***Official Surprise Trips Thread and Planning Tips!***

[Albion218]

Sounds like y'all had an awesome trip! And I'm sure you earned a lot of husband points on that one! So sweet!

[MouseEarsForAll]

Originally Posted by Tigger's ally

It all worked out great. We left for the airport with my buddy riding shotgun in our van and my wife right behind him. He had his luggage sitting in the other captains chair behind me. When we pulled up to the airport curb, he got out and walked around the back to get his luggage and my wife sat up front. I got out, but before I did, I handed her a card. it was a romantic card that basically said looking forward to a weekend away (she still thought we were going to Lake of the ozarks) and that we also needed to get back to Disney soon! (remember the word soon) I had a little sign made up that was with my buddy's luggage. I informed him that I was getting back in and to wait until I hit the brake lights and then come up from behind and put the sign up in her window. When I got back in the van, I hit the CD button where I had the CD that my daughter had made thanks to someone on here sending her the music. It was the Illuminations theme song. I think after about 5 seconds, I hit the brakes and my wife looked at me and asked "what CD is this?" and I looked back and said, one I made, don't you know the song? By then she did. I told her to turn and look out her window. The sign had a great big Mickey head with these words inside it.

IS NOW SOON ENOUGH ?

She just looked at me and said WHAT?

I didn't need to answer, just smile. 45 minutes later we were in the air on our way to our happy place. Landed at 11 EST. and had a room at check in. Put our carry on in our new room and headed to DTD for lunch at paridiso and shopping. Had a great weekend with dinner at the Cali Grill later that first night for Wishes. Segway tour the next morining. Lunch at LeCellier and Dinner that night on the veranda of Rose and Crown for holiday Illuminations. Was a wonderful night with a wonderful waiter. Woke up the next morning and had a late brunch at 1900 before boarding the nasty ME bus (the one that heads the wrong way!)

This was my second surprise trip for her and by far the toughest. They sure don't make it easy anymore to pull it off, with all the emails and billing statements. Fortunately for me, I was persistent and I had a great experience with Dreams Ulimited and Kerry. Couldn't have done it without her. She made sure everything got sent to my work address and handled everything else without a hitch. Like I said in another thread, I have always done my own planning (18 trips). But from now on, I will let Dreams take care of the majority of my stuff. I still did my ADR's because of how easy they make it and I changed a couple back and forth, but I am willing to bet that they could do it and do it right!

Now, with my daughter graduated and married, I am only left with my twin baseball playing sons to get through their sophomore schedules and then two more years. Planning to take the whole crew in a couple years. Might have to fit in a weekend trip again before then. Won't be a surprise though.

Just for those that wondered about costs for a short all out weekend trip-

Airfare from St. Lou to Mickey= 2 @ 240 on Southwest $480
Two nights in Little Mermaid and 1 day epcot pass w Deluxe dining $790
Segway tour $200

Total less spending money, tips and drinks- $1470

Usually stay at either WL or POFQ but really wanted to see AoA and this short trip was perfect. We were in the room a total of about 14 hours for the whole weekend. Nice Value resort, will probably only go back for the suites when grandkids appear.

Alot of money for a weekend, but we spend close to a thousand everytime we head to Chicago for the weekend. Disney much better

Sounds awesome! Glad you had a great time, and thanks for reporting back, Tigger's ally!

[dalgal101]

Disney trip revealed Christmas Day. Video of past trip pics and at the end the surprise Jan 2013 trip revealed. DS11 excited, DS7 no reaction then tears a little later about his throat hurting and missing our house/dogs. A little overwhelmed I believe. I know we will have a great time so I am ok with that. Merry Christmas!

[MouseEarsForAll]

Originally Posted by dalgal101

Disney trip revealed Christmas Day. Video of past trip pics and at the end the surprise Jan 2013 trip revealed. DS11 excited, DS7 no reaction then tears a little later about his throat hurting and missing our house/dogs. A little overwhelmed I believe. I know we will have a great time so I am ok with that. Merry Christmas!

Aww, the poor DS.

I know you will! Have a great vacation, Christmas, and Happy New Year!

[Tigger's ally]

Originally Posted by Albion218

Sounds like y'all had an awesome trip! And I'm sure you earned a lot of husband points on that one! So sweet!

well, I am such a Disnut that she actually always earns wifey points for riding shotgun!

[tink&stitchmom]

I've planned a surprise Mother and Daughter trip for my daughter's 16th birthday weekend (MLK weekend).
Her birthday is while we are there and I have a few surprises planned during the trip. I haven't figured out a way to tell her yet--any ideas? She has finals the day before and the morning that we leave so I'm not sure how soon in advance to tell her.

[nannye]

Hmmmm tough call. Honestly I'd tell her after finals. You don't want her distracted during finals. I would just do what you can to ensure she has enough time to pack and get ready herself. (ie. making sure her laundry is done and she's stocked up on shampoo or other things you think she'll need. Take her shopping for a new bathing suit and some summer clothes a few weeks before, that type of thing.

[tink&stitchmom]

We're actually leaving in 12 days 😄!
I don't think she suspects anything but she also hasn't said what she would like to do...

[MouseEarsForAll]

Originally Posted by tink&stitchmom

I've planned a surprise Mother and Daughter trip for my daughter's 16th birthday weekend (MLK weekend).
Her birthday is while we are there and I have a few surprises planned during the trip. I haven't figured out a way to tell her yet--any ideas? She has finals the day before and the morning that we leave so I'm not sure how soon in advance to tell her.

Originally Posted by nannye

Hmmmm tough call. Honestly I'd tell her after finals. You don't want her distracted during finals. I would just do what you can to ensure she has enough time to pack and get ready herself. (ie. making sure her laundry is done and she's stocked up on shampoo or other things you think she'll need. Take her shopping for a new bathing suit and some summer clothes a few weeks before, that type of thing.

Yes, tell her after the finals. You need all the concentration you can get...and having Mickey on your mind won't help!

[luulu1999]

I am HOPING to get to go at some point this summer...we went to DL for Christmas and it was our first trip ever and I immediately came home and started looking into a WDW trip. I would LOVE to surprise my kids with this one (couldn't keep the other one to myself) but I am going to try real hard with this one if I can make it happen!!

[jmkjml39]

We are leaving for DW and Cruise in 40 days! I won't be telling my girls until the night before. Does anyone know where I can find a 'We're going to Disney puzzle"? I have read blogs and threads about this but no one states where to get one.

Thanks!

[Lorilais_mommie]

These all sound so great surprising my DD(6) for her 7th bday

we are planning to do it morning of!
Still working out the details tho.. Fill all you in later. :-)

[angelabrezovsky]

Originally Posted by jmkjml39

We are leaving for DW and Cruise in 40 days! I won't be telling my girls until the night before. Does anyone know where I can find a 'We're going to Disney puzzle"? I have read blogs and threads about this but no one states where to get one.

Thanks!

You take any puzzle and build it then flip it over and write it on the back of the puzzle! Hope this helps!!

[angelabrezovsky]

Originally Posted by clynngibson

Our surprise video: http://youtu.be/YaeBLFl6vo4

We had just gotten home from a dinner out and DD did so well getting her bath and getting in bed like she was told...only to hear a knock on the door! lol

I love this! I will be doing this for my girls!!

[forever11709]

^^ thank you for making me tear up! DD is only 3 so I think we will be waiting a few more years to do a surprise trip! But this one was one of the best I've seen!