Looking for pre trip ideas

[Happy vacationer]

If all goes well my family of 5 (2DD, 1DS, DH, me) my mother and my sister will be heading to WDW this fall. I would like to make up some kind of a surprise (perhaps monthly, weekly notes etc) to get everyone in the WDW mode. During the winter we go away alot on the weekends and I have time to sit and do just such a project. Does anyone have any ideas on what I might do. Everyone but my mother and my youngest DD were at WDW in September of 2000. My mom has never been. I would really like to make the trip special for her since she's always wanted to travel with my family to WDW. I bought my mom some disney $ for her birthday and explained to her that it could be used in the parks just like the green stuff. My mom is in her late 50's so she'll be game for anything and everything. Also, the youngest DD will be 15 months old or so and I can't wait to show her the WORLD! (We conceived her right after our last Disney trip even though it was thought we couldn't have any more kids - more disney magic???) I've read about making the countdown calendars but am looking for other ideas as well. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Thumper's Dad]

Off the top of my head, here's a few:

Get everyone their own "journal." They can start even now jotting down their thoughts in anticipation of the trip. Then, when the trip arrives, they'll already be in practice to write a little something every day to capture the magic. Could double as an autograph book, too!

Make up little contests for everyone to participate in and use Disney Dollars in small denominations as participation prizes. Could be things like finding things that remind of Disney, have a ScrabbleMouse tournament (only Disney related words allowed), etc.

Do a monthly Disney Day or Disney Dinner . Make up menues that, even with some stretching, could remind them of WDW . Watch a Disney movie, decorate the house, wear character-related clothes.

Have a "What are you going to do now? We're going to DISNEY WORLD " Garage Sale to raise extra money for the trip. Especially have the kids contribute items to the sale.

OK, that's enough from me. Except to say--make the anticipation grow and have fun doing it.

 

[crusoe2]

How about a monthly "newsletter" - you could include things like reminders of things to do in preparation for the trip, tips you've gotten from the DIS, a little note about something that you are looking forward to sharing with them at Disney, an update of things that have been taken care of since the last newsletter (like a PS that has been made). You could write or print it on Disney stationary or greeting cards or make your own with clipart. I envy you - I wish I could talk my family into going to Disney with us but they just don't seem interested. Hope this helps and have a great trip.

 

[worm761]

i was thinking of having an UN-birthday party (Alice In Wonderland). you could do one and have disney related items as unbirthday gifts. maybe have one once a month drawing one name out of a bowl to see whose unbirthday you will celebrate.

 

[Happy vacationer]

Thank you for all the great ideas!!! I can hardly wait to start planning those events listed above. Anticipation is so much FUN.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

There are some great guidebooks out there with descriptions of all the restaurants, ratings on them, as well as a wealth of other info on the parks. Rita Aero's is our favorite. You could plan some of your PS reservations, sharing the book with your Mom, also. Nothing gets me more psyched for a future trip than making plans about where we will eat, picking a night, marking on the calendar when to call 90- or 30-days out for PS ressies, etc.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Pick up the Disney sing along video "Aday at Disneyland" the kids will love to watch it !
Also get the book "WDW for kids by kids" it is great and also has some planning activities in it.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Read trip reports! I love the long, detailed reports.

 

[bigkid@disney]

An idea that I used is sending emails... Actually, I downloaded sounds of Disney, some songs, some things from the parks, etc. Then I would send them occassionally to their email, when they open them the sounds would play. For example, how can you not smile and think of Disney all day when you hear the music to "It's a small world"

For my two children, we have started watching the main Disney tapes again. I think we have them all, but the kids seem interested in watching them again and talking about meeting Goofy, Mickey, Arial, etc.

Of course, for me, I visit here daily and have Walt Disney as my background and screensaver on my computer. Everyone at work makes comments and they help build the excitement by talking about Disney World....

Hope the extra ideas might help.....