Is there any way to keep your stateroom number a secret (from family)before boarding?

[BeanoC]

Weird question, I know...

Here's the thing: My wife and kids think that I have requested the very same stateroom we had last year (#7076 - cat 5), but I actually booked a cat 3 suite. I was really hoping to surprise them with this AFTER we boarded by simply walking to our suite, going inside and watching their eyes bug out!

Unfortunately, I remember from last year that we had to write our stateroom number on all our luggage, so that it could be delivered. I certainly can't see anyway around that!

Can anyone think of any clever way for me to pull this off? Maybe a 'dummy' set of tags which I can secretly replace at the last minute?

I know this may not seem like a big deal, but some friends of ours stayed in this suite last year and it was really amazing. My wife was in awe of it! Although our cat 5 room with the verandah was perfectly comfortable, this glorious suite is really incredible and I hate to blow the surprise of it too early.

HELP!!


'Beano'

 

[caskar]

I don't know how to do this but what a neat idea! The look in their eyes really is what that commercial from Visa or ? is all about. PRICELESS! I want to try to upgrade from a cat. 11 to a cat. 8. I can't imagine going into a suite. But the same effect would be on my family - that priceless look on their face when they would see the window. Good luck with pulling it off.

 

[ChiTownZee]

Maybe just don't put the luggage tags on right away? I'm not sure how check in works because I haven't gone yet, but maybe you could have DW take the kids directly into the terminal why you check the bags and park the car? I'm not sure.

But won't she want to look through the cruise documents? If it were me, I'd be going over them every day

Maybe if you don't think you can pull it off, you can plan to suprise them another time, perhaps print up as many pictures from the cat 3's as you can or something like that.

 

[pmgreene]

We didn't have to write our cabin number on luggage tags - it was those pre-printed color coded tags that loop around the handles. We surprised the kids with a cruise in January so I didn't put the tags on until we were at the curb taking luggage out of the car. As for the cruise documents - maybe tell your wife you don't want her to have to worry about a thing that you've got it all taken care of. I would LOVE for my husband to say he has it all handled! Good luck!

 

[mom2grace]

You could probably pull it off as long as you don't have Disney transfers (rent a car or car service). Drop your family off and have them get in line to board......just tell them that you want to take care of all of the "boring, stressful, etc" check-in so they can just relax! (And they can be closer to the front of the line!) Then, put the tags on your bags after you drop them at the port. We cruised 1/26 and you could get into the terminal with just a photo id, you didn't have to have your cruise docs, they checked your name off of their list! Then check in by yourself and don't give them their keys to the world until you get to your SUITE!

I guess if you did have Disney transfers, you could just put the tags on last minute at the airport (send them inside or something!)

It would probably work to be a bit "mysterious" about it, as long as you had already left your home so they couldn't check the ressie or get into the cruise docs!

What a wonderful surprise for your family!

Have a great trip!

Susan

Boy, I hope your wife doesn't read this board!

 

[Michelle]

What a wonderful surprise.

It will be VERY hard to keep it a secret though, because of the documents. The stateroom number is all over those and she has to sign and fill out a few forms before you go. I think that will tougher than the luggage tag issue; the luggage tags are just one more example of the stateroom number being included in the documents.

If you somehow can get her to sign the documents without her seeing the stateroom number then I think you'll be able to pull it off.

Good luck and have a fabulous cruise!

 

[DisneyKids]

What a nice idea!

If they already think they are staying in a certain stateroom, maybe they won't pay much attention on anything that might have them printed. If they do notice, tell them you have been upgraded to a 4 since they are on the same deck as the 3's. Unless they take time to look at the ship layout, you should be safe until the door opens.

Might work...might not...just a thought...GOOD LUCK!

 

[GoofyDisney]

Our friends are traveling in a Cat 3 in three weeks. Their personal concierge called their home this past week to set up their PS for Palos and kids clubs and excursions.

To pull this surprise off, you would not only have to deal with notgetting caught with the new room number, but try and avoid Henry calling your house and talking to your wife.

Good luck with the big surprise! I would be thrilled if my DH did this!

 

[slindamood]

Another problem could be with your KTTW cards. They will be gold, not blue. When you check in they will also tell you that you will be able to board first - without standing in line. You can find a comfy place to sit and wait and when they start boarding, you simply walk to the front of the line and walk on - just like first class on an airplane.

This should be part of the thrill and surprise!! So you may not want to wait until you are on board to let them know.

ENJOY!!

 

[BeanoC]

Wow, I am amazed at all the response I have gotten to this post!
Thanks for all the tips, everyone. I agree that it will be very difficult, however it is a given in our family that dad does all the vacatin planning, so as far as having DW see our docs, I can work around that pretty well. She'll just sign them without reading it.
I didn't know we got special 'first class' boarding priveleges, so that may make them wonder, but I can probably tell them I paid extra just for that alone, and they'll buy it!!

If I see that it is going to be too hard to do, I think I may just make it a special surprise during our last night at WDW, the day before the cruise.

Again, thanks for all the great suggestions!! Now I just wish it wasn't 7 months away!! (10/12/02 Western Magic)


'Beano'

 

[GoofyDisney]

Beano...you may just have to use the old stand by...."I am planning a surprise. You aren't allowed to look at anything or ask any questions!" And see if that works.

Also, make sure you get the whirlpool room at the Radisson the night before for the supre discounted rate if you need a place to stay the night before. There is no way the fam would know about that till you opened the door!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Perhaps you could tell them that instead of booking the same room (a Category 5), that you've upgraded to a Category 4. They'll be excited enough about that! More room... a Murphy bed... Deck 8! Plus, that way they won't be suspicious if they spy an 8xxx stateroom number on some of the documents. Unless they looked at a deck map, they probably wouldn't figure out that you actually got a Category 3.

 

[ChiTownZee]

If you make it to check in maybe you could leave a note on top of the cruise docs saying not to mention anything to do with the cat. 3, and then just go ahead and wait in the regular line. If she notices the KTTW color, you could always say something like "they must have changed them since our last cruise"
I would even call Disney and have it noted in your reservation about the suprise, I've heard stories about suprise cruises that the Disney agents helped keep a secret. Tell them to call you at work for your reservations. Good Luck! When are you going?

 

[BeanoC]

ChiTownZee - We are going on the 10/12/02 Western Magic.
That's too far away !! I do love the planning stages though!

Dave - Excellent tip, except that we are booked in the EXACT same suite as our friends last year, so even my kids are very familiar with stateroom #8102 - They would recognize that number in a heartbeat! I gotta keep them from seeing the docs.

I think I could fill out all the luggage tags myself and keep them hidden in my camera bag, then put them on right when I hand over the bags to DCL. We are using Tiffany Towncar for transfers,
so the bags will be under my control until the last minute.

But, I think my wife will have to show her birth certificate and driver's license at check-in, so I can't really shoo her away!
Otherwise, I would tell them to go get a snack or something and let me handle check-in.

Hey - where there's a will, there's a way! I really want to pull this one off.

Any further suggestions are appreciated!


'Beano'

 

[Bbethparsons]

I, too, have a surprise for my husband. We have cruised Disney Magic twice; however, he has no idea what rooms are what or on what floor. We have had a category 9, then a secret porthole room, now I have booked a Category 5. It's his birthday 4 days before we go and he has no idea that we have a verandah. I did this just for him. I could really care less about the room, as long as I am on the boat. I let him pay for the cruise price of a category 10 (secret porthole) and I paid for the upgrade. (Am I nice wife or what?). I can't wait until we go.

 

[Limmer]

After seeing Gary and Vicki's room I would never want another room either! Are you having a wine tasting party? Make some other poor cruiser jealous so they need to book that room next time?

 

[wdwgoose]

Hey Beano - welcome back to the boards!!!!

No matter how you surprise her your wife is going to love the room make sure you pack extra bubbles for that awesome tub!! I wish we were going to be on board with you all but you have my room booked. Maybe next time. We only have 58 days until we cruise again. We are still enjoying the video of the cruise that you made. Take care and enjoy your October FUN!!!

Vicki

 

[Limmer]

Beano, if you have any more copies of that video I would love one.

 

[BeanoC]

Limmer!!! LTNS

I would love to send you a copy of the video. Would you prefer it on VHS or DVD? Whichever you like, let me know and I'll send it right out. I think you'll enjoy it!! You can email me your address.
My email is linked below...

Yes, I expect to host a wine drinking... I mean TASTING party!
I really enjoyed getting together last year, and DW and I would be happy to have everyone come by this year.

Denine - You have me thinking now: Should I cancel our week in WDW and do back-to-back cruises instead? Hmmmmm...
We could do the eastern first, then the western! Not a bad idea!
Cha-Ching!!!

Has ANYONE seen flyingcircus???? I have sent her emails but have not heard from her. I promised her a video but can't get in touch with her to get their address. Did she disappear??


'Beano'