3. Teach kids about wait times

No matter how many FastPass+ reservations you make, chances are you will be faced with a long line for an attraction or character. Preparing them at home before the vacation starts can help them understand the concept of a "wait time" which might be otherwise foreign to them.  Many children’s shows have 15 minute episodes, so letting a child know that a 30 minute wait is like watching two episodes of Spongebob Squarepants gives them a frame of reference.  Teach children about clocks and time, and they will get a better idea of how long an hour can be.  This can also be a great tool for long airplane or car rides.  For example, tell them that a six hour flight is like one whole day of school.  Although it may take some practice, this may help kids understand why you don’t want to wait 120 minutes for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

4. Create countdown calendars and other disney crafts

Image: Melissa Hillier, Flickr (license)

A fun way to get kids excited (and informed) about an upcoming Disney trip is to make a countdown calendar.  Kids will love having their own calendar to mark off the days until they get to leave.  Many computer programs (like Microsoft Excel) can make easy calendars that can be printed off and decorated by kids.  Another hands on countdown tool is a paper chain.  Take strips of construction paper and make a long chain, with each chain representing one day.  Every morning a child can rip a chain off, symbolizing one less day to wait.  Not only will this help with counting skills, but it can prevent the dreaded “how many days left?” question multiple times a day.

While waiting for the big day to arrive, involve kids in fun Disney-related crafts.  Find a cheap wooden or paper picture frame and have kids decorate it with markers, paint, and stickers.  Then let them know that they can put their favorite vacation picture in it when they get home.  Cut and stack paper together and tie them up with ribbons or string to create a custom autograph book for characters to sign.  Have them write a letter or draw a picture to their favorite characters in advance or while traveling.  

Whatever you do to prepare kids for a Disney World vacation, keep them involved and make sure they are just as excited as you are!