For most of us, a Walt Disney World vacation takes a lot of planning and a lot of saving.
Okay. Mostly saving.
And because most of us spend a good bit of time saving there’s a good bit of time waiting for the trip to start.
How do you pass the time and survive the long wait? Let me show you!
Plan, Plan and Plan – To make sure that you’re on schedule with all of your planning, check out this timetable. You’ll need to schedule meals and FastPasses. Oil changes. Plane tickets. Boarding the dog. Stopping the mail. Make a check list and start crossing off the tasks. Before you know it, it’s time to go!
Disney Movie Nights – There is typically a Disney movie in your neighborhood theater almost every month of the year. And there’s Netflix and Redbox and On Demand. And for the Super Fans out there, there’s Target, Walmart and Amazon so you can purchase your favorite Disney movie and watch it any time you like. But an upcoming trip to Disney is the perfect time to have Disney movie nights with your family. Even teens will enjoy a Pirates of the Caribbean marathon. Pop some popcorn, settle in with your Twizzlers and you’re all set!
Disney Dinner Nights – There is nothing better to bring you back to a previous trip or aid in the anticipation of an upcoming one than to eat a Disney meal at home. We love making the Polynesian Resort’s famous Tonga Toast. I also own a couple Disney cookbooks but there are plenty of sources online to help you create your very own culinary cabaret. Click here for a list of great resources.
Countdown Calendars – When the kids were little we made paper chain link countdown calendars so they could actively participate in the anticipation. As they’ve gotten older, simpler methods will do. But for me? Half the fun is looking forward to our next Disney adventure. I try to switch it up each trip. For a great list of countdown calendar ideas, click here.
Disney Prep Presents – Especially when the kids were small, but even now in their pre-teens, I prep them with a trip to Disney with things they’ll need either in the car on the way or at the parks. The first gift is typically a lightweight, drawstring backpack to store their goodies. Consecutive days we fill the sack. Light snacks. Travel games. A book. A lanyard for pin collecting. Hand sanitizer. Gum. Tissue. The last gift is usually a Disney gift card. (It’s how we minimize “The Gimmie’s” on vacation. With a pre-set budget for souvenirs, it’s up to them how they spend it.) We live about a day’s drive to Orlando but any of these ideas would work for plane travel, too.
Disney Game Nights – Disney puzzles, board games. You name it. You can find it. Couple game night with a Disney meal and you have yourself a full-blown Disney celebration.
Whistle While You Work – Pop in your favorite Disney CD. Or stream Disney music over your computer. One of my favorite’s is Sorcerer Radio. Listening to Disney music always makes the chore feel less like work and more like fun. Take it from Snow White, herself. And she should know!
Trip Training – Now is the time to break in your favorite Disney walking shoes, not when you arrive at the parks. Our family walks leading up to our trips are some of my favorites. We invariably start talking about our “Top 5 Rides” or “Best Sit Down Dinners” or “The First Disney Snack I’m Going Have Once We Arrive.” The training walk turns into a planning, excitement building adventure. And it never feels like exercise.
Fill Your Disney Savings Jars – As soon as we reveal that we’re going on a Disney Trip our kids start saving. Suddenly, they are scrambling for extra chores to do so they can fill their Disney Souvenir Savings Jars. Once the money is saved we go to Target and purchase gift cards (with our 5% discount) to be used on our trip. My husband and I have our own jar because a round of golf and Mickey kitchen supplies make us happy. I’m always amazed at how much we can save once a trip to Disney is dangling in front of us.
