Costco package

[disneyfirsttimer18]

We booked our August trip through Costco. I just have a question about how everything is packaged.

My kids have no idea that we're going back to DL and we have no plans for them to know until the night before we leave.

If my 9 year old follows me to the door to sign for our vacation package, will it be obvious that it's something Disney or is the package plain? Last year we booked through Getawaytoday and the package was very much Disney, but my older 2 kids were at school and my 3 year old(at the time) was oblivious. In July, they'll be home and they are nosy about deliveries.

Just need to know if I need to be sneaky when it arrives. Also, do they send a notification so you know what day and approximate time you need to be around to sign for it? TIA.

 

[Skiton]

We just got a plain box, no Disney packaging.

 

[hanna-nana]

Plain box, but the return address said Disney.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

Plain box works! I can easily not let them see any addresses on the box.

 

[DisneyAZfam]

Delivered in a plain box but the inside packaging is very Disney so don't open with little eyes watching

 

[WillowRain]

Sign for it? My UPS driver usually chucks stuff at my door!

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

Sign for it? My UPS driver usually chucks stuff at my door!

This is normally what happens here too. Though everything says that I will have to sign for it. Guess we'll see.

 

[2tinkerbell]

If you are worried, you can call and have things sent to the hotel for when you check in. I did that for a surprise trip for my DD.

 

[realrellim]

So I'm very curious: how do you manage to surprise them and still get all the packing done? I've heard of families doing this and think it's a neat idea, except for the fact that I'd end up staying up all night just to get the packing and such done before we fly out. I'd love to hear your secrets.

 

[mad hatter fan]

So I'm very curious: how do you manage to surprise them and still get all the packing done? I've heard of families doing this and think it's a neat idea, except for the fact that I'd end up staying up all night just to get the packing and such done before we fly out. I'd love to hear your secrets.

We did this once when the kids were small. The oldest was 7 at the time. I used laundry baskets to put clothes and other items in (hidden under clothes) and did not put into suitcases until close to the trip. It did help that at the time my oldest quite oblivious to things going on around him, LOL. And right before the trip it was near enough to his birthday that when I told him to stay out of my bedroom so he wouldn't spoil a surprise he assumed it had to do with his birthday.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

So I'm very curious: how do you manage to surprise them and still get all the packing done? I've heard of families doing this and think it's a neat idea, except for the fact that I'd end up staying up all night just to get the packing and such done before we fly out. I'd love to hear your secrets.

I stressed about how I was going to surprise them this time, with all the packing.

We are planning to visit some of my DH's family and friends(Nevada and N. Cali) on the way to DL, so our kids know we're going on a trip and when, they just do not know that DL is part of the trip.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I stay up all night packing...lol! I put things aside in my closet or a large plastic container as it gets closer. For example, if I am washing clothes, then the clean ones are just put away in the container. Fortunately my DD just thought I hadn't done the laundry yet...lol! The biggest part is I already have travel items (toiletries, etc.) already packed in our suitcases. You can do that anytime.

 

[pinkprincess30]

So I'm very curious: how do you manage to surprise them and still get all the packing done? I've heard of families doing this and think it's a neat idea, except for the fact that I'd end up staying up all night just to get the packing and such done before we fly out. I'd love to hear your secrets.

Last May we pulled off a surprise 1 week trip for our 13 YO, 10 YO & 9 YO. I pre-made a very organized extensive list. I took clothes and set them aside as they were laundered so they didn't notice a bunch of clothes missing. I packed a little bit each night in the week before the trip so it wasn't too overwhelming for me. We loaded the suitcases a little at a time and stored them under our bed. We used all travel size toiletries so they didn't miss any of their regularly used items. We also bought new deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc. for the trip, knowing these items would get used upon our return as well. The night before we left I did one final push on the packing after they went to bed. They were completely surprised and it was SO FUN to say "Surprise! We're going to to Disneyland...RIGHT NOW!!!". We gave them fun items like glow sticks, mad lib books, snacks and other travel activities as part of our announcement so we had them pack their backpacks for the plane themselves once they knew what was up. It really was a neat experience. We recently found out we're going again in July...I can't decide whether to surprise them again or not! Our first trip they knew and had time to build up some anticipation. They said they preferred to be surprised. But it was only a year ago and this will be a bare bones budget trip Not sure what to do!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Last May we pulled off a surprise 1 week trip for our 13 YO, 10 YO & 9 YO. I pre-made a very organized extensive list. I took clothes and set them aside as they were laundered so they didn't notice a bunch of clothes missing. I packed a little bit each night in the week before the trip so it wasn't too overwhelming for me. We loaded the suitcases a little at a time and stored them under our bed. We used all travel size toiletries so they didn't miss any of their regularly used items. We also bought new deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc. for the trip, knowing these items would get used upon our return as well. The night before we left I did one final push on the packing after they went to bed. They were completely surprised and it was SO FUN to say "Surprise! We're going to to Disneyland...RIGHT NOW!!!". We gave them fun items like glow sticks, mad lib books, snacks and other travel activities as part of our announcement so we had them pack their backpacks for the plane themselves once they knew what was up. It really was a neat experience. We recently found out we're going again in July...I can't decide whether to surprise them again or not! Our first trip they knew and had time to build up some anticipation. They said they preferred to be surprised. But it was only a year ago and this will be a bare bones budget trip Not sure what to do!

I think you should skip the surprise this time. I was thinking how it teaches us we don't need to wait if it's "let's go" every time. So as adults the kids could not plan, know how to wait, etc. Too philosophical for DL, I know.

 

[pinkprincess30]

I think you should skip the surprise this time. I was thinking how it teaches us we don't need to wait if it's "let's go" every time. So as adults the kids could not plan, know how to wait, etc. Too philosophical for DL, I know.

I totally get that! I think we're going to tell them when we're about a month away. Ironically, my oldest is going with his best friend on June 17th for a week! Lucky dog, DLR twice in the same summer! We live in Oregon so that's rare. We plan to tell them when he returns from his trip.