Won't she be surprised!

[bode]

I decided that it has been too long since I have been to WDW. Last time was 4 years ago with my DD who was 4 1/2 at the time. As a single male parent it is hard to plan trips sometimes but that one was so special that we have wanted to go back. Problem is that she started school so the only time I could really take her was summer (too hot and crowded), Thanksgiving (too crowded) or Christmas (again too crowded). Well, this year I decided that it was time so I have booked a 4 night 5 day stay in the end of October. The trip will actually end up during her birthday. The cool thing is that I am not going to tell her that this is where we are going. I am going to pick her up from school on the Friday before and tell her that we are taking a weekend trip to visit my aunt who is not feeling well. She lives in Gainsville. I will also tell her that since we are spending that much time in the car that I would ensure that we find a hotel to stay at that has a cool pool so she can swim. We will stay somewhere just across the Florida border that night. Saturday morning I will tell her that we are going to get an early start but instead of heading to Gainsville we will head to WDW. I plan on placing my video camera on the dash to record her face when she sees the WDW sign as we drive up. Then I will tell her that we are not visiting my aunt but instead we are going to celebrate her birthday at WDW. We are booked into the AKL. I cannot wait as I am so excited to do this for her.

 

[mbanks21]

Thats what life is all about!

 

[chumsmum0916]

what an awesome surprise! I too am taking my daughter for her birthday in Sept but she knows about it. It actually falls that the MNSSHP is on her birthday so planning on taking that in! I think it will be awesome, make sure you read about letting the hotel etc that it is her birthday apparently they will maybe give the birthday child a card signed from some of the characters.
Have fun!

 

[lovetoscrap]

What an amazing surprise that will be! I surprised my kids one year by telling them we were going to Grandma's that was about 7 hours away. The older one was around 8 at the time and she got suspicious when we passed the 7 hour mark, and the route was unfamiliar.

I had made up gift bags for them with their Disney stuff-- ears, lanyards, a new princess t-shirt, and a few other goodies I had picked up. We stopped at a rest stop just before the Florida border and I knew the oldest would figure it out as soon as she saw the "Welcome to Florida" sign. So while I took them to the bathroom, DH put the gift bags in their car seats. When we got back to the car I told them that the oldest was right, we aren't going to Grandma's, but I brought some stuff they would need where we were going. They were in shock and really excited!


Let us know if you need any planning help and keep us informed of your plans. I would love to see the video of her when she finds out!

 

[dogodisney]

You are a great dad!

 

[onelugnut]

awesome is the word,
top ten things i have ever done.
(and i have done some pretty cool stuff)
but surprising my kids on the day of a trip to disney world
was one of the best.

the birthday thing is great too.

I hope everything is perfect for you.

 

[TheMorgans]

I surprised my daughter like that for her 10th birthday. It was just she and I and it was her best birthday ever. You two will have a wonderful trip and she will remember it forever. The look on her face will be priceless. She is lucky to have a dad like you!!!

 

[3happydancers]

What an awesome surprise! We did this for my dd last year and the expression on her face was priceless! If you are there on her birthday, don't forget to let the front desk of your hotel know. Not that it is expected, but sometimes they will do a little something special. Also, if you plan to have an ADR on her birthday, let your server know when you are first seated. Many times they will surprise the birthday person with a cupcake and candle with a "Happy Birthday" sing along. And I do believe you may be able to optain a "Happy Birtday" pin. Hope you have a MAGICAL TIME!

 

[melchar]

This sounds so fantastic i bet she will have a great time!

Charlotte x

 

[truck524]

My eyes are swelling with tears. That is so awesome! Good luck!

 

[snowman1035]

What a great dad! I am excited for you and your daughter and hope you have a wonderful time for her birthday! She will be so surprised! Have a great time and let us know how she responded.

 

[Goofy_Girl]

That's wonderful! I love surprising loved ones, I hope you both have a magical time showered with wishes!

 

[disneyismyname]

Thats so awesome!!! Have a great trip!!!

 

[DLBDS]

That's great! We surprised my DD who was 10 at the time with a trip to WDW on the day of her birthday. We took her cousin who was also turning 10 in a couple of weeks. I got 2 new WDW canvas bags on eBay and filled them with Disney 'stuff'....each one had a t-shirt, beach towel, pins, plastic cup, stuffed toy (he got Goofy and she Donald), pad of paper and I can't remember what all. I got most stuff online through the Disney Outlet and the rest from the local Disney Store. The pins I got on eBay and they were really just to trade for pins they wanted once they got to the parks. We only told her that we had to get up REALLY early in the morning cause it was gonna be a BIG day. We packed the truck up without her knowing. Then we said Daddy had to stop at someone's house before we could get underway (work related). She didn't suspect a thing. We picked her cousin up at his other Grandparent's house (she doesn't know their house but it's close by us and actually on the way to get on I95.) I told her to get out with her Dad to go to the door. She thought this was a little odd but...whatever. When she was out of view, I hopped out of the truck and ran to the back to grab the canvas bags. I put one in each of their seats. She STILL didn't realize what was going on when she returned to the truck with her cousin! We had to spell it out for her. She just couldn't believe that we would do this for her. We celebrated that night at LTT in the MK. We stayed off property and only for four nights but we had a blast! Have fun with your DD. You'll cherish the memory forever!

 

[tcuplvr]

I grew up in single-Dad household so I know how much work it is What a wonderful surprise for your daughter!!! When are you going? We are going Oct 18-25.

 

[BethEJo]

that sounds awesome! you are an absolutely fabulous dad!!
and that video camera on the dashboard idea...that is amazing! will be great to show ur daughter in yrs to come!
i hope you have the best time, but being Disney, its obvious that you will

 

[Brer Shay]

Way to go Dad!! Hope it's even more magical this time.

 

[davids68girl]

That sounds like a wonderful surprise! What a great Dad you are and she will remember it forever.

 

[baby1disney]

As I'm sitting here at work(yes, I know I should be working!! ) trying to type this through tears, I'm sooo excited for the both of you!!! There aren't alot of fathers out there that take care of their children let alone take them on a trip to the absoultely BEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!!!!!! You're a wonderful dad for doing this and a great person as well!!! This is something little girls will remember when they're dancing with their fathers' at their weddings!!!! Memories like this.....great job!!!!!!

 

[eversole]

What a great way to surprise the kids! I wish I would have thought to do the same thing. It would have made a priceless expression. Enjoy your trip and have a magical time!