Surprise Birthday Trip- I need ideas!

[FOV]

DH and I are planning to surprise our son with a birthday trip to IOA/US. He will turn 5 during the trip. The trip will also be a surprise for our 8 y/o daughter.

We have been to WDW a few times but we will not be visiting WDW this trip.

I have been looking for brochures with pictures of Universal (even Universal Hollywood) to use as "clues" as to where we are going but haven't found anything good enough to use. I suppose I could print some pics from the internet. My son knows about IOA/US because we visit the official site and have "ridden" some of the rides (I want him to know about the parks so he will be excited.)

My thought is to wake him up the morning we are leaving (our flight leaves at 9am) and just tell him to get dressed and not tell him where we are going. Only problem is I don't want him to be disappointed that we aren't going to WDW - especailly when we land at the Orlando airport!

*WHEN* do we tell him and *HOW* do we tell him? Remember he is only 5 so it can't be anything too sophisticated. Thanks for your ideas!

 

[BarryHom]

Good Universal Orlando photos can be had at www.usoinfo.com, www.orlandorocks.com, www.ioacentral.com, and www.themeparks.com

Brouchres are generally available at local AAA offices. You can also write or call Universal directly for some.

Also, if you want a video surprise, you can order the theme park souvenir video direct from Universal. Also, Robb Alvey's videotapes on www.themeparkreview.com has some great footage of Universal Orlando as well as many other parks.

 

[DocBosch]

Find out what some of his favorite Universal related characters are, such as Spider-Man or Spong Bob. Then, in the morning, tell him to wake up and get dressed because you have to meet one of the characters ("Hurry, get dressed, we have a to go see Spiderman"). Through out the trip to the airport and on the plane, keep dropping different character names. Once you get to Orlando, he'll be so happy about meeting those characters, he won't care where he's going.

-Kevin

 

[FOV]

Great links, Barry! Thanks! Have you ever viewed the theme park souvenir video? How is it?

Doc - thanks for the great suggestion! He loves all the superheroes as well as Scooby Doo. I am thinking about booking a character meal at one of the hotels if Scooby will be there. Looking forward to the new Shrek attraction because he loves those characters as well.