Surprising grandma

[Jess_S]

I just started planning our next trip to WDW (likely September or October 2017). I'm planning to invite my parents to say thank you for their help with our recent move. There are lots of threads about surprising kids with trips, but I wondered if anyone had experience surprising an adult family member. I'll obviously have to do the reveal before the trip since her work schedule needs to be coordinated, so it won't be quite as much fun as surprising a kid the day of. But my mom is a big kid at heart, so I think she'd like the surprise.

Also, am I likely to encounter any issues if I make surprise reservations for my parents? We would be booking them a separate room.

Finally, which deluxe resort would you recommend for this trip. We are 2 adults in their 60s, 2 adults in their 30s and a 4 year old. No one has mobility issues and we don't mind having a bit of a walk to and from our room. We stayed at AKL last time and I loved it, but DH wants to be closer to MK/Epcot this time. DH mentioned the Grand Floridian, but I am leaning towards Beach Club for the pool area.

 

[Kerriowl]

From Contemporary or Bay Lake Towers, you can walk to the Magic Kingdom. From the Polynesian, you can walk to the TTC (a very short walk) and then take the monorail to Epcot or Magic Kingdom. Those both sound better to me than GF, but to each his own.

 

[Thing 1]

Since they helped you move, maybe fill a packing box with a planning book, Disney shirt etc. tell them there was one more box to take care of and ask them to open it. I vote for the monorail route. Maybe rent points and stay at bay lake towers.

 

[Jess_S]

Since they helped you move, maybe fill a packing box with a planning book, Disney shirt etc. tell them there was one more box to take care of and ask them to open it. I vote for the monorail route. Maybe rent points and stay at bay lake towers.

I love this idea. Based upon current pricing, it looks like the Contemporary is doable. (I keep hoping that a resort discount will be released. We took advantage of that on our last trip in 2015 and that's why we are now spoiled and want to stay at a Deluxe again).

 

[xlsm]

Well you have a nicer plan that what I did, LOL!! I am taking my mother-in-law in May and my own mom in October. I texted MIL and asked her (she lives way out in the middle of nowhere and has patchy reception for calls), and called my mom and asked if she wanted to go on a special "just us" trip with me.

My MIL was immediately on board (and then started freaking out about people and flying), while my mom wanted to take awhile to talk it over with my stepdad...she wasn't comfortable accepting such a large gift, even though she REALLY wanted to go and was excited by the idea. Because of her hesitation, I let my mom pick the resort for October. I told her to ignore the prices she saw on the website (because she would never agree to go if she looked at rack rate!) b/c I would get a discount with my AP, or through a pin code, or a deal from Disney, and to pick which she liked most. She picked the Polynesian. (In May with MIL we'll be at Animal Kingdom Lodge...I didn't let her pick, because she's overwhelmed by the idea of Disney right now - but excited! - and I knew she'd like being able to watch the animals and have the quiet location.)

If you think they'll enjoy a surprise, I like Thing1's idea of a packing box, since it's a thank you for the moving help.

I suggest staying somewhere on the monorail loop or the Wilderness Lodge (it's my favorite!!), or giving them a couple of options that you're comfortable with, and letting them choose.

Have fun surprising them!! This sounds like it will be such a special trip

 

[Jess_S]

I had written off Wilderness Lodge in my mind because of the ongoing construction on the DVC area. Does it affect enjoyment of the original lodge area? I absolutely loved the look of AKL and I know that WL is a similar design, so I think I would enjoy it if there were no construction issues. (Although the construction might bring back memories for my parents of the first time they took me and my sister to Disney. We stayed at an off-site hotel that was undergoing a renovation and got woken up every morning by banging.)

I do worry that my parents won't accept a Disney trip as a gift for the same reasons you mentioned xlsm. The last time we took them out for their anniversary, my dad insisted on buying us dinner.