Pre-Trip The Big Surprise Trip!

Hey everyone! It's been a while I know... after our last trip in December 2013 I tried continuing to post here for a month or so but eventually my PDD (Post-Disney Depression) overcame me and I started coming back less and less.

A little back story to kick us off:

• I've been visiting WDW since I was 6 years old. My first trip was in 1982 and I've made close to 30 since.
  
• In 2004 I met the man who is now my husband and took him on his first trip.
  
• Not long after, we moved to Jacksonville, FL and became annual passholders, visiting whenever we could.
  
• In early 2006 we had to take a break from visiting because our son, Aaron, was born. But... as any good Disney-crazed parents would do, we took Aaron for his first trip when he was just 10m old.
  
• After a few trips as a family, we decided in late 2007 to move to North Carolina. Since that time we've tried to continue making trips at least once a year.
  
• In 2011 we decided to skip 2012 in favor of waiting for some of New Fantasyland to open. We managed to make it through the year (PDD raging of course) and got back out to WDW in March 2013.
  
• From there we agreed we'd skip 2014 and return after the 7DMT was finished.
  
• Realizing that meant 2 years until we'd be back, we decided to make one last trip before we skipped 2014 and headed back down in December.

It has been 10 long months since we last stepped foot onto WDW property and man am I feeling it. So I did, again, what any Disney-crazed mom would do when she saw the Play, Stay & Dine release a week or so ago... I took out a loan from my 401(k) to ensure we'd get back in 2015 (just in case our Tax Return isn't enough to cover it)!

So why did we jump into another trip (that we technically can't afford) rather than waiting? Well, that's where a very long story of life since I was last here comes into play. Some of you may remember me mentioning in past trip reports and other threads that my son was diagnosed at a young age as having a mood disorder. Well, in early September, after a very very difficult few weeks that I will spare everyone the details of, his diagnosis was changed to an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (w/ ADHD). Needless to say the past month+ for our family has been the most difficult we've ever been through and as such we decided... screw it, we need a vacation!

Oh and I forgot to mention... we are not telling DS about this one. We're going to get everything together and tell him we're going to his favorite local amusement park (even though it'll be closed - he won't catch that though) and then film the reveal as we drive past it and say "Y'know what? How about we go to Disney instead!"

The Players
Jenn/Mom = Me!
Bill/Dad = DH
Aaron = DS8
Tim = DSS22

I doubt anyone has ever paid enough attention to my reports to notice but in the past when DSS was included, so to was his fiance. Well, on top to the aforementioned stress related to my son, DSS's relationship also came to an end. Another reason we all need this trip badly!
UPDATE: Unfortunately DSS can't afford to pay his bills if he misses a week of work so he's decided not to join us.

The Logistics
Arrival: Sunday, January 18th
Departure: Saturday, January 24th
Resort: Art of Animation - Cars Family Suite - A first for us!
Dining: DDP (upgraded from what package included)
Tickets: 5-Day Park Hopper
Travel Method: Drive

ADRs
Sunday: Chef Mickey's (8:05p)
Monday: Crystal Palace (8:30a)
Tuesday: Garden Grill (5:55p)
Wednesday: Boma (9:20a)
Thursday: 50's Prime Time (12:35p) - A first for us!
Friday: Be Our Guest (5:20p) - A first for us for dinner!
Saturday: 'Ohana (9:00a)

Can't add FP+ selections yet but soon as we do I'll update this report!

FastPass+ Selections
Monday 1/19: Space Mountain (9:25-10:25), Little Mermaid (11:05-12:05), Mine Train (12:25-1:25)
Tuesday 1/20: Character Spot (3:30-4:30), Test Track(4:55-5:55), Nemo (6:30-7:30)
Thursday 1/22: Toy Story Mania (11:10-12:10), Frozen Sing-along (2:20-2:35), ToT (3:20-4:20)
Friday 1/23: Safari (9:35-10:35), Primeval Whirl (11:35-12:35), Dinosaur(12:45-1:45)

My logic with these was to book around our ADRs so that we can hop elsewhere until those times and know we're in the park where we're eating. For those where I got them in the AM, I know we can get more FPs that day, even in another park if we want.

So there it is! Whatcha think folks?

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Pop Century. One of our party members will be a first-timer so we'll have fun

I just now noticed you responded to my asking where you're staying. We'll wave across the lake to you!

 

[Doc Disney]

After spending 3 hours yesterday watching videos of parents surprising their kids with trips to Disney I can not wait to see this video So excited for you all to go on a much deserved trip !

 

[ExtinctJenn]

After spending 3 hours yesterday watching videos of parents surprising their kids with trips to Disney I can not wait to see this video So excited for you all to go on a much deserved trip !

Thanks so much for that! I love those videos as well. We have one from when we surprised my son on his 3rd birthday but we woke him out of a sound sleep and thus the surprise resulted in him being completely confused. I'm hoping this one has more of the "bouncing up and down freaking out" type vibe to it. That said, I am reconsidering when to tell him about the surprise. I'm thinking maybe instead of telling him in the car, after we've convinced him we're going somewhere else, I may surprise him on the couch that morning by handing him our itinerary and magic bands. My concern is, he doesn't handle disappointment well (related to his ASD) and I'm afraid that even though going to Disney is awesome, he'll be disappointed that we weren't going to the other local park I made mention of in the original post. There is a huge new coaster being built there and I'm afraid if I tell him that's where we're going, he'll gear up to ride it and then not doing it will be a let down. We shall see though!!

 

[Doc Disney]

Thanks so much for that! I love those videos as well. We have one from when we surprised my son on his 3rd birthday but we woke him out of a sound sleep and thus the surprise resulted in him being completely confused. I'm hoping this one has more of the "bouncing up and down freaking out" type vibe to it. That said, I am reconsidering when to tell him about the surprise. I'm thinking maybe instead of telling him in the car, after we've convinced him we're going somewhere else, I may surprise him on the couch that morning by handing him our itinerary and magic bands. My concern is, he doesn't handle disappointment well (related to his ASD) and I'm afraid that even though going to Disney is awesome, he'll be disappointed that we weren't going to the other local park I made mention of in the original post. There is a huge new coaster being built there and I'm afraid if I tell him that's where we're going, he'll gear up to ride it and then not doing it will be a let down. We shall see though!!

Aww can't wait to see it no matter where you surprise him! Maybe he won't be disappointed if you explain to him that the other park is closed and that way Disney seems like an even better option? Either way I bet he will eventually be super excited!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Aww can't wait to see it no matter where you surprise him! Maybe he won't be disappointed if you explain to him that the other park is closed and that way Disney seems like an even better option? Either way I bet he will eventually be super excited!

Well, we have officially decided to do the surprise before we leave now. Sit him down on the couch, tell him we have a surprise for him, and then hand him the box of Magic Bands. When he sees them he'll realize it means we're going to Disney but won't know we're leaving as soon as he gets his shoes on. Once he's past the initial "we're going (at some point)" reaction we'll drop the "ok but we're leaving now" thing!

Ahhhhhh we are LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY!!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Well... another change to the trip plans... I now have to shell out $169 I didn't initially plan to. Our son said he wants to do Tower of Terror again but only because they now take your video on the ride. Gotta get Memory Maker as it looks like you can't buy that separately huh? *sigh*

 

[Doc Disney]

Well, we have officially decided to do the surprise before we leave now. Sit him down on the couch, tell him we have a surprise for him, and then hand him the box of Magic Bands. When he sees them he'll realize it means we're going to Disney but won't know we're leaving as soon as he gets his shoes on. Once he's past the initial "we're going (at some point)" reaction we'll drop the "ok but we're leaving now" thing!

Ahhhhhh we are LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY!!

That is going to be so fun!!! I can't wait to hear about it!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Ok... 4 days out and we made a change! We're nuts...

We now have 5-Day Park Hoppers instead of 4-Day! We have a family member that lives in St. Pete and will be at the MK on the day we arrive so, being that it was only $46 more to make our tickets 5 Days, we went for it and will now be meeting them either right before or right after our Chef Mickey's dinner!

 

[coachwnh]

So close!!! Have a great trip!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Ok... 4 days out and we made a change! We're nuts...

We now have 5-Day Park Hoppers instead of 4-Day! We have a family member that lives in St. Pete and will be at the MK on the day we arrive so, being that it was only $46 more to make our tickets 5 Days, we went for it and will now be meeting them either right before or right after our Chef Mickey's dinner!

Found out after we made this change that the Magic Kingdom is open until 1am that day too! My husband literally did a happy dance (which, if you knew him, you'd know is something that does NOT happen). So, we made some FP+ selections just in case, for HM, PPF and the Mickey M&G in Town Square. Now that being said... hubby and son will definitely get naps in during the drive and will probably be raring to go all night but me... I'm driving and have a feeling I'll be a zombie this first night. Hoping the excitement and magic of finally arriving gives me a second wind!

 

[FlaggNL]

You are almost there!!! Have a more than great, magical and wonderfull time!!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

 

[coachwnh]

Leaving tomorrow, right?????? Have a great time!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Enjoy every minute! Hope it goes slow for you.

 

[disneypearl]

Have a fantastic time!

 

[Kosmo1986]

Happy Disney Arrival day! I hope your reveal went well! My SO and I are stay at AOA from 1-21 to 1-24! I cannot wait.

 

[Zipadeelady]

On this Monday I am lucky to be sitting on my couch thanks to the Wonderful Mr. King. I open my favorite web site to read some trip reports and as I sit here at 8:30 am I open up your report to see that you are at this minute just sitting down at the Crystal Palace. I'm envious and yet happy that I "know" someone that is at Disney right now. Can't wait to read your trip report.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Hey guys! We've been back for about a week now but things got rather crazy during and after the trip with my son so I'm delayed in getting the report together. I promise it's coming!