Who else is surprising the kids???!!!

[fan_of_small_world]

I'm doing the "tell them the wrong date" thing, except we're actually telling them the wrong season! Our DS and DD think we're going next spring, when it will actually be in the fall. (We're pulling them out of school, and I know how distracting the anticipation would be, espeically for DS.)

Since they know we will be going, we've watched both the planning video as well as the History Channel Modern Marvels - WDW video (DS7 loved it - maybe a future Imagineer!?!). They also love the Disneyland Sing-A-Long, which we've owned for several years but have been viewing a lot more lately. We've also already begun talking about the rides, hidden mickeys, the hotel, taking a plane, etc.

As for telling them the real date, I actually think we'll wait until the morning we leave (or NOBODY will get any sleep the night before - LOL!). Not sure how to spring the surprise yet, though. As for keeping the packing a secret, when we surprised them with a trip to the Bahamas a couple of years ago I used the guest room bed and just told them "Mommy is organizing stuff around the house," which they had no problem believing! This works best if you are going in the cooler months and they aren't using the clothes you need to pack.

 

[emma'smom]

We're surprising dd4 next week. I really think she is a bit young for a surprise and I am also a bit worried she'll just think we can go to Disney anytime. However, we just bought DVC and are dying to use some of our points. DH found a great flight rate...so we're going for a quickie! We do have a big trip planned with grandma/grandpa for March 2007, so she does get the "anticipation" of going on a trip and we have been talking about favorite restaurants, characters, rides, etc. Everytime we say "What shall we do today?" She says, "Let's go to Disney!" knowing that the answer is always that we'll be going next March. So next Friday when she gets in the car after camp, I'm going to say "Hmm, what should we do this afternoon?". I'm pretty sure she'll say "Let's go to Disney!" and I plan to say "OK, if you insist! Sure...let's head the airport!"...and see how long it takes her to figure out we're serious!

 

[PrincessParty]

I am surprising the kids, 2 DD ages 10 and 6. The reason for the surprise is DH is in the military and the last trip we had planned fell through when he got orders to leave earlier than first planned. We are going for Christmas. This will be our 3rd trip. We are staying at the Pop. The scenerio for the surprise is on the girl's last day of school when they come home the elves (Santa sends elves every year to "watch" the girls to see which "list" they belong on) will have their suitcases packed with directions to the airport. (Long story, but we are flying out of a different than normal airport as I had to change the original tickets, it was cheaper.) The directions will say something to the effect of after a plane and bus ride magic awaits.

I hope to book the Pirate's Cruise for them while we are there (Can make ADR's on 6/23) so maybe this will all be done like a pirate's map. (We are reading Peter and the Starcatchers.)

I started planning this in April. Thanks for letting me share, I was about to burst. I am counting days to make my ADRs and then it is 6 months away STILL!

 

[Carolc]

...
Since they know we will be going, we've watched both the planning video as well as the History Channel Modern Marvels - WDW video (DS7 loved it - maybe a future Imagineer!?!). They also love the Disneyland Sing-A-Long, which we've owned for several years but have been viewing a lot more lately. ...

Thanks for mentioning that DVD. Sounds like an interesting show... I didn't know about it! I looked on Amazon, and added that to my order (I ordered Birnbaums for Kids By Kids and The WDW Trivia Book: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic). Can't wait until they get here... course I need to hide them until I break the news.

For now, DD still loves watching the Disneyland Sing A Long... heck, after nearly 12 years of being a mom, so do I! I never get tired of it... though I'm surprised they never made an update to it.

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I are taking my 2 nieces, age 3 and 10, for their first visit this October 19th to the 22nd (my birthday and we always go on my birthday!). My sister does not like WDW (I know how the heck are we related!) so I told her I want to take the kids with me and experience WDW with kids, she thinks I am nuts and is grateful for the time off ha ha!

The kids do not know anything, lets face it if they did they would drive us crazy for the next 4 months!

So DH and I will pick them up after school and tell them we are going on an adventure. Pop a Disney DVD in the player and sit back and enjoy the ride. We are staying at the ASMo in the Toy Story building, the little one has a crush on Buzz Lightyear! I was going to reserve a moderate but DH thinks they would enjoy a more Dis themed resort.

We are taking them to 3 character breakfasts, the MNSSHP and the BBB boutique for makeovers before the party.

They will not know what we are doing when, I want them to be suprised with everything!

I cannot wait until Oct with the kids!!

 

[Carolc]

Oops, it backfired on me a little. DD has been thinking that we will go to Disneyland on Aug 28 (this is my birthday as well as my son's). I told her "I think we should go a little earlier since school starts on the 29th... <looking at calendar>... how about on Aug 16th?" She smiled and said okay.

Well, she went to a bday party yesterday and told the birthday girl that we are going to Disneyland on Aug 16. So when I saw the parent, she asked about it. I guess the family was planning to go sometime this summer, and when they heard the date we were going, the girls plotted to go on the same day... they were so excited.. they were laughing and hugging each other. Oops. I tried to tell the mother quietly that we are actually going somewhere else, but that my daughter doesn't know yet. That's all I had a chance to say.. gosh, I hope she doesn't think I just am avoiding her! Anyway, my plan back fired a little as now, there is another little girl excited about our outting at Disneyland... didn't mean for that to happen. I will have to call the mother back later, I think. Not sure if this will mean I will have to break the surprise earlier than expected...

 

[spoiltrotten12]

DD2 knows that we are going to WDW in July (we'll we've told her, don't know if she has remembered or not!) but we haven't mentioned our Halloween and Christmas trips to her yet.

 

[disneymac]

We hadn't originally planned a surprise for this trip, but now it will be! We were going to go in Dec and told the kids (DS8 & DD5) because we thought they'd enjoy the planning. That was back in March and DS said oh no why did you tell us when it's so far away?!! It's too hard to wait so long!!

Well, we've had to change our trip and we're going at the end of September, so I said to DH don't tell the kids we're changing the date. They get the fun of planning and we get the fun of surprising them! Woohoo!!

Last year I told them we were leaving a day later than we really were - just so they'd actually sleep the night before the trip - and the joy on their faces when we woke them up and asked if they wanted to go to WDW was awesome! Talk about magic....

I'm so excited - I can hardly stand it!! I've never wished for the summer to go by fast before!

 

[lexmelinda]

We are surprising DS5 who will be 6 by the time we get to WDW in September. He has a Spongebob calendar in his room and frankly he's a little OC when it comes to upcoming events we have marked on the calendar. I had to number backwards to the day the pool opened. He's already asking how much longer til Halloween, Christmas, etc. Anyway, we decided it would be best not to tell him until we get ready to leave--maybe until we cross the Florida state line---or maybe not til we see the Disney signs! Not sure how to surprise him but lots of great tips here!

Our girls 13 & 16 know about the trip so the big kids and I have had a great time planning and I let the girls pick one ADR each. My cool DD16 chose CRT (!?!) and DD13 chose Coral Reef. I booked LeCellier for DH the steak lover and WCC for the little dude. What did I book for myself? The whole trip...

 

[0bli0]

i suppose it's far easier to suprise the kids when you're driving there.

CarolC - are you planning to pack their bags and then just go to the airport that day(assuming you straighten out things with the other girl's mother)?
sounds quite exciting!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

i distinctly remember waking up on a saturday morning...and lounging around with my mom in brother in the kitchen, after we had eaten breakfast...and my mom saying...

"So, I was thinking we could do something fun today. Like, how does a trip sound...maybe to, I don't know, Disney World?"

I was SOOOOOOOOO excited. The funny thing is, I didn't remember this much at all until I saw this thread! I think this is a great thing to do with younger kids, but I always had fun helping my mom plan as I became a young teenager.

 

[scrappinmom]

Trying to keep this trip a surprise might just kill me. We left for NY to visit family yesterday....on the plane my oldest dd (11) says "mom- I wish this plane was going to my favorite place in the world." I say "where's that? an ice rink ?" (she's a figure skater) "No, mom, my favorite place is the same as yours, Disney" OMG I about lost it! We went last October and have always gone every 2 years or so. The girls have no clue that I've planned a trip 350 days after their last one! I think surprising them will be so fun, but I don't know if I can do it!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[3DisneyKids]

We just surprised our kids this past May (3.5, 5, and 7). We didn't tell them until we woke up that morning....

Our little family ritual is that every Sunday is family day and we go somewhere as a family...playground, beach, movies, bowling, etc. And at breakfast we always ask "Where do you guys want to go today??" And they all always yell "DISNEY WORLD!" And then we all laugh and say "yeah, right...let's head to the playground..."

So, this time when they yelled "Disney World!" DH and looked at each other and then back at them and said "Ok...get in the car...we're going to the airport RIGHT NOW!"

We expected them to freak out...which they did...but not like we thought they would. It turns out they totally didn't believe us! lol In fact, they didn't believe us until we were actually ON the plane! lol Then they were out of their minds!

One tip, though...if you are going to surprise, hold on to it until the day you actually go. If you do it the day or night before...they won't sleep! And you definitely don't want them heading into a Disney trip already exhausted.

 

[luvpoohbear]

In May 2005 we decided to go to WDW for a few days for Star Wars Weekends. The new Star Wars movie was coming out and it just happened to be opening on my youngest son's birthday(who was turning 7). It also happened that he is a major Star Wars Freak!! So we thought it would be cool to see the movie on his birthday at DTD and go to the Studios for Star Wars Weekend. We also decided to make it a surprise. MIL was going with us so we had her pick up the boys at school early and tell them she wanted to do something special for youngest's birthday. (The boys are 15 months apart) in the meantime, I had picked up the rental van and had it packed and ready to go. DH came home early from work and we went over to MIL and waited in the driveway. Well, the boys did not even notice the van. They went straight into the house. Then MIL brought out her suitcase and went back in for the boys. They came out and asked us what we were doing there and why did we have the van. DH told them we were test driving it and he was hungry and thought we could go get something to eat at Cracker Barrel. So they piled in the van, (never noticing the suitcases in the back) and we set off. We live about 25 miles north of Atlanta. We were a good hour or so on the other side of Atlanta before the oldest son(8) said, "Wow we sure are going a long way to Cracker Barrel. Dad, there is one right next to the mall you know!" Well we laughed, and I pulled out a letter that I had typed up a while ago. I handed it to the younger son and he read it. In the letter it said that we wanted to wish him a very happy birthday and here was a clue to his present from Mommy, Daddy and Grammie. I had put a picture of the Star Wars Weekend logo in the letter. He read the letter again, looked at the picture and looked at me very perplexed. The older son grabbed the letter from him and said let me see it. He read it and looked at me also perplexed. Finally he looked at his brother and said, I think we are going to see Star Wars! Well, DH could no longer stand it. He suddenly shouted, "Yes, we are going to see Star Wars but we are going to see it in Florida!" I turned around to look at the boys and all of a sudden the oldest got this grin on his face and said "We are driving all the way to Disney to see Star Wars?!?!" The youngest's face lit up and he started screaming, WOO HOO!!! It was priceless!! I explained the picture in the logo was for Star Wars Weekends and the youngest said, "You mean we get to go to the parks too?!?"

It was a wonderful surprise, but being the Disney lover in the family it was so doggone hard to not say anything for 4 months!!! We had also decided that we wanted it to be a surprise in case something happened and we couldn't go. In Nov.2004 we were scheduled to be at WDW for the week of Thanksgiving. We got there Saturday afternoon and early Monday morning a call came that said DH's grandmother had passed away, so we had to leave. The boys of course did not understand why we were leaving after we said we were going to be there for a week. So, we did not want to disappoint them for a second time.

It is great to surprise the kids, just for their reaction, but sometimes it is necessary!!!

Whatever you decide, it will be awesome!!!

 

[GoofyTraci]

This thread is so funny for me b/c I'm in the same boat. Sadly my son and I have never been on a vacation and he is 6. He will drive me crazzy everyday asking when we r going till he drives me crazzy. It is so hard for me not to tell him. But since he is so little he has no ideas. I booked my trip about a month ago. We will be at pop sept 18-24, I have all my adr's and got my airline tickets too. Just gonna wake him up early that morning and tell him where we are going. I think that way he will be so excited and maybe the plane ride wont be so bad. Anyway good luck with everyone else. Have fun. Hard not to tell but I'm working hard at it.

 

[ReinerFam]

We are going December 1-9th. We booked around Dec 30th last year! The kids think they are going to visit friends in Atlanta for a week. We are waking them up the morning they are leaving by blaring the Mickey Mouse song and screaming get up, we're going to Disney World today. Then we are going to tell them that we have a long two day ride. Then we are going to drive them straight to the airport for another surpirse!

Can't wait to tell them. They are 9, 6, and 2. I think I will probably be very emotional!!

 

[Carolc]

... Well, DH could no longer stand it. He suddenly shouted, "Yes, we are going to see Star Wars but we are going to see it in Florida!" I turned around to look at the boys and all of a sudden the oldest got this grin on his face and said "We are driving all the way to Disney to see Star Wars?!?!" The youngest's face lit up and he started screaming, WOO HOO!!! It was priceless!! I explained the picture in the logo was for Star Wars Weekends and the youngest said, "You mean we get to go to the parks too?!?"...

Great story, Stephanie! So well thought out and executed! I noticed in your ticker that you are going in September. Did you tell the kids this time or is it going to be another surprise?

 

[Carolc]

Well, guys, I have a confession... I was weak and succumbed!! I told the kids a few weeks ago. I always knew I wouldn't wait until the very last minute (DD(7) loves to plan, so I wanted to give her a small window to do so) - I was aiming to tell them 2 to 4 weeks before we leave. But I just couldn't stand it anymore! I've been for almost 3 months!

I think I could have pulled off waiting until the last minute if I only had DS(9) - he's so into his video games that he's not really thinking about the trip yet. Or perhaps if I just had the boy and DD(11) - she's quietly excited, and probably tired of hearing me talk about our plans. We actually surprised them with a day at Disneyland once... back when they were little, but nothing this big - but I think I could have pulled off a surprise WDW trip for them. My DD(7), however, would likely really miss the pre-trip anticipation. She is so excited. She asked me to find her a folder so she could store all her drawings and maps. She's been watching Disney World videos and prepping herself mentally for some rides (she's scared of ToT and HM, but she's starting to consider trying them). She's already got her carry on bag packed. So far, none have complained that it's still so far away. Let's hope it stays that way! Another reason I told them is that I wanted their input on a few itinerary decisions... since DH isn't coming, I want to make sure we have a good plan. I haven't told them we are staying at Pop though... I just told them we are staying at a cheap, simple, small motel. I also haven't told them about the free dining plan, so I hope they will be pleasantly surprised to experience a new dimension this time - and see some new things (ADR's at resorts we've never seen).

Well, stay strong everyone... the longer you can hold out the better, I'm sure. But if you do end up giving in, like me, I'm sure things will work out well too. Good luck, my friends!!!

Please keep the stories coming... I still enjoy reading about how excited the kids are. You guys are very creative!

Carol, OP

 

[luvpoohbear]

Great story, Stephanie! So well thought out and executed! I noticed in your ticker that you are going in September. Did you tell the kids this time or is it going to be another surprise?

Thanks!!!

We were going to try and keep it from them this time, but it reached a point where we needed something to bargain with. They both were starting to get too big for their britches(so to speak), so I finally had to tell them about the trip. What made the difference for this trip is they are going to see their Grandparents whom they haven't seen in 3 years, so they are pretty excited about that too. I wish we could have kept it a secret, but it just about drove me crazy the last time not being able to say anything.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

how far in advance did you book the trip? maybe 6 months?

- how old is your child(ren)? 9 , 7 and 3

- how far in advance will/did you tell them? we fly to Dallas and connect to Orlando they think we are going on vacation in Texas so we will tell them when we land there after we are off the plane as to not have anyone scream ON the plane

- how will/did you tell them?

- did you almost blow the surprise yes many times they know we are planning to go in 2 years so I just have to keep using that like the other day I said to my mom when we go to Disney we are on free dining ... then when I realized the kids were there I said but its still so far away I hate to think about it yet I have done this maybe 3 different times but caught myself every time