Pre-Trip WDW SURPRISE TRIP SEPT 15-23

A little background regarding the trip and the family. I am a single part time full time father. Meaning I have my children week on week off. Kids, DS 10 & DD 8, asked last year about going to WDW. I told them it was not a cheap trip and we would have to be careful of our spending in order to be able to save for the trip. I told them we should be able to make it if everything works out in 2-3 years. We also live in Canada near Ottawa.

Well, things have fallen into place to allow the trip to be moved up. I came into some money which will help with the payment of the trip as long as I don't make it too expensive. I was originally thinking of somewhere between March and May, 2017. Depending upon the date, would be around DD's birthday. However looking at attendance stats came to find out September has one of the lowest attendance records compared to other months of the year. This would really work out for us. As luck would have it, I actually have the children for 3 weeks the middle of September. This would make it easier to book around flights and other things. Not to mention DS's birthday will be during this time.

The trip has been booked since late May. Have also decided to drive instead of flying. Partially to save money, part to get the surprise for as long as possible and being able to do a pre side trip. A lot of planning and research has gone into the trip, including a number of posts on this site. Have also changed several 'plans' including the date for MNSSHP as it would have negatively affected the following days planned events. DS's birthday celebration at DHS.

The three of us are not major 'thrill' ride fans. This will help in the use of FP+s and give us more time to enjoy all the other attractions. Kids are huge Star Wars fans. DS's birthday is the 21st and the idea is to spend the day at DHS, mainly for all the Star Wars attractions, with the prime goal to have Jedi Training. Have heard need to be there prior to rope drop to get on the Jedi Training list. This is why I changed the date for our MNSSHP after I found out the party went until midnight. Thinking we might not get back to our room some time around 1:00 am, there was no way my two would be up early enough to make DHS rope drop. Did I mention they are not early risers. Even though they have stated they would be if/when we went. We still talk like we are going, but in another year or two. Shhhh, they still don't know we will be there in less than 60 days.

My daughter also loves giraffes. They are her most loved animal and she has a number of giraffe stuffies. When I heard about DAK and AKL, I looked into staying at an AKL room with a savanna room. DD would just die/love looking out the balcony and watching giraffes walking around the savanna just outside our room. Unfortunately, this turned out to be just to expensive for us. I did however get some advice on how to get her close and at another site feed them.

ADRs and FP+s have been made. ADRs were done a few months after the 180 day mark but I think I got all I wanted. In the park character ADRs in order to get the maximum M&Gs for the little ones.

Below is what I have planned to date, and hoping they will not change much.

Sept 14
Check into Tampa Hotel

Sept 15
Busch Gardens visit (have ticket for their safari which has opportunity to feed giraffes)
5-7 pm check into All Star Sports

Sept 16 MK
Planning taking advantage of EMH 8-9 am to do 7dwarfs/peter pan/adventure of winnie the pooh
9:55 - 10:55 Under the Sea Journey Little Mermaid
11:00 - 12:00 Ariel's Grotto
12:00 - 1:00 Enchanted Tales with Belle
may do a few other things but plan to head back to hotel for lunch/swim/rest/change
hoping to get extra FP for Mickey Mouse at town square theater or tinker bell before heading back to the hotel. Or at worse when we return.
4:00 return to MK to participate in MNSSHP and take advantage of all the party events/M&Gs/treat and treating.
Dinner will consist of a quick service, in order to not lose to much party time and will be dependent upon where in the park we are.

Sept 17 DAK
don't expect to get up to early so planning on arriving around noon.
1:10 -2:10 Adventures outpost Mickey/Minnie M&G
2:10 - 3:10 Kali River Rapids
5:30 ADR Yak & Yeti
6:10 - 7:10 Kilimanjaro Safari
(QS lunch depending upon where we are and when kids get hungry)

Sept 18 Epcot
Test Track at rope drop
9:20 - 10:20 Space Ship
10:30 - 11:30 Epcot Character Spot M&G
12:15 - 1:15 Frozen Ever After
would like to get extra FP for Soarin
1:35 ADR Coral Reef
6:00 ADR Akershus

Sept 19 MK
10:00 ADR Cinderella's Round Table (hoping to do Merida & Alice M&G before hand)
11:00 -12:00 Cinderella and guest M&G
12:00 - 1:00 Rapunzal and guest M&G
1:05 - 2:05 Buzz Lightyear
would like to get extra FP for tomorrowland speedway
4:00 QS lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
9:20 ADR Chef Mickey

Sept 20 DAK
9:05 - 10:05 Kilimanjaro safari
12:00 QS lunch Pizzafari
1:00 - 2:00 It's tough to be a bug
3:00 Festival of the Lion King
would like to get another FP for evening safari
5:35 ADR Tusker

Sept 21 DHS
Have purchased EMM ticket so we will be able to enter at 7:45
during this time would like to take advantage of Olaf/Mickey&Minnie/Woody&Buzz M&Gs and toy mania. Not sure if have time for Star Tours, maybe taking pictures outside without the crowds.
This should also allow us to get into the Jedi Training sign up line by about 8:30ish in order to ensure us a spot on the list.
9:45 Breakfast at ABC Commissary
10:25 - 11:25 Great Movie ride
12:10 - 1:10 Star Tours: the adventures continues
1:45 Voyage of the Little Mermaid
6:35 ADR 50s Cafe
considering the park hours will more than likely miss Fantasmic! for Star Wars: A galatic Spectacular

Sept 22 MK

9:55 - 10:55 Pirates of the Caribbean
10:55 - 11:55 Jungle Cruise
12:00 QS lunch Peco's Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
12:40 - 1:40 Splash Mountain
would like to get a FP for Haunted Mansion for later
3:50 ADR Crystal Palace

Sept 23 check out and sadly start drive home

I am not sure if I mentioned it above, but this is my first visit in about 40 years. Things have change a lot since I have been there. I am trying to 'organize' this trip to the best of my ability and to ensure the most magical adventure for my two. In all honestly, considering the cost of WDW trips and financial situation, I don't expect we will be returning. this is why I would like to make this trip as amazing for them as possible. Reviewing the above, I second guess some of my choices but think I have most of it down correctly. However, I don't have the experience of visiting WDW as most of you have.

I won't mind hearing what you all have to say regarding the above. I understand our likes may not be the same as most others in wanting to ride all the 'thrill' rides as much as possible. As such, I would rather not hear any negative comments regarding not scheduling any of the 'big' rides. Any other comments/suggestions would be welcomed.

I want to make this trip the best possible and want to ensure I don't miss anything.

Thank you

 

[Scoppin]

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.

No problem. I would rather be told twice then not at all and have issues. I did request a letter of authorized travel from her which she did deliver when she picked up the children the other week. It is not notarized but it is witnessed by someone she knows. Which is an option given on the letter. It is a bit of a pain, however, understand the reason behind it.

Thank you for asking as I am sure there may be some who are unaware.

 

[JenniferS]

No problem. I would rather be told twice then not at all and have issues. I did request a letter of authorized travel from her which she did deliver when she picked up the children the other week. It is not notarized but it is witnessed by someone she knows. Which is an option given on the letter. It is a bit of a pain, however, understand the reason behind it.

Thank you for asking as I am sure there may be some who are unaware.

Awesome. No problem.
I subscribe to the "measure twice, cut once" school of thought. Kind of the same idea here.

 

[DimpledDevil18]

This trip sounds so exciting! I can't wait to hear your kids reactions when they find out they are going to Disney. Have an awesome trip! I just got back from Disney myself and it was amazing. You guys are going to have a great time!

 

[Scoppin]

Awesome. No problem.
I subscribe to the "measure twice, cut once" school of thought. Kind of the same idea here.

Should also mention I plan on bring a copy of our custody agreement along with me, just in case they ask or if there are issues. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Scoppin]

This trip sounds so exciting! I can't wait to hear your kids reactions when they find out they are going to Disney. Have an awesome trip! I just got back from Disney myself and it was amazing. You guys are going to have a great time!

I am hoping they come home on Sunday still not knowing. My ultimate wish is to pull over just before the WDW gates and record their reaction, but I think they may be a little to smart for that. Thank you for your warm wishes.

Glad to hear you had a great time. So you were there late August. Was it warm? How were the crowds/wait times?

 

[DimpledDevil18]

Glad to hear you had a great time. So you were there late August. Was it warm? How were the crowds/wait times?

It was pretty hot and humid! No rain for the first few days and then the occasional pop up storm after that. Mostly rained for maybe an hour or so before clearing up. Just enough to be a bit of a nuisance. We had the spray bottle fans. (Hit up Wal-Mart in Kissimmee en route to your resort. They are $12.95 there vs $20 at Disney). We also invested in O2 cooling towels which we purchased before our trip. You soaked them in water, wrung them out, and then applied to your neck and shoulders and it was definitely cooling. They could be reused throughout your trip as long as you kept them damp. Hopefully it'll be a bit cooler when you get down there though!

Crowds were a bit more than I expected, but decreased as our trip went on. By our last day the parks were projected to have very low attendance. Lines weren't too bad, especially using FastPass+. There were some long wait times posted, but the longest we waited was 45 min for Test Track. Everything else we waited for was about 30 min or less.

 

[Scoppin]

It was pretty hot and humid! No rain for the first few days and then the occasional pop up storm after that. Mostly rained for maybe an hour or so before clearing up. Just enough to be a bit of a nuisance. We had the spray bottle fans. (Hit up Wal-Mart in Kissimmee en route to your resort. They are $12.95 there vs $20 at Disney). We also invested in O2 cooling towels which we purchased before our trip. You soaked them in water, wrung them out, and then applied to your neck and shoulders and it was definitely cooling. They could be reused throughout your trip as long as you kept them damp. Hopefully it'll be a bit cooler when you get down there though!

Crowds were a bit more than I expected, but decreased as our trip went on. By our last day the parks were projected to have very low attendance. Lines weren't too bad, especially using FastPass+. There were some long wait times posted, but the longest we waited was 45 min for Test Track. Everything else we waited for was about 30 min or less.

Thank you for sharing. A little rain can be a good thing from what I understand. Thins the crowds.

I am hoping it will be a little cooler, but it has been very warm up here so we should be use to it. Hoping for lower crowds as well. But only time will tell on both. Speaking of which, not much time.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I am so excited to hear how the kids react! Secret is still intact!

 

[Scoppin]

I am so excited to hear how the kids react! Secret is still intact!

As far as I know it is. the kids are currently with their mother and she has promised to help keep the secret. The come home early Sunday evening and we will be leaving Monday morning.

I was at their first day of school yesterday and they appeared to not know. I also gave thier teacher each a letter explaining they would not be in class for two week, not to give them homework as it would not be completed, they had done some extra work over the summer, they were not aware of the trip and if they could please not mention it to them. I think I mentioned the last part twice.

We will see on Sunday.

 

[Scoppin]

Good news bad news type of day.

Good news: It appears the kids still don't know about the trip. Their mother was by yesterday to drop of some money for them. Giving me the money and not the kids means they have not mentioned/hinted they were going on the trip. Big thanks go to their teachers as well on helping keeping the secret.

More Good news: Have everything packed now. Was able to get everything (clothes that is) into two suitcases. One for the trip down (no use getting out more than one suitcase for each stop) and one for while we are at WDW. Then I have most of the WDW snacks/breakfast goodies in a couple of carry ons and all the 'surprise gifts and birthday card/gifts' in another carry on. I will lload up the van tomorrow so everything is out of the way, except for the 'traveling' suitcase which will be in my room waiting for the final items to be loaded into it on Monday.

Bad News: I had a message on my phone while I left work from WDW customer service. I work at an institution which cell phones are unauthorized to be brought in. The message was regarding our ADR at Akershus scheduled for the 18th at 6:00 pm. The CM told me to call back between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm. Nothing about Monday to Friday just the times. I have called twice, left messages and no one has called me back. this is something I don't want to worry about just a week out from our trip. I wasn't able to see an open reservation for here since I booked it. I know, it could be nothing but the last time they called me it was about the cancellation of the early morning magic on Wednesdays at HS. Affecting DS's birthday. So, not expecting this to be a positive conversation. This dinner is for DD to meet a number of princesses.

Stressing about this one. And I don't want this conversation to happen on Monday when the kids and I are traveling.

 

[Scoppin]

One step closer to the start of this adventure. All is packed into the van except for the 'traveling' suitcase and a few last minute items. Kids come home in approximately 1.5 hours.

 

[DimpledDevil18]

Have a great time on your trip and I can't wait to hear about it when you come back! Hopefully it's nothing too serious about your Akershus reservation. Maybe they need to adjust your reservation time?

 

[Scoppin]

Have a great time on your trip and I can't wait to hear about it when you come back! Hopefully it's nothing too serious about your Akershus reservation. Maybe they need to adjust your reservation time?

I hope so, but I'm not betting on it.

 

[Scoppin]

The kids came home today and appears all is quiet on the trip front.
Put kids to bed fairly early as it is a school day tomorrow. However, DS was back down in about half an hour complaining his tummy was upset and there was evidence of it. Adding he also brushed his teeth again. I mentioned we would get him some gravol. So, upstairs we went but I was thinking it was all in the traveling suitcase in my room, but couldn't tell him that. So, once upstairs and unable to find some mentioned there may be some downstairs. So, I gave him some and put him back to bed as tomorrow he had school. He replied, but I thought if someone got sick they couldn't go to school the next day. I told him we would see about it in the morning. (I had already told them I would be home to get them on the bus in the morning.) He also mentioned when sick they were able to stay up. I told him he needed his rest, got him a pail and wished him a good night. I then proceeded to move the suitcase out of my room and into another, just in case.

Tomorrow morning should be interesting.

Guess, I should get some rest. I guess this is the end of the pre trip report. Next the post trip report.

 

[littleroo]

Have an amazing trip!!!! Lots of Disney magic coming your way!!

 

[Figment Forever]

The kids came home today and appears all is quiet on the trip front.
Put kids to bed fairly early as it is a school day tomorrow. However, DS was back down in about half an hour complaining his tummy was upset and there was evidence of it. Adding he also brushed his teeth again. I mentioned we would get him some gravol. So, upstairs we went but I was thinking it was all in the traveling suitcase in my room, but couldn't tell him that. So, once upstairs and unable to find some mentioned there may be some downstairs. So, I gave him some and put him back to bed as tomorrow he had school. He replied, but I thought if someone got sick they couldn't go to school the next day. I told him we would see about it in the morning. (I had already told them I would be home to get them on the bus in the morning.) He also mentioned when sick they were able to stay up. I told him he needed his rest, got him a pail and wished him a good night. I then proceeded to move the suitcase out of my room and into another, just in case.

Tomorrow morning should be interesting.

Guess, I should get some rest. I guess this is the end of the pre trip report. Next the post trip report.

Have an awesome trip and I hope everyone stays healthy!!

 

[littleroo]

As long as my kids hold up, we should be in magic kingdom around the same time on the 22nd.

 

[Scoppin]

Have an amazing trip!!!! Lots of Disney magic coming your way!!

Thank you.

 

[Scoppin]

Have an awesome trip and I hope everyone stays healthy!!

Thank you. I will leave the rest for the post report.

 

[Scoppin]

As long as my kids hold up, we should be in magic kingdom around the same time on the 22nd.

Keep an eye out for us.
We will also be at MK on the 16th & 19th.