We've kept it a secret for over 6 months!

[TashaRVT]

Well, we've done it - almost! We've managed to keep our WDW vacation for this winter a complete secret!! The kids (DD 9y and DS 6y) have NO clue, and we're hoping to see how far south we can get (we live in Toronto, Canada) before they catch on.

There's a couple of problems; 1) we're flying out of Buffalo, so we have to cross the border, which will require a conversation with the border guard, telling them where we're going, and they may even want to hear it from the kids (they did last time!).
2) my daughter's not as gullible as she used to be - and now she can READ!! So I assume she'll be able to figure things out once we get to the airport.

So as you can see, it's a bit of a tall order, but we really want to make a bit of a game of it! Anyone have any sneaky ideas?

 

[cheerforchelsea]

A couple of years ago we told my granddaughter (she was 5 at the time) that we were going to see my nephew play football (she had been to some of his high school football games). We drove all the way to Orlando and she figured it out only when she saw a Disney Bus!!!!

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

Good for you!

We have been to WDW twice now, and we kept it a secret both times. We just got back a day or two ago, and we had such a magical trip!

 

[The Hendies]

Boy, it really depends on who you get at the border crossing. We cross into Niagara Falls several times a year and you get the good, the bad and the ugly! You can start by just hinting, things like ...Well, it's a surprise to some of us, but we're taking a flight to that 'magical place', you know, Walt's World. You may have to be out with it, but it sure is worth trying. Have fun with the secret!

 

[OntFamily]

The only option way you can potentially keep it a secret, is to get a NEXIS card ($50 per person, for everyone in your car) to avoid having to talk with US Customs in Buffalo. A NEXIS card will allow give you quick travel through the USA border, without necessarily having to talk to a border guard.

Otherwise, the customs officer will ask where you are going, and you will need to tell them the details (ie driving to Buffalo airport, and flying to Florida, and staying for 7 days). They usually want specifics.

Dependent on how often you cross the border (ie do you go shopping in Buffalo regularly?), you won't be able to keep it a secret long. For example, if the only three times you've driven through St Catharines was going to BUF for a flight to WDW, your children will guess what is is, as you drive down the QEW.

You may want to tell them when you get in the car, as you drive (crawl...) down the 401.