Pre-Trip WDW SURPRISE TRIP SEPT 15-23

Scoppin · Aug 8, 2016

Scoppin said:
If possible when we pull up to the gates.

I should have also mentioned I have friends in the Baltimore area and it takes me about 8-10 hours to get there.

Scoppin · Aug 8, 2016

TheMouseFan said:
Just a heads up, Chewy isn't able to sign any autographs! We asked in June.

Have you looked for the mineral powder sunscreen?

Sounds like you have a great trip planned! Have fun!

Thanks for the head up. Guess has to do with the big hands. He may be very disappointed about not getting an autograph, but should be pleased with the picture. I am sure he will get over it as well, if he is able to have a light saber duel with Darth Vader. Especially since it will be on his birthday.

ScarletBegonias · Aug 9, 2016

I live pretty close to Hershey! It's so fun!

Scoppin · Aug 10, 2016

The ADR stars have lined up for me so close to our departure date.

I believe I already mentioned I was able to get an early ADR breakfast at 8:35 am for Hollywood & Vine on the 21st to make up for the disappointing news we no longer had the EMM event ticket. My other concern for this day was the 6:55 pm dinner ADR for Hollywood & Vine as it would interfere with the Star Wars: Galactic Spectacular. Was able to score a 5:50 pm dinner ADR for Hollywood & Vine. This should give us enough time to enjoy dinner, interact with Minnie and her pals in Halloween costumes and be able to get a nice spot for the show.

The other ADR I really had a concern about was our 3:50 dinner ADR for Crystal Palace. Was really thinking would not be able to pick up anything better to fit our schedule so was considering to forego lunch plans and just snack until we got to dinner. However, the stars lines up for us here as well. Now have a 5:50 pm dinner ADR for Crystal Palace. This should allow us to have lunch, enjoy more of the park before going for dinner and then enjoying some of the nighttime light shows.

The only one I was hoping to adjust, and it was just a slight adjustment, was the 6:00 pm ADR at Akershus. This will fit our plans but thinking a little later would be nice in order not to be rush getting there. However, with Food and Wine Fest and Eat to the Beat, I really don't believe being able to get a 6:30ish ADR will be possible.

But I should be too disappointed or greedy. I was able to modify two of the three. And the two which has the greatest positive impact on our plans.

So, I think most of our plans for getting there, while there and getting back are complete. Now just have to pre pack. That being collect all the things/items to help make this a better experience while we are there. I got plenty of ideas of nice things to bring and not to mention important things as well. Such as moleskin in case someone gets blisters. Fingers crossed we won't need it.

Till the next update.

Scoppin · Aug 17, 2016

We just came back from a long weekend trip visiting family. I am not sure how exactly this happened but DS was searching for WDW information. We turned it into a family thing and would watch together the sites/threads he would find. One was an old WDW trip adviser which showed all the interesting times to go during the year; flower festival, Halloween and Christmas. He thought going treat or treating would be a lot of fun. This started a discussion about when we would go next year. I told him it is up to him as it didn't matter to me. He mentioned a friend missed a week of school to go. Then mentioned about going during the summer. I mentioned they won't miss any school this way and I would have them for a 2 week period during the summer. He then decided this would be a good time with the two week period. I then threw out there that we should go in July for my birthday. He was then really excited as it would be a great birthday for me and then proceeded to plan our trip. The 'plan' is for us to be there for 5 days. Arriving on July 8th and leaving on July 12th, the day after my birthday. I had to add if he wanted to be there for 5 days or in the parks for 5 days, adding not really wanting to arrive at WDW mid day and going to the park for only 'half' a day. Might as well enjoy full days in the parks. He replied we could explore the hotel and go swimming on the first day. But he didn't change our 'dates'. He then proceeded to enter our WDW dates into his phone and mentioned not to mention anything to DD. It was really late at this time and I sent him off to bed. He got up shortly afterwards to inform me he was having difficulty sleeping as he was really excited about our trip 'next year'.

The following morning DS left the breakfast table and mentioned not to mention anything to DD, while she was there. Of course this started the questions 'tell me what?' I told him he couldn't say that in front of someone and not expect them to ask. Well, our family trip information was shared and DD was excited about the 'scheduled' trip next year. But it was agreed not to say anything to their mother at this time until the actually trip and plans were confirmed and we could share actual information.

I hope they are not too disappointed if the actual trip is moved ahead of schedule to next month. Actually, we will be in the parks this time next month and making our way to AK after sleeping in from a long night enjoying MNSSHP the night before.

I should share something we 'learned' from some of the things we viewed. Apparently if a CM tells you to have a Disney day it is not actually a compliment/nice salutation. It was stated it was CM code to actually mean the oppose/telling you to screw off. we thought this was interesting and listening for a CM to respond in this manner and maybe as to how we would react. Has anyone heard of this. Just wondering if anyone would be able to confirm. I know, hard to believe you can't believe everything you read on the internet.

Scoppin · Aug 21, 2016

Final payment has been made for the trip.

Now I guess the only thing that is left is to make a packing list, pack and go. May want to pick up a few more things for the kids. Need to find a few things for the kids to trade with the Jawas as well.

Scoppin · Aug 26, 2016

Okay I am sure many of you are going to think I am crazy. 3 weeks from being at WDW and I am thinking of changing up our agenda. But it really is not my fault, its Disney's. I was just recently on the WDW site and noticed AK hours have changed. They are now open until 9:00 pm instead of 7:30. This is starting to make me think and this can be a scary thing. I was planning basically 1.5 - 1.7 days at AK. The part day was going to be the day after MNSSHP in order to allow DD and DS to sleep in from a very long night. Now I am thinking that maybe the 2nd day I had planned could be adjust to include some of the attractions we were going to see on the 17th. The down side is I know both love animals and would love to have a complete tour of the park and experience everything and I am not sure if we would be able to do everything in one day, even with the extra time.

The up side. I already know from what I have already outlined for us we more than likely will not be able to do everything we would like to do at both HS and Epcot. I know one of the causalities of HS would be Fantismic. If I go with the change, I would still start late. Start at Epcot with a FP to either Soarin or Test Track. This would ensure we see all the top 3. Not to mention a slower walk around World Showcase ensuring meeting all the Princesses and I am certain we would be able to complete the Agent P challenges. DS is disappointed there has not been any new shows in a while. I could also cancel our ADR at Yak and Yeti for an ADR at Garden Grill for one more character dinner. Then we could walk over to HS maybe do some M&Gs/rides or watch Beauty and the Beast this day and finish off the day with Fantismic. I know the kids would really like Fantismic. This would also allow us to remain in the main area of HS for when we are there on the 21st for DS's birthday allowing for less walking this day. We could also concentrate on more Star Wars and less Princess on his day.

Basically I would be sacrificing one park for two. I know as it stands now, we would not complete two parks. The change would allow us to complete those two and maybe not the third. It would all depend on the crowds at AK and what we stick to. But the added up side I would believe is I am thinking there will be a night time show to be seen.

So, am I crazy for my current thinking?

Scoppin · Aug 26, 2016

I have to be honest, I have been having an unsettling feeling that DS is onto my little secret. So, I had to take my little rouse to the next level. While visiting my parents we went over to speak to the neighbours, as I know they have been to WDW a number of times. I mentioned to DS they would be good to speak to as they know about WDW. We mentioned we were going July 2017 for 5 days for my birthday. He mentioned it would be very warm. Then he mentioned we should speak with (I think his sister or sister-in-law) who knows everything about WDW, has been there way too many times to counts (about 4/years) and is a Disney specialist who works with Disney and could get us discounts and tell us everything we need to know about WDW. (I wish I knew about her before I started planning this trip.)

So, when we got home DS asked about calling her. I told him it was late and we could do so tomorrow. But we would first have to gather some information about our trip and questions we would like to ask. The first thing to determine was the dates. We are arriving on July 7th and returning on July 15th. This would give us 7 complete days in the parks. He determined this by stating how many days he wanted to spend in each park. We then called her, I had her on speaker so he could hear, and we shared we were planning a WDW trip next July and were given her card. She suggested coming to the house to meet the three of us in order to get a good feel of what we wanted and bring a number of things for us. Due to scheduling issues on both parties and the children not coming back home until Sept 11th, it was agreed the meeting would take place on Monday, Sept 12th at 4:45 pm. If this date looks familiar it is. This is the start date of our adventure to the Magical Place. I agreed I would send her an email to confirm the appointment. But it was much more than that.

I did email and had to apologize for the rouse and explained why. She was very much okay with it and wished us a great trip. She also agreed to reply to another email I would send to 'confirm' our appointment. I deleted the first sent of emails and showed DS the email confirmation of our September 12th meeting. Now I am going to have to explain why we are going for a drive on the 12th when we have a very important meeting to attend. I may just say she had to reschedule for the following Monday and I decided to take a short trip to make up for not doing one this summer. I wonder if he will buy it?

I am such a bad father! I wonder if they will ever forgive me for this rouse.

But a secret planner has to do what they have to do in order to keep the secret.

Scoppin · Aug 28, 2016

joshsprincess921 said:
Looks like a fun time. How long will it take you to drive down? Can't wait to hear about how surprised your kid's are when they find out. Busch Gardens is fun, but I mainly did all the coasters when I went. Lots of them!
Also, your son and I share a birthday. Celebrating your birthday is Disney is the best!

The trip routes I have reviewed say about 20 hours. But we will be taking the scenic route down in order to give the kids an opportunity to see the Atlantic. It will now take us about 24 hours, without stops, to get to Tampa.

I had a feeling DS may have been getting the feeling we may be going this year. I took my rouse up a level and we called a Disney planner to help us organize our trip for next year. He is all excited about our trip next year and me being able to celebrate my birthday while we are there. I hope he is not to disappointed we will be there in less than three weeks and will be celebrating his birthday rather than mine.

I also emailed back the Disney planner to explain our true plans and my wanting him to think we were going next year. She fully understood, wished us a wonderful trip and confirmed our meeting in a separate email. :joyfull:

I am still hoping to keep this a surprise up until we drive through the WDW gates.

Happy early birthday!

Scoppin · Aug 28, 2016

FlaggNL said:
Plans sounds more than great! Cool you go by car! You can see a lot of USA during the trip! Enjoy the pre feelings!

Thanks. Hearing/reading that I am not totally off base is great to hear. Nice to get feedback from those more experienced in the world of WDW.

I have decided to take the scenic route down, taking about 12 hours on our first leg of the trip to reach Virginia Beach and use the Chesapeake Bridge and Tunnel system. This stop will also give them an opportunity to see/touch the Atlantic which neither of them have done.

Can't believe it is almost a reality, about two weeks we will be on our way.

Scoppin · Aug 28, 2016

TheMouseFan said:
Just a heads up, Chewy isn't able to sign any autographs! We asked in June.

Have you looked for the mineral powder sunscreen?

Sounds like you have a great trip planned! Have fun!

I mentioned to him after, that 'DD's friend's mother' had mentioned neither baymax or Chewy were able to sign due to the large hands. He wasn't too disappointed, still pumped about meeting him. DD wants to be able to 'speak' with him.

I haven't, will keep trying the spray on sunscreen.

Thank you for the input. It is always nice to hear/read some positive feedback, especially from those who know a lot more about this subject than I do. I don't mind researching and planning to try to make this the best trip possible. I will just have to remember to tone that down while we are there.

Scoppin · Aug 28, 2016

ScarletBegonias said:
I live pretty close to Hershey! It's so fun!

I have heard people I know enjoying the tour of the factory and figured we could take some time to take a little walk since we would be in the neighbourhood.

Scoppin · Sep 1, 2016

My biggest worry/concern went without any major issues and actually much better than I thought. Last week I informed DD's & DS's mother of our surprise trip. I asked if she and anyone she informed could please keep it a secret, as I know it can be difficult and I have been temped to just blurt it out. I also asked if she would be able to drop off DS's passport and the letter of permission for travel I would need from her when she picked up the children, maybe in an envelope so the children won't see, as I would like to pack everything these two weeks and ensure I have everything. She did bring the passport and letter in an envelope and 'apologized' for opening it accidentally as it was delivered to her by mistake. She then asked the kids to go to the vehicle as she wanted to speak to me. She then asked if the kids were aware of the trip as she had a reacquiring event reminder on her phone. I mentioned my suspicions and the events which took place, as mentioned above. I added DS needed to add the day of our departure next year into the calendar on his phone, which is what she is seeing. Apparently the two phones are linked. She was relieved to hear this and added the trip would be a good distraction for DS as he is a little disappointed she is going to miss his birthday.

Now I only have one more worry/concern I need to figure out to deal with in the best manner. Crossing the border, without actually having to give away the surprise of the trip, but sharing the needed information with the Border Officer.

Now, the next thing for me to do is to organize everything I have purchased for the trip in order to ensure I have not missed everything. Then pack. Oh, it is getting so close. Only 11 more days until we are on the road.

Scoppin · Sep 3, 2016

Now that I have done some cleaning I am able to use our kitchen table as a staging station, in order to ensure I have everything I need for the trip. I have put out everything I have been able to find. However, I have noticed I have not been able to find everything I had hidden so the kids won't find them. Apparently, I may have hid them a little too well. At least I still have a week to locate them.

mouse_luv · Sep 3, 2016

Sounds like a fun trip! The crowds may be a bit higher when you are going because your vacation falls during the beginning of Food and Wine at EPCOT. Generally, the beginning of Sept right after Labor Day is the lightest, but it is better than going during the Spring because around Easter etc is the most $$ time to go to Disney and the heaviest as far as crowds are concerned other than summer and Christmas/New Years.

For your daughter and her love of giraffes, you can still take a bus over to AKL and there are places to view the animals on the savanna. I hope you enjoy your vacation and btw-I love Ottawa, I used to spend a significant amount of time there years back.

Also, I hope your son enjoys his birthday in WDW, make sure to get him a b-day button. You can get one in the parks or at the hotel front desk.

JenniferS · Sep 3, 2016

From one Canadian to another, I hope you have a wonderful time. I hope your kids are beyond excited when they finally figure it out.

We have driven (from the Hamilton, ON area) four times (twice with kids) and flown another seven or eight times.

Your first day in the parks happens to be our last day in the parks; although it looks like we'll both be in MK on the 16th.

If you see a really, really tall guy wearing a Blue Jays or NC Tar Heels t-shirt, wave.

This is us:

As you can see, Hubby is taller than Goofy. He's hard to miss.

Scoppin · Sep 4, 2016

mouse_luv said:
Sounds like a fun trip! The crowds may be a bit higher when you are going because your vacation falls during the beginning of Food and Wine at EPCOT. Generally, the beginning of Sept right after Labor Day is the lightest, but it is better than going during the Spring because around Easter etc is the most $$ time to go to Disney and the heaviest as far as crowds are concerned other than summer and Christmas/New Years.

For your daughter and her love of giraffes, you can still take a bus over to AKL and there are places to view the animals on the savanna. I hope you enjoy your vacation and btw-I love Ottawa, I used to spend a significant amount of time there years back.

Also, I hope your son enjoys his birthday in WDW, make sure to get him a b-day button. You can get one in the parks or at the hotel front desk.

Yes, I heard crowds were lighter in September one reason why decided to go this month. the other being the cost.
Yes, planning on getting him his BDay button as well as first time buttons for them both.

thanks for sharing.

Scoppin · Sep 4, 2016

JenniferS said:
From one Canadian to another, I hope you have a wonderful time. I hope your kids are beyond excited when they finally figure it out.

We have driven (from the Hamilton, ON area) four times (twice with kids) and flown another seven or eight times.

Your first day in the parks happens to be our last day in the parks; although it looks like we'll both be in MK on the 16th.

If you see a really, really tall guy wearing a Blue Jays or NC Tar Heels t-shirt, wave.

This is us:
View attachment 159152

As you can see, Hubby is taller than Goofy. He's hard to miss.
View attachment 159153

Nice to hear from you. I just thought I may have to explain why their closest/drawers are a little empty. I have a week to come up with something. Currently thinking of just putting some of my clothes in their laundry hamper and tell them I didn't wash their clothes the two weeks they were away.

I am hoping to make it for rope drop of EMH and heading straighted down to the back of the park and do that area for the first 4 hours until we leave to go back to our hotel to rest/eat/swim/get changed before we head back around 4ish for the MNSSHP.

I am sure there won't be many Jays shirts walking around down there. Not sure what we are wearing, but almost certain DS will be wearing a Star Wars shirt of some sort. I haven't decided which day we are going to make our Canada day and wear Canada shirts.

thank for reading.

Scoppin · Sep 4, 2016

So, I have finally been able to figure out how to upload pictures. Was easier than I thought.

So, now we have visual confirmation of the cast attending this surprise WDW trip.

You have me, Paul,
DD, Christina and
DS, Daniel.

These are the two I am trying to surprise and ensure they have the most magical trip they can have.

JenniferS · Sep 4, 2016

A question Paul. A thousand apologies if you mentioned this and I just missed it.

Have you gotten a signed notarized letter from your wife allowing you to take the kids over the border?

We went in 2006 with my parents. Them and my oldest in one car; hubby, me, and our youngest in a second car. Even with zero custodial issues, we had to get that letter signed and notarized for my parents to be able to take Son #1 over.

I also had signed/notarized letters in 2012 when I took my niece, and 2013 when I took her brother.

If you haven't done this, you need to. Do not leave it until the last minute.

http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the...-child-across-u-s-canada-border/#.V8zixTSs-JI

If you've already done this, ignore all of the above.

Pre-Trip WDW SURPRISE TRIP SEPT 15-23

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