Surprising DD6 on Thanksgiving with Disney Trip next day - ideas?

[SarahKate]

Ok guys it has come down to just a few days away. We've been keeping it a secret for several months. We're going to St. Louis Thanksgiving nite and boarding a plane early the next morning to WDW!

I keep going back and forth on ways to announce this to her.

We were thinking about giving her a handwritten note that says something like "Today I will be going with mommy and daddy to St. Louis to stay in a hotel". (She LOVES going to St. Louis and staying in a hotel so she'd be pretty happy just by that). Then hand her a 2nd note that says "Tomorrow we will get on an airplane and go to DISNEYWORLD!".

She is starting to read pretty well so I think she could read most of the words.

I would welcome any other ideas on how to make the big announcement. It needs to be relatively simple but still give the WOW factor. In addition to going on vacation, I've started my own biz, last day at the day job is Wednesday AND DD is in a Wonka play! Yikes! Thanks everyone.

 

[foxlore]

You're coming at a fantastic time. It will be busy that weekend (or should be), but then will thin out. We went last year - arriving the Monday after Thanksgiving - and it was fabulous. We live in the area now so get to go much more frequently.

I think your idea of a note is great and if you scrap (I have grandiose ideas, but never seem to have time) it would be a great addition. You could even cut out Mickey ears and write the note on them. You could also just put her on the plane with you and tell her it's a surprise and let her figure it out when she gets here.... My son loves surprises - he always tells me not to tell him - I can't stand it! LOL I want to tell him immediately! He likes to savor it... LOL

I don't know how much time you have, but if you have time I have "local" tip for you if you're interested in photos with Santa... Mall at Millenia has a fantastic Santa and you can get candids taken with him - the cd (which gives you full reprint rights) runs $40 and has 20 or so photos on it (they say 20 -40, but ours had 21). Of those we had several really special photos... DTD also has a nice Santa (although I found our photos from last year to just be okay - kind of typical Santa's lap plastic smile)... I have photos this year of DS hugging Santa, gazing adoringly at him and grinning from ear to ear while Santa is pointing to his two front teeth (or lack thereof). Anyway, just wanted to let you know about that.

If you're thinking at all of getting the Disney CD order it before you leave - you'll receive a code and it's 20% off - well worth it. We used PhotoPass like crazy last year - had tons of great pics...

Have a wonderful trip and your daughter is going to be SO EXCITED no matter how you tell her!!

 

[santa's surpriz]

I attempted to surprise my daugher last Christmas. Her teacher ruined the surpise! I just blew it off said Florida is not always WDW. But I went ahead with the plan anyways. Santa wrote her note and announced that we were going to WDW. I gave it to one of flight attendants and they made a big deal about the letter from Santa Claus on the intercom. It was great! ( DD was 5 at the time.) Santa also left notes each morning to let her know what she was doing and how important it was to be good listener.

We are going back in January and plan to do the same thing, although the letter will probably be from Mickey or one of the princesses instead.

 

[MightyMom]

The Thanksgiving Turkey Wish bone.

You and her can make a wish.... convince her to wish for a trip to Disney World.

Then tell her her wish is coming true and you're leaving the next morning.

 

[kristinw3girls]

We are also surprising our girls with our trip on Thanksgiving! I ordered the free maps and highlighted eash res. we have for meals, the hotel, etc. Our travel agent gave me 3 autograph books too, so I'm packing it up in 3 gift bags. We are leaving on 12/7. I wanted them to help pack, but not drive me insane with questions. Have a great trip!