Did the ‘rona crash your Disney vacation? Cancelled plans are one of the most difficult parts of parenting during the coronavirus pandemic. Especially when those plans involve planning a Disney vacation. For some, this is a cancelled once-in-childhood (or lifetime!) experience. While there is no way to replace a cancelled trip, you can make the most of it and turn your staycation into something Disney-themed.
1. Start The Day The Mickey Way
True, Chef Mickey can’t come and cook your kids breakfast. But fortunately, Mickey shaped waffle makers are available by the dozen online. Or maybe your child prefers Olaf or the Millennium Falcon. Waffle makers are available for just about any Disney character imaginable. So have fun with it…and extra points for any parent willing to rent a costume to serve!
2. Bring Out The Mickey Ears and Matching Shirts
You know those people who painstakingly detail each day of their Disney vacation with matching shirts and themed outfits? Totally worth it. Just because planning a Disney vacation didn’t turn out the way you had envisioned doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go all out and dress the part.
Read More: How A Vacation Can Reconnect Loved Ones
3. Planning a Disney Vacation-Themed Parade
Whether around your house or your city block, planning a Disney vacation-themed parade can be fun for just you or for the whole neighborhood. Dress up, blare music, and get your strollers and bikes out. A parade is a great way to social distance while still seeing friends and family. Maybe even rent a character as a surprise guest in the parade. A safe way to celebrate the Disney way!
4. Phone or Zoom Call With Royalty
Schedule some time during the day for your child to chat with a Disney character. You can do it on the cheap and ask for a family member to call and disguise his or her voice. Or, there are companies that offer Zoom calls with your favorite Disney Princess for a fee. Princess & Me for example, now has virtual offerings ranging from one-on-one calls to private groups to recorded video messages. What a great way to bring the Disney magic into your home!
Read More: 4 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios With A Preschooler
5. Virtual Rides
Planning a Disney vacation at home is not complete without the rides. YouTube is an incredible resource when searching for ways to take your child on a Disney ride…without being on a Disney ride. From Space Mountain to Frozen Ever After to Peter Pan’s Flying Ride, you can spend hours of amusement going on ride after ride. And one bonus of being at home: no lines!
6. Two Words: Dole Whip
This past April, as an alternative to visiting their closed parks, Disney released the recipe for its famed Dole Whip. And crazier still – it only has three easy ingredients! Start with one big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Throw it into a blender along with four ounces of pineapple juice and two cups of frozen pineapple chunks. Blend until smooth and throw into a bowl. If you want to be even more authentic, use a piping bag with a star-tip to squeeze the ice cream into its iconic Disney whip. Serve and enjoy!
7. Have a Dance Party
Regardless of the music streaming platform, most have a Disney Princess or Disney children-type station giving you hours and hours of content to stream at your heart’s desire (or more accurately, your child’s heart’s desire). If you are planning a Disney vacation at home that extends a few days, you could set a theme for each day and select music to match. Whether an hour or a week, dancing is a must. Show those kids what’s up and break a move. Just don’t break your back.
8. Disney Movie and Dinner
According to an article on TechCrunch.com, Disney+ now has over 60.5 MILLION subscribers. Which makes it easy to assume that those reading this article are part of this humungous group. Disney+ makes it super easy to watch just about any Disney movie at the click of a button. If you are planning a Disney vacation at home, wind down each evening over dinner and a movie. Pick a classic from your youth that your kids haven’t yet seen – or you can watch Frozen for the 200th time.
Read More: How To Plan the Perfect (Hassle Free) Party for Your Kid’s Birthday
9. Create Your Own Firework Show
One way that the Disney parks like to conclude each day is with a fireworks show. Planning a Disney vacation firework display at home can be as easy as sparklers in the driveway or using a firework toy (like this one) to create a miniature show in your child’s room. Or you can light up the sky like the 4th of July. State and county laws permitting, of course.
10. Turn Down Service and Animal Folded Towels
Who doesn’t remember those cute animal folded towels placed upon a freshly folded down bed before going to sleep while at Disney? YouTube has a ton of tutorials on how to fold towels into animals. Does your child like elephants? Doggies? Sloths? YouTube has you covered. Surprise your cutie pie with his or her favorite towel animal at bed time.
Planning a Disney vacation can be as big or as small as your schedule (and wallet) affords. Regardless, your child will remember your efforts for the rest of his or her life. Yes, cancelled plans are a disappointment. But turn those lemons into lemonade (or Dole Whip) and make the most of it for your family.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out this article on How Young Is Too Young For A Visit To Disney?
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Photo Credits: Unsplash.com, Pexels.com
Sources: TechCrunch.com, YouTube.com, Amazon.com, Princess & Me, Insider.com
