6 Ways to Countdown to Your Disney Trip

You’ve been planning your Walt Disney World vacation for months—late-night Googling, snagging the right reservations, and dreaming about that first glimpse of the castle. And now you’re finally ready to tell your kids… but you’re not ready to answer “How many more days until Disney?” every single morning!

I’ve found getting kids involved in the planning process, helping them understand what to expect, and allowing them to share in the excitement of the trip makes for a much more enjoyable experience. If you want more ideas for building that pre-trip anticipation, I have a full post dedicated to getting kids excited for travel.

But if you’re craving the spectacle of a big reveal, I’m a huge fan of scavenger hunts. Let the clues lead to the surprise… and, ultimately, to a fun countdown calendar they can help update each day!

Here are some fun ways to countdown to Disney to get a taste of that Disney magic long before you ever step foot in the parks.

Clothespin Countdown

This is my favorite for a unique calendar if you’re at all crafty—it can take so many different forms! 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 on a theme for your calendar and get creative. You could cut out Mickey heads and decorate them like your favorite characters, attractions, or even your favorite snacks! Personally, I love these ones from Pine39 that you can fill with pins. Just 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 easily adapt it to any vacation. 

Dry Erase Photo Frame

If you’re not crafty at all, don’t worry—there are still plenty of options for you! A dry erase countdown is the easiest. 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—quick, simple, and easily erasable the next day! To make it even easier for you, I’ve designed a FREE downloadable printable!

[Note: Sorry, the link got broken when I switched site providers! We’re in the process of updating our old printables, so I’ll fix this link as soon as I can. -C]

Wooden Blocks

I have a wooden block calendar in my office, but they also fit perfectly on a mantle and can add some fun magic to your decor. You can purchase them on Etsy in a variety of different designs or pick up some wooden blocks from the craft store and paint your own!

Classic Paper Chains
Paper chains are always fun to make, and they’re sure to be a hit with little ones! Get out some construction paper, scissors, and a stapler (or tape, for a more kid-friendly option). You can use Mickey’s colors and add Mickey ears to the top chain, order a template to make them look like the Fab 5 characters (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald Duck, and Pluto), or check out these incredibly creative ones from Making the World Cuter. Just rip off one chain each morning until your trip!

Chalkboard 

Chalkboard art was everywhere a few years ago, and I’m sure I’m not the only one with some spare chalkboard paint lying around from some long-abandoned project. Take a piece of wood, paint it your favorite color, and paint three circles in the shape of a Mickey head in chalkboard paint. Then, all you have to do is change the number at the center each day. Personally, I love this one—there’s no limit to your Disney countdown. You can even start years in advance if you want to!

Add More Disney to Your Day  

If you’re feeling even more ambitious, you can create these incredible activity popsicle sticks from oneshetwoshe. Just write a Disney activity on a popsicle and pull one out to do daily! One thing I would recommend is making the Mickey heads on top a few different colors, with each color corresponding to a different length of time. That way, you can choose activities by time, allowing you to avoid any last-minute letdowns. For example, use a red Mickey top for things you can do in a few minutes (like practicing a princess curtsy), a yellow Mickey top for activities that take 30 minutes or less (like a Disney song dance party or making Mickey pancakes), and a black Mickey top for activities that take more than 30 minutes (like watching a Disney movie or making matching t-shirts).

No matter which countdown you choose, the real magic is in the anticipation—those little moments of joy your kids feel each morning as they watch the numbers shrink and their excitement grow. It’s such a sweet way to stretch the vacation experience beyond the parks and weave it into your everyday life.

If you’re ready to start planning the trip behind the countdown (or you want support shaping the perfect Disney experience for your family), I’d love to help. You can book a Dream Trip Chat anytime, and together, we’ll create a Disney vacation that feels easy, magical, and perfectly-tailored to you.

Who is Christina?

Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists.  After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!

She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.