Me (trip planner and WDW-lover)
DH (would rather be golfing)
Brittany (11 years old and loves thrill rides and coasters - the faster and wilder, the better!)
Cassidy (5 years old - this trip will be her first time on the 'big rides')
Ashleigh (just turned 2 but loves Mickey Mouse and Pooh Bear already!)
Dina (my sister and much loved aunt to my DDs)
First, some background: Id been planning this trip for about a year and decided that this time wed try to keep it a secret from the girls and surprise them the morning right before we leave. Believe me, this was not easy. I had to keep all the planning info hidden, make sure I always got the mail in before DD when I was expecting a confirmation, constantly be on alert to not to slip up and mention anything about the trip, come up with a reason why DD has to miss the last day of school (doctor and dental appointments), think up excuses as to why I am buying a new stroller (its a shower present), and finally, secretly packing all their stuff. The night before we left DD asked me where all her clothes were. I told her they were in the wash and she looked at me as if Id lost my mind, But Mom, they were all CLEAN!
My sister decided to join us and luckily, we had an excuse as to why she was spending the night. She had to babysit for the younger 2 while DH and I went to my oldest DDs 5th grade awards ceremony and decided it would be too late to drive home on a weeknight. Perfect.
The next morning after about 3 hours of sleep, I got dressed, finished up some last minute packing and woke the girls. I decided to wait until they were dressed and eating breakfast to tell them. Finally everyone was together downstairs and, since I wanted to get it all on tape without arousing suspicion (why is Daddy taping us eating breakfast?), I told DH that he needed to look at the camcorder because it didnt seem to be working properly (if nothing else, this whole thing has been an exercise in creativity). So once they had their breakfast I told them that their appointments werent with Drs. XXXX, and XXXX, etc. DD11 kind of shrugged like oh, well. Then I told them that the appointments were with Mickey, and Minnie, and Goofy, and Pluto ... DD11 was so funny she got this look of total bemusement on her face (she told me later that she thought I was joking) that later turned to shock and then FINALLY happiness and excitement. DD5 got it right away and went ballistic. Then she disappeared for a while and when DH went to look for her he found her up in her room taking all her clothes out of her closet and drawers. DH asked her what she was doing and she said Im going to need to bring my clothes! I guess she thought Id forgotten that little detail! DD2 of course, didnt really understand what was going on but we explained we were going to Disney World to see Mickey Mouse and that seemed to make her happy enough.
So finally we were on the way! We left at around 7:15 in the morning and checked in at the Grand Floridian at about 3:30 or so. I dont think they will ever forget us at check in we had 31 bags! Granted, some of them were smaller bags - groceries and such - but wow, I didnt realize we brought that much! Our room was in Sago Cay and as soon as we checked in I unpacked, ironed the clothes and we were off to dinner at Rainforest Café, which was rather disappointing. Afterwards we went to Ghiradellis for ice cream I LOVE their hot fudge sundaes. There was also some kind of kids dance party outside by the water and the girls had a blast for about an hour dancing, doing the limbo, the macarena (I didnt think anyone did that anymore!). My DD2 loves to dance and I think she had more fun than anyone. Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the Grand Floridian to try to get some sleep the next day: Magic Kingdom (early entry the 2 words my DH quickly learned to loathe
)!
Kim
DH (would rather be golfing)
Brittany (11 years old and loves thrill rides and coasters - the faster and wilder, the better!)
Cassidy (5 years old - this trip will be her first time on the 'big rides')
Ashleigh (just turned 2 but loves Mickey Mouse and Pooh Bear already!)
Dina (my sister and much loved aunt to my DDs)
First, some background: Id been planning this trip for about a year and decided that this time wed try to keep it a secret from the girls and surprise them the morning right before we leave. Believe me, this was not easy. I had to keep all the planning info hidden, make sure I always got the mail in before DD when I was expecting a confirmation, constantly be on alert to not to slip up and mention anything about the trip, come up with a reason why DD has to miss the last day of school (doctor and dental appointments), think up excuses as to why I am buying a new stroller (its a shower present), and finally, secretly packing all their stuff. The night before we left DD asked me where all her clothes were. I told her they were in the wash and she looked at me as if Id lost my mind, But Mom, they were all CLEAN!
My sister decided to join us and luckily, we had an excuse as to why she was spending the night. She had to babysit for the younger 2 while DH and I went to my oldest DDs 5th grade awards ceremony and decided it would be too late to drive home on a weeknight. Perfect.
The next morning after about 3 hours of sleep, I got dressed, finished up some last minute packing and woke the girls. I decided to wait until they were dressed and eating breakfast to tell them. Finally everyone was together downstairs and, since I wanted to get it all on tape without arousing suspicion (why is Daddy taping us eating breakfast?), I told DH that he needed to look at the camcorder because it didnt seem to be working properly (if nothing else, this whole thing has been an exercise in creativity). So once they had their breakfast I told them that their appointments werent with Drs. XXXX, and XXXX, etc. DD11 kind of shrugged like oh, well. Then I told them that the appointments were with Mickey, and Minnie, and Goofy, and Pluto ... DD11 was so funny she got this look of total bemusement on her face (she told me later that she thought I was joking) that later turned to shock and then FINALLY happiness and excitement. DD5 got it right away and went ballistic. Then she disappeared for a while and when DH went to look for her he found her up in her room taking all her clothes out of her closet and drawers. DH asked her what she was doing and she said Im going to need to bring my clothes! I guess she thought Id forgotten that little detail! DD2 of course, didnt really understand what was going on but we explained we were going to Disney World to see Mickey Mouse and that seemed to make her happy enough.
So finally we were on the way! We left at around 7:15 in the morning and checked in at the Grand Floridian at about 3:30 or so. I dont think they will ever forget us at check in we had 31 bags! Granted, some of them were smaller bags - groceries and such - but wow, I didnt realize we brought that much! Our room was in Sago Cay and as soon as we checked in I unpacked, ironed the clothes and we were off to dinner at Rainforest Café, which was rather disappointing. Afterwards we went to Ghiradellis for ice cream I LOVE their hot fudge sundaes. There was also some kind of kids dance party outside by the water and the girls had a blast for about an hour dancing, doing the limbo, the macarena (I didnt think anyone did that anymore!). My DD2 loves to dance and I think she had more fun than anyone. Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the Grand Floridian to try to get some sleep the next day: Magic Kingdom (early entry the 2 words my DH quickly learned to loathe
)!Kim
