Christmas surprise or "We leave tomorrow" surprise???

[DisneyTigers]

Okay, we have been planning for MONTHS to surprise the kids on Christmas Day with the gift of a trip to the World in January. TODAY, though, I was thinking, wouldn't it be cooler to surprise them the day before we leave?

So, we either do a big gift box surprise thing on Christmas, or we surprise them the night before we go (same big gift box). What do you think??

I know you all will be the absolute best people to ask about this!!!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[dislal]

I would say that it depends on the age of the child. If they are pre school age I would surprise them the day before. If they are school age I would tell them at christmas, so they can get their school work and tell their friends and teachers. I just know that my kids would be upset if I told them the day before, but I am planning on keeping it a surprise as long as I can when we are going they know we are going in 2010, but have no clue when exactly. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We surprised our DDs with a trip. We told them the morning we were leaving. We woke them up and acted like they were going to school. Had them get ready completely. While i was helping them finish getting their hair done my DH pulled out their carry ons and called them into the room. We set the video camera and had them look thru the bags and told them we were going somewhere that day - could they guess where. It was so awesome - my oldest wouldn't believe us until we arrived at POP!

 

[Bren's Mom]

I would do it at Christmas and NOT the day before the trip if you have smaller kids. I think pre-schoolers need time to adjust to ideas, see pics of the rides, talk about what to expect during the trip (plane if there is one, sleeping arrangements, fireworks, things like that). I know that my generally easy-going 3 yo would have been WAY overhwhelmed if he didn't get an adjustment period. And, imo, part of the fun of the trip is the anticipation!

 

[bigfish2215]

We are leaving the day after Thanksgiving. My kids think they are going to the Wisconsin Dell for Vaca. We a telling them with the game, and the grand prize is the trip to WDW. We rented a limo to take us to the airport. I brought them special shrits to open up with copies of the airline tix, and info on WDW. Now I just hope they will enjoy the trip. 29 more days. The only hard part is keeping it all quiet. Good Luck

 

[Nie0214]

I vote for Christmas day because having that week or two before the trip to get excited will make it more fun for them, imo.

 

[joyfulscrapper]

I just surprised my kids 2 weeks ago for our trip next week. The surprise didn't go as well as I had hoped, but nonetheless, having this time for them to build anticipation has been great. We've been looking over the guidebooks together and deciding which rides/shows they'd like to see most. I really wanted time to do that before we went.

I agree with a lot of the other posts that age is a big factor in your decision. I also think younger ones should have time to process it. I think, too, that if this is your family's first trip there that you should have time together to talk about it. Maybe subsequent trips would be really cool to tell them at the last minute, but the first time should be savored...IMHO...

 

[WelovMickey!]

I voted Christmas because One that is a awesome present to open on Christmas morning. Two the excitement can build.

 

[DisneyTigers]

Yeah, I think we're leaning more toward keeping it a Christmas surprise. Our kids are 9,6,4, and 2, but the older 3 LOVE planning things... it's a few weeks out,but I think they'll really get into it!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Im also planning a christmas surprise - I vote to keep it as a gift - when will you ever have a chance to do it again???

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

I'd go for Christmas day. I say that, so that they have time to let the excitement really build - plus, check out the Disney site and plan on the things they want to do

 

[Sillyminny40]

At those ages? Surprise them! We did once. It was great. You'll never be able to do it again.

 

[dizneedoll]

I voted for Christmas day too. Like many of the PP's, it's fun to let the anticipation and excitement build. That's part of the fun of the trip!

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

I voted to tell them on Christmas - that's what I'd prefer for most ages, I think. Although the idea of telling them before could be extremely exciting, I think it'll be just as exciting to tell them on Christmas and it gives them more time to prepare & process. I would do something silly like give them clues and send them on a treasure hunt or give them cheap Disney-themed "gifts" and pretend that's really all they're getting until they open something else or something like that. Have fun! Either way, I'm sure your kids will love it!!