Our One Day Surprise Trip to MK

[Rachie0507]

The Who's Who:

Rachel (aka Mom)--27 yo, the Disney planner and wanna-be travel agent
Bob (aka Dad)--28 yo, the sane-half, he reminds me to calm down often
Annie (aka the Girl)--6 yo, loves Disney, but is terrified of characters
Nate (aka the Boy)--4 yo, our wild man and joker...never a dull moment

Extras:

Grandma--50ish yo
Papa--55ish yo

Dates:
11/28-11/30 in Orlando...11/30-12/3 on the Wonder

Our Plan:

We started planning this trip a year ago, after our first trip to the World with the kids. It all started with a good deal on a 3-night cruise on the Wonder. We booked it and decided to keep it a secret. Originally, we weren't going to tell anybody, but eventually everyone and their brother knew--except for our two kids. My parents even planned their yearly pilgramage around our trip. Our silly kids thought Grandma and Papa were pretty mean, going to WDW without them About a month before the trip, when it came time for me to actually book flights, I decided we should head down a day early and attack MK in a big way. Last year, our attitude was that the kids were still little and we should take our time. Yeah, well, we had a week that time. This time, we were doing as much as possible in a day--no whining allowed.

Our flight out of Manchester left around 8:15 PM, so the kids went to school and I worked that day. Bob took the day off, but luckily the kids didn't question it. They had NO idea what was to come. After school and work, Bob took the kids to Annie's dance class while I packed up the van. I made my last minute phone calls to make sure we were all set to leave town. When the kids got home, I 'suggested' we go out for dinner and we were on our way. Nate slept the whole ride to the airport. Once we got to the airport, Annie noticed the signs right away and was very confused. We asked them if there was anywhere they thought we should go on a plane--and of course they both said "DISNEY WORLD!!". They had lots of questions--did their teachers know, did we bring clothes, did we bring shorts and sandels, because it is warm there you know, who is going to watch ours dog and ours cat (Nate adds an 's' to all pronouns, I think it is kind of cute ). It was as if Mom and Dad had driven by the airport and just decided to hop on a plane--they were 100% surprised

I'd booked such a late flight for a couple of reasons. I wanted to take fewer days off of work and have more time in the park. I also thought if we flew late at night, we would all sleep peacefully on the flight down . Yeah right As that wicked cute commercial says, "I'm too excited to sleep!". Bobby sat with the kids on one side of the aisle and I got to sit by myself across from them (I wasn't exactly by myself, I was with an older couple...I meant by myself as in no children attached to me that I was legally responsible for). Soon after we reach our cruising altitude, I noticed Nate was taking total advantage of Daddy--pushing at him, ordering him around, just being a brat. It is an issue we have, we probably need therapy....whatever. So Bob and I switched places...the Boy became an angel again. Annie fell asleep for about a half hour, Bob for about an hour and Nate nodded off right as the plane landed--I'm not kidding. I got to be awake for the entire trip...oh, well, we were still going to Disney World!!

Upon arrival at MCO, Annie and I went to find the luggage while the boys went to claim our rental car. Both things went fairly easy and we were on our way very quickly. We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites (I know, off-property ) because my dad (aka Grandpa) was able to get me in free for two nights with his points/rewards. Yah for free hotel We found our room and all four of us were asleep almost immediately.

More surprises to come

 

[OhMari]

Wow, I know nothing about Cruising. You'll have to explain that upgrade of category you received. I read it in your sig.

The Who's Who:

Rachel (aka Mom)--27 yo, the Disney planner and wanna-be travel agent
Bob (aka Dad)--28 yo, the sane-half, he reminds me to calm down often
Annie (aka the Girl)--6 yo, loves Disney, but is terrified of characters
Nate (aka the Boy)--4 yo, our wild man and joker...never a dull moment

Extras:

Grandma--50ish yo
Papa--55ish yo

Dates:
11/28-11/30 in Orlando...11/30-12/3 on the Wonder

Our Plan:

We started planning this trip a year ago, after our first trip to the World with the kids. It all started with a good deal on a 3-night cruise on the Wonder. We booked it and decided to keep it a secret. Originally, we weren't going to tell anybody, but eventually everyone and their brother knew--except for our two kids. My parents even planned their yearly pilgramage around our trip. Our silly kids thought Grandma and Papa were pretty mean, going to WDW without them About a month before the trip, when it came time for me to actually book flights, I decided we should head down a day early and attack MK in a big way. Last year, our attitude was that the kids were still little and we should take our time. Yeah, well, we had a week that time. This time, we were doing as much as possible in a day--no whining allowed.

Our flight out of Manchester left around 8:15 PM, so the kids went to school and I worked that day. Bob took the day off, but luckily the kids didn't question it. They had NO idea what was to come. After school and work, Bob took the kids to Annie's dance class while I packed up the van. I made my last minute phone calls to make sure we were all set to leave town. When the kids got home, I 'suggested' we go out for dinner and we were on our way. Nate slept the whole ride to the airport. Once we got to the airport, Annie noticed the signs right away and was very confused. We asked them if there was anywhere they thought we should go on a plane--and of course they both said "DISNEY WORLD!!". They had lots of questions--did their teachers know, did we bring clothes, did we bring shorts and sandels, because it is warm there you know, who is going to watch ours dog and ours cat (Nate adds an 's' to all pronouns, I think it is kind of cute ). It was as if Mom and Dad had driven by the airport and just decided to hop on a plane--they were 100% surprised

I'd booked such a late flight for a couple of reasons. I wanted to take fewer days off of work and have more time in the park. I also thought if we flew late at night, we would all sleep peacefully on the flight down . Yeah right As that wicked cute commercial says, "I'm too excited to sleep!". Bobby sat with the kids on one side of the aisle and I got to sit by myself across from them (I wasn't exactly by myself, I was with an older couple...I meant by myself as in no children attached to me that I was legally responsible for). Soon after we reach our cruising altitude, I noticed Nate was taking total advantage of Daddy--pushing at him, ordering him around, just being a brat. It is an issue we have, we probably need therapy....whatever. So Bob and I switched places...the Boy became an angel again. Annie fell asleep for about a half hour, Bob for about an hour and Nate nodded off right as the plane landed--I'm not kidding. I got to be awake for the entire trip...oh, well, we were still going to Disney World!!

Upon arrival at MCO, Annie and I went to find the luggage while the boys went to claim our rental car. Both things went fairly easy and we were on our way very quickly. We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites (I know, off-property ) because my dad (aka Grandpa) was able to get me in free for two nights with his points/rewards. Yah for free hotel We found our room and all four of us were asleep almost immediately.

More surprises to come

 

[Rachie0507]

Wow, I know nothing about Cruising. You'll have to explain that upgrade of category you received. I read it in your sig.

I'm going to do a Cruise Trip Report after I'm done this one, with a link in my signature. It will have all the juicy details The jump from Cat. 11 to Cat. 5 was pretty significant, IMO. We were very pleased.