How to Plan a Surprise Disney Trip in 5 Easy Steps

Are you planning a Surprise Disney Trip? Disney Trip Planning is an adventure on it’s own, and adding a surprise brings an extra element of organization- check out this post to know all the steps you need to take!

Planning a Magical surprise Disney trip can be a thrilling experience that creates lasting memories. To ensure your (shhh) surprise goes off without a hitch, follow these steps for a well-organized and unforgettable trip!

If you are well-versed at planning a Disney vacation skip ahead to #3 to learn all the ways you can bring your surprise to life!

This blog is all about planning a surprise Disney trip!

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Table of Contents

1. Set Your Budget

Before diving into the planning process, establish a realistic budget. Consider expenses like travel, accommodation, park tickets, meals and snacks, souvenirs, and any special events and experiences you want to include. Disney Parks have so many extras you CAN spend your money on so be sure to explore all of the options ahead of time and PLAN it in.

Having a clear budget in mind will guide your choices and prevent overspending. For more help on your budget check out my blog Plan a Disney Budget in 5 Easy Steps!

2. Choose the Travel Dates, Accommodations, Dining and Transportation details

Selecting the right dates for your Disney trip is crucial. There are many Disney crowd calendars, my favorite is TouringPlans.com For a small yearly subscription fee you have access to crowd calendars, park itineraries, strategies, and more! Also, consider the weather, school calendars, and any special events happening during your chosen dates.

Disney offers a range of accommodation options, you can choose a more budget-friendly option like a Good Neighbor Hotel, or Value Disney Resort like Pop Century or All-Stars, or you can go all out and luxuriate at Disney’s Polynesian, Grand Floridian or Contemporary resorts. Since you’re planning a surprise, make sure to book the accommodation under your name to keep the surprise intact.

Whether you’re flying, driving, or taking a train, plan your transportation method and book tickets well in advance. If your loved ones are joining you on this surprise Disney adventure, coordinate their travel arrangements without revealing the destination. A travel planner can be super-helpful in making this happen, and the best part is this costs you nothing!

Purchase park tickets ahead of time. You can choose from various ticket options, including single-park tickets and park hopper passes (you can go from park to park on the same day). Determine the number of days you’ll spend in the parks and choose the ticket type that suits your plans. Keep in mind that the longer you stay the per day price goes down. It’s tempting to stay multiple days and you likely will need to if you have never been, this is a special occasion trip, or you don’t go very often and want to try to see all 4 parks at Walt Disney World. If you are planning a surprise Disney trip to Disneyland you can do quite a bit in 3-4 days as there are only 2 parks on property and it’s much easier to get to them and to move between parks.

Disney’s popular restaurants can fill up quickly, so make dining reservations as early as possible. They sometimes change the rules on this but, for now, you can book your advanced dining reservation (or ADR to use the Disney lingo) 60 days in advance. I recommend doing this on the My Disney Experience app. Include some character dining experiences for an extra touch of magic, especially if you are traveling with young kids or adults who love meeting characters. This is a great way to get in some awesome meet and greets with your favorite Disney characters AND not wait in a long line- all while enjoying some yummy food in a Disney-themed restaurant!

3. Plan the Surprise!

Now for the even more fun part- planning the surprise! First, let me backtrack a bit- be sure to know your audience. Do they want to take a Disney trip or is it you that wants the Disney trip? In my family if I ever surprised my husband with a Disney trip let’s just say the excitement would be lacking….but my kids would love it!

Ok, now that we got that out of the way- let’s start being sneaky! If you are surprising a child, and they don’t have much theme park experience, it’s best to take them to your local theme park, zoo, or any local busy places or attractions you have close to you. This can help them get used to being in this type of environment, and help you gauge how they will handle a Disney park.

You also need to be careful of who you tell, some in your family or friend group may have trouble keeping a secret. You should also consider if the surprisee (now I’m making up words I know) would want to pack their own bags- not everyone wants you to decide what they wear on a vacation- I know my teenagers definitely would not like this!

Be careful about who’s looking at your phone- the apps for Walt Disney World (My Disney Experience) or Disneyland (Disneyland)- will hold all of your plans so ensure that prying eyes aren’t looking at your big surprise!

4. The Big Reveal…

So, you’ve considered all of the above and started your planning. Now how are you going to make the trip reveal the most magical ever?

Here are some fun ideas:

Gift Box, Stocking stuffer, or Box in a Box

This is great for the holiday season or on birthdays. You can do a simple gift box that is Disney-themed and put in it Disney gift cards, Disney Luggage Tags, or Magic Bands- they don’t send these automatically anymore but you can order Magic Bands or Magic Band + on ShopDisney.com. These would also be great stocking stuffers for Christmas morning.

Another idea is to pack one of these small items inside a tiny box and then layer multiple boxes to really surprise (and maybe enrage) the lucky participant!

Scavenger Hunt

This surprise Disney trip reveal is really fun! You can provide clues and plan a big adventure. This is likely best for older kids or even adults, who have the patience to stick out this kind of adventure.

And there’s no need to reinvent the wheel on this one- there are so many great ideas on Etsy and Pinterest.

Magic Mail

Mail is fun for everyone- how often do we get letters anymore? Kids love letters and sending them a letter from their favorite character or the Main Mouse himself is a major thrill! This one can be very easy as you just need some paper, and fun pens or makers. You can let your inner Disney voice out in writing! Add some Disney stickers and confetti to make it even more fun!

Disney Themed MeaL

This can be a breakfast, lunch, or dinner. My personal favorite is breakfast as you can fix Mickey (or Minnie) waffles at home and really up your game by having some fun Disney balloons hiding in another room!

You could also plan a fun family Disney dinner party and serve Disney-themed rolls and dessert!

Fake Vacation

Another idea is to tell your family or friends that you are surprising that you are going to visit family or on a work trip with you when REALLy you are planning a surprise Disney trip! Warning: Kids or even adults might get attached to that trip or destination so they may actually be disappointed when they find they are not going there. If you tell them you are going to see family it’s a good idea that those family members will join you on the trip. No one wants to be excited to see Grandma and have a vacation with no Grandma!

Just going, no reveal

Well, the reveal can be the sparkly gates of Walt Disney World or Disneyland! This is particularly easy when you can drive to a Disney park. You can sneak the luggage into the car the night before and just get on the road in the morning.

If you have to go to the airport it might be harder- the kids will catch on of course- when you hit the airport! But that’s when you can combine it with a Disney-themed gift and have some pictures ready of the resort you are staying at and what plans you have.

5. Capture the Moment

Be sure to have someone recording, or do it yourself if you prefer, the moment when it happens. The reactions will be priceless! I recommend a short video that you can share, and some pictures of before, during, and after the big reveal. Having a sign that says “We’re going to Disneyland” or “On our way to Walt Disney World- see ya real soon!” or something Disney-related is a fun touch also.

It’s also fun to include Disney accessories- Minnie Ears, Disney countdown pins or calendars, Disney gift cards- whatever you want- just make it unique and magical!

Planning a surprise Disney trip requires dedication, attention to detail, and a bit of magic. By following these steps, you can create a truly unforgettable experience that your loved ones will treasure for a lifetime. Get ready for a journey filled with joy, wonder, and, of course, a sprinkle of pixie dust!

This blog was all about how to Plan a Disney Surprise Vacation!