SHHH! It's a surprise! PTR Sept 23-27

[funkymom]

Hi everyone, I'm Cheryl and as the title says, DH and I have planned a surprise trip for our family! They know we are leaving for vacation on the 23rd but think we're going to Hearst Castle And right now my oldest thinks Mom is pretty lame for choosing that over Disneyland. She's asked numerous times why we can't drive 4.5 more hours to Disney! Oh and we are celebrating two big events while we're there-15th Wedding Anniversary & 12th Birthday..so much fun!


Official introduction:
Cheryl, rarely-at-home-stay-at-home-mom
Troy, Disney ride obsessed
Maddie-will be celebrating her 12th birthday at Disneyland
Sophie, 9 year old lover of rides like her Dad
Wyatt, 6 just the best little guy in the world!
(I'll add a pic of us after I figure out how)

Our plan for the week:
23rd- Drive down arriving somewhere between 2-3pm
-unload the gear at DLH
-head to DL to ride a few rides before Fantasmic! We missed this our last trip two years ago so it is a must this time!

24th- EE to DCA
RSR 1st thing!
Aladdin
WOC

25th- EE to be determined
Dinner at Carnation Inn-12th Birthday
Soundsational parade

26th- EE to be determined

27th- EE to be determined
Dinner at Cafe Orleans-15th Wedding Anniversary

The final 3 days we plan to just play it by ear and will probably park hop each day, depending on our mood and our ever changing list of must-do's. Our trip in 2010 seemed like a whirlwind and both DH and I felt like we missed a lot, particularly the details that make Disneyland so special. This time we plan to take it slower and enjoy the little things.

Now I just have to figure out how to tell the kids! Here are the possible scenarios:
-A few hours into the trip, I put on my Minnie ears and turn on Disney music then wait and see how long it takes to for one or all to figure it out.
-Decorate the van windows with "We're going to Disneyland" and various other Disney stuff, wear my ears in the car as we leave..car will be packed the night before and we can probably hide the window decor in the dark of the morning.

Any other ideas?

 

[funkymom]

Just received our Priority Seating confirmation!

Carnation Inn on Tuesday Sept 25th at 530pm

Plaza Inn Breakfast with Minnie & Friends Wednesday Sept 26th at 1010am

Cafe Orleans at 550pm Thursday Sept 27th for our Anniversary Dinner

One more thing checked off the list!


We'll be eating breakfast most days in the room and the rest of our meals will be decided on the fly..but I have checked out all of the menus and know I want us to check out Little Red Wagon, Cozy Cone, La Brea, Paradise Garden Grill and and and

5 days and counting!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Your kids are going to lovvvve this surprise! I could never keep a Disney secret for too long so I don't even try

It's funny - my last Disneyland trip when I was 10 was part of a California roadtrip where we did stop at Hearst Castle to do some sightseeing before heading down to LA. Needless to say, back then I thought we should have skipped Hearst Castle and start our Disney vacation a day sooner.

 

[funkymom]

Your kids are going to lovvvve this surprise! I could never keep a Disney secret for too long so I don't even try

It's funny - my last Disneyland trip when I was 10 was part of a California roadtrip where we did stop at Hearst Castle to do some sightseeing before heading down to LA. Needless to say, back then I thought we should have skipped Hearst Castle and start our Disney vacation a day sooner.

How funny! My first trip to Disneyland when I was 8 included Hearst Castle as well! I remember the little town Solvang(?) a lot more than the castle itself

I keep telling Troy, my husband, that he is the weakest link LOL. He has slipped a few times but has covered it up pretty fast..glad we're busy this week between school, work, soccer and appts as I'm hoping it will keep his mind too busy to say anything!

 

[DinaBina]

On board! You should surprise them at breakfast on the nearest stop to Disney. Or even better just pull up to Disney! That would be awesome to see their eyes light up when they piece it together you guys aren't going the direction you said you'd be going.

Last time I was at Disney was almost two years now. Been so busy making a baby and then having said baby, who is still to young for us to take to the parks yet.

 

[funkymom]

If i could wait til we pull into Disney I would but it's killing my husband to wait even this long

I have a question: I've been trying to view disboards on the iphone and I'm having trouble. I can pull it up but then the screen grays out and I'm unable to click on anything. Not sure what I did and I'm not tech savvy at all..any ideas?

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

If i could wait til we pull into Disney I would but it's killing my husband to wait even this long

I have a question: I've been trying to view disboards on the iphone and I'm having trouble. I can pull it up but then the screen grays out and I'm able to click on anything. Not sure what I did and I'm not tech savvy at all..any ideas?

Are you using the DIS iphone app?

 

[funkymom]

Are you using the DIS iphone app?

I don't know LOL I just got this phone so I'm still figuring it all out..

 

[funkymom]

Yay! Got it on the iPhone. Now I can post real time next week!

 

[DinaBina]

I was just going to suggest that before you figured it out.

 

[funkymom]

Oh goodness, Hubby wants to put all video we make next week on YouTube!
I'll post the link to it once I ok the content

 

[funkymom]

This is is! We are 15 hours til departure!
Went to Target after soccer and picked up a few last minute items and now all I have left to do is pack. Yep, I haven't packed anything yet LOL

We had a close call on the secret..Maddie, my oldest, went to the school office to pick up her homework for the week and the lady said "oh you're the one going to Disneyland!". UGH! I dropped off the request 2 weeks ago and mentioned to the woman what we were doing and I know I emphasised "surprise"! I got her back on track though thankfully.

[/IMG]

Here are the kiddos from last Christmas..still looking for a photo of DH and I that I'm willing to post

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hope you have a great time! And hope the surprise goes well!!

 

[funkymom]

Hi-ho-hi-ho off to Disney we go!
We are officially on the road and have seen two cars with tire blowouts!
Hoping that isn't an omen for us lol

Next update will be at hotel or Park arrival! 32 miles down 400 to go!

 

[funkymom]

We made it! And the kids were surprised....and confused. Wyatt asked " so we aren't goings Hearst Castle then?". Troy responded that we could turn around if he really wanted us to..that got a big " Nooooooo" from all three LOL

I'm keeping a journal of each day so I'll do the complete TR when we return.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Happy to hear you made it DLR safely! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

 

[MommyLove]

How exciting! I hope you're having a wonderful time!

 

[DinaBina]

How exciting! So glad you guys made it there safely!