Driving and Surprising

[disneylovinmom3]

We are heading to DW at the end of July and want to surpise our three kids, DS 10, DD 5 and DD 4, but also want to keep our sanity. We know that if we tell them when we are leaving the 8 hour drive will be very long due to excitement and constant questions, especially by our son who is on the spectrum. We are planning on driving to Daytona Friday and staying the night so that we can visit with some friends the next day before heading to DW Saturday afternoon. At what point and how would you suggest surprising them so that they have time to be excited but not time enough to worry or be upset that we're not going to the parks till Sunday.

 

[katyjeka]

I would tell them as soon as you arrived in Daytona. This way they will only have a day to drive you crazy!!!! Have a great trip.

 

[kimmylaj]

years ago we told the kids we were visiting family in georgia, (we were but after a quick stop to see the mouse) so as we crossed each state line we gave them a little wrapped gift (coloring book, magnets, etc) when we crossed from ga to fl, my 7 year old says uh i think we are supposed to get another bag it says welcome to florida.i said florida we werent supposed to leave georgia but oh well i have an extra gift anyway. gave them mickey with a fake ticket and a whale with a fake sea world ticket. needless to say they were thrilled and we told them we couldnt visit parks til the next day but we definitely could swim. my sons reaction"well that was unexpected" still cracks us up. He's 15 now. so i would advise waiting until youre close and giving a fun little gift.

 

[KayaWildfire]

I would wait until after you are in the car leaving friends, but tell the friends to keep quiet! Ask the kids where they would like to go tomorrow and give them ears/fake tickets/Disney item or just tell them when you leave your friends that you're going to Orlando. And just drive under the WDW sign
I feel like if you told them before your visit, your kids would be like, "Let's leave, we are going to Disney!"

 

[North of Mouse]

We are heading to DW at the end of July and want to surpise our three kids, DS 10, DD 5 and DD 4, but also want to keep our sanity. We know that if we tell them when we are leaving the 8 hour drive will be very long due to excitement and constant questions, especially by our son who is on the spectrum. We are planning on driving to Daytona Friday and staying the night so that we can visit with some friends the next day before heading to DW Saturday afternoon. At what point and how would you suggest surprising them so that they have time to be excited but not time enough to worry or be upset that we're not going to the parks till Sunday.

No way would we have fooled our 10 year old!
She knew the SE routes well enough to guess immediately - what else is 'that' direction??

 

[wed100105]

I give my kids surprises on our car trips. I'd tell the kids that you're going to Daytona, and then the next day surprise them.
I'm going to wrap up our magic bands on our way to the airport. Free, necessary, but super fun!