Help me tell the kids.

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

We are going in a little over a month and a half and we are ready to tell our kids. Part of the reason is that we unexpectedly had to by a new car last night (our old car died resulting in nearly 5k worth of repairs which I was not willing to spend on a 14 year old car...). We knew we would have to replace it eventually and we did have a small amount saved, paired with our emergency fund so it wasn't a big deal. However having that emergency fund padding is very important to us, so we need to work hard and quickly to rebuild it (having an emergency fund allows our vacation to continue!). Having said that, we need to buckle down and that might mean that we scale back on some of the stuff we currently have planned. I can guess what the kids might like to do best, but I don't want to assume. If we can only do 2 character dinings instead of 5 I want to keep their top 2. But I want them to choose.

So we have decided to tell the kids a bit earlier than expected, so they can help plan and choose what they want to do. This is where I need your help.

We still want to surprise them. My idea is that I will have Mickey and his friends deliver a box to our front door. In it will be a letter inviting them to visit WDW and to join him for his MNSSHP. I am not creative at all, and I need help drafting a letter. Would anyone be interested in throwing out some ideas?

Must include:
MNSSHP
WDW
Breakfast with the princesses
Breakfast with Me (Mickey) and my friends
Your Mom, Dad, Nana, Grampy and Kiki are also invited.
I will have the Mickey House with the Mickey shaped swimming pool ready for you.

I am also going to do a count down chain and want some idea for disney/trip type activities. I won't have them on each chain but maybe 1-2 a week as something for them to look forward to.
ex:
Watch vidoes on youtube
Watch a Disney movie you've never seen before
Make mickey pancakes for dinner
etc.

Thanks for helping with the magic.

 

[Disneychick75]

I can design a letter (invitation) for you but I'm confused about the Mickey House and swimming pool.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

I can design a letter (invitation) for you but I'm confused about the Mickey House and swimming pool.

Oh sorry, that's where we are staying. We rent a house off resort that is called the "Mickey House" because it's all disney themed and has a pool and mickey shaped hot tub in the backyard.

 

[Disneychick75]

My goal is to get it done tonight if that's soon enough. I will post them tonight if I finish or tomorrow. If you want to post your children's names, that would personalize it. If you're not comfortable doing that in public, send me a PM with their names. Where are ya'll having the character meals? I can either include this one on invitation or make up a couple of other invitations. I'll then post them here and you can then right click to save and then print them.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

Sure it's Isabella and Jude. We are eating at Chef Mickey's and with the princesses at Akershus.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

Oh and I have access to a color printer so I'll be printing these off.

 

[Disneychick75]

Great! I'll work on them tonight.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

You're awesome. THANK you!!!

 

[Disneychick75]

You're welcome.

 

[Disneychick75]

Would you like for me to add the dates of the MNSSHP and the character meals? If so, post them here, thanks.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

No they're little. It won't matter. They will have a countdown chain and that will suffice.

 

[Disneychick75]

Okay, I'm tweaking the MNSSHP invitation right now. As I finish each one, I'll send it to you in a PM conversaton.

 

[scoobygrl79]

I know you mentioned money will need to be tightened up, but I also have a 6 and 4 yr old (along with an 8)....and one thing they really got stoked over was something new tossed in their Disney wardrobe. Some visits, money was more plentiful than others, so they actually got a couple Disney themed outfits/shirts, along with new Disney swimwear, a new set of Disney pjs (characters varied every visit), and a new stuffed huggie..etc etc, you get the idea. However, some visits, it was just one or two small things. Perhaps, to cut down on money, they would be so excited for just a new Disney Beach towel included in the "surprise box" to use for their trip. Or a new pair of disney socks per day, if they will be in sneakers. The idea is that its new and something they will actually look forward to using, doesn't have to cost a lot.

Another fun add-on to the mickey pancake night/new dvd movie per night etc ideas is if you have a good library, check out disney children's books for bedtime stories leading up to the trip.

I'm sort of a "has-been" type of mother from pure exhaustion (I work overnights, Respiratory) but the first announcement I ever did...I bought tons, I mean DOZENS, of any Disney themed dollar store balloons I could find with coordinating colors and had them wake up to them just flooding/floating their room. It was very cute. Not that I recommend it for reasons of the insanity (hiding that many balloons somewhere (we did garage), making sure I'm stalking their rooms all night to be sure I see their reactions...booooo)....BUT...did make for cute pics.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

I know you mentioned money will need to be tightened up, but I also have a 6 and 4 yr old (along with an 8)....and one thing they really got stoked over was something new tossed in their Disney wardrobe. Some visits, money was more plentiful than others, so they actually got a couple Disney themed outfits/shirts, along with new Disney swimwear, a new set of Disney pjs (characters varied every visit), and a new stuffed huggie..etc etc, you get the idea. However, some visits, it was just one or two small things. Perhaps, to cut down on money, they would be so excited for just a new Disney Beach towel included in the "surprise box" to use for their trip. Or a new pair of disney socks per day, if they will be in sneakers. The idea is that its new and something they will actually look forward to using, doesn't have to cost a lot.

Another fun add-on to the mickey pancake night/new dvd movie per night etc ideas is if you have a good library, check out disney children's books for bedtime stories leading up to the trip.

I'm sort of a "has-been" type of mother from pure exhaustion (I work overnights, Respiratory) but the first announcement I ever did...I bought tons, I mean DOZENS, of any Disney themed dollar store balloons I could find with coordinating colors and had them wake up to them just flooding/floating their room. It was very cute. Not that I recommend it for reasons of the insanity (hiding that many balloons somewhere (we did garage), making sure I'm stalking their rooms all night to be sure I see their reactions...booooo)....BUT...did make for cute pics.

This is a great idea!! I love your suggestions! Thank you!!

 

[scoobygrl79]

I hope your trip is amazing!