So you weren’t able to make it to Disney (or anywhere else for that matter) for the holidays? Let’s bring Disney home to you! Here are our top 5 tips to plan an EPIC Disney staycation at home for the whole family.
5. Binge on Disney+
Disney + has just announced some amazing new movies and series in the works. We are preparing by watching the existing shows and movies in chronological order to experience the story and prepare. First up: Star Wars. Here’s how we think you should watch it:
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (movie)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Seasons 1-6
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 Episodes 1-8
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 Episodes 9-12
- Star Wars: Rebels
- Solo
- Rogue One
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- The Mandalorian
Marvel more your speed? We’ve got a plan for you too!
- Captain America: The First Avenger
- Agent Carter Seasons 1 & 2
- Captain Marvel
- Iron
- Iron Man 2
- Thor
- The Avengers
- Iron Man 3
- Thor: The Dark World
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Ant-Man
- Captain America: Civil War
- Doctor Strange
- Black Panther
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (not on Disney +)
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (don’t watch the end credits)
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Ant-Man and the Wasp end credits
- Avengers: Endgame
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (not on Disney +)
4. Get Cooking!
Did you happen to buy one of the amazing Disney cookbooks we featured in our Top Disney Gifts article and podcast episode? Grab the kids, an apron and the ingredients and make a mess of the kitchen for an afternoon. Didn’t purchase a cookbook? Not a problem! Check out your favorite Disney Family recipes online! Or check out one of our cooking videos on our MousekeMoms YouTube Channel! Add some pizzazz to your Disney-inspired meal by having the family “dress” for dinner. Choose a favorite Disney character to dress up as or do a creative “Disney bound” for your very own DIY character meal.
3. Get Crafting!
There are so many great, fun crafting ideas for every age, skill and interest. Check out our Pinterest Board for some GREAT ideas. Plan ahead and order your supplies online. Or make a day of it and go to your favorite craft store with your shopping list. Be creative. Combine this activity with one of the others. For example, planning on cooking up some fun Disney-themed food? Get the kids crafting too. Have them make some menus and decorate the kitchen to resemble your favorite Disney restaurant. They can even make place cards and placemats. Doing a Disney+ movie night? Make some movie posters to decorate your screening room! Nothing says a Disney staycation at home like combining Disney recipes, Disney crafts and Disney movies!!
2. Get moving
Do something to get the kids moving. Create a Disney themed scavenger hunt. Need one? We’ve got one here. Got snow? Bundle up and build a snowman of your favorite Disney character. Do some yoga! Lucky enough to live in a warmer climate? Put on your own DIY runDisney race. Combine this with your craft and make some cool themed medals first.
1. Plan a trip
There’s nothing better to boost those endorphins than planning a trip, especially when you are stuck at home. Plan now for travel later. All it takes is a $200 deposit to book a Disney vacation package. And with flexible change and cancellation policies, why not go ahead and bite the bullet? Contact our friends at Kingdom and Cruise Travel. It costs NOTHING to use one of their travel planners. You’ll pay the same for your Disney vacation as you would booking directly through Disney. In fact, you’ll likely pay less as part of their services includes monitoring for discounts. Leave the stress to them and, in the meantime, get to planning with the kids by watching ride videos on YouTube, reading restaurant reviews, making fun countdown calendars, shopping for fun family park shirts and creating wish lists for your travel advisor to include in your vacation package for you. There is nothing as magical as the excitement of having a trip on the calendar! Except, of course, the trip itself! Let’s forget the Disney staycation at home for one of the next school breaks and, instead, do Disney at Disney!