Updated August 31, 2022
Our kids have only been to Walt Disney World twice. Both times were tagalong trips with my husband’s conferences.
Our second was in 2018 and while planning, I got my kids involved.
They resisted.
I persisted.
Because I’m the meanest mom.
Let’s see how this all played out.
Basic Scoop
After planning Disney trips for many years, it suddenly occurred to me that I should get my kids involved. They were age 11, 12, and 17 at the time.
I mentioned this to them and they all immediately melted down at the thought of contributing. I think Lainey actually fell on the floor in dramatic protest.
Which only made me more determined.
I posted this on my personal Facebook page while working through the park assignments:
The Assignment
Since Carter was being Carter and refusing to make a choice I made one for him. Epcot it was!
So, each kid was tasked with researching 10 facts for their park. That’s it! I gave no other instruction.
They used their phones and laptops and I might have even heard a book crack open, but that’s a really foreign noise in my house, so I can’t be sure.
My hope was that as we visited each of these parks, the researcher could share what they learned. Simple as that.
“That’s so stupid, Mom. No one does that.”
“Now someone does! Here’s some paper. Get busy.”
The Results
After pledging to not say anything they painstakingly wrote down, I found all three kids mentioning facts as we walked by what they wrote about.
They didn’t know they were doing it at first. And, they never fully admitted to agreeing it was a cool idea. But, we eventually laughed every time someone had something to share.
Why I Love This and How to Adapt it For Your Trip
First, I recommend having your kids hand write their lists. I’ll keep these pieces of paper forever, and it will be fun to look back at their childhood handwriting.
With that in mind, adapt what I’ve created to your family. Younger kids can list fewer facts, of course. Figure out what your crew would best respond to.
Only visiting one park? Assign lands instead.
Also, I didn’t put any pressure on the kids to share their info when we arrived at their park. Instead, it came naturally as we made our way through the day.
Their Lists
Carter – Epcot
Jack – Disney Hollywood Studios
Lainey – Animal Kingdom
Notes
- Planning Walt Disney World? There’s a lot to know. Start here and let me know how I can help you.
- If you like this kind of stuff, my 1 hour Disneyland Scavenger Hunt might be of interest to you. Check that out at this link.
- There’s more at this post.
- And this one, too!
- Have you tried something similar to this? Please let us know in the comments. Thanks!
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Wow as a Disney World cast member, what are the chance you’re at WDW just as I’m leaving for Disneyland? Two things I wanted let you know about their fact sheets. 1) Do you know why Spaceship Earth at Epcot and the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom are 199 and 195 feet and not 200? It’s because any structure 200 feet or taller must have lights at the top so helicopters and planes can see it at night. 2) Every time it has rained hard lately Epcot floods so bad it makes the news. I believe it is due to the now years-long construction walls in Future World. It is not the place to go lately when it rains, and when I got caught in a storm as a guest several months ago, we had to turn and leave as the water was over people’s ankles when we hit a certain point.
Hey Marissa. Thanks for sharing this with us. Appreciate you!
Hope you enjoy Disneyland.