Making a set of Attraction Memory Cards for your child/ren About This Page:

[christiejay]

I'm not sure why I haven't posted this before, I guess we just did so much stuff on our trip last year, some things were bound to fall through the cracks [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

This is an idea similar to taking your child's picture in the same spot at WDW every time you go, and seeing how they grow through the years. Even though this project takes a bit more time and effort in preparation, I think it will be worth it.

Anyway, I was looking for something else in my trip stuff bag (where I store stuff from our trip that's too big for the PassPorter pockets), and pulled these out instead. While I was organizing them to get them ready for our next trip, I thought some of you might be interested, so I decided to share. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I used 4x6 white, lined index cards. (I think the 3x5 cards, while more convenient for portability, would be too small for this purpose.) However, there's no reason you have to use boring plain white ... pick your favorite color, go neon or pastel, whatever suits your fancy. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] You could also use the bound index cards to keep them all together, as well.

Before going on your trip, write the name of each attraction at the top of an index card. Then on the back (unlined) side, put a picture of that attraction. I used some of my very outdated Birnbaum's guidebooks to find pictures, as well as Disney brochures. You could also use clip-art - you may not have a clip-art image of that particular attraction, but you could use an image of the character that attraction is based on/named after/etc. As an alternative, you could run the index cards through your printer and print your own pictures of the attractions - assuming you're using the white index cards. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

During your trip, write down the date you rode or experienced the attraction, and describe your child's reaction to it. Did they like it? Include things like funny comments they had about the ride, if there was an aspect of the attraction they didn't like, their score on Buzz Lightyear, etc. I've also included on mine who the child rode/sat with (was it a Mommy and Me experience, or Daddy and Me?). Anything to help capture the moment. You can write this stuff down at the end of each day, as you're making trip report notes and updating your PassPorter (everybody DOES do this, don't they? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] ), or you could keep the cards in your fanny pack/backpack/bag and update them throughout the day, like when you're waiting for a parade or show to start, or just taking a break. I'm pretty obsessive/compulsive when it comes to planning, plus we always go commando in the theme parks, so I actually put the cards in the order that I had planned for us to do all the attractions. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I know, I know...

After you get back home, look through the cards and relive the memories. Then, put them in your specially reserved Disney bag/box for your next trip. (Everybody DOES have one of these, don't you? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] )

On subsequent trips, take the same cards with you, and add to them. See how your child's reactions to the same attractions change over time. Of course, you'll have to add new cards as WDW adds new attractions. And sadly, you'll have to retire some cards as WDW retires attractions. But that's part of the fun - it's an ongoing project.

In case you're wondering, our last trip was the first trip with a child, so I haven't yet had the opportunity to reuse my set of cards yet. But I think it will be interesting to see his reactions to things on our next trip. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Have fun you guys!