How to surprise the kids?

[BekahBelle]

We are taking my 3yo and 5yo to Disney for the first time this summer and have no idea we're going. We want to surprise them. Any ideas that are creative and fun? I really want this entire experience to be memorable for them. I thought of getting them dressed up in their princess dresses that they got during Channukah for a tea party the day before the trip and having a young intern I know at work who does children's parties to dress up as elsa and have her "invite them to Arrendale." How does that sound? Other ideas? Thanks!

 

[kteeter]

Check out Pintrest for great Disney them surprizes.
http://wdwprepschool.com/ideas-for-surprising-kids-with-a-disney-world-trip-prep020/
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9d/9d/07/9d9d0783b9084668e12eba296b9f769e.jpg
We did a book from Mickey for my nice and newphew saying they were going on an adventure... Also look at having some one send them FairyGod Mail before you go. I am down there next week May 2-8 but I think that might be too soon.

 

[clskier]

I have been getting ideas on this also. My wife and I love the idea of a "last minute" surprise, even waiting until we are at the gate, but watching you tube I see more fails than successes on those. Anyone have thoughts on the big reveal days or weeks before vs. last minute?

 

[InStitchesinNE]

For our last trip we had our oldest, who was 7, pretend she was practicing her reading with sight words, and we had the deck stacked with cards that read "We are going to disney world tomorrow!" Because they were one at a time she didn't even get it and we had to have her do it again! Our twins were three, they were all super excited. They have asked for our next trip to be completely surprised, they don't want to know until we're there!

 

[caracarn]

Due to cost, we usually drive and live up north so getting them in the car for a 20 hour drive to try to surprise them at the gate never would fly. Last time we did a reveal when we got the MagicBands in the mail. We opened the box together and when the kids asked what the bands were we told them they'd get to use them on their trip to Disney. They wanted to wear the bands everywhere before we left but we were worried they would lose them, so we had to limit that. Worked well and was simple and they were very happy. I have heard a lot of "big" reveals do not go as planned. If you want to go through the effort that is up to you, but I would say keep it pretty low key and let the kids happy screams when you tell them be the "big" excitement of the day.

 

[KadysMom]

My daughter does not do well with surprises. We told her the night before we left and told her that we were all packed and the first thing she did was look in the back of the truck to see if our luggage was there. We told her the clothes were packed and she could pack all her favorite stuffed animals and items she wanted to bring. It was so cute!

 

[TempleOT]

For our daughters first trip when she was 4 1/2, we waited until we were at the gate at the airport and then told her and we taped it. Her reaction was, " we are? Great!" That was it--what a letdown, lol!

 

[5stljayhawks]

We did the tell them when they got home from school and we were off to the airport. it went OK, I am not sure kids really grasp the surprise concept. The reaction was not like winning the lottery......

We had a letter from mickey in the mail box, as well as mickey video "email" inviting them. Yes I did the voice over. They were like ok...

The best reactions were when my wife, DD and I were headed to the MK for the first time on the boat from fort wilderness. It was like 8 or 9 am and we came floating around the contemporary and the DD blurts out "there it is, the castle" The whole boat heard her and had a smile. Or the time we came out of buzz light year ride and there was buzz with no crowds, like he was waiting for my son.

I say dream big, visit your local disney store or disney.com.... integrate their favorites characters...

 

[amerikiwiroo]

I always like hearing the different surprise ideas. Even when they don't work as planned, they still make a good story. I gave my parents the anti-climatic reaction when they tried to surprise me at age 6 with my first trip. They gave me a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal for Christmas with a note saying "Ask your parents if you can come visit me". I opened the present, said thank you and put it down. The following conversation transpired:

Parents: What's that note she's holding? Did you read it?
Me: Yes.
Parents: Well, what did it say
Me: Ask your parents if you can come visit
Parents: Well, are you going to ask us
Me: No.
Parents: Why not?
Me: Whenever I ask you always say "some day".

Not exactly the giddy screaming reaction they were hoping for but we still laugh about it 30 years later and the trip was fantastic.

 

[leitadisneyfan]

We are going to give a large box for the kids to open. It will have a Mickey balloon with my son's magic band tied to it and a Minnie balloon with my daughter magic band. I'll probably give it to them the day before we leave. I am so excited to surprise them!