mjh8955
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2001
- Messages
- 815
This worked for us - we really got one over on our teenage daughter and son. This past summer we spent a week on Sanibel and then "planned" on a trip to Charleston on the way home. The Charleston trip was pure fiction. We showed them the walking tours we were going to do to see the historical architecture and reminded them that it would be "a little steamy" in July. We were sure to talk about all the museums, etc. that we would be doing (stuff they hate). They dreaded every second of it, but knew it was a place Mom wanted to see so they went along with it. On our way from Sanibel "to Charleston" we timed it so we would hit Orlando at lunchtime. We were about there and interrupted them from their music long enough to ask them if they wanted to eat at DTD since we weren't that far away. They said sure so we ate at House of Blues (their favorite). When we were leaving the restaurant Dad asked if they would like to see a movie at the DTD theaters. That is another one of their favorite things. They looked at each other and then one of them asked if that would make us arrive at Charleston really really late, Dad said about midnight but that's o.k. So we saw a movie and then headed to the car. The kids were feeling the Disney Magic and started talking to each other about how they wished we were staying here instead of stupid Charleston. We had reservations (unbeknownst to them) for DTD Hilton for one night, and then our HGVC timeshare. By now we are driving past the hotels and Dad says, "Well, since we will get to Charleston so late, how about staying at one of these places?" The kids' eyes get bigger and they say "Yeah! But we don't have a reservations, do you think they have any vacancies?" And at that point we were about to the Hilton driveway so Dad literally yanks the steering wheel throwing us all sideways and says "I don't know, but we can ask!" and goes in to "check" (actually checking in). The kids are beside themselves with gratitude that steamy Charleston historical walking tours will be held off for one more day. Dad comes out and says "We have a room! And they even have EMH hours until 2 AM!" The kids are screaming, then look at each other and say "but we don't have our tickets!" at which point I hold our tickets right up in front of them and they go nuts. Then we tell them that we aren't going to Charleston but will be spending a few days at our Timeshare and doing some Disney. They were SOOOO happy!!! It is really hard to surprise teens but we did it.
