Creative ways to tell a Preschooler...

[ksc37]

...That he's going to Disney World?

We leave in 4 weeks and we haven't told my DS (4, almost 5) that he's going. He's not new to Disney World (he's been there 4 times already), so he knows what it's all about... We haven't told my 2 year old either, but I don't think he'll appreciate the gesture quite as much

We've debated waiting until we go to the airport, but do they get more out of it if they can get excited for a week or two ahead of time?

Any personal experience and/or ideas appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Personally, I think the anticipation is part of the fun, so I don't know if I'd ever completely surprise my kids the day we leave (as fun as it sounds!) Especially my older dd. She's the type that really needs to mentally prepare herself for transitions, including fun ones.

So, even though she's nearly 8 and a girl, maybe you could use my idea, I think it's pretty clever if I do say so myself

In tonight's mail, there will be a fancy "invitation" addressed to my daughter from Cinderella to come join her for lunch in her castle on her birthday (we have AR's). I don't know how she'll react, she may immediately realize this means we're going, or she may question it and beg us to take her. I'll post later tonight or tomorrow on how it goes.

So maybe you could similarly send him an invitation "from his favorite character", to join him for some event (character meal, pirate cruise, etc.) you have planned that you know he'll be excited to hear about. It doesn't even have to be an event, it could just be "come and play with me next week, I want to see you again." Watch his reaction, follow his lead, and say OK, let's go!

Good luck! Let us know what you decide, OK?

 

[CinRell]

since stitch seems to be the big thing this year with his new ride, why not a stuffed stitch (mail it .. preschoolers LOVE getting mail!)... in a box with a bunch of confetti and an invitation to your little ones and family to come visit him at disney? You can act just as surprised and he'll think he really did get a personal invite to disney!

 

[wendypooh]

I am having someone send my DS a postcard from Mickey......... search for threads about fairy godmailers on this board, maybe someone would do it for your DS as well. I'm going to do it for some, but it won't be until our trip, which is 5 months away.

I also LOVE the ideas already posted!!!! Have a good time!

 

[Laura22]

We are always counting down to a Disney trip, usually planning 2 trips ahead at a time. My son would be confused if we weren't "going to Disney soon" LOL

 

[Laurajean1014]

I actually disagree with the second poster. I think parents like anticipation but children don't know how to handle it sometimes.

My son's been to WDW 25 times and we just told him prior to leaving this past year (he is now 9).

We usually told him on the way to the airport or on the plane.....whenever he asked, we answered honestly. At age 6, we woke him up early and placed him in the car; because he's been on a plane often, he woke up, looked around and said "are we going to Disney?" We said yes! He answered, "cool."

We all had big smiles and had one of the best trips ever.

 

[MareSINY]

My nieces (4 & 2) have known since we booked the trip. They watch the planning video constantly, talk about going to "Mickey Mouses House" all the time and frequently tell us which rides they want to go on. It's funny, I realized a week ago that my 2 year old niece will be to Disney 3 times before her 3rd birthday.

I personally love sharing the anticipation with them, it's part of the fun. The best part of Disney is experiencing it through their eyes.

 

[twinz]

I have no children of my own, but 3 years ago we travelled with a good friend and her three boys (5,8,9). What worked for them was a count down callendar. It helped them to see the days left. It helped with the anticipation and not having to hear, "when are we going." You know what your children can handle. If they do not adapt to change well then let them know in advance, if a great surprise doesn't bother them then do the surprise thing.

 

[LorlovesStitch]

We are leaving on 11/29 and have not told DDs(4) yet. Actually they want to go and I told them if they don't behave we won't be on the "list of people who get a turn". I have actually pretended to call Disney when they are acting terrible and "told" them to move our name off the "list". If they can behave, I "call" back and have our name "put back on" . I need to let them know a little ahead of time because one of my DDs has an anxiety disorder and surprises don't usually go over very well. I LOVE the idea that CinRell had about sending a package or something with an invite. Maybe I'll do that!

 

[Windy City Heather]

We leave in 3 weeks. My 3 year old (just turned 3) has know about the trip since last December before we left Disney the last time. She does not stop talking about it. Everyday when she wakes up she says "mommy, go Disney today". Next time I am not telling her. Yes it is fun to hear her talk about it but it is getting old. She just does not understand the waiting.

 

[Goingforbroke]

We are leaving on 11/29 and have not told DDs(4) yet. Actually they want to go and I told them if they don't behave we won't be on the "list of people who get a turn". I have actually pretended to call Disney when they are acting terrible and "told" them to move our name off the "list". If they can behave, I "call" back and have our name "put back on" . I need to let them know a little ahead of time because one of my DDs has an anxiety disorder and surprises don't usually go over very well. I LOVE the idea that CinRell had about sending a package or something with an invite. Maybe I'll do that!

That is one of the funniest things I have ever heard. Thanks for making me laugh this morning. I might have to borrow that idea!

 

[pixiedust23]

Yea I wouldnt tell my kids (that is if I had any which thankfully I dont bc I"m only 23). I wouldnt want the mommmy are we going today? Mommy then when ARE we going? Mommy can we go right now? Mommy, mommy, mommy, MOMMY!

Plus they get a suprise when you get them there.

 

[jckdisneybound]

We told our daughter last trip when we planned our trip for May, and every day it's was are we going to Disney today, did a countdown calendar and all. But she didn't get it. She was excited to all boot the day we left. So now we talk about "when we go back to Mickey's". And we are going to tell her on the way to the airport or the airplane, depending on when she asks.

 

[kimisabella]

My dd5 knows that we are going to WDW - but since she really can't understand how long 5 weeks away is, I made a paper chain out of disney paper, and each day she rips off a link, meaning it is one day closer to when we leave. She knows that when there is only one link left, we are going to WDW. She loves waking up each morning and asking if she can tear a link off, and she isn't always questioning, "when do we leave?".

 

[ksc37]

I knew I could count on you guys to give me some great ideas!

We haven't told them yet because we don't want the constant "Are we going today?" questions (that's what has happened on our previous trips). My older son automatically assumes he will be back at Disney World soon, just not when (he mentioned just yesterday that his little brother is now big enough for "Goofy's Roller Coaster").

I think I might go with a little package (maybe with a little Mickey) with an invitation for both of them, but I'll probably not send it until we're about a week out (time for them to share the news with their friends, but a short enough time to minimize the constant questions).

I've always wanted to do the routine where we just get them out of bed and take them to the airport, but I think we'll be spending the night before near the airport (we have a very early flight), so they'll figure it out the night before anyway.

Thanks again, and if there are any other ideas, let's hear them

 

[KimWDW]

This might be nice for older kids (who can read):

I surprised my boyfriend (now husband) with a trip to Disney years ago. I bought him the UG and wrapped it. He opened the present and looked at it like, "Why did you buy me the Unofficial Guide to Disney?" And I said, "Check out the bookmark" and he flipped through and found the bookmark... which was his plane ticket.

 

[JudimouseNC]

My 3 year old grandson has known since March that we are going in October. It has been a great way to teach him about time. Months, days, weeks...even hours.

He had no Disney exposure until he came to live with us in February. He has been like a little sponge! He knows all the characters.....and has taken an active part in planning for this vacation.

I forgot how much fun the little ones are!