How to Surprise Kids With Disney Trip (Or Maybe You Don’t?)

It came as a complete shock when I received an invitation to Disney Social Media Moms, a conference for Disney-loving parent bloggers. Since my husband had started a new job the week before, I knew he wouldn’t be able to attend the conference with me, so I decided pretty quickly that this would be a mommy/daughter trip. Soon after, I also decided there would NOT be a Disney Surprise for my kid.

I booked our flights the same night I received the invitation and told my daughter the week after. Turns out, not surprising my girl with a trip to Disney World was the best move for both of us. While the conference came at a discounted rate, it wasn’t free by any means, so prepping my 6 year old ensured that our trip would run as smoothly as possible. Surprises are fun and I hope to do so one of these trips, but here are 10 reasons that not surprising your kids with a Disney trip can also be a really great choice.

Maybe A Surprise Isn’t The Only Way

In this particular case, not surprising Alina with a Disney vacation was the best value for my Disney buck. It was like extending our girls’ trip to far beyond the week we actually were at Disney World! Here a few more things I noticed by not surprising my daughter…

Pre-Disney moments: My girl loves spending time with me. So much more than gifts or affection, Alina would choose moments with me – learning, reading, talking or exploring – over any material item I could buy or surprise her with. My son is the total opposite, but for Alina, I gambled that the time spent planning our trip might be as fun as the actual adventure. I was right! Deciding to NOT surprise her with our Disney vacation meant countless special moments, just she and I, researching and learning all about Walt Disney World.

Disney decisions made together: Like, whoah. The sheer number of decisions you’re encountered with in planning a Disney World vacation is crazy! Scheduling Fastpasses and dining reservations was easier, and more fun, with her input.

You don’t have to lie: This is a big one for me as I even find it hard to lie about Santa each year. If not for the moral reason (of which I hold no judgement for those who actually love Disney surprises), I found it impossibly hard to keep the rouse going for much longer than a week or so.

So much gratitude: My little girl had the best behavior in the months leading up to our Disney trip. And it wasn’t out of bribery! It actually felt like she was happier, so grateful and even more fulfilled. She adored our special time together to plan the trip and that feeling of contentment manifested itself into more patience and an awesome disposition. Every couple days leading up to our trip, Alina would look to me and say, “Mama, thank you so much. I’m SO excited for our trip!”.

Easier on YOU: This one is simple. When they know the trip is coming, they can help you put together an epic vacation. They can pack, pull together outfits or stuff that will help fill their down time.

The feeling of ownership: Because she had taken part in the planning of everything – from selecting rides to the snacks we wanted to buy – my little girl was eager to enjoy herself. I think perhaps that feeling of ownership leads to better behavior on long park days, too.

Great lessons on time management: At six years old, she’s still learning a lot about the concept of time. On a Disney vacation, you’re constantly managing time with availability and prioritizes, which can be a great lesson for young kids.

Explore the foundations of new friendships: I prepared Alina for the new friends she would meet before we left for our Disney vacation. Although our unique experience might not apply to everyone, perhaps it does for those meeting up with long distance friends or family. Talking about the people they’ll meet before departure can help your kids explore their budding friendships with more confidence.

Better pre-Disney moments: I loved sharing in the creation of this Disney trip with my daughter and wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. Not even an awesome reaction to a Disney trip surprise.

Your kids might surprise you instead: Lastly, I think the most magical reason why I’m happy to have not surprised Alina on this trip is because I learned so so much about my little girl. She surprised me! She seemed to have matured overnight, taking big challenges head-on. She never complained. Was always ready to take on an adventure. So many people remarked on how wonderful and happy of a kid she is… and it’s true!

I chose to thoroughly prepare my little girl for the fast-paced, Disney adventure, versus surprise her, and I think it was the right choice. I hope to one day do a big reveal and whisk her away on a magical adventure, but I’m happy to now know that surprises aren’t the only way to have a great Disney vacation.