Countdown the days to your Disney Vacation with this Guardians of the Galaxy Disney Vacation Countdown activity. Use our free printable Groot poster and watch the countdown to your Disney trip get shorter each day that Groot grows taller.

 

 

The Guardians of the Galaxy can do amazing things like, well, save the galaxy! But, did you know they can also make the days until your Disney vacation go by faster? It is true. The week before a Disney trip can feel like it travels in the opposite of warp speed. But, with this fun Guardians of the Galaxy Disney Vacation Countdown activity, you can have fun helping Groot grow into a tall healthy Guardian. Nothing could be more exciting than watching a plant grow. Wait. What? But seriously, try it. You will be a total hero for helping the Disney vacation countdown transform from pure torture to magically entertaining.

 

Download the background template here. There is one file for the main Guardians of the Galaxy Disney Vacation Countdown activity poster. It is formatted to be 11x17 inches. I had mine printed at our local print/copy shop. It works best on cardstock paper so it can hold up to a little bit of abuse.

Download the second template for Groot here. This can be printed on regular 8.5x11 size paper. I used regular printer paper for this, not cardstock. It needs to be able to bend and roll. Print your Groot template in color. 

 

 

When you have the free templates printed and ready to go, gather up a few supplies. You will need clear tape, an Exacto knife or some sort of rotary blade and scissors.

 

Notice that the Guardians of the Galaxy Disney Vacation Countdown activity poster has two lines of dashed dots. One dotted line is towards the top of the paper under the title and the other is at the top edge of the plant pot. These dotted lines mark the area of the poster that need to be cut. 

 

Lay the poster on a hard surface cutting board. Use a ruler and your blade to slice an opening across the dotted lines. You could use scissors if you don't have a straight blade. 

 

 

See how the cut makes a hole in the poster?

 

 

Now, it is time to cut Groot! Trim the white edges from around the printed page. Then, cut the paper in half. I measured each section to be just barely over 4 inches.

 

 

The main goal is to have two strips of paper that are the same width. You want the ends to fit together perfectly. If you need to place one section over the top of the other section and trim them to match, you can! That works out great.  

 

 

Now, tape the bottom of the Groot strip to the top of the plain galaxy strip. This will make one long skinny piece of paper. Make sure the tape reaches the edges of the connected area. You don't want any loose parts or edges. To make it nice and smooth, you can tape the back together as well.  

 

 

Slide the long Groot strip through the top slit in the Guardians of the Galaxy Disney Vacation Countdown activity poster. Make sure Groot is right side up. 

 

 

Slide the bottom of the Groot strip through the second cut slit in the paper that is just above the plant pot. Then, flip everything over. Tape the two loose ends of the Groot strip together in the back. Make sure to secure the edges with tape like you did previously. It will make a nice loop.

 

 

Now your Guardians of the Galaxy Disney Vacation Countdown activity is ready for action! Before you start, rotate the Groot strip loop so that Groot is hiding in the back of the poster. Just the galaxy should be showing. 

 

The poster has a countdown of seven days marked on the left edge. There are glowing lines across the poster that correlate with each of the days. Groot will grow by turning the loop. Rotate the paper up towards the top of the poster and Groot gets bigger! Use the guides to show you where to stop.

 

 

The poem says, "Help Groot grow - one place each day. When he reaches the top, it is time to play!" Did you know that you get to play with all of the Guardians of the Galaxy at the Summer of Heroes at Disney California Adventure Park this Summer? All of the park guests have the opportunity to Hero Up and become a part of the action. Plus, be one of the first to ride the all new attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! It is going to be out of this world.

 

I hope this Guardians of the Galaxy Disney Vacation Countdown activity will help you and your family get excited for your upcoming Disney Trip. As you take turns growing Groot, you can also grow together as a family. Magic doesn't just happen at the Disney Parks. It can happen in your own home as well with a little bit of imagination and love. 

 

For the most out of this world summer adventure, book your Disneyland package online or call our travel experts at 855-GET-AWAY. 

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