Need help surprising DD & friend

[SC Minnie]

This will be DD8's third trip to WDW. In past vacations it has just been the 3 of us(me, DH, & DD). This trip I asked one of her best friends mother if the friend could join us. The mother said yes! We decided to to keep it a secret from the girls for a while. The trip is in about 60 days and that can be an eternity to 8y olds! Anyway, I was wanting some suggestions on a neat way to tell the girls. DD already as a GOH badge so I was going to order one for her friend. I am also going to order the EPCOT passports and autograph book. But I can't think of a neat way to incorporate it all into a big surprise.

BTW this will be the friends first trip.

 

[Eponine]

How about a scavenger hunt? I'm hoping to bring my little sisters (8, 7 and 5) on our December trip, and if we're able to, here's what I've got planned:

My parents will tell them that they're coming to visit my family. It won't be a lie (they'd drive down - a few hours' drive - to spend the night, and then we'd all fly out together the next day), plus it will explain the packing, the make-up homework, etc.

In the meantime, I'll have done things like gotten them pins, made them each an autograph book and/or journal, etc. I'll make up a little gift basket for each of them with their Disney stuff in it, and then I'll leave clues throughout the house for them to find. Each clue will tell them a little bit more about where they're going, and at the end will be the baskets.

I'm anxious to see other ideas as well...it's fun to add to the magic!