"We're going to Disney.. Surprise!" What to put in package?

[Easto]

I want to throw together a Disney package for my two girls, 4 and 6.

We are going to WDW in late August and I need to cool way to tell them the surprise.

I was thinking about a Disney Beach Towel and some other Disney stuff they can use on the trip.

I need some ideas!

We are going in August, so princesses dresses will be way too hot.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I'm in the same boat as you. Looking to put something together for daughter(8) and son(2).

So far this is what I've come up with:

-Found Disney T-shirts on sale at Target for both kids. Average price was around $10 each. Took advantage of the sale and got them 1 for each day of the trip.

-those bracelets an necklaces that glow in the dark when you crack them for when we are in the parks at night. Also found these at Target for $1 for a 5pack. I went a little overboard and bought something like 20 packs. I have no idea why I thought we needed that many so it looks like my kids will be sharing them with other kids we see in the parks who would like them.

-got them each a Disney gift card so they can choose which souvenirs they want. (Also teaches them the value of a dollar because this is the only money they will get from me for souvenirs)

-earbuds to use on the airplane with their tablets. They currently have regular headphones but didn't want to bring those because of their size.


Subscribing to this thread. Hoping to get more ideas!

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Too hot for princess dresses, but what about tiara's? Maybe just from the dollar store?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If you are going out to eat, the can wear their princess dresses then, they can also wear them at night. That's what we are doing for my 2 yr old granddaughter for our end of July trip

 

[Aliceacc]

A copy of Birnbaums WDW for Kids. http://books.disney.com/book/birnbaums-2016-walt-disney-world-for-kids/

It includes a description of each ride, written by kids. Lot of pictures, fairly easy vocab.

 

[amy1981]

We've done this on a couple of our visits when our girls were close to those ages. Things I've included are a Disney t -shirt, mouse ears, an autograph book with a retractable sharpie (characters with gloves really appreciate this!), Disney earrings & hair accessories, Disney bathing suit, flip flops & towel for the pools, and Disney coloring books for the plane ride. If you start shopping around you can find a lot of this stuff on sale through the Disney store or other places. Especially this time of year with the swim stuff and towels. We also included a letter in each of their boxes from Mickey & Minnie telling them how excited they were for us to come visit, that they were getting everything ready and Ariel was in charge of making sure the pool was just right.

 

[cyneswith]

I've got a bag for my kids once they get there, but the same could apply for a pre-trip gift. It contains a coloring book, a tiara for DD, a character poncho, glow sticks, a sticker book, and magic band (DD is too young, but DS has one.) They are also getting character PJs, but that's super non-exciting at their ages. Were they at the autograph stage, it'd also contain an autograph book and sharpies.

 

[Thing 1]

FYI- my then preschooler was over the top excited about his disney themed PJ's . We told DS about a trip about a month out around that age and we had the WDW book for kids, and a tshirt for every day of the trip. We love doing themed items we need anyway, clothes, PJS, toothbrushes, body wash, wash clothes, and lots of fun themed snacks and drinks. Gummy snacks are great for in lines and those juice bottles with the disney themed heads are just fun. He would have one in the morning for his on the go breakfast and then we would fill it with water or drink during the day and just toss by the end of the day. Fun and a bit special. Glow toys are great great great and much cheaper than buying anything there. We really don't buy much of the junk travel stuff but a new disney themed color wonder book for the travel was always fun.

 

[em_and_them]

I have the same questions, however my kids are a bit older. I have a 13 year old boy and an 11 year old girl. They will be getting the trip for Christmas, (traveling in February), along with some fun travel things that northern kids don't usually get for Christmas, such as swim suits. The idea is that they get a number of small items to open, with the final big gift being the trip reveal. What else can I wrap up for them to put under the tree? Any ideas for a way to reveal the trip through a gift? I will need to buy a lot of these things NOW since it's summer. So far I'm thinking:

*swim suits
*flip flops
*comfy shorts outfits
*sunglasses
*ear buds for the flight

 

[Aliceacc]

Again, I love including a book so they can get a real idea of what WDW includes.

 

[em_and_them]

I was thinking about a Disney Beach Towel and some other Disney stuff they can use on the trip.

I need some ideas!

We are going in August, so princesses dresses will be way too hot.

I would skip the towel. Baggage fees for airlines are expensive (unless you're driving, of course), and the resort will have these for you to use. Maybe some sunglasses? Flip flops?

 

[em_and_them]

Again, I love including a book so they can get a real idea of what WDW includes.

Love this idea!!! Did you already post a link to a book that you recommend?

 

[Aliceacc]

This one may be a little young for your kids: http://books.disney.com/book/birnbaums-2016-walt-disney-world-for-kids/ but it does give a good rundown on the rides. Or take a look at the Passporter book.

And why not stock up now on sunscreen, flip flops, visors... the kind of stuff that's hard to find at Christmas?

And don't forget a Disney gift card-- available online or at any Disney store-- for spending money.

When a close friend goes for the first time, I sometimes make up a booklet. I print up some of the fun articles I find online-- "Best frozen drinks in WDW" type of stuff, and put them into page protectors in a folder.

 

[em_and_them]

Love this idea!!! Did you already post a link to a book that you recommend?

A copy of Birnbaums WDW for Kids. http://books.disney.com/book/birnbaums-2016-walt-disney-world-for-kids/

It includes a description of each ride, written by kids. Lot of pictures, fairly easy vocab.

I found it! Question- would this book be too young for my 13-year-old boy? Or would the adult version be more appropriate? As far as the autograph section, I'm considering getting them a spiral book of plain notecards that tear out to add to a scrapbook.

 

[em_and_them]

This one may be a little young for your kids: http://books.disney.com/book/birnbaums-2016-walt-disney-world-for-kids/ but it does give a good rundown on the rides.

Great minds.

 

[mernin]

We did a personalized t-shirt, a little purse (minnie & elsa) from target and some colouring pages for my 2 & 7 DD when we surprised them. I would have included an autograph book but wanted one from the park.

 

[Aliceacc]

Amazon also has autograph books for about $5.

Oh, and you can order pins to trade. Take a look at www.mousepinsforless.com though my kids never got into pin trading.

 

[em_and_them]

Just thought of this one- fanny packs! Cheesy, I know, but if you can wear a fanny pack anywhere, it should be WDW!!!

 

[Pesky]

Too hot for princess dresses but have you thought about the fancy nightgowns that look like princess dresses that are sold at the Disney store (F&F event starts today, 25% off!)? I've seen plenty of little girls wear those instead and they are cooler. And even just for sleep they are fantastic. DD loved those nightgowns at that age. Oh and just thought of something -- there are sparkle running skirts/skorts in jr size! Fashionable and functional. http://sparkleathletic.com/product-category/jr-skirts/ That's just one vendor I found but probably worth a look around.
* Water bottles
* Disney band aids (that skinned knee can becomes a lot better when you get those)
* stickers
* dollar bin glow sticks and necklaces
* sunglasses (some Disney ones run small so be sure to eyeball the size -- otherwise Children's Place has some fun bling-y ones too)
* I've found my two prefer KidzGear headphones to ear buds for comfort. They are fantastic! sold on Amazon
* Disney t-shirts or the like
* swim suits
* frog togs
* mister fans -- you can get those at Walmart or the like
* autograph book with sharpies or something for autographs like a pillowcase with an embroidery hoop (makes it easier for the characters to sign when it's taut) or photo mat
* pins if you think they'd like pin trading (FYI, I got pins for the DLR trip and neither really got into it -- womp womp)
* mini m&m tube with quarters and pennies for pressed pennies if you think they'll like that
* plush animal -- you can go small with the mini tsum tsum if you prefer.
* Disney movie
* Disney books/stories, coloring books with crayons or colored pencils, blank pad of paper

Re the beach towel, if you have room to carry them on board, it's not a bad idea. Instant pillows or blankets and can serve double-duty.

For my two (who think we're going to PHX -- ), I have the Birnbaum's book, our Disney planning DVD, and a coupon book I've put together using homemade personal coupons via the Creative DISigns board. It's great because I have some free/near free stuff in there like a coin for the wishing well, safari ride, JTA, and "take a break" (which is a good reminder that everyone needs a break at some point and to speak up -- I'm putting several of those in the book) and then some not-free stuff like a special treat, cake pop, pick a pearl, build your own lightsaber, etc.. I figure it is a good way to get them excited about WDW. Also I made a journal for each of them to record favorite and least favorite things of the days. Figure it will be good writing practice for DD and DS plus a nice memory for them.

 

[Neotericisis]

I am planning surprise kits for my DS (7) and DD (8). They are finding out next Friday after going on a little scavenger hunt (they are getting new ipads that just got delivered yesterday so we are telling them the night before we leave so that they can load their apps). We are doing a roadtrip from NJ so we need lots of stuff!

Here is our kit so far (sorry if I forgot anything, I'm going from memory):

-2 personalized towels (got on sale at Disney.com- $11.ea.)
-Mickey swim trunk set (towel matches) (got on sale at Disney.com- $11.ea.)
-Minnie swimsuit set (towel matches)(got on sale at Disney.com- $11.ea.)
-2 Disney Official Autograph books (got on sale at Disney.com)
-1 blue sharpie; 1 pink sharpie
-Disney activity book for boys (got from Five Below for $5)
-Disney activity book for girls (got from Five Below for $5)
-2 new ipads (upgrade from cheaper, less capacity tablets since its a road trip from NJ)
-2 15,0000 mAh portable chargers for said ipads
- star wars metal dogtag ($1 on clearance at walmart)
-minnie earrings ($1 on clearance at walmart)
- 02cool necklace fans that blow upwards (4/$20 at CVS)
-mickey drawstring backback (super cheap on Amazon)
-minnie drawstring backpack (super cheap on Amazon)
-mickey landyard zipper pouch (to match the backpack- to hold pennies for the pressed penny machine- Amazon)
-minnie landyard zipper pouch (to match the backpack- to hold pennies for the pressed penny machine-Amazon)
-About 4 activity books/pads (from Dollar Tree- really a hit on our last roadtrip to VA, I need to get more)
-frog toggs (I got the mini ones, I originally purchased the large ones but thought they were too big)
-Brain Quest cards for grades 2 & 3
-LED lightup sunglasses, necklaces etc. (the ones with the on/off button, not glow sticks- from Target Dollar Section)

I think this is it. I can't wait to do the scavenger hunt. I think I will blow up a picture of a clip art mail box and cut it into several puzzle pieces (giving them clues as to where each piece is hidden). Once they have all the pieces they will go to the mailbox. Each kit will be outside next to the mailbox and be placed inside the boxes we received from my Disney.com orders with a note from Mickey and Tinkerbell (they are the characters on the inside of the box). We will let them enjoy the kit for about an hour, and then give them the ipads. The ipads will steal all the thunder from my little kits so I want them to enjoy all the Disney themed things first!

I can't wait to video tape it (I won't put it on youtube though, that just doesn't sit right with me. Funny, since I love viewing those videos)

9 more days until they find out!!

Oh! One more thing! While at party city this weekend (we had a Pirate themed beach b'day party for my DS who just turned 7) I slyly passed the Mickey and Minnie b'day stuff. They had Mickey ear hats for $5.99 and Minnie ear headbands for $5.99. This is MUCH cheaper than what we will find at Disney. I just want a pic or two with the ears since I know they won't keep them on for long so this is a cheaper route to take. Ya never know, they may surprise me and actually wear them (esp. at night!).