Tag: Walt Disney World

Tiger Adventure: Backyard Jungle

Tiger Adventure: Backyard Jungle

Tiger Adventure: Backyard Jungle Find related posts for Tiger Adventure: Backyard Jungle Tiger Adventure: Backyard Jungle Take a Hike Insect Badge | Wilderness Explorers Flamingo Badge | Wilderness Explorers Cub Scout: Plants & Wildlife Birds at Disney Behind the Seeds – Epcot Tour Animal Find 

Insect Badge | Wilderness Explorers

Insect Badge | Wilderness Explorers

Insect Badge | near the exit of It’s Tough to be a Bug Wilderness Explorers and Scouts understand that every animal in the world has an important role. Insects are part of the animal kingdom and outnumber all other animals. Learn about the important role various insects play 

15 IDEAS FOR HOMESCHOOLING BEFORE AND DURING YOUR DISNEY TRIP

15 IDEAS FOR HOMESCHOOLING BEFORE AND DURING YOUR DISNEY TRIP

DISNEY HOMESCHOOLING

Recently a mom in our Facebook group asked other homeschoolers to share their best tips for studying about Walt Disney World Resorts & Parks before and during a family vacation.

Here’s what they shared:

  1. We went in December and we studied the countries of EPCOT and their holiday traditions.
  2. Read a biography on Walt Disney.
  3. We studied some light physics behind how roller coasters work.
  4. Learn about Imagineers.
  5. Review types of dinosaurs. (Animal Kingdom)
  6. Talk about the animals we might see in Animal Kingdom.
  7. I also made a list of the different countries. Typed up various questions…type of government, geographic location, climate, art, etc. various things depending on child’s age. The Cast Members working in the various stores are from that country. I had my daughter ask them a couple of questions if they were not too busy. 
  8. They can also take notes during the movies (in World Showcase) and write about them later.
  9. EPCOT has a passport book. The Cast Members in each country will stamp and sign the passports. Plus the book includes stamps of the flag and other country-specific information.
  10. Wilderness Explorers – Animal Kingdom has a badge program where you go on a scavenger-like hunt and look up different information. (example: Birding)
  11. Epcot has a great ride, Living with the Land, on farming, growing hydroponic gardens, raising fish, etc.
  12. We did the Behind the Seeds Tour at The Land. (and if you have a Disney Visa, you get a discount). Then we had dinner at the Garden Grill to sample some of the food grown that we saw on the tour. The tour goes over the 5 basic needs of plants, how to control pests, and hydroponics. We released some ladybugs.
  13. Create a Disney lapbook – choose from a variety of topics like movies, rides, and books.
  14. For printables, crafts, and more (lots more) – search for Disney Homeschooling on Pinterest
  15. Attend Disney Imagination Campus Workshops – students learn in small groups with Cast Member educators and enjoy many behind-the-scenes activities.
15 Ideas for Homeschooling Before and During your Disney Trip

At time of publication, links to outside pages were quickly reviewed and deemed family friendly. Always use caution on the internet.

Disney Planning Timeline

How have you incorporated Disney into your homeschooling? Share your best tips in the comments.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDED TO HALL OF PRESIDENTS

PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDED TO HALL OF PRESIDENTS

Walt Disney World is not only a place of magic and fantasy but also a treasure trove of educational experiences. For homeschooling families seeking to teach American history in a unique and engaging way, a visit to the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom 

MAPS SKILLS FOR YOUR DISNEY VACATION

MAPS SKILLS FOR YOUR DISNEY VACATION

Planning a Disney vacation is an exciting time for homeschooling families. Not only can you enjoy the magical experiences, but you can also incorporate educational moments into your trip. One valuable skill to develop during your visit is map reading. In this blog post, we 

DRIVING TO YOUR WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

DRIVING TO YOUR WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Certainly, the way to Disney is filled with anticipation and excitement. My son has always been a wonderful passenger. Even with his pleasant temperament, we were pretty strategic in our travel plans.

Is it almost time to pack up the car and start your magical vacation?

My family and I have driven to Walt Disney World several times over the past few years. A 16+ hour drive from New Jersey is part of the fun . . . right?

Well, it should be! Here are a few driving tips to help your family enjoy (ahem, survive) your journey in the car.

Map your route & tentatively plan your time in the vehicle.

  • add your starting and ending location addresses into your GSP / MAP app
  • have ‘backup’ directions, just in case you travel through an area with little or no connectivity to your electronic mapping program
  • consider midnight or really early am start – traveling during “sleep time” will help pass some of the hours for the kiddos. BE SURE to know your own travel style and only drive when you are refreshed and awake to keep your family safe. Just know that the first couple of hours may be exciting and they may have trouble getting to sleep.
  • keep your schedule flexible for planned and unplanned stops…restrooms, leg stretching and Krispy Kreme doughnuts are all really good excuses for a quick pitstop.

Organize your car.

  • with snacks, a small cooler, pillows, and things to pass the time: audiobooks, Disney podcasts, movies, and non-electronic choices too: coloring books, word games (I Spy, license plate game, etc)
  • Here are a few packing tips.

Plan surprises along the way!

  • visit my Pinterest Board for ideas on gifts and fun games.
  • a photo at a Florida signpost (located safely inside most rest stops) may become a tradition!

Keep your Magic Bands handy!

  • Remember – keep your Magic Bands with you. Do not pack your Magic Bands in your checked luggage, as they will be used at the resort parking lot security gate, to check in at your resort and to unlock your room when you arrive at your Disney Resort hotel.

Driving in Florida

Be prepared for the toll roads. Major roads around the Walt Disney World / Lake Buena Vista area, Interstate 4, Highways 192, 417, and 492, all require tolls.

Visit SunPass.com for more information, including details on preordering or purchasing SunPass Transponders locally.

Driving Home Tips

  • Make plans for your next Disney vacation…no matter if it will be one year or ten years before you return to Disney…planning your next trip is part of reliving the magic!
    • Which rides & attractions are on your “must-do again” list?
    • What things do you want to add to your vacation schedule next time?
  • Make plans for your next non-Disney vacation. What are your Bucket List vacation spots?
    • Tip: You can always talk about the countries you have already visited during your day at Epcot.
  • Save one last surprise treat for the trip home…tuck away one last souvenir or touch of pixie dust to make the journey home magical
    • Tip: if you have leftover snack credits, use them for Mickey-shaped Krispy treats that travel well.
  • Start reliving the memories by scrapbooking in the car. My favorite way to scrap is on the ProjectLife digital app. If most of your photos are already on your smartphone, this is an easy way to start what could be an overwhelming project. Add the digital prints (available directly in the app) to your traditional scrapbooks or print an album just for the kiddos.

Of course, I’ll be here, ready to help you plan your next vacation!

Related Posts:

WDW Transportation: Boats

Walt Disney World Transportation

Arrive in Style: Transportation from the Airport to your Disney Resort

Disney Minnie Van Transportation

Magical Extras ~ add a little bit of luxe to your Disney Vacation


5 East Steps for Planning your Disney Vacation
Epcot: Character Fun for Younger Ones

Epcot: Character Fun for Younger Ones

Spending the day at Epcot is fun for older and younger guests alike! Epcot is a wonderful place for your family to find rides, attractions, and plenty of fun with the Characters. Character Dining There are two character dining locations in Epcot. Both have characters 

Epcot: Beyond the Rides for Younger Children

Epcot: Beyond the Rides for Younger Children

Don’t even think of skipping Epcot because you think it’s not for little kids! There is lots of fun to be had for younger guests. Beyond rides, there are many attractions which are just perfect for your little ones to enjoy at Epcot! Other Attractions 

Epcot IS for Younger Children

Epcot IS for Younger Children

Have you heard this before? “Epcot is just for older kids and adults.”

It’s a popular misconception among parents of young children, but I couldn’t disagree more!

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Many parents of young children are worried that their kids will not enjoy Epcot as much as the other theme parks.

While it’s true that Epcot does have a lot of experiences that make it appealing for adults and older kids, it would be a mistake to assume that little ones won’t enjoy their day here as well.

Rides

One of the reasons many parents think Epcot won’t be as enjoyable for younger kids is that there aren’t as many rides in this park as there are in the Magic Kingdom. Many attractions are just perfect for your little ones to enjoy at Epcot!

Here are some of the top attractions for younger guests:

Spaceship Earth, the giant geosphere that dominates the entrance to the park, is a slow-moving ride that takes you through scenes showing how communication has developed over time. It’s dark, cool, and calming… a perfect mid-day break for little ones who need a rest. It’s also an ideal ride for nursing moms who want a relaxed and private place to feed the baby!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends is always a favorite for the younger crowd! Board a clamshell for this slow-moving ride following Nemo along on his under-seas adventures. You’ll see favorite characters from the movies as well as real-life sea creatures from the Living Seas exhibit.

photo ©Anna Fox

Frozen Ever After is Epcot’s newest ride. Any young Frozen fans will love this boat ride to Arendelle featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and other characters from the movie. They’ll enjoy seeing Elsa use her magical powers to make it snow during the hottest part of the year. Given the popularity of the film, this attraction can have exceptionally long lines so be sure to grab a FastPass+ reservation if you’ve got a little Frozen fan!

Soarin’ Around the World has a 40” height requirement, but for those who are tall enough, it’s not to be missed! This simulated motion ride feels like you are flying over scenic locations from all around the world. It’s important to note that the ride does lift you fairly high off the ground (you are securely buckled into a seat with armrests and a high back) so it may be frightening for children with a fear of heights. Soarin’ is one of the parks more popular attractions so plan to use a FastPass+ reservation or expect an extended wait in line.

Test Track also has a 40” height requirement, but this mild thrill ride is a favorite of lots of kids. You’ll have a chance to design your own virtual car and then see how it would fare in the different maneuverability challenges as your ride vehicle goes through them too. You’ll go over bumpy pavement, quick stops, turns, and then the highlight of the ride is a zip around the building in a banked turn at about 60 mph. Kids can be seated next to Mom and Dad and are, of course, securely buckled in. It’s a great introductory thrill ride!

Remember, it’s not all about the rides!

There’s a lot more younger kids are sure to enjoy.

  • Other Attractions
  • Character Dining
  • Special Events
Night Time Shows and Fireworks

Night Time Shows and Fireworks

When it comes to fireworks, light shows, and other nighttime spectaculars, no one does it quite like Disney! They are definitely worth waiting for! Each day in the Walt Disney World theme parks is packed with fun… but when the sun goes down, the evening entertainment