DD disappointed in not winning trip to WDW from McDonald's. Little does she know....

[1BigDisneyFan]

About 3 years ago we surprised my kids with a trip to Disney. We did not tell them where they were going until we pulled up at the disney gates.

At the time I was doing a lot of business travel and when the limo pulled up, it usually meant that I was going on a business trip. My oldest always used to ask if he could come for a ride in the limo, but I always had to say no.

So I hired a stretch limo to take us to the airport. We had to leave early in the morning. Before waking my son up, I put the luggage in the car and I had my son look out the window and he saw the limo. This time though, I told him we would all take a ride in the limo.

When we got near the airport, I pointed out the planes landing and taking off. I asked him if he wanted to take a ride on an airplane, and he was psyched.

When we were ready to land, he asked if we were going home now. I told him we were going to make a stop someplace else first, but it was a surprise.

The first time they had an idea of where we were was when they saw Minny, Mickey, Goofy and Donald on the Disney Gates. Then the meyhem ensued.

It was hard for me to keep it from them, but the surprise was worth it.

 

[KeepSwimming]

You guys are making me regret telling my kids!!!!

What great ideas for future trips!!!

 

[Amyg]

I have no idea how you keep a trip like that a surprise. The anticipation of the trip is half the fun for the kids. Oh, who I am kidding, for the adults too!!

I almost think it is cruel to not involve the kids in the fun of planning and then springing the trip on them. Yes, that "kodak moment" is awesome, but don't they miss out on so much more?? I am sure I am in the minority here...

I disagree!

When my son was 5 years old, we took him on a surprise visit to DL. He didn't know until we were standing in front the gates and he recognized the Disney writing (from the Disney channel) and said "this looks like Disney!" When I told him that it was, he was juming up and down! Now THAT was a Kodak moment I'll never forget! He remembers that day like it was yesterday!

My son has such a hard time concentrating in school if he knows there's a trip any where! If he knew it was to Disney, he be a basket case for 8 months!

We are planning our first WDW trip for next May and it too will be a surprise! I'll be secretly prodding to get his opinions on WDW from some of the kids guide books I've seen.

 

[huskies90]

Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera ready to capture the moment, but if you all could see the look on my daughter's face when we able to book an AWESOME airfare together for our trip in November, you would see where I was coming from...priceless...

 

[Manon]

We are from Montreal, in Canada, and we are doing the surprise trip to our 3 kids for X-Mas. We should be leaving around Dec 28th, and we are planning on telling them X-Mas morning, we will give them Disney Dollars, and will be telling them that the only place it could be spend is at Disney!!!!

We went for our summer vacation in June, and the kids knew about it, but like many of you said it was way too long for them to wait.

Right now I want them to stay focus on school, that's what's important for the time being!

Anyway they will have a 28 hours drive for the anticipation!

 

[Tinkerbellz]

About 3 years ago we surprised my kids with a trip to Disney. We did not tell them where they were going until we pulled up at the disney gates.

At the time I was doing a lot of business travel and when the limo pulled up, it usually meant that I was going on a business trip. My oldest always used to ask if he could come for a ride in the limo, but I always had to say no.

So I hired a stretch limo to take us to the airport. We had to leave early in the morning. Before waking my son up, I put the luggage in the car and I had my son look out the window and he saw the limo. This time though, I told him we would all take a ride in the limo.

When we got near the airport, I pointed out the planes landing and taking off. I asked him if he wanted to take a ride on an airplane, and he was psyched.

When we were ready to land, he asked if we were going home now. I told him we were going to make a stop someplace else first, but it was a surprise.

The first time they had an idea of where we were was when they saw Minny, Mickey, Goofy and Donald on the Disney Gates. Then the meyhem ensued.

It was hard for me to keep it from them, but the surprise was worth it.

WOW!

What a great suprise! Our October trip was supposed to be a suprise, but I just couldn't keep it to myself. I gotta hand it to you. I would love to be able to keep it a secret.

 

[henrylovespooh]

I would have died if my parents surprised me with a trip to WDW. I think it would have been great and I would not have had any issues with not being involved in the planning. When you're a kid (heck, when you're an adult) the time it takes from booking the trip to going takes FOREVER.

I would like to try to surprise my kids sometime - I think it would be fun.

Luckily, my fabulous DH suggested last month we go to WDW for MNSSHP this year instead of next, so I only have to wait three more weeks. Woo hoo!

 

[tjmw2727]

I have no idea how you keep a trip like that a surprise. The anticipation of the trip is half the fun for the kids. Oh, who I am kidding, for the adults too!!

I almost think it is cruel to not involve the kids in the fun of planning and then springing the trip on them. Yes, that "kodak moment" is awesome, but don't they miss out on so much more?? I am sure I am in the minority here...

I agree to a point but we are surprising our dd's only a few days prior to the trip. Kind of a best of both worlds. This way they can help me plan and make sure they bring the things they need/want.

My main reason for not telling them sooner is so they can keep focus on school and the things that need to be done now. I also don't want them talking about the trip at school too much.

I don't think I am cruel I just think I am doing what works best for our family. A nice surprise, a great trip and some anticipation an planning for the kids without the distractions.

Just another point of view.
TJ

 

[scurutchet]

My DD is 3 and I have told her of our upcoming trip to Mickey Mouse's House. I am not sure she really understands the concept yet which makes it kind of fun because I know once we are there she is going to be so excited. I can't wait to spring a "surprise" trip on her one day!

 

[kerry34]

I wish I had the control to keep this to myself. I did okay for about 24 hours and I couldnt take it anymore!!! I had to tell them because I was busting with excitement at the fact we were going for Christmas for the first time. They were totally shocked and thought we were fooling with them though because of the fact that we were just there in April. They kept asking me REALLY??? ARE WE REALLY GOING??? LOL. They were all jumping up and down hugging each other. It was like they have never been.

 

[swtnikki]

I hope you have a safe & fantastic trip!

 

[bethbuchall]

I have no idea how you keep a trip like that a surprise. The anticipation of the trip is half the fun for the kids. Oh, who I am kidding, for the adults too!!

I almost think it is cruel to not involve the kids in the fun of planning and then springing the trip on them. Yes, that "kodak moment" is awesome, but don't they miss out on so much more?? I am sure I am in the minority here...

I think that it all depends on the personalities involved. My two oldest don't do surprises well, so we would never do a surprise trip. They need the time to get used to things...even great things. And my dd likes to plan and think about going to Disney almost as much as I do. I know that other kids would love to be surprised with a Disney trip like that. It's all in knowing the personalities of the kids involved.

Beth

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well, at least you plan on telling her before you leave. So people don't tell their kids 'til they arrive at the airport.

Hehe, that's what I plan on doing! Oh they'll know we're going somewhere- but they won't know it's Disney until we're boarding the plane (only because they are old enough to read and they'll KNOW where we're going by then LOL).

My kids aren't missing out on ANYTHING, as someone previously eluded to. My kids don't do any of the preparing, packing, etc. I do it all- all they do is get anxious to go and ask me 500 bazillion times a day how much longer until we go. So this is not only fun but saves me the stress of that. LOL

(then also add that if something came up where we couldn't go- there would be NO disappointment since they didn't know anyway. This is the first time we've went on any trip that we kept as a surprise from the kids)

Originally Posted by huskies90
I have no idea how you keep a trip like that a surprise. The anticipation of the trip is half the fun for the kids.

Speak for your own kids... the anticipation practically kills my kids. LOL

I almost think it is cruel to not involve the kids in the fun of planning and then springing the trip on them. Yes, that "kodak moment" is awesome, but don't they miss out on so much more??

My kids aren't missing anything except stressing because it's not time to go yet. Not all kids enjoy knowing far in advance. I'm 100% sure my kids are going to love the fact we're going and they didn't have to wonder how much longer/etc. beforehand.

I have had a hard time keeping it a secret from the kids... you have no idea how hard it is for me. LOL I'm a bigmouth and usually just bursting at the seams myself for months before a trip. But part of the reason I wanted to keep it a secret is because:
A) I couldn't keep it a secret during previous trips- almost all of them they had to take off time from school and had to work out things with their teachers to get work done before we went/etc. This time we're going only while they are out for "fall break" (a Thurs-Mon they get a break) so they won't be missing any school.
B) in case we have to cancel or postpone they won't be disappointed. Our Feb 2005 cruise that we booked over 15mo in advance had to be postponed until May 2006 due to their school schedule changing (they are getting older so now we won't keep them out of school for vacations...)- major disappointment. They've been waiting for this cruise for going on 2yrs already... 2.5yrs they'll have waited by the time we actually go. If I have to cancel this trip for any reason- which is doubtful but you never know- they won't be disappointed at all.


Oh and btw- can you win a trip from buying a kids meal? I noticed the sign and the kids have gotten some kidsmeals since then but there is nothing but a mention of something about winning a trip on the outside of the box- to see store for details. On the commercial though- it only mentions a chance to win if you buy a premium salad.
??

 

[stemikger]

I just did the same thing to my 10 year old this past August. It was a great way to start off the vacation. I thought I was going to bust, but the look on her face was worth it.

Have a great trip and enjoy that great moment.

 

[laurabelle]

I just have to share this picture of DD when we surprised her last year for her birthday:

She had just gotten home from school, and we gave her a stuffed Stitch holding an envelope with disney dollars and a Disney For Kids book. At first she was a little confused, but then she realized what it meant, and that is when I took this picture. I have to say that it was the best vacation we had taken so far. I hope to plan another surprise in the future. Maybe a Christmas trip to WDW.

Priceless! Your dd's pic made my day!

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Hey, I love the surprises, can't wait to surprise my kids some day!!!!

Is anyone else a huge geek and actually read the McD's sweepstakes rules? I did, and it turns out that they are giving away 300 trips, 100 through the instant win (happy meals) and 200 through the enter the codes from the salads on-line. Understanding the astronomical nature of the odds, it seems to me that to win through the happy meal is equivalent to going to, say, the milky way, while winning from the salads is closer to Pluto.

I can't believe as many people are going to be entering the codes on-line. But, then you don't get the toys (I have all of them but Simba and Pluto.)

 

[AUTUMN SUN]

I just have to share this picture of DD when we surprised her last year for her birthday:

She had just gotten home from school, and we gave her a stuffed Stitch holding an envelope with disney dollars and a Disney For Kids book. At first she was a little confused, but then she realized what it meant, and that is when I took this picture. I have to say that it was the best vacation we had taken so far. I hope to plan another surprise in the future. Maybe a Christmas trip to WDW.

I kid you not. This brought tears to my eyes! Thanks for sharing that special moment!

 

[i like stitch]

Well, at least you plan on telling her before you leave. So people don't tell their kids 'til they arrive at the airport.

I hope I didn't give the impression I was telling her before we go. We're letting her figure it out! She does know that WDW is in Orlando, so likely she'll "get it" when she sees where the plane is headed. She will get to participate in making some decisions once she figures it out but this could be in the airport, on the plane, at the resort, etc.

My DD loves surprises! She's a practical joker and we do alot of "gotcha"s" in our family. This will be a good one!

I hope I can get a picture as good as the one by cindy21494. Fantastic! Your daughter's picture made my day.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

What a great way to surprise your dd!!

 

[brooke1]

I also am keeping our WDW trip a secret from my 12 yr old son, and yes its killing me......

I told him last year and all he did was talk in school about going to WDW and kept getting into trouble, so we are going to try it this way this year.

I am going to pick him up from school around lunchtime and i bet he's going to think he's going to a DR. appt, I am just going to keep driving to the airport and once he see's the airport he will know what's up and where we are going.

I bet the whole plane will know where we are headed to WDW, because he will tell every person he sees and plus talk to me the whole time about what we will do.........man i cant wait to see his face!!!!!!!!!!!

Brooke