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

[Davey Jones II]

One possibility: you could take the pic in post # 6 and set it as the background picture of your PC or laptop. Then tell the kids, "Come see something on the computer."

Or you can make more of a production out of it: blow up that and other Disney World related images into poster size and slap them on the wall of a room. Have a Disney World planning trip video running on a TV or PC. Then tell them there's a surprise waiting in that room. Open the door, and voila! Once they've processed the surprise, exclaim, "We're going to Disney World!"

 

[EdmondD]

 

[RedOne3781]

Maybe tell them before you go to the airport? Put together little Disney related treat bags for the flight, wrap their magic bands and put them in the treat bag too. Include some Disney related puzzle books or word search games, etc. Things that will keep them occupied during the flight. Then give them the bags right before you leave for the airport.

I like your idea about telling them when you are passing under the sign, however there is no safe way to stop by that sign and it takes about a second to drive under it, so my concern is that it will be a "blink and you miss it" situation. Paired with the fact that you haven't been to WDW before either, I think that approach could be too overwhelming for all involved and might be a distraction for whomever is driving your rental car. Also they will probably figure out something is off when your flight lands in Orlando.

 

[LSUfan4444]

has it been said yet where the kids think they are going?

 

[ALostBoy]

Yes you will go under a Welcome to WDW sign. Coming down I-4 go to exit 67 Epcot Center Dr. soon after exiting I-4 you will go under the overhead
sign. Also to get to Port Orleans just keep going straight and follow the signs. If you want to "drive" and see it go to google earth and do street view.
We have surprised our girls a couple of time and it was a blast for us and them. You know your kids so just do what you think is best. Hope y'all have
a blast.

 

[FigmentSpark]

What about scheduling a phone call from Mickey to arrive when you're checking in at the airport? You can say that Mickey changed your mind with his invitation and you'll be going to WDW instead? That way, they have time to talk about the trip on the plane and they won't get tipped off by the multitude of Disney ads everywhere around the airport and Orlando.

Have a great trip. Do you have your fastpasses set up, yet? If not, you're late. Get on it. Now.

 

[DanaRylan]

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

Wow! I love this! I need to get my rear in gear and working on stuff.

 

[JustMeFran]

Maybe tell them before you go to the airport? Put together little Disney related treat bags for the flight, wrap their magic bands and put them in the treat bag too. Include some Disney related puzzle books or word search games, etc. Things that will keep them occupied during the flight. Then give them the bags right before you leave for the airport.

I like this! Maybe give them the package the morning that you leave, on the breakfast table or some such =)

 

[keishashadow]

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.

Yes, there are so many videos posted wherein a child is blind-sided, sobbing uncontrollably, not tears of joy either.

Many think it's adorable, I find it disturbing. Everyone knows their own kids best but I know the first thing mine would've asked was "...why did you lie to me?". For my kids being part of the planning, especially as to which rides, resort and restaurants we'd be selecting down to watching the countdown calendar shrink was all part of the fun.

at the very least I'd do as suggested above and let the kiddies know at the departure airport (or when you get in car for the drive) is to let the announcement time to sink in. By the time you arrive at 'the world' they will have had some time to process things and will be rarin to go

 

[MommaBerd]

Is it just me, or is it odd that this thread was moved to the Transportation forum?

 

[RedOne3781]

Is it just me, or is it odd that this thread was moved to the Transportation forum?

Not just you.

 

[Vijoge]

I've been tossing around a ton of ideas on how to tell the girls they're going to WDW and finally decided on this puzzle. I'm wrapping it up for Christmas and it will be under their tree Christmas Morning. That only gives me 31 days of "When are we going?"

 

[Elliemay2]

Love it!

 

[Geoff_M]

I realize this thread is a couple of months old, but I'd like to offer a bit of contrarian advice. We surprised our kids one time (they'd already been once or twice before) when they are about as old as the OP's kids. We spent the weekend at my inlaws in Southern Indiana and used that as the pretense of the road trip, but when it came time to go "home" we went South instead. The older ones started asking questions when we crossed the Ohio river, and then told them. The reaction was much more muted then my wife and I expected. In fact they were stunned silent at the news. They were happy that we were going, but it was a major emotional curve ball we threw at them. Part of it was that we denied them a very fun part of the experience... the fun of the anticipation of the build-up before actually going. For a lot of kids (and grown-ups like me) all of the happy thoughts and discussions about the trip beforehand are about as much fun as the trip itself. I know for me the "peak" excitement for a WDW trip when somewhere between when we get on the plane and when we see the first Disney property sign.