Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Surprise BD Trip!! ** Final updates, finally

[Pixieflip]

Today the plans have finally come together!! I've arranged a surprise trip for my daughter's 13th birthday!! We leave in 15 days.

Lots of birthdays are milestones, but 13 seems like such a big deal. Not that I need a reason to plan a trip, but why not use our DVC for something like this?

Here are the details:

Who: Mom, my DD12, me
When: February 20 to 24
Where: OKW Studio

DD's birthday is the last day of the trip. We had to do it that way because my DH's birthday is on the 26th and though he agreed to let us go, I'm pretty sure it would not be cool to leave him with the rest of the kids alone on his birthday.

I made the OKW reservations back at the 7 month mark and today we booked our flights, our DME, and all our dining reservations. I had a few already entered with confirmation numbers, but somehow that document was deleted off the laptop. Calling was no help, they could not figure out how to search for all of them. Oh well, all is definitely not lost, we made new ones at exactly the times we wanted anyway. We're not on the DP, but we do have a few reservations.

Our ADR's will be at some ladylike places and some fun places, too:

2-21: Garden View Lounge for Afternoon Tea
2-22: The Plaza Restaurant
2-23: 50's Prime Time Cafe
2-24: The Crystal Palace

We'll be leaving the rest of the family behind and I'm not sure how this will go. DH is very capable, I leave home with my business a couple of times a year. DS15 is a Disney freak and will probably be the most jealous. His 13th birthday trip was to Minneapolis. They went to a Vikings game, a Twins game and the Mall of America where he bought a fancy video Ipod. It was a very cool trip but I will probably float this idea to him before so he has time to process that she's going and he's not! Next in the family is DD11. She already knows a little about the trip and is excited because she knows her big birthday is next summer. DS8 has no idea and will probably be sad he's not going, too. My only saving grace in my heart for leaving those precious Disney loving family members out is that we just went for two whole weeks over Christmas! We're so spoiled. We arrived on Dec. 28 and stayed a week at my in laws' lovely off property home. On January 3rd, we checked into our 2 bedroom Savanna View Villa at Kidani. Amazing trip. Someday I hope to do a trip report on that, too, but for now, this seems more manageable.

I had it all planned for just the two of us and then my mom had a big health scare this past fall. She's had more than one over the years and so I decided, what the heck, life is short, the room is big enough, she loves WDW, we all get along great...so I invited her. She flipped! Dad is fine, tells her to go and have fun.

So, we're all set! Now my next task is to figure out a fun way to reveal the trip. She knows we'll go somewhere, but has no idea.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Sounds like a Wonderful and fun trip!! Have a great time and enjoy!! I have a mother/daughter trip planned in 5/2011 that i haven't told my boys about yet.

Can't wait to hear all about it!! TR please with lots of pics!!

 

[backyardponder]

Last year for Christmas we gave our DGD a trip to VB and let her bring a friend (2 9 year old girls!). I took one of my Welcome Home folders from a previous stay and put lots of things inside of it, wrapped it up, and put it under the tree. She opened it and it was fun watching her figure out what it was all about. Once she got to the note I had put inside that she could take her friend, she went wild. Note: Everything had been pre-cleared with the friend's parents and we specified who the friend was to be.

 

[backyardponder]

I'm not sure if you are heading home on the 24th or 25th. If you are around the evening of the 24th, for a great kid friendly night club experience, go see Bob Jackson at Port Orleans Riverside. He starts at 8:30. His web site is www.yehaabob.com. Check out some of the videos on his site. Make sure he knows it is her birthday!

 

[Pixieflip]

I've got a couple of photos from our recent trip. This breakfast at O'Hana was on January 2. We loved it!

In this photo we have in the back row, DS15, DH and me, then in the front we have DD11, DD12 and DS8.

Here's another one of the birthday girl, on the right, and her sister. Stitch is DD12's favorite!

I'm sorry I don't have any photos of my mom, she has kind of an aversion to pictures of herself! You may have to wait on that.

So I went ahead and floated the trip past all the kids. I think everyone is fine with it. DS8 was shocked, but making a list of places he'd like to stay for his birthday in May. Dude, this is for the 13th, not the 9th birthday! DD11 is ready to help me wrap any gifts and help with the making of any tshirts, too. She helped me shop for the Dweebie Day Shirts. (Dweebie Day Shirts = matching shirts you might only wear at WDW, but because you are there, you wear them proudly!) We've picked out light blue and pink. I've got a couple of great designs from the generous folks on the Creative DISigns board here! Will post pictures of the shirts when I get them finished.

I love the above mentioned idea of taking the folder from when we checked in and using that to house the cards that will unveil the different aspects of the trip. Mom suggested starting with an invite to breakfast at the Crystal Palace for her birthday (the 24th). DD will be freaking out excited! Then we can unveil each day, working our way backwards to, oh, by the way, we leave in the morning! We leave on the 20th, so we're revealing this over dinner on the 19th. She'll never suspect it. I think.

One more fun detail! Mom thinks it is an awful long way to travel from Nebraska to Orlando to go for just three nights, considering travel really eats up our day - can' t get a reasonable price on a non-stop flight. Sooooo, we booked a room at Port Orleans French Quarter for the night of the 20th! We'll basically arrive about 7pm, spend the night and ship our stuff over to OKW in the morning. Can't wait...only 12 more days!

Everybody keep your lips sealed!

Up next: photos of the Dweebie Day Shirts

 

[Pixieflip]

T-9 days. I'm wondering if I have a bump in the road or not here. I've received my ME booklet. We are flying Southwest (usually the best fares from here, no luggage fees, etc) and I do understand I will have to schlep our luggage to the ME. No biggie, we're only going for 4 nights.

We arrive on 2-20 for one night at POFQ, transferring to OKW on 2-21. ME tickets say arrival is 2-21 for OKW. I know I explained this clearly when I made this reservation. At this point, I will have to wait till tomorrow for my answer.

It'll be tricky to call WDW because the kids are all home from school tomorrow and Monday! I can see it now..."Mom, who are you talking to in the bathroom?" "Mom, it's freezing in the garage, get off your cell phone and into the house!"

Oh, and that also means the tshirt making process is also on hold. DD12 will REALLY be suspicious if I got out the IRON and the IRONING BOARD!! "No we don't have a wedding or a funeral, now leave me alone to do my chores."


Dweebie Day shirts soon.

 

[cj9200]

In January, I took DD and some friends for her 16th birthday. Two of your ADR’s mirror our trip. DD loves tea and has been doing it for years. When she was younger, it made her feel grown up to dress up a bit and have tea. This trip, the girls had a great time. One warning, she became a tea junkie. DD has I don’t know how many tea pots and different teas. When you go to 50’s ask at the check in counter to be served by the most animated “mom” or “cousin” they can give you. That is if your daughter will be OK with that. Ours was great fun.

I would call but since you are schlepping your bags, don’t stress over ME. Once you get there, explain the situation and they will make sure you are driven and safely tucked into a Disney hotel. Have a great time.

 

[Pixieflip]

cj9200...been following your DD's trip report and thoroughly enjoying! And yes, I can see a need for at least a new tea cup from the tea shop in the UK.

Planning to call tomorrow on my ME tickets and see what they say. Thanks!

 

[buzz5985]

Have a wonderful trip. We surprised our DS for his 13th last November. LOL We brought his best friend with us too. We didn't tell them until we picked them up from school and were on our way to the airport. LOL

The day of his birthday we went to the Hoop Dee Doo. We took the boat over from MK and met a woman with her 2 neices and 1 nephew (triplets) that were also celebrating their 13th birthday. What a ball the kids had together.

Are you finding it hard to keep it a secret?? I found myself wanting to say, I don't know how many times - I'm taking you to WDW and this is how you act??? LOL

Janis

 

[Crystal_27]

Awwwww, what an amazing surprise (and birthday) for your DD. Can't wait to read more!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm sure the ME can be straightened out! What a great trip this will be!!!!!

Bobbi

 

[Pixieflip]

So I got some help over on the Transportation Board and called the DME directly. They didn't have my two reservations linked, that was the problem. No biggie, they're sending me a brand new packet, compete with yellow luggage tags! What happens if they don't arrive by next Friday? Hmm...not going to worry about that till then.

And...today I picked up a few snacks for the Studio. A few packs of microwave popcorn, a package of almonds, some Fiber One bars and a couple of Betty Crocker Warm Delights. Anything else worth taking in your suitcase? Oh, I know I'll have to have some Key Lime Pie at OKW, but I like options! DS8 helped me sneak the bag upstairs while DD12 unloaded the dishwasher. We're so sneaky. Actually, I'm collecting quite a stash of items to pack, take and wrap...she'd better not find it!!!

While we are watching the Olympics tonight, I'll be secretly on the laptop creating invitations and welcome letters. Tomorrow I'm off to Des Moines for work (Creative Memories Regional Convention) and Sunday is crazy busy with church and baseball. Happy Valentines Day for now!!

 

[Pixieflip]

A couple of the cards that will reveal the details of her trip one at a time. (The white borders will be trimmed when I pick them up.) Thank you DISigners! You make this all so much fun!

 

[Pixieflip]

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[Pixieflip]

AGH! I can hardly stand it! Tomorrow is the day we get to tell her! So much has been planned. DH has to work tomorrow night, so we're heading over to my parents' house right after school where she'll find a big box for her to open. Out will float a Mickey balloon like in the commercials with the above card asking WWYC. Next will be a series of other invites to the meals and resorts and finally the airline tickets. Today I'll be picking up a couple of sets of tshirts for us. My DH uses a tshirt business a lot and when I was struggling with printing my iron ons, he called the guy who said to bring them right over! Will post photos later. In the bottom of the box will be her scrapbook and a few Disney supplies to enhance the memories. I know 13 is waaaay past the princess stage, but she loves them when we're at WDW and yesterday at the party store I picked up the cutest package of punch out table decorations. The kit has princesses, the carriage, castles....all on stand up things, napkin rings, place cards, all so pretty and not necessarily babyish. Mom is making a castle cake!

So much to do today! But we're finally getting close. I'll come back later with an update. Only one more day to not blow the secret!

 

[Disney Princess]

Those invitations are SO cute! I hope you have a blast letting her know tomorrow. Please take pictures for us so we can see her reaction! HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Crystal_27]

AGH! I can hardly stand it! Tomorrow is the day we get to tell her! So much has been planned. DH has to work tomorrow night, so we're heading over to my parents' house right after school where she'll find a big box for her to open. Out will float a Mickey balloon like in the commercials with the above card asking WWYC. Next will be a series of other invites to the meals and resorts and finally the airline tickets. Today I'll be picking up a couple of sets of tshirts for us. My DH uses a tshirt business a lot and when I was struggling with printing my iron ons, he called the guy who said to bring them right over! Will post photos later. In the bottom of the box will be her scrapbook and a few Disney supplies to enhance the memories. I know 13 is waaaay past the princess stage, but she loves them when we're at WDW and yesterday at the party store I picked up the cutest package of punch out table decorations. The kit has princesses, the carriage, castles....all on stand up things, napkin rings, place cards, all so pretty and not necessarily babyish. Mom is making a castle cake!

So much to do today! But we're finally getting close. I'll come back later with an update. Only one more day to not blow the secret!

Sounds like its going to be a great reveal. I can't wait to hear all the details!

 

[Pixieflip]

Hehehe! I'm such an evil mom!

Obviously, she's counting how many days till she turns 13 and she knows that Wednesday nights are busy ones - DH and DS15 are at the gym while DD11 and DS8 are at church with me...she herself works in the preschool department on Wednesday nights. She's been begging for a special dinner that night. I keep telling her we'll have to see. And I don't know when we'll fit a trip in, with DH's birthday two days after hers...

Poor thing. She also keeps asking for hints and yesterday I finally relented and gave her one. I told her that there might be a special breakfast on her birthday. I didn't tell her that it's at the Crystal Palace, but it's special and she'll love it!!!! I think I'm enjoying this to much.

Snowing this morning a bit, so I will run and pick up the shirts and balloon and take it over to Mom's after lunch. Already have her binder filled and wrapped as well as her scrapbook supplies. All the invites are in their envelopes, so it will take her a while to unveil it all. Did I already mention that Mom is making a Castle Cake today? Planning to post a couple of photos for you before we go back after school at 4:00.

T-7.5 hours!!

 

[Pixieflip]

OH NO!!! Just heard from the tshirt guy...his machine broke last night! Do I have 2 sets of Dweebie Day shirts down the drain? No time to do them myself today, so I'll have to wait and see.

 

[cj9200]

Hehehe! I'm such an evil mom!

Yes you are and I am loving it. We need to torture our kids every once in a while, it makes life living with them bearable. I always like to do surprises on trips. Have fun and don’t worry about the T-shirts. Hey you are going to Disney World.