New here, surprising 6 kids with WDW trip

[Dawnlight]

I'm new to the boards, and happy to have found this forum.

My mother is treating our family to a WDW vacation in December 2014, and our children do not know about it. I hope to keep it a surprise until the very last minute, and I'd love ideas for how to go about doing that.

My kids will be 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 9 when the trip happens. My oldest heard some early talk about the trip, but we've not discussed it further and I told him that if it does happen, that it will be a surprise for the others. My mother will also be joining us for the trip.

I'd also like to know about visiting with a handicapped person. I know the rules have changed from what they were in the past. My mother recently had back surgery, has 2 hip replacements, and knee problems that will most likely require surgery after the trip. It's difficult walking for long periods and standing.

We'll be doing 4 days at the park (no hopper passes) and a meal plan; I forgot the name of the Disney resort my mother booked, but it's a lower cost one and we'll have 3 rooms between the 9 of us. We'll also spend at least one day at Universal.

Looking forward to reading here and getting tips and advice to make this a memorable event.

 

[pad406]

I'm new to the boards, and happy to have found this forum.

My mother is treating our family to a WDW vacation in December 2014, and our children do not know about it. I hope to keep it a surprise until the very last minute, and I'd love ideas for how to go about doing that.

My kids will be 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 9 when the trip happens. My oldest heard some early talk about the trip, but we've not discussed it further and I told him that if it does happen, that it will be a surprise for the others. My mother will also be joining us for the trip.

I'd also like to know about visiting with a handicapped person. I know the rules have changed from what they were in the past. My mother recently had back surgery, has 2 hip replacements, and knee problems that will most likely require surgery after the trip. It's difficult walking for long periods and standing.

We'll be doing 4 days at the park (no hopper passes) and a meal plan; I forgot the name of the Disney resort my mother booked, but it's a lower cost one and we'll have 3 rooms between the 9 of us. We'll also spend at least one day at Universal.

Looking forward to reading here and getting tips and advice to make this a memorable event.

Hi and welcome. We also did our first trip over Christmas and surprise the kids, but we have only 2!!!

it was very hard to keep it secret but we managed. What we did is this:
On Fridays we have movie night so instead of that I put the Disney planning DVD on. They were a bit confused so I explained it was probably an ad before the movie. After showing the resorts I asked which they like and we talked about it for a while. They said they liked the Poly (which was one of the ones we picked). I had a pre-prepared calendar for them which had the dates we were going and pictures of the places/parks we were visiting, so I gave them that and after a few minutes the figured it out. It was great fun and we loved the trip. Going back this Christmas too.

Just one thing on your plan, if it could fit into your budget, it might be worth spending one night in a hotel in Universal, for one night you get 2 days of FOTL passes allowing you to do a lot more. It's basically an unlimited fastpass with no booking required, just walk in to the line. Just to be aware doesn't work for the Harry Potter rides.

Can't help with your mother's issues I'm afraid, but if you go to the disabilities board and look for DAC card you'll get some great advice.

Have a great trip.

 

[RHMH]

to the Dis Family... You are hooked now.

Be sure to look into motorized wheel chairs / scooters for rent... The Disney buses are very equipped to accommodate individuals with scooters.

You can rent them from an outside company and have them delivered to your resort or picked up at the scooter store.. You will see a lot of scooters in the parks.

Dis - Board Info below.......

Wheelchair/ECV Rental

Guests may bring their own wheelchairs/ECV's or rent them.

-If an ECV/wheelchair from the Magic Kingdom is not available, a guest can be waitlisted by providing their cell phone number. (If the guest does not have a cell phone, they can ask any Cast Member for access to a house phone.) If one becomes available, they can pick it up at the main entrance rental location-

Wheelchair Fee at the theme parks:

$12.00 rental per day (no deposit required)

$10.00 per day for Length of Stay rental

When purchasing a Length of Stay rental, upon arrival at a theme park, you can show your receipt and will bypass the queue with little or no wait. THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ECV'S.

ECV Fee:

$50.00 per day Rental plus a $20.00 refundable deposit

There are also companies that specialize in wheelchair rentals that will deliver a wheelchair/ECV to your resort to use throughout your stay.

Rental Locations:

Magic Kingdom

-Mickey's Gift Station at the Ticket and Transportation Center (limited quantities available)

-Wheelchair and Stroller shop located to the right of the turnstiles upon entering the park

Replacement Locations:

-Tomorrowland Arcade

-Tinker Bell's Treasure in Fantasyland

- Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland

Epcot

-Gift shop just outside the Main Entrance -Stroller and Wheelchair rental location inside the Main Entrance (ECV's available) -International Gateway (Wheelchairs and ECV's)

Replacement Locations: -Glas und Porzellan in Germany

Disney's Hollywood Studios -Oscar's Super Service to the right inside the Main Entrance (ECV's available)

Replacement Locations: -Tatooine Traders at Star Tours -The Writers Stop

Animal Kingdom -Garden Gate Gifts inside the Main Entrance (ECV's available) -Outpost (limited quantities)

Replacement Locations: -Creature Comforts -Mombasa Marketplace

Blizzard Beach Guest Relations - Guest must leave valid ID as security

Typhoon Lagoon Guest Relations - Guest must leave valid ID as security

DOWNTOWN DISNEY RENTAL FEES:

Wheelchair

$12.00 rental per day plus a $100.00 credit card imprint deposit required when renting from this location

ECV

$50.00 rental per day plus a $100.00 credit card imprint deposit required when renting from this location

Downtown Disney Marketplace - Wonderful World of Memories

West Side - Disney Quest Emporium
Wide World of Sports Offered at the turnstiles - no fee (only wheelchairs)
Resorts A limited number of wheelchairs are available at each resort. A $315.00 deposit will be held on the Guest room account and charged if the wheelchair is not returned. Contact either Guest Services or the Front Desk for assistance


Have fun and WOW!!! the whole family going is super MAGICAL.....