Tips for Keeping Resort a Surprise?

[oliv_boliv]

Hi all! Long time lurker, first time poster!

I'm looking to buy into DVC in the next few months to a year, once everything returns to normal. I'd like to do this without telling my family, and then at some point take them on a trip to "All Star Movies" but actually book a Deluxe using my points. Assuming we were to take the Magical Express, is there any way to keep the resort a surprise up until arrival, or at least until we were on the bus (I could make them wear headphones lol)? I can't remember if there are signs on each DME line with the resort name. Has anyone done this? Thanks in advance!!

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Hi all! Long time lurker, first time poster!

I'm looking to buy into DVC in the next few months to a year, once everything returns to normal. I'd like to do this without telling my family, and then at some point take them on a trip to "All Star Movies" but actually book a Deluxe using my points. Assuming we were to take the Magical Express, is there any way to keep the resort a surprise up until arrival, or at least until we were on the bus (I could make them wear headphones lol)? I can't remember if there are signs on each DME line with the resort name. Has anyone done this? Thanks in advance!!

There are signs at each line and CMs ask you where you are staying, scan your magic bands etc. Also, I think the resort will show up in MDE when they go to make/check FPs, restaurant reservations etc.
what a lovely surprise. I hope that you find a way.

 

[Dug720]

The closest you could come would be getting in line for Magical Express because the lanes are labeled with signs.

If you don't want them to know until you get there, better to do a car service with instructions not to discuss which resort.

 

[jennyq87]

What a cute idea! Unfortunately I do think it would be challenging to keep it a surprise once you entered the Magical Express line -- they usually confirm your resort with you at check-in, and there's usually a sign with resort names. If it was in the budget, you could do a Minnie Van? Keep the "Disney feel" going, but run ahead of the fam & speak to the driver about making it a surprise?

 

[suemom2kay]

When you say family, do you have a spouse or significant other? They have to sign to be on the deed. I'm not sure a major real estate purchase is a good idea in secret. But, your life.

Regarding surprising the family, Minnie Van is a good idea. You can text the driver after you order through Lyft and let them know the destination is a surprise.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

Just take an uber

 

[oliv_boliv]

When you say family, do you have a spouse or significant other? They have to sign to be on the deed. I'm not sure a major real estate purchase is a good idea in secret. But, your life.

Thanks for the advice! I’m one of those darn “childless millennials” and single, so I would be the sole buyer. By family I mean my parents and brother, who I live several hours away from and would be fairly easy to surprise!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would grab your own luggage so there’s no luggage tags with the resort name and then grab an uber or car service. Good luck!! What an awesome surprise !

 

[butterscotchcollins]

Thanks for the advice! I’m one of those darn “childless millennials” and single, so I would be the sole buyer. By family I mean my parents and brother, who I live several hours away from and would be fairly easy to surprise!

*high five for childless millennials!*

That sounds like so much fun and you are so sweet for wanting to surprise them. I think even if you took ME I could see it playing out where they scan your band/paperwork in and ask you to confirm your hotel, you say yes confirmed and your family goes "Wait, what??" and then get all excited when they realize what's happening! And can also get to feel that excited anticipation all the way to the resort and have a laugh on the bus Have fun!

 

[suemom2kay]

Thanks for the advice! I’m one of those darn “childless millennials” and single, so I would be the sole buyer. By family I mean my parents and brother, who I live several hours away from and would be fairly easy to surprise!

Awesome!!!! I pictured a spousal brawl in the Beach Club lobby!

 

[Sue M]

The closest you could come would be getting in line for Magical Express because the lanes are labeled with signs.

If you don't want them to know until you get there, better to do a car service with instructions not to discuss which resort.

That’s what I did! Worked out great.

 

[RoseGold]

The bag tags have the resort on them. You could maybe just keep them all yourself and bag the tags at the airport?

But this would be outed at Fastpass booking. It will show up in anyone's app, unless you didn't match up the reservations until the last minute. That would work, but it would make fast passes a nightmare. A scenario this would work in is if your family has never been and doesn't have accounts and you can just be in charge of everyone.

 

[oliv_boliv]

The bag tags have the resort on them. You could maybe just keep them all yourself and bag the tags at the airport?

But this would be outed at Fastpass booking. It will show up in anyone's app, unless you didn't match up the reservations until the last minute. That would work, but it would make fast passes a nightmare. A scenario this would work in is if your family has never been and doesn't have accounts and you can just be in charge of everyone.

I did think of this! My mom and I are the only ones who have stayed at a Disney resort before, so she’s the only one with an account. I honestly don’t think she would even look at the app if I just said I had a surprise dinner or something that I didn’t want her to see!

 

[tobikaye]

Could you just say you booked that DVC resort at a great rate or rented points to make it near the same price? Then, do something once all of you are there to signify your a DVC member.

It is something I would consider doing if I bought DVC to let others know, such as a visit to Top of the World.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

My sister-in-law did something similar recently. She told my nieces they were staying somewhere else but had made a lunch reservation at the actual resort they were staying at. Then she said she called Disney and was able to arrange for ME to take them to that resort since the reservation was so tight. They spring the surprise on them after they arrived at the resort.

Depending on how well your family knows the details on how ME works it could work.

 

[Stratman50th]

I would just tell them that the bus to (wherever) also goes to (wherever) and they drop you off. Don't know how involved everyone gets but most times people are in such a fog that they don't pick up all the details and miss what's going on.
Aside from that, what everyone else said!
Good luck!

 

[RoseGold]

The buses announce like a million times where they are going...

But the names aren't all that helpful to non-Disney people. I mean hearing Animal Kingdom and seeing that lobby are different things, and who knows what a Polynesian or Bay Lake is.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I realize it's expensive ($155+) but a Minnie Van to the "surprise resort" would be a nice touch. Like icing on the cake! I've always wondered if you're inside the van you can't see the Minnie dots anyway. Sooooo? I wish there were some Mickey & Minnie touches inside the vehicle.