Fun things to get kids ready!

[cathymailme]

Hi,

I was wondering what fun things people do with their children to get them excited and ready for their disney vacations. Also to make the time pass a little faster! Some of the ideas I have or have seen include:

* growth chart with disney rides listed so they know which rides they can ride

* mailing letters to mickey (or favorite character) and have friends or family send one back from the character

* reading books about disney world or disney stories

* looking at pictures of the resorts and parks on the internet

Does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[onecoolmama]

In our area, Blockbuster had a summer special. You donate $2 and all summer you can rent any family movie (not new release) for free. So we have been renting Disney movies all summer long to get DS into the characters.

We also have watched Mickey's House of Mouse and Snowed in at the House of Mouse to get him into the characters. We have downloaded Illuminations on the laptop and we watch it three- four times a week. We have also downloaded it's a small world and a few others.

We have gotten our costumes and gotten him really excited about being Peter Pan for the MNSSHP. As I am typng this he just put in the planning video we recieved! I trained him right!!!

We have talked to him about seeing shows and we have even taken him on the subway and I am going to take him on a bus so he gets used to public transporation without his carseat.

Any other tips for getting kids ready I am listening. I could use all the help. Writing a letter to Mickey is a great idea..My DS is 2 but he can write his name..so he could send a card. Great Idea!

 

[ayimapt]

How do you download Illuminations?

 

[onecoolmama]

I might have used the wrong computer terminology. I will find the link where someone had Illuminations on their website. My DH is a computer nerd and he was the one that found the link. I will ask him and post the link tomorrow.

I say computer nerd because when people ask me what he does I always just say "Oh he is in computers." It frustrated him that I didn't know exactly what he did becuase it was sooo vague..so now I tell everyone computer nerd/geek. Think he is sorry I didn't just stick with computers

 

[TimeWarp]

It's something small, but each day I have been copying a new Disney related wallpaper. My DS age 10 has been checking it out everyday after school. Also, I have a small notebook with the cover decorated in disney stickers. Inside are all my notes about our trip. I leave it beside the computer and both my DSs 10 & 11 have enjoyed reading it.

 

[detroitdad]

Our last 2 trips, we made a "countdown calendar". Just a simple grid with the days of the week. We'll usually decorate it with pictures from Disney travel guides, pamphlets, etc.. Each day, a different child(ages 9,6,4,2) takes their turn crossing off the day at bed time. It really gets them excited and helps my wife and I realize how much time we have left to get organized because its a constant visual reminder.

Believe it or not, it has also helped as a disciplinary tool! If one of the kids isn't doing their chore, it's amazing how quickly they do it when they are reminded that their turn to cross off a day will be forfeited. (Kind of hokey, but works in our family). You should see the reaction when there's the possibility of someone giving up their Disney $$ to a sibling (oh the horror).

 

[cathymailme]

Thanks for the great ideas. Cathy

 

[Scarlett & Rhett]

order the trip planning video from Disney and watch it a few times

 

[twotoohappy]

We make a count down paper chain, every night before bed my daughter gets to rip one link of the chain. It visually shows her how much time is left and we also hooked her suitcase to the chain that is the weekend before we go. That way she won't keep asking when to pack. She packs when the link of the chain is ripped from the suitcase. Lots of fun!!!