Ideas to surprise my kids! Please!

[goofy370]

Last year we surprised my two sons 12 and 14 with a trip. We told them we were going to Wildwood for the weekend but when we got to the airport in Atlantic City we told them surprise!! We are going to Disney for Star Wars Weekends. They didn't jump up and down but were smiling from ear to ear!! We are doing the same thing to them this year too. We told them my husbands cousin is getting married in Florida and we have to go. This time we aren't telling them til we actually get on property. We rented a car to keep up the act. The things we do!! Lol.

To the original poster... have a blast and enjoy your trip!! The kids will love it

 

[pigletto]

We planned a trip for December. Some time in July we decided we had a free week in August and changed our dates. We told the kids we were going camping. For WEEKS dd had to be polite about going camping when I knew she would rather spend the week at the dentist

This covered the time away, and the packing. We didn't have to be secretive about anything other than the destination which made it much easier.
We told them the night before with "We have good news and bad news..."
Obviously the bad news was we weren't going camping. Watching dd trying to feign disappointment was HILARIOUS. Then to the good news which was Disney of course.
They both were so excited they cried. Screaming, jumping, dancing.. it was wonderful!

 

[Monknmom]

I love that idea that you have! i think that it's going to be great! I wouldn't tell them the night before because you want them to get a good night sleep! I hope that it goes well and can't wait to hear about it!

 

[LookinUp]

OP, sounds like your plans are gelling nicely. I'll bet everyone is very pleasantly surprised. I like the suggestion to have all the girls sleep together, if possible, so you can surprise them all at once. And love waking them to Disney music -- and bacon! Yum! Just remember to turn down the volume a bit once they emerge and you start the videocam rolling. Oh! And don't forget to pack the vidcam charger.
Not to worry about mani/pedi's before you go. Just bring supplies, or if flying, try the Del Sol shop at MCO where the girls can pick out nail polish that changes color in the sun. So fun!
Have a ball!!!

PP: Love, love, love the "Brusselsprout World" gimmick. We are planning to surprise DD with our upcoming trip, and this would be perfect! Esp as DH is a huge fan of sprouts and DD hates them, and planning an edutainment vacay would be just like me. Teehee!

 

[lisaross]

Just wanted to wish u a FUN trip! I never surprised my kids with Disney as i would be too excited, BUT we did surprise them with day trips - telling them we had to go shopping and would wind up at an indoor water park or when they were younger...a surprise trip to Sesame nothing like seeing their faces light up!

ENJOY MICKEY!!

 

[pamluvsdisney]

OP update here. Haven't told them yet. Mom took them to dinner and is on the way here. No mani/pedis... no time, I had to work.

DH and I have our stuff packed and in the car. I have mostly packed DD12 and DD9. I have a list for DD15 and will help her in the morning.

I have no worries about spoiling her plans, she has none. She has been asking what we are going to do this summer all week!! But I know she is clueless. I told her that we might go to Tenn to a waterpark resort where we spent a weekend last yr. We are going to Indiana to a wedding this summer and that is the 'big' trip to her.

I know she might be shocked and somewhat disappointed about not planning, but I know she will get over it. She loves Disney and travel too much. I am going to try to video. Might wake her first then go into wake younger two that we are going to have sleep in same room tonight.

I hope plan works and I dont' forget anything. I know to temper my excitement in case their reaction is quiet.

Probably won't post again until we return 6/4.

Thanks for all the ideas and well wishes. You guys have done some great surprises for your kids. Love the stories!
Pam

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I would just tell them the afternoon/evening before. Pack your bags, we're going to Disney! That will give them time to pack, charge all of their electronics, shower at night if they don't want to in the morning, paint their toenails, etc.

I don't think a 15 year old is going to be pleased to be woken at 6am, when they're planning on sleeping in, and only given an hour or two to eat breakfast, get ready and pack their stuff before they need to leave for a vacation.

This was my reaction as well. I would be prepared for stormy and intense silence and pouting if you wake your 15 year old up at 6 am and give her 2 hours to pack. Give the kids at least a day to prepare, to cancel other plans, to charge (and find) everything they want to bring etc.

 

[pamluvsdisney]

OP and family are back from vacation at Disney.

We had a great time. 6 days in parks and 2 waterparks and Disney Quest. Busy time, my kids were taught (by me) that to get things done you have to hit the parks when they open. I need a vacation! Couple days were a later start but, they like to ride the big stuff!

Anyway, the girls DD15, DD12, DD9, were soooo surprised and in shock.

We woke them at 6:30am to Disney's "When you wish Upon a Star" playing loudly. I had on Mickey ears, Disney tee and lanyard. My DH had on goofy hat and lanyard. They couldn't figure out why the music was so loud. We started saying, "school's out...does anyone want to go anywhere? What should we do??!!" DD15 got up first and said Disney World? When? I said NOW!. She was shocked and couldn't believe it. I told her all we had to do is pack her stuff everything else was in the car. DD9 said "I'm packed?" I said yes, let's go. She was up and hugging us. DD12 wouldn't get out of bed til I turned off the camera.

DD15 was fine about being surprised and loves Disney so much. No complaints that morning or all week!

We had everything charged and laundry all done.

They all happily got ready and we were in the car before 8am. Not bad!

So no big reactions, but all smiles and happiness for a week. A couple times this week they said, I can't believe we are here. Priceless.

Good trip. Thanks for your suggestions. Glad I surprised them but I won't do it again.

Pam

 

[bucket o' butter]

Since you don't think you can get packed beforehand, I would wake the kids up and tell them you are going somewhere on vacation. Possibly a closer amusement park or vacation spot near your home??? That way they can help you get packed, but won't know the location. Don't let on to going to Disney until you have to.

We surprised our kids a couple of times with vacation and it is so much fun. One time we went to Florida in December so it was easy for me to pack all of their things since they don't wear shorts in Indiana in the winter! We woke them up early and told them we were going on a family day trip. They were none too pleased to have to get up that early, but we all eventually got in the car and headed south. We had them guess where we were going. After an hour of driving or so, one of the kids blurted out "Are we going to Florida?". When we said yes, they about had a heart attack. The one who guessed was just joking! It was great! The other time we surprised them was for a Disney trip. They knew we were going to Disney, but thought we were driving. We had to drive for a couple of hours to get to the airport. DH acted like he got in the wrong lane when we drove by the airport. Had a fake "temper tantrum" about missing his turn. It was hilarious. We pulled up to the drop off zone and he pulled up to the curb and said "Everybody get out! We are flying to Disney". They actually froze and didn't know what to do. Finally they go out and we had a great trip to Disney! Good luck with your surprise! If there is any way, keep it a surprise for as long as you possibly can. If you could pack for them the night before after they go to bed, that would be even better.

 

[jjsmom]

OP, I've got a particularly challenging day ahead, but your post made me grin from ear to ear!! I know it wasn't easy pulling off that surprise, but it's made my day. Thanks for sharing!

 

[owenbyd]

OP and family are back from vacation at Disney.

We had a great time. 6 days in parks and 2 waterparks and Disney Quest. Busy time, my kids were taught (by me) that to get things done you have to hit the parks when they open. I need a vacation! Couple days were a later start but, they like to ride the big stuff!

Anyway, the girls DD15, DD12, DD9, were soooo surprised and in shock.

We woke them at 6:30am to Disney's "When you wish Upon a Star" playing loudly. I had on Mickey ears, Disney tee and lanyard. My DH had on goofy hat and lanyard. They couldn't figure out why the music was so loud. We started saying, "school's out...does anyone want to go anywhere? What should we do??!!" DD15 got up first and said Disney World? When? I said NOW!. She was shocked and couldn't believe it. I told her all we had to do is pack her stuff everything else was in the car. DD9 said "I'm packed?" I said yes, let's go. She was up and hugging us. DD12 wouldn't get out of bed til I turned off the camera.

DD15 was fine about being surprised and loves Disney so much. No complaints that morning or all week!

We had everything charged and laundry all done.

They all happily got ready and we were in the car before 8am. Not bad!

So no big reactions, but all smiles and happiness for a week. A couple times this week they said, I can't believe we are here. Priceless.

Good trip. Thanks for your suggestions. Glad I surprised them but I won't do it again.

Pam

Thanks for the update - made my day