How to surprise the kiddos?

[MarkLT1]

So I know this can be a bit of a controversial subject. We did our first cruise (DCL) as a family about 3 years ago. Both of our boys LOVED it, and to this day, still talk about how awesome the cruise was. Last year, we were planning another Cruise, but unfortunately my dad found out he had lymphoma, and so we had to cancel (the kids were pretty crushed about that). So this year, we decided not to tell the kids at all, in case we had to cancel. Now we're pretty sure the cruise will happen (barring a huge Coronavirus outbreak), but since we're so close (less than 8-weeks away) we are considering making it a fun surprise. BTW: Our kids are great with surprises.. so I'm not too concerned about that.

A few things to note- our embarkation day is our youngest's birthday. Half way through the cruise is our older son's birthday. When we asked the boys a few weeks ago, "if you could do anything on your birthday, what would it be?" Both said "Go on a Disney cruise!!" and then quickly came up with something more "reasonable"..

So the thought right now is- our flight out to Florida is in the late afternoon on a school day. While they are at school, we'll pack all their stuff up, then pick them up after lunch for "a dentist appt." Then we drive to the airport. When they see we're going to Orlando, they'll think WDW (Grandma and Grandpa, who are also on the cruise are DVC members, and so we've done WDW several times). We'll take the bus to OKW, and plan on telling them we aren't going to the parks until Sunday, "due to the crowds". On Friday, we'll hang out at the pool, Disney Springs, etc.

On Saturday morning, we have a van to take us to the port. My wife and mom will distract the kids for a few, while dad and I load the luggage into the van. We were planning on telling the kids, "We're going to the beach for the day," for the youngest's birthday. Then.. we go to the ship. Yay!

So obviously this is a 100% foolproof plan, that can't possibly get any better.. Unless it can? Any thoughts on a good way to surprise the kiddos in realtime?

 

[plethera1]

Not really sure where the controversy is in doing this....seems like a super fun surprise for the kids!! Not sure how old your kids are but the whole story seems plausible. The hardest part seems to be getting the luggage into the van or them not seeing it after but it can be done.

 

[MarkLT1]

Not really sure where the controversy is in doing this....seems like a super fun surprise for the kids!! Not sure how old your kids are but the whole story seems plausible. The hardest part seems to be getting the luggage into the van or them not seeing it after but it can be done.

Re: controversy, I've seen a bunch of posts online, saying that these kinds of surprises for kids can easily backfire/the kids don't react well to them/it is for the parents not the kids, etc.. In this case, our kids like surprises, and we're replacing a trip to the dentist with flying to Florida, and a trip to the beach with a cruise, on which we'll see lots of beaches.. so I don think that'll be too traumatic for them . The only disappointment I could see would be from my oldest.. once he sees we're going to WDW, he'll be thinking of Galaxy's Edge.. though a cruise to him would be much more exciting.

For the bags, I was thinking of telling them that Disney is moving us to a new room, so we have to pack everything up. And my wife/mom could take the kids to get a snack around by the pool or something while I load the bags up into the van.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

This topic always reminds me of this video, lol:

I think the key is to make them think they are doing something lame (like the Dentist appointment you mentioned is fine). I guess the only potential downfall is if they don't want to leave Disney World and they get upset about the cruise, or they get upset about not going to the beach. You never know, kids priorities can be unexpected sometimes, especially when they have something specific set in their minds.

 

[MarkLT1]

Very true. For our youngest (turning 7), I would be really surprised if he got upset. He asks about going on a Disney cruise.. probably once or twice a week . Our older boy (turning 11) he might have a smidge of disappointment when he finds out we're not going to HS, as he is a big Star Wars fan (as am I), but he too talks about the cruise quite often, so I don't think that disappointment will materialize once he sees us approaching that Disney cruise ship.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Very true. For our youngest (turning 7), I would be really surprised if he got upset. He asks about going on a Disney cruise.. probably once or twice a week . Our older boy (turning 11) he might have a smidge of disappointment when he finds out we're not going to HS, as he is a big Star Wars fan (as am I), but he too talks about the cruise quite often, so I don't think that disappointment will materialize once he sees us approaching that Disney cruise ship.

You could manage that by telling him that you can't get any FPs for that and you won't be able to go to HS, as you only have 3 day passes. Then he won't be disappointed, because he won't have the expectation of getting there.

 

[MarkLT1]

That is a great idea! I definitely want to manage expectations up front so that they are going from "this is fun" to "WHOA!!!!!"

 

[Geomom]

Personally, I'd probably spring the surprise when you land in Orlando. My kids, while loving the cruise, would be disappointed to not be going to the parks at all on the trip, especially if I told them we plan to go on 'Sunday.' Another option is just to tell them that you're doing a 'no-parks' visit, but you have something fun planned!

 

[Geomom]

I'll also add that I don't think my kids could handle more than 1 surprise...picking them up and taking them to the airport unexpectedly would be enough. But every kid is different!

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

We surprised our kids once with a trip to Disneyland, didn't get much of a reaction honestly, probably will never bother with it again. Though our kids are maybe more nonchalant about things, lol.

Personally, I'd probably spring the surprise when you land in Orlando. My kids, while loving the cruise, would be disappointed to not be going to the parks at all on the trip, especially if I told them we plan to go on 'Sunday.' Another option is just to tell them that you're doing a 'no-parks' visit, but you have something fun planned!

Yeah, I think that makes more sense to me. Expectations go from Dentist -> Disney World + Disney Cruise which will definitely be good, rather than Dentist -> Disney World (which will be good), Then from Disney World -> Disney Cruise will be a bit iffier.

 

[kariyava]

I would surprise them with the cruise idea earlier -- as soon as they know they are going to Orlando (and therefore guessing Disney). That will be a huge positive surprise, and a bigger thrill to go from dentist to Disney Cruise (with no potential disappointment) than WDW to Disney Cruise (with the potential for a small disappointment).

 

[MarkLT1]

Great thoughts. Since we are going to OKW, and they've never been there before, we could probably go with "We're going to Florida to see Grandma and Grandpa, and are going to do a bunch of fun stuff we haven't done before." Not mention the parks at all, and if they ask about it say "Sorry, not this year." We did do a trip a couple years back where we went to Saratoga Springs and did a non-parks trip, and they had a blast... Definitely going to consider that approach.

Edit to say: Part of the reason for delaying the "We're taking a cruise" bit, is because Grandma and Grandpa would like to be in on that surprise as well. I think if they think we're just going to see them, and will do random stuff around Florida, the cruise will be a huge upgrade. Still thinking... (and glad to hear everyone's thoughts on the matter)

 

[Geomom]

Great thoughts. Since we are going to OKW, and they've never been there before, we could probably go with "We're going to Florida to see Grandma and Grandpa, and are going to do a bunch of fun stuff we haven't done before." Not mention the parks at all, and if they ask about it say "Sorry, not this year." We did do a trip a couple years back where we went to Saratoga Springs and did a non-parks trip, and they had a blast... Definitely going to consider that approach.

I think this is a great option! You're not lying at all--they'll see Grandma and Grandpa...on the ship! No disappointment about thinking they're going to Disney World!

 

[NJTwinsdad]

We thought it would be a great idea to surprise our 15 y/o boy/girl twins on Christmas Eve with a trip to Paris leaving 2 days later. We gave them a beautifully wrapped box with all kinds of French goods like a small Eiffel Tower, a beret, etc. We thought we were sooooo clever. They both broke down in tears and were miserable Christmas day! Now, once we got to Paris it turned out to be a great trip, but they never let us forget that a big trip is not something to surprise them with. Good luck!

 

[MarkLT1]

We thought it would be a great idea to surprise our 15 y/o boy/girl twins on Christmas Eve with a trip to Paris leaving 2 days later. We gave them a beautifully wrapped box with all kinds of French goods like a small Eiffel Tower, a beret, etc. We thought we were sooooo clever. They both broke down in tears and were miserable Christmas day! Now, once we got to Paris it turned out to be a great trip, but they never let us forget that a big trip is not something to surprise them with. Good luck!

That doesn't sound good . Is there any particular reason they gave for being upset?

 

[MamaJessie]

I would make sure they understand that there are no parks involved but there is a surprise grandma and grandpa want to tell them about. You don't want there to be any disappointment when they are getting such an awesome surprise!!

My easiest child cried when we tried to surprise them with a wdw trip once, I admit I would never personally give a last minute surprise again. But you said your kids like surprises so Florida instead of the dentist should still work great.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Friends of ours thought it would be fun to surprise their kids with a WDW trip. They packed up the van the night before so they could just hop in like they were driving to school and keep going. The parents got the surprise. The van had been broken into over night. Luckily, while their things had been taken, they were found about a half a block away... 4 opened and upturned suitcases in the alleyway.

It all turned out well, but what a way to start the trip.

 

[lilmc]

While my kids would love a surprise and a wonderfully planned set up like the OP has, they also love the anticipation as well. They get more than just the time on the ship as the vacation excitement, but also watching the countdown on the app, discussing what they’re looking forward to, etc. So I feel like I would be cheating them out of just a bit of their fun.

Also no way am I packing for them. You know I would grab the outgrown shorts, pinchy sandals, itchy shirt, those aren’t the pajamas I wanted!, ugh, no way!

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

While my kids would love a surprise and a wonderfully planned set up like the OP has, they also love the anticipation as well. They get more than just the time on the ship as the vacation excitement, but also watching the countdown on the app, discussing what they’re looking forward to, etc. So I feel like I would be cheating them out of just a bit of their fun.

Also no way am I packing for them. You know I would grab the outgrown shorts, pinchy sandals, itchy shirt, those aren’t the pajamas I wanted!, ugh, no way!

Yeah, my kids are like that too. We have a Disney Cruise coming up (our first one), and they are so excited. They keep asking to watch YouTube videos of the ship and saying how excited they are to go to Andy's room, etc.

There is supposedly a study that shows that people get the biggest happiness boost when they are planning / anticipating a vacation, so maybe there is something to the idea that the anticipation is part of the vacation as well. (edited for accuracy)

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/how-vacations-affect-your-happiness/

 

[MarkLT1]

While my kids would love a surprise and a wonderfully planned set up like the OP has, they also love the anticipation as well. They get more than just the time on the ship as the vacation excitement, but also watching the countdown on the app, discussing what they’re looking forward to, etc. So I feel like I would be cheating them out of just a bit of their fun.

My wife and I talked about that a lot. We ended up keeping it a surprise, because with my dad's cancer treatment, we weren't sure the trip was going to happen (and as I mentioned, our attempt last year was cancelled, which caused quite a bit of heartbreak). My dad had a series of tests about 2 months ago, and we got all the results back about 2 weeks ago, that showed he is in the clear, and now we're close enough to the trip that we figured.. lets try the surprise thing.

Also no way am I packing for them. You know I would grab the outgrown shorts, pinchy sandals, itchy shirt, those aren’t the pajamas I wanted!, ugh, no way!

Ours are still young enough, that if we asked them to pack their bags, there would maybe be a pair of underwear, 3 socks that don't match, whatever treats they wanted from the pantry, and probably one of the dogs.