***Official Surprise Trips Thread and Planning Tips!***

[MouseEarsForAll]

surpring the wife tomorrow morning....at the airport curb....she has no clue....thinks we are dropping off a buddy as we head for a weekend in Lake of the ozarks. instead he is dropping us off. Just pulled the warm weather filled suitcase out and put it in the stow a go before she gets home. Cold weather suitcase still on the bed waiting for her to top off. when she gets home.

It's usually not kosher to say your wife doesn't have a clue.. but this time it's A-OK.

This time tomorrow we will be awaiting our CG reservation

I hope the surprise was awesome!

 

[dalgal101]

Everyone prepped for their surprises?

 

[Albion218]

surpring the wife tomorrow morning....at the airport curb....she has no clue....thinks we are dropping off a buddy as we head for a weekend in Lake of the ozarks. instead he is dropping us off. Just pulled the warm weather filled suitcase out and put it in the stow a go before she gets home. Cold weather suitcase still on the bed waiting for her to top off. when she gets home.

It's usually not kosher to say your wife doesn't have a clue.. but this time it's A-OK.

This time tomorrow we will be awaiting our CG reservation

I really really want to know how this turned out! I would have freaked if I was the wife (in a good way, of course!).

 

[3 Little Princesses]

Everyone prepped for their surprises?

I'm getting the last minuted details together! I'm so excited-2 more days until the big reveal!

Here is the plan: After the kids open up their gifts from Santa I am going to give them a puzzle note for our gifts. I have them going on a scavenger hunt throughout our house and in our yard. Each clue is a puzzle piece. At the end they have to put the puzzle together, on the back of the puzzle I will have a picture of Minnie and Mickey. Some you will get right away but a few are specific for my house. Here is are the clues-


Clue 1:
You have opened all of Santa’s gifts
But there is Mom & Dad’s you have missed
Use this clue to help you find another
Each puzzle piece will lead you to the other
All the pieces fit as one
We promise this will be lots of fun!
The first piece is easy to see.
Look right there it’s on the tree.

Clue 2:
In this spot hurry if you could,
Go see stockings, fire and wood.
(Fire Place)

Clue 3:
Rain, sleet, snow or hail.
This place protects all of your mail.
(mailbox)

Clue 4:
Show us where you keep your books.
Open the first one and take a look.
(in our playroom)

Clue 5:
Roses are red powder is white.
Run to this room with all of your might.
(our powder room-we have rose decor in there)

Clue 6:
Here you like to jump, swing and play,
In the summer night and day.
(our swingset or trampoline)

Clue 7:
The next piece is about to unfold.
Find the place where food stays cold.
(the fridge)

Clue 8:
Back to the beginning to find the last one.
Go look where you were sitting, we hope you had fun!
(in our living room where with our Christmas tree)

Clue 9:
You found the last piece as you can tell.
Great job, you girls did so well!
Put the puzzle together flip it to see the big surprise
We will be going Friday before sunrise!


I am so excited I can't wait! I don't know how I have kept this secret for so long. I have been telling my 3 yr old every night that we are going to Disney. She is too young to have any idea of what I mean.

What is everyone else doing?

 

[dalgal101]

Great job 3 little princesses. They will love it. Gave my boys a scavenger hunt last year for their basketball goal. They wanted another this year, but I made a video of our 2011 trip and at the end it reveals we are returning Jan 2013. I hope they like it, I think it is a little too long. I hope the don't lose interest before the end. They are 7 and almost 11 so I hope it goes over well. Can't wait to hear how everyone's surprises go over.

 

[Nixie]

We are planning on a surprise 2 week vacation for the kids this June. I have no idea how I am gonna pull of the surprise. I am such a bad secret keeper. Hubby and I just got back from a week long anniversary trip. I purchased a 6 lap exotic driving experience for him. I was able to keep the secret for one whole day before I broke down and told him about it LOL. So far, so good with the kiddos though. They know we were planning on taking them back in a year or two, so everytime I ask a Disney question, I start it with "you know in a year or so when we go back to Disney..." Little do they know I am actually planning for when we head back in 5 months!!

 

[Shellhutch]

I have been keeping the secret for over 7 months now and these last 2 days may kill me!!! We are surprising my 4 kids for Xmas. We will be going to Disney in Jan, but it is their big Xmas gift. So Christmas morning we will do the "big reveal"! We have taken them twice and they alway ask when are we going back. I have been dying to talk about it with them for months and can't wait to see their faces!!!

 

[katt789]

I've done 2 surprises with similar reveals, my Mom & best friend! I made best friend a scrap book of all of our pictures from the trip, talking about all the fun times that we had, and stuff that happened. She was in tears by the second page. I also added in a bunch of pictures from FLE saying "all the new things we could do" and that it sucked that we had to wait so long before we could go back. The next page said "Yeah... 52 days sure is a long wait!" followed by a "SURPRISE WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY" and details of all of our plans!

 

[clynngibson]

Our surprise video: http://youtu.be/YaeBLFl6vo4

We had just gotten home from a dinner out and DD did so well getting her bath and getting in bed like she was told...only to hear a knock on the door! lol

 

[Tigger's ally]

I really really want to know how this turned out! I would have freaked if I was the wife (in a good way, of course!).

It all worked out great. We left for the airport with my buddy riding shotgun in our van and my wife right behind him. He had his luggage sitting in the other captains chair behind me. When we pulled up to the airport curb, he got out and walked around the back to get his luggage and my wife sat up front. I got out, but before I did, I handed her a card. it was a romantic card that basically said looking forward to a weekend away (she still thought we were going to Lake of the ozarks) and that we also needed to get back to Disney soon! (remember the word soon) I had a little sign made up that was with my buddy's luggage. I informed him that I was getting back in and to wait until I hit the brake lights and then come up from behind and put the sign up in her window. When I got back in the van, I hit the CD button where I had the CD that my daughter had made thanks to someone on here sending her the music. It was the Illuminations theme song. I think after about 5 seconds, I hit the brakes and my wife looked at me and asked "what CD is this?" and I looked back and said, one I made, don't you know the song? By then she did. I told her to turn and look out her window. The sign had a great big Mickey head with these words inside it.

IS NOW SOON ENOUGH ?

She just looked at me and said WHAT?

I didn't need to answer, just smile. 45 minutes later we were in the air on our way to our happy place. Landed at 11 EST. and had a room at check in. Put our carry on in our new room and headed to DTD for lunch at paridiso and shopping. Had a great weekend with dinner at the Cali Grill later that first night for Wishes. Segway tour the next morining. Lunch at LeCellier and Dinner that night on the veranda of Rose and Crown for holiday Illuminations. Was a wonderful night with a wonderful waiter. Woke up the next morning and had a late brunch at 1900 before boarding the nasty ME bus (the one that heads the wrong way!)

This was my second surprise trip for her and by far the toughest. They sure don't make it easy anymore to pull it off, with all the emails and billing statements. Fortunately for me, I was persistent and I had a great experience with Dreams Ulimited and Kerry. Couldn't have done it without her. She made sure everything got sent to my work address and handled everything else without a hitch. Like I said in another thread, I have always done my own planning (18 trips). But from now on, I will let Dreams take care of the majority of my stuff. I still did my ADR's because of how easy they make it and I changed a couple back and forth, but I am willing to bet that they could do it and do it right!

Now, with my daughter graduated and married, I am only left with my twin baseball playing sons to get through their sophomore schedules and then two more years. Planning to take the whole crew in a couple years. Might have to fit in a weekend trip again before then. Won't be a surprise though.

Just for those that wondered about costs for a short all out weekend trip-

Airfare from St. Lou to Mickey= 2 @ 240 on Southwest $480
Two nights in Little Mermaid and 1 day epcot pass w Deluxe dining $790
Segway tour $200

Total less spending money, tips and drinks- $1470

Usually stay at either WL or POFQ but really wanted to see AoA and this short trip was perfect. We were in the room a total of about 14 hours for the whole weekend. Nice Value resort, will probably only go back for the suites when grandkids appear.

Alot of money for a weekend, but we spend close to a thousand everytime we head to Chicago for the weekend. Disney much better

 

[Albion218]

Sounds like y'all had an awesome trip! And I'm sure you earned a lot of husband points on that one! So sweet!

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

It all worked out great. We left for the airport with my buddy riding shotgun in our van and my wife right behind him. He had his luggage sitting in the other captains chair behind me. When we pulled up to the airport curb, he got out and walked around the back to get his luggage and my wife sat up front. I got out, but before I did, I handed her a card. it was a romantic card that basically said looking forward to a weekend away (she still thought we were going to Lake of the ozarks) and that we also needed to get back to Disney soon! (remember the word soon) I had a little sign made up that was with my buddy's luggage. I informed him that I was getting back in and to wait until I hit the brake lights and then come up from behind and put the sign up in her window. When I got back in the van, I hit the CD button where I had the CD that my daughter had made thanks to someone on here sending her the music. It was the Illuminations theme song. I think after about 5 seconds, I hit the brakes and my wife looked at me and asked "what CD is this?" and I looked back and said, one I made, don't you know the song? By then she did. I told her to turn and look out her window. The sign had a great big Mickey head with these words inside it.

IS NOW SOON ENOUGH ?

She just looked at me and said WHAT?

I didn't need to answer, just smile. 45 minutes later we were in the air on our way to our happy place. Landed at 11 EST. and had a room at check in. Put our carry on in our new room and headed to DTD for lunch at paridiso and shopping. Had a great weekend with dinner at the Cali Grill later that first night for Wishes. Segway tour the next morining. Lunch at LeCellier and Dinner that night on the veranda of Rose and Crown for holiday Illuminations. Was a wonderful night with a wonderful waiter. Woke up the next morning and had a late brunch at 1900 before boarding the nasty ME bus (the one that heads the wrong way!)

This was my second surprise trip for her and by far the toughest. They sure don't make it easy anymore to pull it off, with all the emails and billing statements. Fortunately for me, I was persistent and I had a great experience with Dreams Ulimited and Kerry. Couldn't have done it without her. She made sure everything got sent to my work address and handled everything else without a hitch. Like I said in another thread, I have always done my own planning (18 trips). But from now on, I will let Dreams take care of the majority of my stuff. I still did my ADR's because of how easy they make it and I changed a couple back and forth, but I am willing to bet that they could do it and do it right!

Now, with my daughter graduated and married, I am only left with my twin baseball playing sons to get through their sophomore schedules and then two more years. Planning to take the whole crew in a couple years. Might have to fit in a weekend trip again before then. Won't be a surprise though.

Just for those that wondered about costs for a short all out weekend trip-

Airfare from St. Lou to Mickey= 2 @ 240 on Southwest $480
Two nights in Little Mermaid and 1 day epcot pass w Deluxe dining $790
Segway tour $200

Total less spending money, tips and drinks- $1470

Usually stay at either WL or POFQ but really wanted to see AoA and this short trip was perfect. We were in the room a total of about 14 hours for the whole weekend. Nice Value resort, will probably only go back for the suites when grandkids appear.

Alot of money for a weekend, but we spend close to a thousand everytime we head to Chicago for the weekend. Disney much better

Sounds awesome! Glad you had a great time, and thanks for reporting back, Tigger's ally!

 

[dalgal101]

Disney trip revealed Christmas Day. Video of past trip pics and at the end the surprise Jan 2013 trip revealed. DS11 excited, DS7 no reaction then tears a little later about his throat hurting and missing our house/dogs. A little overwhelmed I believe. I know we will have a great time so I am ok with that. Merry Christmas!

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

Disney trip revealed Christmas Day. Video of past trip pics and at the end the surprise Jan 2013 trip revealed. DS11 excited, DS7 no reaction then tears a little later about his throat hurting and missing our house/dogs. A little overwhelmed I believe. I know we will have a great time so I am ok with that. Merry Christmas!

Aww, the poor DS.

I know you will! Have a great vacation, Christmas, and Happy New Year!

 

[Tigger's ally]

Sounds like y'all had an awesome trip! And I'm sure you earned a lot of husband points on that one! So sweet!

well, I am such a Disnut that she actually always earns wifey points for riding shotgun!

 

[tink&stitchmom]

I've planned a surprise Mother and Daughter trip for my daughter's 16th birthday weekend (MLK weekend).
Her birthday is while we are there and I have a few surprises planned during the trip. I haven't figured out a way to tell her yet--any ideas? She has finals the day before and the morning that we leave so I'm not sure how soon in advance to tell her.

 

[nannye]

Hmmmm tough call. Honestly I'd tell her after finals. You don't want her distracted during finals. I would just do what you can to ensure she has enough time to pack and get ready herself. (ie. making sure her laundry is done and she's stocked up on shampoo or other things you think she'll need. Take her shopping for a new bathing suit and some summer clothes a few weeks before, that type of thing.

 

[tink&stitchmom]

We're actually leaving in 12 days

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

I've planned a surprise Mother and Daughter trip for my daughter's 16th birthday weekend (MLK weekend).
Her birthday is while we are there and I have a few surprises planned during the trip. I haven't figured out a way to tell her yet--any ideas? She has finals the day before and the morning that we leave so I'm not sure how soon in advance to tell her.

Hmmmm tough call. Honestly I'd tell her after finals. You don't want her distracted during finals. I would just do what you can to ensure she has enough time to pack and get ready herself. (ie. making sure her laundry is done and she's stocked up on shampoo or other things you think she'll need. Take her shopping for a new bathing suit and some summer clothes a few weeks before, that type of thing.

Yes, tell her after the finals. You need all the concentration you can get...and having Mickey on your mind won't help!

 

[luulu1999]

I am HOPING to get to go at some point this summer...we went to DL for Christmas and it was our first trip ever and I immediately came home and started looking into a WDW trip. I would LOVE to surprise my kids with this one (couldn't keep the other one to myself) but I am going to try real hard with this one if I can make it happen!!