To surprise or not surprise

[Soon2beMrs.]

Hi everyone! We are leaving for WDW in 17 days! We are traveling with our 1 year old and our 4 1/2 year old. I was thinking about surprising him so we didn't have to have the continuous conversation of when are we leaving and can we leave now? But my husband thinks we should tell him. Can anyone share their experiences both ways? Torn on what to do.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Is it your 1st trip?

 

[peg110]

We never told our kids until we KNEW we were going. Even in the planning phases, if they knew, they would drive us nuts. (After all so much could go wrong preventing you from going. Don't want to have to deal with that).

If, you are certain you are going, then I see no harm in letting them know. Just be prepared for some sleepless nights. I am sure the 1 year old won't really have too much of an impact, but the 4 1/2 year old might have a lot of anxiety (hopefully joyful) prior to arrival. Only you know your kids, but mine, I would let them know.

 

[Soon2beMrs.]

No our oldest went when he was 1 and we did a Disney cruise when he was 2. He knows what Disney is..

 

[ajwolfe]

We've done it both ways and honestly we prefer telling them. Planning, discussing and watching the excitement build is part of the fun for them and us!

 

[tim8287]

We usually tell them (12 and 6 yo) but this time we didn't. We leave on Thursday, we plan on telling them the night before.

--Tim

 

[ZYX987]

If you think there might be things he won't want to miss, tell him ahead of time. Let him pick one or two things that you will definitely (try to) do.

 

[noahdove]

I'm for surprising them

 

[mymickeyfans]

We surprised our kids in 2012 when they were 8 yrs and 3 1/2 yrs old. It was one of my favorite memories yet. They were so excited and it was almost as exciting as the trip itself.

 

[myrtleturtle]

You know your kids best. We told our kids about the upcoming trip because my son isn't good with new things. We've been watching Youtube videos and talking about it. I think if I surprised them he would be resistant.

 

[glk2009]

We surprised our kids with Disneyland almost two years ago when ODD was 5 and it really didn't work out that well... My youngest was fine just went with it, my oldest was in shock for awhile and it took her awhile to settle into it. This was the first time we did the surprise... for our other trips to WDW, ODD knew it was coming.

For our next trip in December, I told ODD about a week before I had to make ADRs so that I could get her input on which restaurants. She likes to help with the planning. I won't tell her sister for awhile because as a 3 year old, her sense of time isn't too good yet so she will be asking constantly if we're going "tomorrow," but I do plan on telling her a couple of weeks before we go.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[dsnymomof4]

Surprise them! It's so much fun planning a surprise trip. DS7 loved being surprised last year so much that he even told me that the next time we go, he wants to be surprised again!

 

[Fiddysmum]

My DH and I have talked about this topic so much, we just see benefits and risks with both ways. Ultimately, we have decided to surprise them, 2 weeks to go! I'll let you know if its a s#$% show!

 

[kidneymomma]

We are surprising our 5 year old in Feb.

 

[mom25kiddos]

We have done both, and generally feel that while the idea of a surprise is awesome for us as parents, it didn't always pan out well-my preference is to tell them a bit ahead of time, but not too far that it will lead to constantly asking. I don't love surprises myself, so I guess I should have expected that not all of our kids would appreciate the surprise. The kids, as much as we do, enjoy the anticipation and it is a big part of the fun, counting down and making plans. I love that more than the element of surprise-the build up is part of the trip.