New to site... need ideas for surprise

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Tue, 03/06/2012 - 10:03

nwalsh

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New to site... need ideas for surprise

Hi guys & girls,

My name is Nancy, and I'm from NJ. I found this site recently, and so far I am very impressed. Everyone seems so "normal" (whatever that is lol)...

I booked a surprise vacation for my husbands 50th bday... I am giving it to him a month ahead of time at his surprise bday party... My question is- Any ideas how to "package" the gift?? My only idea is to get a hinged treasure chest type thing, and when he opens it, have a 'I'm going to Disney World' tshirt come up with the lid, then have the rest of the details just laying in chest.

Any other ideas?? Or any elaborations on this idea?? Keep in mind, he will be opening this in front of a lot of friends. Most of the ideas online to surprise someone with WDW is for children.

We will be flying there May 19, staying at Pop Century (or should it be Pop HALF Century since he's turning 50) 6 nights/7 days. I booked Wild Africa Trek, Dine with an Imagineer, and lunch/dinner ARD's at California Grill, Les Chefs, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, and Sanaa. Will get birthday buttons at parks, and will order a cake for a dinner when the time comes. And thinking about getting something delivered to room, but not sure yet. He hasn't been to WDW since 1980, his senior trip. And I haven't been since 1995. Oh, and he definitely won't be on this forum, so you can post directly on here.

Thanks for any advice!!!

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Tue, 03/06/2012 - 10:57

MrHub

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Hello nwalsh and welcome to WDWforGrownups! Glad you found us. Here is a link to my trip report for the surprise trip my wife scrappy gave me last June with pictures of how she packaged my trip surprise.

I like your idea of a treasure chest too, thats pretty good. Hey you'll be there the same time we are! I added you to the "Whos going to WDW" thread.

Oh and we can come up with more idea's, Jeff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........, Yo JeffC.............JEFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!we need aome more ideas here!.

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 12:35

nwalsh

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Thanks for the welcome!! And thanks for adding me to the 'going to wdw' thread!!

Pictures are great!! I LOVE the wrapping!!! ... I think I may steal the gift tag idea, or at least something similar... I wanted to do disney type wrapping paper, but I think I'll leave it plain so he has no hints until he actually sees tshirt.

Also was debating on a Disney cake too. I found this cake, but I would get it done in more 'manly' colors. But the party is an over-the-hill theme, so I don't want to confuse things. I also get the disney cake for his actual bday, May 26th, the day after we come back?? It would be 'magical' to have the cake waiting for us at home.

Thoughts??

Preview	Attachment	Size
	cake.jpg	25.71 KB

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Tue, 03/06/2012 - 22:44

RobynPrincess

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I am taking my hubby on a disney cruise for his 30th and the idea I had was to make him a CD and tell him that is his b'day present (or one of them). I intend on putting up picture of him from a baby and all through the years, our wedding day, our florida trips etc, all to music that means something to us, and then at the end start putting up photo's of the DCL and say something along the lines of 'we've made so many memories together, I cant wait to make some more on here....'

this wont be till September but when its doen I'll put a link to the video

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Our Very Merry 24 nighter Nov/Dec 15
Watson's go West May 15
The one with all the birthdays Oct 14 4 Big Birthdays and a Vow Renewal thrown in
The OMG trip June 14 30th Birthday present from the hubs
Girly trip March 14 A last min cheapy week
September 13 our first all DVC stay
TR May 2013 the last min bargain trip offsite
Oct 2012 TR with a cruise!big family trip featuring the beach club, AKL, the dream and a villa offsite
TR on a budget May - June 2011offsite condo
TR Sept - Oct 2010 big family trip in an offsite villa

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 23:05

Brad

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I like that one Robyn!

Welcome Nancy!

I always like to do surprises that make it appear that it's something completely unrelated. I particularly like to make it look like it's something they wouldn't even want so they have to feign enthusiasm, but then I'm kind of a sadist.

How about a photo frame with a picture of something you're particularly looking forward to on the trip?

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 11:47

Disney Dreams

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Yay! A Disney surprise for an adult! Fun!

Okay, I have two ideas:

1. You said something above about "Pop Half Century." - giggle - I liked that! Well, what if at his surprise birthday party, you had something that says, "Celebrating your half century at the Pop Century!" I'm thinking some sort of game that his friends can be "in on" and letters on pages that are held up and then somehow flipped over or something so "h" "a" "l" "f" turns into "the" "P" "O" "P." Hmmm, the idea needs some brewing, but that's the gist that's in my mind at the moment.

2. Did you see, "Up"?
***SPOILER ALERT*** IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE "UP" AND DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING, DO NOT KEEP READING THIS POST. OKAY, YOU'RE STILL READING SO IT IS AT YOUR OWN FREE WILL KNOWING THE END OF THE MOVIE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN
3 ----

2 ----

1 ---

So, remember at the end when he's flipping through the album of memories they have made together and then turns to the last page and Ellie had written, "Now go make your own,"? What if you did something like that connecting with the idea RobynPrincess suggested. Make a memory book with pictures from, say, his last 10 birthday celebrations, including trips if there were any. Then on the last page, a collage of WDW with 2012 at the top. Maybe something like that....

Just two thoughts,
Dreams

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 14:43

Lizzy_B

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Nancy, I just wanted to say "Welcome!" I think your idea, as well as the others here, are fantastic! I can't wait to hear what you end up doing!

Sounds like you have an amazing trip planned. Which thing are you most looking forward to?

Wow - your hubby is going to be SO amazed at how different WDW was since his last visit!

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Wed, 03/07/2012 - 15:31

Vettelover

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Hi Nancy and to WDWFG, I am sure you will fit right in here.

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Wed, 03/07/2012 - 16:01

nwalsh

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Hey all,

Ok, really good ideas so far.... Keep them coming!!!!

I do like the idea from 'UP', my only problem is I have been with him 8 years, but have no access to any earlier pictures. Maybe I can work something out.

I also really really like the idea of turning 'half' into 'pop', but i don't know if he knows the hotel name to make the connection. And I can't really ask him, or it may make him get suspicious. Hmmm I could put a big box over chest with "From a half century", and on the chest put "To a Pop Century", then open chest to see the shirt and other details/goodies??

And to answer Lizzy_B's question- I think I am looking forward most to the Wild Africa Trek (maybe because it costs so much), but just being in Epcot is a close second. Going through the different countries, and sampling food and wine... I can't wait!!! I think they will be hubby's favorites too, as well as the Dine with an Imagineer, as he always said that would be his dream job.

Thanks for all the advice so far!!

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Wed, 03/07/2012 - 18:26

JeffC

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mrhub wrote:

Oh and we can come up with more idea's, Jeff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........, Yo JeffC.............JEFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!we need aome more ideas here!.

Did I hear my name?!?!

Hi and welcome Nancy!! YAY, a surprise trip - woot!

Let me put on my Disney thinking cap (right now I have my sucky Work thinking cap on - No. Fun.) and get back to you with any additional ideasI might have. mrhub's surprise that scrappy planned was the most awesome thing I have seen. I took notes to give to Joe for my 50th next year

Back soon.

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 20:01

Melissa W

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Welcome to the boards Nancy! This sounds like such an amazing gift and surprise!

I love the idea of a treasure type box for him to open. I know my friend was surprised with a trip to Disney and her husband put it in one of those giant fortune cookies, which was fun!

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 23:44

JoAnn C

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Welcome Nancy. You had some great stuff planned so far. I would love to do the Wild Africa Trek.

Pop Century is a fun resort.

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Sun, 03/11/2012 - 02:05

Mase

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[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 15:54

Kris1971

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Welcome, Nancy. You've come to the right place for some terrific ideas!

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Sun, 03/11/2012 - 17:32

nwalsh

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Thanks for all the welcomes!!! Already I feel part of the group!!

I was at AC Moore the other day (for something totally unrelated) and found a 'treasure chest'. It is perfect!!! It is hinged, and has wooden slats so I can hook the shirt onto it, (and it was on sale!!). So I think the treasure chest is going to be the winner. Now I'm starting to get a little nervous.

I got a lot to deal with in the next 6 weeks... Settlement of new house on Friday, fixing up a few things and moving in, selling our condo hopefully soon, anniversary April 5th, party April 20th. Hope it all goes smoothly!!

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Sun, 03/11/2012 - 20:58

JeffC

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Totally awesome idea! If you want/need some Disney Piratey images to go with it, one of my favorites is here:

http://www.4shared.com/photo/7HyhYD6w/2012_Disney_World_Pirates_Gray.html

And I believe you can customize it.

Boy, you have a lot going on over the next 6 weeks! YAY!

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 21:36

Bella

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How exciting! I love surprise trips. Your idea of the pirate chest seems awesome! I hope that you will take lots of pictures and let us know how it goes. Has he been wanting to go to Disney for awhile or is this out of the blue?

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Bella

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 02:21

nwalsh

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JeffC- I absolutely LOVE that pic!! I'm gonna try to blow it up and somehow use it...

And Bella- we've talked about going, but never really took it past talking. We have friends that go a lot, and have said maybe we will plan a trip with them in 2013 or 2014. But that's about it. So I really think it will be a total shock. I have a personal bank account I've paid for everything with, so he won't be able to see any bills either.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 05:18

Jess

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Sounds so exciting... Can't wait to hear all about the suprise and the trip

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Tue, 04/03/2012 - 09:57

nwalsh

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I made up a binder for inside the treasure chest with each days reservations on its own page. The cover is Disney decorated. The first page is JeffC's awesome 2012 pirate picture!!! (Thank you JeffC!!!) Inside the treasure chest is the "I'm going to Disney World" tshirt which will come up with lid so he can see/read that first. Also inside are Mickey ears with his name on the back, a Phillies Disney tshirt, a regular Phillies tshirt with his on back and number 62 (year of birth), and an Imagineers coffee table type book (which was NOT cheap!! Lol). I also put in the maps I ordered from website, and that sort of thing. I will keep the gift cards at home and give to him later as to not have them lost at party.
I have to still get a box that will lift off the top, gift wrap that, then make a gift tag resembling the one on MrHub's gift.

Have to do a little shopping for supplies for party, but other that that, I think I'm all set for party/reveal day. Come on April 20th!!!

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Tue, 04/03/2012 - 11:09

MrHub

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That sounds like a winner nwalsh!

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 13:22

Vettelover

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That sounds great AND it sounds like you are having fun putting this all together.

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Tue, 04/03/2012 - 14:39

nwalsh

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Thanks... I really am having fun putting it all together. And he better like and appreciate it or I'm gonna have to kick him lol (just kidding!!)

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Tue, 04/03/2012 - 18:06

MrHub

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Now you'll be like scrappy wanting to blow the secret every night! Bet you feel like your just going to pop huh?.

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 18:40

Kristen K.

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That sounds like so much fun! Oh I've never been able to keep a secret like that, I'm awful and would totally blow the surprise.

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 19:27

SueEllen

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If your theme is "over the hill", why not see if you can get a Haunted Mansion theme cake--with Tombstones on it?
(okay, maybe that's a bit sick...)

You can also order some really cool things from the Disney Florist too Disney Florist

Sounds like fun--I'm terrible at the surprises like this. I did surprise my son for Christmas with a Disney Cruise, but even that one I almost spilled the beans on!

Sue Ellen

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 20:57

SueEllen

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nwalsh wrote:

Hi guys & girls,

My name is Nancy, and I'm from NJ. I found this site recently, and so far I am very impressed. Everyone seems so "normal" (whatever that is lol)...

Thanks for any advice!!!

Nancy, your name is familiar to me. Do we know each other?
Sue Ellen

Wed, 04/04/2012 - 02:15

TTFN_71

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Hi Nancy, Sounds like a great surprise. I really like the "chest" idea. I might suggest putting in some Pirates of the Caribbean movies if you don't already have them! DW and I like to watch alot of different types of Disney movies before we go on a Disney trip. Sets the mood for our upcoming trip.

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Thu, 04/05/2012 - 18:59

nwalsh

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MrHub- You have no idea how much I want to tell him!!!

SueEllen- I'm not sure if we know each other. I'm from Camden County. I've been a firefighter/emt for 16 years. And I work in a deli part time too. Private message me if you think you know me. It would be cool if we do know each other
I already ordered a cake, though that is an awesome idea! I'm having a cake made to look like a package of Depends lol since he said he only married me so he had someone to change his diapers when he gets old lol (I married him for his Social Security!)

And TTFN_71- That is an awesome idea too! We have the first one on DVD, but I'll get the rest to put in there. Thanks for the idea!!

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