Crossing the border by car, but trip a surprise

[DeniseinNS]

since you are going to Buffalo before Disney, maybe just say that you are headed to Buffalo?

 

[NewDCLGuy]

First, I wouldn't do anything that is unusual when dealing with border guards. No sticky notes on passports.

Second, what exactly is the plan here? Are you going to lie to the kids about where you are going? Or will you just tell them you are going someplace and it's a surprise?

The lie-to-the-kids approach could go very badly if the guard asks the kids directly where you are going. Not recommended.

If the kids know it's a secret, there's no need for sticky notes. When the guard asks, tell them you are keeping the destination a surprise from the kids and hand over a written itinerary.

 

[tamarabannon]

We got our kit today!!

Very exciting, but there are still.... 148ish days to go

We are thrilled with our travel agent, by the way, Christine from Fairytale Dreams & Destinations.

I think, unless we decide to tell them in advance -- which is unlikely, because if you met my son....! LOL -- we are going to do the note & itinerary with the passports. If it gets blown, I'm sure I can deal with a few hours of "how much longer" etc.

It will probably be me counting down!

Thanks everyone, what a great site!

 

[tamarabannon]

Oh wow, I missed a page of posts again, I am not used to this forum yet!!

It would definitely be, we're headed somewhere and it's a surprise. We cross often enough to know better than to lie to either children or border guards with something of this magnitude.

Again, who knows if we'll be able to keep the secret ourselves? So if the border blows it, oh well, but it would be nice to have a video to keep, we debated that as well!

Thanks again, and I love the van!! :-D

 

[LSmith]

Oh wow, I missed a page of posts again, I am not used to this forum yet!!

It would definitely be, we're headed somewhere and it's a surprise. We cross often enough to know better than to lie to either children or border guards with something of this magnitude.

Again, who knows if we'll be able to keep the secret ourselves? So if the border blows it, oh well, but it would be nice to have a video to keep, we debated that as well!

Thanks again, and I love the van!! :-D

The guards are trained to look for suspicious activity. Handing a note to the border guard and telling them that the destination is a secret from your kids could be construed as suspicious. You could end up with a huge hassle from customs. Your kids could be hauled into another room into another room to be questioned. If you get lucky the guards won’t blow it but is the risk worth it?

We cross the border approx. once a month and the guards almost always ask my kids questions. Even when they were very young they did this.

One way to surprise them would be to pull over about a half hour from the border, take out the video camera and tell them where they are going. We've actually done this but actually found out that our kids don't take surprises well!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Why don't you let your kids know just before you get to the guard at the border crossing? Prepare some gift bags with disney related goodies (and things that they will need on the trip). This is what I intend to do for my kids with our "Surprise" trip in Feb/11. My older son is a worrier, and it's easier for him to think that we are headed to the Gulf Islands than DL. Just a thought, and something to think about.

 

[MinnieMommy]

We "surprised" the kids one year. They thought we were going on a road trip to New Hampshire. ;-) We stopped about 30 min. before the border crossing for a break and told them (in a fun way!) that we were driving to New Hampshire, then flying to Orlando.

I have a friend who works in another part of Canada at a border crossing and was advised to let the kids know before we cross. You may get someone who will joke around and think a sticky note or similar is fun... but part of their job is to ensure that ALL kids crossing the border are willing participants travelling with their legal guardians. They have every right to question (and make note) of what passengers (including children) say when crossing the border.

Going to Walt Disney World is such a great thing, I would hate to see an unexpected, unpleasant 'incident' at the border crossing for the sake of a surprise.

Happy Planning!

 

[MinnieMommy]

We've actually done this but actually found out that our kids don't take surprises well!

LOL! My daughter loved the surprise. My son, not so much. He was quite upset that he wasn't involved in the planning process!

 

[LSmith]

LOL! My daughter loved the surprise. My son, not so much. He was quite upset that he wasn't involved in the planning process!

When we took our older son for the first time years ago we told him on the way to the Toronto airport. He sulked the entire time on the plane telling us he didn't want to go to Disney, he wanted to go to Egypt to see the pyramids.

 

[OntFamily]

Why don't you get NEXUS cards? (everyone in the car will need to have thier own NEXUS card). It gives you access to a special car lane (think fastpass for cars), plus its rare you get asked where you are going. As the NEXUS card shows you are a low risk, usually you get waved though with no delay (or not even asked any questions).

 

[dancin Disney style]

Why don't you get NEXUS cards? (everyone in the car will need to have thier own NEXUS card). It gives you access to a special car lane (think fastpass for cars), plus its rare you get asked where you are going. As the NEXUS card shows you are a low risk, usually you get waved though with no delay (or not even asked any questions).

Isn't the cost on those about $50 per person? Plus what about going for the interview...are kids exempt from that?

 

[canadaniagarafamily]

Isn't the cost on those about $50 per person? Plus what about going for the interview...are kids exempt from that?

It's $50 an adult and good for 5 years. Kids under 16 are free. It's
a great thing to have if you cross the border several times a year.
I use mine everyday.
But even in the Nexus lane, they will ask you where you are going.

My advice for crossing before heading to Disney. Don't mess with the border guards. A sticky note could actually make it worse, I would use the Lake Buena Vista address as the destination when they ask. Crossing the border is really nothing to worry about, if you have the right identification and honestly answer their questions.

 

[StDS]

We got our kit today!!

I am curious. What do you mean by kit?

 

[OntFamily]

It's $50 an adult and good for 5 years. Kids under 16 are free. It's
a great thing to have if you cross the border several times a year.
I use mine everyday.
But even in the Nexus lane, they will ask you where you are going.

My advice for crossing before heading to Disney. Don't mess with the border guards. A sticky note could actually make it worse, I would use the Lake Buena Vista address as the destination when they ask. Crossing the border is really nothing to worry about, if you have the right identification and honestly answer their questions.

Since I've received my NEXUS card (about 7 months ago), I've crossed the USA border 6 or 7 times, using my NEXUS card. I've only been asked once where I was going.

My point in the discussion wasn't that using NEXUS eliminated any possibility of being asked, but in my experience greatly reduced the chance of being asked.

Also, having NEXUS is a great thing. It makes crossing the border much easier !

 

[OntFamily]

Isn't the cost on those about $50 per person? Plus what about going for the interview...are kids exempt from that?

The cost is $50 per person. While your kids will need to appear at the NEXUS office, they won't be interviewed or fingerprinted. They will get their picture taken (as their picture is on the card), and their iris recorded (for crossing the border at an airport). However, in the interview, they don't question you as to where you will be travelling (as the cards are valid for 5 years, they expect you will be travelling to may different destination).


The big advantage of NEXUS is the "fastpass lane", and if you're crossing the border in the Niagara region, the ability to use Whirlpool bridge, which never has a lineup more than a couple of minutes.

 

[tamarabannon]

Oh, by kit I meant the package my travel agent sent me with maps, a countdown calendar etc.

 

[rjan67]

I work in the U.S. and use mine (Nexus) daily. Sometimes they ask, sometimes not..it's a toss up. I have spoken to the Border patrol (previously about this issue) and it wouldn't be outrangeous to pass a note explaining it was a surprise. The other is to just say you are going to Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The kids won't know where that is. They may speak to your kids but generally it is to ask if these are your parents. One look at my kids and they can tell they are all related....and to me! My kids all have Nexus. It makes crossing much easier, especially if with one parent. Dh returned with my youngest after our cruise (he had to fly out of Detroit while I drove) and crossed with our truck with Nexus. He avoided a huge line and wasn't asked a single question. They are also good for travel in the Carribean, although many are not familiar with that - though the border patrol is. Carnival gave us a hassle about using it for the kids, but when we went through customs back in Florida (after the cruise) the customs officials were familiar with it.

 

[StDS]

One look at my kids and they can tell they are all related....and to me!

Although not always, it is VERY common for abductors to be someone a child is related to, so that doesn't necessarily mean that the children are safe. I have travelled with my nieces and nephews who all very much look like they could be my children. I was stopped at the border, had to provide documents from my brother to prove he had given me permission to take them across and all 4 kids were questioned individually.

I have also spoken to border personnel and I really think it depends on the person you get. If you get a 'newbie' who is trying to follow the rules perfectly (remember when we all started our jobs - how we did what we were told?? lol - only to find ways to lax the rules as we go?) then you could have a harder time. I personally don't think it would be worth the risk of having my trip to Disney started off by an interrogation at the border.

A few years ago we were crossing from US back into Canada and my hubby decided to lie about how much beer he had purchased (typical lol). Naturally, he got caught and then before we new it, we were pulled into this giant garage like structure, asked to get out of the car and were escorted to a glass holding room while they gutted our van. When my kids asked to go to the washroom, I ask someone where it was and before they would let me take my kids (then 10 and 12) they searched my purse and pockets and did a quick pat down on me AND the kids. I understood why, but my kids were freaked. Tears started, they wanted to know what was happening, they thought their Dad was going to be arrested. Yes, he was in the wrong (and believe me I let him know that!!!!), but my point is that it all matters who you get. My sister was delayed for a long time, missing her flight (previously mentioned) kids were freaked, tensions flared, and knowing what we went through, NEVER in a million years would I recommend putting your children through that. For the sake of a surprise, pick a time BEFORE you cross. A surprise is a surprise - it's doesn't matter when you do it - it matters HOW you do it.

This is just my opinion - don't need to be flamed

 

[StDS]

Oh, by kit I meant the package my travel agent sent me with maps, a countdown calendar etc.

That sounds cool. My TA never did that. I got an invoice and a 'welcome to our agency' letter.

Hmmmmm.......thinking I need to find a new agent

Now that I think of it, when I booked with Disney directly in the past, they never sent me maps either. I feel cheated lol