Has anyone ever planned a surprise trip?

[cmd0819]

If you did, how did it all work?

I just booked a surprise post-wedding trip to Disney! My FI and I decided not to go on a honeymoon after our Maine wedding bc of money and instead plan on taking one next summer. But, I checked Delta (we're using skymiles to get to Maine) and we could add a leg to Orlando to the trip without costing extra miles! I got a wonderful discount on a room at the Poly and so we're headed to the Poly for four nights!

My FI is going to be so excited -- we have gone to disney every year now for three years. Recently, we decided to to Disney every other year and so when we decided to put off the honeymoon until next summer we realized that next summer was supposed to be our disney summer. Needless to say, he was bummed (even though Europe is a pretty nice trade!) that were were not going to go back to disney for another 2 years. I can't wait to tell him! He thinks we are staying 2 nights at a friends beach house near orlando and I hope that I can hold out until we arrive at the airport and get on the Magical Express rather than the rental car!

 

[joleen76]

I suprised my boys at Thanksgiving this year. I didn't tell them where we were going until we were over half way there. (We drove) They knew we were going somewhere, but I wouldn't tell them where. It drove them crazy for months. It was great! But! so hard to keep it to myself.

 

[Kaler131]

I would LOVE to surprise my kiddos with a WDW trip....but I just get too excited with the planning and run my big mouth! LOL!!! I have never been able to keep any trips a secret for long.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

im planning one now an its not going well at all Its for my sons 13th B-day that past already. he still doesnt know, I booked it and paid for it for April, and now my boss tells me that he has to take a trip overseas for business and I have not got my airline tickets yet, and I cant get them anyway because I dont know what happening for work.

im not doing the Happy dance right now, Im doing more of the dance. Send me PIXIE DUST PLEASE...............

 

[JoanieS]

We are!

My kids know they are going "When Andrew is in 3rd grade and Adam is in 1st grade". They think they are going in April of 2009. I have NO IDEA where they got that date. We are actually going Oct 3, 2008.

So, I will let them continue to think it's next April. Our plan is to wake them up in the morning and say "come on, we are going to the airport to catch a plane to Disney!". Hopefully, it will all work out!

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

We are also trying to surprise our three children. We returned from our last trip to WDW in November, and we were wanting to go back again the day after we were home. They had already started asking when are we going again.....We told them at that time that it would be about 2 years before we went back...needless to say they were bummed, especially when they found out that our best friends and they kids had already booked a trip for Sept. and they were at WDW with us in Nov. We really were not planning on going again yet....BUT....the more I heard our friends talking and planning and asking us to go along, I caved. We are going in Sept! The kids have NO CLUE! They are going to be 8,5 and 4 this trip and it is so hard to keep it from them. Our plan is to wake them up that early get them dressed and not tell them where we are going, just that we have to take care of something When we arrive at the airport, we will then tell them that we are going to DISNEY!!!! They should be so excited, and this will be their first time on an airplane so it should be fun! I just hope I can keep it from them, it is a long way to go!!

 

[chrismis]

June 2006 My husband and I had just brought a new house and basically planned to work on the house all summer,we told the girls that we weren't going to have a summer vacation trip. But on my daughters birthday in June (only 10 days after making settlement) we booked a trip to disney in august. All summer my husband and I kept the secret,in the meantime I wrote a short story. Two days before we left for disney I told the girls that daddy was going on a business trip to Kissimmee Florida, they had no clue. And that we were going to go with him.
While we were in the airport we gave the girls the book I had written and at the end of the story written real big was We're going to Disney!!!
They were in shock! My 3 year old did not believe us until we actually saw the magic kingdom.
It was the hardest secret to keep,but had the best reveal!!!!

 

[DISNEYRIFFIC]

We surprised our 5 yr old this past Jan (2008).

We went with another family, and Katie was schooling them on where to go, and who to see. The morning we left, we work her up at 5 am and said it was time to get up, and that we had to get up so early because we were leaving for Disney. She never got up so fast or dressed so quick.

It was hard to do... but we were lucky to have our friends as a references whenever someone would blow our cover. " No.. that's when Alan is going to Disney".

We were thinking about doing another surprise for 2009, but before we even left Katie told a CM that we'd be back again next Jan..... oh... she's too smart for her own good

Anyhow... good for you on planning this trip, and I was not clear if it was you or your FI that was a Marine, but either way, thanks to you both for serving our country !

 

[wildviper]

If you did, how did it all work?

We kept our first trip a secret until we woke up our two DDs for the drive to the airport. We had planned to wait until we were at the airport but they were so tired and upset about waking up at 5am they wouldn't get dressed. Even after we told them, they were still too tired to comprehend what we were telling them. Once we were at the airport eating breakfast, the realization that we were going finally sunk in and they broke out in smiles and nervous laughter.

They were 11 & 12 at the time. I really believe that trip brought us closer together as a family. My daughters are now teenagers. They argue like only siblings can. But one thing I notice; every time we get ready to leave for Disney World they start acting like they are best friends and the arguments stop. The magic never wears off...

 

[Minniekins]

Yes, I've surprised my daughter with trips to disney world twice! Since then I don't think it would work so well anymore, plus its also fun to share the anticipation!

Okay, first time in 2000, she was in 3rd grd, spring break. I planned it for months and on the morning to go, I woke her at 6am and told her to get up, we were going to disney that day. She didn't believe me and was mad at me for teasing her and wanted to go back to sleep. I told her to go check in the living room, her suitcase was there with new clothes and all ready to go. So, finally she went to check and she came back upstairs rather discombobulated and shaking and just sat on the bed for a while in a daze. Because just she and I live together, she was worried daddy would be mad when he found out, but I said no, he knew all about it, and we called him from the limo to the airport. I said most everyone but you knows, grandma and grandpa, and best friend, and the neighbors, she just couldn't believe it. She really, really loved that I surprised her and we had the best time!

The second time I surprised her she was in eight grade, Xmas break '04-05. It was a Christmas present and I gave it to her on Xmas eve as her main present. But, the surprise was almost spoiled when a few different people said things in front of her that should have tipped her off or given it away. And just when I thought it was safe, my brother said something about the flight to her. Luckily, she was somehow oblivious to all the comments and didn't pick up on anything, though looking back she realized what she had missed. Anyway, I gave her a mickey/minnie cartoon purse and a few things in it with some notes with clues. She was very confused, then the last one said something about 'let's go shopping in Disney world for Xmas break'! She started freaking out and shaking(again!) and pacing around the room and asking if it was really true. She was so, so excited!! After a very long week of waiting for her, we left on new years day and we had an awesome time.

Our last night, after the fireworks and Dumbo ride she thought she was too old for,(silly girl), I saw she was trying to hide that she was crying. Well, then I lost it too and it was hard for us to stop. We didn't want to leave and she worried we wouldn't get to go back. Well, we've been back twice since and going this again Nov.

I still cry at fireworks, the castle - especially with the new lights, and when it's time to leave. She, otoh, doesn't cry now, she says she knows I will always take her back! And she's not too old for any rides!! I hope she'll always be my disney girl

P.S. sorry this is so long!

 

[lotferg]

I promised an aunt that I would take her three children to WDW. She later passed away when the kids were 4, 4 and 7. Three years later, my husband and I planned the trip with their father. He put the suitcases in the back of the car, and off we all went to the airport. We told the kids that my husband and I were going on vacation, and the kids and their father were dropping us off.

The kids went to the bathroom while we were at the electronic ticket counter checking in. The kids were so upset that they weren't going anywhere that we all decided to take a photo as we were approaching the security checkpoint. My husband and I posed with the kids and before the camera flashed, we told the kids to say "DisneyWorld" instead of "cheese."

They didn't get it. The only girl of the group said, "I can't believe you're going to DisneyWorld and leaving us here!" When I told them that they were going too, uncontrollable laughter and screams erupted.

The first day, we went to AK and had a blast. On the second day we went to MK, and I started to feel it. I thought I'd be OK until we turned the corner on Main St. and had a view of the castle. It's just something magical about that darn castle. I couldn't stop crying...I kept the promise to my aunt.

One of the kids has cancer, now. The Make a Wish Foundation is granting him a wish. His wish is to return to DisneyWorld...along with his siblings and father this time. His second request was that I go, too. We leave May 19!

 

[Eeyore4me764]

I was able to surprise my DD and DS when they were 4 and 6. My parents live in Myrtle Beach so we would go several times a year to visit them and would have to take a plane. So we told them we were going to visit Nanny and Pops. So they were excited that they were going on a plane to visit. Well we were able to keep it from them, we were at the gate and my DD saw the sign that said Orlando Florida, I said oh that must be a mistake, she bought it as she was still kinda dazed it was an evening flight (shewww) we got to Florida and then DD said this doesn't look like Nannies airport, again I said oh you must not remember....we rented our car and headed to ASMu....as we got to the Welcome to Disney sign, I woke the kids up and drove really, really slow...so they could take it in. They were "no way", I can't believe it" They were so excited. I love surprising them. Another year we went and they knew they were going to disney, but they didn't know my parents were going to be there. WE walked into the Studios and made arrangements for my parents to be there to meet us. My parents were sitting on a bench with maps wide open in front of their faces....I told my kids to sit on the bench while their dad ran to get a map.....and when my mom looked at them to ask them the time. I thought they were going to fall off the bench!!! It was hysterical....such great memories from the happiest place on earth!!! I am praying for a cure for cancer....my mom and two of my sisters have had the battle. Thoughts are with you and yours.....

 

[Minniekins]

One of the kids has cancer, now. The Make a Wish Foundation is granting him a wish. His wish is to return to DisneyWorld...along with his siblings and father this time. His second request was that I go, too. We leave May 19!

I am praying for a cure for cancer....my mom and two of my sisters have had the battle. Thoughts are with you and yours.....

Hmmm, we had cancer touch us too, involving that second surprise trip I gave my DD for Xmas. Just after Thanksgiving that yr my Dad found out he had liver cancer. I was going to cancel our trip, just in case, you know... I'd hate to be away from home if he needed us. But he was upset I even thought about it, he didn't want us to change anything. We did move our trip a few days though, so that instead of spending NYs Eve in Disney, we'd be home for a NYs Eve party my brother had planned, so we could celebrate with my Dad. He was happy we did that and we had a great nys eve and have some great pic from that night. He didn't even look sick. So, on our 10 day trip we called my Dad every day and he loved hearing about how much fun we were having. I'm glad we went and so was he. He died about 2 1/2 weeks after we came home.

I pray that your loved ones beat this cancer. And I pray for a cure for cancer also. And I pray that when you go to the 'happiest place on earth' that you all have the happiest time of your lives and lots and lots of smiles!!