how to break it to my daughter that her mom screwed up?

[mcqueen n' sally]

We are going to be in WDW next week (so excited) and we are staying offsite so at my 30 day mark I dutifully made fastpass+ reservations. I had made them for all 5 of us for space mountain but my daughter dpes not want to go on SM so I tried to get something else for us at the same time (11:35am-12:35pm).
To my shock and utter delight there was an Anna/Elsa meeting available for 11:30:12:30.
I grabbed it, told my daughter and everyone else how lucky and awesome it is we got it. She was thrilled!

Fast forward to yesterday when I was looking over our plans and noticed it's 11:30PM - 12:30 AM! I didn't even look at the am/pm situation... there is no way she is going to be able stay up for that and not be a cranky mess...

I don't even know how to begin to tell her, she is going to be so disappointed and I feel like such a jerk...

Any ideas how how maybe I can salvage this?

 

[tiggergal15]

How old is your DD???... If nothing else is available I world look at the adventure side of things and go to bed early or take a nap. Then go to the park around 10 ride some attractions which wold be totally cool that late..do the FP and the go to bed again and sleep in..don't think if it as screwing up but as being adventurous!

Oops just noticed you are staying off site so maybe a later start to your day and try and get all your FPs for evening time..eat a later supper/ snack...bring a blanket and find a quiet spot to rest or relax..

 

[Alesia]

Start teaching her that a planning mistake is just a chance for adventure. It's a good life lesson.

People make mistakes.

 

[jacknsally19]

I would keep checking frequently for a new option! But I agree with the suggestion of doing a really late start and doing all evening activities. You will be surprised at how long your kids can last in WDW especially if they do a really late start. Last year, we did Mickey's Halloween party and I thought we'd leave no later than 10. Well, my 3 year old (!) keep on going until midnight - granted she slept from 2 - 6 prior to the party. But I feel like there is something in the air that keeps kids going like they never ever would at home. I think the candy also helped so some late night sugar may help you make it.

 

[mcqueen n' sally]

Thanks guys! I know she will deal with whatever the decision is, it's just that last year we taught her the lesson of you don't always get to meet who you want because the standby line for Anna and Elsa was upwards of 4 hours while we were there and fastpasses were long gone. I was just really excited to do this for her so maybe it will be more disappointing for me than her.

I may be able to drive back, but my husband, son and father-in-law will want no part of staying that late.
As for starting late, I did snag other early FP for things everyone else wants to do so that's not really an option.

I'll just chalk it up to mistakes being made. If she wants to come back to the park in the middle of the night I am up for it! It sounds like an adventure to me

 

[Lisaloo]

I know you are staying off-site and it might be a hassle...but I suggest resting and going back to the park. I took my DD(then 6) back to MK extra late before we left one year. It was completely magical. Around closing we were on the carousel and a few characters jumped on...the pics are priceless. It has been 6 years and she still remembers that special time with just us.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Definitely go! She will remember forever the time her mom accidentally scheduled a fast pass for the middle of the night. In addition to a late start, make sure you schedule in extra sleep the next morning. Also consider taxis if the car situation doesn't work out.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I will never forget the time my mom woke me up in the middle of the night because she couldn't sleep, and we went for a walk around the neighborhood. It was such an adventure. I was between 5-8 years old. Imagine if instead of a walk around the neighborhood she woke me up to go meet Punky Brewster (my childhood equivalent of a Disney princess) it would have been even more amazing. So maybe don't even tell her, get her to bed early, then wake her up to go.

 

[dprincessmom]

Go about your day and maybe duck out a little earlier than you normally would. Have her rest (low lights, cool air, book or movie - she will probably nap) then head back and close the place the down. There is something magical about being in MK after dark and catching one more ride.

My daughter loves the EMH at the parks - she will never forget it.

 

[JimmyBean42]

I would go early to the park and wear everyone else down. Go back home for dinner and a nap then bring your daughter back. Think of it this way - sure it's an odd time but she'll get to do something she really wanted to do with her mom and she'll (and you) will have a funny story to tell the rest of your lives.

 

[nalajms]

Can you make it to RD? If so, the lines aren't as bad. Keep checking, if she's old enough to go by herself sometimes a slot for 1 person opens up.

And I wouldn't feel too bad about it. I did the same thing. Changed a 5pm A&E to a 12AM A&E thinking that it was a noon slot. Wasn't able to get the 5pm slot back.

 

[Felipe4]

What day were you looking for?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Awwww, Mom! Let her stay up!

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

It's vacation...go early, go back and nap rest movie then go back and close MK down! My son and I have had some great times closing the MK down. We have closed down one EMH every trip since he was 6 years old and that time has been some of the best for us.

 

[Thing 1]

LOVE one on one time super early or super late. Both boys have great memories of these times. I too would go for it. If not, just tell her that there was a mistake and it's just not going to work. Now, I would let her buy a frozen toy to make me feel better but that might be your style.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would keep checking for an earlier time. Have you considered a pre-opening breakfast at BOG to get to the A&E line earlier? If none of that works, I would try to go for it! I took my DS to DL when he was 5 and ended up at the park at closing (couldn't sleep because of change-of-time issues), we ended up seeing the time show at IASW. We were basically there all by ourselves and it was so magical just standing there with my DS watching the show - he still talks about the time we stayed up late at DL. I'm sure your daughter would never forget it!

 

[Madteaparty001]

I agree with trying for rope drop, as long as it isn't an EMH day you could definitely have a shot of being in and out in under 30 minutes. Keep checking to see if you can change to an earlier time, people canceling last minute is inevitable.

 

[AlixaLock]

My DD (7) and I did a solo trip in April and a couple of nights we closed the parks down. You will be shocked at the level of stamina an 8 year old has! She totally outlasted me every time! Honestly, we rode 7DMT at nearly 1am one day and it will always be something special between us! At home we are strict 8-8:30 bedtime people ... made it all the more magical! Go for it ... she will be fine and will love it! If crankiness sets in ... ice cream always helps!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

My kids would be a disaster if I woke them up in the middle of the night to go back to the park!

Can you line up early for RD and go straight to the A+E line?

 

[mcqueen n' sally]

thanks again everyone for your advice! i agree that it sounds like a super fun adventure to go back at that hour - i am a total night owl and love the idea!
i also know my daughter and it is completely 50/50 if she would love it too or it would wreck her for the whole week! it's our first day at the parks(monday the 8th - we are leaving this friday but visiting with relatives first)

however, i checked last night and lo and behold there was a 6:20-7:20 (pm, i double checked )
so, problem solved!!!!