I could do with your help.

[jacs1234]

Dh and I started going to disneyland back in 2008. We had enough frequent flyer points to get us there with our two older children, then 8 and 6. (The two babies stayed at Grandmas for the week)

We thought this would be a once in a lifetime trip.

We thought once you've done Disneyland once, you've done it, and won't need to go again.

We had no idea that we'd be planning our next trip on our very first day in the parks.

On that first trip, my sweet dh surprised us with a Stretch limo at the airport.

The second trip which included all four of our children and my mum, he surprised us with a stretch hummer and then when we booked into our room it was full of helium balloons and Disney gifts for everyone (but him).

On our last trip for his 40th and our 15th wedding anniversary (just me and him) he surprised me with a stay at the Grand Californian hotel when I was expecting to stay off property. It was the most amazing surprise and to this day I still don't know how he kept it from me.

So now we are planning our last trip there and won't be able to go for years. I'd like to surprise him this time, but how? With what? There must be something. He loves Disney as much as me. What can I do to surprise him. Tips from you men would be nice too. What would you like?

 

[wannagoback]

What about a tour?

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tours/

 

[jacs1234]

That's a good idea! I'll look into them. I was also thinking a meal at Napa Rose but he's looked at the pics and isn't that interested. He's more of a steak, crab and lobster man. lol I'll go check out the tours now. We have plans to do the morning walk through DCA, but that's not a surprise.

 

[jacs1234]

You know what would be GREAT!!!! Hiring a plaid. lol Just a little over the budget though. That would be so fun.

 

[jacs1234]

With the Walk in Walks footsteps tour, do you get to see inside his apartment?
Does anyone get to do that?

 

[MenchieMan87]

You know what would be GREAT!!!! Hiring a plaid. lol Just a little over the budget though. That would be so fun.

Can you hire a plaid for just an hour or two?

 

[Eeee-va]

That's a good idea! I'll look into them. I was also thinking a meal at Napa Rose but he's looked at the pics and isn't that interested. He's more of a steak, crab and lobster man. lol

I'd look into Steakhouse 55 or maybe one of the really fancy places at Gardenwalk (not sure of their names). May not be a huge surprise, but if that's the kind of food he likes...

You can't count on it happening, but you can always ask early in the morning at the Main Street train station if you can ride in the Lily Belle, Walt's car. If you can, they should take your name down with your party size and tell you when to come back. It's free and they don't always allow it, but if you can sneak off and ask, it's worth a try, and he'd be surprised.

If he is a fan of Fantasmic! (or of sitting!) the dessert seating could be a fun splurge.

If I recall correctly, the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour gets you in to the lobby of Club 33.

For a private tour, http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/plan/tours.htm (which may have outdated prices) says it's $125/hour for a "VIP tour" with a 4-hour minimum. http://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/540/Disneyland-Resort/Disneyland-Park/VIP-Tour-Services says a 6-hour minimum. I don't think those guides would necessarily get you into Walt's Apartment or anywhere exclusive, though. There's a review at the second link, though it's a bit out of date. I'm not sure I'd spend the money since it sounds like there's no guarantee your guide will be able to get you anything exclusive, or even to help you skip the lines.

Maybe you can leave something sweet for him to see when he wakes up--a card, something nice you know he'll like, etc. I did that once with little Christmas stockings (got some Command adhesive hooks and hung stockings on their headboards--and mine--late at night). My travel companions were more bewildered and confused than anything else, but they were also surprised. LOL

 

[ddwlms]

On our anniversary trip I had a present for DH for everyday. (--I have no recollection as to how I managed to keep it from him, since he usually does most of the packing, but I did.) I wrapped the presents before we left and then pulled one out each day. They ranged from a very boring political book that I knew he wanted to intimate (non mentionable on a family friendly site) items.

Have fun!

 

[nunzia]

If he really loves Disney I'd suggest doing an Adventures By Disney Backstage Magic tour. You start off in Hollywood at a very nice hotel right at the Kodak theater (where the Oscars are held) and then you do such things as El Capitan tour, Disney's Soda Shoppe, Henson Studios, Walt Disney Studios,Walt's trains, city tour, Imagineering then off to DLR staying at the Grand with behind the scenes tours there and at DCA..you are treated VERY well and most meals are included (including..when we went, wine and snacks and dinner at Steakhouse 55 with an Ambassador), being personally escorted onto the Pirate ride by a Pirate, tour of Walt's apartment, Lily Belle twice around the park and so so much more. Total primo DLR trip for the Disney fan IMO.

 

[alicia1506]

if he's such a disney fan, and fond of surprises, then i second the 'small gift each day' kind of surprise.

and maybe have them disney themed... like, one is a reservation for the 2 of you for dinner at Steakhouse... one could be a share of Disney Stock ... one could be a disney gift card... one could be a couple's massage at the spa at GCH ... a disney card on his pillow letting him know how much everything he has done for you is appreciated ... one could be that he wakes up in the hotel room to find you've decorated with disney balloons and streamers

these kind of little things wouldn't add up to much, dollar wise, but could really add value to the overall experience for a couple getting away from it all at disneyland...

 

[jacs1234]

Nunzia that sounds sooooooooooooooo great but we have 4 kids and a grandma that would have to tag along lol. I wish I'd known about that last year when we had an adults only trip to the park. I'll put it on my wish list though. He'll probably surprise me with it one day

I'll think I might do the gift a day with one of those being a massage and try to get on the Lily Belle.

Thanks so much for your help guys.

So steak 55 must be pretty nice as lots of you have mentioned it. We are staying at the Disneyland hotel for part of our stay so we'll have to book it in.

 

[spiderdust]

Is it just the two of you, or will the kids be along?

 

[jacs1234]

The kids and my mum are with us. Mum and I will spend a night or two in the park together while dh is with the kids and dh and I will spend a night or two in the park together while mum is with the kids. I get the best deal out of this.

 

[alicia1506]

sounds like you definitely got the best part of that deal.

i hope you and your dh have a wonderful time

it will be me and my so and my sister -- and she has forbidden him from being overcome with the disney magic and proposing while in disney, so we're not going to have a disney proposal, but hopefully some little stolen moments here and there

 

[Mama Who]

I think the plaids have a 4 hour minimum?

You could have an in room celebration waiting for him- they're expensive but some are super cute!