Have you ever surprised your family with the announcement of a Disney World vacation? It can be an exciting way to share the big news as long as you keep these six things in mind.
- Be careful about telling them you’re going one place or to see a beloved relative and then showing up at Disney World. Some kids react poorly to this once they have gotten excited for whatever the little white lie had them thinking about on your way there.
- Think about how much time you need to give your child to get used to the sudden change of plans (or no plans). Some parents find it’s best to give the children the “gift” of the surprise for a birthday or Christmas then count down the days until the trip while others opt to wake their children or pick them up from school and tell them they’re off to Disney. Think about whether your child has a good concept of time if you decided to tell them in advance. Consider if your child adapts well to sudden disruptions in routine if you are leaning towards sharing the news the day of or the day before the trip.
- If you decide to tell the child(ren) right beforehand, take into consideration whether it will bother your child to have not been involved in the planning process, particularly if you have been to Disney World before and they had a role in planning last time.
- Make it fun! Pinterest has lots of great ideas for “unwrapping” the gift as well as scavenger hunts the kids can do to find their surprise instead.
- Lower your expectations. If you are planning to record the moment they find out in hopes that you will have a viral video, take a breath and relax. Your child will be taken aback and they may not react as intensely or as happily as you might expect.
- Think about yourself… can you keep a secret? Can the people that you might want or need to tell about your vacation keep a secret? Will you (and the kids) miss the time you would have spent talking about, planning, and looking forward to your Disney vacation together? For me, so much of the fun is in the anticipation. Would I enjoy the trip as much if I were completely blind-sided by it? Probably, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see if anyone ever surprises me with a Disney vacation!
In any case, once you get through your countdown (or once the shock of the sudden change of plans wears off), you’re going to have a wonderful vacation. If you’ve already told your kids about the trip but wish you would have saved something for a surprise, have no fear. There are fun experiences (like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirate Adventure Cruises, or you can even reserve your spot in a special event or behind the scenes tour for a special touch. One thing’s for sure – it’s going to be a magical time no matter what!
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Candice was raised in east Tennessee. While in college, her best friend dragged her to a Walt Disney World College Program recruiting session at the University of Tennessee and the rest is Disney history. In the Fall of 1999, Candice became a quick service food hostess for Sunset Ranch Market and Fantasmic at Disney-MGM Studios – or what is now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While soaking up her time as a cast member, she met Ryan, a neighbor and a fellow college programmer who worked as a custodial host at Epcot. Four years later, Candice moved to the Midwest and married that boy from across the hall. They now live in Greenwood, Indiana with their two little boys. The Disney-loving foursome took their first family trip to The Happiest Place on Earth in 2013 and Candice is eagerly planning their return. Candice also works full-time at a community mental health center and enjoys taking photographs and blogging at Mommy in the Midwest.
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