Yes, it's a dream come true for us! I have heard the countless and exciting stories from everyone who has made a trip to Disney World. My husband went to Disney World when he was younger, but I have never even been to Florida. Of course, my three children have not experienced the "World" yet either. My husband and I started talking about going, and then we took the plunge in December. We booked our hotel and flight. Fortunately, we were able to use points that we had earned for the hotel. Because we were booking well ahead of time we were able to get great flight times and routes to Orlando and back.
It was a bit torturous not to tell our children right away...for us, at least. But, we did not want to tell them the news and then make them wait and wait for months. We did, however, want to get them prepared for the trip and help in some of the planning process. So on Easter we gave them a surprise they would not forget!
How We Told Our Children
After we went to Sunday mass, opened Easter baskets, and searched for Easter eggs in our back yard, my husband took our kids for a nice, long walk. I placed eggs and clues throughout the house. Each clue would lead to the next clue and egg. In each egg there were alphabet letters that they would have to unscramble at the end of their scavenger hunt.
The kids were greeted back with a letter telling them how proud we were of all of them. It also explained that as an extra special treat they were going to go on a scavenger hunt around the house.
My kids had no clue that Disney World was even being considered by mom and dad.
We took videos and pictures of their hunt and their reactions. I cannot even explain how happy we were to tell them and how ecstatic they were when they realized where they were going this summer. My six year-old kept "fainting" afterward. It was quite funny to watch them jump up and down, and see the giddiness that followed.
Though I am sure it would have been an awesome surprise to tell them the morning we were leaving on our flight, I am glad we chose to do it ahead of time. Not too early and not too late. They have had time to plan what they want to wear and pack, get even more excited and countdown the days until the trip, research and read about the rides and adventures that they want to experience, and watch lots of Disney movies!
P.S. I know I am a month overdue with this post, but I cannot tell you how busy we have been since then..Disney and many other events have taken over our life. Haha! More Disney fun to come!