Surprising Kids With Trip and They Have Never Flown Before

[KinderTchr]

We are going to Disney the week after Christmas. We want to keep it a total surprise. DS 14 and DD 11 will be visiting other relative until Dec 26 around noon. We have our flight at 8:45 the next morning.

I would like this to be a total surprise. Maybe tell them we are going to their married sisters house for our belated family celebration and then go to the airport. My only concern is that never of them has ever flown before. DS will be thrilled but DD might be afraid.

I am considering getting a portable DVD player for them to distract her on the flight.

What experiences have others had with first time flying children.

I really think the surprise is best because if she new about it she would work herself up.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Kaye

 

[zuzu310]

Sorry I don't have kids but I flew with my 50 year old mother (on her first flight) who was scared to death. I think some of these things will still apply:

1) Prepare her for take-off and landing once you are in the plane (I had to tell her about the acceleration at take-off. I had to tell my mother that the landing gear will pop down and that she might experience some pressure. I know, I know but knowing my mom she would have thought the landing gear thud was a wing falling off. )
2) If you have an ipod bring it. My mom tried to listen to her CD player but the noise was too much (maybe she just had a cheap player)so she "stole" my ipod the whole trip. She really found it soothing to listen to music and do crosswords.
3) Most importantly, remain calm even if you are nervous for her. I think I was more nervous that she would be completely petrified the whole flight and she could sense that. When your DD sees the rest of the family relaxing, she will sense that everything is going to be alright.

I am sure your DD will be fine.

 

[PigletFairy]

I was about 14 when I flew the first time. I would explain to her the whole flying thing. When we landed it was really cloudy and I did not know we where about to land. When the plane touched ground, it scared me and I screamed. I always take books to read or puzzle books. I think a dvd is a good idea and so is an mp3 player. I love surprises like that I remember in '96 we came in from a flight and dad picked us up at the airport and took us to see an olympic soccer event!! I loved it! Going to WDW right after christmas sounds super fun Hope they absolutely love it!!

 

[judykay53]

We did the same thing in Sept. of 05. We surprised the grandkids, then 7 and 9. We told them we were going to Vicksburg, MS to visit their step-mom's aunt's house for the weekend. On the way there, we told them that the next day we were catching a plane out of Jackson, MS and we were going to Disney World for a whole week. DS7 was only one I was worried about, he is a very timid and nervous child. He was not happy that we were flying, but we kept him busy on the plane with an activity book, which would probably not work for your kids, but maybe a crossword puzzle would. I agree with the suggestion of an mp3 player and definately keep them informed about sounds and the normal airplane stuff. Assure them that the noises that they are hearing are perfectly normal and that landing will be loud and maybe a little bumpy.

HAVE FUN!

 

[lovesmurfs]

We're going the week before Christmas, too. Personally, I wouldn't surprise them. I wouldn't trade the building excitement my kids (DS 12, DD 7) have for anything (they watch the free Disney DVD every chance they can). My son's saving his money for "stuff" and my daughter's full of plans, too.

During college, I surprised my parents by coming home when I didn't plan to, and afterward, although she said it was great, a big part of my trips home was the anticipation.

 

[Spencer'sMom]

When my DS was 4, we flew to WDW from Mobile. We had a canvas bag filled with his snacks, small toys, and three wrapped goodies. He got one goody soon after take0ff, one mid-flight and one near landing. Since the flight was about 1 hour and 1/2, it worked out well...he was entertained, Dh and I were not stressed and we ready for a fabulous trip. Surprises are FUN!!! Have a great trip!

 

[jsantini]

I think the surprise is great, but surprises are my favorite thing in life. I am afraid to fly, but have to do so about 3 times a year. I listen to books on CD, because it tunes everything out around me, so I'd recommend that if she's a reader. Otherwise, I think a DVD player would be excellent. If she might be afraid, I think it's key to have sound on headphones, at least it is for me. I'd also take a magazine she really likes for the time when you can't have the electronic stuff on, or a Disney tourbook like Unofficial Guide for Kids, so they can see where you're going and what they might want to do there.

 

[Ride Junkie]

When I was a kid, I LOVED to fly (still do - takeoff is my favorite part). Just make sure they know this is going to be fun, not scare them by saying, "Don't be afraid." I never knew there was anything to be afraid of, so it never scared me. And make sure they don't watch any disaster flicks with plane crashes in them (my sister is terrified to fly because of such movies)!

I also think the portable DVD player is a great idea. A lot of flights show movies, but it would be better if they were able to watch whatever they want. I'm so excited for them!!

 

[KinderTchr]

I'm really glad we are surprising the kids. They have been before and enjoyed the anticipation.

However now that they are 11 and 14 Christmas morning itself has lost a little of that early childhood glow and I think the surprise will be a great way to revive it.

Hopefully I will be able to find a portable dvd player on sale at the after Thanksgiving sale (our trip will be paid in full before then YES!)

DD is also a huge Radio Disney fan so if I can't get the DVD, I will get her some Radio Disney cd's to listen to. I plan to get Disney for Kids for each of them but am going to wait to see if the 2007 editions will be out in Dec.


Thanks for all the replys.

Kaye