Countdown to Your Disney Vacation

National Plan for Vacation Day

1. planDisney Panelists Offer Ideas for Disney Countdown Fun

   Paper Chain Countdown – This type of countdown is one many of our panelists shared as a countdown idea, but all with a slightly different twist.
   Robyn and her family create a paper chain countdown 30 days out from their departure. “We divide the paper links between the four of us, and we each write something we’re looking forward do on the inside – it could be a treat, attraction, or other experience. Each morning, we take one link from the chain and read the “can’t wait for” on the inside. Seeing the chain get shorter as we count down the days is so exciting!” 
   
   A paper chain countdown can also be found at Missy’s home. However, when they tear a link off each day they dance and sing along to a little number they created on their own! What a great idea for the kids to see mom and dad dancing around and singing an original tune!
   
   Scavenger Hunt – Donyell surprised her girls with a Walt Disney World Resort vacation and revealed the news via a scavenger hunt! “We hid clues around the house. The last clue the girls opened included a gift bag complete with Disney-themed t-shirts and MagicBands. As soon as they saw those MagicBands, they said ‘wait a minute, wait a minute, MagicBands mean Disney!’ And they started jumping up and down and screaming. It was priceless.”
   
   Disney Movie Countdown – For Thiana the fun begins 10 days out! For 10 days, she and her family watch Disney movies directly related to attractions, including Star Wars, Toy Story, Avatar, Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, The Lion King, etc. What a great family night idea that leads up to a dream vacation!
   
   Countdown Calendar – This can be done a number of ways, but Tabitha’s spin to the idea is quite a creative one! “As frequent guests to Walt Disney World Resort, we have a lot of pictures from past vacations. I create a countdown calendar in PowerPoint by adding a picture of our family at our favorite vacation destination to the background, the current date, and how many days are left. I print two slides to a page, cut them out, and stack them in countdown order. As a family, we remove a page each morning to reveal a picture that holds a special family memory for us. It builds the excitement until our return!”
   
   Surprises from Mickey Mouse (shhhh we really mean Ashley) – “The closer we get to our Disney vacation, “Mickey Mouse” (aka mom) starts sending my kiddos little gifts to let them know he’s looking forward to seeing them soon. T-shirts, snacks and activities for the plane, and sunglasses are fun little surprises to wake up to and totally build excitement as we count down the days to our magical visit!” What a fun idea, and we promise we will not share your secret, Ashley!