How to surprise a teenage boy that he's going to Disney?

[MsHook]

My boyfriend and I are visiting Disney (as well as Universal and Seaworld) this year with his sister, her partner and 2 of our friends. We are also taking the bf's teenage step brother. He has no idea. He's a good kid who has never been out of the UK or on a plane and always lights up when he sees the Florida adverts come on TV but knows he'll probably never get to go. I don't know how we've managed to keep it under wraps all these months!

We're planning on telling him a couple of months before we leave and it's definitely going to be around his 15th birthday. But how should we tell him?

Any ideas?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Does he have a favorite Disney character or is he into SW? You can always wrap up a lightsaber or Disney item to open and leave him puzzled. Follow that with the plane tickets wrapped up separately.

If you can somehow purchase one of the graphic MagicBands ahead of time, that would make a nice surprise gift and reveal: magicbandcollectors.com

 

[sharona]

Once we played a game of "hang man" and the answer was "I'm Going to Disney World".

Or what about an invite to Hogwarts?

 

[powbob]

Once we played a game of "hang man" and the answer was "I'm Going to Disney World".

Or what about an invite to Hogwarts?

There you go.

 

[nicci10681]

Don't get me wrong, I adore Disney, but I really love the invite to hogwarts idea. I saw a family that told their child with a big gift box that when she opened it Disney balloons popped out and there were a few Disney items inside, like a shirt and stuffed animal, it was really cool and she was shocked, I'd guess she was 12-13 ish.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

As a former teen boy, I'd just like to warn you not to be disappointed if his response is underwhelming.

 

[kathy884]

I'm glad you're telling him a few months in advance. Anticipation of a trip is a lot of fun too. Please that way he'll be geared up for it, not be unprepared with other plans with friends, etc. Our teens always have loved all of the Orlando parks.

 

[JennyDrake]

As a former teen boy, I'd just like to warn you not to be disappointed if his response is underwhelming.

NOT to be a wet blanket, but 10 years ago we surprised the nieces and nephew (ages 14, 16 & 18) w/ a trip to WDW. They had never been out of Indiana. It was a TRAIN WRECK.

The kids had no idea what was happening and were so overwhelmed and over stimulated that *all* they wanted to do was watch TV in the hotel room and swim. I TRULY feel that had they been able to be part of the excitement and planning, it would have been a totally different expereince.

 

[disnut8]

My boyfriend and I are visiting Disney (as well as Universal and Seaworld) this year with his sister, her partner and 2 of our friends. We are also taking the bf's teenage step brother. He has no idea. He's a good kid who has never been out of the UK or on a plane and always lights up when he sees the Florida adverts come on TV but knows he'll probably never get to go. I don't know how we've managed to keep it under wraps all these months!

We're planning on telling him a couple of months before we leave and it's definitely going to be around his 15th birthday. But how should we tell him?

Any ideas?

Since he seems to be a Disney fan, I think your plans sound good. He will get enough involvement to help plan the FastPasses and to get excited for the trip.

When my son and daughter-in-law surprised our grandkids with a Christmas present, they said the kids were going to run in the next week. And they did - at Disney World for the Marathon kids stuff. The kids just opened up the envelope and then were told to read *where* the run was. They freaked out.

So maybe something like "hey, you ever ride one of these?" And then show him a watermouse. Or a Safari jeep. Or a Space mountain vehicle. Or whatever you think he will like. When he says no, just show him the confirmation with his name on it and say "you will".

 

[kaetra]

Give him an 8x10 glossy photo of some cute girls his age at Disney World with Mickey Ears on.

Title the photo "You are going to the place Where Dreams come True! <trip date>"

 

[LuvMyEAR]

Ms Hook, I just love that you are going to share your trip with this lucky young man! And that you want to find a cool way to surprise him. You are very, very smart to do it a few months before the actual trip, as the anticipation heightens the enjoyment for most of us. I have 244 days till my next trip, and that means I can put smile on my face every one of those days when I think about what is ahead.

If you are doing this to coincide with his birthday, my suggestion would be to wrap up something he could use for the trip (like a nice lightweight carry-on bag, knapsack, suitcase or something similar if he could actually use one of these) and fill it with everything you can gather relating to the trip. Get some brochures for WDW, US and IOA from a travel agent, a copy of your airline tickets or tinerary, and hotel info (prices obscured where possible!) a few travel-size toiletries, sunscreen, etc. A list of your favourite websites relating to this trip could go in the bag, to let him explore and dream. Can you order the Disney Vacation Planning video in the UK?

Or, if you just want to knock his socks off out of the blue, come in with some takeout bags. Hand them around to those who are gathered to watch the surprise. No food in his bag, though... just the travel-related stuff, and maybe some US dollars. Watch his jaw drop as he figures it out. Yes, teenaged boys can be too cool for a big reaction, but I think you'll know...no matter how you break this fabulous news to him.

We made a photo book, complete with a story about all the things we loved about cruising as we prepared a surprise for our grandsons. As the story progressed, it showed the next ship we would sail on, and pictures of their parents looking at cruise brochures, dreaming about how much the would love to sail on such a ship, too. Of course the story had a happy ending, in which we all decided it would be the best fun ever if the boys came on that cruise, too. At 7 & 8, they catch on quick and are VERY excitable! it was fun. Usually we do a big countdown, as we are long range planners but this time, they will only find out when they get to the airport. Their suitcases will be waiting for them, with their cherished Duffy Bears all ready to travel.

I hope you pull off a great surprise, and have an even better trip!

 

[mel&me]

Give him an 8x10 glossy photo of some cute girls his age at Disney World with Mickey Ears on.

Title the photo "You are going to the place Where Dreams come True! <trip date>"

As a former teenage boy, I"d like to inform you that would work for me.


.

 

[Canuck16]

Give him an 8x10 glossy photo of some cute girls his age at Disney World with Mickey Ears on.

Title the photo "You are going to the place Where Dreams come True! <trip date>"

LOL

 

[MsHook]

Great ideas! I'm thinking a letter to hogwarts would be cool - maybe with all kinds of stamps on the envelope so it looks like it's been re-directed a few times. And I think giving him maps of all the parks is a good idea too. Maybe just a goody bag with all the suggestions above with the hogwarts letter on top. I seriously can't wait. We're down to less than 200 days now but still like 140ish before we tell him.

 

[momimouse27]

Will you get Magic Bands? It would be pretty cool to wrap them up like a bday present and give them to him. Sounds like the kind of kid that will be really excited to go. What a wonderful surprise-I hope you all have a great time!

 

[CAL2]

if you look on you tube there are loads of ' surprise we are going to Disney' including treasure hunts video messages and surprises in a box

cal