To surprise or not to surprise that is the question?

[2Tiggies]

I its all about finding the right way for your family, if someone chooses a different way you support them.

And what works for your family this year may not be the best approach next time. Open mind. Have fun!

Long may the respect continue

I'll drink to that

 

[buzz for boys]

I think the comments reflecting on how we all have differing opinions as to how we do WDW are spot on. As Wayne said there is no right or wrong way to do it. From how you tell your kids, to the planning aspect all the way through what works for one family would make a miserable holiday for another.
And from my point of view I think that 2 days is more than enough for kids of the ages we are talking about to get involved in the planning, especially when they have been 3 times before and you know exactly what it is that will make it a holiday to remember.
Louise you know your kids better than anyone and I know that when you spring your surprise they will be jumping up and down for joy.
Just don't let Dan be holding a chocolate milkshake when you do tell them though will you

I was planning on givig them all milkshake at your house to spring the surprise !! Are you telling me that wont be possible ???

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I think we're going to surprise our daughter. This will be our very first family vacation. We're planning on driving the eleven hour trip at night. I think that if we take a long nap the day before we leave and let her sleep in the car on the way down she will be better rested. I think it will be really cool for her to wake up and find out she's in Florida. She'll be four when we take our trip so involving her in the planning isn't all that important right now.

 

[2Tiggies]

I think we're going to surprise our daughter. This will be our very first family vacation. We're planning on driving the eleven hour trip at night. I think that if we take a long nap the day before we leave and let her sleep in the car on the way down she will be better rested. I think it will be really cool for her to wake up and find out she's in Florida. She'll be four when we take our trip so involving her in the planning isn't all that important right now.

That's a great age for a surprise I think. And easier in the car too - kids get more suspicious when they are hustled through security at an airport I hope it all goes according to plan for you. As you say, at 4 she is not going to miss too much planning and will just soak it all up when she gets there.

 

[ben1993]

I have to agree, poster son this forum (especially the UK boards) are the friendliest, most respectful and most helpful I have come across on the net.

and to keep my post on topic: I LOVE the idea of a surprise, I can't wait to have nieces and nephews and surprise them with a WDW trip! HOwever I do agree you have to pick what's right for your family.

It can be a wonderful memory like this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocXSqupDpoc

or go horribly wrong :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MIBxhh_R_w

 

[higgy66]

OMG how terrible is the bottom one!

I have to admit the worse thing you can do is tell them you're going somewhere else as they build this up in their minds and then nothing can top it - not even WDW

Although I origonally said we wouldn't suprise our 2 I think it's because we suprised them a few years ago on a long weekend trip to Legoland. It was amazing and something we'll never forget so I suppose that might be why we wouldn't do it again.

Like you say Louise this isn't your first trip and hopefully not the last so I think you have extra plus's for doing a suprise - especially after having to cancel a previous trip - I can see the pros for keeping it quiet longer then most

 

[buzz for boys]

I have to agree, poster son this forum (especially the UK boards) are the friendliest, most respectful and most helpful I have come across on the net.

and to keep my post on topic: I LOVE the idea of a surprise, I can't wait to have nieces and nephews and surprise them with a WDW trip! HOwever I do agree you have to pick what's right for your family.

It can be a wonderful memory like this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocXSqupDpoc

or go horribly wrong :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MIBxhh_R_w

the bottom link is just too funny
I wouldnt tell our kids we are going somewhere else as they wouldnt believe me ayway

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

We surprised DD 10 DS 8 and its the best thing we ever did. The main reason we kept it from them is because on our second trip they knew about 12 months out, and it was hell 365 days of counting downTowards the holiday time we were exhauseted.So this time we didnt say a word. We had to take them out of school so we told the teachers not to say anything about taking time out.Packing was easy,i just did it while they were at school and put the cases in the shed.During all this was the time of the ash cloud fiasco,so in a way it was a blessing they knew nothing because 36 hours before we were due to go, the airport was shut.
The night before kids were clueless, doing homework for the next day
then in bed and asleep by 9pm, perfect.Then at 6am we woke them up and said that they had to see something downstairs,very bleery eyed the walked into the living room where i had set the cases out, we asked them where they would like to go,of course the both said "DISNEY", then we told them the taxi would be arriving in an hour.Their reactions were priceless,they loved it and we talk about it often.They both say it was their greatest memory so far.So much so theyve asked for the same again one day

 

[chocolateMinnie]

You remember what happened with us Louise, four trips without surprise and one with. Wouldn't surprise again, however when the kids were younger (trip number two) we did tell them the wrong date. They thought they'd got another month to go and we did the - actually it's tomorrow. They still got the build up but a lovely surprise.

 

[Louisebshp]

Lovely thread!

Our next trip will fingers crossed be July, but if we do have to cancel it'll be later in the year. So we haven't told our son when we are going, just in case we cancel.

Planning a small reveal once we know for sure the date - we're flying indirect this time from a different airport so can fairly easily keep the surprise until we get airside I think. He'll assume we're visiting family as that's what we do from that airport - he may enjoy visiting Uncle Mickey a little more!!

 

[goingroundthebend]

Im busy plotting and planning myself and cant and wont believe it that were going till deposits paid and its booked.Then will sink in mind so will the ekk now got to pay for the rest of itBut think final moment will be when its all paid off and aiming to do that as quick as possiable not leave to last date

But i have long time to plan as were not going to 2012 .

Think i may well tell mine about 2 weeks or so before hand to give my ears a rest .So will just have to talk everyones of on here I m aleady pretty sure where want to stay thanks to advice on here and know when i want to go.pst expect once depostis paid to be asked advice about Adr whose best to go to and when

and Septembers end of uk summer and they will have most of summer clothes already .hmm ok scratch that one as uk summer clothers are jackets , wellies , trousers jumpersand really hoping not needing them in Florida in September

Am planning once its all paid will start collcecting some disney clothes/bits trip to disney store me thinks etc and then wrap it up and tell them to open it .
But then i may change my mind