Ever Kept It a Secret?

[dreamflight99]

This past summer...we took the 7-night Western CC on the Magic!DD LOVED it...and didn't want to leave (she was 14). So, as soon as I arrived home...I began to plan our summer 2003 vacation. I extended the stay, and informed her we would be leaving Disney Property to visit her GM & GP in Southern Fla. She was happy about that.

We will be stopping to visit them for a couple days...but this will be AFTER our Eastern CC! She will be clueless...until we pull up to the SHIP! I can hardly wait to see her expression. A surprise such as this...IMO...is PRICLESS! Then...to see GM & GP and back to WDW before heading home! Hooray!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

The only negative I have seen is the lack of anticipation that would be experienced.

Hubby and son will have the anticipation of the 5-day trip to WDW and staying at the Beach Club Villas. I was thinking of telling them that I have gotten a really super rate at the Polynesian so they would pack their "tropical" wear, etc. and that we would be staying there 4 nights. Have not decided how or when to break the news about the cruise.

There are a lot of variables in the scenario right now, the only fixed is that BCV is booked for the dates during his college spring break.

Sounds like most people have surprised their kids, not many have surprised spouses on short notice.

Still weighing my options here of WDW and cruise or Disneyland for a first trip.

 

[westjones]

I couldn't surprise DH with a trip, he has to plan ahead.

This thread has gotten me SO excited. I am calling tomorrow and book our 3 day cruise on my twins birthday. I would just burst if I couldn't talk about it to DH! I don't know how he and I are going to keep it a secret for 11 months!!!!

One thing I do know, we can't tell anyone else! As long as the only ones who know about it is the two of us (and well, you guys on this board--but you won't tell ) I think we will be OK. But I am afraid someone else would spill the beans.

Our other surprise is going to be the Dolphin Encounter. We are in Nassau on our twin's 10th birthday and we thought this would make for a VERY memoriable 10th birthday!
Debra

 

[imgoingtodisney]

DH & DS both know we are cruisin in 5.5 wks! But they still refuse to discuss any of it with me so I NEED to come to these boards!
I cant wait to see their faces as we pull up to port

 

[dreamflight99]

DH knows about all the plans...DD only knows about the WDW end of the trip. She is going to be very surprised (understatement) about the cruise, and also about the "Secret" resort stay in the midst of the trip (After Vero Beach resort). I LOVE planning some angles/twists and surprises...as it truly gives life the extra "thrill" we all deserve! I Live for Whimsey, Folly and FUN! My family is aware of these things, and goes with the flow. They are never disappointed, and always pleasantly surprised!

Congrats Westjones! Keep your lips sealed (loose lips~sink ships!) and your secret safe! They will be delighted when they see the ship. You can tell them anything (destination) prior to the drive to P. Canaveral. Perhaps taking them to see the Space Center...etc! Yea!! Enjoy!

 

[Scratch42]

I've known since April 19, 2002 that my DD's Birthday present was gonna be a surprise 3 WDW/4 night cruise! Thank Goddnesss for these boards! Only certain few know and it depends when Disney books our flight out as to when DD will find out!

She thinks 'cause mommie bought a car that we can't do Disney!
We have our ways! Thank Goodness had the money already put aside for it before the car!
She knows about the trip to FLA in April but that's more of a Universal trip than Disney! That I've arrange on my own, so it's costing half of what I would usually spend doin' a package.

That will be our last trip for a while. LOL

Scratch

 

[Howling Howie]

We'll be cruising the Wonder 12/1 for the first time ever! This has been a long-time wish of my DS, age 12. I booked last March and have been able to keep it a secret since then, with few glitches. One being my TA calling to remind me about remaining balance being due and leaving the message with him. I worked my way out of this one and he once again believes that cruises are only for the rich and beautiful. I told him if he keeps asking Santa, HAHA, maybe in two or three years I'll be able to rebook. I'll be traveling with a friend, my 5 year old DD and my DS. I've been squirreling away summer clothes, bathing suits as they come through the wash and have most of the packing done. I can be somewhat anal to a point and have bought and wrapped gifts for their beds each night, and autograph books, etc. These boards (this thread in particular) has been a godsend. Hoping to keep it a secret until the a.m. we leave. Want to wake them up and get em in the car on route to the airport before I actually give them the fantastic news.

 

[westjones]

On our last cruise, I took Disney pillowcases and had them signed by all the characters as a birthday surprise for my twins.

What other 'surprises' have you guys planned?

Keeping this trip a secret is going to be SO HARD for me! The only thing that is going to help is that we have a Christmas cruise booked just 3 months later, so I can talk about that one (the girls know about that one).

We have always wanted to see the ship at Christmas! And we were going to do a 7 day cruise next year, but the school calendar didn't really work well for us to do that on their birthday (testing time). So we are doing two 3 day cruises instead (and they will only know about the one).

Debra

 

[westjones]

I just did it!!!!! I just booked our twins' SURPRISE Birthday cruise for 2003! It will be their 10th birthday and GUESS WHAT???????

I GOT A SECRET PORTHOLE ROOM!!!!!!!

We have never been in anything other than a Cat. 11 room. This is going to be SUCH a surprise! I can't wait to see the girls' faces when they see a split bath AND a window!

Now how does it stay a secret for 11 months!!!!!
Debra

 

[TheLeonhardts]

I've been harboring a secret cruise from my daughter since March. Her birthday is in February -- the sailing date on a 3 day cruise. She's been asking to go on a cruise for 3 years. We're going to do the 7 day land/sea. I'm arranging for a stretch limo to take us from our resort to the ship on her 10th birthday. We'll have a few presents in the state room and do the cake thing at dinner.

She's my little vacation planner -- we plan every Disney vacation out together in detail. My DH just goes along for the ride. It's been a killer not telling her -- but we decided to keep it a secret until after Christmas.

On the flip side -- I have learned not to plan a secret vacation and not tell my husband. Booked a special Thanksgiving for us in 2000 -- found out he doesn't like to be surprised. Live and learn. I, however, can be happily surprised with a Disney vacation at any time

 

[westjones]

Oh I hope you post about your trip when you get back. I want to hear how your daughter likes her surprise.

I am thinking of ordering the 'autograph' Pluto from the gift catalog for my girls to get the characters to sign. But I am open to other ideas.

I want this to be the most MAGICAL cruise yet.

I am going to book the Dolphin Encounter in Nassau. One of my daughters LOVE animals and ever since the Mary Kate & Ashley video came out where they were in Nassau swimming with the Dolphins, my twins have wanted to do that too!

BTW, room service is free (just give the server a tip for the delivery), so you might want to order those wonderful cookies one night for your daughter. We did that before, and my girls LOVE it!

You will have a great time. I hope I can hold out as well as you have! Eleven months is SO long!

Debra

 

[4407mark]

We've managed to surprise our two DSs with three trips including our cruise in June. We're getting ready to try it again with our next trip. For the Cruise, we simply woke them up the morning of our flight and told them to get ready for a trip (DW and I had already packed the bags). Once inside the van and on the way to the airport, they asked where we were going and we popped the cruise video in the VCR. You should have seen the look on their faces!

I tried to keep this upcoming trip a secret from DW but it didn't last - too many complications with getting vacation time, credit card bill, etc. But so far we have kept it a secret from the kids!

 

[Mom411]

Peter, I can't believe that you remembered the 40th Birthday Surprise for my husband! That was almost 2 years ago!

AHHHH.... what awesome memories! My kids and I managed to keep this wonderful secret from Tony for almost 13 months. I planned, lied, stole and sneaked for that entire time. I had never done anything like this before and it was worth every bit of planning. I learned several lessons from this experience, including the fact that my husband believes EVERYTHING I tell him.

On this board, I had even acquired the nickname... SNEAKY CRUISE DIRECTOR for all the massive planning etc.!!

This board saved my life and I actually got some great ideas from individuals who helped me keep it going and everyone shared in my joy!

We still talk about the big surprise and yes, you are right, I got him into the Radisson late at night before the cruise and when he woke up, we let him look out the window and there was the ship in all her glory! What a great memory!

It was also during this time that I got to see the work of Shirley at The Perfect Gift. My TA sent Tony and over-the-hill basket from her. When we returned from the cruise, I called her and asked her permission to share her business with the DIS board! We became instant friends and the rest is history.

So, surprises trips CAN be accomplished! Do your best to work it out.... I have to admit, I probably won't be able to pull anything off like that again! But, it was an awesome experience and we are all stilling talking about it.

Good luck!

Beth
AKA... Sneaky Cruise Director 2000!!!!!

P.S. Thanks for letting me relive this great experience!

 

[sandiegosusie]

We are sailing Feb 13 on the Wonder. My husband is turning 40 Feb 21. He has nooooo clue! I however, am obsessed and totally excited. My two oldest boys, 15 & 12 are in on it. They are anxious too!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

So, for those of you that kept it a secret from a spouse, how did you do it? Where did you tell them you were going? How did you get some of the necessary clothes packed, etc., etc.?

 

[Hygiene99]

MOM411 / Sneaky cruise director


will never forget it , might forget the names but, now that u mentioned, it is all coming back, that was the Best surprise
trip that has been shared on this board... IMO
and Phiklops (JIM) the man responsible for the count down timers u see on posts.... takes second.....

im sure there r others that im forgetting

peter

 

[Mom411]

Your post made me feel warm and fuzzy all over!! I hope to post some of the sneaky details when I have a little time for anyone who is trying to plan a surprise cruise.

Have a Disney Day!

Mom411

 

[logan1_2000]

I am taking DW and DS(6) on the 1/11/03 Magic Eastern Caribbean & nighter. They have no clue. DW's 40th is 12/23/02, and I plan to tell her then to allow her 2 1/2 weeks of excitement and anticipation. And after 11 years I know that there would be no way to pack for her, even with her best friend and sister offering to help. Oh, sure, I could try, but after reading some of this thread I got to thinking and I did want her to have some of the excitement of the anticipation.

Booked it back in May while on board the Wonder 4 day with her entire family (DMIL's 60th Biday present to herself was to take all her children, sons in law, and grandchildren). Haven't told them. We have discussed the idea of the 7 day Eastern as a "Maybe someday..." kind of idea. Some day will be soon!

I have all the doc's going to my office. I told her a couple months ago to leave the bills alone so I could shop for her birthday and not have her find out by seeing the charge. Economic times being what they are, she said "okay, but don't get me anything". So she hasn't seen the charges.

Just this A.M. finished putting together a three ring binder containing the cruise doc's, itinerary, a pillow chocolate mint we kept from last cruise glued to the confirmation, castaway club card, brochures, menus and navigators all downloaded from this site or links from this site, driving map from ATL to Port Canaveral, and the home page printout for the night before hotel. Wrote 4 page Dr. Seuss-like poem saying happy birthday and this is your surprise, hope she likes that. Debating whether to wrap it in plan birthday wrap, or to use the roll of Disney wrap. I'll probably go with the Disney and tip off the surprise by a minute or two that way. Her family, my family, my boss & co-workers, and her boss are in on it.

If she were a different personality type, I really would go for the "not a word until we got in the car and I packed for you already" type of surprise, but you have to know your audience. Hope this inspires someone else to try the surprise route as the others in this thread have done. Its been fun.

Going to call critter sitters for my 4 legged children right now!

 

[christinou]

We are going to surprise our girls when we go in August, we are planning 4 days at Disney, then the 3 day cruise, and then another 5 days at disney. we are just going to tell them that we want to Coco Beach for the day, my oldest (7) has been begging to go on the cruise, but we told her that we just cannot afford it. We always camp at Fort Wilderness, so even though we go to Disney twice a year, it is more affordable.....
I just can't wait to suprise them..

 

[outahere]

We have a 3 day booked for 2/20/03 and DS8 has no idea. We will already be in Florida, so now we're trying to figure out how to really surprise him the morning we check out of the hotel to go to the port.