How to Help Your Kids Cope With a Canceled Disney Trip
For my 40th birthday I wanted to take a trip somewhere to celebrate. We haven’t taken the kids to Europe yet, and it’s been 13 years since Rob and I went, so I thought that sounded like the perfect place to go. I spent months planning the perfect itinerary. Then Covid-19 hit.
The trip that we had been looking forward to for 9 months was canceled. I was disappointed. Rob was disappointed. The kids were disappointed. Our friend who was supposed to go with us was disappointed.
One of the things I was looking forward to the most was our trip to Disneyland Paris. The kids didn’t know about this part of the trip and I was so excited to surprise them. Our plan was to wake up early that morning and tell them that we were getting on a train to go to Disneyland Paris. They would’ve been so excited.
When our trip was canceled the kids overheard Rob and I talking about whether or not we would be able to get our money back due to Disneyland Paris’s cancellation policy. So we told them that our Europe trip plans included Disneyland Paris. They were shocked! And of course disappointed, too. But I reminded them that we will be making plans to go to Europe next year instead, so it will all work out eventually.
Today was the day we were supposed to go to Disneyland Paris. I wanted to find something to do at home with the kids that would be Disney related that might help them deal with their disappointment of not actually being there.
When I saw a Virtual Disney Escape Room that LJ Johnson from Smart Moms Plan Disney mentioned on her Instagram account, I knew it would be the perfect thing. It took us about an hour to complete and it was so much fun.
I wasn’t sure what it would be like, and if it would appeal to all of my kids (ages 11-4), but they all really enjoyed it. The puzzles were challenging enough for my 11, 10 and 8 year olds, and the graphics and videos were entertaining for my 4 year old. Rob and I enjoyed it too.
The idea is that you’re locked in Disney World and have to solve puzzles in order to get out. There’s a map of the park and you have to locate certain rides on the map in order to start the next challenge.
Some puzzles test your Disney knowledge, and others are just fun challenges. If you don’t get the answer right the first time don’t despair, you can just try again.
I was very impressed with this Virtual Escape Room, it is put together really well. If you would like to play the Virtual Disney Escape Room and unlock Disney World – CLICK HERE. It was the perfect thing to lift our spirits and help us feel connected to Disney without having to leave home.
Do you need something to help your kids cope with a canceled trip to Disney? We don’t want to spoil too much of it, but if you want a sneak peek at what it’s like, you can watch our video here.
Have you had to cancel any summer vacation plans this year? Leave me a comment letting me know what you’ve done to help your kids cope with the disappointment of a canceled trip.
Let me know if you try the Disney Escape Room with your kids, and what their favorite part was. Also if you have trouble with any of the puzzles leave a comment and I’ll try to help.
60 Comments
Jennifer Van Haitsma
I feel bad for all the disappointed kiddos! We just went in December, so i guess we made it in the nick of time. I would love to go again at the end of 2021 but who knows?
Sara W
We made a trip to Orlando in January but didn’t go to Disney. We are hoping for Disneyland Paris in 2021 and a Disney Cruise in 2022.
Faith @ ForMommiesByMommy
This is an interesting post and so helpful! It’s a tough time for all of us and even harder to see our kids disappointed. Thanks for your nuggets of wisdom!
Sara W
You’re welcome.
Caressa
I am so sad they had to cancel their trip because I know if I was in your shoes I would be really really upset. And I’m sure they are upset. However making sure that your family is safe is the priority and I’m pretty sure that you guys are going to have fun whenever you decide to go.
Sara W
I think I was probably more bummed than they were because I did all the planning, and I’d been looking forward to it for a lot longer than they had (since it was supposed to be a surprise for them.)
Holly
How disappointing for all of you! Hopefully you will be able to go soon, your tips and advice are a great idea!
Sara W
Thanks!
Jill DeMasi
That’s too bad you guys couldn’t go but I hope you will get there eventually! The virtual escape room looks like a lot of fun!
Sara W
Thank you.
Beth Shields
I am sure this was a huge disappointment but great to have an alternative given all out circumstances. Thanks for sharing.
Sara W
You’re welcome!
Kristin
I had never heard of a virtual escape room. I would like to check this out, even though Disney was not on our plans. Many things have been canceled this year. 🙁 We did not have a big vacation planned, though, but I’m sure would’ve done more than we have. Looking forward to getting back to more normalcy.
Sara W
I wasn’t sure how a virtual escape room would work, but this one is very well done. Easy to navigate, yet puzzles have the perfect amount of challenge, and it’s fun.
Alexis Farmer
This is so cool! I’m sorry your guys’ trip got cancelled but I’m glad this was a good time at least.
Sara W
Thank you. It was a fun activity to take their mind off of it.
Alyssa
So sorry your trip got canceled! I love the Disney escape room idea. I think my nieces would enjoy this! Thank you for sharing!
Sara W
You’re welcome!
Maggie | leavemetodream.com
I’m so sorry your plans fell through. Our plans were much more modest – college visits around 2-3 hours from home – but the colleges set up virtual visits only. Technology to the rescue at least!
Sara W
I’m glad the colleges set up virtual visits, although I know that’s not quite the same as in person. Everyone’s having to cope with some adjustments this year.
Jordan
That is such a clever idea! My family was supposed to go to Disney World in Florida this year, but had to cancel as well. But I love escape rooms anyway, and this virtual one looks like a blast.
Sara W
I’m sorry you had to cancel your trip! I hope you enjoy the escape room.
Tricia Snow
I have seen so many parents upset on Facebook that I did not think about the kids. Great resource!
Sara W
Thanks!
Ramae Hamrin
I feel so bad for the kids. It’s hard enough on the adults to miss out. I was going to take my daughter to Colorado this summer, but it never happened. It’s ok. We are all still here, and we have each other. That’s what matters anyway.
Sara W
So true! Canceled trips are very minor inconveniences in the grand scheme of things.
Amy
We just had to cancel our trip too and the kids were devastated. Well my older son, the younger doesn’t understand yet. I’ve been trying to make it up by creating super fun days packed with water play, digging for worms, arts n crafts and even time for video games.
Sara W
I’m sorry your trip was canceled! These sound like some great activities to distract them from their disappointment.
Chelsea
Wow! I want to try the Virtual Disney Escape Room with my kids. Even though we didn’t have a Disney trip planned, it still sounds awesome!
Sara W
I hope you enjoy it!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
Such disappointments for children right now. Your thoughtful suggestions will hopefully help someone going through this challenge!
Sara W
It’s definitely been a challenging year for everyone.
Lisa Manderino
I hope you get to go soon! We had a fun time at Disneyland Paris last year! The escape room sounds fun!
Sara W
I hope things work out for 2021, but it’s still too early to tell what next year will look like.
Danielle Ardizzone
Cute idea! I feel so bad for all the kids whose families had to cancel, especially the first-timers (then again, they might not know what they’re missing).
Sara W
That’s a good point. If it had been my kids first time to Disney they probably wouldn’t have been so disappointed, but they know how great Orlando is, and can only imagine how wonderful Disneyland Paris will be once we finally get to go.
Jennifer Morrison
That is such a fun concept! We were supposed to go to Disney last spring, and it was canceled. I will go on this with my Granddaughter. I think she would enjoy it.
Sara W
Hope she enjoys it!
Douglas Jasper
It is so hard with so many things cancelled. We are trying too to come up with activities for our son to be engaged in. Thank you for the escape room link. We will try this.
Sara W
Hope he likes it!
Barbara
Disappointments lead to other opportunities that may be greater!
Sara W
Yes, love this! So true.
Lina
It’s the worst having to explain to the kiddos of the cancellations. This post is so helpful.
Sara W
Yes, especially when they can’t understand that the situation is out of your control.
Carmen
Awww. I think about the kids during this time and how challenging it is for them. Great ideas to help with the disappointment of cancelled plans.
Sara W
My kids handled it really well. I think I was more disappointed than they were.
Kendra
Such great and creative ideas! There have been so many disappointments this year, so making the best of it is so important.
Sara W
This is definitely the year of being able to adapt and go with the flow.
Leeandra
Awww I’m sorry you had to cancel your trip after all the planning. It’s good that you found something else for them to do.
Sara W
Thanks! It was a fun alternative.
Sandi
So sad. We have a trip to Disney in Orland planned for April and are navigating the tickets plus park reservations for 16 people – fingures crossed!
Sara W
Whoa! That sounds like quite the undertaking. I hope you have a great time.
Debbie
That was a great idea to do in place of Disney Paris!
Sara W
It was a fun way to spend the afternoon!
Alice
So far my trip to Mackinaw Island via Mackinaw city in a couple of weeks. However, the governor of Michigan just issued more restrictions so I hope we can still enjoy our trip.
Sara W
We were supposed to go to Michigan next week and then decided to change plans and head out West instead. Now there are lots of restrictions where we are headed as well. We will just try to make the most of it, and social distance as much as possible.
Santana
Life is full of disappointments, but it’s how you cope with them that really matters.
Sara W
So true!
Cindy
My sister niece and her husband and their two sons had their Disney trip cancelled in the eve of their departure. My great nephew cried all night. They hope to go in October. I’ll tell them about the virtual escape room!
Sara W
Oh no! I think that would’ve been worse! We hadn’t started packing or anything yet. I hope they get to go in October.