DISCLAIMER - I don't want to give specific details on how the surprise was planned as that may ruin a surprise for anyone reading it (and I hope more of us "grown ups" have a chance to enjoy it). I actually started planning out something like this on my own, but wised up and got help. I had the same help some other users here did for their special events. If anyone would like to know more, just PM me. I'll be more than happy to tell you all about it.
Tuesday - Magic Kingdom pt 3
Once we left Liberty Square, it was about time for DW's special surprise. This was probably the hardest part of the trip for me (of all the surprises and such). This was my sweetie's big gift and it was to start at a prescribed time. We couldn't be early, as it would be hard to get DW to stand around doing nothing without getting wise. Accordingly, we headed over (to the Wishing Well) right on time but I was stressed and moving briskly but trying to hide both from DW.
As we approached the well, I could see that my contact (we'll call her Natasha) was already there. I felt like a secret agent in a cold war spy movie! After "just relaxing" at the well a few moments, Natasha engaged us is innocuous conversation (so as not to blow her cover). After gaining our trust, she informed us we had been selected (at random) to participate in a special trial where we would be given couple challenges to partake in all around the park. She gave us a few rules such as the time limit and advised there would be a prize in it for us. This was a memorable moment, as I certainly wanted to encourage DW to jump at the opportunity but was hoping she would take the bait on her own. I was acting like "...meh, I guess that could be fun." but inside I was yelling "YES, YES. SAY YESSSS, SAAAAY YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!" Thankfully, DW said 'what the heck, let's give it a shot'. From there, we were off on the most memorable Disney experience either of us have ever had (possibly ever will).
We were told we would find our first task at Pooh's Playful Spot, tucked away in a crevice beneath Pooh's honey pot. We tore off like two three year-olds bounding off the back porch to start their Easter Egg hunt! As we came jogging up to the play area DW instantly spotted not only the pot of honey, but the small crevice like it had a homing beacon. Man, she was really into it! She was already reading the clue and plotting our next course as I was trotting up behind her. This time we were directed into Pooh's shop to find a trinket hidden amongst a mountain (or several) of plush Eeyores. This is where it started to get really fun. As we're rifling through all these Eeyores (all of which, of course, are exactly the same), people looked at us like we had lost our ever-loving minds! Upon finding the trinket and learning our next destination, we eagerly headed off to the Swiss Family Treehouse. Again, DW spotted our target right away as we approached the treehouse. She hurriedly approached the spot our next clue was to be, worried someone else might get to it first. At this point, she asked me if I had anything to do with this. I said, "No. But this is awesome!". Being so preoccupied with all that was going on, she bought it.
We were both pretty excited about the next clue. We were to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean, and only then would we find our next clue. With that, we happily boarded Pirates again. We were thinking of what and where our next challenge would be found the whole time. This one was pretty tough to find, as it was in a particular window box outside the Crow's Nest. When we finally found it, this challenge really surprised us. It was labeled as being for the wife. She was to take her hubby's hand and ask for a dance. We were to dance as if no one was watching for one full minute, right there in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. So, that's just what we did. We danced, holding each other close like we were the only two people in the world. It was romantic and very special, though we couldn't help but giggle a bit toward the end.
From the piratey romance, I wiped a tear and we headed for our next clue. This one was for me. I was to take DW to the Christmas Shoppe and find three ornaments that made me think of her, telling her exactly why with each one. This was as much a surprise to me as it was to DW, so I really had to think on my feet. I was able to find the required three and enjoyed telling my sweetie precisely why she is so special to me. Our next challenge was a fun (and yummy) puzzle of sorts. Next we were directed to the Hall of Presidents where we were to find the name of the 21st president, and record it in our special challenge journal. Funny thing, it didn't tell us where exactly to find this information (and Googling it would not have been in the spirit of the game). After meandering through the hall, we realized we should head to the presidents shop. Once inside, we started looking purposefully for a book listing all the presidents. It came as somewhat of a surprise to us that we actually had to search for such a book. Once again the CM looked at us like we must have left our minds back at the resort and asked "Umm...is there something I can help you find?" About that time, we found what we were looking for. Looking up from the open book I said "Nope, we're good thanks!" as I put the book down ready for our next challenge.
To be continued...
