Last year, after announcing our upcoming trip to Disney World, I finally understood why many parents choose to keep such exciting news under wraps. It’s not about wanting to see the delight on their children’s faces when they discover the trip of their dreams is just hours away. Nor is it about longing for a magical experience they missed out on as kids, or attempting to sprinkle a little enchantment into everyday life.
Nope! The real reason is that savvy parents want to avoid the relentless nagging that often comes in the days, weeks, or even months leading up to a Disney vacation. Can you blame them? If you haven’t experienced it yet, just picture the endless “Are we there yet?” chorus you hear on long car rides. Now, imagine that multiplied by a thousand. Why would anyone voluntarily choose that madness?
Our Smarter Approach
This time around, we took a smarter approach. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I quietly sorted through last year’s summer clothes to figure out what the kids would need in the sweltering 90-degree heat. New sandals, swimsuits, shorts, and sunscreen were gradually brought into the house to avoid raising any suspicions. I made hotel and dining reservations while the kids were at school and secretly packed the suitcases into the car while they slept soundly upstairs.
The Big Reveal
The morning of the big reveal was just like any other. “Wake up!!” I yelled, “You’re going to be late for school!” I hurriedly got them breakfast and offered a meager 15 minutes of TV before we had to leave. Just then, my partner Alex came in, and we unleashed our meticulously crafted surprise. “Do you guys really want to go to school today?” Alex asked. Lily was on board, but the boys were less enthusiastic. “Well, I don’t want to go to work,” Alex added.
“What if we told you we could go somewhere special instead?” I chimed in. “Where?” they asked. “Roller skating!” Lily shouted. “Bowling!” Ben exclaimed. Evan just looked confused, still wishing he could finish watching his show.
“Anywhere in the world, and you choose skating and bowling?” I teased. “How about… DISNEY!” Ben shouted, right on cue. Alex and I stood a little taller, ready for the joyful response we anticipated.
“Okay!” we said, smiling as I recorded the moment. “Let’s go!!”
Unexpected Reactions
And that’s when everything went awry. Instead of cheers, we were met with skeptical glares. “You’re joking,” Lily said, looking unconvinced. “Yeah, right,” Ben pouted. Poor Evan just wanted his show back.
“Guys! Check the trunk! Remember those flip-flops I had you try on? The new swimsuits? The sunscreen we bought? We’re leaving now. SURPRISE!!!!!”
It took until we were en route to the airport for Lily and Evan to fully believe it, and Ben only accepted it as reality when we passed through security. It’s comforting to know my kids aren’t overly fond of surprises. But at least Alex and I dodged the alternative of relentless whining in the days leading up to the trip. One morning of that was more than enough!
Final Thoughts
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Summary: Last year, I discovered why many parents keep Disney trips a secret until the last moment—it’s to avoid the endless nagging from kids eager for the adventure. By carefully planning and packing in secret, we were able to surprise our children with the trip of a lifetime. The reveal didn’t go as smoothly as planned, but we managed to enjoy the moment together, escaping the pre-trip anticipation that often leads to chaos.