You have been planning your Walt Disney World vacation for months. You are so excited to tell your kids but you don’t want to have to hear ” How many more days until Disney?” every single morning! I think getting kids involved in the planning process, understanding what to expect, and allowing them to share in the excitement of the trip makes for a much more enjoyable experience. To check out more ideas on how to get kids excited for a trip check out this post.
If you still want the spectacle of a big trip reveal I love scavenger hunts. Your clues could lead to a countdown calendar.
Here are some fun ideas to countdown to Disney to help start the magical experience before you even get to the parks.
Clothespin Countdown
This is my favorite for a unique calendar if you are at all crafty because it can take so many incarnations. All you need is twine, clothespins, and paper. If you have a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette this is definitely the route for you. Decide a theme for your calendar and get creative. You could cut out Mickey heads and decorate them like your favorite characters, pick your favorite attractions, or even favorite snacks!! I love these ones from Pine39 that you can fill with pins. Make sure you put numbers on them up to the number of days you have left until your trip. Remove one cut out each day until your trip. Another alternative is a clothespin calendar. This is a valentine countdown from the Dating Divas but you could adapt it to any vacation.
Dry Erase Photo Frame
If you are not crafty at all there are still options for you. A dry erase countdown is the easiest. I like that you can find a cheap picture frame from the dollar store and purchase (or design) a cute Disney countdown printable to put in the frame. Then just use a dry erase marker to write on the frame and easily erase it the next day. To make it even easier for you I have designed a FREE Downloadable Printable for you.
Wooden Blocks
I have a wooden block calendar in my office but they are great to put on the mantle and can add some fun magic to your decor. You can purchase them on etsy (in many different designs). Or head to the craft store pick up some wooden blocks and paint your own.
Classic Paper Chains:
A fun one to make with your kids are paper chains. Get out some construction paper, scissors, and a stapler (or tape if you have little ones helping.) Just use Mickey’s colors and make the top chain have Mickey’s ears. You can order a template to make them look like the Fab 5 characters. Or check out these incredibly creative ones from Making the World Cuter. Just rip off one chain each morning.
Chalkboard
I am sure you have some chalkboard paint hanging around from when you were inspired by the trend and never got around to your project. Take a piece of wood, paint it your favorite color, and paint three circles in the form of a Mickey head in chalkboard paint. Change the number each day. I like this one because you can start years in advance if you want to!
Add More Disney to Your Day
If you are feeling even more ambitious you can create these incredible activity popsicle sticks from oneshetwoshe. Write a Disney activity on a popsicle and pull one out to do daily. One thing I would recommend is doing the Mickey heads on top of a few different colors and organizing the activities by how long you have to do them. For example, a red Mickey top would be something you could do in a few minutes like practice a princess courtesy, a yellow Mickey top would be 30 minutes or less like a Disney song dance party or making Mickey pancakes if it takes longer like watching a Disney movie or making matching t-shirts it would be on a black one.
I understand how you’re feeling, I know all too well how easy it can be at the beginning to start researching online, just to find yourself 3 hours down the line more confused than when you started. But don’t panic! I can help you plan your dream Disney vacation without any of the stress of hassle – starting with the ‘A Disney Trip without Overwhelm, 5 Easy Steps’ Guide. These 5 steps will help keep you focused on organizing the best trip ever, while giving you peace of mind that everything will be done, and nothing will be left out.
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