Are you looking for a cute way to surprise someone with a trip to Disney for Christmas? Keep scrolling to get this free printable Disney surprise letter that makes the perfect Christmas gift!
This printable surprise Disney trip letter was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Thinking about surprising your family with a Disney trip this Christmas? You’re about to become the hero of the holiday season.
I’m a family travel blogger who’s planned more Disney surprises than I can count, and trust me when I say the reveal is almost as magical as the trip itself. There’s something about watching your kids’ faces light up when they realize they’re going to the Most Magical Place on Earth.
The best gift you can give isn’t something that sits under the tree. It’s the memories you’ll make together at Disneyland or Disney World. And the way you reveal it? That’s where the magic starts.
Keep reading for my free printable Disney surprise letter and five creative ways to announce your trip that’ll have everyone talking about it for years.
Should You Go to Disney World or Disneyland?
Let’s tackle the big question first. Both parks are incredible, but here’s my take as a family travel expert.
Disney World in Florida is massive. Like, you need a week to even scratch the surface. It has four theme parks, two water parks, and more hotels than you can shake a Mickey pretzel at. If you live on the East Coast or want the full Disney experience, this is your spot.
Disneyland in California is the original. It’s smaller (which honestly makes it less overwhelming), and you can easily do both parks in 2-3 days. Plus, the rides are often slightly better here since they’ve had more time to perfect them. West Coast families or first-timers, this one’s for you.
My advice? Pick the one that’s closest to home. Your wallet will thank you, and you’ll spend less time traveling and more time making memories.
Want help planning either trip? I’ve got you covered with my free email courses for Disney World and Disneyland.
What About Disney Ticket Prices?
Real talk: Disney isn’t cheap. But knowing what to expect helps you plan better.
As of 2025, Disney World tickets start at $119 per person for the quietest days (usually late August and early September). During peak times like Christmas, you’re looking at closer to $209 per person, per day. Disneyland runs from $104 on slower days to $224 during the holidays.
The good news? Ticket prices drop significantly per day when you buy multi-day passes. A 3-day ticket breaks down to about $89 per day instead of $119.
If you haven’t booked your trip yet, Get Away Today often has better deals than buying directly from Disney. They’re my go-to for park tickets and hotel packages.
How to Save Money on Your Disney Trip
You’re already spending big on this surprise, so let’s talk savings.
Travel during off-season when kids are in school. January through early March and September are your cheapest windows. You’ll also face smaller crowds, which means shorter wait times.
Bring your own snacks and water bottles. Disney allows outside food, and a backpack full of granola bars will save you a fortune. Those reusable water bottles on Amazon are clutch for refilling at fountains throughout the park.
Skip the expensive resort hotels unless you really want that Disney hotel experience. There are great off-property options that cost half as much. Use those savings for better souvenirs or an extra park day.
Look for hotel packages that include breakfast. Nothing kills the magic faster than spending $80 on Mickey waffles before you even get to the park.
Stock up on Disney merchandise on Amazon before you go. Mickey ears, autograph books, and glow sticks are way cheaper online than inside the parks.
5 Creative Disney Surprise Reveal Ideas
Here’s where it gets fun. These are my favorite ways to drop the Disney bomb on Christmas morning.
Idea #1: The Big Box Surprise
Wrap a large box with tons of tissue paper. I’m talking so much tissue paper that they’ll think you’re pranking them. At the bottom, put this free printable “We’re Going to Disney” sign.
Print one for each person so everyone can open their box at the same time. The chaos is half the fun.
If you’ve already got the itinerary planned, slip a copy in there too. Watching them process “wait, we’re leaving in TWO WEEKS?!” is priceless.
Idea #2: The Scavenger Hunt
Create a Disney-themed scavenger hunt with clues hidden around your house. Start with a map of Florida or California, add a Orlando or Anaheim guidebook, sprinkle in some glitter for pixie dust, and end with a small Mickey plush from Amazon.
The final clue leads them to the printable Disney letter or tickets. This works great for older kids who love solving puzzles.
Idea #3: The Mickey Mouse Letter Discovery
Print out the letter from Mickey Mouse (grab it below), roll it up, and tie a pretty Christmas ribbon around it. Hide it in the Christmas tree and play hot or cold until someone finds it.
You could also give everyone their own letter and have them all open at the same time. Either way, make sure someone’s recording because you’ll want to watch their reactions over and over.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE DISNEY SURPRISE LETTER HERE
Idea #4: The Disney Gift Bag
Fill a festive gift bag with items they’ll actually use on the trip. Think Disney water bottles, matching family t-shirts, and Mickey or Minnie ears.
Tuck the printable letter, tickets, or reveal sign in with everything else. They’ll be so excited about the goodies that the actual trip announcement takes a second to sink in.
Idea #5: The Suitcase Surprise
Give everyone a Disney suitcase for Christmas. Fill it with matching family Disney shirts, autograph books, and “coupons” where each person gets to pick an attraction or restaurant they want to visit.
This is brilliant because it’s both practical (you need luggage anyway) and builds excitement. Kids love having their own special Disney suitcase to pack.
Don’t Forget the Photo Memories
While you’re planning this trip, think about how you’ll capture the magic. Flytographer is hands down the best way to get professional family photos at Disney without the stress.
They’ll meet you at the park, follow you around for 60 minutes, and you get gorgeous photos that aren’t just selfies with the castle blurry in the background.
Save $20 when you use my link: http://flytog.co/mQjiYhQ
Trust me, you’ll want these photos. The ones on your phone never quite capture the moment the same way.
Planning Resources You Need
Before you start packing those suitcases, make sure you’ve got your planning sorted. As a family travel blogger, I’ve created detailed resources to help you plan the perfect Disney trip.
Grab my free email planning course for whichever park you’re visiting. They walk you through everything from booking hotels to navigating the parks like a pro:
Want to see what a full Disney World visit looks like? Check out my Disney World photos for inspiration. And if you’re curious about how many days you actually need at Disneyland, I break it down here.
More Disney Christmas Fun
If your family loves Disney and the holidays, you’ll want these free printables and activities:
- Star Wars Ugly Christmas Sweater Memory Game
- Easy Mickey Gingerbread Man Craft
- Disney Christmas Countdown Printable
They’re perfect for building excitement in the weeks leading up to your trip.
The Bottom Line
Surprising your family with a Disney trip is one of those moments they’ll remember forever. The screaming, the crying happy tears, the disbelief that it’s actually happening… it’s magic before you even step foot in the park.
Pick your reveal style, download that free printable, and get ready to become the family hero this Christmas.
Looking for more Disney travel resources? Find out how to plan a trip to Disneyland while pregnant, best Disneyland hotels for families, how to book a Disneyland photo shoot, Disneyland Princess Breakfast review, and how to save money at Disneyland.
