Lovebirds' First Family Cruise: A Walt Disney World Surprise!

College sweethearts in 2002 at Universal Studios; sadly, we took no pictures at Walt Disney World

Mr. Lovebird and I met when we were 18 and as college-sweethearts when I graduated in 2002 he joined me and my parents and siblings for a grand trip to Walt Disney World. It was extra special because none of us had been before. We not only went to Disney World but Mr. Lovebird and I also booked Universal Studios, MGM Studios (which I've since learned is Disney's Hollywood Studios). It was a mind-blowing, fun trip planned with the help of The Unofficial Guide, which worked to a T. We also vowed during this trip to do the following:

Only return to Disney World when we had kids AND when all of our kids were old enough to remember it. 

Well, we're now eating our words x2 (all of my ill-formed thoughts on cruising with kids are here).

Our cruise was booked out of desperation just a couple months ago in the depths of snow and freezing temperatures, and I guess it kinda counts as last minute especially as we've been seeing most folks on our roll call booked a year ago. A few weeks ago Mr. Lovebird was talking to an associate about our cruise and he suggested we hop on over to Disney World. He shared his kids' experience going to Disney at a young age and how it was magical for that dad to see his kids' reaction. I guess it was "priceless." Mr. Lovebird was sold . . . then he went to work convincing me! His original plan was to surprise both me and Nia by taking us there when we first dock in Florida en route to the Bahamas, but knowing how Type A I am he knew that wouldn't fly, so he went ahead and spilled the beans to just me. I cautiously got on board.

Now the fun part is surprising Nia!

Originally we were going to get a rental car but just realized a few days ago that it's also a cruise excursion and for the extra money it's worth it as we can get more time in the park and not worry about the transportation hassle if something goes wrong (remember the moped mishap on our last cruise???). Going in a rental car would've made it easier to surprise Nia as I just planned to dress her in an Ariel shirt for the day (her favorite Disney princess) and just show up there allowing her to figure it out once she beholds Disney in all its glory. Since we're now going on an official cruise ship excursion I'm thinking she'll probably figure it out just from the surrounding passengers, but I was thinking of putting a sign around her neck that says, "I don't know I'm going to Disney World. Please don't spill the beans!" Is that unreasonable? Mr. Lovebird thinks it's a pointless pursuit since during the 1 hour ride other kids (some who may not be able to read either) will be talking incessantly about Disney. I can try, right?

Oh and for this trip I did get the digital version The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids for a quick read. I plan to babywear Grayson in our Boba, also rent a double stroller, focus on princess-centric rides and switch off with Uka for riding with Nia. Pretty much every special restaurant experience is sold out which is fine as we'll definitely be back another time, but I'm interested in finding some of the best fast grab and go places - any suggestions?

Have you ever surprised your kids in a big way? How do you think we should do it? (Here's a hilarious Disney World surprise fail!)



P.S. This is totally me right now O_o