How to tell my kids, "We're going to DISNEY WORLD!!!!"

[PanandCindy'smom]

When my kids were 6 & 8, I made a sign on posterboard that said "We are going to Disney World!" and then cut it apart into puzzle pieces. I hid the pieces around the yard and told them how many there were to find. Once they had them all, they had to put it together to see the message. It was super cute watching them try to figure out what it was going to say and then they were so excited!

 

[MYD714]

When my DH surprised me, it was at the gate at the airport. Your kids will know that your not flying to SC and that you ARE flying to Orlando the minute you get there (and get your boarding passes). It was a great surprise! (I knew we were going somewhere, just didn't know where - and it was Disneyland) And it gave us something to talk about and anticipate and enjoy together from that point on. Plus, I understand some kids need a little bit of time to let it all sink in. They'll have lots of time to ask questions and process the surprise on the way. Then they aren't shell-shocked right as you get there.

This was my thought exactly. I love a good surprise, but I think it's best to let the kids process. I know people who surprised their kids the day of the trip, and the kids ended up in a hazy fog all week. The parents couldn't understand why the kids were unexcited about being there, but it was because it took them until the end of the trip to fully process what was happening.

We've surprised my niece with three trips so far (when she was 5, 8, and now 10), but we always tell her months ahead of time. I love being able to let her help with the planning.

When she was 5, we had a Disney themed breakfast. When she was 8, we did a scavenger hunt that ended with a puzzle for her to complete. This Christmas we surprised her by wrapping a small box with a paper inside that said "We're going to Disney" and then we wrapped it inside another box, and another box, etc. She had to unwrap about 8-10 boxes to get to it and she laughed hysterically each time she unwrapped a box only to find another box. YouTube has some great videos to get some ideas.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Have a great trip!

 

[gap2368]

So, somehow we have managed to keep the world's biggest secret from our three boys... We, are going to Disney World.

Now I am in panic mode! We leave in just 4 days and still haven't thought of a way to drop the bomb. My initial plan was to wait until they see some BIG welcome to Disney World sign while we are driving. But I started thinking, "crap, what if this sign doesn't exist. Or what if it does, but the route we drive doesn't pass it."

I need help!

We are flying into Sanford-Orlando and driving a rental car to our resort, Port Orleans Riverside. Do any of you know if there is a big WDW sign on the way to our resort? I've seen pictures of a Welcome to WDW archway with Mickey and Minnie on each side... But will we even drive under that?

Or is there somewhere we can pull over that exudes Disney before we get to the resort? I'd like it to be a big announcement, not just driving up to the resort.

They, boys 8, 7 & 5, are under the assumption that we are taking our yearly trip to Hilton Head where Grandma and Grandpa live.

Also it may be worth mentioning that this is my first time at WDW as well as theirs. I'm clueless! But probably more excited than I have been for just about anything in my life!

Advice? Suggestions? Help!

I think it would be fun to do a scavenger hunt like on the way. but like someone said they will know they are going to orlando and disney is in orlando. or you could just act like you have no idea where you are or how you got there and then just decide to stay.

but yes the big sign is still there if you go thought some of the other entrance there is a smaller sign but still there are signs

 

[richmo]

...We exit Route 4 for 535 and then come in by Crossroads Plaza, Hotel Plaza Blvd past Disney Springs and then up Bonnet Creek Parkway...

Yeah, the Hotel Plaza Blvd entrance doesn't have the arch. It does have a nice welcome sign on each side of the road, but it isn't the overhead arch.

What's the Auto Train?

AutoTrain is a train you board in Lorton, VA (a little south of Washington DC) that takes you and your car from there to Sanford, FL. Its definitely not cheap...usually its cheaper to fly and rent a car, unless you're on an extended stay in Orlando (probably 2 weeks +). Some like to drive one way and AutoTrain the other...that makes it a little more cost effective.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I'm thinking of ways to surprise my kids next summer too.

Mine know we're going to FL(we go every summer, but never WDW). I was thinking of pretending to be doing the last check of luggage and then pulling out the box of Magic Bands and asking my husband if he packed them... Then asking the kids. My kids are 9 and watch a lot of theme park videos on YouTube so they know what they are.

I don't know... That's all I've come up with so far.

 

[RustManFan]

Firstimerz, Amtrak runs the Auto Train between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida. They include a number of car carriers and we like not having to do packing for an airplane and having our own car with us. It leaves Virginia around 4 pm and arrives in Florida the next morning. Many things can impact the arrival and departure times, however. There are sleeping accomodations but we always just sit in our coach seats. Bring you own pillow!!

Dinner and a continental breakfast are included and snacks can be purchased from the dining car.

We love it! And we don't have to worry about what we might purchase at WDW! We are from NJ so we drive down to Lorton which isn't far south of DC. Sometimes the night before and sometimes early on the day of departure.

First took it 'cause my sister won't fly and she has often come along on WDW trips. Great when we needed camping equipment to tent camp at FW!

Just priced it for an imaginary trip starting on Halloween and it was cheaper than 2 people flying and renting a car. Discounts of various types available (kids free, AAA and more) Getting sleeping accomodations is what might make it costly....

More info on the Transportation forum.... or Amtrak.com

 

[Giraffeitis]

Hi
Maybe a note saying
"Look who's Going to Disney World?
Let me know if you'd like one personalized for your boys--just need family name or kids first name.
feel free to say thanks but no thanks
Have a wonderful surprise trip
Hugs Mel

An idea off of this as well, is that you could decorate a mirror in your home that says something like "Look who's Going to Disney World?".

 

[georgina]

And the OP will also see the videos of kids who are actually sad that they aren't doing the thing they were told they were doing.

The older two are surely going to realize something is up at the airport and then on the roads with billboards and such.

I personally would just tell them. It's going to be a surprise no matter how or when you tell them, after all.

Yeah, that would have been my DS when he was young. He cried when we got a new car because he liked the old one, cried when we got a new refrigerator, cried when we got a new kitchen floor, etc. Change was hard. If he had been planning to go to a regular vacation spot and visit his grandparents, a change like that would have upset him. But, everyone is different and some kids handle surprises better than others. Hope you and your family have a great trip OP!

 

[Lothlórien]

And the OP will also see the videos of kids who are actually sad that they aren't doing the thing they were told they were doing.

And what is wrong with that? That was part of the point in watching the videos.

 

[wollydoodle]

We surprised ours at the airport by making them close their eyes while we put mouse ears on their heads. They laughed and I just asked, "guess where we're going?" They were so surprised! (I still get teary when I watch the video. Lol...) I've never driven in from Sanford so just my opinion, but I think it would be really tough to wait until you are driving there from the airport.

 

[cemeb4dk]

Every family is different and each child handles things different. We are dvc members so my daughter has been multiple times, and one trip when she was in kindergarten I thought I would surprise her, seeing other videos of kids joy and excitement encouraged me. Well the wife and I kept it a secret, had t shirts made, even made like a promo commercial with us telling her the surprise on TV. It all backfired, she was sad and cried, I believe it was information overload and there was no time to digest the surprise before we loaded in to the limo for the airport. So that was my 1 and done attempt at a Disney surprise. So as I said you know your kids and how they handle surprises. But if you wait til the end (gates) your going to be stressing about every billboard, and sign that says Disney or Orlando. So maybe the night before you leave, tell them so they can digest it, dream about it and be excited about it. This way the family enjoys the excitement and anticipation of the trip. Have a safe trip and enjoy your first trip

 

[Elliemay2]

We have 3 families going and we are taking our kids out of school a week for Disney. We will be leaving (driving) right after school on a Friday. That day we plan to send each kid (1st - 8th grades) a gift to school. All of the gifts will be unrelated to Disney, but will include a clue card. Once we pick them up after school, we will all meet and the kids can discuss the strange secret anonymous gift they got and figure it out while we secretly video them. Once they figure it out, we will tell them that we are leaving NOW. They will have 17 hours on the road (staying the night half way) to get use to the idea and learn what we have planned for them.

 

[Elliemay2]

We surprised ours at the airport by making them close their eyes while we put mouse ears on their heads. They laughed and I just asked, "guess where we're going?" They were so surprised! (I still get teary when I watch the video. Lol...)

I love this!

 

[RLGNC]

I don't have a specific answer to your question, just wanted to say I am so excited for you and have fun! I agree with some of the PPs, that it will be a surprise any time and some kids need time to process (mine definitely do), but you know what will be most fun for your kids. I like the idea of giving them the magic bands and letting them speak for themselves. I was going to do that with our kids, but we wanted to tell them before the Magic Bands arrived. Anyway, I hope it's magical for all of you!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Are any of your kids timid with new things? When DD was 8 on our first trip, she wouldn't have done well with a surprise. As it was, we had to coax her on every ride because she was afraid of new things. For the record, her first words after every thrill ride were, "Let's do that again!" I loving call her my chicken with the heart of a daredevil.

She did great with a surprise when she was 10 and had already been to Disney twice. On that trip, we just decided to tell her we were going "somewhere" for her birthday, but we thought it would be fun to see how long it would take to figure it out. Since we had a longer trip already scheduled for later in the year, Orlando wasn't even on her radar. I have pictures of her holding the luggage with the Mickey tag right next to her hand. Our flight arrived into Atlanta a few minutes late, so there was a gate agent helping with gate assignments. When he asked for our next destination, I had to say Orlando, and she figured it out then.

 

[Eastern]

I always told my kids months in advance. They would be excited talking about it for a long time. Planning is part of the fun.

 

[Chicago Mo]

I made a video for my kids? Used pictures from previous trips and google images. The program i used was Movie Maker in Windows.. REALLY easy to use!!
Good LUCK!!! You will get YOUR BEST MOM moment too!!!

 

[Princesca]

You could take them to your local Disney Store the night before, and say, "Gee... wow. It would be great to go to Disney World itself, wouldn't it?" And then when they inevitably go yesyesyes, say, "Well I'm glad you think so, because we ARE."

Funny story - when I took my four year old niece, we drove, and told her we were just going to the beach. When we got to WDW, and drove under that sign, we were like, "Look, Lily, where we are! We're going to Disney World!" And she was just like, "Oh."

 

[OHMomof3]

We are surprising our 3 kids (13 DS, 9 DS and 4 DD9 ) in November with our 1st trip to Disney. I too have been thinking about how to tell them, but right now my idea is to get pizza for dinner the night before we go. I am going to ask the pizza place to put pepperoni on the pizza in the shape of Mickey Mouse and then ask for an empty box to hide the magic bands in . I figured I'll open the box at the table and they'll be so surprised!

 

[RLGNC]

We are surprising our 3 kids (13 DS, 9 DS and 4 DD9 ) in November with our 1st trip to Disney. I too have been thinking about how to tell them, but right now my idea is to get pizza for dinner the night before we go. I am going to ask the pizza place to put pepperoni on the pizza in the shape of Mickey Mouse and then ask for an empty box to hide the magic bands in . I figured I'll open the box at the table and they'll be so surprised!

I love this!