Hi Sharon, and welcome to plandisney. Surprising your kids on Christmas morning with a
Walt Disney World trip is an absolute home run. That is the kind of reveal they will talk about for years.
I remember the days when Disney would mail out those planning VHS tapes. Yes, I’m officially dating myself. Those eventually shifted to DVDs, and they were such a fun way to get excited about an upcoming trip. Unfortunately, Disney no longer produces or mails any guidebooks or DVDs like that. If you want to take a quick walk down memory lane, a lot of those old planning videos have found their way onto YouTube, and they are still a great way to build some excitement.
The same goes for the physical guide maps you find at the entrance of each theme park. They are only available once you are on property. That said, there is an easy workaround. If you head to the main webpage for each of the four theme parks, you will see a Map button right under the large auto-playing video. When you click it, you will be sent to a digital version of the park map. And just below that map, you will see a link to download the
official guide map. Depending on your browser, it will either open in a new tab or download directly. It is the same guide map that Guests pick up in the parks, and you can print it at home to include in your Christmas surprise.
If you want to add a few extra touches,
Disney gift cards tucked into stockings always go over well.
MagicBand+ makes for a great unwrapping moment, too, especially if each kid gets one in their favorite color or character. And matching
Spirit Jerseys can really set the tone that something big is coming.
I hope this helps, Sharon, and I hope your surprise lands exactly the way you’re imagining. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and an unforgettable trip this summer.
Brent