Disney Family Traditions

[woodlandsparty]

My boys are getting old enough to really remember the whole Disney experience now. Our goal is to try to make at least one trip every year. I want to start some type of tradition for each year. Of course, we'll do the standard family photo in front of the castle and such, but I want to start something else with my boys too. Maybe a souvenier that we purchase each year....I was thinking of a Christmas ornament for each of them with the year on it.

What do you guys do that you keep as a tradition for every Disney visit???

 

[FanOfStitch]

We get a different Christmas ornament every year, but I never thought to put the date on it. Mind if I borrow that idea? We also get a shirt with the year on it.

Also, another of our traditions is to eat at 50's Prime Time every visit and now I think we are adding WCC too.

The one tradition that we never break from tho, is that our very last ride before we get in the car to leave is RNR. What a way to end a vacation!!

 

[JulielovesDisney]

Unless it's summer, we always eat in Germany for dinner. The food is too heavy for a summer dinner.

We have a competition in our car when we drive onto WDW property, as to who can spot the first Disney _______ (bus, sign, landmark, ect.) It's fun! And the winner can brag for the rest of the trip.

 

[julsmom]

For us, We eat at LTT our first evening. Also, due to our DDs age, we always do the princess lunch at Akershus.

 

[Boomer1]

we always try to make the Hoop Dee Doo the last night of our stay.

 

[deekaypee]

A character breakfast every trip, mid-way through our visit. And we always get a particular kind of picture taken with one of the characters. You see, I don't like having my picture taken for various reasons, including a tendency to get migraines. It's become a bit of a family joke.

Because the character dining experiences feature one-on-one interactions, we have the opportunity to create extra-special pictures that reflect this weirdness of mine. So every year, I have a picture taken with a character but one that does not show my face. Sometimes the character will place his or her hands in front of my face. Sometimes I'll hid behind a character and peek out behind her or him. Sometimes I'll prop up a menu.

Anyway, so this bit of picture-taking oddness has set me and my DH on a quest to keep taking unusual, less traditionally touristy pictures. It's tons of fun and now a tradition!

 

[FanOfStitch]

deekaypee, you reminded me of one other tradition of ours. My DS13 and I always get our picture taken with a different character each year. That picture goes into the frame that we buy with the year on it and goes on display in the house. It's a nice way to remember each year. Although I have to say, yours sound like fun and really good memories!!

 

[aide4]

Chef Mickey's for dinner on the day we arrive, gets us into the Disney spirit!

 

[Disney Crazy Family]

We allways buy a Disney World Jacket with the year on it or a jacket
with the special occassion on it like Happiest Homecoming on Earth.
We are hoping for a jacket with Year of a Million Dreams on it in
January

 

[Minky]

Oh GAWD we have so many,
the biggest unbreakable unforgiveable tradition is EVERY single time we go under the archway driving in (you know the big beautiful Walt Disney World archway with Mickey and gang) we SCREAM YAAAYYYY!!!!!! WE can be in mid sentence and talking about anything else and we do it. I know were goofballs...and when we leave the last day we let out an aaawwwwwwwww

3 places we eat everytime are Bomas, Hollywood&Vine and O'hanas.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Hoop-Dee-Doo first night.

 

[sebfigmin]

Hoop-Dee-Doo first night.

The first day we're in Orlando, we spend the evening at Downtown Disney going shopping, having dinner, etc. to get the introductory to Disney. When we're at EPCOT we always have a late lunch / early dinner at The Biergarten in Germany for the Oktoberfest, tiggy toggin tiggy toggin oy oy oy. We have a good time.

 

[karensi]

We always have dinner at Chef Mickeys the first night and then we ride the monorail. We dont go to the parks until the next morning.

 

[JFrey4240]

Always hop on the first bus to MK right after we check in at the resort. And always have breakfast at Crystal Palace every trip!

 

[colieolie]

Every year i get a Christmas ornament and have the year put on it.
the kids do the pennies from all the different hotels and attractions wherever we go.
First day at disney, always hit the ESPN zone to relax and have bite to eat.
Kids like pin collecting and trading too.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

After checking into our resort (Old Key West) we take the boat to Downtown Disney and walk around. We have a late lunch/early dinner at Rainforest Cafe or Planet Hollywood.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

Our family tradition is a photo of each one of the girls on the carousel...it's one of my mother's favorite photos. Over the years its funny to see that they have favorite ponies, the same ones seem to keep getting chosen!

 

[Evil Genius]

We buy one of the lead glass ornaments for the tree. We also have to ride the TTA at least once.

 

[yellownovawife]

Each family member gets one special hat or set of ears at MK. This is usually a good souvenir because it is useful, fun and depending on the hat it is good for dress-up. Also, we all get a Mickey shaped ice cream bar at the same time and take the time to stop and enjoy it! We seem to also have started a tradition of trying a new special event each time. We are going to the Pirate and Princess Party in Feb. I am enjoying reading about everyone's traditions!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Unfortunately we can't go every year but when we get to WDW the traditional things that are a must are:
* eat at LTT - we were on a strict budget on our 1st trip and this was our 1 sit down meal so we have to go back every time now.
* a new ornament for the tree
* Go to MK 1st and last - it's just not WDW till we see main street
* Get a mug or cup (depending on adult or child) so that we can have a daily/weekly reminder of our trip.

And something we do with the kids regardless of where it is - WDW or someplace else is we get a magnet for the fridge.