Anyone else ever do this?

[kimmikayb]

I'm surprising my DD12 and DS10 with a trip this September to WDW. I got in on the free dining and my mom is coming with us which will add to their excitement.

I would like to keep it a secret until we get to the airport. Anyone else ever do that? I can have them packed, that's not a problem. I'm not 100% sure about school yet...I have to talk to their teachers (some teachers like the homework done before). If I get it worked out with school, do you think I can pull off the secret? Don't you think I'd be about the coolest mom in their eyes? I hope it works out.

 

[mmccan]

We did this in January with our boys then 6,4 and 1. They knew that they were going somewhere since the oldest had to do his school work before we left (well actually the teacher told me we could turn it in when we got back but who wants to do homework on vacation) So for about 3-4 weeks before we went we told them that there was a big surprise coming and that they were going to fly. We decided to tell them that much because the last time my 4 (then 2) year old flew he really hated it and kind of freaked out so we wanted to give him a while to get used to the idea that we would be flying again. Anyway we were not planning on telling them where we were going until we reached Orlando, but during the layover in Atlanta my oldest figured out he could tell where the flights were going by reading the boards at the gate. Of course as soon as they figured out we were going to Orlando the oldest 2 figured out we were going to WDW. They had been 2 times before so they were super excited. We got it all on video tape. They were dancing around singing we are going to Disney World. That had to be the best trip ever because we constantly had surprises for them during the trip. They did the pirate cruise, and the family magic tour and several other special things we had never done before. It was awesome

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Hi,
I surprised my kids about 6 years ago. They were in elementary school. I told their teachers who all were happy to keep the secret. Thankfully, their school always supported parents taking the kids on trips during the school year.
When they came home from school that afternoon, I asked them what they would do if they could do anything in the world. They said, "Go to Disney World" (okay my son's first request was go to the Oz Fest but my daughter said WDW). I said – great – here’s a list of things to pack – hurry up because your grandfather will be here in an hour to drive us to the airport. My son didn’t believe me but I will always remember my daughter whispering, “She has a list, she’s not kidding”.
The final surprise came when an adult friend that they adored showed up in line behind them just as we were boarding.
Have a fabulous trip!
I’m finally into the 20’s in my countdown.

 

[bluejasmine]

That is so sweet! Unfortunately I am just horrible at keeping secrets! I just couldnt do it!

 

[frayedend]

Hi,
I surprised my kids about 6 years ago. They were in elementary school. I told their teachers who all were happy to keep the secret. Thankfully, their school always supported parents taking the kids on trips during the school year.
When they came home from school that afternoon, I asked them what they would do if they could do anything in the world. They said, "Go to Disney World" (okay my son's first request was go to the Oz Fest but my daughter said WDW). I said – great – here’s a list of things to pack – hurry up because your grandfather will be here in an hour to drive us to the airport. My son didn’t believe me but I will always remember my daughter whispering, “She has a list, she’s not kidding”.
The final surprise came when an adult friend that they adored showed up in line behind them just as we were boarding.
Have a fabulous trip!
I’m finally into the 20’s in my countdown.

How horribly cruel to make a kid miss Ozzfest!!!

 

[mking624]

Hi,
I surprised my kids about 6 years ago. They were in elementary school. I told their teachers who all were happy to keep the secret. Thankfully, their school always supported parents taking the kids on trips during the school year.
When they came home from school that afternoon, I asked them what they would do if they could do anything in the world. They said, "Go to Disney World" (okay my son's first request was go to the Oz Fest but my daughter said WDW). I said – great – here’s a list of things to pack – hurry up because your grandfather will be here in an hour to drive us to the airport. My son didn’t believe me but I will always remember my daughter whispering, “She has a list, she’s not kidding”.
The final surprise came when an adult friend that they adored showed up in line behind them just as we were boarding.
Have a fabulous trip!
I’m finally into the 20’s in my countdown.

That is such a neat way to surprise the kids like that!! I don't know how I'd react if someone just said "great! Now go pack!" Talk about just bursting with excitement!!!

 

[kimmikayb]

One thing for sure....if I pull it off the video camera will be running when I tell them.

 

[katlas&kids]

I'm surprising my DD12 and DS10 with a trip this September to WDW. I got in on the free dining and my mom is coming with us which will add to their excitement.

I would like to keep it a secret until we get to the airport. Anyone else ever do that? I can have them packed, that's not a problem. I'm not 100% sure about school yet...I have to talk to their teachers (some teachers like the homework done before). If I get it worked out with school, do you think I can pull off the secret? Don't you think I'd be about the coolest mom in their eyes? I hope it works out.

My kids are 9, almost 10 & 7. We haven;t told them anything but that mom & dad have vacation the last week of Aug and what do they want to do. This will be their first time, so it isn't even in their minds. I hope to keep it quiet until we get OFF the plane in Orlando. This is one time I am glad that both have a problem with reading, so maybe they can't figure it out! Wish I had a video camera though! Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[LittleBear's Mom]

We just went to WDW for 2 weeks at the beginning of June and I did not tell my 6yo we were going to Disney until we were on the airplane. In fact, she didn't even know we were going on an airplane until the night before. I had all of us packed and the dog boarded without her even questioning anything. The night before we left, I suggested to her that we accompany Daddy on his business trip so he didn't get lonely. She thought that was a good idea. Boy was she excited to learn the truth though -- she didn't believe us until we got to Orlando and boarded the ME. As for school, I gave her teacher plenty of warning and she thanked me for not telling my DD ahead of time!

Personally, the decision to keep it from her was probably a little selfish . . . I knew she would ask 5 times a day if it was time to leave if I had told her up front.

 

[Kick Save]

We're 20 days from dropping this one our two boys, 7 and 3. DW and I planned it way back in Jan and have been sweating bullets about keeing the secret, and so far, so good. We're not flying, though, so we'll have to let them know when we hop in the truck. Camera will be rolling when we do it, though.

We're going in Dec, that one they know about, but they have no idea about Aug. Over the last few weeks the youngest one has just kept requesting, "I want to go to Diney!" We have a change jar that they're trying to fill to go, so a couple weeks ago they were scouring the house to try and get it full so they could go before December...this will be fun.

 

[kimmikayb]

My kids are 10 and 12 but my DS will be 11 when we go and my DD will nearly be 13. So no hiding signs from them. My fear is I will have problems with my DD's teachers since she is going into 7th grade. PLUS I'm taking them during Homecoming weekend which might freak them out a little. When they find out why, they will be thrilled.

I wonder....if the teachers work with me maybe I can get the extra work done before we leave without the kids knowing why......

 

[MagicMe]

Katless&Kids - the only problem with hoping they won't find out until you're off the plane in Orlando is that you always have the nice pilot come on to tell you what the weather is like and how long it should take.

It would be great if you can work it!!!

 

[Diznotyzed]

Does surprising a grown-up sister count? My younger sister and I surprised our older sister with a trip for just the 3 of us for her 50th birthday. I arranged a week off from work for her, thinking they'd never be able to keep the secret, but they did. My niece packed a bag for her and my BIL snuck it to the airport. There'd been a party for her that afternoon, so we told her we wanted to take her out for a drink afterwards. We got all the way into the airport and she still just thought we were having a drink there. She finally caught on when she saw all our husbands and kids waiting with the bags. We had a fabulous time!

 

[kimmikayb]

Does surprising a grown-up sister count? My younger sister and I surprised our older sister with a trip for just the 3 of us for her 50th birthday. I arranged a week off from work for her, thinking they'd never be able to keep the secret, but they did. My niece packed a bag for her and my BIL snuck it to the airport. There'd been a party for her that afternoon, so we told her we wanted to take her out for a drink afterwards. We got all the way into the airport and she still just thought we were having a drink there. She finally caught on when she saw all our husbands and kids waiting with the bags. We had a fabulous time!

That is so way cool. You are a great sister!!

 

[shyjade]

Wow, you're all good! I wanted to surprise my DD8 with our upcoming trip...I think I made it 3.2 seconds from the time I picked her up after work that day until the time I told her.

BUT, somehow I've managed to keep it a secret as to where we'll be staying. She thinks we're staying at ASMo but in reality, we'll be at AKL. She's a huge animal lover and zebras are her favorite, so I think she'll be thrilled. I hope I can pull it off with ME but she'll probably be listening carefully to my conversation at the ME counter but I hope to surprise her when we actually pull into the resort. Either way, she'll be thrilled.

 

[gigi1313]

we typically "sorta surprise" our kids by letting them know they are going but never telling them the exact day... "end of the month" or "next week" has typically sufficed and then waking them up w/a LET'S GO NOW or picking them up at school and heading the wrong way (to the airport not towards home)... we've also switched resorts letting them think vacation was over and we were heading home only to have tacked on a day or two...

i don't think i'd do it for my kids first trip, because there's a LOT of fun in the planning... but for kids that have been there... pulling off a surprise like that can be great fun!

we've not told the kids about our late sept/early oct trip yet and realllllllly hope not to at all 'til we drag them out of bed at 4am... of course, we'll have to get their teachers' cooperation as well...

good luck keeping the silence... i know i'm already bursting! LOL!

 

[Dznypal]

and planned a trip to pop the big ?

the only ones who knew were my DH and myself and one of his friends that helped him.

He got her off of work, and packed!! (they were just there in AUg so he just took notes as to what she packed and brought the same clothes)

we had 2 close calls but managed to cover them up--he had it set up they were taking a friend to the airport--so it was actually the friend that took them!!!!

when they were checking in and were asked where the bags were going my DD piped in Detroit and DBF said no Orlando then she knew they were going so DBF made a tape of how he had a brick made he was taking her there to see it (DD didnt know that they dont have the bricks anymore!!!)

that nite they ate at Japan and he popped the ? on the bridge!!!!

she called in tears!!!! I was thinking of them all day!!!

they are getting married in 2 weeks!!!!!!!


all she kept saying I cant believe you knew about it and didnt say anything!!!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I wanted to surprise my DD 4 and 5 last year for Christmas and have them open a present that was from the Princess's to say that they were going to see them soon. However, i get all too excited and when i made the reservations i just couldn't keep it to myself. I remember my DH was on the computer and when i hung up the phone i yelled, "We're going to Disney World". Me and the girls were jumping around. DH shot me a look because he couldn't believe that i did that. So i hope you can pull it off. I am just an extrmemly emotionally crazy mom and get excited at everything. I am not good at keeping secrets.