How long can you keep the kids guessing?

[TiggerBouncy]

it's been 3 years since my DS (13) last went to Disney World. He's been asking a lot lately. What he doesn't know is that we booked DVC points for the end of April (his Birthday is April 16th).

Since I only have him every other weekend, and we happen to be leaving on a weekend I have him...

Trying to decide if I tell him for his birthday (not necessary since he has other gifts)
Can I keep my mouth shut until I see him the weekend we leave?
Should I not tell him until the morning we leave?
I can actually not tell him until after we leave the house - just say we have some errands to run and pre-pack the car's trunk with bags.
Not sure if I can give him an excuse when we get to the airport. We never fly anywhere else. Unless I hype it up before hand that we are going to visit his grandparents or something. Otherwise, he won't believe me.
In any case, he's sure to figure it out when he sees the gate listing Orlando as the destination.

Frankly as the worlds WORST secret-keeper, I am surprised I haven't blabbed yet!

 

[verleniahall]

Maybe do a scavenger hunt for his birthday - give him the chance to get hyped up - and if he has any extra money - he may want that for spending while you are there.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Some kids don't do well with big surprises. Also, by age 13, he's old enough to maybe have certain things he wants a chance to pack.

I would tell him sometime before leaving.

 

[richmo]

If he were 6 or 8, I'd be a lot more likely to try the surprise. At 13 (turning 14?), I think he's probably getting a little old for that and would appreciate more some of the planning aspect of it...picking FP+'s for favorites, maybe where to go for dinner, etc.

 

[Pigletpal40]

My boys are hockey fans, 7 and 12 at the time. We told them Mom was going on a business trip and we would stay in Boston for the night for a Bruins game. The look on their faces when their bags got checked was priceless.

 

[Jennygt]

I am planning a big reavel for our May trip. I plan to tell them about 2 weeks prior so that they can be involved in some of the packing and we will have to deal with some school work for DS. I think either way would be fun! Good luck

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Thanks for the feedback all!

 

[Indio]

I took my then 15yr old on a surprise trip. I prepacked his clothes and stuff. The morning we were leaving I got him up early and told him we were riding up to the mountains for the day. We went by to pick up my sister and told him there. He was extremely happy! No griping from my boy because he didn't get to help plan.