Need some serious creative help!!

[metsno1]

OK, here's the situation. My wife and I and our two DD's (9 and 7) will be heading South on Sept. 18 for 9 nights at CSR with free dining!! We've been planning this trip for months, and we're getting down to the nitty gritty! Our flight leaves Buffalo at 2:30 in the afternoon (nice non-stop to Orlando on Airtran). Earlier that day, I am speaking at a conference, which is also inBuffalo. I just started researching parking rates near the airport, and I found that it would only be slightly more expensive to stay over on the 17th at the hotel where my conference is being held (and park there for free during the trip), so I went ahead and booked it (actually got a great rate with $100 credit in their restaurants-free dining starts a day early!!!!).

So here's where I need help:

The kids are totally, 100%, completely IN THE DARK. The last time we went to ASMo, they requested that the next trip be a complete surprise. Well, it's been two years, and they WILL be surprised. Our plan is to tell them that they're going to get a day off from school so that they can come and see Dad speak at the conference in Buffalo, and that we're staying at a really cool hotel with an indoor pool and a hot tub, and all that. They'll think that's pretty cool. Plus, we'll be able to do all of the serious packing and loading of the luggage while they're at school on the 17th. Anyway, we'll do the night at the hotel, get up in the morning, I'll go speak at the conference from 10:30-12:00, and that's where I start to come up short......

We'll be in the hotel, ready to head home from the girls perspective (when actually we'll need to load up the luggage on the airport shuttle), and it's time to "let them in on the secret!"

What's the coolest way you can think of to tell them where they're about to go??????

 

[tweedlemom]

Anyway you could stop by the front desk and have them say that there's been a message left for your daughter's by a Mr. M. Mouse--he needs to see them right away. Or have the bellhop have Mickey ears on, or have a friend who can impersonate Mickey's voice call your cell phone at just the right time and ask the girls to come to Florida?

 

[metsno1]

I really like the idea of incorporating the hotel staff somehow....hmmmm.....thanks.

I was also considering trying to stretch the surprise aspect out as long as possible...even all the way to the plane if I could....just not sure how. I think my 9 year old will figure it out too quickly....

 

[amyhughes]

Granted we are driving. But we have decided not to tell the kids until we basically pull up at the hotel where we are going. If your children are in for a "Treasure Hunt" of sorts you can pack a small bag for each of them and check you luggage, say, "Let's go on a treaure hunt and see where it leads." This is where Dad, you gotta be a bit of a creative writer. Make clues to lead your daughters from the hotel, to the plane, to the shuttle at Orlando MCO, then of course to Disney Express. At this point they will probably have figured it out but you must be a good actor!!!

Before you leave you may want to contact your hotel, maybe send them an X to be placed in your room. Most CMs would be delighted to do so, when your room is ready. Their treasure is Disney World. A HUGE Treasure chest if there ever was one!