Calling DVC'ers with kids graduating or have graduated!! Advice/Suggestions for..

[edk35]

our trip this July. Our dd graduates on June 6th and we are going to WDW on July 21st for our annual summer trip, but mainly to celebrate her high school graduation. We are staying at Poly for 2 nights (her request) before moving to BCV in a 2 bedroom for 5 nights and then to AKV for 2 nights in a 2 bedroom savanna view. I really want to make this more memorable than our usual trips. Does anyone have any suggestions that they might have tried for their kids or will plan for their kids for their graduations? One thing I did was book a 2nd room at Poly. She thinks we are staying in 1 room...all 5 of us since these nights are cash ressies, but we are so spoiled with all the space of a 2 bedroom I added the 2nd room last week. She won't be expecting that. I want some nice little surprises throughout the trip. Some "different" type of surprises that she might not expect. We will have friends down there at the same time that we plan on spending lots of time with too....so she is looking forward to that. I was thinking of doing a little "spa time" for her and I when the guys go to a water park one day. I would love any suggestions. Just being DVC members and staying at the DVC resorts are special for any occasions in my mind. Have any of you done anything special/unique at any of these resorts?? Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

our trip this July. Our dd graduates on June 6th and we are going to WDW on July 21st for our annual summer trip, but mainly to celebrate her high school graduation. We are staying at Poly for 2 nights (her request) before moving to BCV in a 2 bedroom for 5 nights and then to AKV for 2 nights in a 2 bedroom savanna view. I really want to make this more memorable than our usual trips. Does anyone have any suggestions that they might have tried for their kids or will plan for their kids for their graduations? One thing I did was book a 2nd room at Poly. She thinks we are staying in 1 room...all 5 of us since these nights are cash ressies, but we are so spoiled with all the space of a 2 bedroom I added the 2nd room last week. She won't be expecting that. I want some nice little surprises throughout the trip. Some "different" type of surprises that she might not expect. We will have friends down there at the same time that we plan on spending lots of time with too....so she is looking forward to that. I was thinking of doing a little "spa time" for her and I when the guys go to a water park one day. I would love any suggestions. Just being DVC members and staying at the DVC resorts are special for any occasions in my mind. Have any of you done anything special/unique at any of these resorts?? Thanks in advance!!!!

Hey Denise, You're a great mom. I think just the things you have talked about are really going to make her time special. I think most likely she understands your love and desire to make special times for her. Just enjoy the time and keep letting her know you enjoy her. Our daughter was in a mental institution when she graduated high school. It was a joyous time, but not what you really hope for. She is now 28 and engaged to be married this year. You just never know what live brings next.

You are doing the right things... keep it real... don't go overboard. Have a wonderful time... hope everything is perfect.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Be sure to tell them that you're celebrating DD's graduation on the DVC Member website ("upcoming trips-what are you celebrating?" is the place, I think). We went to celebrate DS's college graduation and he got a balloon bouquet and card from Mickey(my 23 yo DS got quite a kick out of it). This year they seem to be making a bigger deal than the year we celebrated DS's graduation, so be sure to tell them and if she gets a pin, she should wear it with pride.

 

[La2kw]

DS is graduating this year from high school as well. The only thing special we have planned is a weekend at Universal, which was his request. This will be his last trip with us since he'll be in college and working summers to help pay for that from now on. He's taking this summer off and I know he will enjoy every minute of this trip. He'd better, it's the last one I'm paying for.

 

[edk35]

DS is graduating this year from high school as well. The only thing special we have planned is a weekend at Universal, which was his request. This will be his last trip with us since he'll be in college and working summers to help pay for that from now on. He's taking this summer off and I know he will enjoy every minute of this trip. He'd better, it's the last one I'm paying for.

My 15 year old son had been requesting Universal for the past few years so we finally did that in Jan. of this year. We went one day to IOA and then the other day to US. After it was all said and done......he thought it was OKAY. LOL We are all so used to WDW that we all felt it was like a trip you would do every blue moon. I hope your son enjoys it though.

 

[edk35]

Be sure to tell them that you're celebrating DD's graduation on the DVC Member website ("upcoming trips-what are you celebrating?" is the place, I think). We went to celebrate DS's college graduation and he got a balloon bouquet and card from Mickey(my 23 yo DS got quite a kick out of it). This year they seem to be making a bigger deal than the year we celebrated DS's graduation, so be sure to tell them and if she gets a pin, she should wear it with pride.

I know when I booked Poly they of course asked and I told them. I will go and check that out on the DVC website too. Thanks...

 

[edk35]

Hey Denise, You're a great mom. I think just the things you have talked about are really going to make her time special. I think most likely she understands your love and desire to make special times for her. Just enjoy the time and keep letting her know you enjoy her. Our daughter was in a mental institution when she graduated high school. It was a joyous time, but not what you really hope for. She is now 28 and engaged to be married this year. You just never know what live brings next.

You are doing the right things... keep it real... don't go overboard. Have a wonderful time... hope everything is perfect.

((((HUGS))) Rob....I am sorry to hear that. I hope she has a beautiful wedding and future!!

Yes I just want some subtle little ooooohhh AHHHH's type things. Just some small things for her to remember years from now. Not necessarily material things either.....little fun experiences are nice too.

 

[geffric]

DS#1 is graduating this year from high school as well. But he is so ready to break away from us that he is leaving soon after graduation to work at the boy scout camp so he won't have to be near us for the summer. In a way I am jealous that your DD wants to spend some time with you and vacation with you. DS has no interest in being with us or vacationing as a family.. on the other hand, we bought DVC when he was 2 years old and he has been to WDW twice every year since..

 

[edk35]

DS#1 is graduating this year from high school as well. But he is so ready to break away from us that he is leaving soon after graduation to work at the boy scout camp so he won't have to be near us for the summer. In a way I am jealous that your DD wants to spend some time with you and vacation with you. DS has no interest in being with us or vacationing as a family.. on the other hand, we bought DVC when he was 2 years old and he has been to WDW twice every year since..

Well she is our oldest and both of us are SAD because we both know that there will be trips that maybe she won't be able to go. We used to go in Jan. and Nov. and that is just not going to work for her now. So we will probably try and go in the summers but who knows what will happen in a year with her having finished her first year of college. HOWEVER our 15 year old son....HE WILL NOT BE REQUESTING WDW for his high school graduation. He will want to be on an Island somewhere....a beach.....some where tropical. He actually started reaching Disney burnout in Nov. and then in Jan. proclaimed he was NOT going with us this summer. He is.....and he will have fun there but he is probably going to be just like your son. This summer will be our dd 16th trip. The past two years we have gone 3 times per year. I want to try Vero and I know ds will love that. Our 10 year old son still LOVES LOVES LOVES WDW so we might have some trips with just him in our future.

 

[rmonty02]

He'd better, it's the last one I'm paying for.

In your dreams. Just wait until your ressie includes him and his girlfriend.

 

[Castillo Mom]

My son is also graduating HS in June and August will be his grad trip. I've planned for a special evening at DTD where we'll have dinner at Fulton's followed by Cirque du Soleil. He loves seafood and is the only one of my 3 sons who has been wanting to see the show. It's a surprise that I'm sure he'll be very pleased with.

When my youngest graduates in two years, I planning on the Sunset Safari as he loves animals and AKL.

I think a mother/daughter spa day sounds perfect. Maybe tea at the Grand Floridian afterward? It would be a nice girly day spent with her mom which I'm sure she'll always remember.

 

[burnsoc]

We've done the fireworks cruises on special occasions and loved it. Or better yet how about surprising her with her own 100 point add on at BLT?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well she is our oldest and both of us are SAD because we both know that there will be trips that maybe she won't be able to go. We used to go in Jan. and Nov. and that is just not going to work for her now. So we will probably try and go in the summers but who knows what will happen in a year with her having finished her first year of college. HOWEVER our 15 year old son....HE WILL NOT BE REQUESTING WDW for his high school graduation. He will want to be on an Island somewhere....a beach.....some where tropical. He actually started reaching Disney burnout in Nov. and then in Jan. proclaimed he was NOT going with us this summer. He is.....and he will have fun there but he is probably going to be just like your son. This summer will be our dd 16th trip. The past two years we have gone 3 times per year. I want to try Vero and I know ds will love that. Our 10 year old son still LOVES LOVES LOVES WDW so we might have some trips with just him in our future.

For your son, I would try a 3 night Wonder cruise. It stops off at Castaway Cay, there is a teen/college meet on board, and just soooo much to do, he could go on his own on the boat(plus eat all the food he wants! That's what my son is looking forward too! ).

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hey Denise, You're a great mom. I think just the things you have talked about are really going to make her time special. I think most likely she understands your love and desire to make special times for her. Just enjoy the time and keep letting her know you enjoy her. Our daughter was in a mental institution when she graduated high school. It was a joyous time, but not what you really hope for. She is now 28 and engaged to be married this year. You just never know what live brings next.

You are doing the right things... keep it real... don't go overboard. Have a wonderful time... hope everything is perfect.

Rob... Seems like your prayers were answered with your daughter...so happy for you!!!

 

[wheelcap]

My oldest graduated last year, and she LOVED her graduation trip 'home.' One surprise that I planned for her was a gift basket waiting for her in the room. I got in touch with Betsy at www.memoriesbybetsy.com and had her put together a gift basket of graduate-themed items with balloons on top. The plan was for it to be waiting inside the room, but we arrived before the room was ready. So, the staff came out into the lobby and made a big deal of it in front of the crowd in the lobby. She was SOOO excited by the surprise, and it was worth every penny!! I think it was one of the highlights of our trip!!

If her website doesn't show exactly what you're thinking of, get in touch with her to discuss ideas, and she'll put together whatever you want - then she'll send a picture before she delivers it to the resort.

 

[Corinne]

In your dreams. Just wait until your ressie includes him and his girlfriend.

Sooooo true! Our sons are graduating from college and hs this year....and older son is bringing his gf. I am not paying for her, but I am sure they will just happen to be around during most of our meals!

 

[rbuzzotta]

DS#1 is graduating this year from high school as well. But he is so ready to break away from us that he is leaving soon after graduation to work at the boy scout camp so he won't have to be near us for the summer. In a way I am jealous that your DD wants to spend some time with you and vacation with you. DS has no interest in being with us or vacationing as a family.. on the other hand, we bought DVC when he was 2 years old and he has been to WDW twice every year since..

My DD is the same way.......she can not wait to break free from us. Little does she know, it is not easy on your own!! LOL!!

As a graduation gift, I am allowing DD and some of her friends 4 days at OKW. They are 18 and pretty good kids. I don't think they will cause any problems (or I would have never have done this). They will all have the dining plan and reservations are all made. Mostly they want to just hang by the pool and sun bathe. They are planning on a day at MK.

Maybe she will see Disney is a different light with her friends. She has been going since she was 6 months old, two sometimes three times a year.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi Denise!

I've been trying to think of the special things we've done in Disney for our celebrations...

Cirque de Solei
Illuminations Celebration Cruise
salon visits
sleigh ride (not possible this time of year)

I know that during Sam's graduation trip in June 2011, we will sending her on the Segway tour. She is very excited about that. I bet your DD18 would love it! Maybe she could do it with you or DH? Or how about one of the other tours?

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Sounds like your trip will be wonderful.. Our kids are 16 and 14 so graduation will be coming for our son next year. He still loves Disney but it is the resorts not the parks. He goes to the parks but wouldn't press for it. This spring we brought along his GF and it was wonderful. She was excited by the parks so he came along and had fun. He showed her all the stuff he loves to do outside the parks. I can see him asking for a grad trip with a few friends. We would go along and stay in a separate room giving them some freedom but still being close by !

 

[edk35]

We've done the fireworks cruises on special occasions and loved it. Or better yet how about surprising her with her own 100 point add on at BLT?

OH yeah that would be a surprise but that is NOT happening. She will get a 100 point contract ONE day. I broke my SSR points of 300 into three contracts for our kids. The AKV contract is also 100. I don't think we will be adding any points on anytime soon.