Little extra ways to make our trip more magical?

[Jchoma]

We are taking our second WDW vacation as a family the week after Thanksgiving. Our first trip (last April) was amazing...we were lucky to have beautiful, not-too-hot weather, everyone was healthy, fast passes & trip planning worked perfectly, etc.

This trip will be a bit different since it's during the Christmas season, and just our family of 4 is going. (Last trip, both sets of grandparents joined). My kids are 6 (girl) and 10 (boy) and while going to WDW is pretty magical on its own, I'd love to get some tips on extra things to do to make our trip more memorable. Things like, surprise souvenirs, ways to count down to the trip, etc. We will be driving from NC, so maybe something fun for the car, too? Any ideas or tips?

Thanks so much!

 

[Hisgirl]

Definitely plan a drive down bingo game. Make the blocks interesting, things they'll see on the road, in a restaurant, heard in the car etc. You could also plan a scavenger hunt for the trip, keeping specific places and things in mind. The 10 year old is old enough to keep an eye out for harder things and you could make them age-appropriate so the 6 year old could have as much fun but not have everything be found by brother.

I would try a character breakfast somewhere you haven't been and take in a show you haven't seen. Also have fun with the pins. If they don't have many, make some purchases on ebay, include some favorites, and encourage them to trade with CMs.

 

[DisneyOma]

Wilderness Explorers at AK, Kidcot stations at World Showcase, Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom or the Pirate thing in Adventurland.

 

[DisneyCAL]

This last trip we did bro time and girl time. It was fabulous. DH took DS6 to the hotel arcade and I took DD6 to Grand Floridian Garden View Tea Room for afternoon tea. It was nice having one on one time.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We went for my DDs 21st birthday last year with 4 of her friends. We were a party of 10 and I wanted to make it special. First we decorated everyone's magicbands. It is so much fun. We too drive and play Disney songs and watch Disney movies all the way down.

While we were there we had a surprise for each day. The first day we were eating at Ohana so we had flower anklets and flower hair clips for the girls and Hawaiian shirts and hats for the boys. We made matching Mickey tie dye shirts for one day. Another day we all wore tails and animal bracelets when we were going to AK. We had matching shirts on our DDs birthday also. It was so much fun and the girls loved opening the surprises each day.
Enjoy!

 

[Figmentmommy]

We are taking our second WDW vacation as a family the week after Thanksgiving. Our first trip (last April) was amazing...we were lucky to have beautiful, not-too-hot weather, everyone was healthy, fast passes & trip planning worked perfectly, etc.

This trip will be a bit different since it's during the Christmas season, and just our family of 4 is going. (Last trip, both sets of grandparents joined). My kids are 6 (girl) and 10 (boy) and while going to WDW is pretty magical on its own, I'd love to get some tips on extra things to do to make our trip more memorable. Things like, surprise souvenirs, ways to count down to the trip, etc. We will be driving from NC, so maybe something fun for the car, too? Any ideas or tips?

Thanks so much!

Decorate your room for Christmas - small tree, lights, mistletoe. Not sure where you're staying, but if your resort allows it, decorate your room window/door by stringing lights and putting up window clings. Bring a plug in timer so your lights will go on at the same time each evening. It's a great way to return to your room after a long day in the parks. Also - pick up some Christmas light necklaces at Lowes or Home Depot for all of you to wear in the parks after dark.

 

[momofboys5]

So exciting!! I'm sure you all will have a great time! A few things we have done while gearing up for our trip...

I bought Disney craft paper and we did a chain calendar. The kids loved putting little sayings and the numbers on each day and we rip one off every night! It's so nice to see it get smaller

I also just started stocking up on fun things to do (for us it's a plane ride) I plan on downloading a new movie on Amazon prime and always buy a few dollar spot/tree Disney items. I found some super fun mad lib and road trip games when I searched Amazon for a recent trip.

For my oldest a lay trip 3 years ago I bought a kids guide to Disney and it had each rode on a separate page and notes they could take in the evening or on the way home about what they liked about the ride, memories, ect. Made heading home more bearable

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/walt-...YBCABEgI0SPD_BwE#isbn=0979275857&idiq=1066758

 

[Jchoma]

So many wonderful ideas!! Thank you!