Surprising kids

[Valentina8623]

im trying to figure out how and when to tell my kids 7 and 5, that we are going to Disney world. We are going Easter week. I was thinking of also making them a box or something with Disney goodies they could use. What should I put in this box and what should I wait to buy at Disney?

 

[Pesky]

Ah, that really is the question! I did try to restrain myself from both lessons of past experience and I did want to let them each pick something there. Aside from the lesson of my kids aren't into pin trading (doh!), the main lesson is that too much stuff is just TOO.MUCH. They tend to pass over things especially at that age. So I would also think multi-use things -- clothes, practical items, stuff for the plane and so on. I definitely did not do all this but here are some ideas:
* books, coloring books, crayons -- easy thing to have for the plane
* stickers -- relatively disposable so fun for a bit
* swim stuff -- beach towel (can use as a blanket on the plane if you like), flip flops, swimsuit, sunglasses, hat
* clothes -- can't go wrong here. Even includes stuff like princess dresses and pirate or star wars get up.
* movies -- plane entertainment AND home entertainment. Win-win.
* music -- Disney music always a fav
* for those two, kidzgear headphones for the plane if you don't have them. Very comfy and kids love them.
* if girls, jewelry -- just some of those beaded stretch bracelets can make them pretty happy
* practical -- food items like fruit gummies in Disney brand, Disney bandaids to take with you into the parks, disney water bottle, disney socks
* toys! -- little action figures and/or a plush

 

[scrappinginontario]

To get to the surprise we did a picture scavenger hunt. I used pictures as my DD could not read at the time. First picture would be a picture of the second location. There she would find a picture of the 3rd location, etc.

Lots of great ideas by @Pesky of things they could find.

One thing - will this be their first Disney trip? Just a heads up that even when they figure out what's happening they may not be overly excited and it may not be like those surprises that you see on YouTube. It might be but I've found many friends say their kids reaction to finding out they're going to Disney the first time to be underwhelming and a little disappointing.

Now, the second trip when they know what's coming is a different story!

 

[lindsay0526]

If you are driving, you might want to refrain from telling them too early... otherwise you will hear about it the whole.way.there. Otherwise you might just tell them that you are taking a Florida vacation and if they ask about Disney you can say you're thinking about it. Sometimes it is just fun to watch them figure it out.

We did this when we took our daughters 4 & 1, and the 4 year asked us 1000000000000 times "are we there yet?"

Now, we did surprise the kids when we went to Legoland CA (it was at the end of our San Diego Trip) a few years ago, and we just drove in and parked and they were like "Are we really going?!?!?!?"

 

[DeanDoug]

We once surprised our kids and it was great. They knew that we were going, but didn't know when. On the morning of our flight, we woke them up by playing Disney music and opening the doors to their bedrooms. We then asked, "Do you want to go to Disney World today?" It was great.

As for what to buy before you go... check out autograph books. They are pricey in the parks, but you can likely find them cheaper online. Same goes for ponchos in case of rain.

Have fun!

 

[Canooknic]

1st trip we did a scavenger hunt with picture clues that led to our closet where they found Buzz suitcases, Mickey stuffies and t-shirts that said 'I'm on my way to Disneyworld'

2nd trip was a stupid-early flight so we woke them by blasting the Junglebook Groove outside their bedrooms until they woke up

This time (4 more sleeps!!!!) we have a late morning flight so we're going to decorate our table with Disney balloons and I'm making Mickey pancakes/waffles so they'll come down for breakfast like a regular morning and get surprised....I can't wait!!!!

 

[Valentina8623]

To get to the surprise we did a picture scavenger hunt. I used pictures as my DD could not read at the time. First picture would be a picture of the second location. There she would find a picture of the 3rd location, etc.

Lots of great ideas by @Pesky of things they could find.

One thing - will this be their first Disney trip? Just a heads up that even when they figure out what's happening they may not be overly excited and it may not be like those surprises that you see on YouTube. It might be but I've found many friends say their kids reaction to finding out they're going to Disney the first time to be underwhelming and a little disappointing.

Now, the second trip when they know what's coming is a different story!

Yes this is their first trip. My 7 year old daughter knows what Disney world is and has been asking for a while to go. My 5 year old I'm not sure about if he knows what it is.

 

[Valentina8623]

Ah, that really is the question! I did try to restrain myself from both lessons of past experience and I did want to let them each pick something there. Aside from the lesson of my kids aren't into pin trading (doh!), the main lesson is that too much stuff is just TOO.MUCH. They tend to pass over things especially at that age. So I would also think multi-use things -- clothes, practical items, stuff for the plane and so on. I definitely did not do all this but here are some ideas:
* books, coloring books, crayons -- easy thing to have for the plane
* stickers -- relatively disposable so fun for a bit
* swim stuff -- beach towel (can use as a blanket on the plane if you like), flip flops, swimsuit, sunglasses, hat
* clothes -- can't go wrong here. Even includes stuff like princess dresses and pirate or star wars get up.
* movies -- plane entertainment AND home entertainment. Win-win.
* music -- Disney music always a fav
* for those two, kidzgear headphones for the plane if you don't have them. Very comfy and kids love them.
* if girls, jewelry -- just some of those beaded stretch bracelets can make them pretty happy
* practical -- food items like fruit gummies in Disney brand, Disney bandaids to take with you into the parks, disney water bottle, disney socks
* toys! -- little action figures and/or a plush

Thanks. These are all great ideas! I'm definitely getting them lots of new clothes. It is cold where we live and I have to get some clothes for warmer weather.

 

[dmea10]

1st trip we did a scavenger hunt with picture clues that led to our closet where they found Buzz suitcases, Mickey stuffies and t-shirts that said 'I'm on my way to Disneyworld'

2nd trip was a stupid-early flight so we woke them by blasting the Junglebook Groove outside their bedrooms until they woke up

This time (4 more sleeps!!!!) we have a late morning flight so we're going to decorate our table with Disney balloons and I'm making Mickey pancakes/waffles so they'll come down for breakfast like a regular morning and get surprised....I can't wait!!!!

Great idea!

 

[blackpearl77]

We surprised my son last year for his preschool graduation. Had a big shipping box and I put balloons in it with a note attached saying you're going to disney world! Put the box outside and rang the doorbell so it was like the ups man came. Videotaped the opening. It was hilarious - you never know what kids will say. Our previous disney trips my parents came with us but this trip would be just us no grandparents - so he opens the box and starts jumping up and down then pauses and first thing is says is nannan and pop pop coming with us? So I said no, just you, me and daddy. And he starts crying since he wanted his grandparents to come too!!!! So funny (now it's funny) - so you never know how the surprise will go. But definitely video tape it!