surprising your kids with a trip

[jensen]

We surprised our kids at the airport... we told DS6 that Dad needed to run an errand at the airport before we dropped him at school that day - it actually took a series of lies, but that's the jist of it. When we arrived at the airport, I asked the kids if they wanted to go watch the plane land (very, very small airport)... DH checked in while we were in the observation room. When they started to call for boarding, I asked the kids if they wanted to get on the plane - of course, the plane would be going to Disney because that is the only place we fly to. DS asked all kinds of questions about missing school and how would we get our clothes, who would feed the dog... but, we said Grandma and Grandpa would send our clothes on the next plane and call his teacher, basically take care of everything.

When we arrived in Orlando, we kept the secret going because we were using Magical Express and didn't have to go get our luggage. I think we were on our way home before we finally fessed up and told him we had planned the trip. Of course, he was only 6... an older child wouldn't be fooled so easily.

 

[MontanaZoo]

I tried to surprise my DN (10 will be 11 by the time we go) with a trip but I cracked. I was trying to get her to walk more with me since I take her volunteering with me at the zoo and usually the whining that she's tired of walking starts 5 minutes in. I was giving her clues and I thought I was being very crafty but she guessed it.

I asked her if she would have been upset to be surprised with it closer to when we leave and she said yes! She wants to help plan. Her birthday is the week before we leave and my sister and I were planning on telling her then.

I still think the surprise would have been fun I got tickets for the P&PP but my sister cracked and told her! I have some small surprises still planned but I'm keeping my mouth shut and not telling my sister either!

 

[4lilpoohs]

In 2005 I surprised my then 5 and 2 year olds. About a week before the trip my 5 year old was saying how he would like to ride a train, plane and boat. It was perfect timing! lol So the morning we left I told them we were going to take a plane ride to see what it's like. We made it all the way to Florida and were in line for DME before they knew. I had them call DH at home and let him tell him. Of course I have pics of the moment We are going again this December. I would like to surprise the kids again. But I think it will be really hard surprising a 14 year old! I think once he spots the suitcases he will know.

 

[UAB master]

We are planning a trip in September. It will be my 9th visit to WDW and my husband's 3rd. We are not planning to tell DS (4 yrs) until a day or 2 before. It is about to kill me- I am so excited about this trip and I don't like not being able to share it with him. Since he has no concept of time, it would be miserable for all of us- if we were to tell him now. Can't wait!!!

 

[Jakesmom504]

DS will be 4 in May and we are going Aug 30. He has been bugging to go to Dizzy Wurd for months so I keep telling him I'm selling things on Ebay so we can save up money to go. He wants to go so bad that he's been bringing me his things that he doesn't play with or use that often and says "Here Mommy you can sell these on Ebay so we can get lots and lots and lots of money for Disney World!" It's so adorable! We are going to tell him for his birthday but I want to do something special rather than just say..."Hey we are going." Any suggestions???

 

[MontanaZoo]

DS will be 4 in May and we are going Aug 30. He has been bugging to go to Dizzy Wurd for months so I keep telling him I'm selling things on Ebay so we can save up money to go. He wants to go so bad that he's been bringing me his things that he doesn't play with or use that often and says "Here Mommy you can sell these on Ebay so we can get lots and lots and lots of money for Disney World!" It's so adorable! We are going to tell him for his birthday but I want to do something special rather than just say..."Hey we are going." Any suggestions???

What I was going to do for DN's bday before I blew the surprise was drop off the personalized maps you can have made in the mailbox for her. Or if I could convince someone to drop them off as a "special delivery" on her bday. Another thing we're doing is having matching disney shirts (her idea because she's terrified of losing me in the parks) and I was going to wrap them for her bday.

I also considered leaving something in their mailbox each day, like a disney sticker leading up to her bday....

 

[wilea]

I was just thinking about posting a similar thread. My husband just told me last week to start planning a trip to Disney for the first week in December. We are having my parents go with us and are keeping it a secret from our kids, 16G, 6B, 2G. I can't wait to book the trip and start the planning. It's going to be so hard keeping it a secret but I am willing to try. He doesn't really want to tell them until we get there but the 16yrold will figure it out when we get to the airport. Another thing is going to be trying to pack for them all. Thats going to be the fun part especially the teen. I am going to have so much fun planning this. I am so excited. This is going to my 5th time there. Have fun suprising your little ones I know I am going to have tons!!!

 

[ilisao]

I know someone who woke the kids up the morning of the trip saying "you know, I think I feel like going to Disney today."

 

[Manda]

I know someone who woke the kids up the morning of the trip saying "you know, I think I feel like going to Disney today."

That's pretty much our plan.

 

[Jakesmom504]

I know someone who woke the kids up the morning of the trip saying "you know, I think I feel like going to Disney today."

THAT'S AWESOME!!! I've always wanted to do that, but I can't contain myself for that long! It's hard enough trying to wait for DS's Bday!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We always have Tinkerbell come to our house the morning we are leaving. (think Santa here). She leaves some goodies for the plane and trip (snacks, little toys, autograph books, glow sticks, new disney pjs, etc) with a note letting DD know that today is the day. Last year Tink also brought her the Snow White gown she wore to CRT. We sprinkle "pixie dust" from the window to the gifts.

 

[DSNY4ever]

A simple idea would be to bake a Mickey shaped pizza and you could even spell out in olives or pepperoni "Going to Disney!" or "Disney here we come!" You could serve it the night before and let the kids open up the pizza box and find the surprise, then you can all talk about the trip over a family dinner.

Have fun!

 

[MontanaZoo]

I happened to see this on you tube with parents surprising their kids....great reaction! Makes me wish I hadn't caved and told my niece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocXSqupDpoc&NR=1