Couple questions: surprise trip, crowds this weekend...

[limace]

So, we're doing a fairly short-notice trip to DL this weekend, flying down Thursday evening and leaving Monday morning. We'll be in the parks Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I read comments suggesting that longer park hours indicate that the crowds will be larger than on days with shortened hours. This makes me a little anxious, as DL is scheduled for 8-12 all three days. I was anticipating smallish crowds, but am I off-base?

Also, we'll be surprising our kids-they think we're taking their dad to the airport to catch a plane to a wedding in Redlands, but we'll let them know once we park that they're going, too. Anyone ever done this? How'd your kids take it?

 

[bumbershoot]

My mom and then-stepdad sprung a surprise trip on us once. We had spent Thanksgiving at the Grand Canyon, and while we were driving back to San Jose, as we begged and begged and begged AGAIN (having done that the entire way to AZ as well), they "gave in" as we saw the Disneyland sign from the freeway (when there was a big sign you could see). Turned out they always had reservations at the Disneyland Hotel. It worked well, but we were already packed with clothes and such (more important for me as the older, more vain, kid).

I would highly recommend you either let your 13 year old in on the secret, or tell her she's going with her dad too so she can be prepared and packed on her own. She might be very different from me, but if I'd had such a trip surprise, with no chance to pack my OWN clothes, I would have been *extremely* unhappy and it might have showed. Obviously you know her better, and I'm just basing it on me and the typical teen, but it's definitely worth thinking about.

 

[HydroGuy]

So, we're doing a fairly short-notice trip to DL this weekend, flying down Thursday evening and leaving Monday morning. We'll be in the parks Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I read comments suggesting that longer park hours indicate that the crowds will be larger than on days with shortened hours. This makes me a little anxious, as DL is scheduled for 8-12 all three days. I was anticipating smallish crowds, but am I off-base?

Also, we'll be surprising our kids-they think we're taking their dad to the airport to catch a plane to a wedding in Redlands, but we'll let them know once we park that they're going, too. Anyone ever done this? How'd your kids take it?

The parks are always (or at least almost always) open 8AM-Midnight on weekends. This weekend should be fairly light compared to some other times of year.

 

[limace]

Thanks, guys. Hydroguy, thanks for the reassurance. I'm thrilled the parks are open late-my cunning plan is to abandon the small children at the hotel with dad at bedtime and head back to the park with the big kids. We're meeting my SIL and BIL and their kids, who are 13 and 16-it's my eldest's first time to go to the park with a kid her age, so it will be very exciting.

Molly, thanks for the feedback. I've definitely contemplated telling my oldest for the reasons you list, though am currently leaning towards keeping it a surprise. We're going through all her clothes tonight to get them washed and have her decide what doesn't fit anymore-once I figure out what doesn't fit, it should be easy to pack for her (she just had a birthday and has a bunch of new favorite shirts-she's in a jeans and t-shirt phase). If she hates it, I'll bribe her with a new t-shirt

 

[farmgirljen]

I think you should surprise her,lol! She'll get over it.... After all, this is why she hates her stupid life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol... And cader needs a Dopey hat....

 

[limace]

You're right, Jen-she'll hate her life either way.

Do they make Dopey hats? That would be so awesome.