Surprise Disney trip for my kids

[Wimbo]

So, we are going to take our kids to Disney... total surprise - they think we are going to see Grandma (we are, but going to Disney first). They have no idea this is going to happen. My question is... what are some creative ideas on how we break the news to them? Drive there & let them figure it out? Give them hints? Scavenger hunt? I am not good at this kind of thing, but I can appreciate how it may add to the surprise/excitement.

Please share any ideas you have to make this even more cool for the kiddie.

Thanks!

 

[QB9fan]

How old are your kids? My friend did that last year- didn't tell them until they were in the car!
I might tell them before the car- half the fun is the anticipation.

Are they into Harry Potter at all? I just got back from the HP section of Universal Islands of Adventure. Definitely a great experience and the best ride (in Hogwart's castle).

 

[CliffnDallas]

Make them wear blindfolds in the car. Tell them Grandma has a surprise waiting.

 

[VietCowboy]

I'm going to assume they should be old enough to have a good time and remember it.

It is also going to depend on the amount of Disney you can handle, but I can guarantee that after they find out, it will be non-stop Disney.

It also depends on how long the car ride is. I would say a creative way to let them in is to see how many pit stops you will be having. You can hide puzzle pieces in different places in the car, and at every pit stop, give them a hint as to where it could be. Be generic in the beginning (Florida...Downtown...Animal...Studios...Magic...Epcot...Walt, etc) - can be anagrams, jigsaw, scrambled, etc

You can also do like a Cross Word Puzzle where it ends up spelling "Disney World!", then at every pit stop you can give them the next clue.

 

[hairic]

1) Go camping on the way, somewhere 2-3 hours out.
2) Drug them. This isn't necessary if they sleep well. Alternate method is to exhaust them, I guess.
3) Drive them to campsites near Disney World that night. Rebuild camp and reinstall kids. I don't know if campsites are there or how much they cost.
4) When they see it, they will poo happiness.

Alternately, you can just build up to it. Do things they dislike leading to things they like. So make them do homework/study, visit a sewage processing plant, a museum, courthouse, library, let them drive, McDonalds for a playground visit, buy them a puppy, surprise ******mas present, Disney World. Let their experience crash with a visit to Grandma.

 

[silverbear]

So, we are going to take our kids to Disney... total surprise - they think we are going to see Grandma (we are, but going to Disney first). They have no idea this is going to happen. My question is... what are some creative ideas on how we break the news to them? Drive there & let them figure it out? Give them hints? Scavenger hunt? I am not good at this kind of thing, but I can appreciate how it may add to the surprise/excitement.

Please share any ideas you have to make this even more cool for the kiddie.

Thanks!

Stuff 'em in the trunk (with plenty of water and a game console, of course, you don't want to be cruel) and only let 'em out when you get there...

 

[silverbear]

1)
4) When they see it, they will poo happiness.

And this is a good thing??!?

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Start playing disney songs over and over and see if they ask what the deal is.

 

[Yeagermeister]

If it's on the way to Grandma's don't say anything until you pull in to the parking lot.:laugh2:

 

[Dodger12]

So, we are going to take our kids to Disney... total surprise - they think we are going to see Grandma (we are, but going to Disney first). They have no idea this is going to happen. My question is... what are some creative ideas on how we break the news to them? Drive there & let them figure it out? Give them hints? Scavenger hunt? I am not good at this kind of thing, but I can appreciate how it may add to the surprise/excitement.

Please share any ideas you have to make this even more cool for the kiddie.

Thanks!

My kids knew our plans when we took them to Disney for the first time. That was all they talked about in the weeks leading up to the trip and seeing their smiles and excitement in anticipation of going to Disney was priceless. Don't miss out on that, especially if they're old enough to appreciate and enjoy the trip.

Going to Disney with my wife and kids for the first time was, by far, the absolute best vacation I ever took. Absolutely priceless.

Have a great trip Wimbo.