Fun way to announce a Disney trip to your kids!

For many families one of the best parts of a trip to Disneyland are the days leading up to it! Talking about previous trips, looking at pictures and discussing what you want to do when you get there makes the anticipation even better! Some people like to keep the trip a secret right up until the end, in fact I remember my parents doing this with my brother and I once. We didn't know we were going to Disneyland until we saw the exit sign in Anaheim! Sometimes it's fun to have your kids involved in the planning too though. Both can be fun. If you're going to let you kids help plan this time here are some fun ways to announce it:

1. A letter from a Disney Pal

There are a ton of great Disney fonts online. Just search dafont.com for Disney or for your favorite character then whip up a letter in the font and print it out! You could even print out a picture of the character and "sign" it for them.

2.  Whip up some Mickey Mouse pancakes!

At all the Castle Houses we have Mickey Mouse waffle irons to use during your trip but as a precursor to announce the big vacation make some easy Mickey Mouse silhouette pancakes. Just make a big circle with two smaller ones attached. It's easy and fun!

3. Play a game

I found this fun idea on www.loveourdisney.com. It's great for older kids! The family played pictionary with words associated with the Disneyland trip (Dumbo, Castle, Beach, Roadtrip, Mickey Mouse etc). The last word was Disneyland. You can imagine how thrilled kids were when they figured it out!

Once you've announced the trip be sure to make a Disney Countdown! Here are a few ideas for you...

Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye

Ideally you will always have a fast past for long lines but if there is one line that isn't so bad to wait in it's Indiana Jones. The queue is an experience in and of itself with a chamber full of spikes ready to descend on awaiting victims who touch the wobbly support "holding" up the roof, a covered pit with a rope leading down to darkness (don't pull on it or whoever's the on other end will fall to their doom!), and several other eery passageways and dimly lit caverns.

Our extra tidbit about the ride hails from 1995. When the ride first opened passengers waiting in line were given a decoder key to unlock a secret code of hieroglyphics found throughout the queue. We have found this ancient treasure and pass it along to you to print or pull up on your smart phone while your awaiting your fate in the Temple of the Forbidden Eye! Enjoy :D