We will be leaving for our cruise 78 days after Christmas. I don't want to hear whining for 77 days about "I wish it was here...", etc, so I'm doing my best to hold out until at least mid-Jan
Also, I personally don't want them to think Santa has deep pockets b/c last year it was the Wii and then if he brought the cruise this year, who knows what they would expect next year
So, I would like to time it around a special time for them (i.e. report cards, Valentine's Day, etc) and hopefully it would be when the Travel Channel is showing a new DCL show which highlights the Dream
However, that's a lot of things to fall in place at one time for my plan to run smoothly, so I'm shooting for at least 2011, between mid-Jan to Valentine's Day! Here's what I'm going to do....
I will have 3 wrapped packages for them to open - box 1, box 2, box 3 (might see if I can type up Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3...you'll understand why in a minute)!
* Box 1 = beginning of trip (Space Shuttle Toy and constellation book for the kids b/c we're spending the day before the cruise @ KSC, compliments of our lovely TX Congressman
)
* Box 2 = middle of trip (cruise
Will have Disney pins, pirate stuff, sunscreen, goggles, sand shovels, some magnets I made from the DISigners on here, and a puzzle with Mickey holding a scroll infront of a Mickey boat inviting the kids and family on a 4 nt Dream cruise! All of this will be inside of a treasure chest, inside the box) I will conveniently hold back certain pieces of the puzzle until they're almost done
Oh, on top of the treasure chest, will be a note on pirate paper, saying something like:
Cost of all the ice cream bars you can eat in 4 days........$0
Cost of passports......................................................$400
Your DREAMs coming true...........................................$TONS
The looks on your faces when you discover your treasure......priceless
* Box 3 = end of trip (Universal Studios....this one's for DH! Will have the brochures in there and some small trinket, maybe a tshirt).
Will have the boxes opened in the order of 1, 3, and then 2
I am going to try and post the videotape b/c there will be squeals of joy, prob tears, etc.
I can't wait! And then after the big reveal, we'll watch the DVD and hopefully travel channel show of the Dream
Then the kids and I will have enough time to do a countdown chain, work on FE gifts, etc.
Have fun with whatever you decide to do - the kids will love it no matter what!