How to break it to the kids

[Tinkerpeas hubby]

No doubt you've seen the adverts recently, whereby the parents tell their kids in a fun way that they are off to Disney World/Land.

Just wondering how creative people have broke it to their little ones?

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

the second time we took the kids to Disney they were so excited for so long by the time we got there we were exhausted, so the third time around we kept it a complete secret right up until the morning of departure.We still talked about the holiday but as if we were going next year
We woke them up on the Wednesday morning about 6am, they thought they were going to school,when they got downstairs they saw the suitcases, then we asked where would they like to go? and of course they said DISNEY.One hour later after hugs and tears we were on our way to the airport
The best thing about it we had no nagging of how many days how many days?or constant minute by minute planning by DS, and they had both had a really good night sleep. They loved the surprise so much they want us to do it again

 

[buddles norfolk uk]

My Dad said to me one evening in the school holidays "If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?" and I having been two times before said "Duh, Walt DisneyWorld Florida of course!" and he said "Great, because we're going tomorrow!"
Best way to do it, EVER!
Now I'm 21 and planning my first trip for me and DBF on our own!

 

[lucy_love_]

i came up with an elaborate plan that included pretending to be dead. it didnt go down too well with other dissers so i think ill just leave the reveal plans to others and pay for my own kids to go to therapy

 

[Missish]

You know, I don't remember my parents telling me in any kind of creative way, or it even being kept a surprise. They were always very matter-of-fact about it: "Oh, by the way, we're going to Walt Disney World in April." I must have been a very calm child

 

[Jordanblackpool]

I dont think I was ever told in any exciting way, i just sort of always guessed because there would be holiday brochures everywhere. This was in the 90s when not many people had computers!

I remember an ex work colleague of mine telling me a story that they spent a few weeks purposely telling the kids that a family friend was going, getting them excited, then saying 'be a long time before we go', the family friend went so the kids honestly thought they werent going, then woke them up the day they were flying and suprised them. She said she will remember the look on their faces forever!

 

[joolz1910]

I plan on telling the kids when we get to the airport. I have decided that I will tell them that we are going to Blackpool or somewhere so that they are not surprised to see suitcases packed the week before.

 

[Jordanblackpool]

I plan on telling the kids when we get to the airport. I have decided that I will tell them that we are going to Blackpool or somewhere so that they are not surprised to see suitcases packed the week before.

Dont do that! They will be gutted there not coming to Blackpool!

 

[wayneg]

Never surprised DS, we wanted him part of the planning and build up.
Now going thru the whole thing again with our God daughter, she knew as soon as we booked for this year and knows she is going back again next year.
I just feel the build up/planning is as important as the holiday, so no surprises here, everyone knows from when I start looking for flights.

 

[joolz1910]

Dont do that! They will be gutted there not coming to Blackpool!

We are planning a trip to Blackpool in the next few months - going to take advantage of our Merlin Passes before they expire.

 

[DisFanJen]

I plan on telling the kids when we get to the airport. I have decided that I will tell them that we are going to Blackpool or somewhere so that they are not surprised to see suitcases packed the week before.

We did pretty much the same for my sister and her family when we took them a few years ago (she had three kids all school age at the time so I imagine this is relevant).

We offered to take them away for a vacation, I think we made up some fairly run of the mill touristy place, E.G: Lanzerotti (sp?) so we had an excuse to pack for the sun and get passports, etc. then we told them at the airport.

One of the kids literally jumped for joy! It was, if you'll excuse the Disney pun, magical.

EDIT:

One thing though, for this to work you need to know your audience. I can think of a few older tweens that would be disappointed to be going to WDW instead of Lanzerotti...

 

[joolz1910]

We did pretty much the same for my sister and her family when we took them a few years ago (she had three kids all school age at the time so I imagine this is relevant).

We offered to take them away for a vacation, I think we made up some fairly run of the mill touristy place, E.G: Lanzerotti (sp?) so we had an excuse to pack for the sun and get passports, etc. then we told them at the airport.

One of the kids literally jumped for joy! It was, if you'll excuse the Disney pun, magical.

EDIT:

One thing though, for this to work you need to know your audience. I can think of a few older tweens that would be disappointed to be going to WDW instead of Lanzerotti...

I think my kids will be jumping for joy - they generally like surprises and the younger two aren't that good at waiting and countdowns. They will have nearly 9 hours on the plane to plan, as I intend to have guide books in my hand-luggage. I might buy them some ears before we go too.

 

[zippy99]

Never surprised DS, we wanted him part of the planning and build up.
Now going thru the whole thing again with our God daughter, she knew as soon as we booked for this year and knows she is going back again next year.
I just feel the build up/planning is as important as the holiday, so no surprises here, everyone knows from when I start looking for flights.

I am in the same camp as Wayne here (aside from the fact I can't keep a secret) my children love the build up - DD does wallplanners - they make games allsorts...dare I say it but the build up to the holidays just as much fun as the holiday itself!

 

[Pugsly]

Slightly off from revealing the destination ...

but I let DS (then 21 - and going on his 6th trip) think we were staying at Pop, and presented him with a poem the morning we left, hinting of our real accommodation: the Poly.

He was thrilled!

I'm sure your kiddos will be excited beyond beliefe with this kind of surprise!

 

[disneyholic family]

we never surprised the kids, but i have neighbors who didn't tell the kids until they were at the airport..

when they were packing, they told them they were going down to the southern resort here...

but at the airport, the cat was out of the bag.....that's when they told the kids they were flying to the united states to see mickey mouse....

 

[babystar]

We did the DCL transatlantic in May, we didnt tell our little girl at all!!! It wasnt until we sat on the transfer bus from the car hire place and she saw the mickey on the ship that she clicked on.......I dont think it properly sunk in until we started to sail away!

Only problem with this is she expects such a amazing surprise now for next time!

 

[PudseyChancer]

We told our two little 'uns the night before, we hatched a ludicrous story that the kids were going to surprise me at Bewley's, as I was supposedly staying there on business. We'd kept the holiday a secret for over a year, (though you lot on here knew ), I'd done a letter to the kids from Mickey & Minnie which revealed the surprise, inviting them to come to Orlando and see them.

The look on the kids faces as realisation set in was priceless, and well worth the effort in keeping up the charade. This time round, the kids know we're going back, we talk about it fairly regularly, but as for being involved in the planning and process side of things, they're not bothered, it's the doing they're interested in.

 

[BlondeViki]

I haven't got kids but can I join in as I've booked this Disney trip as a surprise honeymoon for OH

I'm planning to let him know before the holiday so he can enjoy the planning and looking forward to it (so probably March 12, when the ADR window opens for our trip - I'm not dealing with those alone! ).

I've been leaving clues on the fridge in envelopes once a month. He is still stumped though. I've also started leaving little things around the house, like a mickey key chain on the shed key, a tigger blanket in the cat basket, a travel brochure on the coffee table. He's not twigged on to any of these yet.

I think I'm going to put his last clue in an Easter egg

 

[cheryl.UK]

My DH and I had it all worked out when we told our neice we are taking her it went...

Me What are you doing on the 18th July Bo?
DH Dunno? What are you doing Katie?
Kate How do I know!
DH What are you doing Chez?
Me Oh Im going to WDW
DH Oh that's right, that's what Im doing
Me So what are you doing Katie?

Bemused silence

Me What are you doing katie?

Knowng look

DH What are you doing Katie?
Kate Please tell me you're not messing with me.....

and then there were lots of tears (from us all)

 

[madmumof2]

I've been thinking about this too, I want it to be big! The kids don't know we're going next year and I want the reveal to be mega! But can't think of what...

We have to drive to the airport the night before and stay overnight as we're so far away and the flight is in the morning so not sure how to get around that. :S