How to surprise a 9 and 10 yo?

[drnlhome]

I am looking for some ideas. We are planning on taking our kids to WDW in March but not during their Spring Break time (we have done 2 Easter week trips and need a breather). We are planning on doing a Thursday to Thursday trip. How do you keep it a secret from them when they see the Orlando destination at the airport or am I hoping for something that isn't going to happen?
Thanks!!
And Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

 

[plutoNme]

plan to do this for our son who will turn 11 on the trip. He usually knows what is going on. I am interested as well for some suggestions.

 

[jodgaff]

This is my first post! I usually just read but I LOVE the surprise Disney trip. . I have done it twice with a 3rd on the way. The first time we only had a DD (3) and it was easy. Last time it was with our DD(6), DS(4), and DD(1.5) and I was able to keep it under wraps. I plan on doing it again in Feb. this time with our DD (8), DS (6), DD (3), and DD (1.5).

I do all of the planning and packing, even carry on bags (we fly). I enjoy the planning. The night before we leave and the kids are asleep I lay out a Disney outfit: T-shirt, sweatshirt, hat, backpacks, all with disney on it. I also put their carry on next to their outfit. When they wake up they just freak! My oldest knows right away and lets the others in on the surprise. They usually show up next to my bed (I am usually still sleeping) with their outfits on and HUGE smiles on . Last time my DH rolled over and casually said "wanna go to Disney today?" and everyone was screaming!

I do it because I love the surprise, but also I don't like the nagging
"IIISSSS TTTooooddddaayyy ttthhheee dddaayyy wwwweee lleeaavveee????"

I know I miss out on some pre trip fun, and when all the kids get older we will probably change out strategy.

 

[shaunaday]

I wish I had some advice but I couldn't keep a WDW trip a secret to save my life! *I* am the one whinning ""IIISSSS TTTooooddddaayyy ttthhheee dddaayyy wwwweee lleeaavveee????" lol

I would have loved a surprise trip as a kid, though!

Good luck.

 

[noahdove]

I gave my granddaughter a sweatshirt with " surprise" we are going to Disney World in August..and she was speechless. I also took my 8 year great nephew and it was a surprise also. I gave him a bag with a note and items in the bag to open(items that he would need to have at Disney) as he read the letter that ended with a tin for "Disney Money Savings" Well, needless to say, the smile on his face told the whole story...good luck

 

[LittleMissMagic]

With a 9 and 10 year old, it's going to be pretty impossible to keep it a surprise until they get there. I suggest surprising them before you get to the airport.

I liked the Disney clothes idea.... very cute.

You could also send them on a scavenger hunt around the house or neighborhood, giving them clues until the big surprise.

Hope you have fun on your vacation!

 

[drnlhome]

Thank you so much for the ideas. Our flight leaves at 7:30 am so I think the clothes/bag idea is great. Since we are not going during their spring break it should be easy to pull off. We did throw the idea out to them about going a couple of weeks ago but haven't said anything since. I told my oldest that we were going to my mom's for Easter and part of spring break and he asked "so we're not going to DW?" I said, not for spring break this year which isn't a lie!

Now I will be the one in my own head - "HHHHOOOOOOWWWWWW MMMMMUUUUCCCCCCHHHHH LLLLOOOONNNNGGGGEEEERRRRR TTTIIIILLLL DDDDDIIIIISSSSSNNNNEEEEEYYYYY???"

Thanks again!!!

 

[tzolkin]

My only question is if you're not going during their school break, won't they know that they're going somewhere? Have you told them you're going somewhere other than Disney? I tell my daughter's teachers that we're going away well in advance of any trip, so my daughter would know she was going to miss school for something.

We are actually going to surprise our kids this year, but we're just going to lie to them. We are driving down, but we're going to tell them that we're going to visit grandma (she lives in south florida). We told them we can't afford Disney until the fall or next year. The surprise will be when we pull onto Disney property instead of making our way to Vero. If you don't have somewhere else you could be going flying to Orlando, you will probably have to reveal the surprise when you get to the airport. They will still be very excited.

 

[angelat]

I agree with PPs that you will probably have to tell them by the time you get to the airport. the pilot will say your destination anyway and give it away even if they don't see that you are headed to Orlando.

Our kids (DS11 and DD9) know we wanted to plan a trip for around September this year. However, since we haven't really told them we've settled on a date yet, they haven't got a clue when we really want to go. I'd like to kind of not mention it to them until sometime in August. We want to go aug 29-Sep 5 right before they head back to school. The only issue might be DDs mom (she's my step daughter). I'm afraid out of spite she would say something to her. though she stays with us for the Summer, so it may not be too much of an issue.

I do understand wanting to suprise them, but I know how hard it is going to be as well. Good luck!!!

 

[jodgaff]

We will be doing the surprise and of my 4 I have 2 in school. I have talked to their teachers (we still have 8 weeks) and my DD's 3rd grade teacher said it was no problem for him to give me the work and not to tell her. Her only "on Vacation" assignment is going to be a travel journal, which I can explain to her. They are going to catch her up on content missed work when we get back. They liked the surprise idea and were willing to work with me (as a teacher, I think most teachers are willing to work with parents if you talk to them in advance). My DS's 1st grade teacher said pretty much the same thing.

 

[larleo]

We did ALL of the planning and packing for us and our girls, 13 and 7 at the time. We woke them up at 3 AM with clanging pans and the camcorder going! Said, "grab your pillow and just go get in the car. We're going to Disney!!" They were SO excited.

What we didn't tell them was, we were going on a 4 day cruise after our stay at the parks. We just packed up that last day and said things like, "well, it's time to go home now" and "boy, I sure hate that our vacation is over." We took off driving toward Cape Canaveral, came over a hill and said, Oh look! It's the Disney ship! They were taking it all in as we drove closer while I just happened to be filming. Not once did they ask if we were going on a cruse. I finally couldn't stand it any longer and asked them if they knew why we were here. Then, I let it out, loud: WE'RE GOING ON A DISNEY CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!

You've never heard screaming like that!!!!!!

It helped that we were driving and they were young enough to not read the road signs to figure out we weren't headed north.

It has been one of their best memories ever! I'm not sure how I would do it since you are flying but I like the previous idea of letting them think there is another reason you are going to Orlando. Or, you could give them a Disney gift once you get to the airport. Good luck with yours! However your do it, it will be great!!!