How did you use your WDW trip as a "Santa" present...

[Minnie's Pal]

I know it's a while away but if we get to go to WDW in Jan., we're going to have to use it as some/most of the kids' Christmas presents. So I'm looking for advice on how other parents did this.

We're not sure yet if we'll tell them we're going and just gift the tickets, etc. (Because grandma & grandpa are going, so it may get a little hard trying to keep the vacation itself a surprise due to all the planning.) Or if we'll keep the whole thing a surprise.

The kids needed new luggage (we had to get rid of theirs last year) so I was able to get the $55 luggage on sale from the Disney store the other week. That will be one present for each of them (if I can keep it hidden & not forget where I put it.)

I would love to hear others' experiences/ideas on doing this.

 

[NemoMOm]

I think it would be neat to have someone mail you a post card from WDW or the vacation planner dvd and put it under the tree. You could even do that with the tickets. If you had someone mail you a post card you could have them say can't wait to see you in Jan signed MM.

 

[pantherlj]

You can view my trip report to see how we suprised the girls on Christmas morning for our Jan/Feb trip : )

 

[smi727]

DH and I are giving our 3 nephews a WDW trip as their Christmas present. We'll be going on July 2008. We're getting each child a suitcase and will have trip related stuff in each one. I'll get beach towels, mister fans, and other summer stuff on sale at the end of the summer. I'm going to order the planning DVD and customized maps and I'll make a CD of some Disney ride songs. I'll split those up between the boys. That's as far as I've gotten so far. I'll probably include things like Disney word finds and crosswords for the plane, maybe some trivia fact sheets, or maybe restaurant menus so they can be in charge of where to eat. Hopefully, that will give you a good start.

 

[goinback]

We took all of our children in Jan 2005. We Let them know Christmas Morning. For starters, I put a small Disney plush in each of their stockings with various other disney trinkets. Then they all opened a pair of Disney pjamas. Then they all opened a mini back-pack full of things for travel.(games, gum, sunglasses, sunblock etc.) Before they opened the last present, my husband read them a poem about going to a magical place while they are still small. Then they opened the last present together. I put the park maps and tickets in a box with a buch of confetti that sort of popped out at them ! My oldest figured it out first! They were wild with excitement! This past Jan we took our oldest for her 13th b-day. I did sort of the same thin , p.j's, and I had customized maps made for her and wrapped them up. We also signed up to have Mickey call her to let her know.

 

[bzzymom]

I surprised DS at Christmas 2004 with a trip Jan 2005. I ordered a design-your own t-shirt with characters on it. It said my surprise trip, and then I put the departure date on it. I wrapped up with some pirate items from the dollar store with a little card which had info about his pirate cruise adventure we had booked for him. He was absolutely thrilled.

 

[pl'smama]

You can view my trip report to see how we suprised the girls on Christmas morning for our Jan/Feb trip : )

That was the best!! I am still trying to ebb the flow of my tears!! Way to go!!

Suz

 

[Ellester]

We also surprised our kids last Christmas, details in my trip report. I think it's post #21 that has the pictures of what we did. Have fun!