elaborate as yours though. I had park tickets wrapped up in boxes under the tree. The girls opened them as their last gift, saw the plastic cards and said "you got us credit cards?" They are now 10 and 7. When they figured out we were going to Disney they were bouncing off the walls. Mickey Mouse even called on Christmas day to tell them they were going. The cute thing was, DD7 pooh: (DD5 at the time), didn't realize it was a recording, and actually started talking to Mickey Mouse. She said, yeah, you know what? My Dad is going to run the marathon... It was very cute.

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Only 4 more days!!! You can do it. :woohoo:

[Bornteach]

Whip- Maybe you should scent the webkin!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[exwdwcm]

what an awesome plan and a great trip. I hope you and your family have a super time and make some magical memories. You MUST post a trip report!!! :wizard:

[luke]

What a great plan!
I have trouble even keeping even the smallest gifts a secret!

I did manage to keep it a secret that we were staying at Hotel New York in Disneyland Paris for my DW's birthday until we arrived at the resort and she tried to get off the shuttle at the hotel i'd told her we we staying in :lmao:

:goodvibes

[pklein09]

5 days - 5 days - I can do it - I can do it.

My Mother says today - why not tell them tommorrow when we are all over - NO WAY - Christmas morning it is . . . I can do this - its only 4 days ... or 107 hours ... or 6428 minutes ... or 385695 seconds .... it sounds so far away when I put it in seconds. Whip

Yes, but when you go to recalculate seconds, they go down a lot faster than the hours......

Have a magical trip!!!

[Whipperwhirl]

Yes, but when you go to recalculate seconds, they go down a lot faster than the hours......

Have a magical trip!!!

You are right - we are getting there! It is 2 days, 15 hours, 34 minutes and 4 seconds until Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 9:00:00 AM!

[Whipperwhirl]

Whip- Maybe you should scent the webkin!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Dont give me any ideas!

[Sharkmeister]

Hi Whip,
Just thought I'd pop in and see how you were doing? My silly sister nearly spilled the beans the other night - I put a stop the that quick smart. The kids have just gone to bed, so I give myself 7 hours before they find out. I still have so much to do. But the best thing of all is they still have no clue. Can't wait to have the camera ready. Merry Christmas with lots of pixie dust.

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

One more day Whip!!!!

[Whipperwhirl]

24 hours! I never would have made it through this week without this thread. The podcast board is definately where I belong. Thanks so much everyone - Whip

[calypso*a*go-go]

Yea!!! You made it -- well almost. Just a few more hours and I think you'll be hearing a lot of hoopin' and hollerin' !!!

[mommyceratops]

Wow, reading this brought tears to my eyes it is tomorrow or today...depending on when you read this!

I am so happy for you and your family!! Enjoy the magic!!!!!!!!

[Whipperwhirl]

I Did it - I kept the secret all year long - The surprise went off without a hitch - DD9 has been in happy coma all morning - Im going to work on posting the video to facebook soon - thank you so much everyone for your support - Whip

[calypso*a*go-go]

That's terrific Whip, can't wait to see the video! :cool1:

[NWOhioAngela]

Congrats Whip! Please link us to the video!

[lorax123]

That has to be the best christmas morning ever! I want to do that someday