Conference koolit::disney

    I've told my four year twins old about our trip in November.  Almost
    every day we look through the brochures, at pictures of Mickey, his
    house, the Magic Kingdom, etc.  They can even tell the difference
    between Cinderella's Castle and Sleeping Beauty's Castle. 
    
    It is important for small kids especially to be prepared for new
    adventures, to know what to expect.  We talk about the plane ride,
    about how we are going to Grandma's first for a day, how we will
    drive to WDW in a rented car and that it will take all morning,
    and that the baby will stay with Grandma and Grandpa while we go
    to WDW.
    
    We discuss where we will be staying, and look at pictures of the    
    trailer houses and maps of where FW is and where the MK and Epcot
    Center is.  They even now refer to the T in Boston as the monorail. 
                                                                        
    For me the anticipation is one of the best parts of the trip.  The boys
    aren't quite sure what to expect at WDW, (neither was I the first time
    I went), but they know Daddy is excited about the trip so it must be
    good :-)  I just hope I'm not over setting expectations, but with   
    Disney that's hard.                                                 
                                                                        
    Len (196 Days...)                                                   
                                                                        
    Oh, a funny story:
                                                                            
    A few weeks ago we were watching the news on TV and they were showing
    some golf scores.  The graphic behind the scores was a blowup of
    a golf ball next to a hole.  Noah pointed at the screen and said,
    "Look Dad, Epracot Center!"

    Len,
    
    I did  the  same  as  you  when  my boy was 3 and 5 for our '82 and '84
    trips.  

    However I was referring to  school  age  kids, and since he had already
    been there twice and was asking on the average 'When are we going again
    dad?' about every other week, and since he  was  having  some  problems
    with his school work I decided to keep telling him in about three years
    since that was what the wife and I decided before seeing the Captain Eo
    special ( Hey it's about 3 years now ;^))
    
    I known others to do the same for their school aged  kids, telling them
    at the last possible moment, so that the Disney magic wouldn't distract
    from school, as well as others who told them at the time of  making the
    reservations.
    
    What do other people do when they have a child in grade school?
    
    Claude

	I told my niece and nephew four years ago that I would take
        them this summer.  Since they've never been, they don't really
        now what to expect.

        I started counting the days at 100.  I told them only 100 days
        and the expression on their faces was "Your crazy auntie to be
        that excited since it's still a long ways off."

        Now, when I tell them the number of weeks, my niece's eyes get
        really big (she is 8 1/2).  When I tell her the number of days,
        she isn't near as interested - but then 7 is smaller than 48.
        My nephew still can't comprehend the time very well.  He's more 
        excited about school getting out.

        mis 48_days_to_Disney

    We're generally in Florida each winter so its not too big a suprise
    to our kids that we're going.  We were goig to skip a few years
    this time, but you *know* how this file effect people!
    What we do is start a big jar in the living room for coins.  all
    spare coins go in + some big bills. On the jar we tape pictures
    of Mickey and WDW.  Just before we leave we emply the jar and
    the extra bonus  buys us a few unexpected extras and gives us something
    to do each day while wating.
    ed
    

    I had sort of a different situation recently.  I had to tell my
    PARENTS that my girlfriend and I had booked a trip to Disney World.
    
    I got QUITE a reaction.  But they've calmed down since.  
    
    Oh, you're all thinking that they didn't approve, but actually
    they were real excited, and started makeing rumblings about booking
    a trip at the same time we were.  I quickly decided to put those
    thoughts to rest..
    
    
    Steve O

    My parents also live in Florida so my 7 year old son is used to
    going to Disney once a year.  We were there between Chrismas and
    New Years and are going back again in August.  This time for a week
    at the Disney Inn.  We wanted to be able to do Typhoon Lagoon &
    MGM but more so to spend some time swimming and maybe playing some
    golf.  In the winter we really can't swim my son really hasn't had
    the opportunity to do the water activities which we're really looking
    forward to doing (that's why we picked nice hot August to go). 
    We really wanted to stay in the Poly but couldn't get in for a week,
    so I'm going to call every week and possibly we'll get a cancellation.
    Were going on the MKC package deal, and we also are going on frequent
    flyer milage.  I don't think you need a car at all, if you need
    one for the day, rent it at the car care center.  We don't intend
    to rent one until our 7 days is over and we need one to go and visit
    the parents for a few days.
    
    I love your idea about the jar Ed, I think I'll start one of those
    tonight.

My parents used to tell us after they'd made the reservations and every-
thing was definitely on.  Then we'd count down on the calendar (as others
have suggested here). 

The one thing that was a big difference with us (myself and two younger
brothers) was that we usually went during school (but never at the same
time of year).  Mom would call the principal's office to let them know
and to explain that we'd be requesting work ahead of time.  We'd have to
get to our teachers and explain to them and get all of our homework.  If
there was going to be a test while we were away, we had to take it ahead 
of time - if the teacher agreed - or would take a makeup when we re-
turned (usually after school, but it was worth it).  We'd then take what
homework we hadn't done ahead of time along with us (we used to drive 
down in a camper and did it along the way to keep us occupied).  It
would have to be handed in the first day back in school.

We never had any behavior problems, because we knew Mom and Dad would
cancel the trip immediately if any of us caused grief.  And if there
was ever a problem with school grades, we knew we'd never be allowed to
do it again.

Needless to say, there was never a problem!  ;-)

    My father made plans to take my mother. Somehow he forgot to
    tell her the entire rest of the family was going the day before.
    She was amazed when the quiet birthday dinner for two on the
    empress lily turned into dinner for 9.

    mike

    We are using a new, (for us), motivational tool at our house in
    preparation for our trip to WDW.

    We went to the Disney Store a few weeks ago and got a mess of Disney
    Dollars.  The boys can earn them by picking up their toys and other
    chores around the house.  Each day they pick up their toys, they get a
    sticker that they put on a chart with their name on it.  Every time
    they collect five stickers, they get one Disney Dollar.

    By the time we get to Florida in November they should each have a fist
    full to spend on souvenirs, toys, etc.  With some luck this will not
    only teach them about earning money, and saving for what they want, but
    also cut down on some of the nagging for stuff while we are there.  If
    they want to buy a tee-shirt or hat or something they can.  If they've
    run out of money already, they have learned a little lesson.

    Another benefit is that I've not been tripping over as many little
    metal cars as I make my way from the TV to the refrigerator each night.

    I'll let you know how it works out.

Think I'll try that as the time for a WDW visit approaches.

-ken

    My room mate and I are taking our little boys to Disneyland this
    year for a week long stay.  They're not going to find out until
    the last minute. 
    
    We'll load them in the car after they're asleep, then when they wake
    up they'll be in Disneyland.
    
    I can't wait!
    
    
                                        L.J.

        Friends of our are waiting till the last minute to tell their
        kids about their trip.  On Christmas morning the kids will
        learn about their Christmas present from their parents, a trip
        to WDW.  They are leaving the next morning.  It sounds like a
        great Christmas present!
    

    In .2 I explained how I felt about telling the family when we are going
    to WDW.  Here's a harder question I need some help on.

    How/when do I tell them that they are NOT going?

    Linda and I have planned a trip for just the two of us to the World
    next September.  Linda's mom will be coming to stay with the three
    boys.  (Harry and Noah will be 6, Adam 3).  We are planning to get
    annual passports in Sept., and return with the whole family in August
    1992, just before school starts.

    As those of you who follow this file know, we've taken the older two
    guys to WDW each of the past two years at Thanksgiving time in
    November.  They regularly start sentences, "Next year when we go to
    Disney World..."  I have to remind them that their next trip isn't
    scheduled until just before they start second grade.  It's such a long
    time away.

    So how do I break the news that Mom and Dad will be going to the best
    place on earth, and leaving them home?

    Len,
    
    Plan A: Tell the boys you are going on a business trip.
    
    Plan B: Tell them that you don't know if the new stuff is fun and you
            have to try it out first to make sure that they will like it.
    
    Plan C: Tell them that you need to go down and talk to a lot of people
            about WDW in the Summer and that you won't have time to play.
    
    Plan D: Tell them that you won a trip to WDW for 2 and you have to take
            it in November.
    
    Plan E: Tell them if they went in November then they would miss school
            and would need to make it up the following Summer and would not
            be able to go down then.
    
    Plan F: Tell them that you're thinking about moving down there and that 
            Mom and Dad are going down to look for jobs and to price homes.
    
    Plan G: Tell them that Mom and Dad are going down and will spend most
            of their time in the hotel room doing.....erhhh better scratch
            that idea.
    
    Mike

    Len,
    
    I don't  envy  the  position your in.  my suggestion is to lie to them,
    tell them your  going  to some business trip up in Alaska or something,
    don't mention  Florida and hope they don't find out, or bribe them with
    lots of presents come xmass.
    
    Elaine and I thought about not taking Greg on our 15th anniversary trip
    next April, except that he'd be a teenager then, that if we didn't take
    him and he found out, you'd be seeing the trial of Greg Berube on  TV 9
    and CNN next spring ;^).
    
    Claude

    I think the kids would figure it our when you get out the old ears and
    start rubbing them.  or watch reruns of the last prarde you taped.
    ed
    

    Actually this brings up an interesting topic. When are the kids too old
    to go to WDW with Mom and Dad? I'm thinking once my kids hit High
    School age they won't want to tag along.
    
    Cars...boyfriends...girlfriends...jobs...all these things may interfere
    with any plans.
    
    I think this is an individual family kind of thing whereby one family
    may not have a problem and another family might.
    
    I think Claude may have a point here Len...don't tell them.
    
    Mike

    Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys.  I don't think we've quite
    hit on one yet that will work.

    Lying is out.  I would feel like a creep, it would undermine everything
    we've been trying to teach them about honesty, and besides that they
    would find out when I came back with my nose grown out like Pinocchio.

    I think we'll just have to emphasize the trip we will ALL be taking in
    August '92. 

    Len,
    
    I agree that honesty is the best policy.
    
    Just don't smile and jump up and down too much while your telling 
    them :-)
    
    John

    Len,
    
    I believe you should tell them the truth.  I don't know when I'd
    tell them (sometime before the trip at least), but I'd be truthful.
    I imagine it might help if you emphasized that this is going to be
    a grown up trip (assuming your recent trips were quite kid oriented).
    Tell them about all the "boring" grown up things you're going to do:
        Pleasure Island
    	Victoria & Albert's
    	Empress Lilly
    	The tiki bird attraction (your boys didn't like this, right?)
    	The country bear attraction (ditto?)
    	The hall of presidents
    	Whatever...
    
    Then focus on all the "fun" kid things you're not going to do:
    	Dumbo
    	The race cars
    	Mickey's Starland
    	Whatever...
    
    If you're extremely lucky, you'll have them convinced that they
    won't want to be there.  Not very likely I bet.
    
    After you get through the trauma of breaking the news, you might
    want to get them in on the planning and also allow them to make
    souvenir suggestions.
    
    Good luck,
    Ruth

    So Len, did you tell the boys yet?  If so, how did you go about
    telling them and how did they take it?
    
    Ruth

    Well, we broke the news this past weekend.  We waited specifically
    until now, as it was the twins' birthday.  We correctly assumed that
    they would be too wrapped up in the preparations for their party and
    all the new presents to get too bothered about Mom and Dad's big
    announcement.

    We broke the news in stages, (remember the old joke about "Mom's on the
    roof?), beginning a couple of weeks ago.  When we were all in the car I
    asked Linda when her folks would be visiting again.  Then I suggested
    that maybe they would like to stay with the boys for a few days while
    we went away.  Linda played her part and said she would ask them when
    she spoke to them on Sunday.

    There were some objections, but we overcame them.  Would they able to
    watch their favorite TV shows?  (We'll make a list so Grandma knows
    what you're allowed to watch.)  Who will give us a bath?  (You are old
    enough to shower by yourselves.  We can practice all summer.)

    Last weekend on another car trip we started to talk about where we
    should on our vacation.  Maybe the cape, (the guys liked this idea), or
    perhaps Bermuda, how about Florida.  We also had to negotiate how long
    we would be away.  We worked our way up from one day to about five. 
    (It will actually be about seven, I think).  When we got home I made a
    show of looking at the calendar, picking a week to go, and saying... 

    ...(sound of big bomb dropping)...   

    "You know, we could go to Disney World, and then go back the following
    August with the whole family."

    ...(BOOM)...

    Linda picked up and, as Ruth suggested in .21, started talking about
    all the things we could do that the boys hate.  I started singing the
    Tiki Room song.  They weren't happy, but I think they bought it.  They
    also made me stop singing.

    I'm sure there will be some more fuss as the departure time gets
    closer, but they are beginning to accept the idea.  Wednesday I told
    them I had made reservations, and yesterday they were asking about
    where we were going to stay, etc.

    Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll keep you posted.
    

    That's what I did (maybe also off the advice of Len). I had a piece of
    paper attached to our frig via a magnet and had the names of the kids
    listed and how many Disney dollars they earned, etc.
    
    It works for awhile.
    
    Mike
    

    OK - We are leaving in 11 days!  Yes - I'm tooooooo ready!
    My husband and I are going with our 10 year old son.
    He does not know about this trip as of yet.
    We opted not to tell him till after school got out but now that we've
    gone this far, we've decided to wake him the morning of the flight and
    say "wake up we're going to WDW!"
    
    I've been getting mixed reactions about this.  I hear it's a great idea
    from some who like the idea of the surprise.  I also hear it's not fair
    that he can't anticipate the trip with you from others.
    
    My husband and I are comfortable with our decision and plan to stick
    with it.
    
    I was just curious as to what other people here in this file thought
    about it.
    
    Kathy
    
                                                          
   

    Kathy,
    
    Sounds neat  to  me  as long as you can do the packing for him, without
    him asking Why  do  I need these new cloths for, or why are you packing
    the bags etc.
    
    Claude

    So Kathy, does this mean that because you haven't mentioned anything to
    me about your trip to the Birthday Bash, that I'm coming too??  :-)
    
    I agree with Claude that its be pretty neat to wake up and have someone
    tell me, "Let's go, we're going to Disney World!!"  Certainly, not
    telling him before school ended was a good idea; he would have probably
    been distracted as school wound down.  As to the "anticipation" issue,
    he'll likely remember the surprise of Mom and Dad taking him to Disney
    longer than the anticipation of the trip.
    
    But what I want to know is just how you could keep a secret like that
    for sooooo long??  It would've driven me nuts long ago.
    
    Have fun,
    - Skip

    Kathy,
    
    My feeling is this...you as a parent should know what's best for your
    particular child. Some kids need a "carrot" while others don't. Some
    children don't particularly like to wait....the excitement of going to
    WDW is even greater for some when it's right around the corner while 
    others like the anticipation and telling their friends.
    
    Do what you think is best....and remember...have that camera ready.
    
    Mike

    Thanks for the input.  It was very difficult for the first few months
    to keep this under wraps.  But, as time went by it became second nature
    to not talk about it unless he wasn't around.  Of course being able to
    vent my enthusiasm in this notesfile has helped me out!
    
    Packing won't be a problem.  We have an in-law apartment on the house,
    so I'm going to hide the bags in my mother's bedroom while I pack the
    night before.
    
    Now, getting him to bed early the night before will be a problem.  We
    have a 6:40AM flight out of Boston - so we'll be up with the chickens!
    
    Thanks Mike, for reminding me about the camera - I hadn't thought of
    that.
    
    I can't wait to tell him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Kathy
    

This past year we surprised our two of our children at school, took them out
of school at lunch time and took them to the airport.  The teachers were 
in on it and everything.  Both the children and we thought it was the 
greatest way to go.  The hardest part about all of it was keeping the 
secret for 5 months.  This year we are trying the opposite approach and 
they are helping in the planning.  No definite date arranged yet.

-Jay

    I personally would have preferred my parents keep such a secret...I
    hate anticipation!!  I do not handle suspense well.  I'm the one who
    reads the first few chapters of a book to see who's in it then the end
    to see what happened!
    
    -sandy
    
    

    
    
    
       This is great! We're doing the same thing. Our kids are a little
    younger, 7, 3 and 4 months (I don't think she really cares one way or
    the other, yet :^) and we decided not to tell them because they would
    drive us (my wife) crazy. This is the 4th time in about 4 1/2 years
    we've been. Last year we went July 2nd (Hey, that's today!) through
    the 12th. The boys drove us nuts everyday for 3 months. "When are we
    going to Disney, when are we going to Disney..."
    
       We were not going to go this year, but the air fare wars changed
    that real quick. It was my wife's idea not to tell them, but then again
    she would be the one who would have to listen to it all day. Packing
    and hiding the suitcases should be easy. We'll just pack them, put them
    back in the basement where they are now, finish packing the night
    before and put them in the car. We're not even going to tell them that 
    morning. Our flight leaves Philly at about 11. We'll get them up and
    ready to go, telling them we have some things to do today. When we get
    to the airport we're going to tell them we have a surprise. I can't
    wait to see the looks on their faces. 
    
    
                                 Phil, who_is_42_days_away_from_WDW...

    I just couldn't wait!.......
    
    My three kids are all aware that we are going in 75 days, for a 10 day
    stay at the CBR.
    
    Recently, I signed on to present at several large customer events in
    Central/Southern Florida the second week of March.
    
    What the kids don't know, and WON'T know until we pick them up from
    school on March 4th, is that we'll be heading straight to the airport
    for an evening flight to Orlando and a long weekend at WDW.  The rest
    of the family will head back Sunday night, while I stay in Florida to
    present at these customer events Monday-Wednesday.
    
    We've never done anything like this before, where the kids were not
    informed about what was going on ahead of time.  I can't wait to see
    their faces only 12 days from now when we give them the following
    options: 1)  Would you like to go to McDonalds for dinner tonight?, or
    2) Would you like to go to WDW, right now?  They're already pumped up
    thinking that it is only 2 1/2 months until they think they are going,
    and it has been two years since the last family trip.
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    
    
     

    Are you prepared for one of them to say "MCDONALDS MCDONALDS, I WANT TO
    GO TO MCDONALDS!!!!"???  ;^)
    

That's OK -- just tell 'em that they're going to the MacDonalds 
on International Drive.

    Good answer.  Or else call ahead and make sure the "kiddie meal" on the
    plane is a MCD's kids meal!
    

    Well, If they opt for McDonalds, my wife and I will use an executive
    veto, but I like the idea of making it the one on I-drive (or 192).
    The on-board McDonald's meal would work too, but this trip is on
    USAir, and only United (which we are flying on for the upcoming trip in
    May) offers them.
    
    Last night one of my daughters asked how long it would be until we went
    to WDW, because she couldn't wait.  Before I could answer, her twin
    sister answered that it was just over 10 weeks to go (she has been
    keeping track diligently).  My wife and I looked at each other and
    grinned, and then I told her that she would be there "in almost what
    seems like hardly any time at all"...
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

	RE .35:  Wow, that's a really cool surprise to spring on your kids.
Just imagining how that would feel (from their point of view)...

	Guess I love spontaneity.

	Brian W.

("New" here, so to speak; I'll explain when I find the sign-in note.)

    
    
    My wife and I discussed how to surprise the kids, 10 and 8 years old.
    One idea I came up with was, tell them that I am leaving on a business
    trip, having my father drop me off because my wife hates driving into
    Boston.  We have them come along just to say good bye to Dad.  Then my
    wife is going to say, `Gee, I wish we could come along'.  Being a great
    Dad, I'm going to say, `OK, let's go.'
    
    If it works out as well as we imagine, it'll be the surprise of a life-
    time.
    
    Now we just have to control ourselves till the middle of Jan.
    
    We leave on 1/19. 

    I was sooo excited yesterday, I got a call from Petty Cash saying my
    tickets were there... (4 RT Boston/Orlando, $760.80)... after picking
    them up, I was just walking on air.. I called home and got my 20 year
    old...  Guess what I have??... What?? ..... Our tickets to get to the
    World!!!!!... Yeah, so!... Isn't is exciting???... Yeah, sure Ma, real
    exciting!!!... WELL, I'M EXCITED!!!!"... Ma, we have until November
    12th to wait, don't waste all your excitement now!!!
    
    Party pooper!!!!  I should have waited to even tell him we were going! 
    BRAT!!!!

    We just got back from Disneyworld saturday night. We told my 2 boys
    ages 2.5 and 4.5 that we were going to visit a friend. Both had no idea
    where we were going till we were taking the ferry to the Magic world
    and they spotted the castle. :-). My 4 year old was jumping up and down
    so much he almost fell overboard. :-)
    
    Working on trip report