OMG - This PLATINUM SURPRISE Might REALLY Work!

[dax248]

Hi Everyone!​

I have tried to do a PTR before, but sadly failed miserably. But, I am going to try again. Maybe this time with it being much closer to the trip I will actually stick with this. This is a surprise trip for my parent’s 44th wedding anniversary. Luckily, they are no DISers. I will say my dad is in on the secret, otherwise there is no way I could pull this off. They love me, but not enough to drive from N. FL with no real good reason.

Background:​

We are a Disney family. My parents have taken me to Disney more times that I can count and my very indulgent DH has bought us AP and we have spent so many afternoons just wandering around the parks lately. We are local to WDW (which is amazing!).

For years my mom has wanted to stay at the GF, and eat at V&A. To make this desire worse for her my DH and I did a Platinum Plan trip back in April and have shared all the wonderful details with my parents. So, earlier this year I proposed to my dad that we should do a family trip again this year, but since my DH is no longer a student we can pay for our half of the trip (they took us last year and footed the whole bill – that is where our pictures are from).

To my huge surprise he said yes. I was almost knocked off my feet. SWEET! He also said that as long as I kept it reasonable we could do whatever we wanted. Again, WOW! SWEET! So, I got to crunching the numbers. Apparently, everything I wanted to do came in at a reasonable amount when I priced it with the Platinum Plan. So, I cleared it with him, and booked the trip.

Dates:

September 24-26, 2009

The Cast:

The Momma & The Daddy
(As I am Southern, they shall always be known by these names.)

The Baby & The Baby’s Boy (DH)

​

I plan on posting the game plan in the next post. How many things to you think we can shove into 3 days?

 

[MrsSpratt]

YAY! Platinum Plan - can't wait to hear more!

 

[BELLE1109]

You're going to have a blast! I can't wait to read more. DH and I are going with my parents as well
What ADRs are you planning?

 

[dax248]

YAY! Platinum Plan - can't wait to hear more!

I am sitting in a hotel in Atlanta working on the next instillation now.

 

[dax248]

You're going to have a blast! I can't wait to read more. DH and I are going with my parents as well
What ADRs are you planning?

I love going to Disney with my parents. They took us in April 2008 right after we got married, and it was a great way to really integrate my DH into the family.

I am about to post the ADR along with everything else. So excited, and now that I am thinking about the restaurants, so hungry .

 

[dax248]

More Story First
​

As I said before, we had to come up with a way to get my parents to Orlando without blowing the surprise. So, we bought tickets to MNSSHP and explained to my mom that we were all going to that on Friday night. Well, that bought us a little leeway. She now knows to at least pack a light jacket and walking shoes. We also told her that we wanted to go to a really spiffy restaurant and she needs to pack something really spiffy, aka my daddy is wearing a suit jacket so she needs to match. So far, so good. Now we just have to be a little sneakier on the bathing suit and a couple of other things (we don’t own a pool so there is no since in her bringing on since we have no where at our house to go swimming), so I might be doing some covert work on that.

More Background (Because I Realized I Forgot)​

Momma - Retired. Married to Daddy for 44 years. Very excitable about Disney. A BIG planner. Doesn't know about the trip. LOVES BTMRR and Splash Mountain. LOVES MNSSHP.

Daddy - Retired. In on the secret. LOVES MNSSHP. Disney fan, but more because it makes his girls happy. Strong quiet type, but is a big kid at heart. LOVES Test Track.

The Baby's Boy (DH) - Nerd - seriously he is an engineer that puts most to geek shame. Not the biggest Disney fan, but loves me and makes me happy, though he is learning to love the memories we can make there. Loves getting to sleep.

The Baby - Me. The Disney nut in the family. I love planning trips. I love surprises. I love being with my parents and my DH. So more Disney = more memories.

Game Plan​

We are going to my parents place for a couple of days before the trip. (Hopefully, this is when I can sneak some things into my bags that she might need, but won’t know to pack.) Then Wednesday before the trip we all are heading back to our place in Kissimmee. The plan is to tell her we are going to Disney Wednesday night so that they won’t unpack their car. We just don’t plan on telling her where we are staying, or what all we are going to do, just that we thought it would be fun to take a family trip over to Disney for the night and stay somewhere and enjoy the Disney Magic.


Thursday

* Check in to the GF CL
* Horse Back Riding
* Grand Floridian Café for Lunch – We have never eaten here, so this is a new adventure.
* Golf Lesson for DH
* Garden View Tea Room for Everyone Else – So excited about this, not sure my Daddy is going to like it, but if he doesn’t he is going to go ride the Sea Raycers, and I know my Momma and I will enjoy.
* Spa for Massages
* Citrico’s for Dinner – Another new place, kinda unsure of it. But it has to be good, so I am trusting that.
* Wishes Firework Cruise – Hopefully this is as fun as when we went in April because it really ROCKED then.



Friday

* CL for Breakfast
* Dolphins in Depth
* Le Cellier for Lunch – Not our favorite place, but DH really wants to try it, so we are.
* Wander around F& W Festival
* V&A’s for Dinner – 44th Anniversary Dinner – Should be amazing!
* MNSSHP – The original reason for getting them down here, hopefully our tummys won’t be to full to have a good time.



Saturday

* Parasailing for All But Momma (she hates heights)
* Sea Raycer Boats
* Chefs De France for Lunch – A family favorite, though it seems to take 3 hours with all 4 of us.
* More F&W Festival
* Test Track (Daddy’s FAVORITE!)
* Jiko for Dinner – Momma’s current favorite, let’s see how that stands after V&A’s.


Well, that is out game plan. Just reading it I am getting so excited, and it is hard knowing I still have about 2 weeks until it is going to happen. We are currently in Atlanta for CEDIA (Custom Electronics Dealers and Installers Association). My husband being the nerd that he is, is so happy to be here. Me, I am stuck in a hotel room, but at least I have internet and DIS.

 

[dax248]

Back from Atlanta, in Orlando. I have been following VBsHustla on twitter. It is making me want to drive over to Disney tonight, but I am to pooped. I hope they keep giving great updates on there. Hoping crowds won't be to bad on Tuesday and maybe I can head over that way. I am getting really excited about the trip.

Also, started fretting about our trip in Nov. I have everything booked except the Keys to the Kingdom tour. But, I am worried about dinning choices. Hopefully after we check out a couple of new places in a couple of weeks I will be able to settle on where to keep for Nov.

 

[javaj]

The platinum plan, how exciting! Thanks for sharing, we don't get to read too much about platinum plan trips!

 

[dax248]

The platinum plan, how exciting! Thanks for sharing, we don't get to read too much about platinum plan trips!

Thanks! I was really surprised in April when we went that I couldn't find much about the platinum plan on here. But when we got to WDW they all seemed thrown off by it and kept saying that it was really uncommon there, too. I thought that was odd because we were there when they were running a 25% off it promotion.

I will try to do a good job updating everything we do. I just wish I had done a trip report last time because we were there for four days and packed so much stuff in. We did 7 tours in 4 days, which was slightly nuts, but so amazing. We did everything we wanted last time and not worrying about the cost or having to plan it was so great.

Actually that gives me an idea to post a cost benefit analysis here. If anyone wants to see it let me know.

 

[dax248]

Yippie! Tomorrow I am going to hopefully get to meet up with UncleOrville and VBsHustla at MGM. I am having so much fun following them around The World on twitter.

I am also hoping to hit the Disney Outlet while I am close by, Target, an Office Supply place, and maybe Joann's/ Michael's. I need to get a couple more things to work on surprises.

I still need:
* to get a couple of good pouches for lanyards for my parents.
* some pens, stickers, and maybe confetti
* some random Disney knickknacks - I never know what they are going to like of what I pick up
* blank T-shirts - still up in the air about making shirts for MNSSHP

I think I finally figured out a way to sort of break the surprise. We are coming back to Orlando on Wednesday afternoon, and unfortunately I have to go to work for a couple of hours when we get back. After I get done with work we are going to eat at this new place we found and love. So, I plan to have two mini treat bags for them and over dinner tell them that they don't need to unpack the car tonight and hand them the treat bags.

Inside I plan on having their lanyards, MNSSHP tickets, and their Disney Luggage tag. Then just tell them, "Oh well since you are here we decided to go stay at a hotel just to goof off for a couple of days, and then we also don't have to drive home after MNSSHP." Still not telling where we are staying, but it also makes it a LOT easier to convince my mom to get up early so that we can get checked in and head off to ride horses with the rising sun (as opposed to the setting sun).

I am thinking of making Alice in Wonderland shirts for our MNSSHP. I was thinking White Rabbit for Daddy, Cheshire Cat for Momma, and the Tweedles for DH and I. Any thoughts? I want something a little more obscure, or it needs to have 4 good non-mainish characters.

Examples from our last trip:
MK Day with breakfast at CP : Pooh, Rabbit, Tigger, Piglet
Epcot Day : Kids from around the world pins (scanned from the ones I had)
AK Day : Timon, Pumbaa, Zazu, Rafiki
MGM Day : Chip and Dale from Rescue Rangers (just DH and I that day)

Thanks!

 

[dax248]

Wow! What an awesome day!

I met up with UncleOrville and VBsHustla today at MGM/ DHS (Still having a really hard time adjusting to the change, and normally just give in and go with MGM). That was a lot of fun.

Then I went shopping and started getting all the fun stuff for Disney.

* Got trick-or-treating bags
* Got DH golf shirt for his private lesson
* Got Momma Disney stamps
* Got Parents a Mickey Ghost Antenna Topper
* Got me a bun tiara
* Got the most amazing glowing ghost necklaces at Disney, ever and they were $4.95 each!
* Got confetti - it was Tinkerbell because I couldn't find Mickey at the Discount Outlet


ALSO - I GOT THE CONFIRMATION CALL FROM V&A's!!!!!!

So so so excited. I think the shopping and the call finally made me realize how close everything is. YAY!

 

[cascarlet]

Your parents are so cute!! They look southern sitting out on the porch there..lol.

What a wonderful surprise you have planned for them. I can't wait to hear how you pull it all off!!

I'm in.

 

[dax248]

Your parents are so cute!! They look southern sitting out on the porch there..lol.

What a wonderful surprise you have planned for them. I can't wait to hear how you pull it all off!!

I'm in.

Welcome!

If you think they look Southern, you should HEAR them.

 

[dax248]

Well it looks like I am going to be making shirts for our MNSSHP. Now the choice is between 4 of the 7 dwarfs and the Pooh clan in their finest halloween costumes. I think DH is leaning towards the Pooh selection. I am still torn... I need to find shirts and see what would look best. I will post pictures when they are done.

Also, trying to work on the final shopping list and get the house ready for parents to visit... clean sheets and towels put out. I have to be a good host for one night.

 

[dax248]

I LOVE our Platinum Planner - Stephanie at the GF! She is the most amazing person ever!

We have had to make some changes and she has been the most helpful person ever. Also, she has answered all my questions very quickly.

We weren't sure how to get DH to his private golf lesson, but she told us there is a special thing to ask for at the valet desk to get a cab and Disney pays for the fare to get him to his lesson and back. Yay!!!!

DH is so excited about his lesson. He keeps telling me he needs to find a driving range so that he won't look to "silly" at his lesson, and I have to keep telling him that we don't have time for him to do that. Also, there is a reason it is a private lesson, so he can learn and get better.

I am just glad to know he is excited.

 

[dax248]

I bought my shirts today! I decided that I couldn't decide, so I got two sets. One dark blue for the dwarfs and one black for the Halloween Party. They are in the washer now. I need to remember to take pictures of things before I pack them away this time.

I also picked up two spiral notebooks with initials on them for note taking during the trip (Momma and I are both scrapbookers), and I got some tiny scrapbook pages to make key ring itineraries that we can keep with us to keep us on track. I am not sure if I need to make two, three, or four.... Do we all need one?

Talked to my daddy today. He is excited. We are still trying to figure some minor things out.... oh the anticipation is getting to me!!!

 

[scoot241]

Wow, Platinum Plan. To me it's something I've always heard about but never heard anyone actually do it. Your plans sound wonderful!

I would definitely like to see your cost/benefit if you're willing to post it.

 

[dax248]

Wow, Platinum Plan. To me it's something I've always heard about but never heard anyone actually do it. Your plans sound wonderful!

I would definitely like to see your cost/benefit if you're willing to post it.

Hi Scott!

I am loving your TR. Again, thanks for joining the twitter crew!!!

I will find my spreadsheet this morning and get everything tallied (I think I found an oops in underestimation this morning), but first I have to get my iron-ons for my shirts printing, and get the rest of the started. I really think there should be a way to get Mousekeeping to come to your house to help you get ready to go on your trips.

 

[dax248]

I have been crazy busy today. Still trying to finish up laundry (I hate leaving the house a mess to have to come home to). I also made the shirts today, made the spiffy itineraries for my momma and I (they are all scrapbook safe - since we are both scrapbookers I thought I would make it easier now by using scrapbook supplies), and packing goody bags.

Shirts for probably Thursday:

Sneezy: Me
Dopey: DH
Doc: Momma
Grumpy: Daddy​

Shirts for MNSSHP:​

Tigger: DH
Pooh: Daddy
Eeyore: Momma
Piglet: Me​

Momma and Daddy's Trick or Treat Bags:​

The bags we are going to give them with some of the surprise info:

In the card we planning on saying that while MNSSHP is fun, we have something better planned that will make her smile more. In the bottom of the bag we have put their luggage tag from our package filled out for them. We haven't figured out if we are going to do it before we leave N. Florida or wait until we get to Orlando for dinner the night before our trip.​

The Itinerary Notebooks:

I plan on only giving her one day's worth of information at a time. That way every day has a surprise to it.​

 

[dax248]

Here is my cost/ benefit analysis. If you see a mistake feel free to point it out.

Here is what we paid for out right:

GF CL : 520/ night for 2 nights = 2080
Tickets : 79/ person = 316
Platinum Package : 220/ night/ person = 1760
MNSSHP Tickets : 50/ person = 200

Total = 4165 +Travel Insurance

Final Total = 4356


Fun Stuff Included In Package:

Thursday

Horse Riding : 42x4 = 168
GF Cafe : 30x4 = 120
Boats : 30x4 = 120
Golf Lesson : 120
Spa : 120x4 = 480
Citricos : 70x4 = 280
Fireworks Cruise : 320x2 = 640(Yes this counts twice because it is 1 cruise per room and we have 2 rooms)

Total for Thursday: 1928

Friday


Dolphins : 175x4 = 700
Le Cellier : 51x4 = 204
V&A : 125x4 = 500

Total for Friday: 1404


Saturday

Parasailing : 120x3 = 360
Chefs : 37x4 = 148
Jiko : 61x4 = 244

Random Things

Mugs : 10x4 = 40 (I honestly have no clue how much these are)
Snacks : 4x16 = 64 (16 total snacks at $4 each, rough guess)

Total = 4308

Add that with the things we were going to have to pay anyways:

Hotel : 2080
Tickets : 316
Halloween : 200

Total = 2596

2596 (Have to Pay)+4308 (Fun Stuff) = 6904 (Total Value)


6904(Total Value) - 4356 (What Actually Paid) = 2548


SO FINAL VALUE TO ME GAINED = 2548