Surprise Cruise for Kids - need your ideas...

[goofydadeo]

In June 2003 my wife and I booked the upcoming 10 day Christmas Cruise and have kept is secret from our kids ever since. The time is approaching when we need to spring it on them so they can join in our growning excitement !

We really need help with come creative ideas on how to reveal this surprise to them. Of course we want to make this a big deal, with an exciting moment for all us of to remember when they realize what we've done.

We would sincerely appreciate anyone who might be able to share some good ideas on how to do this. Our kids are DD6 and DS10.

Thanks!

Goofydadeo

 

[CM_Mom]

How about a family scavenger hunt where the items you "find" are all things you would need for a cruise - the last item could have a question about where could you use everything you've found that leads to the VCR or DVD player and show the Video or DVD whichever you have.

 

[WDWLVR]

Goofydadeo - I like the hunt suggestion.

One thing I can help with as part of the reveal is adding your family to the photo gallery that we have for the 10 day cruise.

That way once you reveal it to them you can show them all the other families they will be cruising with and they will already be included. Just let me know how I can help with anything else.

 

[ohiominnie]

Goofydadeo,
I replied to you on the Christmas thread--page 655!

 

[tecdavidt]

How old are your children? If they still Trick or Treat then have them open up their goodies but tell them there is one more--hand them note or something that tells them they also got a Disney Cruise. Kathy

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

At your Thanksgiving dinner, have a covered tureen or bowl on the table. Inside the dish, put the Video or note showing them what their surprise is. Thanksgiving is close enough to be excited but not so far out that it seems like FOREVER until you go.

It's so much fun to surprise them with a trip. Two years ago, we were watching the local ABC affiliate at the DisneyWorld parade and expressing our envy at her being there in the nice, warm sun. We whipped out the airplane tickets and showed the kids that we were headed out the next day to see Mickey. What a surprise!

Have fun with it.
Jamie

 

[CRenze]

WOW. It's been a while since I've visited the boards (they only make me home sick for the cruise line) but Andy (aka Veranda Man) use to send out postcards with pictures of Mickey & Minnie or the Disney Cruise ships) saying something of the sorts "Looking forward to seeing you real soon" Love, Mickey & Minnie. Not sure if he still does that. Andy was always very thoughtful and HELPFUL when it came planning a vacation, whether it was mine or someone elses. Good Luck!

We did the trick or treat thing, only thing was we left the next day! Wish we would have told them sooner so they could have had more get ready excitement. We actually told them they were going snowmobiling at my BIL's.

Cindy

 

[steverog]

goofydadeo

my name is Steve and I also live in Atlanta (Marietta).

We have severeal ideas and some cruise stuff we could give you to help with the surprise. One thing I did last year was make t-shirts and put them on my two kids to surprise my wife. You can see pictures of our recent Disney Magic Cruise at
www.thomasleerogers.com it's still under construction but there are several pictures to look at.

 

[goofydadeo]

Wow! I am overwhelmed by all of your great ideas! I really appreciate your taking the time to share them with me.

Thanks!

Goofydadeo

 

[Corryn]

How lucky you are to be able to surprise your kids with an awesome trip like the Cruise!!!
I would suggest waiting to tell them when you pull up to the airport. That's what we did. Here's how we surprised our kids:
Last year I wanted to attend the MNSSHalloweenParty. I made all the reservations, purchased the tickets, purchased & sewed Halloween costumes, sent their teachers a note telling them about the surprise, everything.

At the same time we were leaving, my sister was ready to have her baby.

The night before we left when the kids were sleeping I packed our bags. The next morning, the girls (9 & 10 at the time) went to school. I told them that I might have to pick them up early if Aunt Natalie has her baby. They were very excited. Our plane was leaving in the afternoon. I left work early, my husband packed up the truck and we went to the school to pick them up. Meanwhile, after they had left their classrooms, their teachers informed their classes where they were really going!

On our way to the airport, I told the girls we had to stop at Babies R Us to get a present for the new baby. Then we pulled into MacArthur Airport. I started videotaping them asking them what they thought of the new baby coming. They're looking around bewildered, then they start guessing why we're at the airport? Are we picking up Aunt Genie before we see Aunt Natalie and the new baby?

That's when I sprung it on them. I said, No, We're going to Disney World!!!! Tori was smiling immediately and Kyra gave me a dirty look, saying, You're lying, that's not nice! Don't tease me like that! That's wrong!
I'm telling her, No, really! We're going to Disney World! Look at all the luggage in the back seat!

Kyra kept accusing me of lying and pulling a rotten prank all the way until we were checked by security. When we were finally seated on the plane, Kyra had a big smile on her face, saying, Now I believe you, but I just can't believe it!!!!

It was So Fun to Surprise Them!

How Many Kids Get a Surprise Like That?! Not Many!
I say that knowing there are many many parents who would love to surprise their kids with a Disney Trip, but are financially unable. But if you've got the chance, Why Not Surprise them? The Kids Will Never Forget it!

If I were you, I'd drag the surprise out as long as possible. Just try to get everything ready while they're not around and hide all your travel arrangements, suitcases down in the basement, etc. until the very end. We don't have a big house and I was still able to keep everything under wraps.

Keep it secret until the very end. Just load up the car before you go without the kids seeing and give them some excuse, we're going to stay the night at Gramma's or an aunts house, or we're spending the weekend in a really nice resort, and then when you pull up to the airport, let them in on the surprise, and Videotape it! The looks on their faces are priceless.

Also when I was packing, I remembered to include the grooming items I know my girls used every day, hair items they like, their favorite clothes, their fanny packs with a disposeable camera, sunglasses, whatever they would have brought had you let them in on the secret.

Good Luck and Let Us Know How It Goes!!!

 

[Corryn]

Do Not Let Your Friends' Kids know!

You don't want the surprise to slip out!
So if you tell anyone, make it clear that the subject is not to be discussed in front of the kids!!! I spent a lot of time and money planning the surprise, and I didn't want anyone blowing it on me!

Good Luck!

 

[hydster]

We made up a treasure hunt and made it part of Xmas night but it was a lot of fun!

We gave them a wrapped present that inside had a poem written to "twas the night before Xmas" only it had the first clue of where to find another present in it.

When they found the 1st clue's present there was another note with something they had to solve like word searches or mixed up words they had to unscramble and each one would lead them to another clue and a piece of a puzzle. The completed puzzle spelled out one more clue for them to find a box somewhere in the house.

When they found that box they opened it and there was another box inside and it took them about 8 boxes to open before the final box had a postcard that a dis'er had mailed to our house written from Mickey and Minnie!

They were so funny doing the hunt and I saved it all and put it in their scrapbooks.

Heidi

 

[ma2patrick]

I LOVE these kind of surprises! I actually tried to keep our upcoming cruise a surprise from my DH, but when he started guessing places like Paris, I knew I better spill the beans! Our DS (who will be 6) doesn't know yet though.

We're probably not going to let him know until we get to the ship. I have time so I haven't decided how to do it.

Here's some thoughts...what are some of your kids favorite Disney characters or movies? You could give them plush toys of those characters at Thanksgiving with a note from them. Or if you have a friend who is good at doing impressions you could have them call and talk to the kids and invite them. I'd offer to call but all I can do is Mickey saying "Ha Ha, Mr. Stakowski!" (sp?)

Or if you have a Disney store nearby, maybe you could talk the staff into hiding an envelope with the news inside. You could take the kids "Christmas Shopping" and find the envelope "Gee, this looks like a good gift, I wonder what it is?" Go to the cashier and have them say, "Alright sir, one Disney cruise, will that be cash or charge?" Or something along those lines.

Good luck! Let us know what you came up with, I may steal it to do for my son!

 

[TheGottis]

goofydadeo :

If you decide you want to do postcards for the kids, PM me with their info and I'll get them out when you feel that it's appropriate (timing-wise).

 

[Tiggerish]

I have booked a spring break cruise for my two nieces (and their parents since I want some adult company too). The grown-ups know but the nieces don't.

I have a series of letters that I am mailing them starting six weeks before Christmas.

Week 1 , Pirate Mickey asks them to join in a fun game to hunt for hidden treasure.

Week 2 they are getting pirate hats, 'cause you have to think like a pirate to find treasure.

Week 3 they are getting small stuffed parrots, since all good pirates have a parrot.

Week 4 is pixy stixys (the candy) 'cause you need fairy dust to help you hunt.

Week 5 is a deck of mickey mouse playing cards 'cause when not searching for treasure, pirates play lots of cards.

Week 6 are magic towels, since you need to belive in magic to find treasure and a note that the last clue is being delivered to their Christmas stockings by special arrangements between Mickey and Santa.

Christmas stockings will have a note in a bottle that says to look under the Christmas tree.

Under the Christmas tree will be two treasure chests with glittery necklaces, jewels (chucks of rock candy), gold coins (chocolates), a countdown to the Magic keychain clock set to the cruise date and a fancy scroll with the details of the cruise that is their Christmas present from me.

I have had way too much fun planning the letters, searching for the prizes and getting the letters and packages ready. I worried that I might get busy with my real job and not finish the project, so I have done everything in advance and all that remains is the put the packages in the mail each Tuesday when the time comes.

 

[zachsmomie]

I love the spring it on them idea. We took my son to Disney for his 10th birthday at the beginning of May. We told him we were flying to Philly to see his stepsister's science fair but I waited too long to book the flights so we had to fly to Orlando and then connect to Philly. He was none too happy to be on a flight of people heading to Disney. When we got to the airport in Orlando, the limo driver was standing at the bottom of the escalator going into baggage pickup with a sign that said "Happy Birthday Zachary....You're going to DisneyWorld" He was stunned and didn't believe it. Even on the ride , he kept looking out the window and over at us sayng..really?! It was awesome.

If you can keep the secret, maybe you could arrange for the stewardess on the airplane to hand them a note or make an announcement on the intercom.

Perhaps Santa (at the mall?) could hand them a note (that you of course slip to his elves while waiting in line) after telling them what great kids they have been.

Or you can buy blank puzzles at craft supply stores. You could write a message...We're going on a Disney Cruise! And give it to the kids to put together all at once or a piece everyday.

 

[CM_Mom]

Tiggerish, what lucky kids to have such a thoughtful Aunt. I'm sure your cruise will be so much fun because of all the planning and the fun you will have with the kids. You're making memories for them that they will remember all their lives.

Goofydadeo, your kids are a little too young to enjoy my other idea but maybe someone else can use it. For Christmas about 10 years ago, we gave our teenagers a phone line of their own. Since I couldn't figure out a better way to "give" the gift, I taped numbers and a - to Scrabble tiles (to spell out the phone number) and put a tile in each of their stockings and wrapped the other tiles individually in different sized boxes. They got the gift when they figured out what it was. Since then, Scrabble Tiles to spell their big gift each Christmas have become a family tradition. The most fun one we had was the year they got season passes to SIX FLAGS but for some reason after they got all the tiles, all they could only spell was SAX FLIGS. Their dad and I laughed so hard we hurt and we still talk and laugh about SAX FLIGS every Christmas.

Whatever you do, enjoy the memories. They're priceless.

 

[zachsmomie]

I love the spring it on them idea. We took my son to Disney for his 10th birthday at the beginning of May. We told him we were flying to Philly to see his stepsister's science fair but I waited too long to book the flights so we had to fly to Orlando and then connect to Philly. He was none too happy to be on a flight of people heading to Disney. When we got to the airport in Orlando, the limo driver was standing at the bottom of the escalator going into baggage pickup with a sign that said "Happy Birthday Zachary....You're going to DisneyWorld" He was stunned and didn't believe it. Even on the ride , he kept looking out the window and over at us sayng..really?! It was awesome.

If you can keep the secret, maybe you could arrange for the stewardess on the airplane to hand them a note or make an announcement on the intercom.

Perhaps Santa (at the mall?) could hand them a note (that you of course slip to his elves while waiting in line) after telling them what great kids they have been.

Or you can buy blank puzzles at craft supply stores. You could write a message...We're going on a Disney Cruise! And give it to the kids to put together all at once or a piece everyday.

 

[jenlovesdisney]

Holy cow! How did you keep it a secret? There is no way! I booked 10 months early and have talked about it ever since, and my daughter does not really understand!

 

[christinou]

We have done a few surprises, one year, we told the kids, that their dad had a conference in Atlanta, and that we would go with him, we drove from upstate NY all of the way to Disney World, my daughter saw the swan and dolphin hotel as we drove by, and said: that looks just like the fishie hotel at Disney World, we just keept looking at them until they realized where we were, they were jumping up and down in the van.
Last Summer, we went to Disney for 12 nights, we camped at Fort Wilderness, one morning we told them that we would go to Cocoa Beach, we drove there, and they saw the ship as we got there. We told them that because we were staying at Disney they might let us have a look at the ship, and drove on to check in, when we got to the baggage drop off we opened the trunk to get the suitcases, they just could not believe it, the only downside is that they were so completely stunned, that they were not excited, now they talk about it, and loved the surprise. Once other time we woke them up at 4:00 a.m. and said let's go to DW, my older one did not believe it and wanted to go back to sleep. They keep wanting to be surprised so I see a surprise trip to DW next Summer.