So, you are planning a Disney vacation, and the excitement is building among your family. What to pack, where are we staying, and oh yes, the most popular question of all … how many more days until Disney?!
We get it and just like you, we here at planDisney can’t wait for our next Disney adventure. Whether you’re booking dining reservations 60 days before your trip or if your visit is just around the corner and it’s time to book Lightning Lanes, there are so many ways to count down to your Disney vacation. We’re always here to provide tips on how to stay, save and play at Walt Disney World, but have you ever thought of the many ways you can count down to that magical vacation? planDisney has, and we are here today to share some of our most creative ideas for counting down to your next magical Disney vacation.
Tip #1: Use The Disney Countdown Clock Or Create Your Own
Wondering just how many days are left before your next Disney trip? Amanda D. is always thinking about her next trip and reminds guests that they can use the Disney x Citizen countdown clock in the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps to count the days until their hotel stays at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. She also loves that the app shows artwork specific to the resort she’s staying at on either coast. And let’s not forget that there is also a countdown app for Disney Cruise Line guests as well. “The trackers for land-based vacations feature the resort you’ll be visiting, and they’re really fun. Wherever you’re heading, there’s nothing as exciting as seeing those countdowns approach zero!”
If you want to pass the time with a DIY project, create a paper chain like you might remember from school days. “Since our girls were small, we’ve always made a paper chain–usually featuring some Disney-themed paper—to count down to our next Disney adventure,” says Susan C. “It’s a fun way to involve kids in the planning! Even now that they’re teens, they still love to have our homemade countdown calendar to help us all get excited for our next trip Home!”
Or if you’re visiting during the holiday season, add some festive flair, like Kristi R. does. “One of my favorite ways to build excitement for our holiday trips is to create a special countdown calendar (much like an Advent calendar) which reveals fun activities, dining reservations, and other little surprises to look forward to on our vacation. Our Elf has also been known to join the fun by delivering a new MagicBand+ or pair of Mickey ears direct from the North Pole!”
Tip #2: Enjoy Themed Disney Movie Nights
“We love to have Disney movie nights to countdown to our next Disney vacation, often theming them to a ride we are most excited about,” explains Matt N.
“We may watch TRON: Legacy to get pumped for the ride at Magic Kingdom or The Princess and the Frog for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. We may even have a themed treat to immerse us in the movie, too!”
Tip #3: Remember and Share Old Disney Memories
“Now that my daughters are adults and live in other states, our countdown takes a different approach. When we hit the 30-day mark, I start texting family photos of Disney Parks vacations to them from when they were young children,” explains Shannon D.
“The closer we get to the trip, the more recent the photos. It is a perfect stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. memory lane as we count down the days to creating new magical memories!”
For more great tips like these, the best ways to save on Disney vacations, our favorite Value Resorts, or for answers to your Disney vacation planning questions, visit us at planDisney.com and follow us at @planDisneyPanel on Instagram for more vacation planning tips and recommendations.
Panelists are compensated for their participation on planDisney.