How you get in the Disneyland state of mind?

[rizzle64]

We're head to Disneyland in a couple of weeks and the planning is done, just wanting to create a great experience for my family. What things do you do to get in the Disney mood before a trip? Movies, music, YouTube videos? Do you play any games? What are your favorite things to do to enhance the experience and get ready for your trip?

 

[Cal-Pie]

We watch movies, we watch you tube videos, and we have a countdown chain in our kitchen. However, as the planning expert in our family, I've noticed one thing in particular about preparation. It's not nearly as important as my attitude on the first day of the trip. If I go in trying to remember everything I've learned, knock off rides in just the right order, and make everything as perfect as I planned, our trips aren't so great and my whole family is stressed. On the other hand, if I don't flip out because we end up in a slow line at the entrance, if we stop to look at the baby ducks, keep everyone fed (and not hangry), and if we have a solidly vague idea of what we want to accomplish in a day, we have a great time!

Disney trips are sooo expensive, we want everything to be perfect, and it's tempting to expect too much out of our families. Prep them a little, then let Disneyland just happen to you.

 

[SeaDis]

In no particular order...

Buy custom Disney luggage tags on Ebay, or other.
Start laying out clothing, travel kits, and planning what to bring.
Print out Park maps in color, or buy on Ebay, or hit up some great posters here who offer to mail them.
If you have Xbox 360 with Kinnect, get the Disneyland game (used or whatever)-- just walking around the Park at home is amazing.
Watch family videos or slideshows of previous trips.
Look at restaurant menus.
Practice/learn the DL app (and check out Play Disney)
Watch HOJO Mattercam. If you have a smart TV, the built-in browser or Youtube App should be able to handle it on big screen.
Play favorite Disney music in the house, while making breakfast, family housecleaning, or other activity. In addition to your favorites, you can find endless park music and loops on Youtube.

I better stop here. I don't want anyone to think I have Disney issues. Have fun!

 

[Foustketeer]

I listen to SoundsofDisneyland.com at work regularly, occasionally the Sounds of Disney podcast, if I need to throw my earbuds in to not be bothered. The Imagineering Story on Disney+ is another good show to watch, if you're into all the behind the scenes aspects.

I second the Disneyland Adventures game. It's available through Game Pass with Xbox and can be played either on the system or a PC.

 

[Pluto468]

We are always in a Disneyland state of mind lol. We listen to the Disneyland cd in our car alot.

A few weeks before a trip we all get new Disneyland t shirts to wear in the park.
These days we also buy Disneyland or Disney face masks, too.
We buy lanyards ahead of time.
We buy a special photo album for the trip.
We buy hand held Disney fans.
We pick out Disney backpacks to use for our park days.
Look at maps and photo albums from previous visits.

We also talk about the trip alot and everyone chooses one or two things they really want to do or places they want to eat.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Just dreaming of being there is enough to get me in the groove!! We absolutely LOVE Disneyland, cannot wait to return!

 

[DisTXMom]

We love to Disneybound in California. Planning those outfits is part of our Disneyland planning. We also look at pics from past trips as a way to get excited

 

[smartlabelprint]

YouTube ride videos
Watch movies

We just got the jungle cruise board game and I’d like to get the small world one.

 

[upritbass]

First, let go of the idea that you have the power to "create a great experience." Each person in your family will react to DL in their own unique way.

Second, practice being flexible. Stuff happens, priorities change.

Finally, practice being kind. That is the spirit of DL.

Oh, yeah -- have fun!!!!!

 

[SeaDis]

First, let go of the idea that you have the power to "create a great experience." Each person in your family will react to DL in their own unique way.

Second, practice being flexible. Stuff happens, priorities change.

Finally, practice being kind. That is the spirit of DL.

Oh, yeah -- have fun!!!!!

Nailed It!

 

[rizzle64]

Thanks for the replies!

We've dove into several of the Disney+ Disney Parks Collection series as a family. I've watched them myself, but the kids have had a great time seeing how DL and many of the attractions came to be and the deep history behind them. Along with movies and music, we've done a couple of DL puzzles as well as and browsed many of the classic DL treats as well as new food offerings. My oldest daughter can't stop talking about how excited she is for a Matterhorn Macaroon.

First, let go of the idea that you have the power to "create a great experience." Each person in your family will react to DL in their own unique way.

We certainly do have the power to create a great experience and it starts at home. It goes without saying everyone will have their own experience while in the park and that is the best part about Disneyland, but my family has always had a ton of fun doing these types of things in the weeks and days leading up to our trips. It has always enhanced our experience!

 

[Steven G]

Beyond the planning, I really don't do too much before a disneyland trip, other than keeping up with disboards and other sites to see what is going on at the park (But I guess that could be considered planning).

Really, I just go to the park, and once I see the Disneyland signs, trains, esplanade, and main street, I am all psyched up and ready to go!

 

[Dug720]

We certainly do have the power to create a great experience and it starts at home

Yes, setting the tone, etc. can set you up for a great experience. But that does not guarantee it - especially for people other than you who, as you said, will have their own experiences and will experience things their own way. Expecting a trip to go perfectly is asking for disappointment. Things are going to happen. So the best way to prepare is to just be upfront that there may be things that break down or experiences that don't happen and decide you're going to make the best of it. But that does not guarantee a "great experience" as there is too much out of your hands once you're there.

 

[rizzle64]

Yes, setting the tone, etc. can set you up for a great experience. But that does not guarantee it - especially for people other than you who, as you said, will have their own experiences and will experience things their own way. Expecting a trip to go perfectly is asking for disappointment. Things are going to happen. So the best way to prepare is to just be upfront that there may be things that break down or experiences that don't happen and decide you're going to make the best of it. But that does not guarantee a "great experience" as there is too much out of your hands once you're there.

Oh of course, I agree, there certainly is no expectation of a perfect trip, but guaranteeing a great experience? Sure, we can do that. Though I realize we're sort of splitting hairs here. Have you ever had a Disney trip that left you disappointed? Where you didn't have a great experience? Neither have I and it's why you and I keep coming back! What more guarantee do you need than great experiences time after time no matter what happens? You get out of it what you put into it and this thread was to see what you put into it before you get there. The week or two leading up to a vacation is exciting as anticipation is at it's highest.

We'll roll with all the hiccups that come with any vacation. In many visits over the past 10 years, we've never once left the parks disappointed. And like all, we've been through ride closures, breakdowns, event cancellations, rainy days, blown out diapers, exhausted children and plenty of other mishaps. None of those things, while sometimes difficult, have ever prevented us from having an overall great experience.

 

[taaren]

We make lists of "Foods we Absolutely Must Eat This Trip" and each person's top three rides so we can prioritize. Just having the list shared (digitally) amongst the teens & parents gets my group in the mood.