Surprise gift for family while at the parks/on-site at resort?

[jdmccon7]

A friend of mine (my kid's principal) will be taking his family to the parks in October. They have 2 kids (6 yr and 4 yrs). One member of the family is just about recovered from cancer. So this is a celebratory trip for them.

I would like to make it even more special. My idea is have the school raise money for some type of surprise for them while the are in Disney. What I need are ideas on how to surprise them. Maybe something delivered to the room? But what? I am not sure even what can be done.

I believe they are staying on-site but I still need to do my homework and get the details. Please let me know if you have any great ideas. Thanks!

 

[Jekyllcat]

Disney Florists deliver their items directly to on-site rooms. There are all kinds of gift bags and things to choose from, but they also do an "in-room celebration" thing which is a bigger gift and décor package.

http://disneyworld.disneyfloralandgifts.com/category/in-room+celebrations.do?nType=1

 

[MSSANDRA]

What about giving them an experience? A character meal, or cruise, or something along that line. It could be printed up like a certificate and presented to them before they go, or maybe if you fax it to WDW, they would put it in their room upon arrival.

 

[Unyeah]

School raise money? Why not just do it yourself?

 

[jdmccon7]

I could do something myself but I thought it might be fun for the school to pull together and support them after all they have been through. Plus we could be extravagant with a larger amount of money.

Not sure how I could pull off a cruise or even a special dinner like Hoop De Do. I don't want to wreck their schedule.

Something like Disney Floral may be perfect. Just looked Mickey's Spooktacular Celebration which looks adorable. Has anyone seen it in person? Is it worth the almost $400?

Thanks very much to all of you for the ideas. Keep em coming. Who knows, maybe we can make it a week of surprises.

 

[mm1971]

I could do something myself but I thought it might be fun for the school to pull together and support them after all they have been through. Plus we could be extravagant with a larger amount of money.

Not sure how I could pull off a cruise or even a special dinner like Hoop De Do. I don't want to wreck their schedule.

Something like Disney Floral may be perfect. Just looked Mickey's Spooktacular Celebration which looks adorable. Has anyone seen it in person? Is it worth the almost $400?

Thanks very much to all of you for the ideas. Keep em coming. Who knows, maybe we can make it a week of surprises.

You need to be careful and check the rules for gifts. In our school system, they cannot accept gifts over $25. There are some exceptions, but not many. I would hate to see you go throughout the effort and not be able to complete the gift. i do think it is very nice of you to do it.

How about paying for the "behind the seeds" tour at Living with the Land or something like that. It is a special experience while there that my family enjoys very much. Not sure if the cost is too high. If nothing like that is possible, I do agree that something from the flower shop would be good.

I paid to have our room decorated ( I think it is the Spooktacular that you are asking about, but not sure) for DD while we were out at MNSSHP. When we retuned, you could see purple and orange light through the curtain and DD got really curious. She loved it when we went in the room. She got a giant plush Mickey and Minnie, a Halloween Mickey votive lamp she keeps in her room, some cool Halloween things we put out at home each year, necklaces, light sticks, confetti, treats and some activities. There was also a personalized, signed picture of Mickey and Minnie that was left for her in the room that she has on her wall. The look on her face and the joy she got from Mickey and Minnie decorating our room was priceless so in my opinion worth every penny I paid. I am sure some would argue, but it's just as much the experience as what you actually get.

 

[DisneyLvr55]

OP just asked for ideas, so rather than telling her why she can't or shouldn't do this nice idea, I'm just going to give OP ideas....

How about find out one of their ADRs and schedule a celebration cake to be delivered? I've done 2 special celebration cakes, and both have been great.
Or you could send something from home to their hotel, and make sure its delivered to their room once they check in.
Or give them something while they are still here, but tell them they can't open it till they get to Disney. Maybe Disney gift cards or something along those lines.

Good luck, I think its a wonderful idea!

 

[Aliceacc]

How about a Disney Gift card, with a card saying you would like to treat them to the Memory Maker?

 

[jdmccon7]

Hmmm I didn't think about rules on gifts. We do group gifts for teachers all the time but maybe the rules differ with administrative staff. I'll look into it before I get too far in. Thanks for the tip.

And thanks to everyone for all the ideas. I am not sure what to do yet but you sure gave me a lot of great alternatives. I better put my P.I. hat on to get his details without him knowing. I'll let you know how it all works out.

 

[Aliceacc]

I bet his secretary will be a huge help.

Good luck!

 

[Marsheliz]

We took my mon to Disney in 2012, as she was fighting cancer.. A friend of ours called Disney and they put a " pixie dusted celebration" I think it's called the Mickey triumph package... together in our room while we were gone... I knew about it and told her when we would be absent from room... They hung a huge banner up with Mickey on our resort door that said " celebrate".. Left us a framed sign that spells out Disney, a big Mickey mouse and a framed picture that says that she is officially honored of a Disney dreamer and doer who have gone before.... Your character, courage and hope as seen in vigorously battling cancer... It was signed by Mickey Mouse... And a nice little medal... It was such a special thing for my mom.. Sadly, she passed away last April but I have the items now in my home... I smile when I walk by them or see them, when I remember how much she appreciated that gesture.

 

[Lisa71]

Our school system has no limit and many give large group gifts to teachers and admin staff. We are doing that for DS teacher this year and she will get 100 gift card.