Christmas morning at Disney with kids?

[BaseballMoM2007]

Would love to hear how you handled being at Disney on Christmas morning specifically for Santa believers. Will have a 10 yo and 16 yo. We are driving so I plan to bring a tiny table top tree. I don't want to haul all of out gifts there but have to have some stuff for them to open.

 

[mom2rtk]

Are you sure they believe? Most 10 year olds have been told by friends at school.

When I was a kid, we spent Christmas at my grandparents' house. We always wrote a letter to Santa and asked if he could come a couple days early. Worked great.

 

[Disneylover99]

My 10 year old daughter still believes.
A couple of years ago we spent Christmas Day at Disney.
I brought stockings and stocking stuffers with me. Santa left those at the resort Christmas morning, with a letter for my kids saying he had a gift for them each waiting at home.

 

[elaine amj]

I was in Orlando for Christmas back in 2014. My kids didn't believe anymore but I still wanted to make Christmas morning fun. So while they were sleeping, I decorated a corner of the room - there was a tree and a pile of gifts on the table (I hid everything in the luggage). I was careful that year to buy gifts that were small and portable (like watches, jewelry and some were certificates for experiences - like a dolphin boat tour in Clearwater). Also, a silly pack of mini nerf guns for some in-room fun

Unfortunately, I kind of spoiled the surprise. I had taken a photo and posted it on Facebook. When my daughter woke up in the morning, she was browsing on her phone in the morning - and caught sight of my photo!

We don't do a massive loot pile for Christmas - but they were still happy to have some kind of tree and the fun of opening presents on Christmas morning.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Just have "Santa" come early.

My bet is that your 10 year old knows. I sure as heck knew at 10, I just kept up appearances because I knew I'd get more gifts out of it.

 

[BaseballMoM2007]

My Son still believes or at least is afraid to say he doesn't believe right now. I'm sure in the next 8 months that could change. He has friends that do not believe already. The stockings and maybe a few small presents seems like a good idea with a note saying other things are at home.

 

[LizGirl]

We are away from home more years than we are at home for Christmas morning. I tell the kids that I "call Santa" ahead of time and let him know that we won't be home. He normally gets his cookies and delivers small gifts wherever we are. Last year he dropped off our big gifts on New Year's Eve so we could open them on New Year's Day once we were home.

My kids have got to know but they aren't letting on. I'm ready for the charade to be done with - I hate sneaking around! LOL

 

[disneygolfer1985]

If I remember correctly you can have Disney either deliver a stocking to your room with gifts or leave it hanging on the door. You could go out to the parks in the morning and have Disney deliver the gifts to your room, so when you come back there will be a surprise!

 

[ShellieMimi]

I promise you that they know, but may be afraid to disappoint you by admitting it, or have figured out that "Santa" + "Mom & Dad" = more gifts than just "Mom & Dad."

That said, no reason they can't "believe" even if they know. http://www.nysun.com/editorials/yes-virginia/68502/

So, keep it going, but don't stress about them "finding out."

 

[GrumpyDudeByChoice]

Santa came before we left with the big things and he left a letter telling us that he knew that we would be in WDW and that he would bring some smaller things there. He also said that he would talk to Mickey and have him bring a few Disney things. We brought an extra suitcase with a little tree and some lights. Worked out great.