Please help me figure out how to give this gift.

[TheCrimsonHorror]

So this year we have decided to give DS1 a trip to Disneyland Paris as a Christmas present from DS2. There's a bit of a backstory as we would never usually do such an extravagant gift - DS2 is autistic and DS1 has had to make so many compromises over the years and he's had to learn to adjust to the many changes we've made to make DS2's life easier. DS1 has been so patient and understanding even when it meant days out have had to be cut short or cancelled altogether as DS2 couldn't cope.

In the last few months DS2 has become able to cope with days out and we even went on our first family holiday together. So as a thank you for being the best big brother, we want to give DS1 a trip he has been asking for for years. And one that we never thought would be possible as a family.

The part I need help with is how to package the present for DS1. The trip isn't until March and I don't know if he will understand if we give him tickets or the booking confirmation. Has anyone any ideas? I had thought of getting some Mickey Mouse ears and a photo album with a letter from DS2 explaining the gift (I would write it from DS2) but I'm open to other suggestions. DS1 is 7 if that's any help.

Just a thought... Does it have to be for Christmas? Still do the whole big reveal thing, but that's an absolute age away when you're only 4, and I'm wondering if the huge excitement will be then making a bit of a rod for your back because its then months away. I wouldn't really call it a Christmas present. Its more like Easter. Could you incorporate it into Easter?

I know 12+ weeks for my DS when he was 4 would be an eternity, and it might take the shine off.

Definitely join the Facebook group mentioned previously Disney tips for Brits or Disney chat for Brits. We got LOTS of great pointers from there.

You can buy Disneyland maps off eBay so what I did once the DC were told was ask them who they really wanted to see then I checked with the map and I also downloaded the meet and greet times so I could plan where in the park we needed to go first. It can be overwhelming at first so it was good to have a little bit of a plan for the day and no-one was disappointed as they all got to do their favourite ride or meet their favourite person

@TheCrimsonHorror how about including a calendar with the day marked with a big circle and get him to tick off the days/weeks?

Aww, I love this ... just to add I think that nothing will be OTT and reckon the more OTT the better :)

A picture of your youngest holding up a sign saying "we're off to Disneyland!" etc

This is so lovely, he will be so excited!

Maybe a Mickey mouse calendar with a X on the date you are going so he could countdown? Love the balloon idea too!

Doh.

Just see it has been suggested! Ignore me OP 😂

Love love &steppemum’s idea. That’s just fantastic. Your boys will be able to keep the photo album as a really great memory of finding out about the trip.

I really hope you all have the best time, your boys sound awesome.

My dd is getting a trip to Disneyland as well. There's a shop on Etsy that sells plastic Disney castle keys which can have their names on them. Or Disney reveal scratch cards and boxes. I'm going to fill a big box with helium balloons and tie on the key to one. Other than that you could get a giant 36inch balloon and fill it with confetti and a small Nicky teddy and a key and let him pop it. Although my daughter is also autistic and isn't keen on loud noises so we had to for go this idea so maybe it won't suit in your house either?

Brilliant ideas, thank you all.

Flobalob the photo of DS2 holding the "We're going to Disneyland Paris" sign is a great idea. I can pop that in the photo album. It can be his way of telling him without using words as DS2 is non-verbal.

I've started looking up fake tickets as my homemade one was rubbish and I'll look up the countdown clocks. I saw a Christmas countdown one that had Mickey Mouse on it that I could use.

Courtney and MumUnder I hope you have a great time with your kids, I've never been before so I'm so excited too.

What about a Disney store stuffed toy of his favourite character holding (well sort of- stick the ticket to the toy) a ticket or sign saying 'We're going to Disneyland in March' (I think you need to be clear that it's March from the start because at 7 that might feel about a year away!).

@EmilyRose I agree, March is an age away for a 4 and 7 year old.

I'd do the big reveal, but I'd do it in a more time appropriate manner. More like February. Even then, 4-6 weeks is still a long time to "surprise" and subsequently withhold that surprise. They won't be excited for three months, more, how much longer... are we nearly there yet.....

Just personal opinion, I wouldn't be trying to pass it off as a Christmas gift when it's approaching Easter when you actually go.

I agree with Courtney. I also wouldn't say it was from DS2, as it obviously isn't. I'd personally wait until about 4-2 weeks to go, and then say DS1 you have been such a great brother to DS2 and so understanding that we wanted to give you a special reward and so we are taking you to Disney land.

We need a long run in to the holiday as we need to do social stories and a whole load of prep work for DS2. It takes months. It's not like going on holiday for the average family, it involves run through of airports, transfers to the bus, the hotel room and the layout of the park. We did it for the last holiday and it worked as we had a blast and DS2 coped brilliantly with everything.

Ah! Pressed send too soon.

I know you think that it's a long wait, but there's no way we can do all the prep without DS1 knowing. And the whole family need to be involved in the social stories etc because that's what's best for DS2.

Good point re the social stories, that makes sense why you need such a long run in.

I think at 7 he will Just about understand waiting? He’s at school so you could explain in terms of which school Holiday he is going in - might that help? I also like the idea of crossing off a calendar, though maybe only for the last 2 weeks!

I have a DS with ASD and I appreciate exactly how hard it is. Mine has just turned 6 and there is no way he could cope with that yet... but you have given me hope! He has a younger sibling who also makes a lot of concessions in her life. There are so many thing we can’t all do together like a normal family but one day I’d like to take them to Lapland. I hope you have a wonderful trip xxx

Thanks Christmas. There's a lot of prep involved but it will be worth it. And DS1 can definitely understand waiting, he seems old beyond his years sometimes.

Your DS might get there soon, we've booked to go away when it should be fairly quiet, we're not in England so taking them out of school is no problem. The amount of work that goes in to a holiday can be very overwhelming but it's definitely worth it.

Oh and we looked at Lapland but DS2 is absolutely terrified of dogs and all the packages involved sledding with huskies so we decided against it.