✨ Countdown to Disney: 30 Days of Surprises!✨
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One of my favorite things about planning a Disney vacation is that the fun doesn’t start at the front gates of Magic Kingdom—it starts the moment you say, “We’re going to Disney!”
For my family, the anticipation is half the fun. The weeks leading up to our trip are full of daydreams, planning, and happy chatter about rides, shows, and snacks we can’t wait to try. This year, I decided to make that excitement last even longer by creating a 30-Day Disney Countdown—and it was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done as a mom and a travel advisor.
🎁 How Our 30-Day Countdown Worked
I wanted something special and sturdy, so I purchased small countdown boxes from Amazon and my Bestie and I glued them onto a 20 x 24 poster board. That became our Disney Countdown Wall—a big, colorful display that got my kids excited every time they walked by.
Each box held a surprise, such as:
- A Disney-themed trinket or toy (stickers, pins, or keychains).
- A Disney trivia card to test their knowledge.
- A practical item for the trip (like lanyards, ponchos, or even themed snacks for the plane).
Every morning, my kids raced to open the day’s box. It became a family ritual full of laughter, learning, and lots of “Oohs” and “Aahs.”
Not only did this build excitement, but it also got them ready for the trip:
- Trivia taught them about characters, movies, and park fun.
- Some days revealed tips about rides we’d be going on.
- A few days included practical items like lanyards, trading pins, ponchos, Disney socks, or even themed snacks to pack for the plane.
By the time we got to day one, they were practically bursting with excitement—and honestly, so was I.
🪄 Why a Countdown Works So Well
The psychology behind a countdown is simple: it’s a daily dose of joy. For kids, it’s a visual way to see that their big trip is getting closer. For parents, it’s a way to keep the trip top-of-mind, build family bonding moments, and sneak in a few practical preparations without it feeling like a chore.
In our case, it also created a daily tradition—gathering together, opening the day’s surprise, and talking about all the fun times we were about to have.
🛍️ What to include in your countdown
Want to create one yourself? Here are some great ideas, all easy to order through my Amazon Storefront:
- Mini Countdown Boxes – the same kind I used for our poster board display.
- Disney Stickers & Pins – perfect little surprises that don’t take up space in luggage.
- Disney socks – so kids can wear their favorite character in the parks.
- Disney Ponchos - it will rain, so get them for half the price as Disney in advance
- Disney Fans - this one has Mickey ears!
- Disney Lanyards – great for holding park tickets and pins.
- Disney Snacks & Candy – tuck a treat inside for a sweet countdown moment.
- Disney Luggage Tags - This gets the kids to get their suitcases out to start packing!
- Disney Gift Cards - to help them budget their Disney souvenirs
- Cold hard Cash - when they can’t budget their Disney souvenirs 😆
You don’t have to spend a lot—sometimes the trivia alone was the highlight of the surprise!
✨ Get My Free Countdown Printables + Disney Trivia Kit
I’d love to share this joy with you! I’ve put together:
- 30 Countdown Numbers you can print and attach to envelopes, bags, or boxes.
- Daily Disney Trivia Cards to tuck inside and test your family’s knowledge while you wait for your trip.
💌 From My Disney-Loving Heart to Yours
I’m Heidi Lau, a travel advisor who specializes in creating unforgettable Disney vacations for families. I believe the joy of a trip starts the day you start planning it—and I’d be honored to help you plan your magical getaway.
When you’re ready, I’d love to earn not just your business, but also your friendship. Together, we can make your Disney countdown the start of a lifetime of memories.