My first ever pre-trippie for WDW

[Tinkerbell1989]

Looking forward to hearing about your childrens reactions to their trip!
xx

 

[Booknut]

Am loving your PTR! Your are so good keeping this secret, what an amazing surprise your girls will have! I am terrible at keeping secrets so I admire you for hiding all this stuff - and for being so organised!

Can I ask, where do you pre-buy the cd and photobook/pass stuff? We're not going for another 17 months but i'd like to look into it, especially if we can pay for it in advance, like you say, budget it in!

Your ADR's look great. I've heard great things about the breakfast at 1900 Park Fare The Mad Hatter is great fun, in fact somewhere on the DIS is a video someone made of the breakfast and the Mad Hatter was just so funny

 

[joolz1910]

Hmm, you have me thinking. I'm ordering the CD next week... but now I am thinking I may get the CD & the photobook. The photobook looks good, you have me convinced!

Good to hear your covered for your trip too!

As this will be our first trip, I wanted a memento that would bring back happy memories. I'm not that much into shopping for souvenirs so this seemed like a good choice. I really like what I've seen.

Looking forward to hearing about your childrens reactions to their trip!
xx

My youngest asks to go to Disneyland weekly. They know they will go 'one day' and that I am saving to take them. I can't wait to tell them.

Am loving your PTR! Your are so good keeping this secret, what an amazing surprise your girls will have! I am terrible at keeping secrets so I admire you for hiding all this stuff - and for being so organised!

Can I ask, where do you pre-buy the cd and photobook/pass stuff? We're not going for another 17 months but i'd like to look into it, especially if we can pay for it in advance, like you say, budget it in!

Your ADR's look great. I've heard great things about the breakfast at 1900 Park Fare The Mad Hatter is great fun, in fact somewhere on the DIS is a video someone made of the breakfast and the Mad Hatter was just so funny

The link for the offer is here:
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

All of the planning is half the fun. I keep changing my mind about ADR's. I think I might leave a few credits so that the kids can choose a restaurant or we can revisit a favourite. Everything I read about makes me more excited. I can't wait to go.

 

[janeyb]

Hi there,

Just found your pre-trip report. Just wanted to say that we too surprised our two daughters (5 & 7 yrs on this past trip a few weeks ago). It was the first time that we had done it and it was FANTASTIC!!! I wouldn't do it again though as trying to keep it secret (especially during the last few weeks), for 8 months was incredibily difficult!!

What we did though was start talking about booking a holiday there for next year, looking at the internet, talking about different parks etc, looking at the DCL etc and they started to get really excited about it without actually realising they were actually going a few weeks later!!

The whole trip was for my BIG 4-0, so we pretended that we were going to go to London during the half term holidays, somewhere that they love to go, but don't very often as we live in deepest Devon!!

On the Wednesday they went off to school none the wiser, I then rushed back home and finished packing last minute things, toothbrushes, teddies etc, drove the dogs to kennels, then at 11.30am returned to the school.

The school were in on the whole surprise, so I walked into there classroom and told them I needed to take them to the dentist, an appointment that I'd forgotten!!! On the way back I said that we were going to pop home first for a quick lunch as they'd miss their school dinners.

When we got home, we said; "SURPRISE, we're not going to London next week, we're going RIGHT NOW"....

My youngest, started crying that she would miss having Chloe's birthday cake that she'd brought into school and they were due to have that afternoon!!!! Children??!!

They were so excited and thankfully didn't notice that the suitcases were in the back of the car!!

When we got into the car they each had a huge 'Pass the Parcel' type of gift on their seats. Every 30 minutes they were allowed to open another layer and each layer unbeknown to them held something for the flight, i'e; Activity books, new Dvd's, Nintendo games, sweets ect etc...

I also announced that as it was my birthday I was choosing the hotel and I'd chosen one right next to airport (The Sofitel), but it was ok as it had a train into town!!!!

When we arrived I couldn't believe it as my eldest daughter said; "Oh look how lucky those people are al flying off on holiday!!! She still hadn't clicked!!!

We got into the room, settled in, then I got my camera out and DH the Camcorder on the premise that we were taking pictures of the room. We asked them to sit on the bed so we could photograph them!

I started to get nervous about being let down by their reactions! I said that as they knew it was my birthday treat, instead of going into London the next day, how did they fancy getting on a plane and going to Disney World to the AKL and then onto the Disney Dream?

It took a few seconds to register, then HUGE grins came across their faces, they jumped around on the bed, then what made the last 8 months totally worth keeping it a secret was when DD1 burst into tears as she was just SO happy!!! She even set me off. I wish I knew how to upload pictures on here as I took the sequence on my camera!!

They then opened the last present - a new Disney purse full of a $100 to spend. We then gave them one last surprise, a Trunki backpack, which they then spent ages packing with all the presents they'd unwrapped in the car during the 5.5 hour journey. It was lovely as they were SO excited!!

I really hope it goes well keeping it secret. We both found that on the few occasions that we slipped up, we just referred to the forthcoming trip we ere planning.

Good Luck!

Jane

 

[linzdr]

How exciting! We are also staying at OKW but go a month earlier than you, so I'm busy narrowing down my choices for ADR's! I could never keep a secret for so long, well done to you!
Look forward to more updates!

 

[joolz1910]

What we did though was start talking about booking a holiday there for next year, looking at the internet, talking about different parks etc, looking at the DCL etc and they started to get really excited about it without actually realising they were actually going a few weeks later!!



Jane

Thanks Jane - I am stealing this idea! I was wondering how I could get them to be excited before the trip without giving it away.

I have planned to tell them that we are going to Blackpool for half-term and that we are staying at the airport hotel because it's cheaper. Ideally I would like to tell them once we actually get to the airport in the morning. I envisage a sleepless night if we tell them the night before! I'm sure my eldest DD will suss it all out but I'm hoping that the other two will reamin oblivious.

If you upload photos to photobucket, you can paste them here - would love to see your girls' reactions!

 

[joolz1910]

Yay! Just prepaid my photo CD and photobook for £149.99. Disney refunded me for my CD so I upgraded and ordered the photobook too! Really liked what I saw on the Dis so I decided to get a lovely souvenir of our first ever WDW trip.

Tomorrow I am getting travel insurance - another thing off the 'to do' list.

 

[Ciorsdah]

Hi there,

Just found your pre-trip report. Just wanted to say that we too surprised our two daughters (5 & 7 yrs on this past trip a few weeks ago). It was the first time that we had done it and it was FANTASTIC!!! I wouldn't do it again though as trying to keep it secret (especially during the last few weeks), for 8 months was incredibily difficult!!

What we did though was start talking about booking a holiday there for next year, looking at the internet, talking about different parks etc, looking at the DCL etc and they started to get really excited about it without actually realising they were actually going a few weeks later!!

The whole trip was for my BIG 4-0, so we pretended that we were going to go to London during the half term holidays, somewhere that they love to go, but don't very often as we live in deepest Devon!!

On the Wednesday they went off to school none the wiser, I then rushed back home and finished packing last minute things, toothbrushes, teddies etc, drove the dogs to kennels, then at 11.30am returned to the school.

The school were in on the whole surprise, so I walked into there classroom and told them I needed to take them to the dentist, an appointment that I'd forgotten!!! On the way back I said that we were going to pop home first for a quick lunch as they'd miss their school dinners.

When we got home, we said; "SURPRISE, we're not going to London next week, we're going RIGHT NOW"....

My youngest, started crying that she would miss having Chloe's birthday cake that she'd brought into school and they were due to have that afternoon!!!! Children??!!

They were so excited and thankfully didn't notice that the suitcases were in the back of the car!!

When we got into the car they each had a huge 'Pass the Parcel' type of gift on their seats. Every 30 minutes they were allowed to open another layer and each layer unbeknown to them held something for the flight, i'e; Activity books, new Dvd's, Nintendo games, sweets ect etc...

I also announced that as it was my birthday I was choosing the hotel and I'd chosen one right next to airport (The Sofitel), but it was ok as it had a train into town!!!!

When we arrived I couldn't believe it as my eldest daughter said; "Oh look how lucky those people are al flying off on holiday!!! She still hadn't clicked!!!

We got into the room, settled in, then I got my camera out and DH the Camcorder on the premise that we were taking pictures of the room. We asked them to sit on the bed so we could photograph them!

I started to get nervous about being let down by their reactions! I said that as they knew it was my birthday treat, instead of going into London the next day, how did they fancy getting on a plane and going to Disney World to the AKL and then onto the Disney Dream?

It took a few seconds to register, then HUGE grins came across their faces, they jumped around on the bed, then what made the last 8 months totally worth keeping it a secret was when DD1 burst into tears as she was just SO happy!!! She even set me off. I wish I knew how to upload pictures on here as I took the sequence on my camera!!

They then opened the last present - a new Disney purse full of a $100 to spend. We then gave them one last surprise, a Trunki backpack, which they then spent ages packing with all the presents they'd unwrapped in the car during the 5.5 hour journey. It was lovely as they were SO excited!!

I really hope it goes well keeping it secret. We both found that on the few occasions that we slipped up, we just referred to the forthcoming trip we ere planning.

Good Luck!

Jane

What an amazing way to surprise them!! I dont have kids but I bet they will remember that for the rest of their lives

When my DBF surprised me with my trip to DLP 2 years ago, he started off by giving me an envelope ( which was my xmas pressie) and then every day I got a clue. The clues were really cryptic and at one point I thought I was going to London to see some West End shows then the night before we left ( was a Thursday) he appeared at my desk at work, about 4pm, with a boarding pass and the confirmation of Disney park tickets My boss was in on the surprise and had authroised the time off and everything, DBF had thought of everything!!

Disney is so magical with kids, I'm not maternal at all so while I'm not keen on having my own, I'd happily take my nephew to WDW to see his wee face light up!

 

[joolz1910]

What an amazing way to surprise them!! I dont have kids but I bet they will remember that for the rest of their lives

When my DBF surprised me with my trip to DLP 2 years ago, he started off by giving me an envelope ( which was my xmas pressie) and then every day I got a clue. The clues were really cryptic and at one point I thought I was going to London to see some West End shows then the night before we left ( was a Thursday) he appeared at my desk at work, about 4pm, with a boarding pass and the confirmation of Disney park tickets My boss was in on the surprise and had authroised the time off and everything, DBF had thought of everything!!

Disney is so magical with kids, I'm not maternal at all so while I'm not keen on having my own, I'd happily take my nephew to WDW to see his wee face light up!

I wish someone would surprise me with a Disney trip!
Disney with kids is very magical. Watching their reactions is what I look forward to. My middle DD could not believe there was an actual castle at DLP when she was 5. Her mouth just dropped open.

 

[Ciorsdah]

Awww cute! I have to admit I get pretty jealous of the wee kids in their princess and prince costumes, wish it was more socially acceptable for us adults to wander around dressed an Cinders

How are you getting along with the costumes for the halloween party?

 

[joolz1910]

Awww cute! I have to admit I get pretty jealous of the wee kids in their princess and prince costumes, wish it was more socially acceptable for us adults to wander around dressed an Cinders

How are you getting along with the costumes for the halloween party?

No further forward with the costumes. Don't know what to dress DD (8) as. Would love a deluxe Angelica costume for me as I would go with DH as Jack Sparrow but it is around £70 on Ebay and I have a budget of around £20. Thinking of Sally from Nightmare before Christmas for DD but I've never seen a child's costume. Looking on Ebay regularly so I'm sure something will turn up!

 

[loobzuk]

hope you don't mind me sharing my surprise photos on your thread

We're going where?

Just run that past me again

One excited little girl and one shocked little boy

Funniest thing was DS asking if he was going to school tomorrow!

For me, that moment was the best bit of the whole holiday and well worth the 6/7 months of secret planning.

 

[joolz1910]

hope you don't mind me sharing my surprise photos on your thread

We're going where?

Just run that past me again

One excited little girl and one shocked little boy

Funniest thing was DS asking if he was going to school tomorrow!

For me, that moment was the best bit of the whole holiday and well worth the 6/7 months of secret planning.

Love it! Seeing the pictures of your gorgeous children has made me so excited to surprise mine! I really hope it will be worth the months and months of keeping it secret.

My DD (4) is constantly asking to 'Disneyland', my middle DD doesn't think we will ever go and my eldest thinks it's going to happen next year some time.

 

[joolz1910]

I'm starting to re-think my ADR's (again)

What I had decided:
Crystal Palace (breakfast)
Le Cellier (lunch)
Olivia's
Saana
Whispering Canyon
Hoop de Doo (2 credits)
Mama Melrose
Akershus
1900 Park Fare
Rose and Crown
Beaches and Cream
Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare (breakfast)

Thinking of changing Olivia's for Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner when we go to MNSSHP.
Thinking of changing Beaches and Cream for Garden Grill.
Thinking of changing dinner at 1900 Park Fare for Rainforest Cafe at AK.
Thinking of keeping 1900 Park Fare breakfast on the last day.

 

[joolz1910]

I've just subscribed to Touring Plans as it is reviewed quite positively. If you use the promotional code MOUSESAVERSWDW, it gives you a further 20% off, taking the cost down to £6, which seems to include an app.

 

[Ciorsdah]

Thanks for the tip about the discount code. I had considered TouringPlans but was always a bit unsure, for the sake of £6 I think I may just sign up

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks for the tip about the discount code. I had considered TouringPlans but was always a bit unsure, for the sake of £6 I think I may just sign up

It looks pretty good and you get a free app. There seems to be quite a lot of info on the site.

 

[dixonsontour]

Thought I'd pop in and say hello.

Your planning is coming on nicely.

Your adr's choices look great. Don't discount chef mickey. I know it gets mixed reviews but we really enjoyed it - my DD was also amazed with the monorail through the hotel. It is much better than cafe mickey at DLRP if you've done that.

Hoop de doo is still up in the air I think for October. Nothing concrete but still the rumours of closure. I was hoping to go this year for the first time.

Glad you liked touring plans. I've used them last two times and it went well. When you look at the breakdown for each park each day it is amazing how much crowds fluctuate. The only note of caution with the Epcot ratings is they don't inc food and wine crowds. From experience weekends and evenings are busy at Epcot due to food and wine.

 

[joolz1910]

Thought I'd pop in and say hello.

Your planning is coming on nicely.

Your adr's choices look great. Don't discount chef mickey. I know it gets mixed reviews but we really enjoyed it - my DD was also amazed with the monorail through the hotel. It is much better than cafe mickey at DLRP if you've done that.

I must admit that Chef Mickey at DLP has put me off. It always looked like Mcdonalds with Mickey. I won't discount it, but I might book one of them and then let the kids decide when we are there. I quite like the idea of meeting Alice, the Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins. I think we can meet the Mouse at the Garden Grill.

Hoop de doo is still up in the air I think for October. Nothing concrete but still the rumours of closure. I was hoping to go this year for the first time.

Hoop de Doo sounds the sort of thing that would appeal to us. If it is closed, I will replace it with the other possibilities on my list.

Glad you liked touring plans. I've used them last two times and it went well. When you look at the breakdown for each park each day it is amazing how much crowds fluctuate. The only note of caution with the Epcot ratings is they don't inc food and wine crowds. From experience weekends and evenings are busy at Epcot due to food and wine.

I'm going to take your advice and avoid Epcot on Saturdays and Sundays. I'm going to work on my daily plan this week and post it for comments. I would really value your opinions.

 

[beautifullily]

I'm going to take your advice and avoid Epcot on Saturdays and Sundays. I'm going to work on my daily plan this week and post it for comments. I would really value your opinions.

Just checked our plans are we're at Epcot Saturday the first week and Sunday the next They were best or neutral park days though!