First Family WDW SECRET trip

[C Skywalker]

I have been planning my family's first trip to Disney for several months now. I have been twice before when I was a child but my wife, mother in law, and 3 kids (ages 10f, 7m, 4f) have never been. I have told them that we are going to Clearwater Beach this August as the cover story. Im trying to determine the best way to spring the surprise. My current plan is to drive towards Clearwater and stop by one of the WDW parking lot to "take a look around and stretch our legs". I've been thinking that this would be the time to give my wife the box of magicbands which will be wrapped up. Each person will also have a box of their own to open with costumes, dresses, Disney clothing etc.

I'm really trying for the best way to spring the surprise. I've even thought to do something like just walking up to the resort and seeing if they "have a reservation for us". Does anyone have any good ideas. We will be staying at the art of animation resort in a finding nemo room. Any ideas /suggestions ????
Thanks

 

[mamabunny]

Just FYI - you will have to go thru a security gate at the entrance to the resort if traveling by private car. So... the other occupants of the car are going to get a BIG clue at the gate to the parking lot!

We took our daughter to WDW for the first time to celebrate her 10th birthday. We told her that we were going to stay at a brand new "resort" hotel (POP had just recently opened then) and that there would be some "fun family activities", but nothing else. We told her we were going past Orlando (which, we did) to get to our hotel, and that she was going to see all of these signs for WDW, but we weren't going to be stopping there on this trip. She saw the exits for WDW, and started to get all excited when we took the off ramp. Being only 9 (almost 10) she was easily convinced that this highway wasn't *just* for WDW, and we were going to zoom right on by...

Then she saw THE SIGN, and it was all over. SUCH DRAMA from the backseat! Squealing, tears of joy, disbelief, and as I recall (even now, 11 years later LOL), a great deal of "Really? No, really? Really?"

You *could* try to get away with "We are just stopping here to use the bathroom" and try handing a note to the guard at the gate, and then surprising them at check-in in the lobby... But I'm will to bet that your family will figure it out by the time you get them inside!

This is an awesome community - I've been lurking here for a while prior to joining - so I'm sure between now and August we will figure out a perfectly Magical way to surprise your family!

 

[C Skywalker]

Just FYI - you will have to go thru a security gate at the entrance to the resort if traveling by private car. So... the other occupants of the car are going to get a BIG clue at the gate to the parking lot!

We took our daughter to WDW for the first time to celebrate her 10th birthday. We told her that we were going to stay at a brand new "resort" hotel (POP had just recently opened then) and that there would be some "fun family activities", but nothing else. We told her we were going past Orlando (which, we did) to get to our hotel, and that she was going to see all of these signs for WDW, but we weren't going to be stopping there on this trip. She saw the exits for WDW, and started to get all excited when we took the off ramp. Being only 9 (almost 10) she was easily convinced that this highway wasn't *just* for WDW, and we were going to zoom right on by...

Then she saw THE SIGN, and it was all over. SUCH DRAMA from the backseat! Squealing, tears of joy, disbelief, and as I recall (even now, 11 years later LOL), a great deal of "Really? No, really? Really?"

You *could* try to get away with "We are just stopping here to use the bathroom" and try handing a note to the guard at the gate, and then surprising them at check-in in the lobby... But I'm will to bet that your family will figure it out by the time you get them inside!

This is an awesome community - I've been lurking here for a while prior to joining - so I'm sure between now and August we will figure out a perfectly Magical way to surprise your family!

Yeah I figured security would be an issue, I just really didn't want to do the reveal at a gas station parking lot.
What's funny is that my wife and mother in law doesn't even know and I'm known for not being able to keep secrets. On top of all that, my wife has been under the impression that money is tight because I've been saving so much each paycheck so a Disney trip is the furthest thing from reality for her right now. The secret itself is what is so funny to me right now. I'm really enjoying it.

I know that I will get some great suggestions from some pros on this site and I'm looking forward to it. Thank you do much for the encouragement !!!

 

[JillC LI]

What about buying a few matching Disney t-shirts from the online Disney outlet, and giving them as presents at some point before or during the drive?

I think this surprise of yours is wonderful.

One of my favorite parenting moments was when my hubby and I surprised our kids with a WDW trip in December 2012.

 

[C Skywalker]

Yes I have been buying items (clothes, pajamas, costumes , dresses, Disney stuffed animals, etc) as they go on sale on the Disney store website. I've probably spent more than I should. I just don't know when to give it to them.

I also had the idea of having a car magnet made that says "only the driver of this vehicle knows that we are Disney Worl bound!" And then remove it whenever we get out for pit stops and whatnot. I can't wait to see them react to people making faces or giving thumbs up going down the interstate. Lol

 

[Chernaboggles]

Part of the fun of a Disney trip is the anticipation and excitement of going. If you're driving, I think you should get up early on the drive day (or set it up the night before) and put your Disney goody bags in the car and a Mickey Mouse in the driver's seat, so that they find out when they get in the car to leave for the trip.

This way, you can play Disney music during your drive and they can have fun spotting signs for Disney World, etc. Everyone will enjoy the trip more if they have a little time to be psyched about it, and you'll be able to relax and enjoy their enjoyment without having to be worrying about the logistics of the big reveal.

Alternatively, the week before the trip, you could start leaving Disney things around the house in ever-increasing amounts until somebody gets it.

 

[gooftroop5]

We've done the "surprise" thing a few times. I can't ever keep it from my DH. We always have a "care package" delivered right before we jump in the car. They open it up and get all excited about going to WDW. I don't think I could get away with telling them we are going somewhere else and then end up at WDW.

How long is your drive? You could play Disney movies, music, etc during the ride. When you drive through the Welcome to Disney sign you could say something like, "WOW! Look where we get to drive through! Wouldn't it be great if we could take a vacation here?"

You do have to talk to the security at the hotel gate, but you could always have a cute script made up. They will ask for your license to verify if you are on the check-in list so you could say something like, "My family and I were just passing through and were hoping to check-in today. Can you see if there is a reservation for us?" Then when you park you can give your wife the MagicBands.

Good luck! Don't forget to pack everyone comfy walking shoes.

 

[brifraz]

Part of the fun of a Disney trip is the anticipation and excitement of going. If you're driving, I think you should get up early on the drive day (or set it up the night before) and put your Disney goody bags in the car and a Mickey Mouse in the driver's seat, so that they find out when they get in the car to leave for the trip.

This way, you can play Disney music during your drive and they can have fun spotting signs for Disney World, etc. Everyone will enjoy the trip more if they have a little time to be psyched about it, and you'll be able to relax and enjoy their enjoyment without having to be worrying about the logistics of the big reveal.

That's pretty much the approach we took when surprising our daughter with a trip on her 5th birthday. The reveal when you get into the car is a good surprise and allows for the entire drive (for us, 15 hours) to be filled with that excitement.

Our goodie bag included one of the Birnbaum Disney for Kids books. I would definitely recommend that - each kid gets a guidebook and can go through it during the drive to get excited about things! Even though we aren't fans of the Birnbaum books for us, our daughter went through them before every visit for 5 years with great excitement and different colored markers and creating symbols for how much she wanted to do different attractions.

 

[C Skywalker]

We've done the "surprise" thing a few times. I can't ever keep it from my DH. We always have a "care package" delivered right before we jump in the car. They open it up and get all excited about going to WDW. I don't think I could get away with telling them we are going somewhere else and then end up at WDW.

How long is your drive? You could play Disney movies, music, etc during the ride. When you drive through the Welcome to Disney sign you could say something like, "WOW! Look where we get to drive through! Wouldn't it be great if we could take a vacation here?"

You do have to talk to the security at the hotel gate, but you could always have a cute script made up. They will ask for your license to verify if you are on the check-in list so you could say something like, "My family and I were just passing through and were hoping to check-in today. Can you see if there is a reservation for us?" Then when you park you can give your wife the MagicBands.

Good luck! Don't forget to pack everyone comfy walking shoes.

This is exactly what I'm going for. We are staying at AofA in a Nemo room so i will have to "suggest" that finding nemo be watched at least once on the trip down. We are about 9 hrs away so I will probably have to "suggest" several Disney movies. I will probably "forget" all the movies that aren't Disney just to be sure.

As far as the trip itself, I've really had to rack my brain because only I know what's in store. We have started doing more walking and biking to build up stamina and my wife will prob think I'm crazy with the overkill packing that I'm gonna do (ponchos, etc). She knows I cant keep a secret so she is gonna be as awestruck as the kids will be, I hope.

Thanks for the security tips. That really didn't cross my mind. I'm thinking that I have to mount a go pro on the dash or something. I wanna keep that reveal on video for all time.

 

[JillC LI]

I agree with the poster above who said that part of the excitement of a Disney trip is in the anticipation. That's why when we surprised our kids, we told them 4 days before we left. Even telling them in some unique way the morning you leave would make for a VERY happy car ride!

 

[FrostyNaples]

I have been planning my family's first trip to Disney for several months now. I have been twice before when I was a child but my wife, mother in law, and 3 kids (ages 10f, 7m, 4f) have never been. I have told them that we are going to Clearwater Beach this August as the cover story. Im trying to determine the best way to spring the surprise. My current plan is to drive towards Clearwater and stop by one of the WDW parking lot to "take a look around and stretch our legs". I've been thinking that this would be the time to give my wife the box of magicbands which will be wrapped up. Each person will also have a box of their own to open with costumes, dresses, Disney clothing etc.

I'm really trying for the best way to spring the surprise. I've even thought to do something like just walking up to the resort and seeing if they "have a reservation for us". Does anyone have any good ideas. We will be staying at the art of animation resort in a finding nemo room. Any ideas /suggestions ????
Thanks

Your going to knock their socks off!

I think the hardest part about not telling them ahead of time, is explaining why you just drove under this:

 

[Basenjigirl23]

Love it!!! My husband and I surprised our daughter with her first trip on her 8th bday (which was a day before we left). We bought her all disney bday gifts (autograph books, sharpie markers, Minnie Mouse suit case, etc.) and asked all our family members to just buy her Disney gift cards to take with her. We bought a bouquet of helium balloons in various colors and printed off a sign that read (in Disney font of course) "Surprise! We're going to Disney World tomorrow!" and tied it to the balloons. When she opened the box, the balloons came shooting out with the sign. She thought we were joking until she opened the rest of her gifts! lol The surprise was the best thing we ever did for her and both my husband and I couldn't believe we pulled off keeping the trip a secret for 8 months!!
We stayed at AoA in the Nemo Suite as well and it was incredible!!! You're family is going to LOVE this surprise!! Kudos for being such a good husband/dad!!!

 

[Stormi]

If you don't want to drive under the sign and ruin surprise, I would suggest taking them to downtown disney parking lot (use DTD exit) and once at that parking lot -stretch legs, use public restroom and check out the sights then spring your surprise.

 

[Aly Grant]

I am so excited to have found this board!!! I can't wait to surprise my children with a disney world trip, but since I'm only 21 im planning on waiting a while!!! But now I can conjure up some good ideas and hand them off to you!!

 

[C Skywalker]

Thanks for everyone's input!

Lol I had no idea there was that HUGE sign. I don't remember that as a kid. Hahaha yeah that's gonna be hard to sneak past.
The downtown Disney parking lot sounds like a good spot.

Has anyone ever shipped items to your resort like autograph books, clothes, dresses, etc? Would they lay stuff out in the rooms for you kinda like the stuffed animal posing I've heard of? It may be too much to ask but it is the most magical place on earth.

 

[HollieS]

Could you blindfold them at a certain point before the big sign?


As a side note I would be pretty butt hurt if my husband had all the fun of planning Disney without me. Picking our ADR, hotel, FP+ rides.

 

[Chernaboggles]

As a side note I would be pretty butt hurt if my husband had all the fun of planning Disney without me. Picking our ADR, hotel, FP+ rides.

This is a good point. Most kids like surprises but not all adults do, and shifting mental gears into "DISNEY VACATION" mode isn't always easy. You're traveling with 3 kids, WDW will be awesome but it's still a lot of work for both parents. It's lovely that you want to surprise your family, but think long and hard about the "SURPRISE WE'RE AT DISNEY!!" approach. It sounds nice when thinking about it but in practice it may not go over as well as you'd like. You don't want this to backfire on you in the parking lot.

 

[disneydudette]

What about reserving a resort ADR... and telling them your stopping at Disney on the way to Clearwater, for lunch/dinner?

We stopped at Sanaa (AKL) on our drive up from Naples... absolutely loved it... dined while watching giraffes, zebras, etc roam and snack throughout the savanah.

There are plenty of Resort Options on property... browse a few menus to see what would appeal to everyone.

With this option, everyone already knows they're going to be on property and security is expecting you... you're family just doesn't know they get to actually 'stay' in Disney!

If it was us, we'd walk in with our usual back pack of supplies... and during lunch/dinner... I'd excuse myself (with the back pack) and consult with the hostess to see if she could deliver the Magic Bands (within the backpack, and wrapped if you're that good) with a fun surprise card.

If you book a character meal... your wife won't be thrown off with having a camera out, etc.

Happy Planning!

 

[disneydudette]

Just to add...

Further thinking... placed me at Kona (Poly) or Grand Floridian Cafe. A nice meal... and then perhaps to the beaches for pictures, to see the castle.

After seeing my kids/significant others reaction to the view and atmosphere... it would be a great opportunity to tell them we would 'be there' tomorrow!

 

[C Skywalker]

This is a good point. Most kids like surprises but not all adults do, and shifting mental gears into "DISNEY VACATION" mode isn't always easy. You're traveling with 3 kids, WDW will be awesome but it's still a lot of work for both parents. It's lovely that you want to surprise your family, but think long and hard about the "SURPRISE WE'RE AT DISNEY!!" approach. It sounds nice when thinking about it but in practice it may not go over as well as you'd like. You don't want this to backfire on you in the parking lot.

I completely understand this point of view and I've considered telling my wife about a month before we depart. Still undecided about that one. My wife kinda has a hard time saving money so that's why a trip to Disney has always been so far outta reach for my family. I've made certain arrangements that will allow me to save this money without her knowledge. Without getting too personal, she wasn't really ever taught how to save and this is a way of showing her that if we tighten our belt, Disney could be a common destination for us every other year or so.