Planning the perfect graduation trip?

[nicolej92]

For my cousin's graduation (2 years away), I am planning on taking her to Disney. She has never been there before, so I want it to be the perfect trip!

We have gone in November, May, and August before. We loved November. Does anyone have any other recommendations? I think I would rather take her as a pre-graduation trip instead of going in the dead of summer.

Any other ways I can make it special for her? She has been hounding me for years to go, so I want it to be memorable (even though I know EVERY Disney trip is!).

 

[csjordan]

We are going in June for my DS's high school graduation. We are staying 10 days at OKW and BLT. We are planning to do special things we don't normally do on our trips like the Jungle Trek tour at AK, Discovery Cove (this will be the only non-Disney activity), signature restaurants, water parks (since we are going in June and we normally go December/November/spring break...but don't usually swim since its usually a long weekend). Since your cousin has never been before, there should be plenty of things to choose from. Character meet and greets/dinners, dessert parties, tours, etc... The good news is there is SO much to choose from at Disney! Good luck with your planning!

 

[rwdavis2]

I would concentrate not so much making it perfect/special since being at WDW is special in and of itself. Jungle Trek or Keys to the Kingdom tours are good ideas though. Since you've been there before you already know how to avoid wasting time in lines, etc.

I would pick November, the last full week before Thanksgiving. Decorations are going up and MVMCP has started.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We went in early June for my daughter's graduation. It is much more fun to go then b/c it's just after the excitement of graduation. We went 3 days after the ceremony and it was our best trip ever. The heat didn't really bother us. We take breaks in the afternoon.
They have grad mouse ears you can buy online or in the parks. My dd wore then and got a lot of attention from the CMs.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

The grad ears you can buy are not available until the spring, I think.

 

[McKelly]

We will heading down June of 2017 for DD's graduation trip. We're definitely getting the ears, a special graduation cake delivered to a dinner at fine dining restaurant and probably Cirque de Soleil. Those are the things I have planned so far. I will be interested to hear what others suggest!

 

[mom2rtk]

If you do decide to do the trip before graduation, I would purchase the graduation ears next spring so you are sure to have some.

I don't like doing Disney in the heat. But for a graduation trip, I just don't think it would be the same months in advance or months after. Much better to go while they are still feeling the excitement of graduation.

I would also suggest doing some sort of a graduation photo shoot. Maybe something at one of the resorts? Then also make a pre park open breakfast reservation in the MK and take some shots on a (nearly) empty Main Street in her ears.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We did a graduation trip for DH in June 2009, including a meal at V&A.

We're also planning another graduation trip for him in 2017 (his final graduation after 14 years of post-graduate schooling and training!), which will include both a DCL cruise and land aspect. I'd like to dine at either Palo or Remy on the cruise, get a cruise spa package, go back to V&A, see La Nouba, and do the Wild Africa Trek.

 

[tinkfan160]

I graduate this month and we went in July for a pre-graduation trip. To restate what everyone else has said make sure that you get the hat in the spring if you want it...when we were there in July they didn't have any. I got my traditional mouse ear hat type for Class of 2015 online in the spring and then took it with me to get my name on it. I also purchased the one that is like an actual graduation hat with ears for Class of 2014 at the Disney outlet and customized it...everyone thought it was great! I also got an "I'm Celebrating" button and wrote graduation on it. Our waiter at Ohana for breakfast brought me a cupcake. We had purchased Memory Maker, so I had a special outfit for one day and we did a little photoshoot with PP photographers and our cameras for some "senior pictures". Disney Florist is also great for added extras. My parents had a special bag with some goodies in it delivered to the room. It had my favorite snack, Mickey rice crispies, and a photo mat signed by Minnie and Mickey! I'll include some pictures of the special things I had for some ideas for you!


Traditional style hat


Customized hat and photoshoot time...love this picture that my dad took!


Family photo time!


Picture from Minnie and Mickey...it's hard to see th writing with the glare. Please excuse my disheveled look...I was mid-nap after an early flight when they delivered my gift!