Unfortunately, so many of us have had our Disney holidays cancelled due to the Covid-19 virus. So with that in mind, I hope to offer some ideas in terms of how you can bring a little magic into your home and rebuild up the excitement for your future postponed trips or trips to plan to have in the future.
Not only is it fun for the kids, but it is also a great way to count down until your holiday as well as get the kids super excited! Even if you decide not to tell the kids you are going (a lot of people do a Disney reveal), then you can still do all the below!
Amazing view of the castle at Disneyland Paris
Design matching T-Shirts or jumpers for the family
We did for our first Disneyland Paris holiday as well as when we visited WDW last September. My daughter and I had matching personalised T-shirts made, and my son and my husband had matching T-shirts from Ebay. I also sourced a fair few tops for us all from Primark which sells so much Disney stuff! It’s a great way to feel united as a family when visiting and a fun way to get excited leading up to your trip. Perhaps ask the kids to get designing some T-shirts for their future trips – whilst they may not be able to go very soon, they can have fun planning their future trip.
Disney Tee’s
2. Watch Disney films. I mean, the classics. Many of the rides at Disney are based around some of the classics; Peter Pan, Snow White and Pinocchio to name a few. It’s great to remind yourself of these amazing films (if you haven’t already) and also get your kids involved too. Whilst the new films are fantastic too, it’s even better when they actually know what the rides are all about. I’d also suggest getting the kids accustomed to the Toy Story films, Star Wars and any Disney princesses films too.
3. Listen to the Disney CD’s. As soon as we booked our first trip to Disney, we brought the multipack Disney CD and we still listen to it 2 years later during our car journeys. They know all the words and its so uplifting and such feel good music and a great way to learn the songs without having to watch the films. As they play a lot of the music around the parks, as well as in restaurants and in the Village, its a great way for the children to get used to the music.
4. Watch Disney vlogs. Ok, so if you haven’t already done this or started doing this…then do it NOW!! I am obsessed (of the healthy kind) and just love watching and learning all about the parks, restaurants and hotels via Youtube. It really is a great way to research Disney and find more about how your trip can be better planned and ensure your prepared, especially if you are Disney virgins.
I recommend:
Adam Hatton
LR Dreamin
Charlotte Ruff
Brogan Tate
5. Buy Micky ears. Yes, you can buy Mickey or Minnie ears in the Parks but I think it’s always lovely to buy some before and wear them while you travel! You can get really cheap (and comfy) ears from the likes of Ebay and Etsy and some sellers can even make personalised ears for you. Some of the designs are just beautiful! Perhaps get the kids to make their own designs and cut some Mickey and Minnie ears out of cardboard.
Glittered Minnie Ears
6. Download the Disneyland Game App. We did this prior to our first trip to Disney in 2016 and still have the app! It’s another great way for the children to get to learn about the characters, especially the traditional ones like Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto. My kids love the game (and so do I!) You build your own Disneyland theme park and add rides, parades, food stalls and characters. It’s really interactive and a lot of fun!
7. Disney dress up. Aside from the Disney matching Tee recommendation, I’d recommend you take or buy any Disney dress up’s your children may have. It’s a great way to get interaction from cast members and characters. If you dress up as a character related to a ride, you also can miss the queue and enter the ride without queuing! For example, my daughter wore Snow White and we were able to go on the ride without queuing by entering the ride at the exit. The cast member will let then you on the ride! You can do this with Peter Pan’s flight, Star Tours, Buzz etc. In the meantime, if you already have dress up at home, perhaps get the kids to make up their own parade show or float and get dressed up, or have a disney princess afternoon tea!
And what about your feet? Check out Yorkshire Wonders post on the best shoes for Disney!
B and W dressed up as Woody and Jessie for Mickey’s Wild West Show
For more all about our trips to Disneyland Paris, please click here for my latest post Disney related!
Thanks for reading xxx
These are some really good tips. I’ve heard how expensive all the merchandise is once there, so a trip to Primark is definitely wise beforehand!
Yes it can be! Can always rely on Primark!
Oh what fab ways to build up the excitement for your trip. I love the idea of matching jumpers and all wearing Mickey ears!
Its a great way to get prepared!
There is absolutely NO way I’ll be going to Disney without dressing the entire family in matching t-shirts and Mickey Ears – it’s a must!!
Yep your right! 🙂
The other half’s brother and his family are off there this year – I’ll forward this onto them! I’d love to take a trip there one day – maybe it can be our honeymoon with the kids!
Ah thank you for sharing it with them! You should defo go!
I really want to go to Disney land but this list is so good! I’m going to do some of them anyway!
haha yeah why not!! 🙂
I”ve never been to Disneyland 🙁 I hope I get to go some time. I am sure that your tips will come in handy!
I bet it’s even better when you go along with the kids. They look so excited!
You must go, with or without kids Disney is just fab!
This is so cute. This post has basic but important information which would make anyone’s experience better. I love Primark for their Disney merchandise- so much cheaper as well
Primark it great for Disney merchandise! Thanks for your comment!
We had plans to go there at the end of May for Ben’s birthday but then I fell pregnant with twins and I dont think its the best time to go with babies less than a month old! Maybe in a couple of years time! I’m so excited to go back with children though!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
Yes i think your pretty busy to go with two babies on the way! How exciting!
All I can say is I envy you and your family at the moment – would love to take my kids to Disneyland. Enjoy and make so much wonderful memories #fortheloveofBLOG
Ah thank you! Hopefully you’ll be able to go one day!
This is fab and there are some great tips here on how to get ready for Disneyland! I hope you all had a fab time. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
We did thank you! We love it here so much! Thanks for having me!
Ah what a lovely post, I really really want to take my kids to Disney and I would love being able to dress them up and me some fun hair bands! Those MInkey ears are stunning. Thanks for joining in with #GetMooreFromLife
Fingers crossed you get to go one day! Check out my tips on ways to make booking a holiday to Disney easier!
Great suggestions! These things will really make them prepared for the big Disney trip, and will probably make the holiday seem longer when they look back at it, with that whole run-up to the Paris trip. Fab! x #GetMooreFromLife
Yes defo!! The run up does feel like the trip too doesn’t it!
These are great ideas. I adore primarks disney stuff, making everyone happy in our house! I bet things can be a little pricey once you are there. This is a trip we need to do one day #getmoorefromlife
Yes its defo a bucket list trip!
Great tips, looking forward to our trip!