Advice on suprise!

[FlyingElephantFan]

I am bringing my son to Disney this Fall and we have reserved one day to go to Universal IOA. He is a rabid HP fan (he's reading book 7 now). He doesn't know a thing. He thinks we are just doing Disney. How best to suprise him?

I am not planning on telling him anything. We will be picked up at FW and taken to IOA. I don't want to tell him, I just want to see his face when he sees WOHP and realizes where we are. What's the best way to accomplish this? Which is the best route to take to get the biggest impact? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

That sounds like a great surprise and I'm sure he'll love every minute of it!

Assuming he'll know what's going on when you arrive at the guest drop off location near the central hub of the parking complex, I would just tell him the plan. There's no way you could get him in IOA w/o him knowing WWoHP awaits. It's very important...even in the fall...to get there early since you're not staying onsite and will not have early entry. I would suggest purchasing your tickets ahead of time and either doing print at home or electronic pickup. You will avoid standing in the lines and could directly to the gate. It will save you precious time.

BTW...how old is your son? His age will determine if he will know where he is when you arrive at Universal.

I know that's not a very good suggestion but hey...I'm sure he'll be surprised when you arrive regardless.

 

[innoculation]

We are planning on the same for our kids this year - one of which is 21. Good for you for the surprise, and I hope we can keep our secret quiet as well.

 

[FlyingElephantFan]

Until very recently, he didn't even know there was a Harry Potter theme park. He just saw the commercial on TV and his eyes got really wide. Then he noticed it was in Orlando. I told him we couldn't go this trip, because we were booked up. I told him our next trip we would have to check it out. I don't know if he knows where the park is. I'm going to emphasize the Superhero aspects of Universal and see if he realizes. I'm hoping to distract him enough that we can get through the park before he realizes. Might be asking too much

My son just turned 9 and is in the 3rd grade. Thankfully he is not really into TV (would much rather play video games) so he hasn't really seen the ads. We live in PA, so it's a trip.

We plan on purchasing tickets in advance. We are going to go our first full day in FL and I don't want to have to deal with lines to get tickets at the park.

I am hoping to eat at Mythos while we are there. My son is also into Percy Jackson and Greek/Roman mythology and I think he will get a kick out of it.

This is going to be a trip he never forgets.

 

[tinydancer09]

Until very recently, he didn't even know there was a Harry Potter theme park. He just saw the commercial on TV and his eyes got really wide. Then he noticed it was in Orlando. I told him we couldn't go this trip, because we were booked up. I told him our next trip we would have to check it out. I don't know if he knows where the park is. I'm going to emphasize the Superhero aspects of Universal and see if he realizes. I'm hoping to distract him enough that we can get through the park before he realizes. Might be asking too much

My son just turned 9 and is in the 3rd grade. Thankfully he is not really into TV (would much rather play video games) so he hasn't really seen the ads. We live in PA, so it's a trip.

We plan on purchasing tickets in advance. We are going to go our first full day in FL and I don't want to have to deal with lines to get tickets at the park.

I am hoping to eat at Mythos while we are there. My son is also into Percy Jackson and Greek/Roman mythology and I think he will get a kick out of it.

This is going to be a trip he never forgets.

USF/IOA advertise the mess out of WWOHP. I don't knwo that there is anyway unless you knock the kid out for him to get to the park and not see WWOHP advertisements. I dont know where the buses drop you off, but I have a feeling you are going to have to walk to City walk. If this is true you will see the IOA lighthouse for hundred of feet before you get there. I havent walked through city walk since the castle was built but I know you can see some of the rides from the walk.

If he was oblivious as my sister was when she was a kid you might be able to pull it off. However if he is very observant or a problem solver you run a risk of it.

If money isn't a problem I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to surprise him in the car. You can buy a cape or something of the sort online, wrap it up, and have him open it in the car before you ever get there. That way you will get the joy of his surprise without it being spoiled before you arrive. Just my thoughts though. --Or well I gues s you're going by bus I think is what I ready so many in the hotel room that morning.

 

[tarrbear]

I've done something similar.

My take on it- Answer no questions, when one asks how long it will take or where they are going, shrug your shoulders. Even when you arrive and it has become obvious, say nothing.

You will be rewarded with one of the greatest freak outs (and possible tackle hugs) of your entire life haha.

 

[fairyprincess88]

My advice since it will be impossible to surprise him once you get anywhere near IOA(signs everywhere). Prepare a Hogwarts Acceptance letter to take with you. You can even use this as a letter head and print it on a computer using a calligraphy font:

Have the letter inviting him to Hogwarts. If you dont mind spending a little extra cash, before hand maybe order one of the stuffed owls from Universal such as http://www.universalorlando.com/Merchandise/Gift/Plush_Doll/Harry_Potter/Toys/Horned_Owl_Plush.html and roll the letter up and tie it to the owl's leg. That morning when he wakes up, have the owl with letter waiting for him and say it just came this morning. Bonus is the owl works as an extra souvie from the WWoHP for him.

I did this same sort of surprise for my 29 year old friend and well, let's just say she acted like a 9 year old.

 

[rteezgirl]

My advice since it will be impossible to surprise him once you get anywhere near IOA(signs everywhere). Prepare a Hogwarts Acceptance letter to take with you. You can even use this as a letter head and print it on a computer using a calligraphy font:

Have the letter inviting him to Hogwarts. If you dont mind spending a little extra cash, before hand maybe order one of the stuffed owls from Universal such as http://www.universalorlando.com/Merchandise/Gift/Plush_Doll/Harry_Potter/Toys/Horned_Owl_Plush.html and roll the letter up and tie it to the owl's leg. That morning when he wakes up, have the owl with letter waiting for him and say it just came this morning. Bonus is the owl works as an extra souvie from the WWoHP for him.

I did this same sort of surprise for my 29 year old friend and well, let's just say she acted like a 9 year old.

Now that is an awesome idea

 

[FlyingElephantFan]

I think this is my new plan!! What a great idea!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

My advice since it will be impossible to surprise him once you get anywhere near IOA(signs everywhere). Prepare a Hogwarts Acceptance letter to take with you. You can even use this as a letter head and print it on a computer using a calligraphy font:

Have the letter inviting him to Hogwarts. If you dont mind spending a little extra cash, before hand maybe order one of the stuffed owls from Universal such as http://www.universalorlando.com/Merchandise/Gift/Plush_Doll/Harry_Potter/Toys/Horned_Owl_Plush.html and roll the letter up and tie it to the owl's leg. That morning when he wakes up, have the owl with letter waiting for him and say it just came this morning. Bonus is the owl works as an extra souvie from the WWoHP for him.

I did this same sort of surprise for my 29 year old friend and well, let's just say she acted like a 9 year old.

That is bloody brilliant, good show!

I'm going to surprise my mom in December with Harry Potter Scarfs for us, how fun would it be to have it wrapped with an owl!

 

[Tink2Day]

BRILLIANT idea fairyprincess!

There is a website where you can download the actual letter with the correct font it is a replica telling what supplies needed at Hogwart's etc.

Some also sell copies of the letter, envelope and all.

The wax seal set is available for purchase on the Universal site I believe.

How exciting!

 

[momabaarjo]

I am hoping to eat at Mythos while we are there. My son is also into Percy Jackson and Greek/Roman mythology and I think he will get a kick out of it.

This is going to be a trip he never forgets.

Then eating at Mythos is a must and you MUST see Poisdon's Fury...

 

[tarrbear]

My advice since it will be impossible to surprise him once you get anywhere near IOA(signs everywhere). Prepare a Hogwarts Acceptance letter to take with you. You can even use this as a letter head and print it on a computer using a calligraphy font:

Have the letter inviting him to Hogwarts. If you dont mind spending a little extra cash, before hand maybe order one of the stuffed owls from Universal such as http://www.universalorlando.com/Merchandise/Gift/Plush_Doll/Harry_Potter/Toys/Horned_Owl_Plush.html and roll the letter up and tie it to the owl's leg. That morning when he wakes up, have the owl with letter waiting for him and say it just came this morning. Bonus is the owl works as an extra souvie from the WWoHP for him.

I did this same sort of surprise for my 29 year old friend and well, let's just say she acted like a 9 year old.

This. Is. Brilliant.

 

[FlyingElephantFan]

Just an update.
My plan is to wake him up early on the day we go.
When he wakes up, he will find an owl wrapped in a Gryfinndor scarf holding an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. This will be sitting on a t-shirt that says Dumbledor's Army. My mom's knitting the scarf as we speak.
Can't wait to see his face!!
Thanks for all the advice.