Disney Trip as Christmas Present what to unwrap

[darkpixie08]

So we are taking the family to Disney next year as their Christmas present. I'd like to get something for my brothers to unwrap as a way to let them know. Anyone have any suggestions? I was originally thinking a Mickey ornament or guide book, but I doubt my brothers will have an actual tree, and doubt even more that they would read the guidebook. Any thoughts or ideas of an wrappable present to represent our upcoming trip would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Meghatron]

I am doing that this year for my family; their present is one day at WDW (sans parks) and four nights on the Disney Magic.

I wanted to save as much money as possible for souvenirs and fun places to eat, so instead of buying something for them to unwrap I collected pictures of the stuff we're going to do and arranged them in a word processing document. That's going to be printed out and I'll add captions to the picture describing what each thing is and when we're doing it: character breakfast at 'Ohana, fireworks from our room at the Dolphin, a cabana on Castaway Cay, etc. That's what is going to be wrapped up for them to open and read. Only a few more weeks now!

Sent from my Tricorder using DISBoards

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We did this last year...but we didn't wrap anything up. We had a scavenger hunt for clues. Each clue lead to a letter...once they figured out all the clues and found all the letters they had to figure out the word/sentence. The kids loved it...it was lots of fun. The moment lasted much longer and was very exciting.

The only "hard" part was watching the older ones figure it out and hold in their excitement until the younger one figured it out.

Good luck...and Happy Holidays!

 

[GotLabradors]

When we go, we're giving each kid a box with a mickey/minnie, mouse ears with their names, and an invitation to WDW with the dates of our vacation on it. We'll have to see if they actually figure it out in their own.

 

[poohguys]

When we went years ago all of the "adult kids" got Mickey boxer shorts and the grand kids got Mickey t shirts to open. Plus DFIL had the Disney planning dvd (back then VHS tape) and we all sat and watched it.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Hmmm, maybe a Disney gift card?? Or you could write a note or something and add pictures of where you might be staying, different parks, etc

 

[Best Aunt]

How about printing off a map?

Also, try calling and asking for the free planning DVD. Not sure how fast it will arrive, though.

 

[aubriee]

When I gave my grand daughter a trip to WDW as a Christmas gift, I went to the craft dept at WalMart and bought one of those unpainted wooden toy planes. I painted it silver with red, white, and blue trim like an American Airlines jet and on one side painted 'Aubriee's going to WDW'. I also bought her a kids guide book to WDW, a few Disney tshirts I'd picked up at the Disney Store, some glow bracelets, a bunch of Disney stickers, and then printed off some invitations from the specific characters for the character meals I'd booked. I then put it all in a box together and let her open it.

 

[omegsmom]

I think I'm going to fill in the countdown days on a Mickey & Minnie calendar I picked up in the Dollar bin at Target... Maybe put a note on the front saying to look inside... I'm also giving them the Kids Guide to Disney and the Hidden Mickeys book. They've been a couple of times so I'm trying to think up different things. Christmas night we'll exchange gifts with their grandparents, who are also going, and they'll each get a gift card for souvenirs from them. I love the ideas!

 

[Disneyvirg]

I was about to post a similar question as op, when I ran across this thread. We plan to surprise our girls with a June trip as a Christmas present. I really like the scavenger hunt idea, but worry that I'm not clever enough to come up with good clues.

Another concern is having enough presents under the tree since this is their primary gift. But...they're at the age where I wouldn't put it past them to sneak a peek into their presents when no one is looking (not that I ever did that!). Really don't want anything to ruin the surprise.

 

[momof3littles]

We're doing a scavenger hunt and ending it with a walking Mickey balloon (available on amazon if you search there).

 

[melifeld]

Helium filled Disney balloons in a box so they float up when the box is opened!

 

[twinsmom08]

We are giving our 5 y.o. twins a May trip to Disney for Christmas this year!
What we are doing is getting a box and filling it with Disney...we ordered the customized maps from Disney for all 4 parks, made t-shirts w/an iron in decal from etsy saying "I'm going to Disney World!", made them each their own autograph books, made invitations and menus for our ADRs, made them a countdown calendar for our trip, rain ponchos, Jelly Bellies with Mickey on the package, and a Mickey toy....then we are wrapping the box in Mickey Christmas paper! I also got candy canes for the tree with Mickey and friends on them to add to the Disney theme!

 

[Fivesacharm]

Last year, we bought Disney-themed balloons from the party store and then tied park tickets to the end of them. We stuck the tickets/balloons in a giant box and let the kids unwrap it. It was sooooooo magical<3

 

[karasmom]

Oops- wrong post

 

[jessiwools]

We are giving them a box with a gift card for each of them, a disney fleece blanket for each (for the long car ride), and a countdown calendar. I was thinking of adding a mickey balloon for effect and also would love to add some personalized gear for the whole family but not sure..

 

[wendybeth75]

How about a Disney picture frame?

 

[DisneyFEB2013]

We gave our kids a surprise at Christmas last year for a trip in February. They were underwhelmed and we were sad about their reaction. At their ages, they has no idea what a big deal it was...they just wanted to play with their new toys. We are going again this Feb. but decided to tell them on the way to the airport. Hoping for a better reaction!! Just be prepared they may not have the reaction you hoped for. Kids want things now, not in a month or two. I looked at my husband and told him I hoped they got more excited when they saw the castle. They did!!

 

[Candyjean]

I would get one go the free Disney DVDs that are for trip planning. That way they can put it in and see where they get to go. We went a few years ago, and my parents surprised us (all adults and teens) , but we were leaving the next morning. They also got us Disney ornaments to put on the tree. We were all vey excited, but I agree that with young children you need to ramp them up by showing them what Disney is all about.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We are taking the kids for Christmas. They know we are going for 2 nights to stay at Art of Animation and do a day at Downtown Disney, but then think we are visiting family around FL. We are wrapping up the magic bands and will have the CM give the wrapped MBs to the kids when we check in (I'll go in first to slip it to the CM while DH and kids park) with a letter from Santa and their original letters to Santa asking for the trip marked "approved!"