Stitch's Great Escape...A Mom and Me Birthday Celebration! *7/26 Link to new PTR*

[thruthelookinglass19]

I'm in too! I got all teary eyed when I read about Jeeves telling everyone it was Stitch's birthday!! Can't wait to read more

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

Yay! Another TR I love it so far!

 

[jaycns]

Okay, I'm spoiled! I came into your last TR at the end and was able to read all the updates at once. Now I have to wait along with everyone else!

Can't wait to hear all about your adventures on this trip!

I am a big fan of completed trip reports because I am greedy. I can sit down and read an entire report in a few sittings vs. having to wait. I totally understand.

I'm here, I'm here Jay. We do NEED to chat. Please do NOT hold any updates "hostage"..hahaha!!!

Oh my gosh what an awesome surprise for Stitch...a LIMO. I bet he was just grinning from ear to ear as "Jeeves" got everyone to wish him a happy birthday!!! I love how you make each trip so special. You are the ultimate expert in trip planning surprises Jay!!!!

I can't wait to read the next part VERY soon!!!!! Heheehehehe

Fine, I won't hold them hostage, however, I will be looking for a chat very soon! *hint, hint*

It really was the best surprise that he could have gotten. He is a big fan of limos...so it was one of his dearest held wishes come to life. I am so happy that we were blessed to be able to do that for him. I will never forget how his face lit up, how big his smile got or the way his eyes danced as he took in the interior of the limo. It was such a treat to watch him.

It's so far away! We are going for Christmas, December 19th-27th. I've got a couple of little ideas floating around in my head, don't be surprised if I send you a PM to get your thoughts before it's all said and done!


The limo driver sounds just awesome! I bet Stitch was on top of the world with all that attention

Oh that's not far at all! Please do PM me...I want to hear all about your planning surprises. It's one of my very favorite topics of discussion, ever! So, if you need ideas or not...I hope you share your surprise planning ideas with me! I would love it!

The limo driver was amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better start to our vacation. He made the experience (which was already great) so much better! He is tops in my book!

Only 2 updates in and it already sounds like the best trip ever! That is one happy little boy in that limo (and his mom looks like she's having a blast too)! I'm loving this...keep it coming! Oh, and I may be shamelessly stealing some ideas...because I would LOVE to do this with each of my boys.

It was a great start to the trip! I never knew that getting from an airport to your final destination could be so much fun! It was so much fun to get away for some one on one time! I am so happy that I got to enjoy Stitch without interuption. Even if we hadn't been at WDW, that would have been one of my favorite times ever. Oh course, being at WDW made it even more magical!

I am pretty new to this board but have been lurking for quite a while. As a grandma to the best 4 grandchildren in the world (all names start with the letter A) I would add your four young men in my life in an instant. I absolutely fell in love with your last report and read every word. You are so fortunate to be able to take your children to so many places. Those memories will be with them forever. What I love most about your writing is I feel every emotion possible while reading. But most important I feel the love you have for your children and no matter what the future will bring for your family there will always be the love.

We get to go on our surprise family trip in May. Surprise because my DH, younger DD and older DD's DH have planned this for a birthday surprise for older DD and younger DD's DH. So not only do they not know neither do the grandkids. Older DD's DH and her DS have never been to Disney so what fun for them.

I will continue to wish for nothing but the best for you and your family.

Ginny

Welcome! And thank you for your sweet words. What a lucky family...I hope you guys all enjoy your trip. What a dream come true to be able to enjoy WDW with three generations!

The memories we have all built together are so important to me. I know that no matter what happens, how old the boys get, how far the boys move or what life throws at us; we will always share those happy memories with each other. I truly do love, adore and cherish every single one of my guys (from dh to my tiny Buzz). Without them, I wouldn't be half the person I am now. All of them have brought so much to my life. I wouldn't trade (even one of them) for anything. Enough sap, but yes, I do love them beyond all reason/words.

Jay - you are truely the best mom ever! Wow, you did a great job surprising Stich!

Thanks, but I think I am just a regular old mom. I think almost all moms just love to bring joy to their children. And it's totally selfish...I get the greatest joy out of watching them enjoy something.

loving it. I've been thinking about doing separate trips with my boys.

It was really hard to leave the others behind (I R-E-A-L-L-Y missed them) but in the end, it was so worth it. Stitch and I had a great time together! Having the ability to devote all of my attention to having fun with him for an extended period of time was awesome. I would suggest it to any parent!

Jay - glad to see another trip report from you as your trips are pure magic. I can't even imagine how excited I would have been at 8 for something remotely like this. Growing up, my siblings and I wanted to go to Disneyland so badly it hurt but it wasn't affordable for our family. I think that's one of the reasons I love your reports because they are like the dream come true for the kid in all of us.

Dh's family was able to go to Walt Disney World one day in all of his childhood and that was an extremely big deal to him (them). Even though Disney is not his very favorite destination ever, he often talks about remembering how special it was to visit as a child and how he is so thankful that we are able to take our children there (along with so many other places). Heck, he remembers going 'out' to McDonald's or for pizza once a month being a big treat. So, being able to experience all that we have as a family is something that any of us will ever stop being thankful for. I know our family has been blessed many, many times over and I never stop being thankful for the situations in life that have allowed us such amazing oppurtunities.

Hi Jay! I've lurked on your 17day trip report and am excited to read this one. I love your surpises! I need to come up with something for DHs bday this July. Maybe I'll get some ideas

Oh...a surprise!! How fun!!! Do you have any tentative plans?

What a great place for Stitch to choose.
Can't wait for more.

It looks like both of the other boys are going to end up choosing Disney as well! I am really excited about that! Although I am also excited about our other not-to-Disney trips we have planned as well. I think I just get excited over any chance to travel!

wow what a great suprise!!! I should look into that for DEC. it's only us 5 that i have to worry about, everyone else is heading straight to the boat on wednesday....sounds like fun!!!

Oh you should!! It was such a great way to start a vacation! And honestly, I was so impressed with their customer service and their friendliness that I would not hesitate to tell you to call Sir Randolph's! They were great!

I'm in too! I got all teary eyed when I read about Jeeves telling everyone it was Stitch's birthday!! Can't wait to read more

I was in mommy heaven right about then. Stitch was so happy, I was so happy. It was more than I had hoped for!

 

[jaycns]

Yay! Another TR I love it so far!

Thanks! It's good to 'see' you here!

 

[momoftriplets]

I'm here, Jay!!!!

One Question ----- How the HECK did I get stuck at the Bottom of Page 3?!?!?!?!

Only 24 hours after your first post & here we are. At the bottom of page 3....

My gosh, girlfriend, have you got a following. I'm amazed (or awed) at the number of people you have brought out of "lurkdom". I'm not worthy........


I LOVE Geeves! (That's what I would have called him, too.) Busted out laughing with the thought of him calling out to others in the airport about Stitch's birthday. Too sweet.

Can't wait for more.



(Now I'm probably at the middle of page 4 because I took the time to post.)

LYMI!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Jay, that Rolls Royce limo was an awesome surprise. I bet you earned a ton of rockin mom points
Stitch looks excited and a bit stunned by it all, I bet he was on cloud nine during the entire ride.

I hope there's a moment of realization picture for the resort. I'd love to see how he reacts to finding out which resort you picked.

 

[mylag1rl]

Hello Jay - I really enjoyed your last trip report but didn't post til the very end. I thought I would come out sooner this time. What a great start ! The limo surprise was awesome.

I have two sons and you have definitely inspired me to the possibility of one on one trips with my boys.

 

[disneydusted]

Awwww, the look on Stitch's face while he was in the limo is priceless! He looks as if he was ready to burst! I am so glad Jeeves announced his birthday along your airport route, it's always nice to have a big deal made over your birthday! I love that he called home to tell everyone about the limo, it's nice that he wanted to include his brothers in on the latest.

 

[jaycns]

Day 1, Our Arrival

Stitch was full of smiles and guesses as we drove on to Disney property. He couldn't stop changing his mind. "Alligator, no jaguar, no, I know it's alligator, no, we are staying at jaguar, no, you picked alligator!" Over and over he went, round and round until finally, I don't even think he knew which one he was guessing any more. Ha ha. He almost missed looking out and seeing the sign as we slowed down to turn into the resort. When he did look out his window, he saw what is pictured below:

JAGUAR! I had picked the resort that he referred to as 'jaguar', Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. In the end, I had chosen that one because he sounded so stinkin' excited about staying at a resort where a jaguar spit at you as you slid down the water slide. Ahhh, to be a little boy and have such great desires as to be spit upon. I have to admit, I am a deluxe resort lover so this was a bit scary for me, booking a moderate I mean. I am happy to say that Coronado Springs happily surprised me. But more about that later. As we pulled in, we were both happy to finally be at our Disney home for the next week. An early morning van ride, two flights and a really fun limo ride later and we were ready to 'really' begin our vacation!

I must say, arriving by limo was fun. I hope to be able to do it again sometime. Once again, "Jeeves" informed everyone within hearing distance (CM and guest alike) that Stitch was celebrating a birthday this trip. It made for a fun arrival.

And just before he left, he and the bellmen led everyone near the entrance in singing Happy Birthday to Stitch. What a perfect arrival!

Finally on our way in!

The beautiful fountain that we saw as we finally walked through the doors! My pictures don't do it justice. It was a combination of water, light and form. Really, it was stunning!

Check in went VERY smoothly. We were greeted by the front desk manager who was standing there greeting guests in the lobby. I thought that was a really nice touch. He was making everyone feel as if their arrival (or reason they came back to the lobby concierge/front desk) was very important. I saw a front desk manager circulating in that area many times throughout our trip. Two thumbs up for exceptional service!

We had a bit before we could get into our room, so Stitch and I were going to remedy our hunger. We were both very hungry as it was already the mid afternoon and the last time we ate was when we had a muffin and some juice before we left our home ( and that was before the sun came up).

On our short walk to the Pepper Market, we encountered two CMs with a huge bunch of balloons. They were offering them to guests who were walking down the hall. These two ladies were so friendly and welcoming. It really made me smile to talk with them. They offered Stitch one of their balloons to add to his bouquet. They told him they had been saving a special one just for him (I knew they weren't...but I think he thought they really had been saving it for him) and pulled out a Mickey shaped balloon from the middle of the huge bunch they were holding (all of the rest of them appeared to be regular balloon shaped balloons).

Here you can see Stitch with his new blue Mickey head shaped balloon added to his big bunch.

A cool light fixture.

Within a minute we were at the Pepper Market. Both of us would come to really enjoy eating there over the course of our trip.

The Pepper Market has a very unique set up. I think it's one that most people either love or hate. We count ourselves among those who love it. It's my favorite resort counter service location. When you arrive a hostess hands you a meal card and seats you. Then, a server comes and takes your drink order. It is then time for you to get up and head over to the many food stations. There was an oriental station, a Mexican station, a grill area (with things like hamburgers, steaks, roasted chicken and tuna steaks), a bakery (with everything from cakes, breads and cookies to muffins, cinnamon rolls and churros with fried ice cream), a kid's meal station, soup station, pizza/pasta station and a 'fresh' station with things like salads and sandwiches. There were a lot of choices and I was happy with each one I made every time we ate there. At each station your food is prepared fresh for you when you order it. You simply tell them what you want and they stamp your choice on to your card and prepare it for you. When you are done gathering your meals, you head back to your table and sit down where your server marks down your drink choices on to the meal card as well.

During your meal, your server keeps your table free of clutter, refills your drinks and in our case, kept brining Stitch picture after picture to color. We were on the quick service dining plan this time so we had tons of counter service meal credits to cover our meals here. If I were having to pay out of pocket, I would have looked twice at the prices (which seemed to be a bit high, even for Disney). However, on the dining plan, I just felt like I was getting more bang for each credit usage.

The final difference between the Pepper Market and other counter service places is that they tack on a 10% gratuity to your bill. Again, if I were paying out of pocket, that might have been something to consider but GRATUITY AT PEPPER MARKET WAS INCLUDED WITH A COUNTER SERVICE MEAL CREDIT!! Yes, I did just shout that out. I was so happily surprised. Who knows how long that perk will last (since they did away with almost all gratuity inclusion for sit down meals) but I really enjoyed it. **TIP-If you are not on the dining plan or if you would just rather not be waited on you can ask for your meal to go and then they will not give you a table but box your food up to go instead...no gratuity is charged in that instance.**

My first meal there was a good one. I had 1/2 of a roasted chicken, roasted veggies and french fries, a carrot muffin and an iced tea. It doesn't look nearly as good in this picture as it was in person.

Stitch had the first of his pizza, orange slice and chocolate chip cookie meals (the only choice he made there all week).

As we had been going about the business of picking out our food, a CM at the bakery station had noticed Stitch's balloons. She took it upon herself to create a one of a kind loaded slice of cake. She took a slice of their chocolate cake and put tons of candy, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles and even a cookie on top! To all of that she added a candle and gathered up our server and a few others and brought it over at the end of our meal and presented Stitch with it. He was SO surprised!

Then all four lovely CMs sang Happy Birthday to him in both English and then in Spanish as well!

Ah...it's The Fly!

We had been at the CSR for less than an hour but in that time we had been greeted like old friends by the front desk manager, at least twenty-five people had wished Stitch a happy birthday and/or sang to him, we had gotten a letter from the resort's general manager welcoming us, Stitch was given a Mickey head balloon and lots of friendly chatter from two sweet CMs, we had a great meal and he was given a slice of cake that any child would love! I was very humbled as I sat across from my little Stitch and watched him smile from ear to ear while going hog wild crazy over his decadent treat. I did let a few very happy tears fall while I tried to hide them so that people wouldn't think I had lost my mind. It was just that in all of my planning and dreaming of our special time together, I had never imagined such a great start to our vacation. As I dug for my cell phone to call dh and share the moment with him I couldn't wipe the dumb smile from my face. I was totally and completely happy. In that moment, I knew, life was truly good and I was watching my little guy live out my (and most other people's probably) childhood dream...an amazing birthday celebrated at Walt Disney World!

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[29apr00]

WOW sounds like CSR really stepped up for you guys!! I know that it has a bit of a reputation as an "adult" resort because of the convention services they have, but sounds like they are definaltey remembering that they are a Disney resort!! What a great start for your trip!!!

 

[pmama]

What a great beginning to your trip.

 

[CJsMom]

Ok now I am crying!

What a wonderful time you are having - and you just got there! Stich will remember this birthday forever! Great planning Mom!

 

[KittyKat08]

I'm here, I'm here, a bit late but I made it.

So far so awesome, can I just say your the best mom ever and your family is so lucky to have you.

I can't wait to hear the rest!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Talk about arriving in style! What a thrill.

 

[jess98ac]

I'm in! What a great start to your trip, and a great start to what I'm sure will be a fab TR. I love reading your TRs, I feel like I'm on vacation with you! Can't wait to read about the rest!

 

[mdrob214]

Oh...a surprise!! How fun!!! Do you have any tentative plans?

No plans yet, but I"m hoping to learn from the mistress of surprises

I was in mommy heaven right about then. Stitch was so happy, I was so happy. It was more than I had hoped for!

That is so awesome! All that and you're not even in your room. Can't wait to read more.

We're doing QS plan this summer. Stayig at POFQ (Alligator!) so I'm bummed you didn't pick that one. But CSR is still on my list (I change my mind a lot). I, too, am spoiled by deluxes, but this year's trip is a 'budget' one.

 

[Quacktatty]

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed CSR. Can't wait to hear more about how the QS plan went - that would be the one I'd end up getting if I ever chose to do a dining plan!

 

[kafitty]

yayy!! so glad this trippie is started! and with so many wonderful things already, i can't wait to hear more!!

i know you probably don't think so considering it was so early in the day, but i think you look really pretty in the picture of you with Stitch on the plane!

 

[SoonerGirl]

What a great start to your stay at CSR! I was smiling the entire time I was reading your update, what a special day for Stitch!

We stayed at CSR on our first trip with the boys, they LOVED the pool with the spitting jaguar. We had a room pretty close to the pool and very close to a bus stop, which was great. The only thing I didn't like was the long distance to the main building - it was quite a haul anytime we went to Pepper Market or to the gift shop to pick up packages. I'm with you, I enjoyed Pepper Market, the food was pretty good, and they have a huge variety! DH didn't care for it though, but he's not big on quick service meals period.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

What a great start to this trip report. You have me crying already go figure Sounds like CSR has stepped it up a bit since our last visit there. I cant wait to see some more pics and hear the rest. I hope you got one of the redone rooms so I can hear all about it and the new quick service plan. I cant believe I am so late to the Jay party. LOL.