Looking for ways to surprise your kids with a Disney trip? Over the years we’ve taken the kids to Disney World quite a few times. We’ve often taken just one or 2 of them as a special birthday trip and each time we have gone we have surprised them last minute. There are few things as fun as surprising people with a trip and if it’s Disney… even better! Here are a few fun ways to surprise kids with a Disney trip.

Ways to Surprise Kids with a Disney Trip

1. A Character Calling to Invite Them

Do you personally know Cinderella? No… but I bet you know a ton of ladies that your kids would not recognize their voice on the phone! Many years ago when Maggie and Alex were 2 and 4 we were about to go to Disney for the first time. We had my friend call and pretend to be Belle. She called and said that her and the other princesses wanted to personally invite them to come to see them and their castles. My girls’ minds were blown. They frantically packed every dress up gown in the house and we left the next day.

Mid trip we were at a character dinner where the girls got to meet Belle and Maggie thanked her for inviting our whole family to Disney World. The surprise plan worked for sure!

2. A Card in the Mail

We did this one time when my parents were coming with us. Mickey mailed a letter and it arrived one day when the grandparents were there (slash I put it in the mailbox that day). It was a sweet note about spending time as a family and Mickey couldn’t wait to see us all.

I made the card but I saw there are a lot of really cute ones on Etsy like this one and these that look like tickets.

3. Surprise Shirts

I ordered these shirts from Etsy (click here) before the trip. I decided that since it was such an early flight and would be dark out, I’d give them the tee and a fleece to put over it when they were just waking up, groggy. It worked! They had no idea they were wearing the shirts until we were past security! I told them to “look at your tshirts”. They were SOOOO surprised!

4. The Airport Surprise

If you can… wait until the airport (or car if you’re driving). Knowing they are going on a mystery vacation adds a lot of excitement! The first time I ever waited until the airport to surprise someone was when I took Alex to Disney for her 7th birthday. I wrapped up Mickey Ears and had her open them at the airport. Her reaction is one of my favorite videos ever and a moment neither of us will forget!

5. A Scavenger Hunt

I have heard of lots of people doing scavenger hunts at home before a Disney trip. I think it’s such a fun way to get the whole family excited about the trip. You can find lots of cute options on Pinterest.

Looking for Disney planning tips for the actual trip? Here are some favorite posts that I have put together for this blog and Travel We Will. At this point I have visited Disney with all ages from under one on up to tweens!

Disney Dining Tips & Our Favorite Character Meal // Four Seasons Orlando // Toy Story Land with Preschoolers // Our Favorite Non Ride Attractions // 20 things to Know Before Booking a Disney Cruise //