Sit back and relax, and let Disney Cruise Lines keep your little ones entertained with their production of Tangled, The Musical available free online. Photo / Disney Cruise Lines
"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do."
Walt Disney wasn't talking out of his hat when he said that, he certainly found lots of interesting things to do in his lifetime, including creating Disneyland itself.
It was a place he hoped would entertain adults as much as children, and with over 750 million visits recorded since the theme park first opened in 1955, it's safe to say he achieved that aim.
With New Zealand's borders currently closed visiting Disneyland isn't possible, but
that doesn't mean you can't bring some Disney magic into your home right now - no travel required.
Stratford Press editor Ilona Hanne has put together a list of great Disney inspired things you can do with your fellow bubble mates at any alert level this year.
Begin on Main Street with a fun art activity:
Visits to Disneyland start with a stroll down Main Street, and there is no reason your virtual visit should be any different. Equipped with just some paper, glue, scissors and colouring pens or pencils, your young bubble buddies can create their very own 3D versions of Main Street USA, complete with parade floats for the popular daily parades that take place there. Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, there are plenty of activity sheets to choose from, including Main Street USA, The Magic Happens parade, the Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the new Avengers Campus.
If the paper plans are too complicated for your smaller bubble buddies, they might prefer some of the simpler activities available such as the cute Minnie and Mickey paper dolls.
Download all the printable activity sheets from: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/?s=paper+parks
Enjoy a classic ride, virtually, with no need to queue:
Not even a Fast Pass is needed for you to enjoy some of the theme park's popular attractions. Thanks to various tourists armed with their video cameras over the years, YouTube is home to literally hundreds of video tours of Disney rides for you to enjoy.
Some are perfect for from the couch viewing, while others offer a full 360-degree video, meaning if you happen to have some VR goggles, you can find yourself right in the middle of the action.
Young Disney fans will probably enjoy the gentle 15 minutes It's A Small World ride, or The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh.
Stormtroopers, or Rebels, in your bubble will find plenty to love in the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Full Ride experience offered by YouTube channel XtremeCoasters Network.
There are plenty of YouTube videos to see, but top picks include TPMvids, XtremeCoasters Network, DarthVader92 and Wander Where We Wanna. Search for any of these channel names on YouTube to access plenty of ride experiences as well as a great range of other walkthroughs of theme parks all over the world.
Do you wanna draw a snowman? Or how about Spiderman?
After all the thrills of the ride experiences, calm back down with a relaxing drawing lesson, from some actual Disney animators. Disney has put a range of free drawing classes on YouTube for people to enjoy, and all you need is a pencil, some paper, and between 10 to 30 minutes of time.
Anyone can give the classes a go, and no drawing experience is needed, whether you are five or 55, you can have a go and learn from the very best when it comes to animation.
For superhero fans, with a longer attention span, there is also a longer video (41 minutes) showing how to draw Spiderman, while Princesses (and Princes) who plan to become architects might enjoy the equally long lesson in drawing a Disney castle.
Try making some classic Disney foods and treats in your own kitchen:
If you have worked up an appetite by now, Disney has you covered. Disneyparks has released their own recipe for the ever popular beignets (make them in a Mickey Mouse shape for extra authenticity). Visit www.disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/04/disneymagicmoments-create-magical-mickey-mouse-shaped-beignets-at-home-with-this-fan-favorite-classic-disney-recipe/ for the recipe.
If you prefer your treats Galaxy themed, then Disney has just the thing for all Jedi masters in training. Take a break from your day and transport yourself to Oga's Cantina on Baatu with a free printable celebration pack available from www.shopdisney.co.uk/events-page-21.
In it you will find everything you need, from a recipe for a non-alcoholic cocktail called The Cliff Dweller, to make your own drink coasters and a printable model kit to build your own droid to keep.
To round off your best day ever - grab some popcorn - or maybe those beignets - and enjoy watching a Disney musical. Disney has made a specially filmed version of Disney Cruise Line's "Tangled: The Musical," available for free online viewing. It's available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFiQWzU5wSQ and is sure to delight Disney Princess fans young and old.