***Official Surprise Trips Thread and Planning Tips!***

[Caretames1]

We surprised our DD last year, ( you can see it in my TR below) and now we are doing it again ( notice my PTR)

This time we are going to send her to school like it was any other day, and then go pick her up an hour later. As she walks out to the truck, my DH will be wearing his " Going to WDW" shirt, and holding a sign that says it.

I'm so excited, it's gonna be a blast!

 

[mrstomrice]

We just decided to book a trip for August. With every trip we plan, I say, "Let's surprise the kids!" Every time I have failed....I get so excited to tell them....and they are fun to plan with. Since we have a trip planned for Christmas, I think I can hold out for this one
The plan? We are flying out of Atlantic City for the first time. We were supposed to go to Ohio but I cancelled that after booking Disney. We have told the kids that we will go to the beach for the week instead...explains the drive and the luggage. I think we will wait until we get to the airport and then break the news
The funny thing is that we were actually planning our adrs yesterday with the boys right there...they assume we are talking about Christmas
Wish me luck!

 

[Winue]

We are going Sept 29-oct 9, and while the kids know we are saving for Disney, they don't know that it is fully booked or when. We leave a week after Finding Nemo 3D comes out... So we're thinking of asking them if they want to go see Nemo, and just keep driving to the airport. When they finally clue in and ask where we're going, we will just say "we're going to find Nemo" At Disney...

Might take them from school too... Not 100% yet...

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

We just decided to book a trip for August. With every trip we plan, I say, "Let's surprise the kids!" Every time I have failed....I get so excited to tell them....and they are fun to plan with. Since we have a trip planned for Christmas, I think I can hold out for this one
The plan? We are flying out of Atlantic City for the first time. We were supposed to go to Ohio but I cancelled that after booking Disney. We have told the kids that we will go to the beach for the week instead...explains the drive and the luggage. I think we will wait until we get to the airport and then break the news
The funny thing is that we were actually planning our adrs yesterday with the boys right there...they assume we are talking about Christmas
Wish me luck!

You'll make it this time!

We are going Sept 29-oct 9, and while the kids know we are saving for Disney, they don't know that it is fully booked or when. We leave a week after Finding Nemo 3D comes out... So we're thinking of asking them if they want to go see Nemo, and just keep driving to the airport. When they finally clue in and ask where we're going, we will just say "we're going to find Nemo" At Disney...

Might take them from school too... Not 100% yet...

Neat idea!

 

[fitzy819]

It's been about a year since DH and I went to WDW and I'm getting the itch again. When DH and I were there last we talked about how much my mother would enjoy a WDW trip since she hasn't been in about 20 years and is such a Disney fanatic.

Sooo, I came up with a plan!

My mother's 50th birthday is next September. My sister and I are planning to surprise her with a trip, and she will have no idea until the day of.

For now the plan goes a little something like this. We will convince my mother to come visit me for her 50th birthday. We will buy her a plane ticket to my house and come up with some kind of reason that she must spend her birthday here. (She loves the beach and I live on the coast so hopefully it won't take too much convincing) This way she will take the days off on her own and I wont have to come up with a plan to secretly get her time off. My sister goes to college a few hours away from my house as well so she will drive here to "spend a few days with my mom for her bday." The next morning we will wake her up early with some "early birthday presents", all Disney related items. The last present will be something to announce that we are going to Disney and we are leaving right now! We will drive to Disney that day (get there that afternoon) and then the next day, and her first day in a Disney park in over 20 years, will be HER BIRTHDAY! YAY!

I am super excited about this trip. My mom is going to just die! It has been a hard few years for her and my sis and I want to do something extra special for her on her 50th birthday. I just know she will love it. I'm hoping Disney will announce any 2013 military discounts soon so we can plan exactly how much we will need to save for this trip.

 

[CityGirlLost]

I'm getting married at the Wedding Pavilion on November 1. My parents weren't going to come to the wedding. My dad has never been and my mom is afraid to leave my dad alone. Plus they're retired so a trip really isn't in their budget.

So... when free dining was announced for the week of my wedding last week, my sister and I decided to stockpile our savings and get my parents the trip to Disney so they can be there with us. It's a little devious but we plan on telling them they have to accept this trip because it's already paid for and there are no refunds.

My dad's birthday is on August 6th so we're shooting for the big reveal then but how? Any suggestions on something we can wrap like a present that says "You're Going to Disney World!"

 

[Sunday]

We are surprising our daughter (5) with a trip to Disney this September. We've been before, but have always revealed before we actually leave. This time, we're going to try and see how long it takes her to clue in.

The husband wants to simply pack some bags and tell her that Mummy has a business trip but we're coming along too. That there will be a pool and restaurants, so we won't be bored.

Then literally see how far the ruse gets us. To the airport? Through security? To Orlando? On the ME? Maybe until we get to the gates of POR or heck, maybe until we sit down at our first ADR!

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

I'm getting married at the Wedding Pavilion on November 1. My parents weren't going to come to the wedding. My dad has never been and my mom is afraid to leave my dad alone. Plus they're retired so a trip really isn't in their budget.

So... when free dining was announced for the week of my wedding last week, my sister and I decided to stockpile our savings and get my parents the trip to Disney so they can be there with us. It's a little devious but we plan on telling them they have to accept this trip because it's already paid for and there are no refunds.

My dad's birthday is on August 6th so we're shooting for the big reveal then but how? Any suggestions on something we can wrap like a present that says "You're Going to Disney World!"

I don't know what you could wrap up, but just going to his daughter's wedding would be a big surprise!

 

[Verstehen]

I'm going to be calling my mom today to announce that she's getting a surprise trip to Disney over labor day weekend (or anywhere in central FL she wants, but I have a feeling she'll pick Disney). Can anyone recommend a sound or video clip I can play her over the phone? Something that might give her a hint without giving it away.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

Bump!

 

[txcpamom]

Not only is this our first trip to WDW and a surprise for the kids, but it will also be DD's first time to stay in a hotel, and both kids' first time to fly! We will be staying at the Poly in Oct. DS is 8 and DD is 6.

I was going to do a rhyming scavenger hunt, but instead I think I will print each part of the "poem" on a separate sheet of paper and put it together like a book. I will have that sitting on a wrapped gift that will have the Disney planning DVD, Disney souvenir maps, the autograph books I am making, and some Mickey head helium balloons inside. I also want to have the car shoe-polished with "Disney or bust," Mickey heads, etc, and hidden in the garage.

When they get home from school, I will have them take turns reading a page of the book, and then open the gift together, all on video, of course.

(I know it is corny because I am NOT in the slightest a poet & I tried to use words they can read, and I am sure I will tweak it several times.)

My 1st rough draft is:

Mom and Dad have been married for 10 whole years now,
And we want to celebrate so big you'll say "WOW"!

Since the best gifts we've ever been given are you two,
We knew our big plans would have to include you!

We thought we should start with a night in a hotel...
In Dallas if you both think that plan sounds well.

The Dallas airport is right near by.
So we thought the next morning we could all fly.

Next we had to decide where we should go.
It had to be amazing and happy, and so...

We found the most magical place for our favorite boy and girl.
So get ready for our first ever trip to Walt Disney World!!!

Now how long to stay? One day, maybe two?
We decided a whole week if that's okay with you!

We should probably wait, but we just don't know how,
So quick, grab your bags, because we're leaving now!!!!

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

I think your poem's great! Tell us when you surprise them!

- MouseEarsForAll

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

So excited about our surprise!

Background: We surprised our kids with a trip in 2010 (they were 7 & 9 at the time). They had been on many trips to disney before, but this time we surprised them by saying we couldn't go to Disney this year for vacation, but we were driving to Pops & Grandma's house in CT (about 3 hours away). Had a great surprise planned... drive south 'til they notice something isn't right. Unfortunately about an hour into the trip I got hit with a stomache bug and, because I was so miserable, we sprung the surpise early and ended up just telling them we were headed.- Great surprise-- they screamed, yelled and loved it, but I was really sick for the entire drive, and then my husband got it and we spent an extra night on the road- missed our first day at Disney etc. The kids were awesome and so excited, happy and thrilled with the surprise trip, but I was so disappointed because it didn't go how I had planned. We ended up having a great trip (thank goodness for the "24" hour bug) and the kids will never forget the surprise........... but:
I want to do it again and do it better

This time.... we are going to make the surprise a Christmas gift. We won't be going until February, but we will spring the surpise on the kids (now 12 & 10) through their Christmas gifts- T-Shirts, pins, other gifts (any suggestions?). This will be great becuse I really want to do the surpise, but I also know that one of the things our family loves about trips to Disney is the planning. This give us both- surprise at Christmas with time for anticipation and planning!

Sorry so long, but I am so excited, I just had to get it out there to those who will understand!!

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

So excited about our surprise!

Background: We surprised our kids with a trip in 2010 (they were 7 & 9 at the time). They had been on many trips to disney before, but this time we surprised them by saying we couldn't go to Disney this year for vacation, but we were driving to Pops & Grandma's house in CT (about 3 hours away). Had a great surprise planned... drive south 'til they notice something isn't right. Unfortunately about an hour into the trip I got hit with a stomache bug and, because I was so miserable, we sprung the surpise early and ended up just telling them we were headed.- Great surprise-- they screamed, yelled and loved it, but I was really sick for the entire drive, and then my husband got it and we spent an extra night on the road- missed our first day at Disney etc. The kids were awesome and so excited, happy and thrilled with the surprise trip, but I was so disappointed because it didn't go how I had planned. We ended up having a great trip (thank goodness for the "24" hour bug) and the kids will never forget the surprise........... but:
I want to do it again and do it better

This time.... we are going to make the surprise a Christmas gift. We won't be going until February, but we will spring the surpise on the kids (now 12 & 10) through their Christmas gifts- T-Shirts, pins, other gifts (any suggestions?). This will be great becuse I really want to do the surpise, but I also know that one of the things our family loves about trips to Disney is the planning. This give us both- surprise at Christmas with time for anticipation and planning!

Sorry so long, but I am so excited, I just had to get it out there to those who will understand!!

Sounds awesome!

 

[3 Little Princesses]

I'm so excited!!! After 3 years without a contract we settled this summer-we just recieved our retro and I was able to buy our airfare!!! We have been planning a surprise for Christmas but we weren't sure if we could pull it off financially (one reason we are making it a surprise). Now with this extra cash and a small raise we WILL be going! I have had our reservations at AoA and all of our ADRs done since June. I was praying I wouldn't have to cancel-now we don't! We are still surprising the girls on Christmas (we leave 12/28). They think we can't go until next summer.

This will be our first family vacation since our DD2 was 1! I am lucky I get to go to WDW every year as a chaperone for the High School where I teach-my 3 youngest DDs have never been. I am so excited I had to share with everyone here. I know you would understand my excitment!!!

I have been talking to them about our trip "next summer" getting their input and ideas for so long. They ask about going everytime they see something about WDW. Once I have more details about the reveal I will be sharing. To top it off tomorrow we will be in DOUBLE DIGITS!!!!

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

I'm so excited!!! After 3 years without a contract we settled this summer-we just recieved our retro and I was able to buy our airfare!!! We have been planning a surprise for Christmas but we weren't sure if we could pull it off financially (one reason we are making it a surprise). Now with this extra cash and a small raise we WILL be going! I have had our reservations at AoA and all of our ADRs done since June. I was praying I wouldn't have to cancel-now we don't! We are still surprising the girls on Christmas (we leave 12/28). They think we can't go until next summer.

This will be our first family vacation since our DD2 was 1! I am lucky I get to go to WDW every year as a chaperone for the High School where I teach-my 3 youngest DDs have never been. I am so excited I had to share with everyone here. I know you would understand my excitment!!!

I have been talking to them about our trip "next summer" getting their input and ideas for so long. They ask about going everytime they see something about WDW. Once I have more details about the reveal I will be sharing. To top it off tomorrow we will be in DOUBLE DIGITS!!!!

Congrats! Sounds exciting! How will you surprise them? I'm working on ideas for my Christmas surprise and haven't settled on exactly what we're going to do- something involving their presents.

 

[snarfblatt]

We are surprising our boys 9 & 6 for our week at Thanksgiving. Some of our friends joining us are actually coming to our house to stay and fly out if our airport-- but their kids are being surprised too! Surprises all around!! I am ordering some Disney shirts and that morning of our flight waking them up like we're late for school and have them put the Disney shirts on.... Surprise!!!!!

 

[lovemy3girls]

We surprised our kids 2 years ago. Check out the story of our surprise on my blog (link in signature). It's titled To Tell or Not To Tell.

 

[tmbowers]

We are surprising our girls 7 and 4 with a trip the week before Christmas. This will be the second surprise trip. Last year we surprised them with an October trip that included MNSSHP. We woke them up for an "early breakfast" and at each dd's place was a Tinker Bell sack that had several little Disney trinkets. We then told them to hurry and get dressed because we were leaving for Disney. Bless their hearts, they were so stunned (and still sleepy) it took a little while to sink in!

Now, working on how to surprise them this year. They both keep saying that they are asking Santa for a Disney trip but i keep telling them not to get their hopes up. Thinking about wrapping a present for each one that includes the park maps, an autograph book, etc., waking them up (early b/c our flight leaves at 7:40) and telling them Santa came early and left them each a present. Still working on the precise details.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

We are surprising our boys 9 & 6 for our week at Thanksgiving. Some of our friends joining us are actually coming to our house to stay and fly out if our airport-- but their kids are being surprised too! Surprises all around!! I am ordering some Disney shirts and that morning of our flight waking them up like we're late for school and have them put the Disney shirts on.... Surprise!!!!!

What fun! The shirts are a great idea.