When & how to tell kids?

[aj2hall]

We're taking my 2 older boys (6 & 8) in Dec. I know its too early, but trying to decide when would be a good time to tell them. Maybe 2 -3 weeks before? I'd love to completely surprise them, but my oldest has Aspergers and does not deal well with changes. He'll need to know all of the plans ahead of time to give him a chance to adjust. And I'd like to show him the maps before we go, so he doesn't fixate on them at the parks. I'd like their input on which rides & attractions, they want to do. So any advice on when to tell them or any creative ways of telling them?

 

[Perditamarie]

How fun! I am sure your boys will also appreciate you asking for their input. Here are some ideas:

* prepare an invitation from Mickey - use oversize paper and envelope, stickers etc -- prop it up by the mail box for them to find after it's "delivered"

* there are a ton of ideas on these boards for scavenger hunts

* present them w/ Disney World Vacation kits: fill a cinch sack/backpack/swim bag/gift bag etc with: Birnbaum guide for kids, Disney planning or sing-a-long video, Disney t-shirt, hat, sunglasses, chapstick, swim goggles, disposable camera etc. Check out The Disney Store, dollar store, target & walmart for the items.

* I think you can order customized maps from disneyworld.com and can also check those out before your trip

* create a simple countdown project with a calender or paper chains to mark the days until your trip.

have a great trip.

 

[disneyfan2]

our last trip i told my DD 8 about 2 months ago, and although it was initially fun to watch her excitement, it got too much She constantly talked about what to do where to go etc.. Next trip i think we wil hopefully wait til the day before. Although i will probably cave and tell her a week in advance so she has time to really think about what attractions are important to her.

the invitations would be great along with a disney book-for kids, by kids really gets there excitement up!

 

[hugabearjo]

How fun. My oldest has Aspergers as well (ever so mild but ever present as well) So I understand the not surprising him too much. Our first trip he too was 8 (wow 8 years ago) and I made a puzzle of the invitation by cutting it into 12 pieces on the back of each clue I wrote directions to finding the next piece. We did this about a week before. Then after they found the invitation I presented them with a scrapbook (minus photo's of course) for him to get used to the idea of things he would see. He also is a goal setter and I had him help me make a list of photo's we were sure to get. This proved to be a mistake as he focused on getting the job done, and stressed about it. I have learned so much since then and would never try that again.

My kids at the time had a ball they were (8, 6, 4) at the time. I still look back and think that was part of the fun of the entire trip.

Good luck and I am sure that you will find the perfect way to tell them.

Have fun and Smile

 

[my3disneygirls]

My kids have known about our uncomming April trip since June. Never thought of a creative way of telling them, next time maybe. My girls are 6, 11 and 14. They are having fun reading the menus and helping pick out places to eat. I don't know your son, but I think maybe a month would be good for him. He can go over the maps, watch the rides on Utube...This way he wont be fixated on the trip.

 

[steppie]

To surprise my ds(8)and dd(9)I sent them postcards from Mickey saying that santa told him they were so good this year he was sending them to his house for Christmas.That was 4 years ago and they still cann't wait to get them .(they may not believe anymore but they like mail)We also keep them for scrapbooking.