COUNTDOWN IDEAS About This Page:

[lshuttleworth1]

We are vigorously planning our trip this April. We have our Disney Dollar charts for DD (6), and a calendar up with how many days until disney, but wanted something else fun to do. Any suggestions.

[Lorraine515]

I know a lot of people do the chain links for the younger kids. Have fun planning your trip

[AngelLily03]

I've heard a few things. One is a advent calender like at Christmas time, where each day they open a door and get a treat. The other is they get a small gift each day leading up to the trip. All the gifts are items to be used only on the trip and you can allow the children to pack them themselves after opening. I've heard the gift can start with sunglasses, small water bottle, own poncho, little backpack for around the parks, disposable camera, Finally is a map with a plane, car, however your getting there and each day you move it closer to Disney. Have fun and good luck.

[lshuttleworth1]

Originally Posted by AngelLily03

I've heard a few things. One is a advent calender like at Christmas time, where each day they open a door and get a treat. The other is they get a small gift each day leading up to the trip. All the gifts are items to be used only on the trip and you can allow the children to pack them themselves after opening. I've heard the gift can start with sunglasses, small water bottle, own poncho, little backpack for around the parks, disposable camera, Finally is a map with a plane, car, however your getting there and each day you move it closer to Disney. Have fun and good luck.

I love this idea. That is a very good idea. My DD loves getting little things like that. We do this for the 12 days of christmas, so she gets a little present starting on December 13.... every day until Christmas Eve. Never thought of using this for Disney.

Thanks a bunch

[chezp]

I think the chain is a great idea.

[vadsnylvr]

I've done the chain link countdown for several trips. The last two trips I also made a countdown calendar where my daughter tears of the day to see how many days left. Enjoy your trip!

[QuiltsbyNini]

Last year, since we are home schooling, I used a chart where the days were actually Disney paint samples from HD. Each day had a different Disney fun fact that was included in the day's lesson.

It took a bit of work to organize all the facts with the lessons, but they really enjoyed it. They are already asking if we are going to repeat this idea this year! I think I might have to make one per kid this year...I will have a pre-K, 1st grade and 5th grader.

We used the paper chain for my GD last year. Both her and her mother loved it! (it was their first trip!) I love the idea of getting Disney gifts to pack each day. I can see how I can include that into a lesson as well...


Nini

[thebrehms]

We did the paper chain for our last trip and the lo's loved it. It was part of our bed time routine to take one off and then count how many days were left. I like the idea about the small gifts each day too. Though I think it'a a little to early to start that for our trip in April!

[lshuttleworth1]

Originally Posted by thebrehms

We did the paper chain for our last trip and the lo's loved it. It was part of our bed time routine to take one off and then count how many days were left. I like the idea about the small gifts each day too. Though I think it'a a little to early to start that for our trip in April!

Yes, we are going in April soon. I will probably start my packing list soon, and figure out what all I am going to need to purchase before we go..... count the items, and then start the gifts at a time based on how many things we need. Last year I also got on Google and downloaded coloring pages of characters in the park, and attractions, and bound them together at work, and made a coloring book. The pictures with the characters we took with us, and gave them to the characters when we met them for autographs and pictures.

[ferrazalves]

I usually prepare a calendar count down (similar to those to Xmas) with a message and/or small gift each day.
Plus we launched our Disney preparation: One or two DVD per weekend - specially those not often remembered....

[thebrehms]

Originally Posted by ferrazalves

I usually prepare a calendar count down (similar to those to Xmas) with a message and/or small gift each day.
Plus we launched our Disney preparation: One or two DVD per weekend - specially those not often remembered....

I always forget about watching the DVD's. We have enough that we could watch 1 a day between now and our April trip and still have some left over! Thanks for the reminder!

[davishomeschool]

Originally Posted by QuiltsbyNini

Last year, since we are home schooling, I used a chart where the days were actually Disney paint samples from HD. Each day had a different Disney fun fact that was included in the day's lesson.

It took a bit of work to organize all the facts with the lessons, but they really enjoyed it. They are already asking if we are going to repeat this idea this year! I think I might have to make one per kid this year...I will have a pre-K, 1st grade and 5th grader.

We used the paper chain for my GD last year. Both her and her mother loved it! (it was their first trip!) I love the idea of getting Disney gifts to pack each day. I can see how I can include that into a lesson as well...


Nini

We home school too! Love the idea of using it in their lessons.

I have gotten a few Disney cook books and I do "Disney Food" to get them excited for our trips (as if I needed anything to do that LOL).