Can't Anyone Keep A Secret Anymore??? October Pre-Trip Report!! ADRs have been set!

[BigGoofy44]

I think I'm a little of the odd man (yes, man) out.

For starters, I am a male. And while many of these trip reports are created by women, I am the DISser in my family.

Second, I don't have any kids. At least not yet, the DW and I are working to change that.

Finally, I am the trip planner. I love this stuff. Not just WDW either. I love planning vacations period. However, I really, truly thrive on planning WDW vacations. Everything from the big picture to the smaller details.

Well, I guess that last one is not really odd. Because that's why we're all here, right? We want to either: discuss the plans we've made, find out what plans others have made, or figure out what plans we're going to make next time.

This trip I'm attempting to be more relaxed regarding the smaller details and focus on creating a wonderful time for my DW who will be celebrating her 27th birthday while at WDW. I also want to enjoy myself as well.

As long as everybody is buckled up, let's start the ride.

Next up: The Cast

 

[jenna]

What a great husband you are to create a wonderul birthday celebration for your wife!

Can't wait to hear what you've got planned! <----Got my popcorn!

 

[BigGoofy44]

What a great husband you are to create a wonderul birthday celebration for your wife!

Hi, Jenna. Thanks so much for joining.

I like to think I'm a great husband. I just wish my DW always thought the same.

Can't wait to hear what you've got planned! <----Got my popcorn!

So far I've actually got quite a bit planned. I'll try not to keep you waiting too long.

 

[rentayenta]

I brought the drinks!

 

[BigGoofy44]

I brought the drinks!

Hey Jenny! Thanks for bringing the drinks. I love a party!

 

[BigGoofy44]

Now, as promised here is the current cast.

First, I would like to introduce myself :

Nathanael, but I go by Nathan or Nate. I just turned 28 in March and would love to go to Disney for my birthday, but it ALWAYS falls on Spring Break, so that will probably never happen.

I am the Disneyphile of the family and have been instrumental in planning the last two trips.

The first time I went to Disney was in high school. It was in that moment that I realized how magical Walt Disney World truly is.


Next up, our lead actress is none other than my beautiful wife Jessica.

And yes, she does remind me very much of

Very feisty and stubborn, yet faithful and loving. She is wonderful, though she did suggest that our next vacation be to New York City instead of Walt Disney World

We will be the two main characters, although we are welcome to more.

We look forward to having you join us for the next 6 1/2 months.

 

[jenna]

Love the pics! It's nice to put the faces to the names!

I know how you feel about going to WDW for your birthday. Mine is in April (Easter or Spring break crowds) and my husband's is two days after Christmas. Neither of us will probably ever celebrate our actual day in the World.

Where are you guys from?

 

[BigGoofy44]

OK, now to explain the secrets that no one (particularly me ) can seem to keep.

The first secret is the entire trip itself. I originally wanted to make this a surprise birthday trip for Jessica. When we went in January of 2008 for our anniversary she didn't want to leave. However, like every good trip it does come to an end sooner or later.

So, like a good husband I began planning the trip soon after getting back. As I said I wanted to make this trip a birthday surprise. And I did a good job -- until Disney announced that this year's theme was "What will you celebrate?" Then we had the following conversation:

<Disney commercial just finishing>

Jessica: I want to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.
Me: Yeah, uh-huh, honey.
Jessica: You already booked it didn't you?
Me: Huh, what's that?
Jessica: You did. I know you did.
Me: I was trying to keep it a secret.
Jessica: I love you.
Me:

Well that's how I remember it anyway.

Next up: The second secret that didn't end up staying a secret very long.

 

[BigGoofy44]

Love the pics! It's nice to put the faces to the names!

I know how you feel about going to WDW for your birthday. Mine is in April (Easter or Spring break crowds) and my husband's is two days after Christmas. Neither of us will probably ever celebrate our actual day in the World.

Where are you guys from?

Thanks. The pics are a little old, our main computer is down and it has most of the newer ones.

I'm hoping that that I can convince Jess to take me to ESPN the weekend one of these years as an early birthday present. I think that would more than make up for not being able to go on my birthday.

I'm originally from Arkansas and Jessica is from Oklahoma. We moved to Colorado two years ago.

 

[jenna]

OK, now to explain the secrets that no one (particularly me ) can seem to keep.

The first secret is the entire trip itself. I originally wanted to make this a surprise birthday trip for Jessica. When we went in January of 2008 for our anniversary she didn't want to leave. However, like every good trip it does come to an end sooner or later.

So, like a good husband I began planning the trip soon after getting back. As I said I wanted to make this trip a birthday surprise. And I did a good job -- until Disney announced that this year's theme was "What will you celebrate?" Then we had the following conversation:

<Disney commercial just finishing>

Jessica: I want to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.
Me: Yeah, uh-huh, honey.
Jessica: You already booked it didn't you?
Me: Huh, what's that?
Jessica: You did. I know you did.
Me: I was trying to keep it a secret.
Jessica: I love you.
Me:

Well that's how I remember it anyway.

Next up: The second secret that didn't end up staying a secret very long.

Awww, how sweet! I think you need to teach my husband a few things!

I wanted to go to Disney for our 10th anniversary and told my husband to "surprise" me with a trip. He told me just to plan it myself since he wouldn't do it right.

Thanks. The pics are a little old, our main computer is down and it has most of the newer ones.

I'm hoping that that I can convince Jess to take me to ESPN the weekend one of these years as an early birthday present. I think that would more than make up for not being able to go on my birthday.

I'm originally from Arkansas and Jessica is from Oklahoma. We moved to Colorado two years ago.

Colorado is a dirty word in this house right now. I just wrote two checks out for $1108 total so DH and DFIL can go elk hunting there in Sept.

It is a beautiful state though and we've been contemplating moving there for so long. DH is licensed in PA though and doesn't want to start over. What part do you live in?

 

[BigGoofy44]

Awww, how sweet! I think you need to teach my husband a few things!

I wanted to go to Disney for our 10th anniversary and told my husband to "surprise" me with a trip. He told me just to plan it myself since he wouldn't do it right.

I plan all of our trips. My DW says I should go into travel planning or be a travel agent.


Colorado is a dirty word in this house right now. I just wrote two checks out for $1108 total so DH and DFIL can go elk hunting there in Sept.

It is a beautiful state though and we've been contemplating moving there for so long. DH is licensed in PA though and doesn't want to start over. What part do you live in?

Colorado is a dirty word. It is a lot of money though.

Is this the first time they've been elk hunting?

It is a beautiful state; you can actually see the mountains from our balcony.

We live in the South Denver area. Close enough to everything to have fun in the city or head into the mountains.

 

[SunnieRN]

Awww, how sweet!! My daughter and grandsons are at wdw now!! They arrived yesterday on my daughters birthday!!
Looking forward to hearing more plans and more secrets!!

 

[BigGoofy44]

Hello, thank you for joining us.

Awww, how sweet!! My daughter and grandsons are at wdw now!! They arrived yesterday on my daughters birthday!!

I hope they are having a great time.

Looking forward to hearing more plans and more secrets!!

Yes, I have more secrets coming up in my next post. Well, it was supposed to be a secret.

 

[BigGoofy44]

So, now that you know about the surprise birthday trip that was no longer a surprise, let me explain the second surprise that is no longer a surprise.

This surprise actually goes back to during my DW and my engagement. I had purchased a nice ring that she loved. However, while at work she had the ring stolen yes, stolen...from work.

So at the time I couldn't afford to get the ring replaced so we purchased a wonderful older ring from an estate sale. This replacement ring was purchased for $75 and we had appraised for over $400, so it was an excellent deal. However, it wasn't her ring and had some wear which concerned Jessica and she didn't want to wear it often so it wouldn't break.

Well, for the last three years Jessica had occasionally brought up the idea of purchasing another engagement ring to replace her first. Well, I wanted to replace the ring, we were just never in a position that we could.

So last November we visited the mall and found that a local jeweler was going out of business. And while that was bad for them, it was very good for us. We looked around and found beautiful ring that she loved. However, she has tiny fingers [size 3.75] and while the ring was small, it wasn't that small.

Well, I spoke with the jeweler in the store who would be resizing the ring, and he said that while it would be difficult he though he could do it. I did not, however buy the ring at that time, telling my wife that her fingers were too small and the structure of the ring might be destroyed.

I had already spoken with the store clerk and I went back the next day to make the purchase. Well, at this point I thought that if the Disney trip couldn't be a surprise maybe I could make the "re-proposal" a surprise.

A few days later I picked up the ring and then hid it in my sock drawer (I usually put up my own socks, so I didn't worry about it being found).

Well, that's a great surprise, right? Not exactly. Right around Christmas Jessica and I got into a very heated argument. This obviously upset both of us and she also brought up that I hadn't purchased the ring. Well, in order to calm her down and in an attempt to make sure I didn't have to remain celibate for at least a month I pulled the ring out of the sock drawer.

She was extremely ecstatic. However, now I'm trying to figure out how I can find a way to surprise her at Walt Disney World. Regardless, she was very happy with the ring that was purchased and it goes well with the wedding band.

 

[passthepixiedust]

Hi BigGoofy!

Like Jenna, I too am following you over from Jenny's tr.

Sorry your surprises were spoiled! That always happens to me. It's my own fault though. I am the worst surpriser ever. I can keep anyone's deep, dark secret, but when it comes to a surprise that I am giving? Forget about it!

Are we brainstorming for new surprises? Does your wife read this thread? What about a Cinderella Glass Slipper delivered at dinner one night?
A basket by Betsy?
A spa treatment or massage?
hmmmm...... I'll have to keep thinking!

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[BigGoofy44]

Hi BigGoofy!

Like Jenna, I too am following you over from Jenny's tr.

Hi Tracy! I'm glad to see you joined us and thank you for stopping by.

Sorry your surprises were spoiled! That always happens to me. It's my own fault though. I am the worst surpriser ever. I can keep anyone's deep, dark secret, but when it comes to a surprise that I am giving? Forget about it!

I'm exactly the same way. I could hide people for the witness protection program, but if I have to keep my wife's Christmas present a secret it's not going to happen. And she knows it too.

Are we brainstorming for new surprises? Does your wife read this thread? What about a Cinderella Glass Slipper delivered at dinner one night?
A basket by Betsy?
A spa treatment or massage?
hmmmm...... I'll have to keep thinking!

Oooohhhh, I like that idea. We can definitely brainstorm for new surprises. At this time she does not read it. She doesn't get on the DIS that much.

As for your ideas they are all great so far. I actually had considered a Cinderella Glass Slipper when I was going to "re-propose" as we are considering eating there on the evening of her birthday.

What is a basket by Betsy? She may like that.

Looking forward to hearing more!

Glad to hear. Next up I'll explain the when and where.

 

[passthepixiedust]

Oooohhhh, I like that idea. We can definitely brainstorm for new surprises. At this time she does not read it. She doesn't get on the DIS that much.

Not get on the DIS? I don't understand.... Why would anyone NOT get on the DIS???

I actually had considered a Cinderella Glass Slipper when I was going to "re-propose" as we are considering eating there on the evening of her birthday.

Oooh! Have you eaten there before? My first trip, Keith and I ate there and we got a window seat overlooking Fantasyland during the fireworks. It was amazing.

What is a basket by Betsy? She may like that.

I think her site is called Memories By Betsy. She makes up baskets of whatever you want (usually stuff from the parks) and has them waiting at your hotel when you check in. She has lots of examples on her site and will put in whatever you want (I am thinking you would need something more romantic than the Star Wars and Pirates ones I had her make!) Jenny and I both got them for all of our kids in September 2007 and they were great!

Next up I'll explain the when and where.

Can't wait!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Hello, fellow Oct. 2009 vacationer! I'm about to write up my PTR too.

I'll be following yours also.

 

[BigGoofy44]

As I said before, I began planning the trip shortly after getting back, although most of the real plans did not start going into place in July or August, but I can't remember which.

The original plan was that we would spend more time at Pleasure Island, as we enjoyed Adventurer's Club and Comedy Warehouse last time. Also, we hoped that the dance clubs might be a little more filled as the last time we went was in January and we wanted to partay.

So the idea was to stay somewhere close to DTD. I first considered the SSR or OKW. As I figured that we would be renting points for DVC I considered the number of points needed for our stay.

Well, late August I began reading rumors on the boards that PI would be closing. I looked through everything I could find and unfortunately found that the news was TRUE.

So, guess what? We no longer needed to stay near DTD. OKW was still an option as it would be the least expensive of all the DVC resorts, but now we were more interested in looking at our other options. We had stayed at AKV last time and loved it, but we were not interested in staying there this time.

While we were dining at our favorite Denver restaurant **shameless plug** D Bar Desserts, owned by Keegan Gerhard from Food Network Challenge I was speaking with his wife Lisa and she mentioned that we would be there during F&W.

So that gave us two good options for our resort stay: Boardwalk Villas or Beach Club Villas. For the standard view studio at Boardwalk we figured we would only need 45 points (this would change, more next time) and we are within walking distance of Epcot.

That definitely sounded like a good idea. So we are booked for BWV with a standard view, hoping that we can get a view of Illuminations.

 

[BigGoofy44]

Not get on the DIS? I don't understand.... Why would anyone NOT get on the DIS???

I don't know. I can't figure it out either.

Oooh! Have you eaten there before? My first trip, Keith and I ate there and we got a window seat overlooking Fantasyland during the fireworks. It was amazing.

No, I haven't. We didn't get ressies there last time, but Jess wants to this time. I'll be calling at 7:00 am to make sure I get that reservation.

Wow! Those seats sound incredible.

I think her site is called Memories By Betsy. She makes up baskets of whatever you want (usually stuff from the parks) and has them waiting at your hotel when you check in. She has lots of examples on her site and will put in whatever you want (I am thinking you would need something more romantic than the Star Wars and Pirates ones I had her make!) Jenny and I both got them for all of our kids in September 2007 and they were great!

I will definitely look at her site. It sounds like that would be a great gift. Something to surprise her when she first gets to the resort.

Can't wait!

Well, I just posted the update, so you won't have to wait long.