Tell me how you surprised your kids

[poohlover]

I am in the final planning stages for a trip in April. Background is that my 2 oldest DD's are going to participate in the Disney Music Days with their high school band...so I am surprising the other 4 kids (13 - 5) with a trip. I'm even bringing my parents...they have never been!

But how can I surprise them? A treasure hunt? I don't think I want to wait till the actual day we leave...they are already bummed that their older sisters are going & they aren't.

I am thinking of the Friday night, last day of school before vacation. We leave on Sunday morning...so that leaves them time to be sure I have the "right" clothes packed & to get in the disney mood!

So how did you all surprise your families?? Thanks for all your ideas!

[cujochurch]

I am also looking for creative ideas. We are taking out 2 nieces 9 & 6 in May. we have decided to tell them in April. The younger one does not like surprises and does not adjust well to new things. So we have a month to let her look at books and videos and help with planning. But we want something special with which to tell them

Any ideas?

CujoChurch

[eeyore#5]

You could do something like buy them each there own bag ( an inexpensive one will do) and put some goodies in it that will suggest you are going. Like a book on Disney, some disney dollars or some sunblock. And they could use the bag to carry their stuff around in Disney.

[debbiedana]

I don't know how much this will help in your situation, but...

For Christmas DD4 got a big box with a new travel video, Disney Dollars, and a countdown chain. It took her a few minutes to get it :)

The countdown chain has been great. Every morning she takes off a link and we read it together. I cut up old Disney Store catalogs and put pictures of different character on each link. It's really been a lot of fun, and it's cut down the number of times she asks me each day "when do we go to Disney World?"

I'm sure more people will chime in soon, there are lots of great ideas floating around these boards!

[sissybells]

My husband and I are taking my neices 9 and 10 on their first ever trip to stay onsite at WDW in July and the way we suprised them was, I actually gave them the trip for Christmas only because I couldn't stand to wait and tell them later and that is the one thing I do regret because it is so far off that is is driving them crazy although it is fun to hear them tell me their idea of what to expect. Anyway I wrapped the travel planning video and on the top of that gift I taped a card with what I called was a riddle. (It is actually the saying that is in one of the booklets of the plannig DVD.) Something like There is a place where elephants fly and ships sail on pixie dust where magic lives ect... Then after they read the riddle I asked them what they thought it was and one of them said we are getting a flying elephant, LOL. It was really cute to hear them say what they thought it was. Get it on video too.

[MICOL]

What we did is go out to a Disney movie, we were lucky enough to have Beauty and the Beast at the local IMAX. Prior to leaving I put two huge Mickey and Minnie plush and had them set at there seats at the dinner table and each held there park hopper passes. I did this while the kids were in the car. The kids came in after the movie and saw them and then went nuts when we told them. Tell them early enough so they can look forward to it and plan some fun.

[llp479]

I've done a couple of different things. One year I bought matchbox models of airplanes and wrapped them with a copy of the flight itinerary. I've also ordered shirts from Disney with the dates of our trip printed on them. Took my 3dds a couple of minutes to finally make the connection that we were going to WDW. I also have used picture frames, Disney of course, with the message "this spot reserved for a picture from WDW".

No matter how you let them know, I'm sure you're going to have a great time!

[mommaoffour]

Not sure if its something you may want to do, but this is how were are going to surprise our three. The forth doesn't count since he is my belly and won't get to see much yet then he isn't due till may.

My DH's grandma purchased all of our tickets to the world for the week of April 1 to April 6. One of my DH's cousins is going to be in one of the parades on the 3ed with his school. That also happens to be my DS and mine B-days (yes it was the best B-day present i had ever gotten so far). So any way we have 15 in the party going, as a Christmas and family get together on those dates well ... So far we have been able to keep it a secret from my kiddies. 2DD's and 1DS. So here is what me and the DH plan on doing .. Since his aunt lives in Georgia, we are packing up everything a few nights before and not telling the kids till the morning we are planing on leaving. We are going to tell them that we need to go and see the aunt in Georgia.. We plan on waiting till we are sitting in the parking lot of the park and ask them where do you think we are. Now seeing as the DD's are 9 and 6 i think they will figure it out soon as we get close to the park but oh well .. any way .. Thats my plan on surprising the kids.


princess: pirate: :earsgirl: :earsgirl: :earsboy: :earsboy:

[trola2]

Kids still don't know...trip one week away...don't know what I will say to them. Maybe...get in the van? lol

Last trip we took the window paint for cars and drew the Mickey Icon on the back window. I'm thinking we might put the mickey back on the van and park it so that the kids can see it easily that morning. We won't leave until about 2PM, so we will pack after I spring the news....I don't know. I'm eager to see more replies!

[poohlover]

I love the idea of painting Mickey on the car...maybe I could pick them up from school on Fri...

or the idea of gift wrapping the airplanes...

at the moment I think we will have a "Disney" night...we do this a LOT!!...mickey mouse pasta, disney movies...then maybe have them find their bags packed on their beds...might make for a loooooong night though.

My 5 yr old DD's favorite game is "pretend we are at disney" we start at Main St & work our way thru the parks with what we want to do...maybe after playing that I could hand them all the airplanes!

Thanks for the ideas & keep them coming. I really want to wait till right before the trip, but they are so down that their sisters get to go & they don't that it is very hard!!

[clutter]

I told my dd I was picking her up early at kindergarten cause she had a dentist's appointment. Then I managed to grab my camera and said "hey, sweetie, I have a great idea, let's go to disneyworld!!!"

So sad to think about hoe much fun it started out, because the trip ended up getting cut short due to a family tragedy.

[snoopy5386]

How about ordering personalized t-shirts from the disneystore.com with the dates of your trip? Since you have so many going that would be cool.

[SuzieQMomof3]

We're planning on getting personalized Mickey Ears for our four kids and giving it to them about two weeks before we go.

We did the thing last time where we asked them if they'd like to go to school or to Disney World today. It was great fun, but they missed the anticipation-which we all know is half the fun!

[BusyMom5x]

I've surprised two kids for two different trips!
First time, I told the kids that "Daddy and I were taking a weekend trip" as they saw me packing.......when in fact, I was packing for myself and my then 10yo son, Tucker. We even carried it out so far as to all of us going to the airport......and then at the last minute, telling Tucker "Tell Daddy goodbye because YOU are going with me......and we're going to DISNEY WORLD!" He was literally speechless! The rest of us were laughing because he was just standing there.....I had to literally take his hand and lead him down the hallway.:earsboy:

The second time, I had packed everything in secret, hiding the bags in the truck. I called my then 8yo son, Tanner, into my bedroom where I handed him a gift bag, telling him "You've been on your best behavior lately so I decided to get you a little something" He was really excited as he took all sorts of Disney "goodies" out of the bag, including a WDW Book for Kids and a personalized name tag. He said "Cool! I'll put all of this stuff in a safe place so I can take it with us on our next WDW trip" to which I replied "How about now?" :earseek: My mom was waiting outside to take us to the airport!

[CDoobee]

I've surprised my now 12 year old DD twice!

First was for DIS-Con 2001, when she was 10. We had been planning on a family trip for June, 2002, so I was asking her opinion and ideas on everything with her thinking it was for that trip (which ended up being a mother-son only trip)! The morning of the surprise trip, I woke her at about 4:30 with the story that we had to take Daddy to work (he works at the airport-how convenient!). I told her I was grumpy at having to get up so early to take him, so she needed to get dressed (I was afraid she'd want to just get in the car in her jammies and a blanket and go back to sleep), and we would go to breakfast after dropping him off. On the way there, we pulled over at a gas station and while my DH got out the camera I handed her a Mickey Mouse card that said, "Surprise! You and I are going to DIS-Con!!" Well, she just smiled and said, "okay". I was shocked! I mean, come on, I just told her she was going to WDW! On further questioning, I found out that she thought I meant we'd go to a DIS Meet when we went on our family trip the following June! LOL:tongue: :tongue: Once I explained to her that, "NO! You and I are going to WDW right now! Daddy is taking us to the airport now! The suitcases are in the back!", I think she went into shock! LOL It was also her first time on an airplane (except at 12 months old)! We had a GREAT trip! Even though she had been there 5 times before, she just couldn't get over the surprise. 3-4 days later while walking the parks, she'd stop suddenly, grab my hand, smile really big, and say, "We're at Disney World!!" :tongue: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

The second time I surprised her was this past July, 2003. We were in South Carolina visiting my oldest DD and her DH. Youngest DD was to turn 12 on this trip and was excited about spending her birthday with "Sissy" for the first time in 3 years. Well, I surprised both girls by taking them both to WDW for 2 nights! I told them the night before that we were going on a mother-daughters trip, but told them we were going somewhere in northern South Carolina. When we got in the car in the morning, I gave my oldest the Mapquest directions I had printed out and asked her to be my navigator. She was really surprised and happy, and handed it to youngest DD. She saw Lake Buena Vista as the destination and didn't know where this was! She was also very excited and happy once we told her!:tongue: :Pinkbounc It was also a great quickie trip!!

We are planning an extended family trip for May and while she is enjoying helping plan, she told me I could surprise her again ANYTIME!! LOL:tongue: :tongue: :tongue:

Debbie:earsgirl:

[bevwells]

Christmas morning after our 3 teenagers open their gifts we presented them with a envelope each. Inside was some American money and a piece of paper with a big picture of Mickey Mouse and a verse under it saying "There is a place where dreams come true, the one real place of magic too, So close your eyes and imagine how close, in April you'll be to Mickey Mouse, the whole family's going, which should make you really glad, merry christmas DS, from your great mom and dad!"
Their chins dropped and none of them could speak - How could I not get teary eyed.
Our travel agent did up the verse for us - I thought it was perfect.
The time before the trip will allow them to get ahead in school - as they will miss a week of it.
It's will be our first time in Disney or even leaving our Country - I don't know who is more excited the parents of the kids.

BW

[WDW TRIP NUT]

Oh, I just love to read these posts! I've never tried to keep our trips a secret but this time I'm determined.(LOL)!!!

My oldest DS (11) has asked to stay at the AKL ever since our last trip when we ate at BOMA. I've told him that we can't afford to go until 2005. But, we are going in July. We always go to the gulf coast with my extended family for a week in July so, this year we are going to say that we're going down a few days early to relax on the coast of Florida before coming back to Gulf Shores, AL. When we just happen to be 'near Orlando' around lunch, I'm going to ask my DS if he would like to ride over and look at the animals at the AKL before we eat lunch. After we get there, I'll then say, "Why don't we just stay here for a few days?" I hope he gets as excited as I am right now just thinking about it. HA Ha :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by poohlover
But how can I surprise them? I don't think I want to wait till the actual day we leave.

We did this once, and while they were surprised, they admitted that they felt cheated out of the anticipation of the trip. I agree, don't wait until the day of.

We gave our DD's each a camera when we surprised them & said they would need it for pictures of their Disney vacation we were taking them on. They loved it!

[zinniamom]

You all have such great ideas!! I am always too excited myself to keep it from the kids...so I surprise them but then we count down to our trip with a sort of calendar with little surprises each day. (nothing expensive, stickers, candies etc). The anticipation is part of the magic. :Pinkbounc

[madge]

Originally posted by mommaoffour
Not sure if its something you may want to do, but this is how were are going to surprise our three. The forth doesn't count since he is my belly and won't get to see much yet then he isn't due till may.

My DH's grandma purchased all of our tickets to the world for the week of April 1 to April 6. One of my DH's cousins is going to be in one of the parades on the 3ed with his school. That also happens to be my DS and mine B-days (yes it was the best B-day present i had ever gotten so far). So any way we have 15 in the party going, as a Christmas and family get together on those dates well ... So far we have been able to keep it a secret from my kiddies. 2DD's and 1DS. So here is what me and the DH plan on doing .. Since his aunt lives in Georgia, we are packing up everything a few nights before and not telling the kids till the morning we are planing on leaving. We are going to tell them that we need to go and see the aunt in Georgia.. We plan on waiting till we are sitting in the parking lot of the park and ask them where do you think we are. Now seeing as the DD's are 9 and 6 i think they will figure it out soon as we get close to the park but oh well .. any way .. Thats my plan on surprising the kids.


princess: pirate: :earsgirl: :earsgirl: :earsboy: :earsboy:

we are doing something similar for Spring Break. I have told my two older boys we are going to Chattanooga for a few days, that way they won't be suspicious when I am packing...

anyway, when we get to chattanooga, we plan on spending the night (to make the drive shorter, LOL) and the next morning we are going to tell them we are going to WDW.

this isn't a first time trip for us, so the 8 hours drive will give the boys plenty of time to plan what they want to do :)

[StarPM]

Warning...this is kinda long...

Ever since my DD was a little girl(she's now 10) her Daddy always told her "When we go to Disney for the first time a limo will take us to the airport." Everytime she saw a limo, she would always wonder if the "peoples" inside were going to see Mickey. On her 8th birthday we had the family (Mom, Dad, Nana and Pop-Pop, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop, and Nana Gertie) over for the usual presents, cake and ice cream extravaganza. I was seated on the couch by the window, trying to not be to obvious while I watched out the window for the big stretch limo to pull up. DH and I had taken the day off to pack and take care of all the other things. I see the limo pull up and tell DD we need to go outside for one of her gifts. She gets outside, sees the limo, and has NO IDEA why its there. After a bit of prompting (what kind of car is it?, What did we always tell you about a limo?) she finally got it. However, she still didn't believe we were going until we got there and she saw the Spectromagic parade. I know we'll probably never beat that as a birthday suprise, but the look on her face will be forever etched in my Pooh loving heart.

[GaryWT]

Our first trip, we did not tell the kids. They were 9, 6 and 3. We packed their bags and had everything ready to go. We woke them the day we were leaving early but told them to get up and ready for school. While they were eating, we moved all the bags to the door and then the limo puled up. The driver rang the bell and stated he was here to take the children to the airport for a trip to Alaska. It was not until we were standing in line at the airport that the 9 year old realized we were in line for Orlando. It was a great trip.

This trip, we were planning a cruise when the little one, now 8 said he was not going anywhere until he went to Disney again so last month we planned our April trip.

Will Valentines Day here or Easter coming up, maybe you can put a gift together for them.

good luck.

[trola2]

I just surprised my kids last friday that we were leaving that very day. Although I didn't get to surprise them with my original plan, I did get balloons from a florist friend (3 character balloons and one large red heart shaped mylar that she had written on "Going to Disney World!".) Hubby went up to wake up the girls and brought them down. My mom was here and our pastor. (She's a close family friend) I said we've had a change in plans today. Girls were blinking and trying to wake up. Oldest kept saying, What? What is going on? and then we had them read the balloons. It took them a bit, but they finally got it. I made Mickey Icon pancakes and we all had breakfast and then got packed up. We weren't leaving until about 6 hours later so that was fine.

I had wanted to get Disney Dollars and give them their allowance in those, but our Disney Store was in the process of closing and it was too late to get any. Then a friend suggested having a florist put park maps inside a big balloon, or small Disney plush. My florist friend's balloon filling machine was broken, so that was out!

IT worked out really well. Usually we do a 100day count down chain and the kids are in on the planning, but not this time. They were thrilled that they just got to go. I also only planned one meal while we were there and we truly had no other agenda than to have fun and do whatever the kiddos wanted to do.

Good luck with what you decide!!

[Simba's Girl]

Don't know if this will help but it answers your question...

We kept it a secret from DD4 until the morning we left. We were meeting ILs there and when we woke her up in the morning we told her that we were going to see grandma and grandpa (hoping she would sleep a little more in the car-which she diddn't :( )

Anyway we get to Bradley and ask her if she knows where we were...she didn't (she's been to lots of airports and at the time she thought that EVERY airplane went to disney:hyper: ). We park and get on the shuttle (with luggage), still nothing dosent know. Now we're finally standing in line for baggage claim and boarding passes and ask her, she has no clue! Finally we had to tell her in line she was so excited she jumped up and down!

I would do it the same way again...and will!

[HollyJoy]

...We've been talking about it and our 6 year old is very perceptive. She hears everything! LOL It's a wonder we keep Christmas presents a secret! Anyway, I'm thinking that once we lock in our reservations, I will try not to talk about when we're going with either of them in hopes that it will move to the back of their minds. I'm interested in seeing what others have done to surprise thier kids!

[LynnythePooh]

I'm sooooooo excited - tomorrow is the day DS's 10 & almost 7 find out about our spring break trip!

I've been planning for months - it will be our first visit to WDW! I went to DS and found carry on bags with Mickey cartoons all over them. Then visited AAA and found luggage tags - inside the tags I wrote, "you're going to Disney World" and put the tags inside the bags. I also added some Disney playing cards I found at Target and pins for trading. Boys are huge collectors so I think they'll enjoy this new hobbby.

I wrapped everything up and made Valentine cards with the verse " Roses are red, Violets are blue, open this box, Mom & Dad have a surprise for you!".

I can't wait to see their faces when they open up the boxes! It's going to be sooooo much fun.

Of course I have the vacation video and unofficial guides on hand for them to check out! I've already made many PS arrangements, but will let them decide where we go in each park.

This way I get the surprise factor and let the anticipation build! The hardest part has been no spilling the beans. ::yes::

Boys need a pick up - we just got word DH is headed to Kuwait in July!

We are going to have so much fun - and most of it is thanks to all of you who work so hard to help newbies like me! Everyday I'm amazed with what I learn here at DIS! Thanks so much!

I have a question? What is the Hitching Ceremony?