Anyone ever surprise your children

[twotoohappy]

Surprised dd9 last August. Told her we were going to visit family (isn't Mickey family?!). She thought we were driving. We pulled up to the airport and she asked where we were going. I just smiled. When we got to the gate it was flashing Arizona and then Orlando. I pointed out the Phoen. Arizona everytime it passed. She still didn't know. We got off the plane to "switch planes", but had to get the towncar to the other airport. Honestly, She didn't know until we went through the "Walt Disney World" sign heading towards the MK. Priceless!

 

[smfritz03]

We are surprized the 3 kids in 29 days w/ their first ever trip to Disney World!! We have them all prepared to go "camping". They are making plans for fishing and bugs!!! DD's keep asking if we can just stay in a hotel instead of camping. (they are 6, 6 and ds is 7) We made them think we were renting a camper (thats why we are riding w/ grandma who is taking us to pick up the camper/ actually to the airport)--None of the kids have ever been to this airport--so we know we will get all the way there w/out them having a clue--then we will say, well, if we dont want to go camping, then what should we do??? The girls have been begging for Disney world for a yr now--so Im sure that will be the first thing they say---but this is where we cant decide what to do next!!!! Im going crazy just trying to get it all together!!! Any suggestions???

29 Days till Disney!!!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Ok, I just don't get the whole lie to the kids thing.

It's one thing to not tell them you're going to Disney, but why would you lie to them, get them excited about one kind of vacation, make them PLAN and PACK for it, then pull the rug out from under them and go someplace else?

It just baffles me...

 

[Tinkerchele]

Ok, I just don't get the whole lie to the kids thing.

It's one thing to not tell them you're going to Disney, but why would you lie to them, get them excited about one kind of vacation, make them PLAN and PACK for it, then pull the rug out from under them and go someplace else?

It just baffles me...

Umm, because a Disney vacation is better than ANY other vacation ever?? At least, that's my opinion!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Then why not just tell them 'we're going to Disney!'

 

[GaTech]

One day last mast month when our kids woke up we asked them if they wanted to go to Disneyworld. Of course they said yes. So we asked if they wanted to go right then. They were stunned/confused and didn't believe us. We took them outside to see the van already packed and they started jumping for joy. They went to the bathroom and got in the van and we left while they were still in their pj's. It was a great surprise but it was hard keeping it from them.

 

[Tinkerchele]

Then why not just tell them 'we're going to Disney!'

Because it might ruin the SURPRISE?

I told my kids the night before we were leaving. There was no way I was telling them we were going somewhere else when we got to the airport. I'm such a horrible liar! I kept it a secret for 8 months.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Okay, I'm not explaining myself here.

I have no problem with people surprising their kids with a Disney vacation, but I do have a problem with misdirection.

I understand not saying anything and then just woo hoo, we're going to Disney! That's cool, and we've done that with our kids.

But you tell kids you're going one place and doing one thing, when in reality you're doing something else, well, that's just lying to your kids!

My kids, fwiw, would be really ticked off if I told them we were going one place and let them get excited about it, then went someplace totally different.

That's what I'm saying, go ahead and surprise them, just don't lie to them!

 

[t7mouselover]

Christmas 2003 the kids (all 5 of them) got a huge box from an anonymous source. Inside that box was a smaller box which had a smaller box etc. Inside the smallest box was a stuffed Mickey with a typed card "Hello T***** kids, I hear you are coming to my house for a visit. See you in 2 days!, Love Mickey

It was so cool. They had no idea they were going anywhere. The next 2 days were filled with deciding what would do at DW. Very fun! I don't think I could do a surprise like that again-at least not with the same great response!

 

[DISUNC]

That's what I'm saying, go ahead and surprise them, just don't lie to them!

How should that be done? When the children see the parents packing clothes preparing for the trip, what should you say to them? How should parents suprise their children without lying to them.

I dont see anything wrong with lying to your children....examples, Santa Claus! Mickey Mouse! Tooth Fairy! ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Christmas 2003 the kids (all 5 of them) got a huge box from an anonymous source. Inside that box was a smaller box which had a smaller box etc. Inside the smallest box was a stuffed Mickey with a typed card "Hello T***** kids, I hear you are coming to my house for a visit. See you in 2 days!, Love Mickey

It was so cool. They had no idea they were going anywhere. The next 2 days were filled with deciding what would do at DW. Very fun! I don't think I could do a surprise like that again-at least not with the same great response!

I like that idea for my DD9! Surprise her just a few days ahead of time and that way she still have the excitement of packing for the trip and planning this trip too !!!! She'll also have fun telling her friends that she is going to Disney and reminising with them about their trips too !!!! GREAT IDEA

 

[VSL]

I agree with Disneyrsh

How should that be done? When the children see the parents packing clothes preparing for the trip, what should you say to them? How should parents suprise their children without lying to them.

Well, I'm sure parents could find a way to pack with the children having no idea (when they're in school, with other relatives, etc.).

I dont see anything wrong with lying to your children

I completely disagree, and I'm sure others do too.

ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS!

???

 

[smfritz03]

Why lie??? Well, heres the situation-2 of the kids are stepkids. They are very unfortuante to have a mother who if she learns we are going to Disney, will not let them go. She says my dh isnt supposed to do fun things w/ the kids, only she is allowed. If she finds out we do anything fun, she denys visitation or puts fear in the kids heads to make them not want to do it. Example: going to the fair---she learned we were going--told the kids that people die all the time on the rides and that if they got on it would probably happen to them too. They wouldnt get on anything at the fair. (and yes, she has taken them before and put them on rides) Another example: 4th of July, we were going boating--she told them that they would drown even w/ life jackets on and the lake had big snakes and possibly an alligator--so kids cried and didnt want to go boating. Is this abuse? Yes, but the courts dont seem to care (and yes again, we've been to court over 6 times in the past 1.5 yr and going again right before vacation) By law we have to let the mother know vacation dates 3 mths ahead each year and provide a 3rd party contact the day we leave. So yes-we had to tell her we were going on vacation and shes the type who has to have control and know where. Our attorney advised telling her one place and then give her a 3rd party # after we get the kids otherwise if she denys us visitation, it would be too late to get it into courts before we fly out. SHE was the one who told the kids we were going camping and how horrible of a time we would have. We just went along w/ it--we werent going to say anything to the kids, she did to try to turn them against our family vacation and it will backfire.

So why lie to the kids??? If we didnt, THEY wouldnt be allowed to go or their mother would make them afraid of Disneyworld. THATS WHY. (and sorry, Im not about to lose all the $$ I've invested so far that is NON refundable because this woman feels she has to have complete control no matter the cost to the kids)

 

[vascubaguy]

with a trip to Disney. We are going in August and our kids have no idea. They are 5 and 8. They think we are driving to the beach for a few days like we did last summer. They are going to be shocked when we pull in to the airport. Any ideas on how to tell them where we are going once we get to the airport?

Chris

You could just tell them that you decided to fly to the beach rather than drive. Then, when you get to WDW, take them to Beaches and Cream!

 

[cashout]

We are surprising our kids this December. It has been in the works since last Christmas. We will tell them either that we are going to see relatives (since we are all related at some point), or that we are going to see the President's Hall (or Hall of Presidents). Since all of our family lives over 10 hours from us, and the kids have no idea how far Washington is; we hope that they will not realize that the drive to Orlando is so much further.
The problem that we are having now is getted my DS9 to save his money without telling him why he has to save it. The toys at the store that look so tempting would zap his small savings; and he would be so upset when his thrifty sister(7) is getting souveniers, and he cannot get much.

 

[unixadm]

My wife and I decided we would surprise our kids for our trip in September.

Well, yesterday, my 4 year old was talking about going to Disney. I asked him when he thought he was going. He said "I'm not sure, sometime in September, I think"

Well, I guess little people have big ears!

Oh well, it won't be a big surprise this time....but NEXT time....

 

[Pryncess'mom]

I surprised my DD in January 04. She was in kindergarten at the time, but had been to world 3 times already. My neighbor and her mom went with us, and I picked her up at school early, telling her we had to go somewhere. Went home changed, left with Charlene and Mrs. D, no questions! Going over bridge to get to airport, DD asked where are we going? Put her off with an "I don't know" got to airport, another question, I showed her an airplane ticket and asked her if she could read it. No!! We actually were landing in Orlando and the pilot said we are landing in orlando, ......... she looked at me and said Orlando, what are we going to do? I asked her what we should do and she said Disney!! We were only there for MLK weekend, but it was great.

I think it really depends on your children, and their ages. My daughter was young, and I packed after she went to bed. Plus, it was cold in NJ in January, so pulling out capris and t shirts was easy because they were packed away, not in her drawers. Still , it was great fun!

Good luck! deb

 

[Goofy DS]

We are surprising the kids for Christmas this year.
They start their Christmas break on 12/22, so on the 21st they will have "doctor's visits" and we will take them out of school early on the 21st.
When we are on the way to the "doctor" we will let them open a gift.
The gift will let them know that we are going to Disney and we will be off to the airport!

DD is 14 and DS is 10 so they would both love a digital camera. I think the gift that they will open will be a digital (inexpensive) camera and we will already have taken a picture that says "we're going to Disney World!"

The hard part is keeping the secret for 6 months!!!!!

 

[ryanmilla]

We are taking our best friends with us for their first trip next time we go in March. Our DD4 are best friends and both know they are going together to Disney World, but neither of them know when. Since it is still 8 months away I am hoping that we can surprise them then. I hoping we can just wake them up one morning and say in our best Lion King voice, "It is time..."

It isn't helping though, that their parents are just as excited and talk about it whenever we get together.

 

[abay]

Seriously, I have tears in my eyes as i am reading this thread.

I am the oldest of 4 daughters. When my 2 youngest sisters were in kindergarten and 3rd grade we totally surprised them with a trip to WDW. My dad was away for work for the weekend before Thanksgiving and was due back on Tuesday. Tuesday morning we told my sisters that we were going to pull them out of school a little early to go pick up dad at the airport. We normally picked up dad all together so they didn't expect anything at all.

We arrived at their school in a limo (a surprise from my dad) and they were so excited to be taking a ride in a limo "to pick dad up". In the limo my mom changed them into new disney outfits, "for a surprise for dad".

At the airport, the driver took our suitcases out from the back and the girls were like, why do we have dad's suitcases already. My mom whispered in their ears, "let's meet daddy at disney world" and the look on their faces was one of the best molments ever.

We talk about it all the time, as the best (of many) family trips. I can't WAIT to do this to kids I have in the future, someday!!!