How long can I keep it a secret?

[saysib]

Hope this is the right place to post this.

We travel out to WDW in 9 days, so super excited as we booked at almost 600 days out!! When we originally booked, we booked POR, but DH got a bonus so we upgraded to AKL. I didnt tell the kids as we wanted to surprise them. We stayed there for our last trip and DD adored it so I cant wait to see her face.

Now, I didnt properly think this through. We will arrive at Orlando airport after travelling for over 15 hours and opted for taking the Magical Express. As we are coming from the UK we wont have our magic bands yet. Will i be able to keep it a secret until we get to the hotel, or will we asked where we are headed and it be announced several times before we even reach the hotel? If there is no way of avoiding it, any suggestions on how to reveal the change in plans?

Thanks x

 

[adisneyaunt]

At ME u get in line for a specified resort. Perhaps she ll just be too tired to even notice?? Not sure how to surprise her before that. But I agree, fabulous place
Have a Magical Visit!

 

[saysib]

At ME u get in line for a specified resort. Perhaps she ll just be too tired to even notice?? Not sure how to surprise her before that. But I agree, fabulous place
Have a Magical Visit!

Thanks!

I'm hoping she would just go along with it and not notice if its just walking to the right line. Do I have to tell anyone where we are staying before we get in line?

 

[wench]

Thanks!

I'm hoping she would just go along with it and not notice if its just walking to the right line. Do I have to tell anyone where we are staying before we get in line?

Yes, you have to tell them, so that they can tell you which line to go to. It may be possible for you or your husband to distract the kids while the other tells the CM which hotel. You could tell them it's a surprise & ask that they not speak loudly. But I'm pretty certain that you will get asked a few times by different people as you're waiting & loading on the bus. Everyone wants to make sure you're getting to the right place, so they double check. The bus itself will normally drop at few resorts, so the driver will announce a few different names. If you can keep them in the dark until you're on the bus, you may have a chance.

Maybe you could write a note that says we're going to Animal Kingdom Lodge, but it's a surprise for the kids, so please don't say it out loud. Then when anyone asks you can just hand them the note. Good luck!

 

[Princess Minnie321]

When we used MDE a few weeks ago, we had to say our resort twice. When we first checked in he asked. We were there around 9am so there were not a lot of people waiting. When we got in our line, another CM asked and then the bus driver asked as we were getting on. We also stayed at AK and shared a bus with three other resorts and none were POR. The driver announced the resorts we were going to before we left.

I like the previous posters idea about writing the note and then maybe you can distract her when you are on the bus and she will not pay attention to the driver's announcement.

Such a great surprise! Enjoy your trip!

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

Distracting will only work if your DD is easily distracted and doesn't pay much attention to details, like I was as a kid! However, my older sister would have noticed right away, even when she was 7, if mommy and daddy were being secretive about the resort. You could do a card or something creative and fun to give to her saying "We're staying at AKL!" as you're getting off the plane and walking to MDE if you are worried about distracting her!

 

[EvilQueen2018]

Maybe hand her a pair of binoculars when you get off the plane since she will need them to get really up close to the animals when viewing them in the morning, as your reveal. Headphones and a movie for a distraction if you want to try and hide it.

 

[gdrj]

You could always let DD tell the CM POR and surprise her right there and say nope, AKL!