How much "help" to get from youngest?

[Pesky]

My 2 children had their first Disney experience in mid-December 2013 with a trip to DLR. It was a total surprise. They had no idea where we were until we walked into the Grand Californian and asked if they knew where they were. Thanks to the boards here, I had planned it pretty well with some great surprises and character meals and good character interaction. The kids LOVED it.

Talking about future Disney trips has certainly highlighted personality differences. My 7YO DD wants to know nothing about the trip and to be surprised again like she was before. My 5YO DS wants to help plan EVERYTHING.

Problem? He's 5 (6 this summer). And he's a blabbermouth. He has a horrible time keeping secrets.

I'd like to let him have at least SOME say in what we are doing but I also need to try and preserve the surprise for my DD. Any thoughts on how much planning to let him do? Thanks in advance!

 

[leahlefler]

We weren't sure if we were going to tell our kids in advance for our trip this year, so at first we just said we were looking at planning for a trip in 2-3 years... so they were helping us plan, but not aware that the trip was going to be this year. They liked looking at the restaurants, rides, etc. - but didn't think we could possibly be going this year.

We did end up telling them sometime before Christmas (I couldn't keep the surprise any longer, lol) - both of my kids like the planning process. Maybe you could have your 5 year old help you plan for a trip "way in the future" - so he gets to plan, but it doesn't spoil the surprise for your 7 y.o.?

 

[Feberin]

I'm not sure about keeping things hushed but perhaps you could let your son make decisions from choices you give him. Such as do you want to go on ride X or Y? Or do you want to eat here or here? That way he feels like he's still making decisions but you're not having a five-year-old plan the whole trip. I would still decide on timing for FP+ and which parks to visit on a certain day. You could even go as far as letting him choose between a couple options for where to stay.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Take his input and implement some of it. But let him be surprised as to the details when he arrives. I think it is too much to expect him to keep everything from the 7yo. So this helps to balance that.

Just because he provides input doesn't mean he needs to know the ins and outs of the trip. I would not expect him to keep his opinions to himself, so sister will have to cope. But by not telling him what actually will happen helps to preserve some mystery about what will happen.

 

[MandiC]

I think since he is only 5 you can have him help plan without necessarily knowing *when* he will be going. To tell a 5 year old in advance about going to Disney I wouldn't tell very far in advance anyways LOL You can talk to him about Disney World in more of a "what do you think of this?" "would you want to see these characters?" "would you want to ride this/that?" "what would be the best thing ever about going to Disney World?" Sure, he will know you are going...but he won't know when so he can't spoil that surprise

 

[Pesky]

Thanks for the input! Great idea about not being specific as to when and giving limited options. I'll definitely put those into play. Besides, when I asked him how many days we should stay (I already have a rough idea but was curious), he said 2.

"Honey, there are FOUR different parks."

"OH! Then 1!"

Yeah, not a TA in the making there....