Pre-planning the Trip - Who, When, What & Where

My Son

So, we've been planning all of the specifics of our trip, and our son has decided that he does not want to go to DisneyWorld this year. We've discussed it over and over, and I've reviewed recommendations from some folks, and we've decided to let him stay here with the family next door who has a son his same age. Yeah, I know, your probably saying to yourself, "Oh he'll be fine when he gets there." Well, my son has a streak of stubbornness. This is the same son who rode 8 hours for a saltwater fishing trip, only to decide he didn't want to go fishing with me the next day. Unfortunately, this is the best option.

So now that we have passed that hurdle my wife wants to take one of my daughter's friends with us so she won't be alone without someone to play with all the time. I'm thinking to myself that there will be a large number of kids there, and plenty of children to meet at the pool etc. However, my wife convices me, and we invite one of her friends through her parents.

We've discussed this with her parents and decided that she will also not find out about the trip until the day it gets here, so now we are pulling off a surprise for two. So now the game is on. How do I plan this thing without the both of them finding out? How can I get their input on some things so they don't feel like they've missed out? What can I do to make sure this is a fun filled experience, and not have the melt-downs that we had when I took my son?

Can someone reserve a room for me in the looney bin. I'll be needing it when I'm done with my trip.

It All Started with a Mouse

I am really excited about my daughter's first Disney trip, but what excites me more is the surprise we are springing on her. She has no idea that we have already put together dates to go on a Disney trip. We have talked to her about going on one, but she doesn't have a clue that we are actually going this year.
I've read a number of posts about surprise Disney trips, and I thought I would come up with a bit of magic on my own for her first trip to the Mouse's House. My wife thinks I'm crazy, and so do her friends, but maybe we need a little crazy every once in a while to break the monotony of everyday life. Isn't that what Disney World is about? Something out of the ordinary, something magical, a tickle to the senses, that's what I'm hoping for this time.

In the tradition of Walt Disney, the sharing of ideas, and of course magical tails, I'd also love to share our journey with the rest of the world not only to provide you with some ideas to help make your trip better, easier, and more economical but also in hopes that it would spark some creativity in planning something special for someone in your life, be it your kids, your spouse, or maybe even a friend.



"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."— Walt Disney