Would you?

[Fabinva]

We surprised our DS7 and DD5 last April with a Disney trip and we drove there, they did not know where we were going until we actually got there and son read the WDW sign, it was a nice surprised but I would not do it again, next time will let them know about a month in advanced and get them involved in the planning.

 

[natnelliesmom]

We didn't tell our girls before we went last September. We slept over at an airport hotel the night before we left- and they didn't even know we were flying out! The next morning I took out some cute Disney princess wind breakers that I had ready for them. They started to realize then that they were going to Disney and they freaked out in the hotel room. It was awesome!
The trip we took in March- we told them ahead of time- they were still excited but it wasn't nearly as fun. They couldn't stop asking us for weeks ahead of time and to be honest- I don't think I would ever tell them ahead again! They don't need to know until we get on the plane.
-Sarah

 

[perkinsrose]

I wouldn't surprise them just because I LOVE the planning and how having all that time to anticipate makes the vacation seem that much longer. We're only there for a week so having some magic moments in the weeks ahead is a big part of the fun.

We make a paper chain with 30 links and cover it with Disney stickers and then every night we rip one link off for our countdown and talk about what we're going to do and see and eat (Mickey Bars!) at Disney. Since we go every year it's becoming a tradition for us.

The whole family loves the anticipation & planning (as young as 4yrs. --they really can handle the waiting) We've been known to do paper chains MUCH longer than 30days! They save up their dollar allowance and are sometimes given disneydollars from family for Christmas/birthday. The kids usually have school work to complete BEFORE the trip. We "train" with many mile walks for months before. We like to watch disney movies like Bugs Life , Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Fantasia, etc. in months before while we wait. Surprise just doesn't sound like it would work well for our family. The only thing I can see that might work better with surprise--is they wouldn't have trouble falling asleep the night before!

 

[DizneeMommy]

I agree that the anticipation and planning are definitely one of the best parts of the vacation! We "gave" our kids their first trip for Valentine's Day 2007then went June of 2007. We had a ball planning! We watched movies, made t-shirts, made autograph books, made a countdown calendar, picked up small items and stored them in the "Disney Box" and they helped plan every aspect of the trip right down to ADR's and our touring plans. The result? The PERFECT first trip to WDW! I'll never surprise them with a Disney trip now--it's too much fun planning with them!!

 

[striker3636]

We pulled off a really good one on DD5 and DS7 2 years ago... Told them only that we were going on an overnight shopping trip to Buffalo and would be staying over at a hotel. When we got to the hotel and checked in, I had already made up a fake contest entry form that had the hotel and airline logos, etc., which was basically a chance to win a free flight on an airplane. After showing it to the kids, they wanted to fill it out and enter, which they did, and I made a show of leaving the room to submit the fake ballot. When the phone rang the next morning for the wake-up call, it was easy to act surprised and excited, and we told the kids they had won the contest! When we went to the airport, they thought they were going on a "fun" flight which would let them go on a plane ride for a couple of hours, and then get returned to the Buffalo airport where they started. Even during the flight we were talking about the different stores we'd go to when we got back to continue our shopping trip. For some reason they never clued in when the pilot was announcing arrival in Orlando, and when we got off the plane, they assumed they were back in Buffalo. We had all we could do to keep from laughing, the kids were seeing palm trees and grass outside the airport windows, and still couldnt figure it out. It wasnt until they got to the lines for the magical express buses that you could see the wheels starting to turn in their heads. Once they got on the Disney buses, and they figured it out, they freaked.
They still talk about that all the time, it's the thing they remember most on that trip, about how Mom and Dad tricked them. It's actually kind of funny now when we go on little trips, they immediately become somewhat suspicious and check to see if we might have secretly packed bathing suits or their "cuddlies".
It took a little work to pull it off but the reactions and memories were priceless.

 

[Disneygirl26]

I suprised my DS10 and DD16 last year and they loved it, DH and I told them we were going to visit family and the day before we finally told them we were going to DW they still talk about to this day. I personally love surprises.

P.s my kids were not upset because they didn't help plan they were just so happy to go they they didn't even think about having a hand in planning.

 

[kyhardy]

We love surprising our kids! We have never surprised them with a trip to Disney because we are so excited ourselves we can't keep it a secret! My favorite trip surprise was when we woke them up at midnight once and said grab your pillow and get in the car we're going to Myrtle Beach! All of our family was going and we said dad couldn't get time off, which was true in the beginning, but when his schedule opened up we just planned everything without telling the kids. That was our best family beach vacation ever. We are surprising our DD9 with a birthday trip to Disney in Dec and will leave her party to go to the airport. She will get one present from us. A large box filled with helium ballons and a sign saying "Pack your bags, you're going to Disney!!!" We are also surprising her with tickets to the MNSVSHP on our Sept trip. Told her we couldn't afford it this time. Plan to leave them as a present from Tink with Halloween T-shirts for all of us. So, my vote is surprise them. I think surprises make things more memorable. I would have some Disney related activities for the plane ride though because the will be sooooooo excited. Hope you all have a great time. Let us know what you decide and how it goes!

 

[mpetti]

I surprised my DH and 2 DS (9 & 5) last Aug 07. We always wanted to stay at CR in the Tower MK view . So we planned our trip and they thought we were staying at Pop . I hired a towncar to take us to CR. They didn't have a clue. The driver while driving says you're going to CR? I quickly answered yes. My DH and both DS took a few mins. to process what the driver had said. Boy were they shocked!!! In a good way!!! They absolutely loved it. It was so great to see the MK View from the Balcony.

Maryann

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Okie-Dokie----I (as you can see from my sig. "kots") am a big surprise mommy!! Our next trip back is a surprise as well. They now we are going back at some point and have NO CLUE as to when. anytime between now and next Christmas. We have popped this on the 3 times and they love it. My oldest REALLY hates knowing ahead of time. The middle one can go either way, but my little girl would probably like to know. She's a planner-even at 5!!

We went in Dec 06, didn't tell them till the a.m. of ---everybody's happy. Went back in May 07-dh insists that we tell them. So, he creates a scavenger hunt-last minute and very impromtu-but fun. With all clues leading to 3 tiny little gift cards with a mickey head---of course stating that in 2 weeks-they would be in Disney World.
Stunned Silence....then yippee's all around. Within an hour my boys are upset because they now have 2 dread weeks I of course am an obsessive planner, so I have to know---other wise Surprise me!!! They actually request now that all plans be kept hidden and don't tell them. For them it's part of the whole Disney experience---we tell them the afternoon before. I used to do it the a.m. we left--having packed while they slept. But they are older now and notice ALL their clothing is missing! So, we tell them after lunch or so, the day before-and they help getting the backpacks ready for the plane and go over my many checklists and jobs-to-do-before-we-leave list together. This really works out well for me.

Do your kids like surprises in general? if not- forget it!! if they do maybe you and hubby can make a compromise.How to do that-I couldn't tell ya!! Let us know what you decide. You still have a long time to keep it a secret, even if u do tell them early. I say at least get through Christmas--it's crazy for them with all the expectancy anyway.
We are going back in Jan and even if we tell them a little earlier this time, it will def. be after the holidays are over and things are settled back down to normal.

 

[tlbwriter]

Last night DD and I were discussing our upcoming trip (and the loooong wait), and I asked if she would rather be surprised. She immediately said yes, she'd love to be surprised. Then she thought about it and said no, she wouldn't like that after all, because she'd want to plan her wardrobe and whatnot. She ultimately decided she'd like to be surprised two weeks before the trip.

 

[srwarden1928]

IMO this would depend on your children. I personally HATE being surprised and REALLY hate being the last to know something. This is just a part of my personality. I have always been this way even as a child. If your children like being surprised, then I cant imagine a better surprise. But if they dont like being surprised but instead like to be in the know and participate in planning, please tell them as soon as youre sure and let them be a part of the planning.

 

[disneyfan4u]

We are surprising our kids for the first time this trip! We will be making out "Big Reveal" in 16 days!!! They have no idea that we are going. It has beem hard to keep it a surprise, but I can't wait to see their faces Check out my PTR for out story! Good luck!

You will have to let us know how it goes. I can't wait to hear. I still may surprise them.

So many opinions and I see everyones point of view. I would like to hear more sucessful surprises and unsucessful surprises.

 

[disneyfan4u]

Okie-Dokie----I (as you can see from my sig. "kots") am a big surprise mommy!! Our next trip back is a surprise as well. They now we are going back at some point and have NO CLUE as to when. anytime between now and next Christmas. We have popped this on the 3 times and they love it. My oldest REALLY hates knowing ahead of time. The middle one can go either way, but my little girl would probably like to know. She's a planner-even at 5!!

We went in Dec 06, didn't tell them till the a.m. of ---everybody's happy. Went back in May 07-dh insists that we tell them. So, he creates a scavenger hunt-last minute and very impromtu-but fun. With all clues leading to 3 tiny little gift cards with a mickey head---of course stating that in 2 weeks-they would be in Disney World.
Stunned Silence....then yippee's all around. Within an hour my boys are upset because they now have 2 dread weeks I of course am an obsessive planner, so I have to know---other wise Surprise me!!! They actually request now that all plans be kept hidden and don't tell them. For them it's part of the whole Disney experience---we tell them the afternoon before. I used to do it the a.m. we left--having packed while they slept. But they are older now and notice ALL their clothing is missing! So, we tell them after lunch or so, the day before-and they help getting the backpacks ready for the plane and go over my many checklists and jobs-to-do-before-we-leave list together. This really works out well for me.

Do your kids like surprises in general? if not- forget it!! if they do maybe you and hubby can make a compromise.How to do that-I couldn't tell ya!! Let us know what you decide. You still have a long time to keep it a secret, even if u do tell them early. I say at least get through Christmas--it's crazy for them with all the expectancy anyway.
We are going back in Jan and even if we tell them a little earlier this time, it will def. be after the holidays are over and things are settled back down to normal.

They have always wanted a surprise of some sort with some sort of meaning. Not just here is a surprise toy. So I think they would really like it. the only thing that does concern me is the DD6, she is a bit sensitive but when I mentioned surprising her she liked that idea. Yeah, getting through Christmas is a good idea. Lots of planning there also. Can't believe Halloween is around the corner and then Thanksgiving. Where does the time go?

 

[disneyfan4u]

I suprised my DS10 and DD16 last year and they loved it, DH and I told them we were going to visit family and the day before we finally told them we were going to DW they still talk about to this day. I personally love surprises.

P.s my kids were not upset because they didn't help plan they were just so happy to go they they didn't even think about having a hand in planning.

How did you get to Disney? Drive or fly? How did you get them to the airport without them knowing?

 

[rentayenta]

I surprised our children but DH was totally on board.

 

[disneywalkers]

We thought about surprising the kids, but the count down has been a lot of fun and they have enjoyed being a part of the planning and making decisions on the ADR's and various other aspects of our trip.

They have also been very involved in saving money for the trip.

I think the idea of surprising is great, but the feel of having several months of having something to look forward to and work toward is amazing.

We take Disney Walks in order to get ready for our long days at the parks. We eat at home more and the kids are always saying we don't need to get this or that (even new games and toys out, wow!) cause we're saving for our Disney Vacation.

Every day they ask "how many more days?" It's been very fun. We're two weeks out from our trip.

I know they are going to be very helpful in packing and getting ready to leave.

 

[Kimmumum]

I have surprised my 2 sons (now 10 and 14) twice.

The first time we drove, I packed everything and they thought we were going to our family cottage (1 1/2 hours away). 7 hours into the trip they kept asking if we were almost there yet??? That is when I told them where we were going. It is a 16 hour drive so we were almost 1/2 way there by then.

The next year they knew we were going. But the following year, I woke them up with a note from Mickey. It told them that Mickey was waiting for them and what they needed to pack. They were old enough to be picky about their clothing choice so I packed all of the essentials and they just had to pack their outfits. The note told them that we were leaving in 2 hours so they better get moving. I have never seen them move so fast.

These trips were several years ago and they both talk about them all of the time. Any time we go to the cottage I ask them if they are sure that is where we are going. They laugh and guess where we are going until we get there.

 

[antree]

I would love to try to surprise my kids, and I am planning on doing just that, but I am not sure that I will be able to keep it a secret. Have you seen some of the videos on youtube where the parents surprise the kids? Some are so cute!

I am thinking of telling the kids that Daddy has a business trip to Florida and we are going to go with him, last minute of course. Then we will show up at Disney. I would love to pull it off but we will see.

Good luck to you!

We did exactly that, my DD then 6yrs old never dreamed we were going to Disney. We had been to Disney many times and wanted to do something different. So we never told her and she was shocked when we pulled into the hotel. Still to this day, 8 yrs later she still swears her Dad went to work when she was sleeping.

 

[1hero2princesses]

I wouldn't surprise a 14 year old. They might not be happy. Want to tell their friends. Have plans etc. I would at least let that one in on it.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I wouldn't surprise a 14 year old. They might not be happy. Want to tell their friends. Have plans etc. I would at least let that one in on it.

If it is a 14 year old girl maybe, but a boy--it doesn't matter I don't think. My son will be 13 next trip and he DOES NOT wanna know!! I think it depends on the kid--not their actual age, but what they like/dislike.