How do we cross the border without ruining the surprise?

[mamajojo]

We are surprising our kids with a trip to Disney world for a week and then a Disney cruise for a second week. We are driving down. We drove down last year (they knew that they were going then) so if we tell them at the border crossing that we are heading to Florida, the kids will figure it out pretty quick (they think Florida IS Disney World!:rotfl:) Does anyone have any ideas?:confused3

[dancin Disney style]

There was a thread on here a few months ago about the exact same thing. The parents told the kids they were going to spend the weekend in Niagara Falls shopping. They then wrote a note to give to the customs officer explaining what/where/when and that it was a surprise for the kids.

Sorry, can't remember who's thread it was. I'm sure someone will jump in here with that info.

I'm not sure how you would drive all the way to FL without telling your kids. Could you just tell them you are going on a cruise from Georgia? I think too, it depends on the age of your kids.

[candielips]

I would try the note idea to the US Customs official & hope he/she isn't a total sour grape.
Good luck!:)

[mamajojo]

There was a thread on here a few months ago about the exact same thing. The parents told the kids they were going to spend the weekend in Niagara Falls shopping. They then wrote a note to give to the customs officer explaining what/where/when and that it was a surprise for the kids.

Sorry, can't remember who's thread it was. I'm sure someone will jump in here with that info.

I'm not sure how you would drive all the way to FL without telling your kids. Could you just tell them you are going on a cruise from Georgia? I think too, it depends on the age of your kids.

Our kids are 6 and 7 when we go. We will be leaving at 3:ooAM, the kids will be asleep when we put them into the car (we have done this many times and they don't wake up) and they will sleep until we cross the border. From there we will tell that we are going on an Adventure. We have planned lots of trips like this before (just not across the border) They have all kinds of guesses and it's really fun.

[My 2 princesses]

There was a thread on here a few months ago about the exact same thing. The parents told the kids they were going to spend the weekend in Niagara Falls shopping. They then wrote a note to give to the customs officer explaining what/where/when and that it was a surprise for the kids.

Sorry, can't remember who's thread it was. I'm sure someone will jump in here with that info.

I'm not sure how you would drive all the way to FL without telling your kids. Could you just tell them you are going on a cruise from Georgia? I think too, it depends on the age of your kids.

Britsmom I think did that! Sorry, can't find that thread but I sure do remember it. Maybe she will see your thread and jump right in.

Good luck.

[BitsnBearsMom]

It was us - we surprised our kids at Christmas with a Saturday to Tuesday trip to the world. We gave the border guard a note saying we were surprising the kids with a trip to DisneyWorld and it included the dates we would be gone, flight numbers, where we were going to be staying. Worked like a charm. Pulled into the Buffalo airport parking lot early and handed them each a letter that said surprise we are going to DW for the weekend and what we would be doing each day - our 14yo believed us and got excited but the 9yo didn't actually believe us until we got to the gate.... he kept saying with a confused expression 'but what about the lego store and shopping in Buffalo??' it was fun!! :lmao:

Good luck and hope it works for you too!

[Disney_Mama]

I would do the note..... We tried to surprise our kids and when we got to the border my DH tried to whisper to the border guard and the kids overheard. Have a great trip and good luck.:goodvibes

[mamajojo]

Thanks for all of your help. We will try the note. Did you hand them the note with your passport?

[foxeh]

We are surprising our daughter too we were going to drive but are flying now. We told her we are taking daddy somewhere special for his birthday maybe for a couple of nights. I have made up a special crossword puzzle that has all the words related to Disney to give her when we stop for coffee on the way to the airport.
I think the note at the border and going shopping sound like a great idea good luck!!

[BitsnBearsMom]

yes - we just handed them the note with the passports - he asked us where we were going and we just told him we included all the information on the paper.

[calgarygary]

It is really going to depend upon the customs agent. We have crossed in the middle of the night and the kids were allowed to sleep and we have crossed and had to wake the kids up so they could answer questions. I think another thing that may determine when you tell them their surprise, is how many times you can handle their asking "Are we there yet?"

[AndyMcV]

Last June we flew out of Buffalo with our DS8 and DD4. I totally forgot about the border asking where we were going. :) We got up to the border and there were 2 officers standing in the booth. We hand over all our passports and the one officer starts asking me.... to which I answer

Is your trip for business or pleasure?... Pleasure, we're going on vacation.
Where are you headed?... To Buffalo and then Orlando
Where is your final destination?....

uhh... I kind of paused here and said (realizing here I could blow it for my kids)... "I'd really rather not say". Yeah, I can't believe I said that too.

Now I said this with a smile on my face and he could see my wife and kids in the minivan. My DW looked at me like I had 3 heads.

The officer looked at me and smiled, and then continued without missing a beat. He opened the side door to the van and asked our kids where our parents were and they pointed to us. He smiled at them closed the door and told us to have a really great vacation.

Perhaps you might have a better plan than me because I think I got really lucky with a nice border official. :goodvibes He could have been a real jerk to what I said and wrecked it for us all.

Andy

[roscoepc1]

I'll probably get slammed for saying this...but I'd just say somewhere else to the Border Guard. It's NOT like they actually track your car through the States!:confused3:confused3

Most of the time, they don't even enter any info into the computer. I'd say Thomasville, Georgia...or pick somewhere else that is near Florida but doesn't involve that word, lol....;)

And yes, I cross the border quite frequently, so I do know what and how they ask things. My husband is a professional driver and crosses at LEAST twice per week.

If you go the secret note route, chances are you'll get a jerk who yells the info out loud, just to see your face fall.:confused3 I think the pp who did it got VERY lucky!

[mamajojo]

yes - we just handed them the note with the passports - he asked us where we were going and we just told him we included all the information on the paper.


I think we will try this and hope it works. I just saw that you are from Guelph. I am from Kitchener!

[rewok]

I'll probably get slammed for saying this...but I'd just say somewhere else to the Border Guard. It's NOT like they actually track your car through the States!:confused3:confused3

Most of the time, they don't even enter any info into the computer. I'd say Thomasville, Georgia...or pick somewhere else that is near Florida but doesn't involve that word, lol....;)

And yes, I cross the border quite frequently, so I do know what and how they ask things. My husband is a professional driver and crosses at LEAST twice per week.

If you go the secret note route, chances are you'll get a jerk who yells the info out loud, just to see your face fall.:confused3 I think the pp who did it got VERY lucky!

I don't know about lying. I've been grilled a few times: question repeated in a slightly different manner many times, they asked to look at my hotel reservation, many details. If I had been lying, I'm pretty sure I would have tripped myself.

Now, I let my boyfriend drive when we cross, even if his English is not as good. He's never been grilled, I guess the girl driving is suspicious!

[roscoepc1]

I'm casual enough, they wouldn;t trip me up...but I know some people get nervous, etc....plus, half the time, I make my hotel ressies over the phone, so they couldn't "look at it" even if they asked...kwim?:confused3

I don't really look at it as lying....more of a "none of their da** business" kwim?

[Sillyminny40]

I totally suggest a note saying:

Surprise trip to Disneyworld for the kids. We are staying at ________ from _____ to ________. Thanks.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

[calgarygary]

I'm casual enough, they wouldn;t trip me up...but I know some people get nervous, etc....plus, half the time, I make my hotel ressies over the phone, so they couldn't "look at it" even if they asked...kwim?:confused3

I don't really look at it as lying....more of a "none of their da** business" kwim?

Try that approach the next time you are going through U.S. customs - be prepared to turn back!

[calgarygary]

I'll probably get slammed for saying this...but I'd just say somewhere else to the Border Guard. It's NOT like they actually track your car through the States!:confused3:confused3

Most of the time, they don't even enter any info into the computer. I'd say Thomasville, Georgia...or pick somewhere else that is near Florida but doesn't involve that word, lol....;)

And yes, I cross the border quite frequently, so I do know what and how they ask things. My husband is a professional driver and crosses at LEAST twice per week.

If you go the secret note route, chances are you'll get a jerk who yells the info out loud, just to see your face fall.:confused3 I think the pp who did it got VERY lucky!

There is a consequence to lying to a border official if you are somehow caught in the lie, being denied entry possibly for ever.

[roscoepc1]

And just how would they catch me? Follow me in a little car all the way to Florida? The chances of "getting caught" on something THAT obscure are slim to none. If you're nervous, don't do it...it's as simple as that!

Calm down- good grief! I cross the border regularly, as does my dh...in fact, crossing the border is part of his job! He knows almost all the guards at the entry point he uses.

The point I'm making is this.....it's NOT that big of a deal to calmly say another destination....as long as it's IN the U.S. and you're not planning anything nefarious.

I did NOT say to tell the guard it's none of their business, that's just how I feel about it! People have to use some common sense too.:confused3

[Sillyminny40]

My dh and two ds/at the time were 14 had their truck taken apart. Not fun.
I DO NOT recommend not being upfront. Hand them the note and be prepared for the surprise to be spoilt. Sorry but they have bigger issues to deal with, just depends on who you get.
Why don't you post this on the family boards here and get the American reaction? They are very helpful on that board.

[dancin Disney style]

On the subject of questioning at the crossing.....we went over last week and the security level is a little higher these days. They opened every single car and they opened luggage if there was any. There were many lanes that 2 and 3 officers. I had my 10yo with me and before I was even asked any questions I was instructed to put the car in park. I was then asked the usual....ID,citizenship, where to, how long. Then he opened the back of my van and started questioning my DD. Only once before have they opened the door to question my kids and never have they been asked anything other than 'is this your mother?' I go over shopping about every 2-3 weeks so I'm experienced at crossing.

The last time we drove to WDW we crossed into the US at 3:30am and we were asked more questions than ever. We were even asked how much cash we were carrying. The guy was very nice but kept us there about 6 minutes asking questions. He did ask us to wake the kids and he then leaned in the drivers window and asked which was which. BTW, very strange question since my kids are 9 years apart and he had their passports in his hand which is what he used to call them by name.

[mamajojo]

My dh and two ds/at the time were 14 had their truck taken apart. Not fun.
I DO NOT recommend not being upfront. Hand them the note and be prepared for the surprise to be spoilt. Sorry but they have bigger issues to deal with, just depends on who you get.
Why don't you post this on the family boards here and get the American reaction? They are very helpful on that board.

I will of course be telling the truth when crossing the boarder. I had a bad experience when I was a kid crossing the boarder and now I get really nervous even though I am doing nothing wrong. I understand that the surprise may be ruined (and I won't be too upset....just a little diappointed) but I want to try at least. When we crossed last year we had a lady who was great. She asked the questions but was also joking around with the kids . Thanks everyone. I have posted this on the Family board as well.

[calgarygary]

And just how would they catch me? Follow me in a little car all the way to Florida? The chances of "getting caught" on something THAT obscure are slim to none. If you're nervous, don't do it...it's as simple as that!

Calm down- good grief! I cross the border regularly, as does my dh...in fact, crossing the border is part of his job! He knows almost all the guards at the entry point he uses.

The point I'm making is this.....it's NOT that big of a deal to calmly say another destination....as long as it's IN the U.S. and you're not planning anything nefarious.

I did NOT say to tell the guard it's none of their business, that's just how I feel about it! People have to use some common sense too.:confused3

Ask Steven Ames how it went after he forgot to tell a border guard that he was entering the States for employment. It cost him close to a year on the PGA tour and slowed down his obtaining citizenship with Canada. It is not likely you would be caught, but if found in a lie, there are consequences. Which is a ridiculous risk to take over something this trivial.

[fuzzy164]

Just my 3 cents worth(inflation and the latest Ont. budget caused a jump from 2 cents), I've been crossing the border since I could drive and only once had a problem in 34 years, and that was not telling them I was spending a week in PA. I was also with 2 buddies at the time (ahh youth).
You could try the note but as everyone's saying depends on the Homeland security person and what kind of mood their in, :confused3. It's nice to try and surprise the kids and I hope it all works out, my suggestion tell them openly and honestly what, where and how your headed to( if your flying) it always makes crossing easier.
Fuzzy:banana:

[LSmith]

To lie to the border guards would be seriously stupid. Remember they do NOT have to let us into their country. If you are found out lying over something so trivial there is a good chance you will not be allowed to cross. Maybe for a very long time. Maybe never.

We cross the border approx. every 3 months and we have had our car searched, x-rayed, we have been asked to show proof of our hotels where we will be staying, we have been asked to show them the flight info. We are always travelling with our youngish kids so it's not like we look like terrorists.

It actually IS their business to know where you are going.

As for showing them a note, sometimes the guard is in a good mood, sometimes not so much.

I have surprised my kids on the Gardiner Expressway (downtown Toronto) on the way to Disney World via Buffalo. They thought we were going shopping in Buffalo. Oddly enough their reaction wasn't quite what I thought it would be. My youngest, 7 at the time, questioned whether this was a smart decision considering we were saving for China. My other child looked a bit peeved like she had been had. Not exactly what I was hoping for. I have the video to prove it!

[LSmith]

And just how would they catch me? Follow me in a little car all the way to Florida? The chances of "getting caught" on something THAT obscure are slim to none. If you're nervous, don't do it...it's as simple as that!

Calm down- good grief! I cross the border regularly, as does my dh...in fact, crossing the border is part of his job! He knows almost all the guards at the entry point he uses.

The point I'm making is this.....it's NOT that big of a deal to calmly say another destination....as long as it's IN the U.S. and you're not planning anything nefarious.

I did NOT say to tell the guard it's none of their business, that's just how I feel about it! People have to use some common sense too.:confused3


I think the point is if you are caught lying the guards have every right to think you are planning something nefarious.

Maybe since your dh is, as you say, a 'professional driver' and crosses regularly you have become more casual about it. Perhaps since he knows most of the guards there isn't going to be a problem with questions. Or, maybe you are at a border with particularly casual guards?

Another thing you should know is that the guards don't have to punch in anything. A picture of your license plate is automatically taken and entered into the computer which is also a reason to never lie about how long you have been in the country.

You are right. People do need to use common sense. And that means don't take unnecessary chances crossing the border and lie.

[dancin Disney style]

I have surprised my kids on the Gardiner Expressway (downtown Toronto) on the way to Disney World via Buffalo. They thought we were going shopping in Buffalo. Oddly enough their reaction wasn't quite what I thought it would be. My youngest, 7 at the time, questioned whether this was a smart decision considering we were saving for China. My other child looked a bit peeved like she had been had. Not exactly what I was hoping for. I have the video to prove it!

I wanted to surprise my DD with a trip for her birthday but the day we were leaving I decided that it might not be wise to cross the border with a child that didn't know where she was going. Plus, my mom wanted to see her reaction. So I took DD over to my mom's and I told her. DD burst into tears and they weren't happy tears. She was totally shocked, so it really was a good thing she knew before we got to the border. Could you imagine that reaction if the customs officer blew the surprise :scared1: It took her about an hour to calm down and then get excited.

[LSmith]

I wanted to surprise my DD with a trip for her birthday but the day we were leaving I decided that it might not be wise to cross the border with a child that didn't know where she was going. Plus, my mom wanted to see her reaction. So I took DD over to my mom's and I told her. DD burst into tears and they weren't happy tears. She was totally shocked, so it really was a good thing she knew before we got to the border. Could you imagine that reaction if the customs officer blew the surprise :scared1: It took her about an hour to calm down and then get excited.

She sounds like one of my kids! Weirdos. I only wish someone would surprise me with a trip.

[rjan67]

I think if you handed the guard your id with a short note expressing that this is a surprise for your children and that you would appreciate them keeping the secret (perhaps also with a copy of your confirmation from Disney) I'm almost postive they would not ruin the surprise. They will probably go through your luggage etc and ask the usual....do you have fruit, vegetables, meats, firearms, alcohol etc. When we just went to Florida, they just asked where we were going, did not ask how long and did a quick search of the car and roof box. The only thing said to my kids were...wow you got gamecube and everything back here (in the van)!....which made them laugh! I have had them ask the kids if we were there parents. My children look very much like each other so we never have problems. As for saying a town that is close, probably if you said Lake Buena Vista, it would go over your kids heads and it wouldn't be a lie. Good luck!

[mamajojo]

I think if you handed the guard your id with a short note expressing that this is a surprise for your children and that you would appreciate them keeping the secret (perhaps also with a copy of your confirmation from Disney) I'm almost postive they would not ruin the surprise. They will probably go through your luggage etc and ask the usual....do you have fruit, vegetables, meats, firearms, alcohol etc. When we just went to Florida, they just asked where we were going, did not ask how long and did a quick search of the car and roof box. The only thing said to my kids were...wow you got gamecube and everything back here (in the van)!....which made them laugh! I have had them ask the kids if we were there parents. My children look very much like each other so we never have problems. As for saying a town that is close, probably if you said Lake Buena Vista, it would go over your kids heads and it wouldn't be a lie. Good luck!

That's a good Idea. I would never lie to the guard. I would be terrified that something would go wrong. We had really nice one on the way there last year when we went down. My kids were showing her their stuffed animals and talking away and the guard was answering all of there questions. (even though we told them that when we got up there that this was very serious and they were only to answer any questions that they were asked but after she started joking aroung with them they figured everything was fine and she was a new friend!!:rotfl:)
I didn't think of saying Lake Buena Vista. I guess I just think the same way the kids do....Florida = Disney:rotfl2:
I think I will try the note first though. If something happenes and the kids do find out, it won't be the worst thing in the world (we are going to Disney!!:banana:) I know that the surprise outcome will be good. They have been begging us to go back to Disney and also to go on the cruise. We just keep telling them that it is a lot of money (which is true) and that we would have to save for a long time ( which is also true);)

[roscoepc1]

I think if you handed the guard your id with a short note expressing that this is a surprise for your children and that you would appreciate them keeping the secret (perhaps also with a copy of your confirmation from Disney) I'm almost postive they would not ruin the surprise. As for saying a town that is close, probably if you said Lake Buena Vista, it would go over your kids heads and it wouldn't be a lie. Good luck!


Exactly what I suggested, only worded better. Couldn't think of any Florida towns in the area.:confused3

[merryweather20]

Exactly what I suggested, only worded better. Couldn't think of any Florida towns in the area.:confused3

I think I'm the only one with you! We travel across the border all the time, and never tell the border guard exactly where we're going. Mostly becuase we have some rediculous plan, thats contingent on whether or not the Farmers Market opens on time, and the good bakery is selling that week-end or we're traveling to a smaller town. I'm fairly sure they don't care whether you go to Wegmans or Tops, or between Mooresville or Charlotte.

As for asking for Hotel reservations the last 6 times I've gone I've made them on the spot. There would have been nothing to show them if they asked, and they were fine with that too.

The most they've ever done is pop my trunk and move my bags, so I think I'm doing better keeping it simple, than what some of the other posters mentioned.

Heck I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum from what the other posters are saying. I'd rather the border guards didn't take notes about surprises. It seems like it poses a pretty scary risk for kidnapping.

The only time I've ever been hassled at the border was when I was eight and my Grandpa took me my Grandma and 4 of her friends to a craft show. Turns out they thought he was smuggling old ladies :rotfl2:

[LuvBaloo]

We drove from BC down to DL for spring back 2 weeks ago, and were planning the trip as a surprise. (30hr drive for us). DH had suggested handing a note to the customs guy and we agreed that a note could end up triggering more reaction from the guards. We opted to wake our DD's up (age 7 and 4) early (5:30am) on the Saturday morning with "good morning, does anybody want to come to Disneyland with us". Once they woke up enough to understand that we meant we were going right now, they were both up and moving and ready much faster than a normal morning. Knowing where we were going made the drive easier for them.

Enjoy your trip, whenever/however you surprise your kids! :goodvibes

[rjan67]

Ok....so I asked for you today. I work in the U.S. and cross the border 4-5 times/wk. Today was my turn for my "random" check and as they were processing my info I asked one of the guards. He responded kinda how I figured. It would depend on the guard, but he said you could try the note. He said..but definitely don't lie about it. It might work it might not, just depends on the mood of the officer. There ya go....:confused3

[mamajojo]

Ok....so I asked for you today. I work in the U.S. and cross the border 4-5 times/wk. Today was my turn for my "random" check and as they were processing my info I asked one of the guards. He responded kinda how I figured. It would depend on the guard, but he said you could try the note. He said..but definitely don't lie about it. It might work it might not, just depends on the mood of the officer. There ya go....:confused3

Thank you so much for asking!!! That was really great of you to do that.:)

[theweave]

With all the 9/11 stuff going on, I personally would tell the kids before you even leave the house. You could make up stuff to give them little hints and hide them around the house and tell them it is time for a treasure hunt! When they get to the last clue, reveal the surprise WE ARE GOING TO WDW! That way they know, and it is not a shock. Some kids react differently to things. If you tell them you are doing something else and they are all jacked up for it and than you "burst the bubble", they may be a bit ticked off! I read somewhere else that a family told their kids they were going to Grandma and Grandpa's house in the mountains. Turns out the grandparent's were in on it and going to WDW with them. When the kids were told they were going to WDW, they started crying they wanted to go to the house in the moutains!

I would tell them before, it is still a surprise and they would not have trouble at the border.

I flew out Buffalo two weeks ago and had no trouble there or back. Last year I was grilled like a murder suspect. Never know what you are going to get!

[mamajojo]

With all the 9/11 stuff going on, I personally would tell the kids before you even leave the house. You could make up stuff to give them little hints and hide them around the house and tell them it is time for a treasure hunt! When they get to the last clue, reveal the surprise WE ARE GOING TO WDW! That way they know, and it is not a shock. Some kids react differently to things. If you tell them you are doing something else and they are all jacked up for it and than you "burst the bubble", they may be a bit ticked off! I read somewhere else that a family told their kids they were going to Grandma and Grandpa's house in the mountains. Turns out the grandparent's were in on it and going to WDW with them. When the kids were told they were going to WDW, they started crying they wanted to go to the house in the moutains!

I would tell them before, it is still a surprise and they would not have trouble at the border.



I flew out Buffalo two weeks ago and had no trouble there or back. Last year I was grilled like a murder suspect. Never know what you are going to get!


I am not worried about our kids being upset. We do stuff like this all of the time. We tell them we are going on an adventure and then they know that they are going somewhere good:rotfl: My kids have been begging to go back to WDW and they want to go on a cruise as well. I work with kids so I know they are all different and react in different ways but my kids will be thrilled!

[theweave]

Well in that case I wish you the best of luck with the Border Dudes! Some can be good to you, some not so much! *LOL*