Keeping it a secret and bringing supplies

[laurar]

Okay, tomorrow is a week left before we leave and I'm starting to panic! The kids do not know. That has been part of my problem - can't sit around reading disney guidebooks all day and making lists. I feel so unprepared :wink: I have two questions, one I might put on a more general forum but the other I'm more interested in DVCers opinions.

1) Telling the kids. My mom thinks it is bad that I am not letting them have the anticipation of the trip. I was planning on picking them up from school/daycare right before class ends on Monday and going straight to airport. Now I'm wondering if I should tell them next Friday. If you've done the surprise thing, was it really cool or did you wish you had let them have time to prepare for it? I can't believe that I've been able to keep it secret for so long!

2)Bringing stuff down. Do you ever bring food stuff with you or ship it ahead? I'd like to pack cereals, rice milk boxes, pb, trail mix, granola bars, etc. but I was also thinking about frozen soup, frozen meatballs and sauce, etc. and a few other things that would be fine in a small cooler. Do you pack stuff up in a spare suitcase or do you/can you bagcheck a cooler if it is taped up? If you ship it to yourself, is it expensive? Do you give it extra time to get there? Obviously I would only do non-perishables if I do that. We will have a car but I sometimes have a hard time finding "my" brands or else the size there is too large etc. etc.

Laura

[Joe]

I vote that you go ahead and keep the secret. We have managed to do the surprise trips a couple of times Laura, and the results were great! We managed to keep our desitnation from Kasey right up to where we drove under the welcome arches leading onto the property both times. The excitement and joy, and all the fun stuff was more than worth keeping it a secret. The only thing we told Kasey (DD) was that we were going on a trip for a week. So she knew we were off to somewhere, just not where. The first time, she was young enough that we made the plane trip all the way in and were coming into the resort before she figured out where we were. It was the hit of the Mears van when the lightbulb finally went on. The second time PammyK gave me an idea about how to keep the suspense going by telling the kids we were going to see her for a barbque for the evening. That got us from Cocoa Beach and, again, right up to the arches before she got it figured out.

It really is a kick when the eyes see where they really are and the realization sets in that they are at the World.

As to the food issue; we have never shipped things ahead, and our only experience has been with our last trip. We faxed an order ahead to the limo company and they arranged with Albertsons to have the order waiting for us when we arrived. You have no idea how much attention you get when you pull up into a grocery store parking lot in a stretch limo, and a black towncar as a follower! Anyway, they had everything we ordered, and in the sizes I wanted. Just a thought there.

Hope you have a really great trip, and again, I vote to keep the secret. The surprise trips are still the most talked about by Kasey.

[Brer]

Keep the secret, We did it 2x and it is something we still talk about with joy !

[Tagrel]

I have to say that for a little one, the surprise would be SO worth it. While a teen might need the time to 'prepare' for the trip, younger children would be so excited at the total surprise of going! :)

Speaking for myself, I know I would have been THRILLED to come home and fly off on an unknown trip on the 'spur of the moment'. The adventurer in us all would take over and make it a trip that would never be forgotten!

You've taken it this far - keep the secret! :D

And we typically make the grocery stop. Bringing a bunch of food is just NOT a vacation for us! ;)

[cshore]

Just my $.02, but I say go for the suprise! You have kept it this long, and it is something you will have to look back on. Sure wish you could capture their little faces on film, but holding all that suprise forever in your heart will be priceless!

[AliciaG]

Here's what worked for us...we told the kids we were going to WDW on their first trip. It was great fun to read the Birnbaum's for Kids with them, and watch the WDW planning video. It built a real sense of excitement, and let them know what to expect.

On their second trip, we surprised them. They had no clue we were going anywhere. We just picked them up from school at lunch time. It was awesome! All the teachers and office workers were excited for them. We took pictures of them at school once they found out. I'm with Brer...it's something we look back on in such a positive way, and I'm sure something they'll always remember.

Have a great trip no matter what you decide. :D

[laurar]

Okay, okay, thanks! I needed to hear that. We went last year and they knew about it and it was great but this will blow their socks off since it is unexpected. I cannot wait! Guess I better start thinking about packing what I can now. Now the next big question is do we get APs and go back next August or do we go to HH next summer and just get PHs for this time? Hmmmm.... We may just get the PH and decide by the 2nd day or so whether or not we need to get back so soon and upgrade to AP if desired.

Laura

[Timon]

I vote for keeping the secret too. I know that my DS starts to have trouble sleeping the closer we get to our planned trips thinking about going to the "World". Besides, their faces will be so precious when they realize where they're headed.

I agree w/Tagrel. Buy what you want down there. Most major brands are in Florida and for the few items that aren't exactly what you're used to you'll have a little adventure trying something else.

[laurar]

Two more sleeps - I cannot wait! It's getting harder and harder to not slip and say something. This will be so cool.

I do plan on making a grocery stop. However, going to the grocery store two days before thanksgiving is NOT my idea of a vacation. I'd much prefer to plan ahead. While I'd be happy just bringing my breakfast cereal and some trail mix and skipping some meals occasionally, DH just can't do that :roll: And of course the kids can't either. I'm a bit of a food snob, and many of the things we like I have not found in the FL stores. Besides, it takes way longer in a store you are unfamiliar with, I hate to buy a package of something knowing we can't finish it in the week and it will go to waste, and like I said, with TG just days away... Therefore, I have packed up some things to bring and I will make a quick stop for others like water, milk, bread. What can I say, despite spending hundreds of dollars on tickets and the like, I also still balk at paying 3.50 for a pack of juice boxes that I can get for 1.88.

[Tagrel]

Well, it sounds like you have got a great game plan! :) Have a wonderful trip, and I'm sure the kids will absolutely FLIP over the surprise trip! :bounce:

Safe Travels!