Shh! Our Secret Family Getaway...We Leave Today!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ClaraBug]

Okay.....So let me catch you up to speed.
Why is it secret? Only an elite few know. (Don't you feel special)

We have decided not to tell the kids....for the surprise factor plus we just don't want to be hounded about when we are leaving!

Who are We?

Let me introduce my gang..

There is me....loving mother and wife with a bad addiction to everything Disney. Plain and simple!

There is DH...in May of 2008, we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary and he took me to a beautiful (and haunted) Bed & Breakfast in Gettysburg, PA. Not Disney Addicted like I am, but he loves the all inclusive-ness that is Disney. He loves that he is on vacation and all he really has to worry about is getting his family to MCO (Orlando Airport). That is what makes him great....or at least one of the factors.

Then

There is DD8....She is the smart kid in school and is growing up too fast. She loves Disney like her mother but has started to wondered to the dark side that is Nickelodeon.

Last but not by a long shot, Least is DD5....she is precocious. She is my question asker....she says what she is thinking and doesn't hold back....She is also more stubborn that her father and me put together....and that is a feat!!

Here is the storyline......

Times are bad in today's economy, we all know that. Well, it really affected us a short time ago....at DH's work, they started "trimming the fat" with management. DH was offered a BIG cut in pay or a forced resignation. Well, he took the BIG cut in pay b/c he thought that at least he still had a pay check coming in. That was a HUGE shock to our system, mentally and financially. On the bright side, he will NOT be working 60 hour weeks again and is back to 40 hour weeks.....he said that we needed a break away from everything and that we needed to spend time as a family.

Well, it was like an answer to our prayers....in the mail the very next day, we get a flyer from WDW for a special discount....kids under 9 stay, play and dine for free with adults tix. Huh, they had to be kidding!

I showed DH and asked him about it...he told me to call and see what the damage would be....his attempt at being funny.

I got off the phone with the CM at the WDW Travel Co and you could have knocked me over with a feather. Not only could we afford the trip but we had enough money to fly down.

It was too good to be true....but it was true. We decided not to tell the kids until we get to the airport. We are also not telling his parents until the week before we go....I dont want my MIL nagging me that the money for this trip was be better to be saved away in case of emergencies. More on her later....

The details of the trip....

March 29-April 3
Pop Century
Dining Package

Yes, We are taking the girls out of school but with coming home on a friday, we will have the whole weekend to work on the school work. We have already thought that part out....


What's coming up next?

Hopefully some photos for your viewing pleasure....no promises though....

 

[ClaraBug]

Well, I made our Dining reservations last night

We will be dining at the Crystal Palace, Ohana's (dinner), the Rose and Crown, Ohana's (breaksfast) and 1900 Park Fare (dinner)

When DH and I went without the kids one year, we had breakfast at Ohana's and absolutely loved it, well for this trip we could not decided whether to do dinner or breakfast, so we just decided to do both. Besides the night that we reserved for dinner, we have a late time so hopefully we can watch the fireworks. Has anyone else done this?

On the down side, I also tried to reserve a Fantasmic Dinner package...SOLD OUT

I am going to try to see if anyone cancelled while we are there that week...

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Oooh exciting a surprise! One day i'll surprise my kids, one day!

 

[ClaraBug]

it is soo very hard not telling the girls...becuase I am soo excited and I just want to talk about it to them about it.

But the thought of the look on their faces when we arrive at the airport will make it soo worth it!

 

[DWFan4Life]

Same here, I also had a surprise vacation way back 2005 for my kids. Me and DH planned it all, and just tell our kids on the day of the trip. It's kinda hard really because me and DH are really excited about it. So, until the day comes, my kids are jumping and excited. Hugging us, kissing and thank us for giving them a very wonderful vacation. I'm also excited to know what will be the reactions of your girls.

Have a nice and safe trip coming.

 

[ClaraBug]

Thank you so much!

 

[mooneyda]

I love the start of your trip report.Last year I did a late seating at ohana's and got to see the fireworks I thought it was awesome.

 

[debraW76]

Hello We are doing a surprise trip too! do you know yet how you are going to tell them? I am still looking for the 'perfect' pull off

Debra

 

[ClaraBug]

I love the start of your trip report.Last year I did a late seating at ohana's and got to see the fireworks I thought it was awesome.

I hope that happens, it would make the perfect ending to that night!!

Hello We are doing a surprise trip too! do you know yet how you are going to tell them? I am still looking for the 'perfect' pull off

Debra

I am still working on that. We live about 2 1/2 hrs from Dulles Airport, and Dh and I are trying to see if an extra night at a 'park and fly' hotel is in the budget. Most of those hotels have indoor pools. If it is, then we will drive down the nite before and go swimming and I might have to fib about going in to see the Smithsonian museums. Dd8 loves the museums in DC. The next morning get them up and ready for the airport and then as we pull in to the airport tell them something like "oh no, this isn't DC, we must have made a wrong turn, well since we are here, lets fly somewhere. Where would you girls like to fly to?". If the money is not in the budget, then we will get up REALLY early and drive down. I will simply get the girls up and take them straight to the van in their PJs. Once we get to the airport, we will change them and then tell them as we have to put the Magical Express Tags on the suitcases.....

Still a work in progress, any suggestions??

 

[debraW76]

I have a few ideas for us

1. Is to get them up real early and say we are going out for breakfast in our PJs. AFter breakfast put them back in the van and ask if they want to go back home or go to a hotel with a swimming pool (of course they will say swimming pool). Then drive to our resort. If they ask where we are going just say Florida and give as little details as possible. From our resort (off site) you can see Expedition Everest so if we keep it a secret that long show them the mt and ask them what they think that is?

2. Do breakfast the same as above except afterwards just say hey do you want to go to disneyworld today?

3. ... I don't have a third option yet...

 

[ClaraBug]

I was acutally thinking about having my mom to call them and tell them that we are going to Disney.

She is sad that she is not going with us this time b/c my sister is getting married next year and Mom and Dad have that to pay for.

So to include her me might have her call the girls and tell them as we get ready to get into the van to head to Dulles. DH said that he wants to stay the night before at a 'Park and Fly' hotel, because he doesn't want to get up that early and drive.

So last night I got on the internet and searched for a "park and fly' hotel with the free breakfast. Scott and the girls ate last time we went but I was TOO excited/nervous to eat.

Oh some other good news! My valentines gift arrived yesterday.....

I love Vera Bradley bags and I have been wanting a backpack. So I asked DH for one for christmas but I didn't get it so he let me order one for valentines! I ordered him a Pitt. Peguins hockey jersey. I think we are even!

 

[Suellen]

I would be happy to mail them an invitation from Disney while we are there just a couple weeks before you. You could wait until the day of and give them the envelope.

 

[ClaraBug]

I would be happy to mail them an invitation from Disney while we are there just a couple weeks before you. You could wait until the day of and give them the envelope.

What a fantastic idea, Suellen!!! I would love that, I will PM you with our address.

 

[ClaraBug]

I need to add a side story because this week have been an up and down roller coaster and I just need to tell it to someone.

Monday....My MIL calls me around lunch time to tell me Dh5 is running a fever of 99.8 degrees
Great! Get ready to burn a personal day! She works at the same school that my dd's go to.....in fact....the Dh parents live across the street.

To those of you that grew up with that, I am sorry but it draws me up one wall and down the next. My dad was in the navy and we moved around a lot and he was never stationed near family. So our little nuclear family unit was it...and I liked it. But when DH and I decided to buy a house, the offer on this one was just too good to pass up....that was ten years ago!
We are not by any means 'wealthy', but we pay our bills and can afford Disney every other year. But every time we get ready to put the house on the market, SOMETHING always happens. We were going to put the house on the market on MArch 1 of this year.....then about two weeks ago my husband's pay is to be cut by almost 40%. So it is just in the cards not to sell the house now until we see how we fare with this new budget. I am not happy by any means!

Anyway....sorry....

My MIL said that she would take her to the doctor if I could get her an appt that afternoon after school. I called and was able to get the last appt of the day...end of story...Dh5 had Strep thoart....oh joy!

Tuesday-I told DH that I had had enough and I was on the verge of tears. He hugged me and told me to go ahead, call disney and put the deposit down. I love him, have I mentioned that lately!

Wednesday-5:30 AM, our phone rings. Now everyone knows that when your phone rings that early in the morning, something is wrong. It was MIL saying that they had to take DH step-grandfather to the hospital in an ambulance. She was taking Gramma (her mother) down to the hospital. Come to find out, he had a stomach bug! You have got to be kidding me.....all the DRAMA for a stomach bug! This family is unreal.

Thursday -- Parent-teacher conferences. What parent does not look forward to those?! Actually, it was not too bad. But when I got home, I had a letter in the mail. It was from a college I had sent in an application to back in late fall. I saw that it was a single sheet and I knew it was a 'thank you but no thank you' letter.....well, lo and behold....I was accepted.
To those that are scratchin' your heads.....
I went to college after high school but I went for the wrong reasons...to get away from my parents...I was eighteen....they didn't know what I wanted....etc, etc....I met DH there and two years later we were married. We both had decent jobs but nothing fantastic, then the kids started coming and the real world smacks you HARD then. I stayed home after the second baby was born, when she was about 1 year old, I tried to get back in the working world again. It was hard, so I went back to college and received my Associates degree. That was one of my proudest moments.

Well, my kids are older and I want to give my kids the world if they ask for it...we just cant afford it. I found a college that will let me work for my degree with online classes. So please say a little prayer for me....I am 32, mother of two, a full-time working mom that is going back to college...I need all the help I can get. DH has been so understanding about my passion to finish my degree He needs a medal!

anyway.....again, sorry....I was jumping up and down when I found out that I was accepted! I made sure to call my parents and tell them the great news.

Friday (today )
Our tax refund was deposited into our bank account.....SCORE!!! I got online and PAID OFF the trip! How super was that?!!!!!! I am just waiting for DH to confirm his days off before I order the plane tix because you have to pay extra to change dates with airline tix , were Disney will work with you for the most part.
This trip is on a budget so we have to be very careful for the most part.

Oh, I asked DH the 'real' reason that he wanted to spend the extra $100 and stay at a 'park and fly' hotel (because I wasn't buyin' the getting up early and drivin' bit) and he told me that he does not want to leave the car in the long-term lot because it in not well guarded, while at the hotel it is.

Hey I am okay with that...it just means that my vacation starts a day early!

Well, i wrote a long one here....so i let you all lurk in other trip reports....

 

[ClaraBug]

This is a pic of the girls right before we headed out for Christmas eve service. You can see the 'attitude' start to come out of dd8.

Here is one with DDs and DH

I haven't found a good one of me yet........

 

[debraW76]

I used to have a MIL like that. fortunately I divorced her and got me a nicer MIL. My XMIL wanted to take me out to dinner about an hour after giving birth to my firstborn She just couldn't understand why I didn't feel quite up to it.

And she once told me that using real vanilla extract was a sin because it had alcohol in it and that I should only use imitation. i could go on and on. luckily I can laugh about it all now that I don't have to see her.

I know that doesn't help you but hopefully it can put a smile on your face.

 

[ClaraBug]

I used to have a MIL like that. fortunately I divorced her and got me a nicer MIL. My XMIL wanted to take me out to dinner about an hour after giving birth to my firstborn She just couldn't understand why I didn't feel quite up to it.

And she once told me that using real vanilla extract was a sin because it had alcohol in it and that I should only use imitation. i could go on and on. luckily I can laugh about it all now that I don't have to see her.

I know that doesn't help you but hopefully it can put a smile on your face.

I laughed my tookus off, I think we had the same MIL! After my first born, I am getting ready to get into the car with my brand new baby (to go home)and she and FIL decided when need to go out to dinner! I had a c-section! I sat at the restuarant and cried b/c I was scared and I wanted to go home.

She went through the roof when she saw beer bottles in garbage can at my house......let me repeat that....AT MY HOUSE! I kidda love my husband so to keep him she has to stick around too! Darn it!

I am sure we could share some real doosies!

 

[ClaraBug]

I just saw that I am under 50 days!!!

 

[debraW76]

I laughed my tookus off, I think we had the same MIL! After my first born, I am getting ready to get into the car with my brand new baby (to go home)and she and FIL decided when need to go out to dinner! I had a c-section! I sat at the restuarant and cried b/c I was scared and I wanted to go home.

She went through the roof when she saw beer bottles in garbage can at my house......let me repeat that....AT MY HOUSE! I kidda love my husband so to keep him she has to stick around too! Darn it!

I am sure we could share some real doosies!

OMG! I think we did have the same MIL? I can't beleive they made you go and sit at dinner after having a C-Section? That is just awful!

Did your MIL and FIL also go to see Niagra Falls on vacation from Alabama in 4 days (driving there and back). And take another vacation (driving again) to Key West and stay gone for 2 days? Then go to Hawaii and complain because they were bored and tired of sitting in their small hotel room so they tried to get their tickets switched to come home after one day? They didn't want to see a luao, they didn't want to see a volcano, they didn't want to shop or go out to eat anywhere, they didn't want to swim in the pool or ocean because they don't like seeing people in their bathing suits so all they did was sit in their hotel room - IN HAWAII!!!!

If you say yes to that then you must have married my ex husband!

 

[ClaraBug]

OMG! I think we did have the same MIL? I can't beleive they made you go and sit at dinner after having a C-Section? That is just awful!

Did your MIL and FIL also go to see Niagra Falls on vacation from Alabama in 4 days (driving there and back). And take another vacation (driving again) to Key West and stay gone for 2 days? Then go to Hawaii and complain because they were bored and tired of sitting in their small hotel room so they tried to get their tickets switched to come home after one day? They didn't want to see a luao, they didn't want to see a volcano, they didn't want to shop or go out to eat anywhere, they didn't want to swim in the pool or ocean because they don't like seeing people in their bathing suits so all they did was sit in their hotel room - IN HAWAII!!!!

If you say yes to that then you must have married my ex husband!

No, I lucked out there.....she wont fly!

We DID take one 'family' (FIL, MIL, BrIL and his wife and us) vaction to OBX and DH and I were miserable. They just wanted to sit on the beach then go shopping. I can go shopping at home, DH and I finally went off and did our own activities and we ending up having a better time without them......

The last time we went to Disney, we invited them. We sorta had too b/c we invited my parents (who went and had a great time). They said it was too much money and MIL won't fly...so they wanted to drive...its a 20 hour drive from were we live....its a 2 hour flight....we told them that we would fly and we could meet them there. No they didn't want too. Hey, fine by me!

but get this.....the amount of $$$ for their part of the Disney trip...if they went... was the same amount as my FIL spent on a hunting trip to Alabama last year....


Things that make you go 'hmmm'!

We wont vacation with them anymore....and DH was the one to say this...not me!