Keep the Surprise for the Kids, or Give Them a Couple Weeks to Plan?

[FlyTriPacer]

I know this is a personal preference, but I'm unsure what to do.

We are essentially 15 days from departing for our cruise... Initially we wanted to wait until the day of the cruise and wait for Mickey to call and tell them; however, I've been thinking it would be nice to give them a little time to figure out what they want to do. I know we had a tough time figuring things out on our 3-night cruise and I feel like I missed a few things by not knowing they existed (can only take in a Navigator in an hour or so a night).

So, what would y'all do?

Thanks!

PS - Daughter is almost 16 and son is 14.5, this is a portion of their 16th BD Disney trip.

 

[ncstate7991]

I think it depends on your children, their ages, and if they need to plan. For me, I have a surprise cruise booked for the day after Christmas. My wife and kids do not know! We are flying out Christmas Day in the afternoon. I think I will give them the surprise on Christmas Eve, so my wife can pack and have a little bit more normal less rushed Christmas morning.

With that said, I have a 5 & 3 year old. If I tell them now they will start asking about it everyday. Enjoy your cruise ... just two weeks!

 

[olinecoach61]

It's tough to beat the excitement of a surprise Disney trip, my aunt did it for me when I was a kid, it was awesome! I think their age and if you really want / need their input should guide you as well

 

[FlyTriPacer]

Should have included that in the original post...

This will be their combined 16th BD trip (daughter is almost 16 and son is 14.5). My thought is that they will spend all their time in the clubs if they don't know what's outside of them. If they know their options and then opt to stay in the clubs (except supper, maybe a show or two, and the excursions I've paid for...got them the teen excursion at CC), it'll be their choice. Don't want them to miss the cool stuff outside of the clubs b/c they don't know about them.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

That's a tough one! On one hand, the anticipation is definitely part of the fun for me. But for kids, the surprise is so fun! They're kind of in between those two age wise so I'd say either one!
I know that was a lot of help.

 

[stalkingmickey]

my nephew was surprised with a Disney trip one year. Although he loves Disney he did express he wished he had known so he could have packed certain items he would have wanted to bring.

 

[ExRoadie]

At those ages a couple of days notice seems just about right. Enough time to plan but close enough to keep the excitement level elevated until departure.

 

[FlyTriPacer]

We decided to tell them and here's how we're going to do it:

Both kids will get their own letter telling them the bad news...

Then both kids will get a list of the rules for the vacation...

They can't ask any questions until they have read it completely. I'm trying to guess how long it'll take them to figure it out. Hopefully before the last one, but if not, they'll get it then!

I'll post a couple pictures of their reactions tomorrow.

Thanks again for all of your insight!

Chad

PS - For ncstate7991, when did you go to State? I was there 89 - 94 (did the coop program so took a little longer).

 

[ncstate7991]

I started at State in 1998 (the fall we first beat FSU at home in football) and graduated in 2002. For graduation I organized a group cruise (also my first) and have been addicted ever since!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I like your list of rules!

 

[FlyTriPacer]

I like your list of rules!

Thanks. I put the list together from several I found on the various forums and then tweaked them for our family.

Y'all have fun on your cruises everybody. We plan to book a 7-night Western while on board for 2015 (dummy date). Then for our 15th, we are planning on an Alaskan cruise.