Favorite Pre Disney Ideas for the children

[dezimber]

What are your favorite ideas for the kids before going to Disney?

I am planning a trip with my friends in 2010. One friend has dd that is 10 and ds the is 7. The kids were promised a WDW world trip when her ds is 10 but I think he will still be 9 then. I asked my freind if she wanted to keep it a secret and surprise them closer to the time but she thought that since they are expecting to go there is no point. She was interested in other ideas so she will probably tell them in advance.

Ideas for:
1.) Breaking the news
2.) Incentives to save & earn money for trip
3.) ???

 

[adell557]

My suggestion for staying excited about the trip and to save money is to have a disney family theme night once a week where you mark off a week closer on the calendar and you keep yourself from going out to eat as well here is a link to a whole thread on the theme nights that is still growing, there are currently 78 theme nights right now, they are a lot of fun!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1707141

 

[Grace and Mickey]

Hi i too am looking for ideas on how to pepare our grandson for his first trip to WDW. Like on character meeting, rides,or any thing else, that help your little one prepare for the trip. THANK YOU for your help. Have a magicial day.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Hi i too am looking for ideas on how to pepare our grandson for his first trip to WDW. Like on character meeting, rides,or any thing else, that help your little one prepare for the trip. THANK YOU for your help. Have a magicial day.

You didn't mention grandson's age, but if he's very little, definitely get the planning video. - If you are worried about him being afraid of characters, it is important that he knows in advance how big they are.

If he's a little older, there is a great "by kids, for kids" book that I got at the Disney store, that will explain the different rides, etc.



To the OP, on money ideas - One year at our house, the Easter bunny hid plastic eggs with Disney dollars in them. They also make good Christmas or birthday gifts if people ask you and your friends what the children would like.

 

[christianne]

We have been planning w/ the 3 kids since October & we had them save change- everything went into the Disney box...we're leaving in 2 wks and they're planning on cashing in the change on Friday for Disney Gift Cards. They have over $120 each for spending $$

We also had them design their own shirts on Disney.com

 

[Grace and Mickey]

You didn't mention grandson's age, but if he's very little, definitely get the planning video. - If you are worried about him being afraid of characters, it is important that he knows in advance how big they are.

If he's a little older, there is a great "by kids, for kids" book that I got at the Disney store, that will explain the different rides, etc.



To the OP, on money ideas - One year at our house, the Easter bunny hid plastic eggs with Disney dollars in them. They also make good Christmas or birthday gifts if people ask you and your friends what the children would like.

He will be 2 1/2 when we go in Sept 2009. I really want to get him use to the characters. thank you

 

[mickeygirlnc]

We are going in Sept for free dining and will tell our girls, ages 9 & 5 around the first of August. Our plan is to have a "movie night" where we cook dinner and then all get cozy on the couch to watch a movie, which will be the vacation planning dvd. I am also thinking of doing the theme night every week just to keep them occupied and plan to buy the guide for kids so that my oldest can read about everything and help her younger sister. The oldest is also very computer savvy and I will let her check out the disney vacation website.

I'd love any other ideas for keeping things going over those 6 weeks.

Oh yeah, we have someone on the disboard, that has agreed to send postcards to the girls in August from the "characters".

 

[Disneyvirg]

You didn't mention grandson's age, but if he's very little, definitely get the planning video. - If you are worried about him being afraid of characters, it is important that he knows in advance how big they are.

Are you referring to the Free Disney Planning DVD? Or is there another DVD you would recommend? I'm pretty certain my girls will be scared of the characters...just not sure the planning one shows enough of them.

 

[Grace and Mickey]

Are you referring to the Free Disney Planning DVD? Or is there another DVD you would recommend? I'm pretty certain my girls will be scared of the characters...just not sure the planning one shows enough of them.

I am also worried that my grandson ( he be 2 1/2) when we go to WDW, will be scared of the characters, he like playhouse disney, but the park characters look different. And he wasn't to happy with the easter bunny this year. I want he to enjoy his 1st trip to WDW and not be frighten It would break my heart if cried meetin mickey.

 

[mamaprincess]

Here is something if you live near a Kroeger.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1864325

 

[PollyannaMom]

Are you referring to the Free Disney Planning DVD? Or is there another DVD you would recommend? I'm pretty certain my girls will be scared of the characters...just not sure the planning one shows enough of them.

I was talking about the planning DVD, but I haven't seen one in while, so it's definitely possible that the new one doesn't have a lot of characters.

But I also read once before about some video tapes of Disney songs with the characters dancing, etc. - Anyone out there remember and can tell where to get those??

 

[3goofyboys]

We're taking our kids to the parks in September 2009 when they will be 2 and 3. We're prepping by letting my older son watch Disney movies- he doesn't watch any other TV, so this is a big deal for him- and having Disney theme nights. My older son has seen pictures of DH and I with some of the characters and we talk about how big they are, but that they're super nice and will be so excited to see him! We're also preparing ourselves for the very real possibility that one or both of the boys might be scared by the characters and that's okay.