How did you surprise your kids?? Need ideas.

[neonurse]

My 2 ds's 9 and 12 have been to disney several times but I am not telling them about this trip until the morning we leave. I have been a major obsessive planner on all previous trips. Some planned 9 months in advance and everyone having to listen to what I found out on DIS that day, everyday (almost) for 9 months.

We had a land a sea vacation in Nov 2008 but our land part of our trip got really messed up. My mom hurt her foot the day before our trip and was totally dependent on me and a scooter to get even to the bathroom. I was stuck inside our condo resort with her as she couldn't weighbare. We did go to MK one day but after 3 rides we had to leave. Anyway...we are having a "do over" disney vacation. Just me and my boys (dh can't take more time off work).

How can I surprise to older kids? I was thinking of handing them some american money at breakfast (while getting ready for school) and telling them that they might need that. Of course they would ask why and then I would tell them. What do you think? Anyone have any terrific ideas?

 

[neonurse]

bump

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

We surprised our kids with a trip in Sept. I had planned for about 9 months and it was so hard not to talk openly about it around them with my DH. They are younger than your DS's, my oldest DS just turned 9. What I did was tell them that their Nana (who recently had retired and was doing some traveling) was going on a trip and that we were bringing her to the airport. I also told them that we would have to get up really early so we would be back in time to catch the bus for school They totally bought it. When we got to the airport we told them we were going to Disney! They were stunned, lol. Here is a video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D7sI9K7E8o

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[TwoGirlsandDisney]

I am surprising my two girls in a few weeks. They have been to Disney a few times, and are always asking to go back. Our plan is pretty simple. Our flight is at 7:15am, so we are just waking them up and telling them we are going somewhere special and when they ask where, we are going to tell them. They are little, so it will work. If you check out the Disigns board, they have lots of "surprise notes" that you could put in an envelope. This is the link to one disigner's surprise notes: http://www.4shared.com/account/home.jsp
You can just dowload the picture and personalize it however you wish. There are so many great things on there. Have a great trip.

 

[neonurse]

We surprised our kids with a trip in Sept. I had planned for about 9 months and it was so hard not to talk openly about it around them with my DH. They are younger than your DS's, my oldest DS just turned 9. What I did was tell them that their Nana (who recently had retired and was doing some traveling) was going on a trip and that we were bringing her to the airport. I also told them that we would have to get up really early so we would be back in time to catch the bus for school They totally bought it. When we got to the airport we told them we were going to Disney! They were stunned, lol. Here is a video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D7sI9K7E8o

Good luck and have a great trip!

I actually searched and saw your youtube video. I was crying. Sooo sweet. What a great idea. I can't do that as we have to cross the american customs boarder. Darn, but a great idea. I wish I could do that too.

 

[neonurse]

I am surprising my two girls in a few weeks. They have been to Disney a few times, and are always asking to go back. Our plan is pretty simple. Our flight is at 7:15am, so we are just waking them up and telling them we are going somewhere special and when they ask where, we are going to tell them. They are little, so it will work. If you check out the Disigns board, they have lots of "surprise notes" that you could put in an envelope. This is the link to one disigner's surprise notes: http://www.4shared.com/account/home.jsp
You can just dowload the picture and personalize it however you wish. There are so many great things on there. Have a great trip.

Great. Thanks for the idea and the linK!!
Hope you have a great trip!

 

[coccinelle]

We did a treasur hunt for christmas. Little papers all over the house with clues that lead to an other one an an other one...it took about an hour...They had so much fun! And then....for the last clue, they hat to put a dvd in the dvd player. My husband had some part of the planning dvd on an other dvd and he had made a cover like a treasur map. When the dvd started, my oldest daugter started laughing...thats what she do when she is very very exited, the other one was speachless....and my 5 years old son keep asking what movie it was...And they started yelling ''we are going to Disney!!! Thank you thank you!!!!''. Can't wait to be there in april , it will be our first time (well...i went 25 years ago...doesnt count!!!)!

So...maybe put some clues around the food??? Decorate the dishes with Disney stickers??? Make Mickey shaped food??? Drive them to school and when you are suppose to pull the school bags out of the car...just tell them that you made a mistake and took the luggage insted? Anyway you do it...i am sure they will be very very happy!!! Have a nice trip!

 

[pixiewings71]

We've done surprise trips twice. We are lucky in that we are close enough to drive to DL so in 06 we piled the kids in the van and headed off.....they had NO clue where we were going (I had packed their suitcases and they were in back where they were not visible to the kids), we drove all the way to DL and checked into our hotel before we told them. lol That was fun. In July 07 I did a treasure hunt, I made a bunch of clues, the first led to the second, the second to the third etc etc and at the end they found the package wrapped up in pirate headscarfs. LOL They unwrapped that and were sooooo excited. Good luck!! My favorite was the treasure hunt for sure, they loved it.

 

[dakjoskaimiksmom]

We're going in April and staying overnight at my in-laws' house in TN the night before (to shave some time and a whole state off our trip!). I'm planning on waking the kids up early the next morning to go "shopping at the big mall in Nashville". They'll probably sleep in the car for the beginning of the ride, so when they wake up I'll tell them and make sure I have the camera rolling.

I sort have no choice but to surprise them, since my step-daughter (10) will be visiting that weekend-- if she finds out I'm slinking off with Josh and Kai to Disney World without her, she'll have a conniption fit. Not really my fault, since her bio-mom wouldn't let her go anyway, but I live in fear of getting the "wicked step-mother" tag. It'll just be easier all around if she doesn't know. Anyway, I think it'll a better surprise for J and K than the last one which, for the record, was chicken pox.

 

[neonurse]

Great stories everyone. THanks for your help.