Newb's, a little pixie dust and tears (a first timers trip report) - The DIS Discussion Forums

fgtriot · 10-18-2011, 08:05 AM

For those of you whom read my PTR, I apologize it has taken me so long to start this report. For those who havent, here's the link'

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2728071

To quickly recap for those who haven’t. Although DW and I took DS to The World 8years ago when he was only 18mo old and we planned nothing more than staying at a nearby timeshare and buying a 4 day park hopper pass. Seriously that’s it. Therefore we have called this our Honorary First FAMILY trip. Before I get too far let me introduce our cast of characters (and believe me they live up to that name).

I guess I’ll start with myself:

Name: Matthew
Age: 29
Favorite Character: Aladdin
Favorite Park: All of them
Favorite Restaurant: Chef Mickey's

Next would be DW who has put up with my shenanigans for almost 10 years now.

Name: Sarah
Age: 28
Favorite Character: Tinkerbell and Piglet
Favorite Park: MK
Favorite Restaurant: CRT

And the kids.

Name: Ian
Age: 9
Favorite Character: Stitch
Favorite Park: Epcot
Favorite Restaurant: Coral Reef

Name: Morgan
Age: 7
Favorite Character: Cinderella
Favorite Park: MK
Favorite Restaurant: CRT

Name: Allyson
Age: 3
Favorite Character: Tinkerbell
Favorite Park: MK
Favorite Restaurant: CRT

DW and I had been planning this trip since Feb 2011 but didn’t tell the kids. Even though it is rather cliché now, we loved the idea of the surprise and wanted that memory. I will try to post a link to the video in the next chapter. We stayed at POR for 6 days at the end of Sept 2011, bought 5 days’ worth of park passes (non park-hopper) and a dining plan.

So if you’re up for the ride (and I sure it will have its ups and downs since I’ve never done this before) I invite you to be our guest.

fgtriot · 10-18-2011, 08:11 AM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRO

Meet Our Crew

DAY ONE

Chapter One: The Surprise

Chapter Two: Arrival

Chapter Three: The Money Shot

Chapter Four: Wishes!!!

Chapter Five: Fun with OCD

DAY TWO

Chapter Six: Heroes

Chapter Seven: The Most Dangerous Weapon in the World!

jason4024 · 10-18-2011, 10:14 AM

Joining in and just remember we are always here to help. I posted some info on your DDC post about your table of contents.

Can't wait to hear more!

Cree629 · 10-18-2011, 10:25 AM

I'd love to hear more, too! Looks like we were there around the same time (Sept 27-Oct 4), and I am, also, currently trying my hand at my first TR!!

kokotg · 10-18-2011, 11:46 AM

Another three kid family who was there in September joining in! And we're planning to stay at POR next year, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

fgtriot · 10-18-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cree629

I'd love to hear more, too! Looks like we were there around the same time (Sept 27-Oct 4), and I am, also, currently trying my hand at my first TR!!

Cant wait to read your TR. You missed the rain then, yes?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokotg

Another three kid family who was there in September joining in! And we're planning to stay at POR next year, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

POR was good, I will have an entire chapter on it later in my report.

afwdwfan · 10-18-2011, 01:48 PM

I'm here!

trennr · 10-18-2011, 01:52 PM

danimaroo · 10-18-2011, 03:07 PM

Totally in for this one! I like hopping in early so I can keep up instead of having to sift through 100+ pages (which I have done when bored!

)

Hope you can post the video of the surprise! I LOVE surprise videos, cliche or not. I want to do this one day when DH and I have kid(s).

fgtriot · 10-19-2011, 10:08 PM

OK so DW and I started planning this trip in February 2011 and from the beginning we wanted it to be a surprise for our three kids. We wanted our own commercial. This decision however would waiver many times throughout the 7 months of planning and waiting. The kids would see a commercial and beg to go and we would have to hold firm. We would be planning something and our excitement would take us to the edge, or we wanted to get the kids’ opinion but didn’t want to give anything away. I swear the constant back and forth in our head was the most torture I have put myself through.

It had gotten so bad at one point that we told the kids we wanted to take them and begun “dream planning” with them on what they would like to do “if we ever could go”. Using the cost (non-discounted to make it seem worse) as the reason why we couldn’t go, “it was too expensive”. Through this “dream planning” we were able to get a lot of ideas of what the kids wanted to do. We watched The Disney Parks DVDs with them and reviewed the Disney website. This was when it was the hardest to keep the secret. Equally as hard was hiding the mail. DS loves to get the mail but we couldn’t run the risk. A big shout out to Mark Pratt of Fairytale Journeys for having the wisdom to request our welcome packet sent to him then forwarding it to us in a neutral non-Disney envelope.

The only dilemma that still lingered as far as the surprise was concern was how to actually tell the kids. DW and I decided that instead of giving them their new backpacks for school, we would wait until the trip. We filled them with a bunch of stuff to keep them occupied on the plane like books and magazines and activity pads and toys. Each kid had a theme of their own and all their stuff followed that theme. For DS it was Phin and Ferb, DD7 is the princess, and for DD3; Tinkerbell. On top of all the stuff in the bags were Mickey Mouse t-shirts and a postcard we had gotten sent from the fairy godmailer list. The post cards were from the kids’ favorite characters talking about how they would see our kids soon.

Now our kids are very smart. I know everyone says and believes that about their kids but DD7 has even been skipped ahead a grade. That said, they never once caught on to our whispering and sneaking around like when we were buying t-shirts for them from the Disney store at the mall for the trip, with them there with us! With this in mind I went ahead and created an actually invitation to hand to them that clarified we were leaving right away.
So the morning of our trip I took the kids to McDonalds to get breakfast (which we never do). This bought time for DW to pack the final few items we needed, and our friends who would take us to the airport could arrive. Since we were leaving on a Sunday we used the excuse that they were going to church with us. I hated lying but I swallowed my integrity because I knew it was for a good cause. After breakfast and before leaving for “church” I; “suddenly remembered” that we “finally got” the kids their backpacks. Wink, wink! The final product turned out like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIJnA...&feature=feedu

The little one was a little overwhelmed by it all but she soon after warmed up and got excited too.

maryr1oz · 10-19-2011, 11:20 PM

Your kids are adorable - particularly your little one, how sweet

I can't wait to read more, your surprise was great!

fromscratchmom · 10-20-2011, 04:37 AM

signing on--

afwdwfan · 10-20-2011, 07:27 AM

Love the surprise!

jason4024 · 10-20-2011, 08:32 AM

Your surprise video was awesome! I can not wait to read more about the trip.

Also, looks like the link instructions worked for you!

Cree629 · 10-21-2011, 07:59 AM

Your kids are adorable and I LOVED your video. It made me cry! It must have been so hard to keep the secret for so long, but so worth it in the end!!

10-18-2011, 08:05 AM	#1
fgtriot Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 106	Newb's, a little pixie dust and tears (a first timers trip report) For those of you whom read my PTR, I apologize it has taken me so long to start this report. For those who havent, here's the link' http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2728071 To quickly recap for those who haven’t. Although DW and I took DS to The World 8years ago when he was only 18mo old and we planned nothing more than staying at a nearby timeshare and buying a 4 day park hopper pass. Seriously that’s it. Therefore we have called this our Honorary First FAMILY trip. Before I get too far let me introduce our cast of characters (and believe me they live up to that name). I guess I’ll start with myself: Name: Matthew Age: 29 Favorite Character: Aladdin Favorite Park: All of them Favorite Restaurant: Chef Mickey's Next would be DW who has put up with my shenanigans for almost 10 years now. Name: Sarah Age: 28 Favorite Character: Tinkerbell and Piglet Favorite Park: MK Favorite Restaurant: CRT And the kids. Name: Ian Age: 9 Favorite Character: Stitch Favorite Park: Epcot Favorite Restaurant: Coral Reef Name: Morgan Age: 7 Favorite Character: Cinderella Favorite Park: MK Favorite Restaurant: CRT Name: Allyson Age: 3 Favorite Character: Tinkerbell Favorite Park: MK Favorite Restaurant: CRT DW and I had been planning this trip since Feb 2011 but didn’t tell the kids. Even though it is rather cliché now, we loved the idea of the surprise and wanted that memory. I will try to post a link to the video in the next chapter. We stayed at POR for 6 days at the end of Sept 2011, bought 5 days’ worth of park passes (non park-hopper) and a dining plan. So if you’re up for the ride (and I sure it will have its ups and downs since I’ve never done this before) I invite you to be our guest. __________________ Me (Matthew) DW DS9 DD8 DD4 Didn't think I would ever go back (pre-trip planning report) Newb's, a little pixie dust and tears (a first timers trip report 9/2011)

10-18-2011, 08:11 AM	#2
fgtriot Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 106	Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRO Meet Our Crew DAY ONE Chapter One: The Surprise Chapter Two: Arrival Chapter Three: The Money Shot Chapter Four: Wishes!!! Chapter Five: Fun with OCD DAY TWO Chapter Six: Heroes Chapter Seven: The Most Dangerous Weapon in the World! __________________ Me (Matthew) DW DS9 DD8 DD4 Didn't think I would ever go back (pre-trip planning report) Newb's, a little pixie dust and tears (a first timers trip report 9/2011) Last edited by fgtriot; 07-03-2012 at 10:52 PM.

10-18-2011, 10:14 AM	#3
jason4024 DIS Dad #541 I am sure you will get your fill of man things to do around these parts Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Coaldale, PA - 1,068 miles north of the happiest place on Earth Posts: 714	Joining in and just remember we are always here to help. I posted some info on your DDC post about your table of contents. Can't wait to hear more! __________________ Our Magical Moments A Birthday Princess Facing off with the Dark Side

10-18-2011, 10:25 AM	#4
Cree629 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 254	I'd love to hear more, too! Looks like we were there around the same time (Sept 27-Oct 4), and I am, also, currently trying my hand at my first TR!! __________________ Chrissy

10-18-2011, 11:46 AM	#5
kokotg DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 694	Another three kid family who was there in September joining in! And we're planning to stay at POR next year, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. __________________ Is there Gluten in Whiskey? Sept trip: 9 days, 3 boys, 1 urgent care visit DS 10 DS 8 DS 5 September 2011 Pre-trip 2009 Disneyland trip 2007 Pop/free dining trip 2006 First trip! Wilderness Lodge

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10-18-2011, 01:48 PM	#7
afwdwfan DIS Dad #460 You should always make room for a loophole when you need it Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,092	I'm here! __________________ Andy DW DS(3) DD DIS Dad's Club Member #460 Test Track Dummies - 2012 Disdads Fantasy Football Dole Whip Cup Champion They Should Really Put a Bar in Here - Dec 2012 TR That was fun! Let's do it again! - Update 11/15 Let's turn around. Magic Kingdom is open till 1AM! - My first ever trip report - Complete I will never go to Disney World pushing a stroller! - My effort at a first time PTR.Complete

10-18-2011, 01:52 PM	#8
trennr DISDad #104 Oh, thee of little faith Nate.... Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesborough, TN Posts: 3,886	__________________ DISDADS Club Member #104 My First Cruise Trip Report...

10-18-2011, 03:07 PM	#9
danimaroo DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,317	Totally in for this one! I like hopping in early so I can keep up instead of having to sift through 100+ pages (which I have done when bored! ) Hope you can post the video of the surprise! I LOVE surprise videos, cliche or not. I want to do this one day when DH and I have kid(s). __________________ Current TR: I'M JUST SHOWBOATIN' AROUND THE WORLD!.. and getting pooped on. Jan '13 TR! "Adults are only kids grown up, anyway." Our January 2013 Disney World Trip Video! DL TR: The Wettest, Merriest, and Happiest Birthday/First Visit Nov/Dec. 2012 TR! \| WDW/DL PTR: Double the Anniversaries, Double the Fun! Jan 2013 \| WDW TR: "Norway? More like No Way!" Seattle Goobers' Jan 2012 TR! \| WDW PTR: Married Seattle Goobers Are Back For One Epic Anniversary Trip! Jan 2012 Find me on instagram: dmags \| Find me on twitter: dani_maroo

10-19-2011, 10:08 PM	#10
fgtriot Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 106	The Surprise OK so DW and I started planning this trip in February 2011 and from the beginning we wanted it to be a surprise for our three kids. We wanted our own commercial. This decision however would waiver many times throughout the 7 months of planning and waiting. The kids would see a commercial and beg to go and we would have to hold firm. We would be planning something and our excitement would take us to the edge, or we wanted to get the kids’ opinion but didn’t want to give anything away. I swear the constant back and forth in our head was the most torture I have put myself through. It had gotten so bad at one point that we told the kids we wanted to take them and begun “dream planning” with them on what they would like to do “if we ever could go”. Using the cost (non-discounted to make it seem worse) as the reason why we couldn’t go, “it was too expensive”. Through this “dream planning” we were able to get a lot of ideas of what the kids wanted to do. We watched The Disney Parks DVDs with them and reviewed the Disney website. This was when it was the hardest to keep the secret. Equally as hard was hiding the mail. DS loves to get the mail but we couldn’t run the risk. A big shout out to Mark Pratt of Fairytale Journeys for having the wisdom to request our welcome packet sent to him then forwarding it to us in a neutral non-Disney envelope. The only dilemma that still lingered as far as the surprise was concern was how to actually tell the kids. DW and I decided that instead of giving them their new backpacks for school, we would wait until the trip. We filled them with a bunch of stuff to keep them occupied on the plane like books and magazines and activity pads and toys. Each kid had a theme of their own and all their stuff followed that theme. For DS it was Phin and Ferb, DD7 is the princess, and for DD3; Tinkerbell. On top of all the stuff in the bags were Mickey Mouse t-shirts and a postcard we had gotten sent from the fairy godmailer list. The post cards were from the kids’ favorite characters talking about how they would see our kids soon. Now our kids are very smart. I know everyone says and believes that about their kids but DD7 has even been skipped ahead a grade. That said, they never once caught on to our whispering and sneaking around like when we were buying t-shirts for them from the Disney store at the mall for the trip, with them there with us! With this in mind I went ahead and created an actually invitation to hand to them that clarified we were leaving right away. So the morning of our trip I took the kids to McDonalds to get breakfast (which we never do). This bought time for DW to pack the final few items we needed, and our friends who would take us to the airport could arrive. Since we were leaving on a Sunday we used the excuse that they were going to church with us. I hated lying but I swallowed my integrity because I knew it was for a good cause. After breakfast and before leaving for “church” I; “suddenly remembered” that we “finally got” the kids their backpacks. Wink, wink! The final product turned out like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIJnA...&feature=feedu The little one was a little overwhelmed by it all but she soon after warmed up and got excited too. __________________ Me (Matthew) DW DS9 DD8 DD4 Didn't think I would ever go back (pre-trip planning report) Newb's, a little pixie dust and tears (a first timers trip report 9/2011) Last edited by fgtriot; 10-19-2011 at 10:32 PM.

10-19-2011, 11:20 PM	#11
maryr1oz Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 255	Your kids are adorable - particularly your little one, how sweet I can't wait to read more, your surprise was great! __________________ 2012 - Disneyland Paris - Newport Bay Club - Better late than never? 2009 - Disneyland - Desert Inn and Suites 2007 - Disneyland - Anaheim Plaza Inn 2005 - Disneyland - Super 8 on Katella 1998 - Disneyland Paris - Hotel Santa Fe

10-20-2011, 04:37 AM	#12
fromscratchmom Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Westerville, Ohio Posts: 480	signing on-- __________________ Disney in Your Every day Life

10-20-2011, 07:27 AM	#13
afwdwfan DIS Dad #460 You should always make room for a loophole when you need it Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,092	Love the surprise! __________________ Andy DW DS(3) DD DIS Dad's Club Member #460 Test Track Dummies - 2012 Disdads Fantasy Football Dole Whip Cup Champion They Should Really Put a Bar in Here - Dec 2012 TR That was fun! Let's do it again! - Update 11/15 Let's turn around. Magic Kingdom is open till 1AM! - My first ever trip report - Complete I will never go to Disney World pushing a stroller! - My effort at a first time PTR.Complete

10-20-2011, 08:32 AM	#14
jason4024 DIS Dad #541 I am sure you will get your fill of man things to do around these parts Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Coaldale, PA - 1,068 miles north of the happiest place on Earth Posts: 714	Your surprise video was awesome! I can not wait to read more about the trip. Also, looks like the link instructions worked for you! __________________ Our Magical Moments A Birthday Princess Facing off with the Dark Side

10-21-2011, 07:59 AM	#15
Cree629 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 254	Your kids are adorable and I LOVED your video. It made me cry! It must have been so hard to keep the secret for so long, but so worth it in the end!! __________________ Chrissy

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