To tell or to surprise

[Goosie Lucy]

I have 2 kids, ages 4 and 7. We've planned the ultimate WDW vacation for them. We're doing everything we can to make it as magical as possible. This will be their first trip to WDW, or anywhere for that matter. I don't know if we should tell them in advance about the trip, for if we should surprise them with it. My only problem with telling them before-hand is that I'm wondering if it will wreck my 7yo's concentration at school. I'm torn because it would be exciting to count down with them, but it would also be classic to see their faces when we get on the Magical Express bus. Just looking for some opinions/ideas.

I've been lurking for a while and I just love the DIS!!

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

I have 2 kids, ages 4 and 7. We've planned the ultimate WDW vacation for them. We're doing everything we can to make it as magical as possible. This will be their first trip to WDW, or anywhere for that matter. I don't know if we should tell them in advance about the trip, for if we should surprise them with it. My only problem with telling them before-hand is that I'm wondering if it will wreck my 7yo's concentration at school. I'm torn because it would be exciting to count down with them, but it would also be classic to see their faces when we get on the Magical Express bus. Just looking for some opinions/ideas.

I've been lurking for a while and I just love the DIS!!

We surprised our girls. They were ages 8 and 4. I highly recommend surprising them. The following is from my trip report:

We were torn on how to tell the kids. Several ideas popped into our heads. It was Christmas time, should give the tickets as a Christmas present? Should we wait until Easter? Maybe not tell them at all, just wake them up and bring them to airport? Shortly after I discovered the DIS, I read a post from someone who was going to tell her kids via a treasure hunt. When I read the post, a light bulb went off in my head. I thought to myself, we could do that! I did research on the web on creating treasure hunts for children, especially children who cannot read yet because we have a 4 year old who does not read. We decided to have both pictures and words. The 8 year old could read out loud to the 4 year old and they could use the picture to solve the clue. We thought that we could even videotape the entire experience. We made the decision that the treasure hunt would take place a couple days before our trip.

As time past by, I worked at getting the treasure hunt ready and putting together a prize as the finale. The treasure or prize would actually tell them that we are going to Disney World. This was when I discovered the Creative DISign section of the DIS. I thought that I could make them each an autograph book and WDW T-shirts and place them inside a wrapped box as a way for them to know we are going to WDW. I started with the Mickey Mouse tie-dye shirt, and then proceeded into ironing the transfers. I cannot forget to give Kudos out to the designers (specifically Julia & Nicks Mom) in the Creative Designs forum because they did some great work designing these T’s for me. The shirt on top said, “Surprise We are going to Disney World,” followed by several other WDW shirts. They were all adorable! I could just picture in my mind, the girls jumping for joy after reading that.

Two days before our trip we have the treasure hunt ready to go. The kids have no idea what is going on. I have the video camera charged, and the treasure hunt ready to go. We ask the kids if they want to play a game. They are just thrilled, “Yeah! Lets play a game.” I stay with the kids in the house while DH goes outside to hide all the clues. When DH returns, we explain the rules of the game. The camera is ready, we give DD8 the first clue, she reads it out load to DD4, they see the picture and run to the find the second clue, and so on. Finally they get to the final clue and find the wrapped boxes. I tell them to sit on the bench and open them. I am so excited that I could just explode. They unwrap the boxes and shout, “Cool, T-shirts!” DH has to explain to DD8 that she needs to read the shirts. She reads the first one, “Surprise we are going to Disney World.” Nothing, no reaction what so ever and moves on to the second shirt, “Walt Disney World 2006.” Again, nothing! DH asks her what the shirts say. She says, “Yes, I know that we are going Disney World again someday.” DH says, “Not someday, look at the year, 2006.” DD8 says, “Ohhhhh!” but she is still puzzled. I, of course am absolutely brewing inside so I shout out, “Ashley we are leaving in two days.” She looks at us with huge eyes and says, “We are?” I must admit that I was a little disappointed that they did not get the jump for joy, screaming around the backyard like I dreamed about for months. It must have been a delayed reaction because, it took a few minutes to soak in before they both started jumping around and giggling. They each had to put on their t-shirts and continue to wear them all day. I now have this disappointing moment in my life on video in case we ever want to relive the experience again someday. The good news is DD8 tells me that she wants to be surprised for all of our vacations from now on.

 

[neonurse]

Isn't part of the fun of going the anticipation of it all? I know it is for me. The first time we went my 2 sons were 5 & 8. I made a treasure hunt map (like blues clues does) and when they reached each spot there was a clue... a toy airplane, their suitcases, pieces of paper that spelled "d i s n e y" and the last clue lead them to the family room and the treasure map said press play on the VCR. In it was the disney world vacation planning video. It was great there was screaming and crying (mostly from me) . We told the kids a month or so in advance so we had time to do some planning together. We even made a chart to count down the days. It is still magical even if you don't wake them up that day and say "we are going to Disney today". My boys told me that it was hard waiting for the day to come and wished they were just told the day before because they said they were toooooo excited and couldn't wait. Isn't that good though? It works on me. Even though I am planning a trip for Nov 2007 I am excited now and can't wait but I think that makes it even more special when you get there.

me dh ds11 ds7

 

[MissyDVC]

We surprised our children, then DS5 & DD3. We also were taking my Mom and told them that we had to drive Granny to the airport for her trip to Florida and help her check her bags in. Then, with the camera rolling, we told them that Granny wasn't going to Florida alone, we were all going to Disney World. They were in shock first and then elated! They could stop talking about everything they wanted to do for the whole plane ride, car trip and check-in at the hotel! It was the best way to tell them! We have since told them in advance now because they are older(DSalmost8 & DD6) and they like to plan and also we are DVC memebers so we go more often. Both ways are great but the surprise was wonderful for them and for us

 

[twinkletoesmom]

My kids are 4 & 7 and I could not imagine keeping it a surprise!! All though the treasure hunt was a very cool idea I'm w/ the one who posted about anticpation being half of the fun. My dd7 goes to a school which demands complete attention and is up there in academics and she has had no promlems consintrating. I have had so much fun planning this w/ them. If you present opitions the right way they really feel like this is their vaction. My kids love to ask me to recite our daily plans. I've had people send postcard from their favorite characters and a box of goodies (all disney fanny packs, hats, snacks etc.) from their friends at disney (me) is coming soon. They love to watch the planning movie and say I want to go on that and that. They have also been saving ANY money the find make or recieve to turn into disney $. So I think it's pretty clear that my vote is tell them!! But I'm sure no matter what, it's Disney and it will be special.

 

[pigget74]

My kids were 4 and 7 when we took our first trip and we surprised them. They had no clue until we drove under the Welcome to Disney Sign. WE have it all on camera and it is priceless. Go for it.

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm a big proponent of telling our kids. We went last year when they were 5 and 2.5, now they're 6.5 and 4 and we leave in 6 days.

For myself, the anticipation of a big event is just about as delicious as the event itself. I can't imagine depriving my kids of a joy that I love so much. Yes, I'm sure the video of a surprised, overwhelemed, and delighted child is priceless, but it's been priceless to talk with my kids almost every day about their WDW anticipation. We've had this trip planned since May, but we told the kids in early October via a Fairy Godmailer, so they'll have about a month of the fun of anticipation.

Also, you know how those of us on the DIS enjoy planning? Well, my 6.5 year old son loves planning, too -- we must be related!!! He puts in the WDW planning DVD most days, and we talk about what he wants to do and what he doesn;t want to do and why.

 

[katie111]

I would tell them but not too far in advance, maybe 2 or 3 weeks before. We're leaving next weekend and I told my 3 & 4 year olds last weekend. We've spent the entire week talking about it. They want to go through the guidebook every day and we make list after list of the rides they want to go on. It is so fun & so cute. They also ask me all day, every day, when we are leaving. That can get a little annoying so I can't imagine going through that for more than a couple weeks. As you know, 4 year olds have very little sense of time so I think telling them too far in advance can be hard for them. Either way, they will be so excited!

 

[kimkreis]

We are going in late January. Hubby will be returning from a 4 month deployment a few days before. Our countdown is for Daddy's return and I don't want anything taking away from that. Plus Daddy wants to be involved in telling them.

We plan on waiting until the morning of. Since we ahve an early flight I will have packed surreptiously and laid out outfits for them. New Disney things but we'll see if they notice. DH and DD5 will have had birthdays in the previous 20 days or so, and both kids know we are planning on doing something special, but not THIS special. So suitcases in the car won't be the tip off. I have been making backpacks for both kids with tons of fun Disney stuff. After we are checked in and through security I will let them open their backpacks and figure out where we are going.

Thanks to a previous poster, I will make sure we take te Disney planning DVD for the kids to watch on the flight!

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

I forgot to mention that we also watched the planning DVD together as well as the Travel Channel "Behind the Scenes" and they were clueless. There were so many times were I thought that they would catch on, but they didn't. My point is, you can still do all that fun stuff like watch planning videos to get them excited without actually telling them you are going.

 

[Suejeffali]

The first time we went with our DD was in 2003 and she was 3 1/2 years old. We didn't tell we made it a surprise. Plus we were staying at our in-laws so we wanted to surprise her about that. This time (we are going July, 2007) and our DD is 6 (she will be almost 7 when we go) so we told her and we all sit at the diningroom table and talk about what we will be doing and we are planning it as a family and we let her have some input on what we are doing. She thinks that is great!

 

[Tinksalot]

We will be going on our 5th trip to DW in January and....this time....we are not telling the kids. However, I never would have been able to keep it a secret the first time we went! There was so much planning and excitement involved! It was the first time flying for my kids AND husband, so we went to the airport a few times just to watch the planes and people. And the amount of time spent together on websites just looking at pictures.....it made it all more magical. And BOY! were they ever on their good behavior!

They are older now, and experienced WDWer's. They know what they want to do and where they want to go. This time though, the fun will be in the looks on their faces when we drive them to the airport instead of school! I can't wait!

Here is a little pixie dust for you and which ever way you decide to handle it cause it will be magical either way! Enjoy you trip AND your family!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'd definitely tell them but like the other posters said not too far in advance. Anticipation is half the fun and I wouldn't want my kids to miss out on that. Having said that telling them too early would probably be torture for them and you.

We're going in May 2007. So we're planning on telling our kids on Easter. We're going to have an easter egg hunt like we do every year, except this year there will be a letter in each egg w/the candy. They need to get all the letters and then unscramble them (w/help of course our kids are 7, 4& 2) to say "Walt Disney World".

Also I need to make our adrs in a couple of weeks - I've asked them questions like "somday if we go to WDW what characters would you like to meet?" and they've seen the planning dvd and I'll ask "What rides do you like". It helps me plan our trip 6 months in advance but w/o giving up the secret. They may suspect but not know for sure! I always phrase it by saying "someday if".

I don't know - its lots of fun! Planning is the funniest part for me! Good luck and do what you think is best!

 

[tchrrx]

My DD6 was in on the planning from 100 days out. We had a 100s chart hanging on the fridge & marked a day off each day. That way she was able to help me plan the trip. Her big surprise came the morning that we gave her a beautiful Cinderella dress (made by a friend) and an invitation to breakfast at the castle. I think it was great to have her help plan, but also fun to have a surprise.

We just bought into DVC & were so excited that we couldn't keep it from her. She now knows that we are going back, but has no idea when. We just told her that someday we may wake her up & tell her that we're leaving. We'll see how that works!

 

[rt2dz]

We've done it both ways and I have to say surprise is the best for us. There is a lot of anticipation when they know, but the wait is so hard--even if it is just a few weeks before they know. And then there is all the build up that can be disappointing if something does go as planned (rides down, rain), but when it is just dropped on them everything is a bonus.

 

[SOMEDAYMYPRINCEWILLC]

My kids are ages 10 and 13 and I told them about a month before.. WE LEAVE FRIDAY THE 3RD !! I AM SO EXCITED..they are too but doing well with it.. I have lots more to do and to think about and plan .. and since I have been before (just once 15 years ago for our honeymoon) I know what to expect.. although I am sure lots have changed.. but they don't realize or have a clue as to how wonderful and exciting and magical it is all gonig to be.. it is a dream come true for me. this trip !! I couldn't have kept it all a secret.. too much doing on and too much "stuff" to take care of. they are too big and have big ears !! No matter what you do it will be a great time

 

[mommycoz]

We told our older two, ages 16 & 13....The three younger ones (turns 12 at Disney, 8 & 7) have no idea what is planned. I'm surprised I've managed to keep my mouth shut for this long....we leave in 11 days.. The plan is to just wake them up about 4:00 in the morning and get to the airport by 5:00.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'd definitely tell them. I like to get our kids involved in the planning. I like to get the excited about. The anticipation is one of the best parts of a trip. Which would you prefer, months of building excitement or a single moment of extreme joy? I think the answer is different for different people.

I also have a bit of an odd reason for keeping the kids informed. My wife and I both lean more towards being "planners" rather than "spontaneous". We'd like to raise our kids to be the same. Some people seem naturally happier when they plan out their futures, others seem happier when they do things on the spur of the moment. We definitely prefer planning. I'm curious as to whether the "tell them" crowd and "surprise them" supporters differ in what extent the "plan for the future" and to what extent they "seize the day."

 

[minkydog]

We've done it both ways. Five years ago I planned a Disney trip and kept it a secret--my kids were 6,8,& 15 at the time. On Christmas Day, they opened a large box from Santa covered in holiday Mickey paper. Inside the box were T-shirts, Disney guidbooks for kids(complete with Disney Dollars), and some glow necklaces. When they opened the lid, a mickey balloon floated out with a note attaches that said "Kids, you're going to Disney World". They were so happy!

Then 3yrs ago, we planned a trip and told them all about it. They took part in the planning but we just didn't give them an exact date, something about when school gets out. Then one day we hitched up the camper and told them we were going camping in Florida. Innocents that they are, they never suspected a thing until we rolled into the WDW complex. We stayed at FW and had a blast!

We planned a trip last year for Thanksgiving and it got blasted due to Katrina. Then we planned a trip this year for Thanksgiving and it got blasted due to financial problems.the kids were so disappointed. thankfully, something else came through and we are going to be able to go in January. The kids know about the trip, and being older are more flexible(11,13,&20). What they don't know is that we are staying at the Poly! I think it's going to blow their minds.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We kept our last trip a surprise until a month before our vacation. Anticipation and a countdown chain are half the fun! Waiting a month before was a perfect time to tell them. There was a huge surprise element when we did spill the beans, and a month was a good countdown length for the kids. While a last minute surprise could be fun, I think that giving the kids the anticipation of a trip is even more fun!

Another thing to consider if you are flying and your kids have never flown before is that it's good to give them a head's up about going through security and what it's like to sit on an airplane for a few hours. This will give them a chance to get used to the idea of flying and to ask questions about what they can/can't bring on the plane with them.