Wait a minute! This isn't Alabama! (The Kelleygirls' Surprise Trip to WDW - Sept 07)

[redkelley]

I have been lurking on the DIS forever, reading trip reports and occasionally posting. Well, it is finally time to come out of lurkdom and do my own Pre-trip report.

The Cast:

Me - redkelley aka Mom - 41 - Disney lover of all things Pooh and HUGE Song of the South fan!

DH - Grumpy aka Dad - 44 - Disney liker who HATES spending the money but loves his wife and daughters - HUGE POTC fan - yes he is a Pirate, born 200 years too late (We are both Parrotheads and will have to make a pilgramige to Margaritaville!)

DD#1 - Kaitybell - 11 - Loves Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Zac Efron and Harry Potter (Shh, don't tell Disney....that will be another trip in 3 years.)

DD#2 - Erinbug - 7 1/2 (turning 8 on before we leave) - loves the same things as her sister, but likes Harry Potter more than Zac Efron

The story:

DH and I were not planning on going to Disney this year. We were planning on going NEXT year. DD#1 went when she was 4 (pre-AK) but was sick almost the whole time and doesn't remember it. We went to US & IOA when DD#2 was 3 and worked in a trip to AK which she really doesn't remember. They have been wanting to go to Disney FOREVER. Grumpy and I have been to Epcot twice without the kids since 2000.

You know that commercial where the mom is at the computer and sees the price and decides they can afford it and then Cinderella's carriage drives up? Well, that it basically what happened (minus the carriage unfortunately!) I was looking on Disney's site to order a cruise planning DVD when I saw the information for free dining. Wait a minute.....FREE DINING? Surely that is not right! Well, I showed it to DH and we played around with the numbers and Grumpy says "you know, we could do that. But, how about we keep it secret from the kids?" Sounds good to me!

So, the Wait A Minute! This isn't Alabama was born. Grumpy is originally from Alabama and his aunt and uncle live in Gulf Shores. The girls think we are going to visit in September. The drive is perfect because they will be expecting a long car ride. We always drive all night on long trips so that the kids will sleep. The plan is to arrive at the gates at sun-up. We are DETERMINED that the girls will not find out before hand. The whole family is in on it. The girls think we are going to Disney NEXT September and have been telling everyone that is when we are going.

So, the surprise trip was born. We are staying 9/22 - 9/27/07 at POR with free dining. We have the following ADR's made:

22nd - Spirit of Aloha Luau
23rd - lunch at Coral Reef (diver booked!)
24th - Ohana
25th - Princess Storybook Dinner at Akerhaus
26th - Boma

It has been SO HARD, but so much FUN to keep this secret. We are down to under 45 days now...so I feel like we are in the home stretch.

Any advice from other KOTS is greatly appreciated!

Joi

 

[hjd0411]

This sounds good to me so far! I love hearing of kids reactions when the "secret is out"!! I don't have kids, so I can't do the surprise thing, but it makes for great reading.

Good start and I look forward to reading more.

 

[redkelley]

This is Grumpy and I are our cruise with Royal Caribbean....yeah, yeah, I know. It wasn't Disney but we are saving that to do with the kids. This was adults only!

Here is Kaitybell and Erinbug dressed as Hermione & Luna from Harry Potter at the release party for Book 7. (Yes, I know it is a sin to post Harry Potter related items in a DISNEY thread...but it is the best pic I have of the two together!)

And just for giggles.....here are the visitors I found in our neighbor's yard...

I don't think that is Pooh OR Brer Bear!

More to come.

Joi

 

[hjd0411]

Oh my gosh - look at the bears!!!!!! Definitely not something we see here . How close did you get to them? I don't know what I'd do if I came across those in my travels! And not behind bars!!

 

[redkelley]

Oh my gosh - look at the bears!!!!!! Definitely not something we see here . How close did you get to them? I don't know what I'd do if I came across those in my travels! And not behind bars!!

Heather. They have been a regular occurence this summer. We have lived in the same house for 13 years and have never seen more than a rabbit. It has been so hot & dry this summer and we had a late freeze on Easter that killed so much, that the animals are desperate for food and water.

We have had those 2 bears plus 2 more at least once a week since the end of May. They were about 200 feet away from us. We also have been seeing deer, red foxes, turkeys and coyotes!

Oh and FYI....we are in Western NC.

Joi

 

[redkelley]

31 Days!!!



It is time to get happy! The surprise is still on and the girls still have NO CLUE!

Now.....I am searching for Autograph books. Any ideas? Here in redneckville, NC they don't believe in Autograph books. Any suggestions on how to make one? What type of paper to use?

I found some on Ebay, but if I buy ONE MORE THING on Ebay, Grumpy is going to kill me. (Great resource for Home School curriculum!)

I also want to make the girls shirts to wear on our first day. This is a challenge as I don't want them to see me making the shirts. I am putting together surprise bags.

We are also planning Erinbug's 8th birthday on 9/9. She already got her main gift (a new bike) this summer. I would love to give her some Disney related things...but I don't want to hint TOO much!

Did i mention we are down to 31 DAYS?!?!?

Joi

 

[redkelley]

Well, we though a HUGE obstacle had been thrown at us, but it looks like it is ok.

DH wound up in the ER yesterday with a stress-induced panic attack. He has high bp and it went up to 174/134 yesterday morning...he was short of breath, complete with blue lips. We thought he was having a heart attack.

He has to see his regular dr on Monday.....hopefully to get something to help with the stress. I briefly though about canceling the trip, but I really think he needs the vacation.

29 days....please, NO MORE STRESS!

Joi

 

[bethb912]

Joi,

Hope DH is ok and the trip goes as planned. I am also KOTS with DS 7. I did it last year and pulled if off beautifully. I have almost blown it this year though because I am even more excited to go and want to get him excited. I am not going to do it though! LOL Last year we flew down but this year we are driving and I am telling him we are going to get my parents from where they are parking thier RV for the winter. I hope it works out! Good luck on keeping your secret too!

Beth