When to spring the news?

[Disneyvirg]

I hope I'm posting this in the right spot...

When have you found to be the best time to tell your kids they're going to WDW? Ours will be 6 and nearly 3...and this will be their first trip - so they don't know what to expect. I was thinking about telling them a couple weeks before so they can get in on some of the planning and I can have them watch some YouTube videos to prep them. I think this will work great for our 6 year old. Not sure if that will be torture to our 2 year old who really has NO concept of time at this point. Any recommendations?

 

[bkstrick0725]

My son is 5 and we're planning on telling him next weekend, which will be 2 weeks ahead of time. Originally, I'd planned on surprising him, but like you, I felt like we needed to prepare him a bit before the trip. I'm giving him a clue each day until Saturday. Maybe you can do a countdown calendar leading up to your departure date. Have fun!

Kim

 

[Sillyminny40]

Si true ,their perspective of time is different from ours. Don't you feel as you get older time goes faster?

It drags for little ones. LOL! No matter what you do, telling them will be fun.

I think just a few days before is fine. The idea of dropping hints and ideas is great!

The older they are, the more time you can tell them ahead.

 

[DISNEYNV]

Since this will be their first trip I would surprise them the day before your trip! I know sounds crazy but would be so fun! They are still too little to really understand what Disney is like until they experience it themselves. I would lead up to the trip with some creativity. Have movie night with a Disney themed snack or dinner and a movie. Drop some hints with little surprises (it could be really fun for mom and dad and a memorable way to start your Disney vacation. But don't spoil the surprise(unless your oldest figures it out). The day before the trip give them each a gift. Like an autogragh book and Disney tshirt and ask them if they know what they would be for. But if you really can't stand the suspence just tell them now oh... Maybe put the book Disney with kids under your oldest pillow or whip it out for story time the night or two before and see his reaction... Just a few ideas.

 

[Disneyvirg]

My son is 5 and we're planning on telling him next weekend, which will be 2 weeks ahead of time. Originally, I'd planned on surprising him, but like you, I felt like we needed to prepare him a bit before the trip. I'm giving him a clue each day until Saturday. Maybe you can do a countdown calendar leading up to your departure date. Have fun!

Kim

I love the lead up clue idea - and the countdown calendar should help. Our advent calendar really helped the oldest with waiting for Christmas this year. The youngest enjoyed all the treats in it - just didn't realize we were counting down. Should work for WDW too!

Si true ,their perspective of time is different from ours. Don't you feel as you get older time goes faster?

It drags for little ones. LOL! No matter what you do, telling them will be fun.

I think just a few days before is fine. The idea of dropping hints and ideas is great!

The older they are, the more time you can tell them ahead.

Yeah - I think I could tell my oldest a couple months ahead of time...I just don't want to deal with "Is today the day we're going to WDW?"

Since this will be their first trip I would surprise them the day before your trip! I know sounds crazy but would be so fun! They are still too little to really understand what Disney is like until they experience it themselves. I would lead up to the trip with some creativity. Have movie night with a Disney themed snack or dinner and a movie. Drop some hints with little surprises (it could be really fun for mom and dad and a memorable way to start your Disney vacation. But don't spoil the surprise(unless your oldest figures it out). The day before the trip give them each a gift. Like an autogragh book and Disney tshirt and ask them if they know what they would be for. But if you really can't stand the suspence just tell them now oh... Maybe put the book Disney with kids under your oldest pillow or whip it out for story time the night or two before and see his reaction... Just a few ideas.

I love the movie night idea and the presents to drop the surprise. I'd love to spring it on them the day before - which would probably be best for the youngest, but my oldest has some issues with change. She cries if her schedule is different. I'm guessing it will be good to have a little time prep her with YouTube and Travel Channel programs before we go.

Thanks for your responses. I look forward to hearing some more opinions.

 

[RMulieri]

We told my 4 yr old from the moment we booked.It allowed her to get used to the idea, look at youtube ride videos,help decide meals and tourplans, and make a countdown calendar.My dd takes doesn't do well with last minute surprises of that magnitude.

 

[mdsouth]

...my oldest has some issues with change. She cries if her schedule is different. I'm guessing it will be good to have a little time prep her with YouTube and Travel Channel programs before we go.

Thanks for your responses. I look forward to hearing some more opinions.

I would definitely let your kids on the trip ahead of time. Two weeks sounds like a good length of time or possibly three. Your oldest will have the chance to get used to the idea and check out the rides, etc. before hand. It will help her adjust when you go. The time length isn't too long to hear over and over again from the little one -- do we go today!

The countdown calendar or countdown links are a great idea. I made up a savenger hunt to share the news with my kids. My oldest was 8 at the time and the youngest was 2 1/2. The oldest had lots of fun figuring out the clues. Each clue had a small surprise (swim goggles, etc) that we would use on the trip.

You can also give the kids a little folder or better yet a small photo album and stickers to use as they await the trip.