One of the best parts of your Disneyland trip is sharing the good news with your little ones! What may seem a simple act of telling the kids about your upcoming trip, how you tell your children is equally important and sets the tone for your entire vacation, from the long car/plane ride to impromptu shopping sprees.
Type in the words “Disneyland Surprise” on YouTube and you’ll see lots of video clips from parents, grandparents and other loved ones highlighting the shocked yet overjoyed look on a kid’s face that can only come from hearing the phrase “You’re going to Disneyland!” These clips are fabulous source of inspiration, creativity and fun you could choose to incorporate. Before you bust out the Mickey Mouse ears, here are some tips on how to tell your kids the whole family is going to the Magic Kingdom.
Tip #1: Timing is crucial. Is your child’s birthday coming up? Have they been behaving? Did they do something extremely well in school? Do they mind long car rides? When it comes to timing, you know your child best so consider telling them when you feel the timing is right. For example, if your little one hates long car rides, perhaps telling them when you’re already inside the car and ready to go could help ease the long drive.
Tip #2: Capture on video! When documenting this epic surprise, make sure you have one or two cameras, Flips, iPhones, etc., to capture how your kid(s) reacts! When it comes to Disney anything is possible from tears of joy to phrases validating what an awesome parent(s) you are.
Tip #3: Disneyland as a reward. You know what motivates your child best, so if your son or daughter enjoys being rewarded for anything from good behavior to completing chores you might consider using Disneyland as an incentive. This is a great option if your child does not like surprises. Mouse Planet.com features forums with ideas on how to use Disney Dollars and create other Disney privileges (like person with the most points gets to pick the first ride or Disney reward charts) towards a Disneyland trip.
Tip #4: Play a Game! From word puzzles to scavenger hunts, a creative way to tell your kids that you’re going to Disneyland is to play a game and capture it on film. One proud father shared the news with his quadruplets by playing a game of Charades and another Mom and Dad team shared the news via scavenger hunt.
Tip #5: Give a Disney Gift. A Disney plush toy, Buzz Lightyear t-shirt or a homemade Disney autograph book can go a long way when surprising your child with a Disneyland adventure. Giving a Disney themed gift from your local Dollar Tree or Disney Store is a great way to save money and can help you later on when your family is inside the park. Instead of having to wait in a long line to purchase an autograph book and Tinker Bell pen, your child can take the one they already have and use it right away.
Tip #6: Have the Mouse Call Your House! If your little one is talkative or likes playing with your cell phone, have the Mouse himself call your house! With Disney Enchanted Calls you can have a Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh or Mickey Mouse call your house to wish your child a Happy Birthday, offer encouragement, congratulations, etc. At the low price of $2.49, you can customize your message as well.
