Telling the kids "We're going to Disney World!" in 2 weeks - how would you do it?

[Weather_Lady]

I'm looking for creative suggestions on how to tell the kids we're going to Disney World. Our son is 6 and our daughter is 4, and this will be their first big vacation -- first time on a plane, first time at Disney (or any amusement or theme park for that matter), first time on a family vacation that is more than 3 days long!

They have some idea of what Disney World is about from the TV commercials, and stories of friends who have gone. We're telling them about our trip 4 weeks before we actually travel, so we'll have time to get the kids prepared. (They love to plan and are not big on surprises, so a last-minute announcement wouldn't do.) We'll read through a kid-focused "Guide to the Magic" book, peruse books on what it's like to navigate an airport and fly, look over the WDW planning video, etc. I also made a countdown calendar with removable flaps over each date -- each one has a color photo and description of a different WDW attraction, so they can get a better idea of what to expect before we go, and can make up their own little "wish lists" of what they'd like to see.

...which brings me to the big question, "how do we tell them?" I've been toying with various ideas, such as having them open a gift box with "tickets" inside (the 6-year-old will be able to read them), or doing a scavenger hunt where the last thing they find is the "Guide to the Magic" book and/or the personalized Mickey ear T-shirts I already made. I'd like to subtly videotape it, so it has to be something fairly simple and preferably indoors.

How would (or did) you make the big announcement?

 

[disneygirl76]

There are loads of ideas on youtube.com. But if it were up to me....I would leave clues that they have to follow and along the way, they find a balloon with another clue. The final clue would be a big box - they life the lid and Mickey and Minnie are inside and loads of balloons come out! On the last balloon attached to the inside of the box so it doesn't fly away would be a card saying we are going to disney world! I would then make a countdown with them. And then I would make a car / plane kit for them as well as a gift bag for inside the room with an autograph book and pen and some night time light up wands, etc.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

We surprised DS6 with a trip on his 3rd birthday (literally) so we woke him up and said "Happy Birthday... sorry but we're spending the day in the car." He was confused (obviously) so we then said "We're going to Disney World!" and, though it took him a second (he in fact asked "Why?"), he went nuts. For us, waiting until the last minute always gets an awesome reaction from a kiddo!

 

[SMS55]

Don't want to be the fly in the oinment but how much are you prepared for them to bug you? My 9 year old goes multiple times a year and he still goes crazy when he finds out we're going again. I don't tell him til just a few days before. We're going in October and he won't know til that week. I have to be careful he doesn't catch me on the website, so I'll go on it while he's a school. Like someone else said, youtube is a good place to start. Lots of good ideas.

 

[luv]

I'd just tell them. I'd get the WDW for Kids book so they could look through it. Each night, if possible, I'd watch a Disney movie that is related to stuff they'll see. And maybe the planning video, a little.

I don't see the point of surprising kids with something they aren't begging for and won't be jumping up and down about. I'd save it for a return trip, if you think it will thrill them. That's me.

I'd also prepare them for the fact that airplanes can be loud and that your ears might get clogged, but that they get better later. Also the manners expected on planes - not turning around to stare at strangers, not kicking someone's seat.

I would not spend any time explaining how safe planes are or reasons not to be scared. It only plants the idea that Mom thinks there is something to be afraid of, which they will likely not have considered. If anyone ELSE talks about being afraid of flying, just laugh it off. Silly person, afraid of a plane. We aren't afraid of cars and planes, are we? No, because we aren't silly.

 

[WDWmazprty]

We had a postcard sent from Mickey Mouse telling them they were going. Here's the video:

 

[meyeet]

We waited to tell our DS4, DD2, and DD1(who could care less) until the morning we were leaving. We made "Mickey" pancakes and all sat down to eat then uncovered them and told them we were flying to Disney that day. They were excited about being able to chew gum while on the plane, not about going to Disney... some people's kids...

 

[Weather_Lady]

We had a postcard sent from Mickey Mouse telling them they were going. Here's the video:

Your daughters are adorable! Your idea is just the kind of thing I was looking for -- simple and sweet! Thanks for sharing.

 

[psukardi]

Please, start preparing them now for how to behave on an airline. Many kids, whom most times are sweet and pleasant to be around, can be an absolute nightmare on a flight.

There could be a lot of unneeded stress that you'll have to manage if you don't. Last thing you want is a 4 year old bawling because her ears popped from the altitude change and it hurts. Or a 6 year old that's running up and down the isle screaming about the mouse.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Your daughters are adorable! Your idea is just the kind of thing I was looking for -- simple and sweet! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! We're going in 22 days and we're going to surprise them again.

 

[copcarguyp71]

We are going to gift wrap a lanyard loaded with trading pins for our DD and let her unwrap it and then tell her we need to go to disney so she can trade for ones she really wants. Not exactly the most original but we spring it on her every time so we do it differently every time.