So when should we tell them?...

[bigfish2215]

We are leaving next Friday for our 1st WDW trip.
When should we tell our kids? Thanksgiving night or Friday morning when the Limo comes to pick us up to take us to the airport?
My kids DD(14 tommorrow) and DS(10) think we are going to Wisconsin Dells for a week of skiing and swimming. They have no clue about the airplane ride the trip or anything. I have a different suitcase packed for them. They have their winter clothes packed for the upnorth vaca.
I can't believe I have kept my mouth shut for almost 7 mos now.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

How fun! Same situation here. We are going to tell them the nite before so we can get clothes packed and Ipods/phones charged.

 

[tlh0726]

Are you planning on trying to sleep Thanksgiving night? If so, then on the way in the limo or you could wait and see how long it took at the airport for them to realize they have been had.

 

[WisconsinDisneyGirl]

We leave the following Friday! We are wondering when to tell the kids too (DS 9 and DD3). I have been keeping this from them for almost a year! My parents are taking us and did not want us to tell. Easy for them as they don't have to live with the kids! Maybe telling them when the limo picks you up may make for a nice night of rest on Thanksgiving night...........

 

[tripplanner]

I voted for Thanksgiving night. They'll be surprised and excited, but also have time to pack anything they'd like to take to Disney.

 

[visitingapril09]

What a fabulous suprise. Our older kids know about our trip coming up in April. However, our 10 year old, who the trip is really for, won't know until the day before!!

Alison
www.andrewsbravejourney.blogspot.com

 

[browniemtb]

I voted for the limo but I'm torn. I think for kids the anticipation is as much fun as the park itself. Telling them the day of or day before takes that excitement of going, away. I guess just my opinion, so if those were my two choices I would say limo but if you added the third, I'd tell them tomorrow. Then watch their faces for the next week........it will be priceless.

 

[tylerdee]

I never thought about when to "unload" the news on the kiddos. The night before seems probably the most exciting. I hope I can keep it under wraps until then. I'm excited too!

 

[poohfriend]

and it was fun, but I would not do it again. The anticipation factor is part of the fun.

Get some fun the night before too!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I voted for in the limo, but you have a 14 year old - she may have some special outfits that she wants to bring - certain music, etc..... its a hard one..... I don't know - I still go with in the limo... but you know your kids best!!!
Have a great time!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

If you want them to get some sleep, limo. We told the kids when we woke them up in the morning, and it was fun!

 

[pantherlj]

I voted for the limo but I'm torn. I think for kids the anticipation is as much fun as the park itself. Telling them the day of or day before takes that excitement of going, away. I guess just my opinion, so if those were my two choices I would say limo but if you added the third, I'd tell them tomorrow. Then watch their faces for the next week........it will be priceless.

I agree - tell them sooner so they can have fun thinking about all the fun they are getting ready to have! Think about how much fun you have had planning and dreaming......

If those are the only 2 options, I would vote for the next morning so they will sleep that night

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

I say limo- they know you're going on a trip (even if it is a different location) so they'll know to bring their ipods, etc. Have a camera and snap a photo for when you tell them!

 

[Kimmumum]

We have surprised our boys twice. Once was when we were driving and we told them we were going somewhere else. I packed everything and it was fine. I didn't forget any of their "essentials" (Ipods, phones etc). The other time we woke them up the morning of our trip with a note from Mickey telling them where they were going and what they needed to pack and they needed to be ready in 2 hours. That worked our well too.

Have a great time. I love surprising the boys (They enjoyed it too!!!)

 

[StitchFanZ]

I would vote for telling them now. They are old enough to really enjoy the anticipation.

 

[Brer Shay]

I voted Thanksgiving night, but I'd probably go with sooner if that was an option. I agree that the anticipation is part of the fun!

 

[Misty89]

being the mother of children very close to that age, i voted to tell them in the AM.
that way they will actually sleep the night before
and i think my girls would have all thier toys ( Ipods, DS, etc) already packed for the trip they think they are going on. so that would not be an issue here LOL ( we pack early)

 

[emh1129]

In the limo.. otherwise they will get NO sleep! Congrats on keeping the secret for so long- I could never do that!

 

[4lilpoohs]

We are surprising our boys with a trip in December. My plan is to pick them up from school. DH is talking about telling them we are going somewhere else when we pick them up. I think the 15 year old will catch on right away.