6 Things To Do Before & During Your Next Disney Trip
In this episode of Unlocking The Magic, we discuss our most favorite and easy things we like to do before our vacation to Walt Disney World. These are all simple yet great ideas to get even more excited about the next trip even if it’s a long ways away.
“Simple, easy to remembah”- Captain Jack Sparrow.
Before you go..
Discover the history of Walt Disney
There are now so many ways to learn about the history of Walt Disney and the beginning days of the company. His perseverance through the ups and downs of building the business and of course, the desire to bring entertainment for all to enjoy is incredibly inspiring. It is truly a great story and one we feel will turn anyone into a true Disney fan.
Immerse yourself in The Disney movie classics
Sleeping beauty, Cinderella, Mary Poppins are just a few of the wonderful movies that Walt himself worked on. Creating a Walt Disney family movie night while counting down the days to the next trip is an easy way to make it fun.
Even some of the “newer” movies, Pirates of The Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror for an example, is a great way to connect with the Disney parks to make that countdown even more exciting.
Unlock the attractions
Getting to know the way imagineers created attractions and the neat story behind them provides a new sense of appreciation even for the most experienced Walt Disney World guest. From the classic attractions all the way to the newest there is always interesting information to learn. You can easily do this by listening to previous podcast episodes and get to know a bit more of your favorite attractions to ride.
Review your list of family must do’s
Getting the family together and creating a list of must do’s is a great way to make everyone feel more involved in the upcoming vacation. Start by mapping out the attractions and coordinate the most important ones to visit. It may also be helpful to go over attractions or other experiences that may not appeal to everyone in order to set expectations before arriving.
Get your packing list
Packing for Disney can be daunting since there are so many little things to remember to bring to help you have an easier trip. Grab your packing list and cross off items as you get closer to your countdown. Another tip, we print multiple and give to our kids so they can feel more involved. You may even be surprised at how much they enjoy packing!
Plan your outfits
No, just because you’re going to Disney does not mean you need to convince everyone to wear matching shirts (although that can be helpful to keep track of each other when going as a large group). Dressing according to the day will not only make your photos pop but also the ability to express your inner style perhaps in a fun new way.
Even though we are always grateful to be in Walt Disney World, there are moments when we have to remind ourselves to stop to really soak in the atmosphere. Being in the moment is crucial in order to create long lasting family memories. We discuss the most important things to do while on vacation in order to enhance the experience.
Our best vacation tips:
Slow your roll
Try to do your very best reminding yourself and others to savor each moment. It’s ok to have a plan when visiting Walt Disney World (oftentimes a must) but don’t be so regimented on every specific detail of your plan that you forget to live in the moment.
We recall a time when during a ride on one of our favorite attractions, Living With The Land, a woman sitting in front of us was detailing everything she had on her list with her family that the entire time she did not simply sit back and enjoy any of the attraction! Never be that person.
Take Frequent Breaks
Remembering to stop and take a break during your day is by far one of the most important things to do. It doesn’t have to be long but a quick stop can be just enough to refresh your body and sometimes your attitude (lol) to last you the entire evening.
Be kind to the Cast members
Things WILL go wrong but please never take it out on the cast members. They are all so hardworking and dedicated to help you enjoy your experience. Be kind to everyone no matter their role.
Don’t get stuck behind the camera all day
Of course you will want to take pictures of the beautiful scenery but be sure to step away from the camera long enough so that you actually enjoy yourself. Remember just because you didn’t post about it on social media, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
Stop checking your phone
Okay, we realize this one is easier said than done. Especially since the Disney app is super convenient and a necessity so having your phone in hand is a must. However what we really mean by this is stop scrolling through social media or even checking messages in order to really absorb being in Walt Disney World- like the good old days.
It’s okay to be a kid again
Sometimes the hardest thing for an adult to do is to let go and allow that inner child come through. Remember when you were young and had a zest for everything in life? This is what makes a Disney vacation so important to us. Having the freedom to be a kid again is not only good for the soul but good for the actual kids in your family. Well, maybe not your teenagers but they will get over it-someday. Ha!
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever.”
-Walt Disney
Thanks For Listening
Hope you enjoyed this episode!
We really love doing these shows. It’s so much fun for us and we hope you like them too. If you could subscribe in Itunes and give us an honest review that would be awesome.
Email us your question or suggestions for future episodes:Info@unlockingthemagic.com
Also, come talk to us on Twitter & Facebook and see the photos from our recent trips on Instagram. That’s it for now! Until next time, have a great (and of course magical) day.