Pre-trip Planning & Booking:
So sorry for the delay. Got back about a month ago and had to make it through the holidays! Anyhoo So glad you are joining me on my pixie dust trip with my mom the greatest lady ever! If youve read any of my previous trip reports than you know that I love spoiling my nieces/nephews and my mom. Okay pretty much everybody. This trip is no different! While on my annual trip with my friends in September, I started planning my trip with my mom pre-Christmas. After playing the resort switch game, I decided to stay some place new. It has always been my dream to stay at the Grand Floridian main building during Christmas time but alas budget would not allow it. Though Ive been to Disney more than 25 times; I think this trip was #26, I havent stayed at all the resorts and it is my mission to do so. So this trip I decided on Contemporary Resort. Though happy with my choice, I kept looking at photos and blogs about Grand Floridian. We stayed in one of the garden buildings during December before (in fact another surprise trip for mom) and she loved it. So what is a girl to do??? You guessed it split stay! Turns out I could swing main building Grand Floridian for part of the stay so I got on with reservations and made the change. We would be checking into Contemporary tower for our first 2 nights than switching to the Grand Floridian main building club level for our last 3 nights. With not much time left, I quickly began the task of trying to reserve ADRs and fastpasses.
My mom was only told we were staying at Contemporary. The switch was a surprise for her. I like surprises remember. In fact, I had one planned for everyday. It was hard keeping the secrets but I knew my mom loved the daily surprises so much last trip; and I only slipped up a couple of times. The first surprise I had for her was flying first class. I have never flown first class and its been years since mom has so I wanted to experience it with her. She wanted to take 2 bags for herself but refused to let me pay for checking a second bag and was insisting on carrying it. I didnt want her to and also like magical express to deal with luggage so I had to tell a little fib. Since we can check 2 (maybe 3) bags per person with first class, I had to come up with a good lie. I told her that my boss flies often and was sent 2 for 1 coupons for luggage and gave me a couple. Yup she bought it! Also, she knows that since I have a usairways credit card that I can check in at the first class counter at the airport so she wouldnt be suspicious there either. I checked us in online the day before and noticed that she had TSA pre-check. I was nervous about this cause it meant she would have her boarding pass in her hand for awhile and she might notice the first class designation. Ill have to figure something out at the airport to keep the secret. Haha! On with the trip!
Departure Day & Contemporary Check-in (12/06/2014):
So I knew my mom wouldnt want a super early flight so I chose an 8am flight (I usually leave at 6am). My sister picked me up about 5:30am and we headed to my moms house to get her. A quick goodbye to my dad well not so quick for mom. Theyve been married for over 53 years and she hates leaving him. She had to double check he knew where everything was and how to work the microwave. His medication was all labeled and his meals all in the fridge and freezer with instructions. Okay mom lets go! Finally we arrived at the airport and went to first class counter to check in. Luckily no mention of it by the agent so mom was still in the dark. Now was the moment I had to hand her the boarding pass. She was about to study it but I realized she was looking for the TSA pre-check designation so I quickly pointed that out so she wouldnt stare at it longer. We said a short goodbye (she had to check in elsewhere). I headed through security; hoping to get through quickly and get that boarding pass out of her hand! Haha! Sadly, it took me so much longer. This rude guy was acting a little anxious in the line next to me and just as I was about to get in line for the scanner, he almost knocked me over and jumped in front of me. TSA was keeping a watch on him as you could tell he was nervous and then he started arguing with them about something he had in his bag. They informed him that they had to pat him down and he kept trying to get some special ID or something he had in his bag. They kept trying to tell him that he couldnt touch his bag till the pat down but he wasnt listening. Finally they took him aside and another agent waived me through. Uggh! I quickly found mom. Luckily she was just looking around the airport and didnt stare at her boarding pass any longer. She remarked how flimsy it was and was afraid of losing it. BINGO hey mom, why dont I hold them? She bought it and handed it over. Mission accomplished!
I informed mom that I had guest passes to the Admirals Club prior to the trip so we were both excited to be able to go there and have breakfast and hang out until our boarding time.
What world was I living in? I dont think I can ever wait at the gate for another flight! I must join this club! It was finally time to head to the gate and I wanted to make certain to be there for the first class call. The anticipation was growing! The gate was super crowded and we couldnt even fit in the area. I quickly realized that I couldnt hear the boarding calls out in the walkway so I insisted that we squeeze in closer. She was a little confused by this but came along. Finally they called for first class passengers. I said, come on mom. She gave me this confused look and was like no, they said first class passengers. We cant go yet! I again tried grabbing her hand and pulling her along, she was like we are gonna get in trouble. Finally I said, mom, they called for first class passengers. She said and we are not! I told her to look down at her boarding pass .her face was priceless. She was so giddy and people around us were realizing what was going on and excited for her. We quickly boarded and she couldnt wait to call my dad and brag. The call started with your daughter is too much! Guess where I am sitting? LOL
First class was awesome, and yes I ordered cranberry juice and vodka for breakfast; hey it is vacation! We ate several snacks (wed regret this later) and watched sleeping beauty while enjoying all the wiggle room.
Even though we left 30 minutes late, we made up for it in flight and arrived on time in Orlando. We headed straight for magical express. Mom was impressed of how organized it was and this was her first experience with the magic bands; something that would become extremely comical every time she tried to scan it.
Sadly, it took 2 hours from the time we landed till we arrived at the Contemporary Resort. I was getting a little nervous because we had 1:05 fastpasses to Be Our Guest for lunch. We were greeted when we stepped off of magical express and escorted to the front desk to check in. A very nice cast member checked us in. I sent mom off to explore before the CM could say I see we have you with us for 2 nights. Surprise remember? I informed the CM and she was very careful about what she said when mom returned. I told her of our fastpass for lunch so she made it short and sweet.
Our room wasnt ready so I ran to the bell desk to store my plane bag and we hurried to the monorail. I forgot that magic kingdom is the last stop from the Contemporary and since we were in a hurry it seemed like forever! Mom went to scan her magic band and it was turned around. We would laugh at this many times throughout the trip cause she refused to make it tighter and the mickey heads would never line up. At one point the CMs started just grabbing her wrist and doing it for her. Oh one note about the magic bands, she did remark that it wasnt the color she had chosen. Another little lie I had to tell. You see we got 2 sets because of the split stay and I knew she would want her chosen color for the later part of the trip so I told her that due to our room discount rate ending a couple of days into the trip, I had to split our stay into 2 reservations but at the same resort; same room. I also booked the dining plan for the first 2 nights for her to try it so I offered that as an excuse as well. She bought it! So gullible but loveable!
So sorry for the delay. Got back about a month ago and had to make it through the holidays! Anyhoo So glad you are joining me on my pixie dust trip with my mom the greatest lady ever! If youve read any of my previous trip reports than you know that I love spoiling my nieces/nephews and my mom. Okay pretty much everybody. This trip is no different! While on my annual trip with my friends in September, I started planning my trip with my mom pre-Christmas. After playing the resort switch game, I decided to stay some place new. It has always been my dream to stay at the Grand Floridian main building during Christmas time but alas budget would not allow it. Though Ive been to Disney more than 25 times; I think this trip was #26, I havent stayed at all the resorts and it is my mission to do so. So this trip I decided on Contemporary Resort. Though happy with my choice, I kept looking at photos and blogs about Grand Floridian. We stayed in one of the garden buildings during December before (in fact another surprise trip for mom) and she loved it. So what is a girl to do??? You guessed it split stay! Turns out I could swing main building Grand Floridian for part of the stay so I got on with reservations and made the change. We would be checking into Contemporary tower for our first 2 nights than switching to the Grand Floridian main building club level for our last 3 nights. With not much time left, I quickly began the task of trying to reserve ADRs and fastpasses.
My mom was only told we were staying at Contemporary. The switch was a surprise for her. I like surprises remember. In fact, I had one planned for everyday. It was hard keeping the secrets but I knew my mom loved the daily surprises so much last trip; and I only slipped up a couple of times. The first surprise I had for her was flying first class. I have never flown first class and its been years since mom has so I wanted to experience it with her. She wanted to take 2 bags for herself but refused to let me pay for checking a second bag and was insisting on carrying it. I didnt want her to and also like magical express to deal with luggage so I had to tell a little fib. Since we can check 2 (maybe 3) bags per person with first class, I had to come up with a good lie. I told her that my boss flies often and was sent 2 for 1 coupons for luggage and gave me a couple. Yup she bought it! Also, she knows that since I have a usairways credit card that I can check in at the first class counter at the airport so she wouldnt be suspicious there either. I checked us in online the day before and noticed that she had TSA pre-check. I was nervous about this cause it meant she would have her boarding pass in her hand for awhile and she might notice the first class designation. Ill have to figure something out at the airport to keep the secret. Haha! On with the trip!
Departure Day & Contemporary Check-in (12/06/2014):
So I knew my mom wouldnt want a super early flight so I chose an 8am flight (I usually leave at 6am). My sister picked me up about 5:30am and we headed to my moms house to get her. A quick goodbye to my dad well not so quick for mom. Theyve been married for over 53 years and she hates leaving him. She had to double check he knew where everything was and how to work the microwave. His medication was all labeled and his meals all in the fridge and freezer with instructions. Okay mom lets go! Finally we arrived at the airport and went to first class counter to check in. Luckily no mention of it by the agent so mom was still in the dark. Now was the moment I had to hand her the boarding pass. She was about to study it but I realized she was looking for the TSA pre-check designation so I quickly pointed that out so she wouldnt stare at it longer. We said a short goodbye (she had to check in elsewhere). I headed through security; hoping to get through quickly and get that boarding pass out of her hand! Haha! Sadly, it took me so much longer. This rude guy was acting a little anxious in the line next to me and just as I was about to get in line for the scanner, he almost knocked me over and jumped in front of me. TSA was keeping a watch on him as you could tell he was nervous and then he started arguing with them about something he had in his bag. They informed him that they had to pat him down and he kept trying to get some special ID or something he had in his bag. They kept trying to tell him that he couldnt touch his bag till the pat down but he wasnt listening. Finally they took him aside and another agent waived me through. Uggh! I quickly found mom. Luckily she was just looking around the airport and didnt stare at her boarding pass any longer. She remarked how flimsy it was and was afraid of losing it. BINGO hey mom, why dont I hold them? She bought it and handed it over. Mission accomplished!
I informed mom that I had guest passes to the Admirals Club prior to the trip so we were both excited to be able to go there and have breakfast and hang out until our boarding time.
What world was I living in? I dont think I can ever wait at the gate for another flight! I must join this club! It was finally time to head to the gate and I wanted to make certain to be there for the first class call. The anticipation was growing! The gate was super crowded and we couldnt even fit in the area. I quickly realized that I couldnt hear the boarding calls out in the walkway so I insisted that we squeeze in closer. She was a little confused by this but came along. Finally they called for first class passengers. I said, come on mom. She gave me this confused look and was like no, they said first class passengers. We cant go yet! I again tried grabbing her hand and pulling her along, she was like we are gonna get in trouble. Finally I said, mom, they called for first class passengers. She said and we are not! I told her to look down at her boarding pass .her face was priceless. She was so giddy and people around us were realizing what was going on and excited for her. We quickly boarded and she couldnt wait to call my dad and brag. The call started with your daughter is too much! Guess where I am sitting? LOL
First class was awesome, and yes I ordered cranberry juice and vodka for breakfast; hey it is vacation! We ate several snacks (wed regret this later) and watched sleeping beauty while enjoying all the wiggle room.
Even though we left 30 minutes late, we made up for it in flight and arrived on time in Orlando. We headed straight for magical express. Mom was impressed of how organized it was and this was her first experience with the magic bands; something that would become extremely comical every time she tried to scan it.
Sadly, it took 2 hours from the time we landed till we arrived at the Contemporary Resort. I was getting a little nervous because we had 1:05 fastpasses to Be Our Guest for lunch. We were greeted when we stepped off of magical express and escorted to the front desk to check in. A very nice cast member checked us in. I sent mom off to explore before the CM could say I see we have you with us for 2 nights. Surprise remember? I informed the CM and she was very careful about what she said when mom returned. I told her of our fastpass for lunch so she made it short and sweet.
Our room wasnt ready so I ran to the bell desk to store my plane bag and we hurried to the monorail. I forgot that magic kingdom is the last stop from the Contemporary and since we were in a hurry it seemed like forever! Mom went to scan her magic band and it was turned around. We would laugh at this many times throughout the trip cause she refused to make it tighter and the mickey heads would never line up. At one point the CMs started just grabbing her wrist and doing it for her. Oh one note about the magic bands, she did remark that it wasnt the color she had chosen. Another little lie I had to tell. You see we got 2 sets because of the split stay and I knew she would want her chosen color for the later part of the trip so I told her that due to our room discount rate ending a couple of days into the trip, I had to split our stay into 2 reservations but at the same resort; same room. I also booked the dining plan for the first 2 nights for her to try it so I offered that as an excuse as well. She bought it! So gullible but loveable!
Hoping that the luggage issue was your only hiccup during your vacation!
I'll be there in 8 days
and while my sister knows about how I moved us from Port Orleans Riverside--my mom doesn't 
It's nice to be able to surprise them--isn't it!! Let's hope mine doesn't find out before we get onto ME 
