Keeping it a surprise

[ValerieK]

We are trying to keep our trip to WDW a surprise from our DS 10 and DD 3. I am not concerned about our DD, but our DS catches on pretty easily.

How did you keep your trip a surprise with planning, packing, etc?

 

[winniedapooh]

First and foremost I wrote on this board a lot to keep my excitement from spilling over at home. DH and I kept it a secret for 6 and a half months. Next several weeks before we went away I told the kids we may go away for a weekend at the beach. Now this was winter time so to explain the bathing suits I told them the hotel had an indoor heated pool. They knew the hotel and were quite excited. On Christmas morning they each got a box with a t-shirt, guest of honor badge, and a note inviting them to join us at WDW with the plane leaving in 9 hours! It was a great surprise and worth it to keep it a secret. Good luck and pixie dust to you!

 

[Castillo Mom]

I tried for about 2 seconds and failed!

 

[goofyandmore]

You can do it!!! I am doing it right now. I also shared my excitement with members of this board and have been posting a lot. My oldest is 14 1/2. They have been waiting to go back to disney for 3 years. I told them we are going to South Carolina which is also nice, but they will be thrilled by disney. They are going to find out at the airport.

I have been tempted to spill the beans since I decided to go back in December, but what keeps me going is that I know it will make them sooooo happy to be surprised this way. The look on their faces will be amazing.

 

[Shooby doo]

We're hoping to keep it a secret all the way to the airport!We're busily trying to come up with scenarios of what we are doing! One problem is that we normally start packing about 3 weeks out & there is normally an itinery posted to the fridge door.We were only there last year so up till now DS is none the wiser!!
SD

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

How about you tell them you ARE going but not till much later in the year-then spring it on them the day you leave. That way if they catch you packing, etc... you can shrug it off as early preparation .
Thats kind of what Im doing with my DD for our trip next week (but we actually ARE going again for Halloween, yah!). So when I slip I write it off as "I was talking about the Halloween trip!" She actually did catch me packing her Disney clothes the other day! I told her I just couldnt wait!! And that way you can feel free to share ideas and such with them. Good luck!

 

[iloveeeyore]

We've told them we're starting to THINK about where we should stay oin our next trip, which they think is summer 2005, and asking them what they want to do most, what restaurants, etc.

Don't know how to spring it yet, though. Looking for ideas. Maybe for dds 10th in Aug.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

sorry double post

 

[AdventurerKat]

Its helped for me that I have had future trips planned too so if I am talking, I just relate it to that. My son knows we are going in fall with my friend and her daughter. The other thing that helps is he is only 4.

I was looking for ideas on how to surprise him too and people gave me lots of good ideas. I think that is going to be the best part. His sheer shock and surprise that we are going to WDW. Not next month or next year, but NOW. I can't wait!

 

[lasmickey]

We've been keeping our September trip a surprise from our two DD's (7 & 4) for almost 9 months already, and lately I've been considering "spilling the beans". I'm just sooooo excited, and I can't wait for them to know, although after reading this I now have the willpower to go on with the surprise.

We have been gathering things to put in a small backpack for them for the trip, (disposable disney princess cameras, autograph books, fat pens, etc) and we plan to incorporate these things in the way we tell them. We plan to tell them the evening before we leave (we'll be leaving for the airport at about 4 a.m., so we thought it might be better that they know ahead of time that they have to be up so early!). They know we're going "sometime" as soon as we "save enough money" (and they've decided that will probably not be for another 1 1/2 - 2 years). Anyway, I was thinking of saying "Girls, we need to decide when we should go to Disney World" then ask them when they think would be best. I'll let them give some ideas, then say "How about tomorrow morning!!!" Then give them their new backpacks filled with surprises for the trip. What do you guys think? Do you think it will work? Anyone have any ideas of how to make the plan better?

I've also thought of doing a treasure hunt that ends with them getting their new backpacks with a note attached that says, "Well, we've finally saved enough money, we're leaving.... TOMORROW!"

 

[ValerieK]

I can't really tell him we are going somewhere else, we are leaving on a school day. He would figure it out. I think we will be okay with the packing. I could do laundry and just keep some of his clothes. We have been talking about going for DD's 4 th birthday, so I can use that as an excuse.

I am just way too excited. It is DH's 40th birthday and I got a birthday Illuminations cruise as a surprise! So I can't even share the exciting news with him.

I know how we are going to tell him. We are having him wake up like he is going to school and then tell him we are leaving for the airport to go to Disney. I just hope I can get his teachers not to blow it!

Any more suggestions would be great.

 

[AdventurerKat]

lasmickey, I think that's a great idea telling them you need to decide when to go and then springing it on them.