We are all about finding new ways to plan for my our next Walt Disney World vacation. I’m here to tell you about one of the most hoppin’ trends at the on-site hotels—decorating your Disney resort window! On our last few Disney World hotel stays, we've noticed guests' window decorations as we've hopped from our room to the pool or to the bus stop. This added flair has been appearing more and more recently, and we LOVE it. Anything that makes your Disney World vacation more exciting and personalized is a plus in our book. We've seen them most commonly at the Disney Value Resort Hotels or wherever you can find windows over breezeways. (By the way, if you're thinking about staying at one, we've ranked all the Disney Value Resorts. Even better, you can book your Disney hotel with us at a discount!)
Decorating your Disney Resort window is a great way to maximize the fun and festivities of your vacation. Here are some tips on how to do it!
Hoppin' Good Tips for Decorating Your Disney Resort Window
Plan and Pack Ahead
Our favorite part of this vacation trend is that it allows our family to bond over our upcoming trip weeks or months ahead of time. It's great because it helps anticipate all the fun, but it won’t cut into our vacation time, with the exception of the very few minutes it takes to set up your window.
Will your tadpoles be spending a lot of time traveling? There’s no better way to kill that drive or fly time than having them draw pictures, cut out creatively shaped paper (with supervision) or make their very own collage. Simply pack some construction paper, markers or whatever you prefer to make the magic happen.
If you need some ideas, check out our very own Frog Family Vacation Packing Printable. Download and print it before your next Disney vacation. You can let your own tadpoles check off the items as they pack. Then when you're on the plane or the drive, let them finish coloring the rest of their pages!
Packing is easy, as a majority of needed supplies are flat. Create your cut-outs prior to arrival (whether it be Mickey garland, photos from a previous trip, or a celebratory banner) so they’ll be ready on-the-go. To be on the extra safe side, slip your paper decorations in a bubble-wrap manila envelope for safe travels. You don’t want all that hard work to go to waste and have your crafts get smooshed in your suitcase!
The most important part is to not forget the tools you need to hang up your window decorations. Ninety-nine percent of the time, this means TAPE! Don’t get caught empty-handed when you arrive ready to garnish your room window. Be sure to consider what you need ahead of time (scissors, string and more) to “BE PREPARED,” as Scar would say.
Get the Tadpoles Involved
Window decorating is a frogtastic way to make your tadpoles feel special about their home-away-from-home. Since parents usually pick the hotel, allowing your tadpoles to showcase their creativity makes them feel even more involved and interested in the vacation.
Arts and crafts are the perfect way to channel that pre-vacation excitement so many little ones have. Whether you want to go big or small, there’s a million ways to create awesome artwork to welcome you home at your hotel at the end of a day at the parks. Have your tadpoles draw pictures of their favorite Disney attractions and characters on Mickey-shaped paper, or help them create themed garland.
You can accent these homemade pieces with store-bought swag like streamers, gel stickers and more. If you’re feeling froggy, one of our favorite unique ideas is re-creating your favorite Disney movie scene using posters and construction paper.
This win-win-win keeps your tadpoles busy, gets them looking forward to vacation, and makes your room look that much cuter!
Use What You Have
Decorating your Disney Resort window is all about having fun—not about spending a fortune. The best way to keep it simple and stress-free is to use items you already have as window swag. Arts and crafts aren’t your thing? Bring along Disney’s stackable signature Tsum-Tsums, your tadpoles’ favorite stuffed animals, or simply print out some neat Disney-themed decorations. (Pinterest is a frog’s best friend!)
As a two-for-one, use those new souvenirs you scored in the parks as window décor. Whether it be your latest pair of Mickey ears, new pins to sit on the window sill, or a balloon you want to show off—place it in your window to spread the Disney love.
Show Off Your Celebration
Visiting Disney World is a celebration in itself, right? Well, if you have something particularly special hoppening, shout it from the rooftops—or your hotel room balcony. Families from across the globe plan trips to the Most Magical Place on Earth for every holiday, from birthdays, Christmas and New Year’s, to Fourth of July and Halloween. Spread the cheer by showing off themed decorations in your window display! A special occasion will help inspire your best interior decorating.
If you’re planning ahead to visit for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, think “spooky” with fake cobwebs, spiders and candy buckets adorning your window. Have a trip planned for Christmas? Hang sparkling lights and miniature ornaments in your window.
In addition to holidays, we mustn’t forget the other hip-hop-happening reasons frogs visit Disney World. If you travel each year for a big cheer competition, hang those pom-poms high and root your team on by putting cheer gear in your window. We love seeing families root their tadpoles on for sports events with photos and posters on display!
Have Fun With Housekeeping Mousekeeping
Disney’s Mousekeeping team loves taking care of your tadpoles’ stuffed animals while you’re all away at the parks. Leave your pal by the window sill and you might find it lounging in a hammock made of curtains upon your return!
There you have it—the latest and greatest on decorating your Disney Resort window. This is one tradition we're hoppy to share, and we hope you are too. Have a tip that we didn't mention or want to tell us about a great display on your last trip? Share it in comments below! And don't forget to book your next Disney vacation with us!
Related: Ranking Disney World's Value Resort Hotels
Hoppy planning!
