Need help with a Surprise!

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

We are surprising our kids and my parents with the resort we are staying at in May for the first 3 days. I wanted something to be a surprise reveal right before we leave since I didn't know that a lot of people do the whole reveal thing. I am disappointed that I didn't do that with the whole trip! Would've been fun seeing them open a gift revealing we are going to Disney. They all know about the trip, but like I said, I want to do some sort of reveal. They don't know we will be staying in a villa at Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I want to do something with that theme in mind...maybe something with balloons...don't know. Any ideas?

 

[ccstrickler]

When do you want them to know--ie when you get there, before? If you want to do it when you get there, maybe you could set the GPS for Animal Kingdom and land there by "accident"? If before, card saying to please stop at AK as soon as you arrive. I'm not very creative. I always wrap a box in a box in a box, but I don't think that would work. Post what you decide. We have to wait until November for the TRIP.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

If you wanted to wrap an "animal" balloon bouquet in a big box, you could use those plastic animals (similar to the dinosaurs) as the balloon weights. I've seen all different kinds of safari animals at Toys r Us. Or maybe you could cook/buy an african-themed meal & have everyone eat on zebra striped plates, giraffe cups, etc... Serve zebra domes for dessert with a little stand that says "We're staying in Animal Kingdom." Either way, have fun! You're going to Disney!!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are usually a couple of threads related to this subject in the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies Forum.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips guys! I think I am going to reveal it the night before somehow. I like the animal balloon weights! I may have to do something like that! Thanx for responding everyone!

 

[mommy2mrb]

why not just wait until you pull up to the resort.....let them figure out for themselves'

I took my DD to DLR last April and surprised her with staying at the Grand CA resort, when I didn't turn to where we usually stayed,
she said" mom you missed the turn...
I said " oh I'll turn around...pulled into the Grand CA...her eyes got so big...pulled up to the parking attendant and said...reservations for us...
she flipped!!!

good luck with what you decide and have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Spikerdink]

Since they know about the actual trip to Disney...most of the suprise is gone... (BTW - I love the commercials that Disney airs with the kids being given the gift of going to Disney)

Years ago, I took my neice and nephew to Disney... put together a whole scavenger hunt for them to find clues about the trip.

Maybe you could start with a Disney invite under the dinner plates - have each child (and mom!) go searching for clues around the house. Maybe each clue is just a letter and all the clues can be unscrambled to read Animal Kingdom...or have the final clue to be some stuffed animals that they might see at AKL.

If you want to get creative with mom - plan a special dinner and have clues for her that lead to that event....

Just some ideas - but sounds great! Wish someone would do that for me!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I love those commercials too! It's weird b/c I had just been watching "Disney reveal" videos on utube, and then they started airing those commercials. That's actually why I wanted to do some sort of surprise. I was mad at myself for not revealing it in a fun way! Thanx for the ideas! I love them. The scavenger hunt sounds really fun!

 

[Momofthreemen]

We surprised our boys with a stay at Animal Kingdom lodge. We drove so on the way we told them we were going to get there to early to check in. We suggested we go to AKL to see the animals while we wait. I had the video camera going as we pulled in "taking pictures of the entrance and resort". I got the boys when the valet was getting our luggage and they were asking why they are taking our stuff. I asked them why do they normally take our stuff when we go on vacation. It took them a few minutes to figure out "WE ARE STAYING HERE!!" That was a magical moment. It is now known as our lies and decet Disney trip!!! They were in on all the planing thinking we were staying at Pop Centry. Unknown to them we were doing a totally different trip. We did conceige level, the back stage safari's, lunch with an imagineer. It was wonderful. A trip they will never forget nor will we.