10,000th post - with a Trip Report and a full Disney Dining Plan Analysis

[twokids0204]

Hi Brian! Looking forward to reading about your trip. Although I have to admit that I started to follow Mark's and I'm behind in that one already! Oh well... everyone knows how good I am at TRs... Great start to yours!

Welcome Don...

Joining in....might as well

Why not...
Welcome Dave

Ya got room for one more on this ship?

Got room for pleny more, especially former Canadians that share a really cool name.
Welcome!

Hi Brian! Found your TR and I'm in! Looking forward to it.

Mark
Welcome

I'm in!

Brian, it looks like the natives are getting restless. You might want to get an update done before you end up with a TR full of pirates.

Welcome Andy...
They are a tough crowd...

 

[twokids0204]

all kidding aside, great family brian.

Indeed great family... I was just going to wait until you posted the whole TR

Thanks guys.

im going to have to bring this up at the next share holders meeting.

Don't blow it for us in the future...

 

[twokids0204]

So the kids don't know... How do we do this HUGE momentous, larger than life, tear jerking, moment that will have WDW breaking down our door, saying "We have to add that to our Let the Memories begin promo?

Well the answer is we can't.

I know my kids love WDW, and all things Disney, but they don't get super excited for things like this, as this is there third trip - it's almost expected by now.

DW and I were going back and forth with ideas of how to tell them.

DW's ideas
- Let's not tell them until we are in the car to the airport.
- Maybe a scavenger hunt with all things Disney leading up to finding a KTTW card, an autograph book, something spectacular.
- Maybe be can build a life size statue of Cinderella Castle in the Backyard, or maybe a monorail from our house to the playground.
- Maybe Mickey can invite them himself

My ideas
- What if we say "Hey kids, in August we are going to Disney World"

Well, would you believe we went with one of DW's ideas. One that may not be so obvious. Here's how it goes down.

The date is June 23rd. A new Disney Store opens up in the mall 10 minutes from our home. For the official ribbon cutting Mickey and Minnie are on hand to celebrate.
What if we can get in Mickey's ear before hand, give him an envelope with a personal invitation and present it to the kids? Now that's Disney Magic!!!!

So I made a letter for them, had it Signed by Mickey, and spoke to a CM at the store before hand. Shared my idea, and asked if they could help co-ordinate this milestone event in the lives on my kids. The CM at the store thought it was a great idea, and took the letter. Went to speak to the "Big Brass" from the corporate office in Orlando, and they nixed the idea.
Reason: 1) Mickey can't single out just one set of kids in the crowd 2) All kids have an open invitation to WDW (tell that to my wallet)

So now we have to somehow make this plan work, afterall I printed a letter....

So we waited in line for the meet and greet, Mickey and Minnie took shifts, we got to meet Minnie.

Then after that the kids both had to go to the bathroom while I waited for them.

Lightbulb...

When they returned from the bathroom, away from the meet and greet I sat them on a bench and said.

"Guys, you won't believe what happened. While you were in the bathroom Mickey came back out, and gave me this, and asked me to give it to you!"

Here's the letter...

And here is the Magical Moment caught on tape... (sometimes things don't always get that huge response you are looking for)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTen3de8Z5M&feature=plcp

 

[theduck619]

randall, did i ever show you a picture of my living room?

Do the stairs lead to our guest room?

 

[theduck619]

Hi Brian

I'm in, lord knows I will never finish my trip report

 

[Venomhatch]

So the kids don't know... How do we do this HUGE momentous, larger than life, tear jerking, moment that will have WDW breaking down our door, saying "We have to add that to our Let the Memories begin promo?

Well the answer is we can't.

I know my kids love WDW, and all things Disney, but they don't get super excited for things like this, as this is there third trip - it's almost expected by now.

DW and I were going back and forth with ideas of how to tell them.

DW's ideas
- Let's not tell them until we are in the car to the airport.
- Maybe a scavenger hunt with all things Disney leading up to finding a KTTW card, an autograph book, something spectacular.
- Maybe be can build a life size statue of Cinderella Castle in the Backyard, or maybe a monorail from our house to the playground.
- Maybe Mickey can invite them himself

My ideas
- What if we say "Hey kids, in August we are going to Disney World"

Well, would you believe we went with one of DW's ideas. One that may not be so obvious. Here's how it goes down.

The date is June 23rd. A new Disney Store opens up in the mall 10 minutes from our home. For the official ribbon cutting Mickey and Minnie are on hand to celebrate.
What if we can get in Mickey's ear before hand, give him an envelope with a personal invitation and present it to the kids? Now that's Disney Magic!!!!

So I made a letter for them, had it Signed by Mickey, and spoke to a CM at the store before hand. Shared my idea, and asked if they could help co-ordinate this milestone event in the lives on my kids. The CM at the store thought it was a great idea, and took the letter. Went to speak to the "Big Brass" from the corporate office in Orlando, and they nixed the idea.
Reason: 1) Mickey can't single out just one set of kids in the crowd 2) All kids have an open invitation to WDW (tell that to my wallet)

So now we have to somehow make this plan work, afterall I printed a letter....

So we waited in line for the meet and greet, Mickey and Minnie took shifts, we got to meet Minnie.

Then after that the kids both had to go to the bathroom while I waited for them.

Lightbulb...

When they returned from the bathroom, away from the meet and greet I sat them on a bench and said.

"Guys, you won't believe what happened. While you were in the bathroom Mickey came back out, and gave me this, and asked me to give it to you!"

Here's the letter...

And here is the Magical Moment caught on tape... (sometimes things don't always get that huge response you are looking for)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTen3de8Z5M&feature=plcp

I remember the video you had sent me a link for it was priceless!

 

[twokids0204]

Hi Brian

I'm in, lord knows I will never finish my trip report

I am starting strong... but may slow down reallllly quick... hahaha
Welcome David

 

[twokids0204]

I remember the video you had sent me a link for it was priceless!

Thanks... Big question... did they get that Kona Cone...

Personally, I can't wait to find out.

 

[Venomhatch]

Thanks... Big question... did they get that Kona Cone...

Personally, I can't wait to find out.

I didnt even know about it. I will ask tomorrow when I go in.

 

[ShortStuff]

Your children are so cute!! I know with my grandmunchkins, that when we tell them we are going, they get a bit surprised, but as time goes by, they are over the top excited!! :

Looking forward to more of your families adventures!!

 

[scott2997]

Who are we?

We live just North of Toronto, in the city of Richmond Hill.

This is me...

Brian
I have been to Disney a few times as a kid, mostly off site.
I got the Disney bug right away. Love it for the whole origination, and attention to detail. I am the ring leader of the group... I am the obsessive planner.

My wife Sheri
Also a Disney Fanatic, her first trip to WDW was while we were still dating in 1996. She did visit Disneyland as a child. She is the support and backbone of my obsession. Her job is to roll with the punches. She is small and mighty. Not a daredevil, she doesn't do big rides, roller coasters, speed, heights, or drops. She is a big fan of shows, characters, dining, and becoming a kid again.

My Daughter Bayley
Her first trip was at the age of 6. Now 10 years old this was her third trip to WDW. She is a slice of her mother. Self proclaimed ride chicken, her big step is going on Soarin', as she says "It freaks me out". But she does it, and she is a trooper. She loves the pool, and going on adventures.

My Son Seth
His first trip was at the age of 4. Now 8 years old this was his third trip as well. He is a carbon copy of his father. A risk taking daredevil. Nothing scares him, and he goes balls to the walls. He is sharp as a whip, nothing gets past him.

Seems to me I've seen these people before.....how peculiar!

I still think it was a great idea about the letter from Mickey.

Great start Nemmy.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Nice planning and recovery Brian, it was a good save! We will be surprising our grandkids with a trip to the world in 16 days. I hope their reaction is, well, more excited

Yes, Dave, I have seen pictures of your House.

 

[Wherem I Now]

Subscribed! I'll have to read later though.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

So the kids don't know... How do we do this HUGE momentous, larger than life, tear jerking, moment that will have WDW breaking down our door, saying "We have to add that to our Let the Memories begin promo?

Well the answer is we can't.

I know my kids love WDW, and all things Disney, but they don't get super excited for things like this…

So we shouldn’t expect to see the reveal video on AFV then?

Actually, my boy is similar. We surprised him once. He was happy, but is didn’t approach Reality TV levels.

DW's ideas…

- Maybe a scavenger hunt with all things Disney leading up to finding a KTTW card, an autograph book, something spectacular.

Yep… that’s the method we used.
(a variation on the theme at least)

My ideas
- What if we say "Hey kids, in August we are going to Disney World"

Now, there’s a good plan though…
Simple, elegant, effective, I like it.

Well, would you believe we went with one of DW's ideas.

Of course, I said I liked your plan, not that you ought to go with it.
We all know who is in charge in a happy household…
now don’t we?

The date is June 23rd. A new Disney Store opens up in the mall 10 minutes from our home. For the official ribbon cutting Mickey and Minnie are on hand to celebrate.
What if we can get in Mickey's ear before hand, give him an envelope with a personal invitation and present it to the kids? Now that's Disney Magic!!!!

Cool! How’d it go?

…Went to speak to the "Big Brass" from the corporate office in Orlando, and they nixed the idea.

Dang… I get the reasoning, but Dang.


So what’s Plan-B

So we waited in line for the meet and greet, Mickey and Minnie took shifts, we got to meet Minnie.

Then after that the kids both had to go to the bathroom while I waited for them.

Lightbulb...

When they returned from the bathroom, away from the meet and greet I sat them on a bench and said.

"Guys, you won't believe what happened. While you were in the bathroom Mickey came back out, and gave me this, and asked me to give it to you!"

Well played sir!

And here is the Magical Moment caught on tape... (sometimes things don't always get that huge response you are looking for)

Ehhh… it happens.
Ya’ still done good.


Nice update. Lookin’ forward to the rest of the story.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

I am starting strong... but may slow down reallllly quick... hahaha
Welcome David

Try to stay strong and go...the longer I waited, the more details I forgot, and abandoned it altogether.

 

[afwdwfan]

He is a carbon copy of his father.

Poor kid.

He is sharp as a whip, nothing gets past him.

I thought you said he was just like his father?

I know my kids love WDW, and all things Disney, but they don't get super excited for things like this, as this is there third trip - it's almost expected by now.

So maybe you'd get a more significant reaction if you just said, "hey kids, we're never going back to Disney World."

- Maybe be can build a life size statue of Cinderella Castle in the Backyard, or maybe a monorail from our house to the playground.

I realize this is the wrong TR for this, but... Lie.

You know you were the one that wanted the monorail. Don't even act like it wasn't.

Well, would you believe we went with one of DW's ideas.

There wasn't a doubt in my mind.

"Guys, you won't believe what happened. While you were in the bathroom Mickey came back out, and gave me this, and asked me to give it to you!"

Great improvisation.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Sorry corporate Disney rained on your parade, but you did a great job improvising!

 

[GaRain]

I wish someone would suprise me with a trip to Disney - the reaction would be great! Well, since I am always the planner, I guess that won't happen.

Ok, so I am here, ready for the ride!

 

[GaRain]

Sorry for the double post....

 

[ChelleyB]

In Aug 2011, WDW offered Free Dining for the 2012 year. It was offered for certain days up until March 2012 for the general public, but it went right into August and September for Canadians only... Yay Canada.

Whoohoo! A fellow Canadian