Anyone else keeping THE secret? Updated list p. 4

[rentayenta]

Well, we did it! We kept it secret for months. We left home with our 12 year old son last week and travelled around the coast of British Columbia for a few days and told him that we were visiting his uncle is Washington. At lunch today we gave him a card and the Goofy hat that I had taken from his room and told him - you might need this! He is so excited and so are we! We are eights hours into the drive with 10 more to go tomorrow!

Awesome!!!!! Can't wait to hear about your trip.

 

[rosie2283]

Oh I am so going to explode! We are surprising the kids by flying out September 30. The kids think their dad is flying away to work (as he has done before) except this time, we'll tell them the BIG SURPRISE!! Love the idea about saving change and letting them think they helped out. They can then use it for spending money.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

oH GOSH, this is funny! I had an entire reply written out and DD came in, In a panic I closed the tab so she wouldn't see this!

AND YES, we are surprising the kids! We will be in Vegas and then going to the Grand Canyon. I am going to tell them that we will not make it to the Grand Canyon in 1 day and we will just go as far as we can. Then just drive toward Anaheim and see which one figures it out first. That is going to be so much fun.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We decided to make a short Labor Day weekend trip and surprise the kids! I booked our hotel and flight today! I'm sad to see HM in refurb, but have all the new additions to look forward to!

I think my kids will be very surprised. They go back to school on August 30th, so they will be back into school mode.

We were going to go to a cabin near Mt. Rainier, but the snow hasn't even melted much yet! Hard to believe, but the temperature even here is struggling to get to 80 each day.

I'll have to look into a couple PS tomorrow. Can't wait to try some of the new places!

 

[michelle1177]

29 days to go and I'm still keeping the secret!

We kind of got to a point where we were thinking of telling dd about the trip because she broke her elbow and we thought it would give her something to look forward to once her cast was off. DD had such a good attitude about the cast that we decided to continue to keep the secret. I've come so close to letting it slip!!!!!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

K people. I need your creative minds

We are telling our kids we're going to Las Vegas (about a 5 hour drive from here). We will stay one night there because a 13 hour driving day is too long for littles. My kids LOVE vegas so they will be so excited as it is.

From here we don't know how to surprise them. My oldest is 7 and can read REALLY well...my brother is coming and we have to keep it from him also because he's mentally handicapped and he'd spill. He can also read really well and he'd KNOW something was up. He has no filter so he'd totally spill it the second he figured it out (which would be soon..he'd notice there are no signs going to Utah).

So how do we do this? I REALLY wanted to drive up to DL and say TAAAHDAAAHHH but I don't see how that's possible.

My only other thought is concocting a story about staying in Vegas one night and then going to California..and then saying that we, unfortunately, won't be near Disneyland. Or that we can't afford to go or something.

I'm pretty sure my brother knows that Disneyland is in Anaheim so..*sigh* Creative ideas? I may post this as it's own thread too. I HAVE to get our stories straight

 

[BELLEDOZER]

We are surprising the kids with a second trip to DL, this time flying down from Sept 29th to Oct 2nd. We had no intentions of going again this year, till in May I went to a seminar for WDW, and ended up winning a 3 night stay in DL at the Hilton Anaheim. The trip in Feb was a surprise as well, so this is the second time this year that I've gotten the kids. My intentions, of which I have full support from DH is as follows: Wake the kids up 15 mins before we leave for the airport, then rush them out the door, before they realize what we are up to. When we arrive at the airport I've got two of the Hallmark "BUGS". I created a cute saying on a card for it to hold. I filled it with a Mickey cellphone, map of DL, a Disney key chain, and some Mickey confetti, and a few snacks. Let's see how long it takes them to figure out where we are going. The last time I got the kids pretty good, so we'll see how they make out flying for the first time.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

K people. I need your creative minds

We are telling our kids we're going to Las Vegas (about a 5 hour drive from here). We will stay one night there because a 13 hour driving day is too long for littles. My kids LOVE vegas so they will be so excited as it is.

From here we don't know how to surprise them. My oldest is 7 and can read REALLY well...my brother is coming and we have to keep it from him also because he's mentally handicapped and he'd spill. He can also read really well and he'd KNOW something was up. He has no filter so he'd totally spill it the second he figured it out (which would be soon..he'd notice there are no signs going to Utah).

So how do we do this? I REALLY wanted to drive up to DL and say TAAAHDAAAHHH but I don't see how that's possible.

My only other thought is concocting a story about staying in Vegas one night and then going to California..and then saying that we, unfortunately, won't be near Disneyland. Or that we can't afford to go or something.

I'm pretty sure my brother knows that Disneyland is in Anaheim so..*sigh* Creative ideas? I may post this as it's own thread too. I HAVE to get our stories straight

Do you have a portable dvd player? I would save some "fresh" movies. Or a new handheld game. Everytime you approach a sign that might give it away (a state line sign, for example) had them something so they are not looking outside.

 

[Guatemommy]

We are surprising the kids with a second trip to DL, this time flying down from Sept 29th to Oct 2nd. We had no intentions of going again this year, till in May I went to a seminar for WDW, and ended up winning a 3 night stay in DL at the Hilton Anaheim. The trip in Feb was a surprise as well, so this is the second time this year that I've gotten the kids. My intentions, of which I have full support from DH is as follows: Wake the kids up 15 mins before we leave for the airport, then rush them out the door, before they realize what we are up to. When we arrive at the airport I've got two of the Hallmark "BUGS". I created a cute saying on a card for it to hold. I filled it with a Mickey cellphone, map of DL, a Disney key chain, and some Mickey confetti, and a few snacks. Let's see how long it takes them to figure out where we are going. The last time I got the kids pretty good, so we'll see how they make out flying for the first time.

Oh I like this idea - give her something at the airport to show it is DL we are going to! Right now she thinks we are spending a week in SD with Shamu but really the first few days are at DL and we are flying to John Wayne so I will have to tell her at the airport as I dont want someone to come up to her and ask her if she is going to see Mickey and spoil the surprise. Maybe a present at the airport - I may have to steal your idea of mickey confetti
Maybe I'll get her a disney lanyard and pin???

 

[BELLEDOZER]

We are also flying into SNA, as it was cheaper to fly into there than LAX. Feel free to steal any ideas, as I've got tons of them, as I've got an overactive imagination. It doesn't have to be expensive to surprise your DD. Go to a local Dollar Store and find some princess pencils, colouring books, crayons, and anything cheap that you can acquire through sale hunting. These can double as boredom busters while waiting for your flight. While I would have perferred an earlier flight, the one we have works better for the family, and should get some time in the parks after we check into our hotel. For our surprise trip (driving down for 2 weeks) in Feb, I gave them a blanket in which was wrapped a Mickey shirt, stuffed Mickey mouse, and a sign that said "We are going to DL!". We gave it to them when they realized we were driving the opposite direct from where I said we were going. It wasn't till we hit the USA border crossing that they realized we were serious. DH and I were killing ourselves laughing at their surprise in finding out where we were really going.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Do you have a portable dvd player? I would save some "fresh" movies. Or a new handheld game. Everytime you approach a sign that might give it away (a state line sign, for example) had them something so they are not looking outside.

We do, indeed. That's an interesting idea too. It'd take dedication to the person in the back (we're doing a minivan with 4 adults and 3 kids LOL) but maybe it'd be easier than I think.....

 

[Jenndoss]

We are surprising our DD14, DS9, DD6 and DD2 with our first trip to DW!! I am having such a hard time keeping the secret. We are going to tell them a week before because we want them to be able to help plan the things they want to do. It is totally killing me. We have 15 days til we leave. So 8 days til we tell them. We are giving them lanyards and pins, Disney 3d luggage tags, Disney passports (free at Disney store when I went one time), and probably some other random stuff. I haven't decided exactly what to do yet. I considered making clues with letters on them. One card would have a "w" and one an "E" and they would spell out we are going to Disney world. I have the 2 older kids so they could help unscramble. But I don't know if thats too hard. or maybe one word on each card? One would say "We" etc... the last one would say Disney . Hoping for excited screams and jumping and hugging. But who knows?

 

[RedRosie]

I'm with you Emmers. I don't know how far we can drive without them catching on. When we went in Nov 2010, it was not a surprise and the kids watched Disney moves that they had never seen before. It kept them amazingly quiet in the car (it was actually a little eerie how quiet they were!). This time, I could tell them the surprise and then drive for 7 hours, but I would rather go as far as possible. My latest plan (which changes all the time!) is to tell them we are going to a new park/restaurant that I read about and it is kinda far but worth it. I figure I can get 2 hours from that. Then when make a pit stop and either give the surprise or I act frustrated/mad because I am lost on the freeway. They will behave and go with the flow if I am mad. Tee hee. Then we will go for a while more then have to stop for dinner. I think that's as far as we will be able to go without them thinking we are crazy, but at least we will be nearly there by then. I'm going to order It's My Birthday ears from Disney Store for when I actually give the surprise. They have been watching me on DISboards lately and have seen Name Fills and want them so badly. Little do they know I have already connected with some fabulous DISigners for wonderful surprises for them! Can't wait. Only 62 days to go.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Oh Rosie, I can't wait to hear My kids do the same thing. If mommy is upset they are totally willing to help me out and go with the flow. ROFL.

Man..how good of an actress am I????

 

[Guatemommy]

We are also flying into SNA, as it was cheaper to fly into there than LAX. Feel free to steal any ideas, as I've got tons of them, as I've got an overactive imagination. It doesn't have to be expensive to surprise your DD. Go to a local Dollar Store and find some princess pencils, colouring books, crayons, and anything cheap that you can acquire through sale hunting. These can double as boredom busters while waiting for your flight. While I would have perferred an earlier flight, the one we have works better for the family, and should get some time in the parks after we check into our hotel. For our surprise trip (driving down for 2 weeks) in Feb, I gave them a blanket in which was wrapped a Mickey shirt, stuffed Mickey mouse, and a sign that said "We are going to DL!". We gave it to them when they realized we were driving the opposite direct from where I said we were going. It wasn't till we hit the USA border crossing that they realized we were serious. DH and I were killing ourselves laughing at their surprise in finding out where we were really going.

DD knew about the trip to WDW last year and we had tons of fun getting excited. Barilla pasta had calls from mickey & friends available so every week we were getting a character call and she was amazed that they knew we were coming! My BFF who lives in FL sent her some postcards from characters. In the Dis store here I snagged mini waterglobes of all the princess for 3.99 each and I would pack the box with a note from that princess - about one a week and left the box by the front door when she wasnt looking and the say - oh look you got a package! She loved it! We also hit the dollar store and michaels for presents for every day of our trip - she got a disney surprise each morning and it lessened all the "I want I want" chants in the stores so we could keep the budget down.
I think I will do the present at the airport idea to officially tell her we are going to DL - I can't wait to see her face!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

My DS8 is a worrier, and has anxiety issues. It's better if he doesn't know that we are going on a trip, as he doesn't like major changes. After the Feb trip, he told me that if I'm planning another trip that he doesn't want to know until the day that we leave. While it's fun planning a trip with the kids, for us it's better to plot behind their backs and surprise them. This time there will be no cover story, just notify the school a couple of days before we leave (we are pulling them out for 2 days, which the school won't have a problem with), and that's it. I also have new backpacks for the kids that I filled with inexpensive boredom busters as their carryons. They need the backpacks for school anyway, so this a neat way to give it to them.The kids say I "BUG" them all the time, so I figure the Hallmark "BUG" was an a appropriate way to surprise them. Am glad to hear that my creative ideas are going to be used for another surprise. Have a great day!

 

[mamaofthree]

My DS8 is a worrier, and has anxiety issues. It's better if he doesn't know that we are going on a trip, as he doesn't like major changes. After the Feb trip, he told me that if I'm planning another trip that he doesn't want to know until the day that we leave. While it's fun planning a trip with the kids, for us it's better to plot behind their backs and surprise them. This time there will be no cover story, just notify the school a couple of days before we leave (we are pulling them out for 2 days, which the school won't have a problem with), and that's it. I also have new backpacks for the kids that I filled with inexpensive boredom busters as their carryons. They need the backpacks for school anyway, so this a neat way to give it to them.The kids say I "BUG" them all the time, so I figure the Hallmark "BUG" was an a appropriate way to surprise them. Am glad to hear that my creative ideas are going to be used for another surprise. Have a great day!

My DD9 is the same way! She loses a lot of sleep the week(s) before if she knows we have a trip planned. Even though she loves going places, change is very hard for her to deal with, and she obsesses about every detail of it. The last two DLR trips we haven't told the kids until the morning we are leaving. They love the surprise. We are still trying to decide when the next trip will be. Was aiming for this January, but we may hold out til Carsland opens.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

My DS8 when we went to DL in Feb/09, I told him 15 months before the trip, and he worried the entire time that something would go wrong on the trip. My DS7 embraces life to the fullest and is not afraid of change. So it's less stress for my older son if he doesn't know that there is a trip upcoming. Because we haven't flown before with the kids, it will be easier if they didn't know before the trip. They see planes flying over our house on a constant basis (we live 2 miles from the end of a runway at a major airport), so they are familiar with them. Plotting against my kids, just one of the services I offer the family.

 

[RedRosie]

I was just looking at the "Picture of the Day" thread in the Community Board (love those pics!) and there is a great one of Halloween season. My DD6 saw it and said "oooo, wouldn't it be fun to go to Disney at Christmas time? It snows there!" I said "But look at this picture. Wouldn't it be fun to go at Halloween time?" She said (in a tone like I'm an idiot), "No, Christmas would be waaay better." I had to stop myself from saying "Wouldn't it be fun to go for your birthday?" How can I keep this secret for 2 more months!!!!

 

[BryANDJessMom]

My kids are going to be so surprised! We usually go every year but this year we took a big trip to WDW in February. It was fantastic! I told them no Disneyland until summer 2012 when Carsland opens. As if I could wait that long! So after church camp and the last weekend of the summer we are going to pick them up from camp..I bought "I'm going to Disneyland" shirts from Disney.com. I'll have the suburban packed up and tell them to put these shirts on! We are going to stay at hobos...loved it last year! First day just doing the character breakfast, hojos water park, downtown Disney, then off to Napa Rose for dinner ( and to celebrate my husbands bday). we will probably just do 2 full days in the park, but we use Ridemax and can usually get most everything done that we want to do!

We will get back on a Tues night and they will start 2nd and 4th grade on That Thursday. (school starts on aug 18th here)

My kids are so into Disney, they watch podcasts of rides, and shows almost daily!