The greatest surprise ever Pre-Trip report

[marshallandcartersmo]

I had no intentions of writing a trip report, but I am just so excited about this trip I have to tell someone!! And since most of this trip is a surprise, I have to come here to tell total strangers who won't blow it!!! My mom does know about most of the surprise, only because I had to make sure she gets dad to where he's supposed to go. But I have sworn her to secrecy. And I really think she's going to keep her end of the bargain.

A little background:

We are leaving in 8 days to go to WDW, Sunday to Sunday. Who is "we"?
My dad who will be turning 60 while we're there...the whole reason why we're going
My mom
Myself, DH, DS7 & DS4
My brother, his wife, and their DS5 and DD1

Staying off-site, all flying down together. I have every minute of the trip planned, from which park, to where we eat, to what time we ride each attraction. Heck, I've practically planned poop breaks. I've been planning it for months (thanks TGM) and my dad knows all only the details I just mentioned.

So let's go back a few months............

I'm planning away and think to myself, how could we make this trip extra special for my dad? You see, my dad is one of those great guys that would spend his day off fixing things around my house, or on a whim will drive 13 hours to surprise his mom at her house for dinner. I've never heard him say a swear word in my whole life (he says "underware when he gets mad ) and only raised his voice a handful of times during my rebelious teenaged years.
So back to my thinking. Who could surprise my dad? And who would want to come to WDW, during the holidays, to hang out with us. Why his mother of course!!! His 84 year old mother that lives in NY, 13 hours away from us. Am I crazy? It's not possible. She can't possible drive all the way from the northern end of the country to the southern end of the country to have a birthday dinner w/my dad. And she won't fly..............But on a whim, I call her. She's so excited----she's coming!!! She and her boyfriend (yes, she has a boyfriend ) are driving 1/2 way to meet her boyfriends daughter and her husband, then they are driving the rest of the way together. They arent' interested in the parks, and can't stay more than 2 days......so we decided on a dinner Friday night before we leave.

So that's 4 more people for the "party". Total of 14 now.

Wheels are still turning. I remember my mothers mother (my grandmother) spends the winters in Florida with one of her other daughters and her husband. I called her to see if they would be interested. OH YES!!! They are!! They are driving 3.5 hours each way to have a birthday dinner with us.

Total of 17 now.

My wheels are still turning. I remember my dad's best friend from college has a daughter in Orlando. I called her and asked "would you happen to be spending your Thanksgiving in Orlando?" Tell her the plan........she's so excited, booked her reservations that day and it's a go. She's not only coming, she's bringing her 3 grown children and their families.

Total of 24 now!!!!!

The plan as of today (and if you think of anything I've missed or that you think won't work, please let me know because I'm afraid of overlooking something):

The orignal 10 of us tour parks and have fun Monday-Thursday (Thanksgiving). Thursday afternoon his mother and her crew (total of 4) will be arriving. I'm going to have them call me when they get in town and we'll plan what time for them to meet at our condo. When they get there, I'm going to meet them in the parking lot and follow them up. I'll have them ring the doorbell and I'll be behind them to get a picture of dad's face!!!

We'll all have Thanksgiving dinner together and visit.

The next day is a "free day" on our schedule. Or so dad thinks. My brother and I got him a ride along at Richard Petty track for his birthday, so we'll all go there and watch him do that. My mom doesn't know that part at all. I'm afraid she'll be too nervous to let him if she knows about it in advance.

Friday night is the "party". Dad knows we are going out to eat to celebrate his birthday. He'll also know his mom is going, since he'll see her the day before. But I'm having the rest of the group meet at the restaurant first and be seated. Then when he walks in he'll see the rest of the group.


Saturday morning his mom and her crew have to leave, but the remaining 20 of us will hit a park all wearing matching shirts (yes, we're that nerdy) and having a blast.

Hope you enjoyed my rambling. I don't know if I'll even follow up until we get back, I just had to tell SOMEONE. My excitement is driving me crazy!!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Oh how fun!!!
And how sweet of you to plan this for your dad.
I would have to tell somebody too, or the excitement would eat at me. Could someone else be with you running a video camera just incase you can't get a clear shot of his face?

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Oh how fun!!!
And how sweet of you to plan this for your dad.
I would have to tell somebody too, or the excitement would eat at me. Could someone else be with you running a video camera just incase you can't get a clear shot of his face?

You know, now that you mention it........I think I will go w/my video camera instead of a regular camera. With my luck I'd miss "the moment".