Planning once-in-a-lifetime DLR trip...what would you do?

[Cameo818]

I have an opportunity to plan a trip for family members for which money is no object, as my BiL wants to make this a trip of a lifetime.

Specifics of the trip:
* mid-August 2010
* 5-day trip
* hopefully will stay in the GCH Grand Villa (hoping for park view)

Attendees (total of 8 people):
- me, my husband and two daughters (7 & 4) - we were last at DLR in April
- brother-in-law who will most likely be in a wheelchair for much of the time (however, he can transfer to rides) - he was last at DLR before Space Mountain was even built
- his sons (21 & 18) and the eldest's fiancee - they've never been to DLR

Some ideas I have already for "can't miss":
* Fantasmic dessert show
* Blue Bayou
* World of Color dinner package
* Character breakfast
* Aladdin show
* Billy Hill & the Hillbillies
* Big Thunder BBQ

Our family isn't too fancy schmancy, so I think Napa Rose or Hook's Pointe might be too much for us. So if you could do anything and everything for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to DLR, what would you choose?

 

[pdxJolene]

Hellooo fellow Oregonian

Have you guys considered doing any of the tours offered? I haven't done any of them, but with a lot of your group having not been to the parks recently (or ever) that may be something fun for the first morning.

 

[Sherry E]

If I were making a trip where money was no object, I would definitely do all 5 of the character meals (and I don't even have kids). I would also eat all the rest of the meals at DLR too (no need to go offsite if money is no object).

Maybe contact Vacation Planning and have them put together little gift baskets for each member of the group, so everyone will have something to welcome them and to remember the occasion.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

I just wanted to second the tours, character meals, and gift baskets, and also to wish you an amazing trip!

 

[pdxJolene]

Maybe contact Vacation Planning and have them put together little gift baskets for each member of the group, so everyone will have something to welcome them and to remember the occasion.

Thats a REALLY good idea! Maybe even do it as a surprise?

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

I also want to mention that Adventures by Disney offers a Hollywood/Southern California option that includes many perks and backstage opportunities that I haven't seen as a part of any other package or tour. It includes a few days at DLR that you could probably extend if you wanted to. You may want to check it out if money isn't an object (it's definitely NOT cheap).

 

[HydroGuy]

Might be too late for the villas. Move fast! Also, try to finish by Aug 22 or you will swamped by AP holders coming to see World of Color!

 

[nana50]

If you aren't to fancy smancy then I suggest Storytellers cafe for a nice meal. My grandkids love it. It is in the GCH so it's right there. You might get tired of buffet or characters at every meal.
Why not spend some time in San Diego. Just for a break from Disney. Don't forget you need to go on POTC and a few others like Matterhorn, and a few others that are special at DL.

 

[Cameo818]

Great ideas! I really appreciate your comments.

I totally forgot about the gift baskets - what a great idea! They'd LOVE that as a surprise. The tour ideas are great too...I've always wanted to do the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. I'm just not sure how much I want to book extra yet...I want them to get the Disney experience without feeling like they're running from place to place. I know the young adults will be able to run from opening to closing, but my BiL and my little ones certainly won't.

If this goes off (we're waiting for one family member to adjust a summer school schedule), we'll definitely be finished with our trip before August 22 to miss the AP resurgence.

Thank you for the warnings about the villas. My BiL saw the Grand Villa on the Disney website and absolutely wanted it even though I told him it might not be available as villas could be booked by DVC members up to 11 months in advance (and we're not DVC). We'll see - I think we'll have a great time no matter what room we're in.

My BiL has told me I have carte blanche as he's paying for the entire thing, so I want to make sure he and his family have an absolutely spectacular time!

 

[HydroGuy]

My BiL has told me I have carte blanche as he's paying for the entire thing, so I want to make sure he and his family have an absolutely spectacular time!

What a guy! Can we come too? Can he just rent the entire DVC wing for all us DISers?

 

[Mugglemama]

If it were me, I'd try to plan for a good fireworks experience. We don't bother with the fireworks too much anymore, but if you can get a good view and keep things comfortable, the fireworks can really add to the experience, IMO.

The folks around here probably have good info and tips for trying to get a good view while staying comfortable (read: being able to watch the show without waiting 2 hours for it or getting near-trampled to death while trying to watch them). Maybe you'll get suggestions for less-known but great viewing spots?

Best wishes, and have a fantastic time!

 

[Shimmer]

I would try a tour, especially for the older members of the party, as it is somthing I've always wanted to do.

I'd do Photopass and get lots of great group shots.

I'd also to pin trading. My kids and I loved it while we were there in May. We had some great interactions with CMs and other guests. It gave the kids something to do between rides and something to look forward to doing each day.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Thats a REALLY good idea! Maybe even do it as a surprise?

...I totally forgot about the gift baskets - what a great idea! They'd LOVE that as a surprise....

Oh good! I'm so glad the gift baskets suggestion is a good one. It was a last-minute thought I had that I almost didn't mention. I was typing out the suggestion of doing all the character meals, and then I thought, "Hmmm...maybe VP can put together little baskets for everyone." So I added it in! I hope it works out - I'm sure VP can put together some really cute, personalized baskets for each person (it won't be cheap, of course, but this is a carte blanche trip and these will make some really nice keepsakes!!).

And Pdxjolene's idea of having them be a surprise (like waiting in the room for you all when you arrive) is even better!

 

[grumpyskirtgirl]

I would definitely do a tour. I bet the young adults would like the segway tour. Maybe the older adults the "walk in walt's footsteps"???

I would probably do a little something in advance if possible as well. Maybe a Disney shirt and a reloadable gift card to "get them in the spirit". And the Hidden Mickey book might be fun for some to peruse beforehand.

Fantasmic dessert seating would be a must. I loved it! I would also stake out a bench to watch the fireworks. Yep, I would wait the 4 hours or whatever, to make it nice for everyone.

A call to set up baskets/decorations in the room is a GREAT idea. Even the plate of cookies is a nice gesture. Maybe you could also have some sort of celebratory cake made at your "nice" dinner? I know it can be done @ WDW, never tried it @ DL.

We are not fancy people by any stretch, but my husband and I really enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner @ Steakhouse 55. After a few days of the park, it really was nice to "get away" for a bit and then dive right back in to the parks.

I would also devour the board for tricks/hints to get the most out of the trip. Hoarding Fastpasses and using them all at night is a good one. Enjoying the resort pool during the afternoon when crowds are at their peak is another. Stuff like that.

Also, even though $$$ is not an object, you can order groceries beforehand and have them in your room. It is convienent and a cost savings to have a case of water, snacks you KNOW everyone will eat, right in the room so it can be easily grabbed and brought into the park. I for one get tired of paying $3/bottle of water when I drink like 4/day so I bring my big bottle and refill it. I also tend to forget to eat until I am in a line, almost on the ride of course, and I feel like fainting. So it is nice to have something with me.

This is all that came to me as I saw this, if I think of anything more, I will be sure to add it.

Have fun and I hope your BIL gets the memories he is looking to create!!!

 

[TechGuy]

I would call the park and see what tours they can set-up. You may get walk-ons for many of the popular rides, especially with the wheelchair.

I am not milking the wheels but it is harder for them to transfer and they are not able to ride some of the rides at all.

 

[Cameo818]

I would call the park and see what tours they can set-up. You may get walk-ons for many of the popular rides, especially with the wheelchair.

Good idea...I'll see if they can do anything for my BiL since he'll be in a wheelchair quite a bit of the time.

By the way, have a GREAT trip! I saw your ticker says only 4 days to go!

 

[cheshiregirl]

Forgive me if I reading the situation wrong, but if you are planning this trip as a way to make memories to last a lifetime due to BIL's ailing health, then I would NOT overplan your trip.

DLR is a very special place to many of us and I think that the idea of being able to do whatever you want with money not being an object gets some of us (myself included) carried away by the endless possibilities.

But, if my hunch is right, this trip is going to be a chance for your family to spend some quality time together in the happiest place on Earth. Thus, I would focus my time and energy on ways that will help you enjoy that time together. That being said, I think that your ideas are perfect. As for your character breakfast, given the age of your BIL's boys I would book the Surf's Up breakfast at PPH. It is far and away my family's favorite character meal and I would guess that Stitch & Mickey would be a hit with the guys. And it tends to be less crowded than Minnie's or Goofy's so we always get lots and lots of attention from the characters.

Oh, the other thing I would recommend is to take lots of Photopass pictures and spring for the $59.95 photo CD. That is a small price to pay for all the photographic memories, and you can make copies for everyone to keep.

Best wishes to you and your family

 

[Cameo818]

What a guy! Can we come too? Can he just rent the entire DVC wing for all us DISers?

Now THAT'S an awesome idea...DIS party at the Grand!

If it were me, I'd try to plan for a good fireworks experience.

Another good idea...it's been a long time since I've seen the fireworks from the hub - I was thinking about catching them after the Fantasmic dessert package one night, but you don't get the whole experience from way over there. I may have to find a great bench or something to stake out one night for them...or is there a wheelchair area for the fireworks?

I'd do Photopass and get lots of great group shots.
I'd also to pin trading.

Oh yes, I love Photopass - I milk that thing for all it's worth. Last trip I think we only had about 50 photos taken and after I was done with the effects and backgrounds, I think my CD came out with over 160 pics.

My kids are totally into pin trading, and I think the older kids might really like it too. That might be another good thing to add to their surprise gift baskets!

I hope it works out - I'm sure VP can put together some really cute, personalized baskets for each person (it won't be cheap, of course, but this is a carte blanche trip and these will make some really nice keepsakes!!).

This is one of those trips that I've always wanted to do...have someone tell me to make a great trip and go crazy with it (and it's not my money!). Maybe I should be a Disney travel agent?

I bet the young adults would like the segway tour. Maybe the older adults the "walk in walt's footsteps"???

...Maybe a Disney shirt and a reloadable gift card to "get them in the spirit". And the Hidden Mickey book might be fun for some to peruse beforehand.

A call to set up baskets/decorations in the room is a GREAT idea. Even the plate of cookies is a nice gesture. Maybe you could also have some sort of celebratory cake made at your "nice" dinner?

...order groceries beforehand and have them in your room.

All wonderful ideas! I didn't even know they had a segway tour at DLR. And I like the Disney shirt & gift card idea, as well as the Hidden Mickey book. Ooooh...I didn't think about cookies in the room and a celebration cake at dinner! If we end up getting the Grand Villa (which is a long shot since it's so close to the date of our trip and I don't have the go ahead to book it yet), groceries in the room will be a must, especially with 18 and 21 year old young men...man, can those guys eat!

 

[Cameo818]

Forgive me if I reading the situation wrong, but if you are planning this trip as a way to make memories to last a lifetime due to BIL's ailing health, then I would NOT overplan your trip.

...I would book the Surf's Up breakfast at PPH. It is far and away my family's favorite character meal and I would guess that Stitch & Mickey would be a hit with the guys.

I apologize if I misled anyone. Actually, my BiL is in a wheelchair due to a longtime severe back injury and he just won't be able to do all that walking. He can walk around, but not as much as one would need to do at DLR. He came into a lot of money recently and is going through a rough time in his life, so he really wants this trip with his boys as a way to heal from this rough spot. He just keeps telling me that he wants me to make it a great trip as he's not sure when he'll ever get this chance to be with his boys again (being as one will be getting married soon and the other is going off to college). I do appreciate your wonderful advice.

I've never been to the Surf's Up breakfast at PCH...didn't they recently change it to Mickey and Friends? If so, does Stitch show up there? They'd really get a kick out of Stitch, I think.

 

[Sherry E]

I apologize if I misled anyone. Actually, my BiL is in a wheelchair due to a longtime severe back injury and he just won't be able to do all that walking. He can walk around, but not as much as one would need to do at DLR. He came into a lot of money recently and is going through a rough time in his life, so he really wants this trip with his boys as a way to heal from this rough spot. He just keeps telling me that he wants me to make it a great trip as he's not sure when he'll ever get this chance to be with his boys again (being as one will be getting married soon and the other is going off to college). I do appreciate your wonderful advice.

I've never been to the Surf's Up breakfast at PCH...didn't they recently change it to Mickey and Friends? If so, does Stitch show up there? They'd really get a kick out of Stitch, I think.

In our "Disney at Christmas" super thread, there is actually another person (someone totally new to the DIS) who came to us with a similar situation to yours. It's a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It's actually a very touching story. Her dad wants to go all out - carte blanche - and treat her (the DIS-er), her husband and kids to the DLR trip to end all trips. They are going for a good, long time (like over a week) in December and each of her kids will get their own special birthday celebration on different days. They are bringing a good amount for souvenirs (remember, it's once in a lifetime).

Anyway, we were asked for suggestions on what they could do to make the trip outstanding. We didn't suggest anything insane like having dancing pandas come to the hotel room to perform, or renting out billboards to announce the DLR trip to the world, or renting Mickey by the hour and having him come to the room to read bedtime stories. But we gave her whatever ideas we could to make that special trip extra special (except in that case, the ideas were more holiday-related). They will have a suite at the PPH. They are eating at Goofy's Kitchen (my personal favorite). They are ordering the Disney mini-Christmas tree (adorable) as well as the Disney stocking (both from Vacation Planning) to be waiting for them in the suite when they arrive. They are hitting up Build-a-Bear Workshop in DTD to make some personalized bears (my suggestion). They are raiding the DLR-specific Mr. Potato Head parts in DCA to bring home their own Disney-fied Potato. There's always Bibbi Bobbidi Boutique as a possibility for the girls. It'll be great!! And her dad will be thrilled because he wants them all to have the best trip ever!!