Lately, I am all about TRIP PLANNING! It’s been too long since I’ve been to Disneyland and now that our vacation is planned and the hotel is booked anything I can do now to prepare for that next visit and figure out how to make it extra special is helping me pass the time until June.

A couple of years ago we planned a surprise vacation for our family – and our kids have talked about it ever since. On that trip we had several surprises planned out and written out in envelopes that we had our kids open along the way, starting with the first one which was “We are going on vacation RIGHT NOW” – we threw the kids in the car and started driving right then – it was so fun and exciting! Basically, since that vacation, they keep begging us for “another surprise vacation that we did before”… but if we did one like we did before, it wouldn’t be a surprise, right?

So as we are now starting to think of our coming summer Disneyland vacation we are trying to think of some other ways to incorporate a surprise or special, “extra magic”, element into the trip to make it different but still exciting and memorable.

Make the Disneyland Trip a SURPRISE

There are basically two ways to do this, 1) Reveal the surprise before you go, or 2) Let the surprise reveal itself! It could be a surprise that you save and tell your family for a special occasion, you could also wait a little longer and reveal the surprise a week before, a day before, or the morning of! Or you could wait and let them figure out the surprise when you arrive at the airport, or as you drive up to the Disneyland Resort! Here’s a link to show you how we pulled off a Surprise Vacation, but oh-my-goodness, there are SO many fun ways to do this – one of my favorite things is to watch videos of kids being surprised with a Disneyland trip! What amazing memories they will have!

Make a Disneyland Countdown Calendar

There are so many ways you could make one of these. I’ve made a simple paper chain countdown before as well as this more involved, and yes – more exciting DIY Disneyland Countdown Calendar that includes activities and special treats all to prepare the family for their vacation! (Pinterest has A MILLION more ideas.)

Disneyland First Certificates

Print and take along a few of these FREE PRINTABLE Disney My First Certificates to commemorate the first time your kiddos rode on or experienced a certain attraction.

Make Disneyland Surprise Sacks

These are pre-planned sacks or envelopes with special themed treats and surprises inside of them with directions on the outside that tell when the Surprise Sacks should be opened throughout a day at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. I just shared this post earlier this week (I told you I was Disney preparation mode!) Click here to see how to plan and make the Surprise Sacks.

 

Go with Friends or Family

Whether it’s the cousins, grandparents, or friends that join in on the fun – whoever shows up at Disneyland with you will be a very exciting addition for your kiddos (you could even keep this a surprise too until everybody gets there)!

Get Matching Shirts

Matching shirts are a great way to not only keep track of everyone in your group, but allow you to start the fun planning early. Getting everyone involved in selecting shirts, colors and themes is a great way to get the entire family excited for the trip. Check out all of the fun designs you can mix and match in our shop. 

 

 

Dress Your Babes in Costumes

Disney costumes shouldn’t be reserved just for Halloween. They make for exceptional Disneyland photos! Amazon has an amazing selection.

Plan a Special Event or Meal

Some ideas might be: stay at one of the resort hotels, make reservations for a character meal, or a “fancier” meal like at the Blue Bayou or Carthay Circle maybe even include the Fantasmic or World of Color Dinner package, Carthay Circle book a tour, or a princess / knight makeover experience from Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  Every time my family visits the Disneyland Resort I try plan at least one of these special splurges and usually keep it as a surprise too.

 

If you have any fantastic ideas for how to surprise your family and add some “extra magic” into your Disneyland vacation we would LOVE to hear them!