Asking kids what they want to do, without tipping them off

[HatboxHaint]

Any ideas on figuring out what is on each kids must do or must meet list without clue-ing them in on the upcoming vacation that is still many months away? I want to them to be a part of the planning but I don't want to hear "when are we going to disney?" a hundred times a day for the next five months.

 

[kimj88]

You could clue them in on a fake date way down the road and say you are kind of thinking about maybe going at that time like a year away and then that gives you an opening to ask them about it.
Our first trip with the kids we originally planned to go in December of the next year, but later in the planning process DH and I decided to go earlier. We didn't tell the kids that so the trip ended up being a surprise trip, but since they thought we were going 11 months later than we actually did we could still ask them details about what they wanted to do. We also got our oldest a copy of the Birnbaum's Guide for Kids, he was 9 at the time. That was useful for him to see what interested him.

 

[celina14]

We aren't telling my daughter about our November trip until the morning we leave. It's a little easy for us to get a feel for what she wants to do because she asks very regularly if we can go back to Disney. So when she asks about going I casually slide in there, "Well why do you want to go so bad? What do you want to do there?" She's also only 4 so it's a little easier to get things past her because she doesn't pick up on everything all the time. For older kids I imagine it would be more difficult.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I just make up fake questions:

"Someone is asking a question on the DisBoards about best restaurants for a 13 year old. What do you think? I'll share your favorites."

"When we go to Disney for your 16th birthday, what hotel would you like to try?"

 

[2Gma]

Before our first trip I asked my kids what their favorite Disney characters/movies were. I said, wouldn't it be cool to meet so and so at Disneyworld? I chose meet and greets based on that. For our 2nd and 3rd trip, I asked them what things would like to do if they could go to Disney again.
For Restaurants I chose things that had good reviews or were new to us.
I chose rides based on their interests of similar rides they could handle at our local amusement park.

 

[DisneyOliverMom]

I see some great ideas on here. You could also try telling them that their friends or cousins or even toys are going on a Disney trip and ask them what they think their friends/cousins/toys should do while they're there. Little ones love to plan for others' enjoyment.

 

[AshleeH]

Have they been before? When we were planning our surprise visit, I pulled out the Disney photobook and we were all looking through it and I worked the questions into the conversation. Where was your favorite place to eat? Your favorite ride was "insert name" when we were there - has that changed? I'd also bring up little random questions whenever we saw a Disney parks commercial.

If they haven't been, well, they have no idea of the size and scope, so it really won't matter what their opinions are. If they miss something they would have loved, they won't realize it.

 

[Minnesota!]

We just talk about "if I were at Disney today, I would want to do....". Or, "My perfect day at Disney entails....". We do it ALL THE TIME...so they would not think it odd..

 

[Pesky]

Yep, I do a lot of "when we go to Disney, what do you think you want to do first? I know I want to..." I've even asked things like "Italian or Chinese" to decide on ADRs.

 

[bbak30]

Ask them what they would want to do on a future trip. Don't give dates. I did that and mine didn't figure it out.

 

[absolutmey]

It has been a lot easier than I expected. I thought I was going to have to be more covert. But, like PP, my DS has been asking to go back to WDW, so he'll bring it up and then I'll ask things like what his favorite place to eat was or what his favorite ride was. He's been pretty open to sharing things he liked so I don't think he's on to me I like the suggestion by another PP - gently asking about it when it comes up. Maybe after a Disney movie you're watching or when you see a commercial?
We're surprising him with our October trip this year and don't plan to tell him until we're getting in the car to leave! Hopefully I can make it that long.

 

[southernprincess1]

We haven't been in 3 years and our boys ask us about going back everyday. They have no idea we are planning a trip for September. I have a Disney question of the day. I ask questions about resorts, rides, really anything to do with Disney. One day I asked them what color magic band they would want if we ever went back. One day our question was "what 5 things would you feel like you have to do at Disney" , this will help me plan for fast passes. When they ask us "when are we going back?" I just casually tell them "oh, maybe next year. I just like to dream about it."

 

[KaSe]

We just talk about "if I were at Disney today, I would want to do....". Or, "My perfect day at Disney entails....". We do it ALL THE TIME...so they would not think it odd..

Glad we're not the only ones who do this.

 

[MamaJinji]

Am I the only one that doesn't enjoy doing surprise reveals? I'd rather my kid be as excited as me. Lol

 

[lovin'fl]

If you've been before, I would just ask remember when...what was your fave rides, fave places to eat, fave memories. Just do a remember when we went to Disney and it was so great, wish we could be there now, what would you do if we were there right now, what are your faves...that kind of conversation.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Am I the only one that doesn't enjoy doing surprise reveals? I'd rather my kid be as excited as me. Lol

You're not alone! Planning our adventures is a big part of the fun in my family (even for more local outings).

 

[julieFitz]

We have had to do this recently (surprised kids today!!!!! With trip tomorrow) and my strategy has always been to never mention Disney but say something like would you rather go on a cool scavenger hunt or a go kart? Or would you mind getting wet on a ride (without saying splash mountain). Just to see their attitude/reaction and to try and gauge interest. Good luck!