I thought we were going to D.C.? Suprise trip! UPDATE: Hilarious unveiling video!

[Crisgw]

I should start out by saying, I'm addicted to WDW, but I feel like I'm in good company with that here :)

I just went to WDW in January for our youngest son's 4th birthday and have somehow convinced my DH to change our springtime Washington D.C. trip to a WDW trip! :cool1: When we were in WDW in September of 08, I convinced him to buy AKV (DVC) and ever since then, I think the man has lost his mind slightly....the Mouse must have finally gotten to him :)

Don't even know how it happened...a driving trip to D.C. to a flying down (tickets were a STEAL) to WDW...but hey, I'm not going to complain! Next post I'll introduce the cast and explain the what/where/when/how's of it all :hippie:

[Crisgw]

Okay, so here's the cast:

Me, Cristina, I'll be turning 3-0 at the beginning of April (so in a way I suppose this could be a birthday gift for me of sorts and it IS the day after Mothers Day...). I am addicted to the mouse. Addicted. I've been going to Disney every year since I was 3. By the time our September 09 trip rolls around, we'll have been there 4 times this year (and we live in Ohio!) :eek:

DH, Josh, he was not brought up with Disney. Went twice as a child and wasn't too thrilled to take ours at first. Learned on our September 2008 trip about DVC and somehow, he bought into it and now we're DVC members (I still don't know what happened...we went into the tour "just looking, NOT buying" and bought. That day ;) )

Youngest DS, Ben, he's totally nuts. If anyone watches 30 Rock, we call him Tracy Jordan because he's just that random and funny. He loves Disney and is addicted to Big Thunder Mountain. He's been going to WDW since he was 8 months old. We just did a birthday trip in January for his 4th bday and he loved it!

Oldest DS, Nate (6), he's the sweetest and most sensitive kid. He is very bright and is obsessed with reading. He expressed his "jealousy" over Ben's bday trip and wanted a trip on his bday in July. We once went to WDW in July (07) and I vowed to NEVER go in the summer again...too hot and too crowded!! SO, this trip is also part of his early bday gift. He loves Disney and is totally into pin trading now.

So, this trip is going to be a SECRET. We are not telling the boys until we are at *least* on the plane. I'd like to keep it from them until we land! I suck at keeping big secrets and it's KILLING me. The boys think we are going to D.C. and Ben in particular is pretty annoyed at the prospect of that trip which he said will be "BOOOOORING". So, can I keep it for 49 more days!?!?!

I'll put up some pictures of us tonight :)

[Crisgw]

Nate and Ben on Nate's 1st day of Kindergarten this past year
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/boys-1.jpg

Here is the family in 2005, the boys' first trip to WDW (sorry it's grainy!)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/dissss.jpg

Us in July 2007
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/disney.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/VCSCommercial395.jpg

Our Sept 2008 trip
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0731.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0712-1.jpg

And January 2009 (sans Josh, he had to stay home to work, poor guy)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/DSC00054.jpg

[Crisgw]

Even though I have no readers (do *I* count?) I'm still plowing ahead :rotfl2:

So, this secret trip (well, secret from our two sons) is becoming HARDER and HARDER to keep. I almost slipped up about 100 times this past weekend. We were at the store buying groceries and my oldest brought the Mini Wheats over (Disney "toy" inside) and said "I wish we were going to Disney soon not Washington DC"...it about broke my heart and then DH said "but in DC there are lots and lots of statues to stare at" :rotfl2::rotfl2:

So, the boys really think we're going to DC and they think we're flying there so I think we're covered until we get to Orlando. They're only 4 and 6 so if they ask why the plane's going to Florida, DH decided he'll say "because it's a connecting flight to DC" ;)

Update later on ADR's, plans and AP's for DH and youngest DS!

[Crisgw]

So, onto some ADR's I've made (we are 99% sure we are doing the DDP again...we just love to eat!)

May 10-Sci Fi (dinner)
May 11-Ohana's dinner
May 12-Tutto Italia (dinner)
May 13-Coral Reef (dinner)
May 14-Teppan Edo (dinner)
May 15-Le Cellier (lunch)

I purposely avoided Boma (one of our favorites!) because we are doing it hopefully 2 times in September!

Anyone have any experience with Tutto Italia? This will be our first time there :)

[as dreamers do]

If you don't have any readers, what am I -- a bologna sandwich? :lmao: I just so happen to be the lucky first poster on your thread. I'm really loving your pre-trip report so far & can't wait for more developments!! (Your boys are absolutely precious, by the way!)

I dined at Tutto Italia last year. (In May, come to think of it...) The food was good and reading the descriptions of the dishes made me think they were pretty authentic Italian fare (e.g. use of veal in some entrées, and their traditional antipasto). I had the cannelloni, which I wish there was more of (I think there were two) because for half of the dinner I sat watching everyone else eat while my plate was clean. That was a bit awkward! Then, when it was time to collect our bills, my tablemates and I were all put on one despite requesting at seating to pay separately. After two more failed attempts by our server trying to separate the bills (extra charges, drinks on the wrong bill), the manager came out and got very angry with us, and told us that he couldn't split the bill more than twice. Huh?! All the while, my companions and I were trying our best to be very understanding with the waitstaff and keep our cool despite an obviously frustrating situation for everyone. In the end though, we wound up pulling out our cell phone calculators and dividing the costs accordingly.

So that's my one and only experience with the restaurant. Now, I realize we had a tricky situation to begin with (a table of five wanting five separate bills) while yours should be pretty straightforward with one bill. So all things considered, Tutto Italia has decent food, beautiful atmosphere (pretty fancy shmancy), and friendly waitstaff for the most part. Just don't do anything that would merit the manager getting called to your table. :scared: :rotfl:

P.S. Sorry about hijacking your thread! I get kinda wordy sometimes!

[Crisgw]

Hey! My first reader! I wish I had a prize for you :hippie:

I hope we don't run into the dividing the bill issue as our 4 and 6 year olds will be up a creek without a paddle on that one!

Tonight, I'm hoping to post some more pre-trip pics from our last trip to get myself in the "mood" :rotfl2: I have a confession to make. I am addicted to food pictures...aka food porn and it embarrasses my DH to NO end when I take photos of our food as it comes out...I'm always like "NO NO NO don't take a bite yet!!!!"

[as dreamers do]

I know what you mean about food porn. It's totally addicting - both looking at pictures of it and taking pictures of it. In fact, tonight, to celebrate booking my trip, I pulled out my Disney pirate shaped pasta for dinner and actually contemplated taking a picture of it. Whaaaat? This is so out of hand.

Going through photos from past trips are a fool-proof way to "set the mood" for an upcoming one, as you put it. ::yes:: Post post post your little heart out!

[Crisgw]

Pictures WILL be posted ;) I have to locate what photo site I loaded them too (duh). We are trying for little terror #3 right now and there is a SLIGHT (and I mean slight as I am what I'd like to call "fertility challenged") chance I may be like 9-10w pregnant during this trip....did I mention the chance is kind of slight? :lmao:

[Happydog]

Hello -- I have two little boys, too, 3 & 6. We LIVE outside DC... So I couldn't use your excuse with mine :laughing: My boys are June babies, both, and my DH, so we are all going in June, AND we are surprising them, too. The DIS has been my only outlet, b/c I can't talk too much at home... :ssst:
Maybe I can tell them we are going to Upper Arlington after school lets out :rotfl:
Your ADRs look good, some nice choices. :thumbsup2 We were in WDW in November... and have booked a trip this Christmas. A first for us. Looks like you have had a great few trips already this year! Look forward to following your PTR and your surprise trip plans...;)

[Crisgw]

Maybe I can tell them we are going to Upper Arlington after school lets out :rotfl:


If you told them you were coming to UA, Ohio they would HARDLY be excited :lmao::lmao: I personally love DC! I was looking forward to it but I am looking more forward to WDW!

Now, back to food pic hunting.....

[Crisgw]

While at work and SUPER busy...I find myself looking out of my office window wishing I was looking at this
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/DSC00037.jpg

That's from the January 2009 trip and our first stay at SSR. DH couldn't go (poor guy) which is why I think he was able to be swayed to this upcoming May trip....

Oh Main Street Bakery Cinnamon roll....how I cannot wait to see you again!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0740.jpg

Where it ALL began...this is what our DVC invitation (to tour) was in....laying on the bed in the Mickey head.....memories :rotfl2:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0700-1.jpg

MMMMMM....WDW popcorn...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0749.jpg

[Crisgw]

After seeing this pic...I'm seriously reconsidering not doing Boma until Sept.....
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0726-1.jpg

[Crisgw]

So, in other Disney news...I bought the 8 round trip tickets for our BIG family vacation in September from AirTran (we usually fly SW) and all 8 were only $1433!! I was shocked :eek: in a good way! So, now I'm getting jazzed for THAT trip as well! It's going to be especially cool since my (then he'll be my BIL) sister's fiance (who will be 30 when we go) has NEVER EVER been to Disney!! :scared1::scared1::scared1::scared1: So, I'm stoked he'll be going with us!

[goin2themouse]

I'm in! Can't wait to see if you can keep the secret!

By the way, you're my very first PTR sub. :goodvibes

[Laura.bora]

ooooh - I LOVE surprise trips!! I'm in! We just took our 3 on their first surprise trip back in Sept. 08 and we want to surprise them again in December 2010. :santa: Have you discovered the KOTS thread yet? (Keepers of the Secret) - they have lots and lots of stories of people who surprised their kids - might give you a few ideas!

[Crisgw]

Welcome goin2themouse and Laura.bora :hippie:

I'm going to be doing our itinerary soon....I'm getting ready to get organized!

Laura.bora, I didn't even KNOW a thread like that existed. I'm so excited now! Off to check it out!

[Laura.bora]

IT is a VERY cool thread and it has a few of my favorite surprises - including mine! The fortune cookie one is pretty cool too!

[Crisgw]

Ack! I can't find the KOTS thread! Any links??

[Laura.bora]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1312518

There is the KOTS thread for you! I'm the very last post at the moment.

[Crisgw]

Thanks Laura! I can't wait to read through it all and get some ideas and pointers...I really am the worlds worst BIG secret keeper...the Worst!

[Laura.bora]

LOL - Go read my trip report - you cannot possibly be worse than me and my husband!:rotfl2:

[Crisgw]

Laura! I loved your KOTS post! The videos are great and the kids are too cute! I love that the baby decided right then to start to crawl haha...too cute. This secret is KILLING me. DH says I will not make it. Maybe we should place a bet!

[shordiebecka]

interesting! I'm in for keeping the secret :thumbsup2 can't wait to read more!

[Crisgw]

Oh, it's SO dreary and rainy here in Ohio (blah!)....I wish I were here
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0709-1.jpg

I've honestly been trying to get DH to MOVE to FL (or at least within reasonable driving distance of WDW!) and he's warming up to it...maybe in a few years!

Anyone have suggestions on the secret "revealing" ?? I'm stumped. :confused3 :hippie:

Here is a taste of pics to come....this is the boys' clothing for our Sept 2008 trip...I'm slightly OCD and yes, I am one of "those" mom's that makes my boys pretty much match the entire time we're there...hey, they let me (for now) and it's just SO cute!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/newdisney.jpg

I bought Disney Crocs (their feet grow like weeds!) in red with black straps and black with red straps for $10.99 EACH yesterday night (so they "match" but opposite colors!)
http://www.amazon.com/crocs-Toddler-Little-Mickey-Cayman/dp/B0017ZMC9Y/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1237990121&sr=8-3

[Crisgw]

I forgot to say Hi to you shordiebecka :) so Hello :)

[Crisgw]

I found a pic from the TOT in September of 08. I honestly question how my DH and I (who really are, I swear, intelligent and successful people :lmao: ) thought it was a GOOD idea to take our 3.5 year old son (well, a little over 3.5) on TOT just because he was TALL enough :rotfl2::rotfl2: :confused3:confused3 Our brains were fried apparently. The face he is making is now called the TOT face and he uses it often. DH and I are laughing so hard we could barely breathe...He still REFUSES to even LOOK at the TOT :lmao: (secretly that's ok because it scares the crap out of me too and I'm not a big fan).

Here is a shot of our group (from L to R) DH, Ben (youngest DS), Me, Nate (oldest DS) and Uncle Jake (my 21 yo BIL).
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/Picture002.jpg

A close up of JUST how terrified Ben was :rolleyes1:rolleyes1 oops...bad parenting on our part.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/Picture004.jpg

[Crisgw]

Here's the itinerary thus far...I'm SURE it'll change! I love AP's because of the "park hopping" ability!

Itinerary

Date Park
10-May Resort Day
11-May MK
13-May AK/Pool/Epcot (EMH AK PM)
14-May Pool/MK (EMH MK PM)
15-May DHS/Pool/Epcot (EMH Epcot PM)
16-May MK in the AM then leave at 4pm for airport

[Crisgw]

So I think I may have thought about how to tell the boys...I read about an idea on the KOTS thread...more info coming soon!

[goin2themouse]

OOOOH can't wait to hear! :thumbsup2

[as dreamers do]

Dish it, Cristina! :yay: What's the plan?

[Crisgw]

Okay okay...here is the plan that I'm thinking of going with (well I've bought the "stuff" to do it!) thanks to an idea on the KOTS board!!!

I'm going to get a big box for the boys to open *right* before we go to the airport (or maybe at the airport???) and it will be wrapped in solid paper (blue or red). Inside will be a balloon (it's string will be taped to the bottom of the box and it will be filled with helium so when they open the box it'll pop out) with the invitation I made for them tied to the string as well. The box will be filled with confetti as well :lovestruc:lovestruc Here is the stuff I bought/made for it:

The balloons:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/mickeyballoon.gif

The confetti (ordered 4 bags :rotfl: )
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/confetti.jpg

And finally the invitation I made for the boys:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/DISNEYSURPRISE.jpg

So, what do you think? Good plan? At home BEFORE we go to the airport or AT the airport??? :wizard:

[chskover]

Love your secret. The invitation is great.
As you are leaving and going back to Ohio, we will be arriving in sunny Fl to start our trip. My daughter turns 21 for this trip. I'm not sure I would do the surprise box at the airport. Think of the confetti.

[summermac]

Your PTR caught my eye. And then I realized you are from OHIO. I am too. I'm about 2 hours east of you! We're on AirTran for our June trip & we are flying out of CMH. The fares are killer!

Anyway, I'd tell the boys before you leave home - that way they have time to maybe grab a favorite Disney toy or something if they want. You know?

[Crisgw]

Hello fellow Ohioans :) :hippie:

I think you all are right...home before we get into the car is probably best! I am struggling to keep the secret but I know it'll be worth it!

Summermac, I grew up about 3 hours NE of Columbus (Warren) and always SWORE I'd leave Ohio after college....hmph, here I am :rotfl:

[as dreamers do]

I love the last minute surprise of having them open it at the airport! The only thing is that they'd have to open it before the security check point and would have to ditch the balloons, which is no fun. I don't know if you have a morning flight or not, but you could always have them open it at breakfast, e.g. "I found this on the front porch. Someone must have left it for us during the night..." :wizard:

I know you guys will pull it off no matter what you decide! You've made it this far, right?

[summermac]

Summermac, I grew up about 3 hours NE of Columbus (Warren) and always SWORE I'd leave Ohio after college....hmph, here I am

My college BF is from the Warren area - in fact her family's business is in Warren. :)

[Crisgw]

Ahhh, Warren...I went to HS there (private) then went on to college IN Ohio at Denison :rotfl2::rotfl2: For someone who wanted to get OUT of Ohio, I did a pretty bad job at it!

I keep trying to convince DH to move within driving distance (GA/SC/FL) to WDW....he's not budging on this...yet! I haven't given up!

[summermac]

This is too funny. My BF also went to a private school up there (I think most do in that area - public schools up there are pretty scary) but I believe is closer to the city - Ursuline (sp)

[Crisgw]

I went to JFK, another Catholic school. I actually lived in Howland but raised in the Catholic schools (lucky :rolleyes: ).

[ProudMommyof2]

We will be there the same dates- did I miss it? Where are you staying?

[Crisgw]

We are staying at SSR (for now) but we are waitlisted at Jambo and Kidani (our "home") :) Where are you guys staying :) ?

[ProudMommyof2]

We will be at BCV from the 10th-15th then 1 night at AKV-Kidani before heading home!

[Crisgw]

I took us off the waitlist for Kidani (I don't think there will be ANYTHING the week after opening!) and put us on for Boardwalk and Jambo...soooo let's wait and see!:thumbsup2

[Crisgw]

I got my confetti in the mail (already!) today! I came REALLY close to spilling the beans on accident but luckily they know we're going in September so I just cover up by saying "you know when we go in September...." :)

[Crisgw]

I got my confetti in the mail (already!) today! I came REALLY close to spilling the beans on accident but luckily they know we're going in September so I just cover up by saying "you know when we go in September...." :)

[Microcell]

I am so excited for you!!! Your family looks so cute!

DH and I decided just tonight to surprise the kids between thier birthdays in 2010 and our first kid's birthday party for '09 is next weekend if that is any indication how painfully long it will be for us!

We planned on sitting in the gate for a different flight for a while then spilling the beans right before we get on, but I like your DH's idea of just saying that we have to connect in Orlando...

DD will be almost 12 so I will let you know how that flies when the time comes!

Subscribing to live vicariously!

ETA: This is creeping me out!!!! I just read the whole thread to catch up and it is mirroring our plans! DH and I decided our cover would be that we are going to a wedding in Cleveland or something, and would have a box wrapped in wedding paper and tell them that security won't let us take it on the plane so they might as well just open the dishtowels we got for the happy couple to put in our carry on.. Sound errily like your plans except we have to think even more stealthily because our kids will be 11 and 7, almost 12 and 8...

Further creepout.. my DS's name is Ben too!

[Crisgw]

:flower3: Welcome Microcell :)

That is eerie how close our plans are (and about the Bens!!) I will have a slightly easier time due to the ages of my kids vs. yours! Are you doing a PTR?

I am so stressed recently that I feel like this next trip is JUST at the right time...:worship::worship::lovestruc:lovestruc:bana na::banana:

[Microcell]

I am, waaayyy early, but I figure I should have it all down for the kids to see after the surprise trip!

Like i said, I will be happy to live through you!

[Crisgw]

Today, the balloons came and I got excited all over again! :cool1: I SO need this vacation!

[Crisgw]

Well, well, I'm just the worst PTR'er ever! So, a little over a month to go. I am calling daily (okay, more than daily) to check on our waitlists for DVC....we are still confirmed for SSR (the boys LOVED it in January but cried due to the cold weather and only being able to swim once!) but DH and I LOVE LOVE LOVE AKV. I have zero faith that the WL will go through though. I'm happy at SSR because hey, it is WDW!!

Does anyone else have people look at you like you are totally nuts when you talk about Disney, travel to Disney, etc....? I do. I feel like people think "ooooh, there's that Disney fanatic lunatic of a woman" when I come around :)

[Crisgw]

Well, well, I'm just the worst PTR'er ever! So, a little over a month to go. I am calling daily (okay, more than daily) to check on our waitlists for DVC....we are still confirmed for SSR (the boys LOVED it in January but cried due to the cold weather and only being able to swim once!) but DH and I LOVE LOVE LOVE AKV. I have zero faith that the WL will go through though. I'm happy at SSR because hey, it is WDW!!

Does anyone else have people look at you like you are totally nuts when you talk about Disney, travel to Disney, etc....? I do. I feel like people think "ooooh, there's that Disney fanatic lunatic of a woman" when I come around :)

[Microcell]

Thankfully I have four out of five co-workers that understand!

I get together with my former coworkers from my last job and they just get annoyed if I talk about Disney...

[summermac]

I actually think my own family is tired of hearing our plans. So yeah, my coworkers are probably ready to kill themselves. LOL!

Not much longer!!

[Crisgw]

So, last night, my oldest DH was reading books before bed and while tucking him in I said "next month we'll be headed to D.C." and tears welled up in his eyes and he pulled the covers over his head...I asked him what was wrong and he said "I thought you were joking about D.C. and that we were really going to Disney but now I know it's true...IT'S TRUE...we are going to D.C." (crying ensued due to being over tired and 6 haha). Poor kid. I just hugged him and said "baby, we can't go to Disney every time we take a trip" Poor kid. It broke my heart!

Here is the youngest on the way to AKL in September on the ME :)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/PICT0693.jpg
(not sitting in a carseat is a HUGE exciting deal apparently!)

And a funny Teacups video (ignore my screaming, I get really dizzy!)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/th_PICT0752.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/?action=view&current=PICT0752.flv)

[Crisgw]

So, here is me torturing my oldest DS today....poor kid (he's 6) :lmao:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/th_Video2.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/?action=view&current=Video2.flv)

[Crisgw]

Today is my 30th Birthday! Yikes :scared1: :cool1::cool1::cool1: Updates to come about the trip :)

[Crisgw]

I keep trying to change our ressies to AKV (Jambo or Kidani) for the trip from SSR BUT, that said, the boys and I LOVED SSR when we went in Jan and I am SO looking forward to letting the boys swim in the pool and play in the Grandstand splash/spray area...

DVC is crazy booked up for the week and I'm happy I got ANYTHING!

We broke the 30 day mark and I cannot believe I've kept the secret!!!!! It's KILLING me :scared1::eek::rolleyes1:rolleyes1:rolleyes1

[Crisgw]

So some GOOD news :cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1:
I called DVC and got the 14th and 15th (May-the last two nights of our trip) at Kidani Village Savannah view!!! :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana: Woo!! The kids are going to be SO excited to hang at the new Kidani pool and we just LOVE AKV!!!!!

[Disneychix]

excellent news about the last 2 nights!!! Have fun!

[summermac]

WOOHOO!! Awesome tht you got AKV for the last two nights.

Okay, how did you NOT tell your 6 yo the plans? Holy crap, I'd have cried right there with him!

[Crisgw]

I am horrible. I just want it to be a surprise. He cried again last night about it. I feel horrible but I MUST hold out!!! It's going to be a CUTE surprise!!!! I promise I will videotape the GOOD parts too!

[Crisgw]

We are entering into the TEEN countdown! Woo! I still can't believe that I haven't spilled the beans. I rock haha.

[Crisgw]

Okay I am SOOOOOOOOO excited about my most recent update! Our WAITLIST CAME THROUGH!!!!!!! We're at Kidani Village in a Savannah view room for the ENTIRE TIME!!! :cool1: :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: I'm SOOOOO excited! WOOHOO~~

[KnitchyFingers]

Okay, I'm late to the table, but I'm tuning in now. Your kids are so cute and I cannot WAIT to see how this surprise goes over! We're outside DC, too, so that wouldn't work. And hey - DC isn't THAT boring!

Can't wait to read the rest of this story!

[Crisgw]

I love DC! But, my kids are still a little young for it ;)

I started packing tonight...what a mess! I will have to get a picture of the craziness that is my bedroom. We have to be at the airport on May 10th at 6:30am so we have decided to tell the kids the night before. I will SO be posting it here :cool1: Less than 2 weeks~~~ :love::love::love:

[Weezyreid]

I love your thread..that is going to be one sleepless night as your boys will be beyond excited. We will be at Kidani on the 12-15th. I can't keep a surprise..good job!! We are waitlisted from the night of the 14th till the 18th...but are confirmed at OKW.

Louise

[Crisgw]

I've been thinking about the sleepless night....maybe we should do the surprise box in the afternoon to let it "wind down" rather than right before bed? Thoughts?

[Crisgw]

I am getting SO excited. Like a child! I SO want to blurt the secret out but I am SO close to having kept it the entire time I shouldn't break down now.....I can't hardly take it! They are SO bummed about not going to Disney....

[Crisgw]

Here is the start of the packing...both boys have their own "Dash" Incredible bag and I'm packing theirs first (almost done!) and then now all that's left is my and DH's giant suitcase filled with too much clothes. I have 3 carryons :cool2: (one with swimsuits and stuff we need before ME gets our luggage to the room) and 3-4 suitcases (the boys are really tiny though!)...we pack heavy :rotfl:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/disney-2.jpg

[Weezyreid]

stay strong...the end will be sooo worth it. Don't let them see you packing though :) :)
Can't wait to get out of here and to disney either. 2 weeks for us now..though we leave the day before for Portland. eeekkkk sooo excited!!
Louise

[Crisgw]

I'm holding out...it's SO hard though :cool2::cool2:

I did make a scavenger hunt for the boys today that we'll give them the night before we leave that leads them to their big "surprise" box. I'll post pictures of the hunts tomorrow :) I'm SO ready to leave. Almost to the single digit dance :cool1:

[Weezyreid]

I am sooo excited that you are pulling this off. When my ds is old enough I am sooo doing a surprise trip...soo fun! He is too young to get that now..and he as known about it for 2 months...now he walks around saying 2 weeks.

[Crisgw]

So here is the small scavenger hunt I put together for the boys to lead them to their box of balloons and confetti (they LOVE scavenger hunts!)

Picture sides:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/DSC00496.jpg

Clue sides (yes they are laminated :lmao: ):
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/DSC00495.jpg

They have absolutely NO idea! I'm so excited for them!!

[Crisgw]

I can hardly contain myself! I almost spilled the beans tonight like ten times! We're getting so close now! :cool1::cool1::banana::banana::banana:

[Crisgw]

My resolve is wearing :rotfl: ! I also have to admit that I usually use the trip as a "santa" type warning/threat as in "don't you want to be good and listen so you can go to Disney?" and this trip, that's not there for me to use and for SOME reason, my kids are OUT of control hyper.

Bought DH and youngest DS's AP's last night with DVC MS and now we just wait...and wait....at least I'm in the single digit dance :cool1::cool1::cool1::cool1:

[Claire&TheBoys]

And finally the invitation I made for the boys:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/crisgw/DISNEYSURPRISE.jpg

So, what do you think? Good plan? At home BEFORE we go to the airport or AT the airport??? :wizard:

How did you make that invitation? Is that Castle paper? I know there are Disney fonts in MS Word. Is the Castle an image and you're printing the whole thing on plain paper? I'd like to make one if I can. Please let me know! Thanks!

[tinkerbelle_rox325]

subscribing!
this sounds like so much fun!
i wish i could do the same for my kids but now at the ages of 15 and 19, its much harder! :rotfl:
Good luck with keeping the secret! Pixie dust for luck! pixiedust:

[Crisgw]

How did you make that invitation? Is that Castle paper? I know there are Disney fonts in MS Word. Is the Castle an image and you're printing the whole thing on plain paper? I'd like to make one if I can. Please let me know! Thanks!

I can send it to you (email) if you'd like :) Let me know :hippie: I did it in Photoshop. Took a picture of the castle and lightened it and wala, cool paper :)

[Claire&TheBoys]

I can send it to you (email) if you'd like :) Let me know :hippie: I did it in Photoshop. Took a picture of the castle and lightened it and wala, cool paper :)

I would love to have it, but I don't have Photoshop, so I don't think I'd be able to print it. It really looks awesome, though!

[Crisgw]

I would love to have it, but I don't have Photoshop, so I don't think I'd be able to print it. It really looks awesome, though!

I could send it to you in a jpeg and you could use it in Word perhaps...or you could tell me what you want it to say and I'll do it for you :)


So, I have an update, DH wants to tell the boys TONIGHT so they have a week to digest it and be excited/tell their friends. He's worried they will freak out (in a not so good way) and our youngest will meltdown (he is definitely not so good with change and usually throws an epic fit :rotfl: ). So, I say we wait and take our chances but part of me IS leaning towards tonight....he says do it tonight, 6 days before we go.........anyone?

[Claire&TheBoys]

I could send it to you in a jpeg and you could use it in Word perhaps...or you could tell me what you want it to say and I'll do it for you :)


So, I have an update, DH wants to tell the boys TONIGHT so they have a week to digest it and be excited/tell their friends. He's worried they will freak out (in a not so good way) and our youngest will meltdown (he is definitely not so good with change and usually throws an epic fit :rotfl: ). So, I say we wait and take our chances but part of me IS leaning towards tonight....he says do it tonight, 6 days before we go.........anyone?

Thanks! I could print a jpeg. I'll PM you and let you know. :woohoo:

If you think your youngest will not "go with the flow" and be excited about this surprise, then you may consider telling them sooner. I'm sure your oldest will be thrilled no matter what.

I was going to wait to tell my 6-yr-old about our upcoming trip until I picked him up from school to leave, but have decided to tell him that morning before school. He'll be missing the last day of school and I wanted him to get a chance to tell his friends good-bye. I may even tell him a day in advance, haven't really decided yet. I'm still working out a good way to tell him. I am thinking of a scavenger hunt, or writing a mystery for him to solve (he loves Encyclopedia Brown books).

Let us know how the reveal goes!

[Crisgw]

Well, the big reveal happened and boy are we glad we did it early! I'll give more details later (and it's on tape and pretty hilarious) but it involves massive excitement over the scavenger hunt, a popped balloon and utter meltdowns :lmao:

[MnMomW3Boys]

Well, the big reveal happened and boy are we glad we did it early! I'll give more details later (and it's on tape and pretty hilarious) but it involves massive excitement over the scavenger hunt, a popped balloon and utter meltdowns :lmao:

I am very late in finding your Pre Trip Report, but I wish I would of thought to suprise my boys too. How exciting for them...and what a great scavanger hunt.

Your boys are adorable. I can't wait to see the pics from the surprise.

~Karissa ~

[Crisgw]

Well, here it is, prepare to laugh until you cry. The train wreck which was our unveiling :lmao::lmao::lmao:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZKJD6S7kxc

[annnewjerz]

Well, here it is, prepare to laugh until you cry. The train wreck which was our unveiling :lmao::lmao::lmao:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZKJD6S7kxc

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Claire&TheBoys]

That is so funny! Sorry the big reveal wasn't as thrilling as you'd hoped. Hope the kids are excited by now!

[Crisgw]

They're excited now, I am still just rofl over the whole thing!

[Weezyreid]

:dance3: hillarious. I love the little one in the end......I want my balloon
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Westiefan]

That was hilarious. Reminds me of the You Tube video when one of the kids cried when they were told - they were not happy.
I plan on telling my 6yr old tomorrow - I am bracing myself for a similar reaction, like "that's great, but I want a snack." I have not decided what vehicle I am going to use for the "big reveal" but probably something similar (hunt and box at end w/ big Mickey Minnie inside) with my family watching. I am going to keep the expectations low!:rolleyes:

[as dreamers do]

The balloon debacle was HILARIOUS! :lmao: My favorite chain of events:

You: I have another balloon for you.
Nate: I DON'T WANT ANY!!!
(Camera pans upward, following a rogue Mickey balloon)
You: Where's Ben's balloon???
Ben: Uhhh... :scared:

Loved it. I hope you're having a superbly magical time right now and can't wait for your post-trip report! :wizard:

[Microcell]

I just now saw the video! OH MY GOD I cannot stop laughing!!!

See, I am sticking with the reveal in the airport, my kids would do the same thing if I did a scavenger hunt all the way to the one kid ripping the paper out of the other one's hand!!!!!

Hope you are having fun!

[anewmac]

I hope your having a great time just found you and omg that video is CLASSIC. Save it for when they are older!

[floridascgirl]

That was hysterical...your family is too funny! I, too, have been secretly plotting and planning a surprise trip for my DS11. I'm having second thoughts about the whole balloon in the box now, though. :laughing: I'm wondering if I'm putting too much thought and effort into it. I'm sure my son's reaction is not going to live up to my expectations and I'll be crushed. Hope there were no glitches with the trip. ;)

[crocko]

Just caught this PTR.

Have I missed a Trip Report...or a September PTR?

My family will be there same time (in AKV) in September.