Help with a surprise?

[Feisty Fairy]

I am trying to create a memorable anniversary for my DH for our anniversary this year. It is our fifth anniversary and we will have spent all five at WDW. First off my DH is hard to surprise. He usually finds out the surprise before hand so I have been trying to be extra sneaky about. I already have for our night at California Grill a 2D image of Darth Maul Donald on chocolate planned with chocolate strawberries and truffles. He loves Star Wars and Donald is one of his favorite Disney Characters and Darth Maul is his favorite Star Wars character. Since we are leaving on May 16th are trip is May 8th-May 16th. I would love to surprise him with getting to go to Star Wars Weekend. He has wanted to go every year and we have not been able to because it has fallen after our time of being there.

So I have been weighing my options. First off my husband works nights as a Police Officer and he gets every other weekend off. So that part of it would not be a big deal as long as a planned for a weekend he was off. Just in case I can pull it off I have already told DH to take June 6th off that there was cake thing I wanted to do near Atlanta, GA that was only $5 since we could not afford to go to Star Wars Weekend (a lie but one he would actually believe because I love cake decorating). Even if he can not get off that day he would get off a 6am Friday morning and be off until Monday at 6pm. We live 5 and half hours away from Disney in south Alabama.

So here is the dilemma, since we are going in May I do not want to limit our spending in WDW in May to much because then it would not be as enjoyable but I would really like to make Star Wars Weekend happen for him.

So I would like some opinions on what others might do in my situation.

1. I thought of upgrading current tickets to Annual Passes but there are a couple of issues with that.
*We have Dining, Park Hopper and Water Park and Fun Option and did not want to miss these options up.
*We used a special pin offer and do not now how this effects upgrading.
2. Going just for one day. One Park. With maybe the option of going to Downtown Disney.
3. Going two days. One Park each day. Hollywood of course.

Also have an issue with where to stay because of having a limited budget for the surprise. My ultimate dream would be to try Pop Century since by that time it will be the only Value we have not stayed at. I would not be able to afford more than one day at a hotel if staying on property.

Here are some thought that are going through my head.
1. Would one day be enough to experience Star Wars weekend.
2. If I do one or two days at the parks should I stay on Property for one night so I can use Disney transportation. And hopefully they would allow us to keep are car parked there the second day if we went to the parks for the day and the after get back from the parks start home and maybe sleep at a rest stop that second night.
3. Should I stay off property and where?

So much to do and no one to bounce ideas off of

So what is others opinions on what I should do for maybe an additional surprise for anniversary for DH?

1.Star Wars Weekends or something else?
2. If Star Wars Weekend how would you work it and where would you stay.
3. Or do you think the chocolate piece really enough of a awesome surprise.

Normally I would talk this stuff over with my husband but since it is a surprise I can't. So I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions on something special to do for my DH for our Anniversary besides the special chocolate piece that has already been ordered.

 

[ToddyLu]

Does he nomally know when Star Wars weekend is??

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Does he nomally know when Star Wars weekend is??

Our anniversary falls on the May 13th and like to be there a few days before and after and we can guess when Star Wars Weekends are but we usually book in October before the official dates are released.

 

[ToddyLu]

I would definitely stay on property. I think you have to get in line really early at DHS to meet any of the charachters. If he is not into that then I wounldn't worry about getting there later. I would stay at Pop. I think you both would really like it. Anniversaries are really special. There is always next year, too.

If you cannot get there this year, then what about planning for next year. Get a Darth Maul card and give it to him at the Ca Grill and tell him you guys will be going the next year and make the reservations this May trip on a bounce back or something. I wish I could tell you to go for it. I am married to a Fireman so sometimes I think it is always good to go for the things you really want to do--you just never know....that being said, I think your plan for a weekend is very realistic.

I wouldn't worry about APs

It may be this trip you don't really need those extra souvenirs because you have been the last five years. After so many trips we no longer buy things much.

My thing about staying on property is ease in getting to the parks, no parking and no driving.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

I would definitely stay on property. I think you have to get in line really early at DHS to meet any of the charachters. If he is not into that then I wounldn't worry about getting there later. I would stay at Pop. I think you both would really like it. Anniversaries are really special. There is always next year, too.

If you cannot get there this year, then what about planning for next year. Get a Darth Maul card and give it to him at the Ca Grill and tell him you guys will be going the next year and make the reservations this May trip on a bounce back or something. I wish I could tell you to go for it. I am married to a Fireman so sometimes I think it is always good to go for the things you really want to do--you just never know....that being said, I think your plan for a weekend is very realistic.

I wouldn't worry about APs

It may be this trip you don't really need those extra souvenirs because you have been the last five years. After so many trips we no longer buy things much.

My thing about staying on property is ease in getting to the parks, no parking and no driving.

Thanks. I like staying on property to. It is so much easier. Crossing fingers I will get it worked out or there will always be next year. It is hard when your loved one is in such a dangerous field that is highly stressful. By the way he loves characters.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Let me plug in a few numbers here and there and see what kind of deals I can find. First, tell me how many days your May tickets are for. You said they are PH with WP option. Maybe you could add a couple of days (up to 10 max) and make them non-expiry while you're there in May, and tell him that you want to be sure you get the full use of the tickets. Then you wouldn't have to worry about ticket expense.

Sometimes you can find good hotel deals on travelzoo.com or Expedia.

I think it would neat to pull that off!

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Let me plug in a few numbers here and there and see what kind of deals I can find. First, tell me how many days your May tickets are for. You said they are PH with WP option. Maybe you could add a couple of days (up to 10 max) and make them non-expiry while you're there in May, and tell him that you want to be sure you get the full use of the tickets. Then you wouldn't have to worry about ticket expense.

Sometimes you can find good hotel deals on travelzoo.com or Expedia.

I think it would neat to pull that off!

We are there for eight days Park Hopping, Water Parks and Fun plus Dining.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Well, first, it just occurred to me that if you go Fri/Sat of SWW, you should be within 14 days of your original tickets - you could just add 2 days onto each for about $10 each, plus tax. You have 14 days to use up your ticket. If your first day is Sunday the 8th, you should have until Saturday the 21st to use the days. That makes it super affordable, in my opinion!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

On the Disney website you can book 2 nights at Pop Fri/Sat for $216.

Tickets: $21.30
Resort: $216.
Food: $200
Gas: $150

Probably looked at $500-600 to pull this off. I think it would be incredible! He would never forget it, that's for sure!

 

[Feisty Fairy]

On the Disney website you can book 2 nights at Pop Fri/Sat for $216.

Tickets: $21.30
Resort: $216.
Food: $200
Gas: $150

Probably looked at $500-600 to pull this off. I think it would be incredible! He would never forget it, that's for sure!

Thanks. He does not have to go back to work until that Monday so it could be workable. Thanks for your help.

2 Quick questions

1.If I was two add two days to tickets how would I do that.
2. And hypothetically if I stayed just one night would they let me keep my car parked there until we returned Saturday night. They let us do this in 2007 but do not know the current policy because we have always just left the morning after checkout with no parks.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks. He does not have to go back to work until that Monday so it could be workable. Thanks for your help.

On Expedia.com there are some Downtown Disney resorts with rates under $80, like the Best Western. Of course, then you'd want to drive to DHS to be sure you're there at rope drop, and that would cost you $14 to park, so basically a wash with Pop.

My oldest asked to go to SWW for his birthday last year, so that was his party AND his present! We didn't do a lot of the special activities, but the atmosphere was fun. I particularly thought the Storm Troopers on the roof above the turnstyles were funny. I am sure your husband would LOVE it!

 

[Feisty Fairy]

On Expedia.com there are some Downtown Disney resorts with rates under $80, like the Best Western. Of course, then you'd want to drive to DHS to be sure you're there at rope drop, and that would cost you $14 to park, so basically a wash with Pop.

My oldest asked to go to SWW for his birthday last year, so that was his party AND his present! We didn't do a lot of the special activities, but the atmosphere was fun. I particularly thought the Storm Troopers on the roof above the turnstyles were funny. I am sure your husband would LOVE it!

Thanks for your help.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Does any one know the answers to these questions?

2 Quick questions

1.If I was two add two days to tickets how would I do that.
2. And hypothetically if I stayed just one night at POP would they let me keep my car parked there until we returned Saturday night. They let us do this in 2007 but do not know the current policy because we have always just left the morning after checkout with no parks.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks. He does not have to go back to work until that Monday so it could be workable. Thanks for your help.

2 Quick questions

1.If I was two add two days to tickets how would I do that.
2. And hypothetically if I stayed just one night would they let me keep my car parked there until we returned Saturday night. They let us do this in 2007 but do not know the current policy because we have always just left the morning after checkout with no parks.

Just take the tickets to Guest Relations in the parks and tell the CM you want to add 2 days to the tickets. You'll have to have both tickets. They will add the days and charge you the difference. It's only $5/day after 5 days, so it should be around $21 to upgrade both. I am the ticket-holder for my family, so it would be easy for me to slip off and upgrade the tickets. Or, you could probably add them when you check into your resort.

Your parking pass is good the whole day of your check-out, so yes, you could leave your car there until you are done. You could drive to the park and leave straight from there; that's what I did last time we were down there, or you could leave it parked at the resort and go back for it, although that seems like an extra step.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Just take the tickets to Guest Relations in the parks and tell the CM you want to add 2 days to the tickets. You'll have to have both tickets. They will add the days and charge you the difference. It's only $5/day after 5 days, so it should be around $21 to upgrade both. I am the ticket-holder for my family, so it would be easy for me to slip off and upgrade the tickets. Or, you could probably add them when you check into your resort.

Your parking pass is good the whole day of your check-out, so yes, you could leave your car there until you are done. You could drive to the park and leave straight from there; that's what I did last time we were down there, or you could leave it parked at the resort and go back for it, although that seems like an extra step.

This might be possible after all.

When are the line ups announced.

 

[Moira222]

I love your surprise idea! Our anniversary is June 6, and DH is also a LEO..so I totally get the wanting to do something special for him.

Reading through it looks like your surprise is totally do able.

I have read that for SWW you should plan to get to DHS around 7-7:30 to be able to see opening show, even earlier if you are getting in line for fast passes for auto graphs. I am still researching the SWW schedules--our trip overlaps yours by a few days (we are 5/13-5/22) and we will be there for DH's birthday and the start of SWW.

IF this doesn't work out(though it looks like it well) there is a beautiful "for my hero" gift available on the disney florist web site. I have been waiting till we are closer to order this for my hero's bday...looks awesome. www.disneyflorist.com

I hope to see you round the boards more! maybe we'll bump into each other at the world....my DH loves to meet other LEO's who love WDW! (If your DH swaps patches, please private message me and we can figure something out...My DH has a nice collection and loves to swap)

 

[Feisty Fairy]

I love your surprise idea! Our anniversary is June 6, and DH is also a LEO..so I totally get the wanting to do something special for him.

Reading through it looks like your surprise is totally do able.

I have read that for SWW you should plan to get to DHS around 7-7:30 to be able to see opening show, even earlier if you are getting in line for fast passes for auto graphs. I am still researching the SWW schedules--our trip overlaps yours by a few days (we are 5/13-5/22) and we will be there for DH's birthday and the start of SWW.

IF this doesn't work out(though it looks like it well) there is a beautiful "for my hero" gift available on the disney florist web site. I have been waiting till we are closer to order this for my hero's bday...looks awesome. www.disneyflorist.com

I hope to see you round the boards more! maybe we'll bump into each other at the world....my DH loves to meet other LEO's who love WDW! (If your DH swaps patches, please private message me and we can figure something out...My DH has a nice collection and loves to swap)

Still researching it myself. Thanks for the info. Do you think the buses from the Pop will run early enough.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Still researching it myself. Thanks for the info. Do you think the buses from the Pop will run early enough.

Oh yes, buses start running quite early because the first restaurant reservations are at 8:00 or 8:05. I think buses start at 6:30?

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Just clarification: My tickets start on May 8th. And I know the expire fourteen days after. Would that mean they would still work on the 21st which I think is day 14. Or would it only work until the 20th. So would it stop working the 21st or 22nd.

May: 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th
Day: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

May: 20th May 21st
Day: 13 14


Also is there any way to add days before I leave for WDW so DH does not find out.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Just clarification: My tickets start on May 8th. And I know the expire fourteen days after. Would that mean they would still work on the 21st which I think is day 14. Or would it only work until the 20th. So would it stop working the 21st or 22nd.

May: 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th
Day: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

May: 20th May 21st
Day: 13 14


Also is there any way to add days before I leave for WDW so DH does not find out.

From Cheshire Figment's "Everything About WDW Tickets" sticky in this forum:

If your first use, for example, is a Sunday, all entitlements will expire at midnight of the second Saturday following.

Your plan follows this example exactly. Your first use will be Sunday the 8th and the days will expire at midnight 2 Saturdays following, on the 21st. So you will have admission for Friday and Saturday.

Yes, you could call now and add the 2 extra days to your tickets. If you are upgrading your package there should not be a change fee even if you are within 45 days of arrival.