We surprised our kids...

[crusoemom]

As some of you may remember, I had a thread last month with questions about surprising young kids (6 and 3yo) with a trip to WDW. We were going to FL anyway to visit relatives and decided to fly into Orlando and spend a few days at WDW before moving on to the relatives.

Somehow I managed to keep it a secret until we got on the plane. I had packed the backpacks with the Kid's guide to WDW and some Mickey snacks. We told them when we got in the air, and... they were pretty nonchalant! The 3yo didn't really know what we were talking about so we didn't expect much from him. The 6yo, however, was just OK about it. Admittedly, she had just been 18 months ago, but she didn't even want to look at the WDW book. She had a new Scooby Doo book and it was apparently more interesting. I was a little let down that she didn't seem more excited. At least she wasn't upset that we hadn't brought everything that we normally bring with us.

However, once we actually got there, they had a fantastic time! It was DS's first time to actually experience the rides and characters, and he had a blast. We've been back over 2 weeks and he still talks about it several times a day.

The AKL was stupendous - just right for young kids. The pool was wonderful and the animals were always there if we wanted a diversion. We used the bus transportation and we never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. DH timed the bus to the MK and it was 15 minutes - not exactly a Monorail hotel, but better than most other places that make multiple stops before heading to the final destination. We truly loved that it was a single-destination bus line.

Any questions, feel free to ask. I can't wait to go back!

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Oh that sounds so familiar!

We went away (on honeymoon) without our DD 2 years ago, while we were away we decided to take her to WDW partly because we'd missed her so much and wanted her to have a fun holiday also.
We booked it without her knowing (she was 5 at the time) and made her tickets with her name on which she got to open - we were expecting elation - but no, what we got was
"oh ok, can I watch cartoons now?"

Kids huh?

lol

 

[MELSMICE]

We have a surprise trip planned for our 3 DD's in Nov. The best part of it is it happens to be Super Soaps Weekend & they have become addicted to All My Children over the summer & now watch it more than I do. They found out that Eva LaRue is going to be there (Maria) & told my husband & I that we should take them there to meet her. They have no idea we are actually going to be there.

I can't wait to see there faces when we pick them up from school & then go to the airport!!!

 

[Brave Little Tailor]

Last year we surpised our kids (7, 5, 3) at the time. They had never flown before! We woke them up at 6 in the morning and told them we were going out for breakfeast - had a limo waiting in the driveway. They loved every minute of the trip - They didn't figure out where we were until we drove under the Welcome to Disney World sign (luckily our son didn't realize that Disney was in Orlando.) We did have quite a job of distracting them from seeing all the billboards with Disney attractions on them on the way. I will never forget my daughter's eye light up when she realized where we were there "For REAL?" she asked. Best of all, my mother and sister-in-laws flew down and spent five days with us there. The kids couldn't believe it when we got to the hotel and here comes Grandma around the corner : ) This was the best trip! I loved every minute of planning this trip - well getting resies to Cindy's was a little trying. We had four very happy princesses when we got to breakfeast - also a surpise.

Now my son is older and wiser, so I won't be able to pull this off the same way. He knows we have a trip planned sometime soon, but he doesn't know when...

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I'm planning to surprise our 4yo next month. She doesn't know anything about it yet. We're not sure what to tell her when we get on the plane though. The only time she has ever been on a plane is when she has gone to Disney World so she's probably going to figure it out, but we're gonna try to tell her we're going somewhere else...we just have't come up with a good lie yet.

The funny thing is, the other day she was talking about wanting to go again one day. I asked her when she supposed we'd get to go back. She looked right at me and said, "34 days." and that's exactly how many more days we had to go at the time! And I know there's NO way she could have possibly figured it out yet.

 

[jldriscoll]

Originally posted by Princess_Aurora
I'm planning to surprise our 4yo next month. She doesn't know anything about it yet. We're not sure what to tell her when we get on the plane though. The only time she has ever been on a plane is when she has gone to Disney World so she's probably going to figure it out, but we're gonna try to tell her we're going somewhere else...we just have't come up with a good lie yet.

The funny thing is, the other day she was talking about wanting to go again one day. I asked her when she supposed we'd get to go back. She looked right at me and said, "34 days." and that's exactly how many more days we had to go at the time! And I know there's NO way she could have possibly figured it out yet.

Does she dis?

LOL

 

[mjenni27]

We surprised our DS (6) this year and he was verrrry so so about it when we told him that we were going to Disneyworld for Vacation. We had driven all night to get there and told him when he woke up. The way we told him was by giving him a disney dollar to spend on vacation. After we got there he went through the roof!!!! Turns out he didn't understand the disney money as disney is about more than money. I would recommend surprising a child to anyone. The look on his face was priceless.

 

[suejmj]

WoW!!!! wat a great way to surprise kids. I wish my parents did that! the limo idea seemed awesome!!!! Being a teenager, i still would want to be surprised!

 

[cbvacation]

We are also planning a surprise trip for our kids in about a month. They know we are taking a vacation -- they think we are going to the Smoky Mountains (which we are, on the way home from Florida!).

I can't wait to surprise them, and can't believe we've kept it a secret this long. Now, we are just trying to figure out how to tell them. My son is 8 and my daughter is 4. We are driving all night to get there....am thinking of letting them believe the mountain story for the first day (and night) of the drive, then surprising them with the real news at breakfast....but, we're open to suggestions, anyone?

 

[LEXAVE]

We are planning the big surprise in October. I have run so many ideas through my head, I have confused myself. We are driving too and picking DD (7) up from school when we leave.

My latest idea is for my DH to wear a t-shirt that says "Hop in the car..." and for mine to say "We are going to Disney".

I will also have "goody bags" with autograph books as well as the starer trading pins for younger DD (4) and disney dollars.

One other idea: My husband and I start driving and then put on our Mickey ears and wait for DDs to notice.

DD (7) talks about Disney all of the time, if she takes the news in stride, I will be surprised. However, I have braced myself based on this thread. (Thanks for the warning.)

Any other suggestions?

 

[MinnieGi]

Lexave: I like your Mickey ears idea best! Put those ears on and start singing "It's a Small World" And see if your kiddies catch on. Maybe have ears waiting for them too?

I love this idea of a surprise vacation. I've filed it away for a future vacation!

 

[MELSMICE]

MinnieGi - I see you are leaving for OKW in 52 days. We are going on Nov. 8 & staying at OKW also (arriving at OKW on the 9th). Have a great time while you're there.

We're going to surprise our kids by picking them up from school, coming home to get the luggage & right to the airport. I may have to do the "ears" thing also when I pick them up - although my middle school daughter would be mortified!!!

 

[MinnieGi]

Melsmice - Have a great time at OKW also. Maybe we'll pass each other coming in/going out!

Absolutely do the mickey ears and mortify your middle schooler! I can just see the rolling of eyes already! She may be mortified but once you're on your way I know she'll love going!!!!

Have fun!!
Gi