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8 Celebrations To Have Before You Leave For Walt Disney World

Posted by: Rebekah Tyndall Burkett November 4, 2024 Comments Off on 8 Celebrations To Have Before You Leave For Walt Disney World

Entrance sign to Walt Disney World with a blue and gold design, featuring the phrase "The Most Magical Place on Earth." The sky is partly cloudy, and trees are visible in the background.
Credit: Flickr, Ussamam

Congratulations! You and your family are getting ready to visit the most magical place on Earth—Walt Disney World! Soon, you’ll be on thrilling adventures at Magic Kingdom, meeting your favorite characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, savoring sweet treats, and exploring EPCOT’s World Showcase. And as any Disney fan knows, the fun of a Disney vacation begins long before you arrive.

To make the countdown even more memorable, here are eight magical ways to celebrate each step closer to your family’s dream Disney vacation.

1. 101 Dalmatians-Themed Countdown Dinner – 101 Days to Go!

What better way to celebrate the start of your countdown than with a “101 Dalmatians”-themed night? On the 101st day before your trip, plan a themed dinner and movie night with classic hot dogs and all the fixings. Serve snacks in fun “doggie” bowls—try pretzel rods labeled “Fetch Sticks” or potato chips as “Paw-tato Chips.” For dessert, make “pup-cakes” or a batch of “puppy chow” snack mix to add a sweet ending.

Finish the night by watching Disney’s classic 101 Dalmatians as your family excitement builds!

2. Visit Pizza Planet with the Toy Story Gang

Pizza Planet fans, this one’s for you! Whether it’s day 75 or 10 in your countdown, gather for a Toy Story-themed dinner. Start with any pizza of your choice and add a few fun sides: dino-shaped nuggets for Rex, curly fries for Slinky Dog, and green grapes for the little aliens. Add “Alien Juice” (green-colored fruit drink) and let family members draw from “Woody’s Hat” to choose which Toy Story movie to watch.

A small yellow vehicle resembling a cartoon-style delivery truck with a "Pizza Planet" logo on the side. Two people in colorful costumes, one with a cowboy hat, are sitting inside, smiling. The background is a park with greenery.

Credit: Disney Tips

The whole family will love this playful dinner—and everyone will be more than ready to visit Toy Story Land!

3. Rainbow Connection Night with the Muppets

Celebrate the Disney Muppets with a themed dinner that will have everyone laughing and singing! Serve “Miss Piggy’s Pigs in a Blanket” alongside “Fozzy’s Funny Fries” (smiley face potatoes) and wash it down with “Gonzo the Great’s Grape Soda.” Add a “Rainbow Salad” or tri-color pasta in honor of the Muppets’ famous song, “Rainbow Connection.” After dinner, watch The Muppet Movie or Muppets Most Wanted and get ready to encounter the Muppets during your Disney trip.

4. Host a Luau with Lilo & Stitch

A Disney countdown isn’t complete without a Hawaiian luau! For a “Lilo & Stitch”-themed night, serve fruit salad, corn on the cob, Hawaiian pizza, and pineapple cake or Hawaiian trail mix for dessert. Play some luau music or even add a ukulele if you have one. The Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World channels Hawaiian vibes, so this is a perfect way to get everyone in the tropical spirit before you arrive!

5. Mardi Gras with Princess Tiana

If your countdown falls in February, throw a Mardi Gras party with Princess Tiana! Enjoy a Cajun-inspired meal with jambalaya or sausage over rice, corn on the cob, and crescent rolls. For dessert, make sugar cookies in Mardi Gras colors or enjoy glazed donuts dusted with powdered sugar for a beignet twist.

After dinner, watch The Princess and the Frog and talk about meeting Princess Tiana at Magic Kingdom!

6. Go Down the Rabbit Hole with Alice in Wonderland

Get ready to visit Alice and the Mad Hatter with a whimsical “Alice in Wonderland”-themed tea party. Serve tea sandwiches cut into small squares, Annie’s Organic White Cheddar Rabbit crackers, and juice boxes labeled “Drink Me.” For dessert, arrange mini chocolate donuts and powdered sugar donuts into a “Caterpillar” shape on a serving tray, and don’t forget M&Ms for the caterpillar’s “feet”!

Alice and Mad Hatter at 1900 Park Fare Feature Image

Credit: Disney

Top it off by watching Alice in Wonderland and discussing all the characters you hope to see at Disney!

7. Take the Family to the Circus with Dumbo

Plan a circus-themed day in honor of Disney’s Dumbo. Check your area for any local circus shows and take the family out for a day under the big top. Then head home to continue the celebration with a “Dumbo” dinner featuring corn dogs, corn on the cob, and root beer or cream soda. Set up a treat table with circus animal cookies, roasted peanuts, and PB&J popcorn balls, and settle in to watch Dumbo as you count down the days to your trip.

8. Snow White and the Seven Days Left Celebration

With just one week left, host a “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” dinner and movie night. Serve a comforting homemade soup or stew with bread or crackers, just like Snow White made for the dwarfs. For dessert, make or buy apple pie, or try your hand at “Poison Apple” cookies. Settle in to watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—and remember, only a few more sleeps until your family’s Disney adventure begins!

Two performers dressed as Snow White and a prince are dancing happily on a castle stage. Snow White wears a classic red, blue, and yellow dress with a red bow, while the prince wears a blue vest over a white shirt. A crowd watches in the background.

Credit: Disney

Make Every Day of Your Countdown Magical

Planning and celebrating in the days leading up to your Walt Disney World trip can add to the excitement and anticipation. Each mini-celebration offers a taste of the magic and brings your family closer to the ultimate Disney adventure.

Enjoy the countdown and get ready for a trip you’ll remember forever!

About Rebekah Tyndall Burkett

Rebekah grew up in Forney, Texas and lives just outside of Dallas. She’s been a Disney superfan since childhood, experiencing the magic at Walt Disney World for the first time at the age of 11. Journeys to Neverland are at least a yearly occurrence for her, her husband and her four children (the Fab Four). When they go to the parks, they stay in Florida for three weeks at a time. Rebekah loves exploring the history of the parks, the genius behind the Magic in the person of Walt Disney, and she is intrigued by all things Disney World and Disney Imagineering. When in the parks, Rebekah and her husband Scott make the most of their time by enjoying every minute with their Fab Four, by delving deeper into Walt’s vision for the parks and into the history behind the Walt Disney World Resort, and by photographing the many different types of architecture at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on the World Showcase at EPCOT. When she’s not in the parks, Rebekah is excitedly setting travel dates and planning her family’s next adventure to their happy place deep within the Sunshine State. On breaks from planning her next trip, Rebekah is a writer, journalist and children’s author, penning children’s books about kids with special needs that she affectionately calls “believement-achievement” stories. Her hobbies include creative writing, paper crafting and interviewing Imagineers. She is also an advocate for Autism Awareness and for children with developmental disabilities of all kinds.