Surprising the kids on Christmas!

[Nikkimouse44]

We’re giving a cruise to our 5 and 7 year old for Christmas, but not leaving until end of January.

They still believe in Santa, so we need a few Santa gifts.

What is a fun way to surprise them? We’re DVC members and go to Disney a lot but never have done a cruise.

I’m thinking of a scavenger hunt around the house so they can open gifts with clues inside, but what items for the big reveal? It’s a 3 night cruise, grandparents on both sides coming too!

 

[galbat]

I don't have any ideas for you but it sounds like it's going to be an exciting Christmas and new year for your family!

 

[Kit Jackson]

Maybe give them small things that will be fun and/or useful for the cruise, like lanyards, Disney Gift Cards, something simple (non technology screen based) to play with on the plane if there is a plane ride involved, activity books for during dinner. If they like meeting characters, a special autograph book to use just for the cruise. Disney themed bath toys might not be useful for the cruise, but they are water themed and set the mood.

 

[CamColt]

We surprised our kids with a cruise one Christmas, but with the added bonus, our neighbors were coming with us. We made matching shirts for embarkation day, with all 8 of our names on them. They were surprised by the cruise and then even more surprised their friends were coming along.

I do like the idea of stuff they can use on the cruise/traveling too. It definitely builds the excitement.

 

[hardcorestitch]

We’re giving a cruise to our 5 and 7 year old for Christmas, but not leaving until end of January.

They still believe in Santa, so we need a few Santa gifts.

What is a fun way to surprise them? We’re DVC members and go to Disney a lot but never have done a cruise.

I’m thinking of a scavenger hunt around the house so they can open gifts with clues inside, but what items for the big reveal? It’s a 3 night cruise, grandparents on both sides coming too!

Make sure you get a Santa Mickey plush to adorn the Disney Cruise details! Tell them Mickey was contracted by the North Pole…

 

[Flcruising]

Have Mickey Mouse call them . Its part of the fun DCL offered , i assume they still do. You will have to research how you sign up for the service.

 

[PurplePencil]

Have Mickey Mouse call them . Its part of the fun DCL offered , i assume they still do. You will have to research how you sign up for the service.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/preparing-for-cruise/character-calls/

 

[unrequited23]

We wrapped a huge box that had three helium balloons attached to a picture of the Magic. We put a countdown chain and Marvel shirts in the box too (MDAS cruise). Our cruise was only 5 weeks away so the wait wasn't absurdly long.

 

[clh2]

What about buying the magicband+ for stocking stuffers? Perhaps some sunscreen too?

 

[ditchdiggert200]

We’re giving a cruise to our 5 and 7 year old for Christmas, but not leaving until end of January.

They still believe in Santa, so we need a few Santa gifts.

What is a fun way to surprise them? We’re DVC members and go to Disney a lot but never have done a cruise.

I’m thinking of a scavenger hunt around the house so they can open gifts with clues inside, but what items for the big reveal? It’s a 3 night cruise, grandparents on both sides coming too!

We did the scavenger hunt around the house 5 years ago. We did it to tell the kids about first trip to Walt Disney World. It was 'revealed' by having the dates marked in a new calendar for the next year. The kids ran all over the house and came back to the tree to read each clue once they found it.

We did the character call for the first 2 cruises we went on with the kids. Magically, 1 set of grandparents showed up at the airport as surprise for the 2nd cruise the kids went on as well; that was the biggest surprise of them all so far.

You can add big reveal items like matching shirts, door magnets (if they know what they are), or something similar.

Happy travels and good luck planning your vacation!