will my surprise be ruined at YYZ?

[erin1998]

Good morning everyone...

I'll explain what my plans are first, then ask my question as this is kind of confusing... Next year I am taking my son to Disney World to celebrate both of our birthday's. My son thinks that we are flying from YYZ and staying at CBR for a week, then flying home and he is really excited about it! What he doesn't know is that my parents will be driving down to Disney (after they drop us off at YYZ) and surprising him on his birthday. He also doesn't know that at the end of our week at Disney, we are not going home. We are all sailing on the Freedom of the Seas. Then we are all going to drive home together, taking our time and site-seeing along the way.

So, my question is....since I am only going to have a one-way ticket at the airport, is Customs going to question me how we are getting home. I really don't want to explain that we are driving home after our week in Disney and a week on a cruise with my parents, when my son thinks that it's just the two of us in Disney only!

Any advice on how to handle this one....
Thanks
Erin

 

[crashbb]

I often buy two one-way tickets when traveling and have never been questioned by US customs/immigration, though I always bring proof of my return trip just in case.

I have, however, been questioned by the airline check-in agent (though this is rare). You could just tell them you have two one-way trips (they never ask to see proof or anything - just point out that US customs/immigration might ask for it).

 

[encinc]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you should be fully prepared to have your surprise spoiled at the airport. "How long are you going to be in the US?" is a common question at customs/immigration. It doesn't have anything to do with having a return air ticket or anything like that. Just that the US has a right to know how long foreigners plan to be in the country.

Your trip sounds like so much fun. I'd love to do something like that for my boys! Perhaps you could find a way to build the revelation of the surprise into your plans for the airport.

 

[crashbb]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you should be fully prepared to have your surprise spoiled at the airport. "How long are you going to be in the US?" is a common question at customs/immigration. It doesn't have anything to do with having a return air ticket or anything like that. Just that the US has a right to know how long foreigners plan to be in the country.

Your trip sounds like so much fun. I'd love to do something like that for my boys! Perhaps you could find a way to build the revelation of the surprise into your plans for the airport.

Whoops - I had totally forgotten about that. Yup - they do ask you when you plan on returning, which is going to be a problem.

 

[jasmom]

We drove over the border at Ivy Lee from Kingston. My 2 youngest did not know we were going to Disney. I wrote a note that said we were going to Disney and that it was a surprise. I put the hotel info on it too. My husband handed it to the border guard on top of the passports. No problems. My kids knew we were flying to Florida, but my in-laws have a place that we go to sometimes. My ds and dd didn't figure it out till we were at all-star music, and we took the magical express. My daughter was asked at the airport if she was going to Disney and she said no, going to visit her grandparents.

 

[erin1998]

Thank you all for your responses!

I am afraid that the ole "how long will you be in the US" question will ruin it. However, I do like your idea jasmom about the note to the customs agent. I figure it is worth a shot. If they still say something, then at least I tried.

Thanks again,
Erin

 

[crashbb]

Okay, so I've been trying to figure out how to say this tactfully, but I failed.

Is there a dad, in the picture? If so, will you have a letter/forms indicating that you can take your son out of the country (for the true length of your trip)?

I only ask because I fear you may have more trouble as a single parent, given that you are taking your son away for a different length of time than he thinks he is going away. I know you'll be handing a note to the agent (stating that the trip is a surprise), but that seems like a good trick for a parent who was trying to sneak a child across the border.

Please note - I am NOT at all insinuating that you are doing anything wrong (I love the idea of surprising your son), just trying to come up with the obstacles, because maybe someone has an idea of how to overcome them.

 

[erin1998]

Hi crashbb,
The answer to your question is "yes", there is a father in the picture but I have sole legal and physical custody of my son. I travel about 2 or 3 times a year alone with my son. I used to get a note from his dad, but only once did I give it to the customs agent (only because I volunteered it). This agent told me that I do not need to get any other notes since I have custody and it states in the custody order that I can travel with my son outside of Ontario and Canada. There are also other details in the custody order pertaining to travel and passports, etc.
That being said, I am sure that his dad will write a note for us if I asked.

Thanks for your help. I can't think of all the obstacles that I might come across, so I appreciate someone else helping...
Erin