From the moment you surprise the kids with “We’re going to Disney!,” this family vacation is one you’ll all remember. Get your kids in on the excitement by planning the trip together part of the fun. This, along with Disney-themed family activities, will keep everyone engaged leading up to the adventure, even if it’s a month out. Use the six ideas found in this slideshow to keep the whole family counting down the days to their first meeting with Mickey! 6 Ways to Inspire Imagination Before Your Disney Trip:
Introduce movie night
Here’s another reason to have Frozen on repeat at home: Start the family tradition of re-watching favorite Disney films in the evenings, maybe after dinner, to keep the kids stoked about meeting these characters in person soon. Build this relaxing ritual into their daily routine early, so that when you’re at Disney and need them to wind down after a full day at the park, all you need to do is pop in their favorite movie and let the kids relive the stories behind the characters they met that day.
Book your FastPass+ now
Up to 30 days before your trip, use the Disney Experience app or log onto MyDisneyExperience.com to set up your FastPass+. This special service allows you to spend less time in line and more time making memories. It’s quick and easy: Create a Disney account and link your park passes. Then select FastPass+ in the main menu to pick the top three attractions per day where you can skip the line and get right into the action.
Check the Disney calendar
Anyone can ride Splash Mountain all-year-round. It is the seasonal events that will set apart your kids’ Disney vacation from their friends’. Peruse Disney’s annual calendar with yours kids to get them excited about the events that will be unique to their trip, like “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” and “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party”, which take place at Magic Kingdom in October and December, respectively. Foodie families might enjoy the Epcot Food & Wine Festival in November. Spring visitors won’t want to miss The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (March through May), which includes Disney-themed topiaries and live concerts that will rock your kids’ world.
Map out a plan using the Disney Experience App
Your kids love playing with your phone, and now you have a good reason to let them. Download this mobile app and have the kids pick out the rides and Disney characters that excite them the most. Once you know their picks, you can use the app to stay on top of show schedules, wait times for attractions, the whereabouts of their favorite characters, dining reservations and more—all in real-time.
Sweeten up your trip
Make Mickey-inspired cupcakes in the kitchen with the kids a day or two before your trip. Whipping up these creative concoctions together—picture chocolate-frosted cupcakes with Oreos for ears—will not only help channel their excitement into something productive (snacks for the road!), but also gear up their imagination for the most mind-blowing vacation of their young lives.
Order this free Disney Vacation Planning DVD to get going
This may be your family’s first trip to Disney, but you are not Disney’s first family (though they’ll treat you like it!). The folks behind these world-famous theme parks are pros when it comes to keeping guests happy and coming back, so let them share their insider tips, which they’ve packaged for you in a free vacation planning DVD. The same day you announce the big trip, sit down with your fam to watch video highlights and take notes of what makes you, your kids, and spouse oooh and awww. Then place this dream checklist on your fridge as a daily reminder of the excitement to come.