How did you surprise your family?

[Jennygt]

Possibly going to wdw next Aug with DS 7 and DD 3. Want to do a good surprise to reveal the trip. What have you done?

 

[JacknDawn4ever]

Our children knew we were going to Disney... they just thought it was going to be May 2012. This was our first trip to Disney World. I took off work Friday, March 2, 2012 and packed EVERYTHING. On Saturday, March 3, 2012, we all got up as normal and went to the neighboring town for breakfast at IHOP. Our oldest DS's birthday was later in March and he would be turning 13 (a teenager ). So, I had typed a letter telling him we were trying to figure out what to do for his birthday since he would become a teenager. I gave the letter to him while we were at IHOP. I listed several ideas and at the bottom of the letter I typed, "So, to begin your birthday celebration we thought we would start with......" and on the next page I had a picture of the castle and typed, " A TRIP TO DISNEYWORLD!!" He stopped reading, looked at me and his dad and said, "No way!." We assured him it was true. He proceeded to tell his dad, "Let me see the trunk." He wanted to make sure we were really packed for Disney. The moment was priceless and so were our moments at Disney World. To say the least we are set to go back March 2014 and our children think we aren't going back until December 2014. We are going to surprise them again. I LOVE SURPRISES!!!

 

[alisongotts]

I was recently on the receiving end of a wonderful surprise...
My partner left a note on the kitchen table helping me to check the hall, I found a note pinned there saying to go to bathroom in which I found a note saying bedroom, on the bed was a Mickey teddy I thought this was a wonderful present, I was so happy. Then I picked up Mickey to find a note saying look on the freezer (you can imagine my confusion) sceptically I went into freezer and found confirmation of a booking to disney Paris in December I only wish I could have seen my own face 163 sleeps

 

[disneydreaming92701]

We recently surprised our daughters. They thought they we going to Disney in august of this year. We told them we were going away during memorial day weekend for an educational trip to Williamsburg Virginia. We picked them up after school on Friday. Started driving they fell asleep and in the morning we woke them up and we were about an hour outside of Orlando. It took them about half and hour and dh and I basically showing them we were in Florida on a rest stop map for them to realize they were in Florida. My youngest who is seven then after a moment said are we going to Disney.... dh and I said YES.... I thought they were going to pass out right there.... they were sooo excited.... it was wonderful... a moment I will never forget. We stayed ten nights and they had a blast.

 

[Disneytwinsmom]

Our children knew we were going to Disney... they just thought it was going to be May 2012. This was our first trip to Disney World. I took off work Friday, March 2, 2012 and packed EVERYTHING. On Saturday, March 3, 2012, we all got up as normal and went to the neighboring town for breakfast at IHOP. Our oldest DS's birthday was later in March and he would be turning 13 (a teenager ). So, I had typed a letter telling him we were trying to figure out what to do for his birthday since he would become a teenager. I gave the letter to him while we were at IHOP. I listed several ideas and at the bottom of the letter I typed, "So, to begin your birthday celebration we thought we would start with......" and on the next page I had a picture of the castle and typed, " A TRIP TO DISNEYWORLD!!" He stopped reading, looked at me and his dad and said, "No way!." We assured him it was true. He proceeded to tell his dad, "Let me see the trunk." He wanted to make sure we were really packed for Disney. The moment was priceless and so were our moments at Disney World. To say the least we are set to go back March 2014 and our children think we aren't going back until December 2014. We are going to surprise them again. I LOVE SURPRISES!!!

I love this story! I love hearing how people have surprised their families! I watch them on You Tube all the time!

 

[Disneytwinsmom]

I was recently on the receiving end of a wonderful surprise...
My partner left a note on the kitchen table helping me to check the hall, I found a note pinned there saying to go to bathroom in which I found a note saying bedroom, on the bed was a Mickey teddy I thought this was a wonderful present, I was so happy. Then I picked up Mickey to find a note saying look on the freezer (you can imagine my confusion) sceptically I went into freezer and found confirmation of a booking to disney Paris in December I only wish I could have seen my own face 163 sleeps

What a great partner! You will love Disneyland Paris. It reminds me about of CA. I loved it. What a great surprise!

 

[GoBearsGo]

One year we took a photo of our son with mouse ears on and printed it out and then cut it up like a puzzle. We then wrapped it and gave it to my inlaws as a Christmas gift. Took a little explaining to do it.

One year we told our son we were going on a trip to a really cool hotel. He figured it out when the check in guy for magial express asked if he was ready for DW.

Another time we had packed after he went to bed and woke him up saying we were going to Houston for the day, we then went to the aiport.

All have been very cool. It's so much more fun getting to talk about the trip and plan it out before hand though.

 

[wiigirl]

What a great partner! You will love Disneyland Paris. It reminds me about of CA. I loved it. What a great surprise!

 

[LB1122]

We had a friend call and invite our daughter to the Halloween party. For a few weeks leading up to it my daughter had been taking to this friend when we talked about her costume for the party she was going to so we built it up and than had he ask to come as well.

A. My daughter was so excited about being ask to go to the party she did not think about where it was until I said..that might be hard seeing as she lives in Florida.

B. When told she was going to Florida right away asked where the party was and SCREAMED!!! We got on a plane about 4 hours after that call. What a trip.

 

[Z28KatCar]

We surprised our DD for 8th Birthday with a scavenger hunt. I have a video of the whole thing on my TR. she was more excited about the Merida dress than the trip at the time now she is so excited she keeps jumping around and clinging to me telling me sorties of what we are going to do. I just wish Wednesday was here already!


Good luck!

 

[bluejasmine]

2009 I had to keep our trip a secret for a whole yr! Finally the day before we were leaving, the kids came home from school (teens) and we did a scavenger hunt, they had to get on the computer, call their grandma, look in the mailbox, go out to the shed, look under a bed and finally ended up in the living room where we stood with mickey ears on, our Mickey Mail, confetti, a gift bag for each one (2) and a packing list. We told them to go pack everything on the list, we were packing car in an hour and getting something to eat, and laying down b/c we were leaving the next morning at 430 am for our 6 hour drive to Orlando! They were in shock!

2011 my husbands son lives in TN, we are in SC, we have him for the month of June every yr, his son had never been to WDW (he was 10 then) we told him that the coming weekend we had to go out of town but would be dropping him off to stay with a family friend. That morning we got him up and left by 430 am. The entire drive that child sat in the back pouting not saying a word. Finally about an hour a way we pulled over handed him a big box I wrapped and when he lifted the lid a balloon come floating out that said Surprise your going to WDW. He read it out loud and stopped and said does that mean Im not going to a babystitter? LOL

While our trip is adult only this yr, I have several surprises for my DH. Thank God its only 54 days away b/c Im really having a hard time not telling him all I have planned!

1) Barber Shop on Main St USA ( DH always wanted a hair cut there)
2) Behind the Seeds Tour (DH a gardner, Ill be bored, but he is so worth it)
3) Rented a cabana for half a day at our resort The Poly then will go have lunch at WGPE for our favorite bacon wrapped meatloaf, play in DQ (another one of his faves) and then meet friends at Ragland Road for dinner!
4) DH has always wanted to do the Luau so on the day we do AK which we only do half days at AK, we will be able to come back and swim and relax at the resort, have some cocktails and snacks at Tambu Lounge then at 8 pm I have Cat 1 seats at Spirit of Aloha! Im trying to figure out where I can fit in a carriage ride some where on our trip too!

 

[mythreeboys]

We haven't suprised them yet, it's still in the works (90 more days!). We have been booked for a year, but haven't said a word to them. As soon as school starts again, I'm going to send their teachers an email telling them about the trip and how I need trip forms, but that the kids are to be told nothing and that I want the forms sent in sealed envelopes. Then I bought them new clothes for the trip, so I can pack without them knowing. The day we leave they are going to school as usual and will think I am going to work. However I'm coming home shortly after the bus leaves to finish packing and load the car. We were going to wait to see if they figured it out on the way down, but recently decided to tell them after they get in the car. I can't wait cause they keep asking to go back, and I keep telling them we can't afford it. I even had them price out their own disney vacation on the site to show them just how much it costs, I told them maybe next year!

 

[karenklo]

Last year we surprised them when we got to the airport! Told them we were heading to the zoo in Chicago, but drove to O'hare. When we got to the terminal my clueless children were asking why we were at the airport!? Then my Dad put on his Mickey ears!! They were so happy and surprised!

 

[SEA333]

Last year we surprised them when we got to the airport! Told them we were heading to the zoo in Chicago, but drove to O'hare. When we got to the terminal my clueless children were asking why we were at the airport!? Then my Dad put on his Mickey ears!! They were so happy and surprised!

LOL. I live in Brookfield, about a mile from the Zoo. My son's high school (that he will be going to next year) is directly south of the zoo. I'd rather go to Disney World too!! LOL

We have not gone yet, but have a trip booked in November. The kids do not know anything. They are 13, 9, and 7 1/2.

We are leaving on a Thursday at 10AM (departure from O'Hare airport), so I am going to pack in secret, which shouldn't be too hard since it will already be winter. The kids will never know I am packing summer stuff - they will never miss their summer clothes.

On the night before the trip, after the kids go to bed, DH and I are going to hang up their Christmas stockings and some lights/decorations in the living room. The morning we leave, we are going to wake them up as if it is a regular school day. The timing actually works out perfectly since they will have to wake up at their normal time. When they go downstairs for breakfast, they will discover their stockings filled with "Florida" stuff - sunscreen, bathing suit, flip-flops, etc, plus a $50 Disney gift card for each of them. At the bottom of their stockings will be a progressive note that each of them will have to read in order. I haven't written it yet, but it will say something to the effect that Santa visited with a special early Christmas gift for the family, finish getting ready because they are not going to school today - they are going to Disney World! They will miss a total of three days of school for the trip since it will wrap around a weekend and teacher in-service day.

As soon as they are ready to go that morning, we will leave for the airport!

 

[Jennygt]

Such great stories!!! I hope I can do something like this. I am thinking about telling them a little before hand, I LOVE to plan and so does DS. Perhaps just a few days? Although the we are going "RIGHT NOW" surprise is so great too.

 

[dmaz]

About to surprise mine today. They think we are going in a few weeks. Little do they know we will be leaving tonight. We have an event to go to today so we won't tell them until they get home. I will have their Disney pillow pets out on the counter with a note telling them about the surprise. We were going to surprise them in the car but while I did pack everything I am scared there is something they will want to bring that I forgot. This way they will get the surprise and still have time to grab any last minute musts.
We are part of the FP+ testing so I am thinking I will save that surprise a little bit longer.

 

[JacknDawn4ever]

About to surprise mine today. They think we are going in a few weeks. Little do they know we will be leaving tonight. We have an event to go to today so we won't tell them until they get home. I will have their Disney pillow pets out on the counter with a note telling them about the surprise. We were going to surprise them in the car but while I did pack everything I am scared there is something they will want to bring that I forgot. This way they will get the surprise and still have time to grab any last minute musts.
We are part of the FP+ testing so I am thinking I will save that surprise a little bit longer.

HOW AWESOME!!! They will be in for a treat and a surprise. Hope you have a magical vacation!!

 

[PKWallaby]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. We have taken our kids (now 16 and 13) quite often and some were announced as surprises, most were not as the kids were involved in planning and loved the countdown/build-up pre-trip.

This time, however, I am very torn: I booked a last minute trip to take advantage of a charter travel company deal (buy one RT tix, get 2 future RT flights free). I booked the airfare mainly for the future flights (it is a direct to Orlando charter and we usually have a long drive and/or multiple plane stops from where we live). As long as I had the flights booked (you don't actually need to fly to get the future free flights) I went ahead and booked an AP room only deal at a value (thinking I could always cancel if I decided to just use the future flights).

Well then Disney decided we needed be part of the Magic Band testing (can't miss out on that!) so we are now only 2 weeks away (leave on the 24th) and I haven't told them. This will just be kids and I since DH started new job and wont have PTO until 2014.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to spring it now that we are so close. Oh, I should mention the time I tried the "surprise at the airport" they both ended up in tears because 1)my son always got airsick at that age and was afraid he would get sick (he did) and 2)my daughter thought I meant "Go to Disney" with grandpa only (he was coming along and standing alongside her when I popped the question). That and to this day they still talk about how I "lied" to them to get them to the airport with Grandpa that morning.

SO - how do I tell them? One last thing: I need to wait at least until Monday since DS tried out for a travel hockey team and rosters will be posted by Mon night- if he makes he team he will want to stay home since the first practice and game would be during the trip. DS loves hockey more than WDW and I wouldn't make him choose - then it would just be my DD 13 and me.

Any thoughts on best way to announce this one? I am having a hard time keeping in the news to myself...maybe I could let her open the Magic Bands box when it gets here??

 

[ddluvsdisney]

That is s exciting!!!

We only surprised my kids once. We told them the morning we were leaving. They thought they were getting up for school. It truly was the best!

As for telling them at the airport, yeah I think giving them a little time to take it in would be better. But your kids are old enough now, but still.
I would probably tell them a few days ahead to give them a chance to pack what they want and decide on what they want to do.

Congrats to your DS on the hockey team. My DS12 also plays and loves hockey. At this point of his life I think he would still choose Disney but I can totally see him staying home in the same situation when he's 16.

Opening the Magic Bands sounds like a good idea.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Sydney2977]

I love surprises too!!! But when the kids were younger it was fun to do the countdowns with them. And now that they are older, it is fun to get them in on the planning too though.
The first surprise trip we did was in 2006-7. On Christmas Day 2006, they opened their presents, but we saved the special ones from DH and I for last. They each got a box to open that had their autograph books and pens, lanyards and some new pins, Mickey ears, and a Disney gift card. They were 6 and 10 at the time, and as they opened them, they looked inside, then at each other, then at us and asked "We're going to Disneyworld?!?" "Yes!" we said. They were so excited, but of course asked when. When we said "In less than a week- we leave on New Year's Eve day!" their jaws about dropped! It was so funny! They were jumping up and down and whopping it up! That was a really fun trip!
In 2010 we surprised them again. They knew we were going, but thought we were staying at All-Star Music. If you could have seen their faces when we pulled up at Coronado Springs- priceless! They were like "We're staying here? No way!" We all fell in love with CSR. We also surprised them with MNSSHP tickets. I had to sneak the costumes in to pack.
In 2011 the kids got to get in on the "surprise" part. DH was on a six month deployment. He was missing a lot of DS's baseball season, all of summer vacation with the kids, and then lots of other DS's marching band season, plus all the fun Boy Scout stuff we do together. He was feeling pretty homesick, but trying not to show it. With him being gone, I scrimped and saved all the money I could from food and gas and such, plus some overtime I got to work, and booked a surprise trip for him! The kids had fun planning with me, and did a great job keeping the secret. I even arranged with his boss for him to be off. He actually came home on a Friday, and got to surprise each of the boys when they got home from school- and coincidentally, that night was DS's high school homecoming game. So the next day, we gave hime some little treats we had wrapped up for him- silly stuff really- till the last box. That had his lanyard, Mickey ears, and tickets for MVMCP. When he saw the dates, he got this huge grin on his face and just hugged us, saying he couldn't believe how we had made this magic happen! We left for a very magical trip 2 weeks later.
This trip, coming up in Nov., we are surprising the boys with a stay at AKL! Can't wait for another awesome reaction!