surprising the kids and the US border

[normmo]

Hi - we're headed to Fort Wilderness for March Break and we've told the kids (3 and 7) that we're going camping but not that we're going to Disney to do it. How do we get across the border without ruining it? Where do we tell the border guard we're going to? Kissimmee? Florida? Do I keep the kids distracted while me husband answers the questions? Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks!
Mo

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Hi - we're headed to Fort Wilderness for March Break and we've told the kids (3 and 7) that we're going camping but not that we're going to Disney to do it. How do we get across the border without ruining it? Where do we tell the border guard we're going to? Kissimmee? Florida? Do I keep the kids distracted while me husband answers the questions? Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks!
Mo

If you are driving across the border you can be much more vague, like "Florida to go camping"

If you are flying you have to put the name of the hotel/campground you are staying, but you could probably put Fort Wilderness (leaving off the Disney) and put Lake Buena Vista since that is the official address any way.

 

[irisesareblue]

They are getting more specific about destinations as well at drive-across border locations. Makes it difficult to be vague....

I would write everything down on a note and hand it to the border guard with "Surprise Trip for the Kids" written across the top. Hubby (or whoever is driving) can say to he border guard "we've written everything down because little ears are listening" or something relatively vague.

Can't hurt to try.....

 

[normmo]

I thought about a note but I wasn't sure how they would react but adding a disclaimer (little ears are listening) might be okay. Or perhaps here's a copy of our reservation?
Mo

 

[Cdn Gal]

I would pass a note and the reservation info. The guards have kids and are human too I'm sure they would understand.

 

[crashbb]

While you can try the note (and people have reported it working), I wouldn't be too surprised if it didn't work. Sounds like a great way to sneak kids across the border (e.g. parental abduction). I know you'll have their passports and stuff, but still.

 

[twokids0204]

Camping in Florida is where you are going.

The border gaurd does not need to know you are going to WDW.

They need the address where you will be staying, and how long you will be there.

Here is where you are staying:

4510 N. Fort Wilderness Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

That is legit, and all that is required.

 

[striker3636]

We took the kids on a surprise trip and passing a note worked for us. We had told the kids we were going shopping in Buffalo for the weekend. (we were flying out of Buffalo, and staying in a hotel the night before). The border chap almost blew it, but when he looked up and saw my son was watching him as he read the note, he played along with us.

 

[jasmom]

We gave the guard a note in Sept. No problems. Our kids knew we were going to Florida but my in-laws have a place and my parents rent a place each winter so my (very spoiled) kids think nothing of going to Florida. My son 7 didn't figure it out until we were at ASMU(my dd5 told him). My ds9 had over heard conversations before the trip and knew were we were going. It was hard for him not to tell. I put at the top of the note in big letters that it was a surprise. The guard was more concerned that we had taken the kids out of school.

 

[normmo]

The guard was more concerned that we had taken the kids out of school.

That's so funny - but good that passing a note doesn't seem to be a problem. Also, we're going March Break so if we have the same border guard we'll be okay!
Mo