Hi there, Marsha! Welcome to planDisney. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by with your question. I absolutely love that your grandson is going to be visiting the Happiest Place on Earth and celebrating his 4th birthday on top of that. What a special treat he’s in for! As a toddler mom (and fellow teacher) to a little boy, I’d be happy to steer you in the right direction for gearing up for his magical visit, while keeping your budget in mind.
If you’re looking for something tangible, such as a stuffed animal or toy, the Disney Store has an excellent selection of discounted merchandise in their sale section. There’s plenty to choose from! You can easily filter options by your grandson’s favorite Disney character, movie, or show.
Another fun idea is a hands-on sticker or activity book featuring Disney characters. He can decorate scenes, solve simple puzzles, or color his favorite characters, making the countdown to Disneyland even more exciting. These activity books also make for a great road trip or plane activity to keep him busy along the way.
You can also go the homemade route! For a countdown, create a paper chain in the color scheme of Mickey Mouse or Goofy, letting your grandson tear off one link each day until the trip. This can also be done as a calendar with fun Disney stickers to mark off each day. If he lives nearby, you could even have him over for a Disney-inspired meal, like Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes. Getting him involved in cooking is always a hit with little ones like my own and makes breakfast even more fun!
If you have a Disney+ subscription, you can get him gEARed up by “riding” a few attractions together! When you type in ’POV’ the search bar, several attractions throughout the Disneyland Resort are featured in a Point of View ride-along. The two of you can take in the sights of Cars Land or go through the twists and turns that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has to offer from the comfort of your living room.
Marsha, with all of these fun ways to build excitement whether it’s a small gift, a hands-on activity, a homemade countdown, or even a mini ride-along at home, I know your grandson is going to feel the magic long before he steps foot in the parks. If you have any more questions before then, planDisney is always here to help!
With a Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,
Bev