Hi Kristina,
Welcome to planDisney!
Well now, this is a Disney dilemma! First, let me say how excited I am for your mom who has booked this vacation to the Walt Disney World® Resort for herself. While I trust she would welcome your surprise, I am also entering the era with almost adult children and am seeing a future of solo travel (occasionally with my hubby). As much as I love traveling with our girls, I also know that I will appreciate a few solo trips!
Given that your mom may also find herself in this space of independence, I would forgo the complete surprise, especially since it seems that you will need to share her room. If, for example, she decides to invite a few friends, the room capacity may not allow for another guest. I think you have a few options. If you want to maintain the surprise, book your own room at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel. If you do so, consider making it a vacation package by adding
theme park tickets and a
Disney Dining Plan so that you have food and tickets for yourself covered. Take a look at the
Special Offers as you review the pricing. Or, ask her if you could join her for a few days in her resort hotel room clarifying that you are covering your other expenses. Perhaps you had considered a possible third option - ask about joining her in her room for two nights and then you cover the cost of the room and food for both of you on those nights.
If you ask, keep in mind that she truly may want or need the solo time. As our girls are off leading their own lives in the not too distant future, I have considered needing to find the courage to visit the Walt Disney World® Resort by myself. If you get the sense that she really needs the alone time, consider gifting her a special experience instead of joining the trip. We have enjoyed a few fabulous activities with the
Enchanting Extras Collection. Take a look at
Caring for Giants and
Up Close with Rhinos experiences at Disney's Animal Kingdom or
Behind the Seeds at EPCOT.
Kristina, I love what you are trying to do for your mom! The good news is that you have a few possibilities. And know that you can still have a surprise without it being a surprise on the trip and without adding unanticipated costs for her. You may just need to do a little more investigating to uncover her reasons for doing a solo trip. In the spirit of Tiana, I am sending a wish to the Evening Star trusting that you are able to pixie dust some magic into your mom's trip!
Magic and memories,
Donyell