Trip Report Cancelled WDW - Booking for 2 weeks time DLP!!!

[mum2threemonsters]

Hi everyone,

I dont normally find time to do a pretrip report but I am especially excited for this trip as I am planning a surprise trip for my children. By writing everything down I can put everything into perspective and aid my planning.

Here go's:

The Cast

Myself (30) 3rd trip to DLP, feels like mine and my familys special place. Studying to be a Mental Health Nurse so working and studying all hours! Need the Disney break from reality every now and again...

OH(28) 3rd trip to Disney too. Prefers Florida but still overly excited about this trip and seeing the reaction on our youngests face. Cancelling WDW also allowed us to buy him a nice new car to drive to DLP so he's even more happy.

DD (8) Too old to like Mickey and the Princesses at school but loves the magic and the family time when we are there. Too clever for her own boots and so it is difficult her to pretend to enjoy the magic!

DS (6) Still believes in all the magic and loves every second. Can be stroppy if he doesnt get his fix of chocolate every couple of hours so the buffets are a great opportunity for him to eat lots and lots of sugary treats.

DS (1) Already been to DLP twice in his short life but at 5 months and 11 months doesnt remember a thing. He now knows who Mickey and co are and has no idea whats about to come about. We cannot wait to see the reaction on his face.

The Trip

We have decided not to tell the children this time. They have never had a 'surprise' trip and have often asked why we dont surprise them. They do however believe we are going in Decemeber and a little miffed its so far away. We are pretending we are counting down from 200 - currently on day 199!

We plan to advise them before hand that we are working and they are in holiday club on the 25th July. We will get up following the usual routine of washed, dressed, breakfasts and head out to nursery to drop them off. When we pull into the car park they will more than definately be sulking because they hate the place. We will turn around and ask them if they'd prefer to go somewhere else instead... Then we will say a letter arrived this morning for them... The letter (AKA Moonpig card) will be an invite to DLP! Hopefully they will get the shock of their lives and when they realise that the date on the card is in fact today we will have squeels of joy! Then we will hand out 3 goody bags of toys and games for the journey (My youngest Im sure still wont know whats going on but will do his usual 'YAY' shout about five minutes after the other two).

And then we will set off to Dover.

We plan to spend the afternoon walking round Folkestone (fingers crossed for the weather) and then will be staying at the Premier Inn overlooking the port of Dover. My DS(6) loves the P&O ferries so we cant wait to show him our view. We are planning on contacting the hotel prior to arrival and pleading for a sea view room.

Early the next day we will be on the 7:25am ferry and will hopefully be arriving at the Sequioa Lodge between 1-2 depending on toilet stops!

We have 6 delightful days of Free Dining and plan on the following:

Day1
Lunch: EOS (cash)
Dinner: Beaver Creek Tavern

Day 2
Lunch: Cowboy Cookout
Dinner: Bella Notte

Day 3
Lunch: Restarant en Coulis
Dinner: Annettes (family favourite)

Day 4
Lunch: Fuento Del Oro
Dinner: Cafe Mickey

Day 5
Lunch: Colonal Hathi
Dinner: La Grange at Billy Bobs

Day 6
Lunch:Cafe Hyperon
Dinner: Inventions (part cash)

Day 7:
Breakfast: Annettes Breakfast (cash)
Lunch: Hakuna Matata

If anyone has any suggestions to add Id be grateful. We are hoping to book on Wed/Thurs depending on a cheque cashing and then we can make the reservations.

Looking forward to filling you in!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Wow, what a great long trip you have planned

Great idea about surprising them in the car. I've never managed to keep my mouth shut

Free dining offer looks great, you've picked some good places to eat

Look forward to hearing more

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Thankyou!

With a 1 year old we wanted to be able to take our time and not feel guilty if we go back to the hotel to relax a little whilst he sleeps! It needs to feel like a holiday too as both me and OH have been working so hard without a break recently.

I cancelled the Inventions Booking and we are now doing Cafe Mickey twice! My OH is a fussy eater and as much as its something I wanted to do I couldnt justify the extra when each time we've eaten in Cafe Mickey we have loved it. Therefore, until the 1 year old is old enough to sit still in his chair and allow me to taste the food in my mouth lol I have decided to leave it!

All the others are still there but they've had a little juggle round since the post. Beaver Creek is also closed so its replaced with Hunters Grill!

Were now on single digits now and its killing me not spilling the beans! Iv 3 bags of Disney goodies to give them on the way down.

Everythings booked and paid for, email to Sequioa Lodge has been sent and all I need to do is buy Euros and keep quiet for just a tad longer.

It feels more exciting knowing they dont know! Its hard but I recommend it!

 

[Christieand]

I love reading about surprise trips! I'm sure their excitement when you tell them will make up for your silence!
I don't know if it is an option for you due to fussy eating & your youngest, and you may have been already, but Rainforest Cafe is brilliant! So just a suggestion in case you hadn't thought of it

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Hi Christie, I see your also from Nottingham! Glad Im not the only Disney fanatic round here!

Its killing us not telling them and we've nearly slipped up a few times but they are oblivious!

Rainforest is our favourite of all time we love it and we are still tempted to go there our main issue is that we are on Free Dining and its not included or cannot be used as part payment... Although the CS vouchers we have are for 4 of us as my youngest is 2 he is not entitled to any (and he eats a lot)... So we may be using 5 CS vouchers per day meaning we will be one lunch short one day!!!

Our main issue with RC is the cocktails... We love the iced tea and we spend soooooo much in there!!! lol

 

[Christieand]

Nope, we are all a little mad here good to know there are likeminded people about!

That's a pain isn't it..mind you there are lots of other great places that you can go to, so I'm sure you're not missing out too much! (Apart from the cocktails..but your purse will thank you!)