When Did You Tell Your Kids and How?

[rainwatter]

We had one trip where we told DD we were going to visit family tomorrow, but left off the at WDW part. Our flight was early, and she is not an am person, so we just waited until she figured it out. When she finally did, she pouted the whole rest of the day bc she was "just really super excited to go to grandma's house, and now we're not." We have pictures in front of the castle, everyone all excited, and she's but by the next day she was really excited.

 

[hedge333]

We are going in Oct. My dds are 5 and 8, I wanted to go one more time while they were both still little (my oldest still believes in tooth fairy, etc. although she is getting skeptical) The last two times we planned way in advance and they knew all about it. This time we decided to surprise them. We are going to tell them one month out from our trip, only because they are little planners and telling them day of or even a week out would stress them out because they're not prepared. We are going to do a scavenger hunt for supplies they will need for Fall Break. These things will all be generic, not Disney specific. I'll give them the option to guess after they find each supply. The last clue will lead to a box filled with balloons and magic bands and Disney for Kids planning books. I'm so excited.

 

[Overexcited]

Our last trip in September 2013 we completely surprised the boys. They both thought I was going to visit a friend in Vegas. They thought my husband was working, so my parents drove me to the airport. They dropped me off at the door and told the kids to stay in the car so I could check in while they parked. They came in and up the escalator, my DH and I were standing there with a sign that said "Surprise we are going to Disney World, Right NOW!!"
They were floored!! Coolest surprise ever! One time deal, can never pull that off again!
We just booked our next trip today, they are already planning it out!

 

[pennyg]

Our first trip both kids knew before we even booked. They were very involved in planning. When we got back we told them we would try to go again in 2016.

My hubs got a new job and with it a nice raise so we were going to take them again this November but had chosen not to tell them in case it fell through. Good thing we didn't because we had to do a major house repair that used our Disney money so it pushed us until the next time they are out of school, spring break in March 2015. We are not telling them this time, either.

Of course I have no idea how to surprise them. They are still a very big part of our planning as we have talked almost daily about our next trip so I know what rides they are not interested in and what characters they want to see. I guess I will slowly pack their suitcases the week before spring break and put them back in their closets so they won't notice. I would love to wait until we are driving on to Disney property but I'm sure my girls will figure it out when we drive into Florida if not before. Makes me think I should tell them the morning we leave.

If anyone has suggestions for an 8 and 9 year old, let me know.