Birthday Scavenger Hunt/ Surprise Disney Trip 2015!- Part 1

I am so super excited to share what I have been up to these past few months- well really years- while planning our Disney trip. You might remember the huge scrapbook that I had put together to use from this post here, but then I started thinking about all of the research I had been doing. One thing that stuck out to me was that I did not want to be lugging around such a huge autograph book in the Florida heat- no matter how great it turned out. I started looking at smaller ideas and finally after a few drafts, settled on a simpler version using a Frozen theme, binder rings, and 5x7 scrapbook pages. I had the holes punched at my local Fed Ex. The gentleman behind the counter was so nice and didn't even charge me for punching the holes! I had made a travel journal for my little princess (find the link here) and in that post there was also a smaller autograph book too. Here it is to refresh your memory :)



 But the more that I thought about it (and tried to contort it), it still would not fit in the sling style back pack that I planned on taking (less is more, right?) so I came up with this beauty.

All of the pages have a shimmery look to them and I found all of the products (including the shimmery ribbon that I found in the $1 section) at Michael's. Oh Michael's how I love thee! I totally cannot get out of there without buying something. So, after the construction of all of this, I thought, "How can I give all of this to her? Should I surprise her?" And then in talking to hubby, we figured that her birthday weekend would be a great time to tell her. She loves everything Frozen so I purchased a lot of Frozen items as well that she could use on her trip- bathing suits, flip flops, books, a drawstring back pack to carry her autograph book and travel journal (hey one can dream right?) so that I don't have to.....
I also purchased other Disney theme items such as little tsum tsums- they are precious! So cute and little and squishable- I have one (ahem- four) of my own. 

Upon looking at Pinterest and the internet I came across great ideas such as exploding boxes (no not the dangerous ones) and scavenger hunt ideas and decided to combine both into a Birthday Scavenger Hunt/ Disney Surprise! 

Here is the exploding box. Frozen theme of course!

and here are the little hints and birthday gifts along the way!

The hunt begins with clue number 1 and the first present (Frozen books and tsum tsums!)

Hint number 5

Hint number 6!

Autograph and Travel Journal hiding out with the exploding box

We will be staying at Disney's Beach Club and will do a variety of character meals to help with the meet and greets rather than stand in line at the parks. We were able to save 30% off of our room rates and get a 5th day free at the parks! I booked a travel agent from Mouse Hunter Travels named Katie Covington. She rocks!! Be sure to check her out. She is patient and answered all of my questions. Since I am alot like Sheldon Cooper in the organizational department, I had actually made rough drafts of what I wanted to do and when as well as a planner that I will print out and take with me. She even looked over it and made suggestions to help our trip run smoother! These Disney travel agents are awesome- they will even make your dining and FP+ (Fast Pass) reservations for you if you like! We were able to get some difficult reservations that way!

I will be sure to post additional pictures of the actual scavenger hunt and birthday surprise! I am so excited!

Disney Travel Journal and Autograph Books

Let me just say that I am all about Disney! Not crazy all about Disney but enough about Disney to say that I love bringing out my inner child and being able to be excited with my daughter makes it more magical and memorable. I have seen  many  pictures of cute DIY autograph books and journals on Pinterest and online and you know that I had to try it out right? So.... I found some clearance journals with the chipboard covers at Michael's and figured it had to be a sign so, I got to work. I also made a bigger one from extra 10x10 chipboard that I had and smaller 6x6 scrapbook pages but it seemed too big so I cut it down to be 7x9 on the covers and it worked out better. But then I started thinking that I would not want a huge bag with the huge autograph book in it, so I revamped it again.  I used velvety scrapbook pages and sparkly snowflake pages with pretty ribbon in the Disney Frozen theme and it came out gorgeous if I do say so myself....

This is the cover before I cut it down...

Elsa's page came out beautiful just sideways from uploading the picture :) 

This is my daughter's Journal that I customized and added a few games and chances to "draw Pascal and show Rapunzel" or "draw Olaf and Sven and show Elsa and Anna!" or my favorite, "Draw Flynn in the wanted poster and show him!" We are planning on bringing Elsa a snowflake wand that I made for K's 8th birthday. They are made from ribbon, dowels, and iridescent shimmery snowflake ornaments that I got on clearance for $1 each at Michael's after Christmas this year. It should be fun to see what reaction we get :)

Check out my Pinspiration board for Frozen Parties here and my Disney Autograph Book ideas board here! This is my board for Disney Travel Journal ideas!