Okay, so I'm interested to hear from any other parents or others who have surprised their families with a trip to the Disney. I know there has to be some pretty awesome stories out there. Here's ours:
2008
I have three children. At the time my DDs were 9 & 11, and my DS was 14. My DH & I had each been to Disney World once as teenagers (separately) and once on our honeymoon -- magical
). However, my children had never been.
We had had an especially difficult year, and a wonderful couple from our church offered us their timeshare in October to use over Christmas break. We knew EXACTLY where we wanted to go -- the most magical place on earth! However, when we called to book our reservation, there was no availability in Orlando for that week. We were crushed but decided to try Tampa & Busch Gardens instead. Disappointed but still excited about a family vacation, we told our children the plan.
Fast forward to the first week of December. We get a phone call from the Timeshare company telling us that a spot had opened up right outside Disney World. Oh HAPPY DAY! But, do we tell our children or let it be a surprise? Hmmm...Christmas surprise it shall be! (It about KILLED my hubbie to keep the secret for that long!)
We never said a word about the change. Instead we tried to talk cheerfully about our trip to Tampa & promised that Disney would be another time. We left & drove through the night & pulled into the resort at 1:30 AM. Once again, I had to make my DH keep the secret until morning. We checked in & got settled. The kids did not know we were even in Orlando!
We woke up early the next morning to go to "Busch Gardens." The kids were trying hard not to be disappointed that we weren't heading to Disney. On our short drive there, my son saw a Disney directional sign, and I saw the first hint of true hope flash in his eyes. Then.....there it was....the giant arch above the road....Chaos! My 11 year old DD was clapping & screaming; my son was grinning & laughing; and my 9 year old's mouth literally dropped open, speechless & bewildered (NOT a common occurrence at all for her). We went straight to the MK, then the Luau at Polynesian, & then back to MK for Mickey's Christmas Party. By the end of the day, we were exhausted, but SO HAPPY!
Needless to say, mom & dad were instant heroes, and we had an amazing & magical trip that all of us will always remember.
That's our Disney surprise story. I hope more people will share theirs as well!
2008
I have three children. At the time my DDs were 9 & 11, and my DS was 14. My DH & I had each been to Disney World once as teenagers (separately) and once on our honeymoon -- magical

We had had an especially difficult year, and a wonderful couple from our church offered us their timeshare in October to use over Christmas break. We knew EXACTLY where we wanted to go -- the most magical place on earth! However, when we called to book our reservation, there was no availability in Orlando for that week. We were crushed but decided to try Tampa & Busch Gardens instead. Disappointed but still excited about a family vacation, we told our children the plan.
Fast forward to the first week of December. We get a phone call from the Timeshare company telling us that a spot had opened up right outside Disney World. Oh HAPPY DAY! But, do we tell our children or let it be a surprise? Hmmm...Christmas surprise it shall be! (It about KILLED my hubbie to keep the secret for that long!)
We never said a word about the change. Instead we tried to talk cheerfully about our trip to Tampa & promised that Disney would be another time. We left & drove through the night & pulled into the resort at 1:30 AM. Once again, I had to make my DH keep the secret until morning. We checked in & got settled. The kids did not know we were even in Orlando!
We woke up early the next morning to go to "Busch Gardens." The kids were trying hard not to be disappointed that we weren't heading to Disney. On our short drive there, my son saw a Disney directional sign, and I saw the first hint of true hope flash in his eyes. Then.....there it was....the giant arch above the road....Chaos! My 11 year old DD was clapping & screaming; my son was grinning & laughing; and my 9 year old's mouth literally dropped open, speechless & bewildered (NOT a common occurrence at all for her). We went straight to the MK, then the Luau at Polynesian, & then back to MK for Mickey's Christmas Party. By the end of the day, we were exhausted, but SO HAPPY!
Needless to say, mom & dad were instant heroes, and we had an amazing & magical trip that all of us will always remember.
That's our Disney surprise story. I hope more people will share theirs as well!