Surprising a teenager with a trip to Disney (Updated 10/09)

[bizeemom4]

Every year, DH takes our three sons on a camping trip. Every year, my 16 year old daughter and I stay home. You see, to the princess and the queen of this castle, staying offsite at Dis-a-nee is camping. That's as close to the outdoors as we will ever get.

I put my royal foot down this year and said that it was time that Chloe and I had the chance to get out of town. DH and our little princes can hold down the fort this year.

After that royal decree, the next step is deciding what accomodations the little girl will be happy with. Did I mention she was fussy? It seems that there are no annual passholder codes available for Memorial Day weekend. $370 for a standard room at the Yacht Club! I am really a cheapskate at heart. I travel well but I don't feel well paying rack rate.

But look. The Dolphin is having an early booking special. $169 a night and we get to take the same fancy boats and busses as the people paying for the $370 room do. That will work. Of course, if a little discount comes out for the Yacht Club, I'll drop the Dolphin like an old fish. This will be my little backup resort while I wait for the annual pass rates to be released.

I book plane tickets for a Tuesday night arrival. Yes, I know, that's leaving for Disney on the 20th and Memorial Day is on the 26th. So the trip is starting out as not just Memorial Day weekend, although it does fall inside the travel dates so we're good. I do not book return tickets because I can't decide when we'll return.

The next step will be to tell Princess Chloe.

 

[Donald is #1]

I book plane tickets for a Tuesday night arrival. Yes, I know, that's leaving for Disney on the 20th and Memorial Day is on the 26th. So the trip is starting out as not just Memorial Day weekend, although it does fall inside the travel dates so we're good. I do not book return tickets because I can't decide when we'll return.

Your weekend trips sound like mine except you are better at them! My 2 weekend trips this year aren't starting until Thursday. Note to self: Learn bizeemom4's method of defining the weekend!

 

[bizeemom4]

Next step - tell the princess that we are returning to her beloved 'World' for our special getaway weekend. Well, not quite yet.

Chloe and I had discussed getting out of town for Memorial Day weekend before I had the idea of going to Disney. I had originally proposed shopping near Philadelphia or a weekend in NYC. So she is anticipating a trip, not a vacation.

I've paid for the airfare down to Orlando...$54 each on Airtran for the last flight out Tuesday night. $54! That's cheaper than a pair of shoes! But now I have buyer's remorse.

Here's how my Disney brain has a short circuit:
I should have bought the Tuesday morning flight. We'll have to go standby for that 6AM flight. Well, that means either leaving the house around 3 a.m....OR...we could stay at the nice Hilton next to the airport the night before. That will work.....A few days go by and I'm happy with my decision to try to fly standby Tuesday morning. But what if I don't get the standby flight and I've paid for a hotel at the airport and gotten up so early for nothing. And why am I flying down Tuesday morning? She's already missing 5 days of school...if I add just one more day on Monday, then I can fly down Saturday morning and make my trip four days longer! Southwest just so happens to be running a very reasonable flight out of BWI Saturday at midday. See, the money that I'm wasting by not taking the Airtran flight, I am saving by not needing a hotel the night before. So, I book the Southwest.

So now, if you're doing the math, that's flying down Saturday the 17th and staying until (still undecided) at least the 25th. We have two sets of one way tickets TO Florida and none coming home.

I really should tell her now that we're going to DisneyWorld to get her excited. But then I have yet another bright idea. She doesn't know that we're going yet. I wonder how long that I can keep it a secret?

 

[Donald is #1]

Next step - tell the princess that we are returning to her beloved 'World' for our special getaway weekend. Well, not quite yet.

Chloe and I had discussed getting out of town for Memorial Day weekend before I had the idea of going to Disney. I had originally proposed shopping near Philadelphia or a weekend in NYC. So she is anticipating a trip, not a vacation.

I've paid for the airfare down to Orlando...$54 each on Airtran for the last flight out Tuesday night. $54! That's cheaper than a pair of shoes! But now I have buyer's remorse.

Here's how my Disney brain has a short circuit:
I should have bought the Tuesday morning flight. We'll have to go standby for that 6AM flight. Well, that means either leaving the house around 3 a.m....OR...we could stay at the nice Hilton next to the airport the night before. That will work.....A few days go by and I'm happy with my decision to try to fly standby Tuesday morning. But what if I don't get the standby flight and I've paid for a hotel at the airport and gotten up so early for nothing. And why am I flying down Tuesday morning? She's already missing 5 days of school...if I add just one more day on Monday, then I can fly down Saturday morning and make my trip four days longer! Southwest just so happens to be running a very reasonable flight out of BWI Saturday at midday. See, the money that I'm wasting by not taking the Airtran flight, I am saving by not needing a hotel the night before. So, I book the Southwest.

So now, if you're doing the math, that's flying down Saturday the 17th and staying until (still undecided) at least the 25th. We have two sets of one way tickets TO Florida and none coming home.

I really should tell her now that we're going to DisneyWorld to get her excited. But then I have yet another bright idea. She doesn't know that we're going yet. I wonder how long that I can keep it a secret?

That's awesome! Extending your trip to start on Saturday will be great!

 

[bizeemom4]

Budget. Ick. That's a bad word when it comes to Disney trip planning.

This trip is getting out of control. I took a seemlessly harmless girl's getaway weekend and pumped it up into an extended week long vacation. The Disney fanatic in me says but the mom guilt at spending all this money without including all the kids says .

We are at Saturday the 17th thru Memorial Day *the 26th.* I really need to buckle down on expenses. For Saturday thru Tuesday, I've booked:
- the Pop Century at a whopping $11 a night savings with my annual pass. Dining plan added. Don't you just love the new weekend surcharge for Disney resorts?!
- the Wilderness Lodge for two nights (Tuesday thru Thursday) with a great annual passholder rate that gives me about 40% off a standard view room. Dining plan included.
-the Dolphin for five nights at $169.

Not too shabby.

I do have to come home eventually and decide to *here's a shocker* add another day at the end of my trip and fly home the 27th. Fortunately, the friendly man at the end of the Sheraton reservations number is able to oblige and add another night at the Dolphin with the same great rate. YAY!

The flight home is booked. The flights down are booked. The grand total is less than the cost of buying her a decent used car. Now I just need to come up with a way to tell Chloe.

I spend an entire Saturday afternoon staring at videos on Youtube and tearing up. Watching the happiness on the faces of other people's children inspires me to figure out a way to come with my own fantastic video worthy of posting on Youtube. Think. Think. Think. Nothing.

I try to conjure up some inspiration with the closest thing to being at Disney World - the Disney Outlet. They have the Disney look and the sounds of Disney blasting on the televisions. And I can browse thru all the beautiful Cinderella and Tinkerbell costumes and think.


I got nothin'

With three weeks to go, I've got plenty of time to come up with a jaw dropping, tear jerking, inspirational reveal to end all reveals.

 

[bizeemom4]

In the midst of planning this getaway, Disney released it's Free Dining promotion for 2008. I booked a trip for the family for September and told Chloe that we are going in September (true). The beauty of that is that I can now read my Unofficial Guidebook and research allearsnet menu listings out in the open. All of this planning and research that I am doing is really for the May trip but she's none the wiser.

About a month before the scheduled trip, Chloe starts questioning me about our getaway. She wants to know if I've decided if we're going to Philadelphia or NYC. We're flying out of BWI and the only way to get her to the airport without her suspecting anything is to tell her that we are going to spend the weekend in Inner Harbor Baltimore. She is really disappointed and tells me that she does NOT want to go to Baltimore. She says that there are no good places to shop there. I tell her that it's a big city so we can go to some nice restaurants, stay in a nice hotel, maybe go to the aquarium....none of this makes my spoiled little girl happy. She sulks and I almost feel bad about lying to her.

A few days after the less than successful conversation about going to Baltimore on our getaway, Chloe finds out that the pain in her leg that she has had when playing soccer is actually a STRESS fracture! Guess what? She's going to be on crutches for at least two weeks and cannot have any strenuous activity for the next SIX WEEKS! There is only one way that I visit Disneyworld - on a mission and in a hurry! I am a complete touring commando! How do you tour Disneyworld without having strenuous activity?
What do I do? How do I plan for this? I do what most normal, Disney loving people do here. I consult with my Disboard friends and seek advice. Here's the thread that I started on the night that I found out that she had the stress fracture.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1803755

One thing's for sure. It's a good thing that I have an extended tour planned. If we're going to take this trip at a snail's pace, we're going to need 10 days to tour 4 parks.

 

[bizeemom4]

I have so many ideas on how to tell Chloe that we are going to Disneyworld.

I found a Cinderella journal and I thought about writing her a little story like "Once upon a time, there wa a princess named Chloe....." But when will I give it to her? The minute she sees it, she'll know something's up.

Last night, I was cleaning out the kitchen and I tossed three fortune cookies in the trash. Then I had an idea. I could get a bunch of fortune cookies and find one that had a large opening and slip a little fortune inside like "You will go to Disneyworld tonight."

Tonight, as I was sitting here 'studying' for my trip, the Orlando commericial came on TV. It's the one with the Mom and the daughter and they go on BTMR. After the ride, the mom becomes a kid again. That made me think "I could videotape the commerical and then have my DH tape me telling Chloe that she was going to Disney."

It's getting seriously close to the trip. Tomorrow when I wake up, I'll be able to say "I'll be in Disney next week!" 13 days and ticking. I have to make up my mind and quick.

 

[Leonsmom]

Great PTR so far. I am very excited for you two.
I am sorry that Chloe has a stress fracture. I would definetly go with the Electric scooter - I read your other thread were you said she may not be able to handle it. They are not that hard and it's like another ride , but if you are hesitant about it then go with a wheelchair so as not to stress it more. It could be her Royal Transport (BTW I am planning a weekend trip to Hershey Park in Aug - Would you say there is alot for a 5 year old to do?)
As far as going commando, (or in this case not going commando), I can't give you any advice but I do want to ask you about, how you go commando. I read the UG cover to cover and I plan to go commando myself. Do you have any tips? (maybe I'll start a thread). What I can say is at least you have your Sept trip to make up for whatever you miss this time.
I like your commercial idea. Were you planning on surprising her on your day of departure or before?
I am planning a trip for Nov for which I started my first-ever PTR and originally I was going to surprise my DS5 by secretly packing our bags and then waking him up on the day of departure (we have an unbelievably early flight) and hand him a postcard that I designed saying "Your Carriage awaits (look out the window)" When he looks out he will see a stretch Limo) possibly with the driver holding up a sign saying "The _____ Family is heading to Disney") . Then I'd give him his wrapped gift that contains a tshirt matching what DH and I were wearing.
In the end our trip is not a surprise because I just couldn't keep the secret after he saw me on the Dis, day in and day out.
If you want maybe you can use this for your suprise:

I can change the hair for you to match the both of you.

I look forward to hearing about what you do to surprise her.

 

[mindondisney]

Well if she can't be running around like crazy at home, Princess Chloe should be able to enjoy VIP treatment from a wheelchair or scooter. Too bad you aren't staying on a monorail hotel, that would make it easier this trip.

Maybe you could have some luck making a little song that you record in a hallmark card. I saw that they have recordable cards. Try this little jingle
M I C K E Y C H L O E or you could record some Disney tunes inside like "Think of a wonderful thought, any happy little thought" since she likes Tink.

I also was hoping that they would release last minute passholder rates for Memorial Day. I guess they are counting on people spending their tax refunds for a "weekend" trip.

 

[bizeemom4]

She's right behind be, rifling thru her bookbag. If she only knew what we were discussing! Ok, she's gone.

Mindondisney - thank you posting your very first post on my pre-trip report. Hope you enjoy it!

Donald is #1 - I'm glad that you are enjoying the trip report. I'm happy to share my trip planning methodology with you. LOL.

Leonsmom - thank you for creating such a great graphic! I would definately love to use it! Chloe is a blonde and here's me...

 

[Leonsmom]

She's right behind be, rifling thru her bookbag. If she only knew what we were discussing! Ok, she's gone.

Mindondisney - thank you posting your very first post on my pre-trip report. Hope you enjoy it!

Donald is #1 - I'm glad that you are enjoying the trip report. I'm happy to share my trip planning methodology with you. LOL.

Leonsmom - thank you for creating such a great graphic! I would definately love to use it! Chloe is a blonde and here's me...

Here you go

 

[bizeemom4]

I ended up telling Chloe's oldest brother (DS15) about the trip last night- after swearing him to secrecy on his Dad's life (does that make me an evil mother)? He said that the whole thing sounds awesome and he told me that I really should be staying at the Grand Floridian! He said that I should take her to the tea @ the GF and get hair and nails done too. What 15 year old boy suggests that his sister deserves to go to a spa?

He told me that we could do a movie on the computer. I, being completely technically challenged, did not realize that our computer had the capability to make videos. I had him show me how to do it and I spent all of today making this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4qM2B7Ggfg

I really want to wait until we get to Baltimore to tell her. Unfortunately, I put it on a CD and the portable DVD player that I have does not recognize the file. The sound on my laptop does not work. I can play the CD on the laptop but can't hear the music - which is part of the whole effect! What to do?

 

[bizeemom4]

As we are all spending every waking moment planning for Disney (we are all doing that, right?), half the fun is in the anticipation of the trip to come. Making the lists, compiling the printouts for the tickets and hotels, nagging DH to get the suitcases out of the attic.

I am happy to report that my countdown preparations have reached that pinnacle moment. I have already made the obligatory trip to WalMart to obtain the sunscreen, book for the pool, and pool noodles. My boss thought I was insane for bringing my own pool noodles to Disney. Look, I've already spent thousands of dollars. Every 75 cents saved by bringing my own supplies instead of paying the opportunity tax of waiting til I get there is, well 75 cents saved.

The days have been so cold here. It felt so awesome to go thru the checkout with pool noodles, sunscreen, reading materials and a new bikini. Good Lord, not for me. For the skinny girl who's going with me. But it was fun to pretend like it was for me. I am cutting the tags off of the suit before I stick it in DD's suitcase. If she new it was from WalMart, she absolutely would not wear it. Maybe I'll cut some tags out of her Abercrombie stuff and sew them in. Then, she'll be proud to strut around in her nice, new "expensive" bathing suit.

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow! That is a great video.

 

[Laura.bora]

What a great video! Your daughter is going to flip! I love reading about the surprise trips! We are having a surprise trip of our own! I also did the sit down and watch every video on youtube and sobbed hysterically! At the time I thought it was just the pregnancy hormones!

 

[PinkTink63]

I love the video! What a great trip! You two will have so much fun!

 

[samiet620]

OMG!!! I had tears in my eyes with that video. I could just picture her shock and reaction!!!Did she absolutely love it? I know I would have! Even my 15 yr. old was like WOW, way cool!
Please tell about that and of course your trip when you get back!!! What a lucky girl, you are an awsome MOM!

 

[bizeemom4]

I'm starting to think I'm not such a great mom. The trickery and deceit is just getting too much.

She has finally accepted that we are going to Baltimore for our get-out-of-town weekend. So much so that she was on expedia with me tonight looking at hotels. I really hope that she's not disappointed that we aren't really staying at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. That's the hotel that I'm supposed to be reserving tonight.

I took the CD to Circuit City and tried out new portable DVD players but I can't get the video to play on any of them.
If I could just figure out how to fix the sound on the laptop, that would be the way to go. If not, I guess I'll figure out plan C. I'm going to Google the issue and see if I can find a solution. The answer will probably be written by a 12 year old and I'll be lost before the end of the first sentence. Did I say I was so not computer savvy? Wish me luck!

Edited to add - I FIXED THE LAPTOP! Fin + Page Up did the trick. For those of you that really understand computers, stop laughing.

 

[bizeemom4]

We leave today! We leave today! Did I tell you we leave today?

A few weeks ago, in a moment of , I realized that the price for the Friday night flight was the same as the price for the mid-day flight. Being...well...me, I booked it first and called Pop Century later! I was able to add a night with the same AP rate w/dining for Friday.

My official tally is now:
3 nights Pop (starting tonight!)
3 nights Wilderness Lodge
5 nights Dolphin

I have been on the fence about upgrading from the Dolphin to the Yacht Club. I really, really want to but it's another $900. That's really not A LOT of money when you look at your ROI, but, in the end, I felt too guilty spending that much more on the two of us for a hotel for just 5 nights. As my DH so poetically pointed out, "Can't we use that on our 4th of July trip to the beach?" Sigh. Yes, we probably should. It's so nice to have a spouse who is so grounded in reality. It keeps me from floating away and mortgaging our future to M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-University.

Princess Chloe is all packed. There were some of her things that I couldn't find that we need for our trip. I asked her to pack them for "Baltimore." I'm a genius! She only filled [what will be the carryon] suitcase half full so there will be room for treats for her brothers. She thought she was leaving me with room for my clothes. Silly rabbit. Tricks are for kids

Actually, we are both packed. I have a garment bag for all the dresses. We are going to Cirque, eating at Wolfgang's, Narcoossee's and the California Grill. After Narcoossee's for dinner and Wishes, it's EMH night at the MK. We are TGM subscribers so you know I will only be there for the mousemosphere. Actually, my plan is to get some nice pictures of Chloe all dressed up in front of the Castle - and maybe with Cinderella herself if toontown will be open late.

We are taking - I kid you not - 12 pair of shoes. We are going for 11 nights and a girl has got to have the appropriate footwear, not matter what the circumstance.

Speaking of feet, you will be happy to know that she is now OFF the crutches and ambling around just fine. I do plan to take the crutches with us, just in case the fracture starts bothering her.

Thanks for reading my first Pre-Trip report. I promise to report back to you just as soon as we return from 11 nights of fun-filled adventure (that will probably end up with a trip report called something like Surprising a Teenager with a Trip to Disney Turns to PMS and Other Maladies. Wish me luck! I'm dying to tell her. Can't wait!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Awww! I'm so excited for yall! I can't wait to read all about it when yall get back!

HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!