Wednesday, February 06, 2008


Psssst….Can you keep a secret?

So the girls’ birthdays are coming up, Feb. 20 and Feb. 21st (go ahead, insert the “we have sex once a year” joke here). The gift this year? A trip to Disneyworld in Orlando. Yup – two days in the Magic Kingdom courtesy of my great in-laws. The kicker? The girls know nothing about this trip. Nor will they know the ultimate destination until we drive in the Happiest Place in the World. This will be Edie’s first plane ride and Grace’s 2nd (she traveled with us to New York City when she was just shy of a year). I have been instructed to pack nothing for the girls, as my mother-in-law has been down south for a month now and has pretty much bought out Target of their 3 year old and 6 year old clothes. After Disney, we drive to West Palm Beach for 5 days in a condo on a beach. How awesome is all of this?

A few questions:

1) Are we freaking crazy for springing this on the kids? I think it’s a hoot, but that’s coming from a 35 year old gal who likes surprises. Do almost 3 and almost 6 year olds like big surprises like this?

2) Once in the Magic Kingdom, any things to avoid? What are the not to be missed things?

3) The plane ride is only three hours, but any ideas to keep the girls busy for the flight?

We are so lucky and fortunate to have the opportunity. My first trip to Disney was when I was 11 and I was a little old for “It’s a Small World”. It was still fun, but not quite as magical as it would’ve been if I was younger.

4 comments:

alison said...

1. No you are not crazy. Kids love surprises. I still remember vividly when my parents took my sister and I to see The Aristocats at the movie theater downtown (Sault Ste. Marie) and we thought we were just going walking downtown. We stopped to look at the movie posters wistfully, and then WE WENT IN. Movies were a big thing for us (this was probably 1969 or 1970) and I still remember it today.

2. Can't help you here, I've never been.

3. We used portable DVD players, crayons and colouring books, little dollar store toys. Each girl had a little backpack with a couple of little toys in it. Snacks. Lots of snacks, cause you get nothing on the plane. Oh and we played a bunch of guessing games, like 20 questions.

Have fun.

Anonymous said...

I think it's a great idea! Of course, if it were my kids, they'd still be expecting a "present"--something to open on their birthdays. I think that they'd totally love the vacation idea, but I'm not sure they'd get that it was their gift. They're 4 and 6.

I can't wait to hear the ideas for the plane ride--we're taking the boys to Phoenix in April and we'll be on a plane for about 3 hours total with a layover in Dallas for an hour...

Chantal said...

1. I can't seem them demanding to go home, they're gonna love it. That said, be prepared for some overwhelmed and overstimulated little boogers if they're those kinds of kids.

2. When you get there, set nothing in stone. It's hard to explain but it's sort of all laid out for you. The best place to eat lunch is Fronteirland at Pecos Bill. Less expensive food, massive burgers and lots of fries! Go early, eat lunch early, eat dinner early. The restaurants are not as busy at 11am and 4pm. Find a place to rest and catch some sleep for the girls around 2pm so they can make it all night to catch the fireworks! A must!

3. I brought a small bag with emergency stuff with a pocket for passports etc... The kids each brought one of the small size MEC day packs with a couple of toys, books etc... but nothing heavy. Made it a lot easier! And gum. Don't forget the gum!

Susan said...

I've never been, but it sounds like a great time! I'm totally jealous.