grandmatotwo
mama-of-three
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2011
- Messages
- 35
I find it so absolutely fascinating to read everyone's story that I thought it might be interesting to add mine to the group.
It all started about 7 months ago
when I started trying to plan something to do for our 7 year anniversary in July. My husband has 4 children from his first marriage (21 - 26 years old), I have 2 from my first marriage (19 w/her own beautiful one year old baby boy and almost 22), and together we have a lovely 6 year old boy. Since our 6 year old is the only one still at home we tend to include him in everything we do.
I was watching ads about the new Disney Dream and the Aquaduck - wow that looks like fun. So thought I would check out what kind of Disney vacation we might be able to dream about and low and behold I see the Disney Wonder sailing out of Vancouver. Now that is close to home since we are just on Vancouver Island. Since there would be no flights involved I decided to see about doing the Disney Cruise to Alaska.
I had 3 days in which to make up my mind and get my deposit in if I wanted to get the additional OBC that was being offered. So I decided "what the heck" and went ahead and booked it - without telling my DH.
My DH is pretty laid back and since I'm the one dealing with the finances chances are he will never see it.
So I just continue trying to pay off the credit card and patiently wait until it is time to get ready for the cruise. I decide that I am not going to tell either of them about this cruise and am busy planning the best way to surprise them.
Low and behold about 2 months before the cruise I start putting THE SPECIAL CAMPING PLAN into motion. I book my days off at work to find out that the lady I work with is already off and can I rebook my vacation. Well since it is my anniversary on July 31 and I already paid for the deposit on the cruise I just apologize and say that I can't change it. All is well they will bring in a temp for the 4 days that neither of us will be here.
I call my husbands boss to see if I can book some days off for him without him finding out about it. DH doesn't have very much time left (his new vacation time starts in September) but his boss is awesome and says of course he can take the days and we will just work it out later. SWEET.
Another month goes by I spend hours looking at the Disney Cruise Line website. Start talking with DH about him taking a few days off so that we can go camping during the summer. Kinda get him thinking that I will have some special plans since it is our anniversary hence The Special Camping Trip name. Now I'm getting excited. A few people know about it (my mom, his mom, my sister - who does daycare for us, his sister and my dad and his wife that come out to visit us from Alberta) and they have all done a wonderful job of keeping my secret.
Everday I am looking at the Disboards and CruiseCritic to read all that I can about Alaska, crusing and Disney. I got hooked up with a group on the meet board and asked if I could get involved in thier FE. They graciously allowed me to join. So this past weekend I went out and bought a bunch of things and when my husband asked me what I was doing I told him to ask no questions and I would tell him no lies. He giggled and proceeded to tell me how much he loves me.
Since I don't sew I spent a couple hours last night gluing myself to my FE. But I am pleasantly pleased with the results (except for the ribbon that you can see the glue right through - oh well it is only on the back so no one should really notice). Still picking glue off my fingers today. Came to work and made 3 magnets to go on our door. See you all have made me a Disney believer and I've only been to DW once. Even started reading about the DVC however that is not for us at this point in time.
DH and DS will be going on their own small mini-camping trip this weekend. They were only going to go one night (thinking we are going again the following week - but what do they know).
I told him that if it was nice they should go for both Sat and Sun since I had some stuff to do to get ready for the Special Camping Trip. DH told me he had an appointment on Friday to get his brakes adjusted for when we take the trailer. He also tells me his is going to be back early on Sunday to go and pick the trailer up. I politely tell him that the trailer will be completely ready but he can't pick it up until Tuesday after work. He again tells me how much he loves me
So this weekend I will get us all packed up. I have my FE and gifts ready. I have my 3 magnets ready. The BIG REVEAL will occur on Monday night. I have arranged for Mickey Mouse to call the house for my DS at 8:00 pm (just before he is going to bed), my DD will be there to video tape their faces when they find out that our Special Camping Trip is really a Disney Cruise to Alaska.
I can barely sleep anymore only 4 more days until I don't have to keep this a secret anymore. It has been the longest 7 months ever!!!!
I am going to bring my laptop with me just for downloading of photos and keeping up my notes so that when I can get back I will add to this and share the rest of my story with you.

It all started about 7 months ago

I was watching ads about the new Disney Dream and the Aquaduck - wow that looks like fun. So thought I would check out what kind of Disney vacation we might be able to dream about and low and behold I see the Disney Wonder sailing out of Vancouver. Now that is close to home since we are just on Vancouver Island. Since there would be no flights involved I decided to see about doing the Disney Cruise to Alaska.
I had 3 days in which to make up my mind and get my deposit in if I wanted to get the additional OBC that was being offered. So I decided "what the heck" and went ahead and booked it - without telling my DH.

So I just continue trying to pay off the credit card and patiently wait until it is time to get ready for the cruise. I decide that I am not going to tell either of them about this cruise and am busy planning the best way to surprise them.

Low and behold about 2 months before the cruise I start putting THE SPECIAL CAMPING PLAN into motion. I book my days off at work to find out that the lady I work with is already off and can I rebook my vacation. Well since it is my anniversary on July 31 and I already paid for the deposit on the cruise I just apologize and say that I can't change it. All is well they will bring in a temp for the 4 days that neither of us will be here.

Another month goes by I spend hours looking at the Disney Cruise Line website. Start talking with DH about him taking a few days off so that we can go camping during the summer. Kinda get him thinking that I will have some special plans since it is our anniversary hence The Special Camping Trip name. Now I'm getting excited. A few people know about it (my mom, his mom, my sister - who does daycare for us, his sister and my dad and his wife that come out to visit us from Alberta) and they have all done a wonderful job of keeping my secret.
Everday I am looking at the Disboards and CruiseCritic to read all that I can about Alaska, crusing and Disney. I got hooked up with a group on the meet board and asked if I could get involved in thier FE. They graciously allowed me to join. So this past weekend I went out and bought a bunch of things and when my husband asked me what I was doing I told him to ask no questions and I would tell him no lies. He giggled and proceeded to tell me how much he loves me.
Since I don't sew I spent a couple hours last night gluing myself to my FE. But I am pleasantly pleased with the results (except for the ribbon that you can see the glue right through - oh well it is only on the back so no one should really notice). Still picking glue off my fingers today. Came to work and made 3 magnets to go on our door. See you all have made me a Disney believer and I've only been to DW once. Even started reading about the DVC however that is not for us at this point in time.
DH and DS will be going on their own small mini-camping trip this weekend. They were only going to go one night (thinking we are going again the following week - but what do they know).


So this weekend I will get us all packed up. I have my FE and gifts ready. I have my 3 magnets ready. The BIG REVEAL will occur on Monday night. I have arranged for Mickey Mouse to call the house for my DS at 8:00 pm (just before he is going to bed), my DD will be there to video tape their faces when they find out that our Special Camping Trip is really a Disney Cruise to Alaska.
I can barely sleep anymore only 4 more days until I don't have to keep this a secret anymore. It has been the longest 7 months ever!!!!
I am going to bring my laptop with me just for downloading of photos and keeping up my notes so that when I can get back I will add to this and share the rest of my story with you.
