How to surprise...

[robshelle]

We went 5 years ago for our first time. Our boys were 8 and 5. They knew we were all going to Disneyland, but we surprised them by letting them think we were leaving on a Sunday, but woke them up early Saturday morning before and told them we were leaving then! This let them have a good nights sleep before we left.

This time, 5 years later, we are surprising them again as they think that I am going to SoCal by myself to the Costa Mesa Highland Games(I'm in a pipeband). I(we) leave on may 22 morning, my wife's birthday, so this surprise will be getting them up early to help drive me to the airport, but before that they get to help my wife open her birthday present, which will have their passports, plane tickets, SoCal CityPass's, KBF and 6 Flags tickets. I can hardly wait!

 

[KeKy4]

and by the way just over 3 weeks that's around when we are going! When are your dates!

We arrive on Mother's Day!!

 

[amdgoogles]

We arrive on Mother's Day!!

We show up the day before you! FUN! Can not wait!

 

[redwing]

My kids actually like the looking forward to it....it's part of the fun! I don't think the surprise thing would be for us....you get to drag the fun out so much longer the other way

 

[amdgoogles]

My kids actually like the looking forward to it....it's part of the fun! I don't think the surprise thing would be for us....you get to drag the fun out so much longer the other way

In a few years I agree with you, but for now there's barely any concept of time... so we'll see how it goes

 

[dpswift]

We arrive on Mother's Day!!

We are surprising my 12 year old son we a three day stay the day before. He is a WDW vet but never been to Disneyland. He is going to love RSR.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I've surprised the kids with trips to DL twice, and here's my experience. The first time I made up a big elaborate excuse as to why we were pulling them out of school for two weeks. We didn't tell them until we were driving to the border where we were really going. Epic fail, as I have an extreme over active imagination, made up too good of a cover story, and they wanted to go to Grandma's place more than DL (we were driving down to DL for a 2 week trip). It took them 2 days to really sink in that we were really going to DL. I do learn from my mistakes, and the second time I surprised them 6 months later with an unexpected trip to DL this time flying down I didn't give them any warning. They didn't know until the taxi was arriving to drive us to the airport. This went much better, and they were less stressed out about it. My DS11 is a stress magnet, so for him letting him know months ahead of an impending trip is hard on him. I'm planning another trip to DL in 2016, but am uncertain as to how far ahead I'm going to let him know, as to how to minimize his stress over the trip. So it goes to show you how different kids can react to major change quickly.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

We surprised our kiddos (6 & 8) two weeks ago. We had a cover story that we were going to go up to Vancouver, BC for a few days. When we parked at the airport, the 8 year old said "Hey, what's going on?" We told them and the six year old BURST into tears. He wanted to go to Canada.

I think surprises are great, but we won't do one with a cover again. It was really hard for our little guy to wrap his brain around it!

As soon as we were on the plane, everyone was super excited, though. And on day 3, DS8 was still saying "I can't believe you surprised us. Best surprise ever!"

Have so much fun!!

 

[Andreas Mom]

We leave one week from today! My kids have no idea. My oldest would be asking every day when we leave and my two younger ones have no idea about time.

Grandma is picking them up friday after work to take them to her house for a few hours and we will pack the car and do last minute shopping.

6am Saturday morning we are getting them in the car and headed down. After a starbucks stop of course

 

[crystal1313]

We are surprising out kids in July. Last night my oldest was crying at bedtime because he misses DL so much and wants to go back. I didn't know until later as DH was putting him to bed. I think I would have told him. DH stayed strong and didn't say anything. Lol. I'm worried he will ask us everyday until our trip if we tell him now. We will see how long we last.

 

[scoutingbear]

A friend of mine did a surprise trip for Christmas. When the kids opened their Christmas presents, it was all Disney themed stuff. T-shirts, food, and the tickets, etc. Once the kids opened their stuff, they got in the (already) loaded car. It gave the kids the ride to get excited/get over the shock since one of her kids doesn't handle surprises very well. And they do travel every holiday to a friend or family member house for meals so the traveling wasn't that big of a surprise. It was just going to be more than a one day deal!

 

[Kristina4109]

I am so amazed at people who can surprise their kids with a Disney trip. I've been taking my kid to Disneyland since her first birthday and I have never been able to surprise her.

 

[amdgoogles]

I'm getting so excited! SO far the surprise is still in tact! I'm thinking we're just going to see if we can keep her distracted and see what happens! CAN NOT WAIT! Thank you everyone for your experiences and suggestions! It's helped me a lot!! I'll update how it goes! and if anyone else has additional experiences I'm all ears!!

 

[At Least Many]

We ended up telling our kids about 4 days before we left. We sat them down under the guise of taking some pics to send to grandma. I turned on the video and said, "ok, say 'We're going to Disneyland!'" They said it and then they all yelled "REALLY!?!"!

It was a good amount of time before, not too much. And they were able to help with last minute packing.