Things to do before you go to Disney!

[iheartjacksparrow]

Hello everyone! I'm trying to come up with a list of
"Things to do before you go...", and I need some ideas for it! Some things I want to include are check in to the airport online, print tickets from home, check into CBR online, etc. So far those are the only things I can think of, but I know there's more! Please help me come up with a list of what you do before you go!

Thankks :thumbsup2

[Tinkerbell63]

Check the weather for when your staying. (:

[iheartjacksparrow]

Thanks, that's a good one! :thumbsup2
Keep them coming!

[Tinkerbell63]

I dont know if this is a good one but...... Make reservations if you want to.

[iheartjacksparrow]

No that is a good one! But we already have all our ADR's done :goodvibes


Keep it up! :cool1:

[RainbowWit]

Have copies of all your important info. In case the original gets lost. I have all my reservation details in my iphone but made 2 paper copies just in case something bad happens! ( Of course I would die if I lost my iphone)

[toy]

1. We sit down and talk about what is important for each person to see/do in Disney. We make a list so everyone's needs are met. (within reason)

2. The kids tell me the 3 important things they want to take so we don't forget anything they want/need

3. I tell the neighbors where we are and when we will be back so they are looking out for our house

4. Clean the house from top to bottom. It is better to come home to a clean house and it is easier to see what you need to pack.

5. Make sure I have insurance cards

6. In the event of an accident, we have papers letting our family know what we want. I put it out for someone to find. Yep, I know it is morbid but a reality.

[rhpools]

Write your name and resort on a piece of paper and take the first picture on your camera. If your camera gets lost, and they look at your pictures they will know who it belongs to.

[disneydoodle520]

Write your name and resort on a piece of paper and take the first picture on your camera. If your camera gets lost, and they look at your pictures they will know who it belongs to.

That is the greatest idea I EVER heard! Thanks!!! :thanks:party:

[brekin67]

Make sure your drivers license is not expired. :drive:
Unplug appliances. :happytv:
Turn off the water. :dance3:
Extra pair of :cool2:
popcorn:: for the plane ride and layover.
:thanks:note for those watching your home.
Quarters for the :laundy:
Medication in case someone gets :sick:
:ssst: Don't post your plans on social networking sites.
:umbrella:in case it rains.
Finally, have a party:

[cglaura]

Have your mail & paper stopped or arrange to have someone get them daily.

I see you've been before, so I'm sure you know about this, so I put it in just in case a 1st timer is reading...If you are not used to walking, start out doing some everyday, if you can get up to 2-3 miles per day by the time you go. You do alot of walking at Disney. I clocked 12 miles one day (granted, it was one long day...rope drop to emh evening close the park :) ) If you can't get out, the Leslie Sansone dvd sets are good, and easy for the uncoordinated...like me!

If you will be using a cc, leave the card# and phone# with someone you trust. If it gets lost this will make it quicker to cancel the card.

Don't put your address on luggage tags. Just use your cell phone. That way nobody knows what house will be unoccupied.

In addition to the tip about the name/resort on your camera...also take a photo of your cell phone #. Make sure to take one with the memory card and one without. This way it is on the card if it gets lost w/out the camera...and/or the camera if it is lost w/out the card.

Make a photocopy of your tickets and/or kttwc when you arrive (concierge/help desk will do this for you). Keep it in your backpack/purse/pocket daily to make it easy to replace lost cards.

Have a great time!!!

[Lori1960]

start walking.Make sure you have comfortable shoes and that they are broken in

[diamondpixienc]

These are some great tips! Keep them coming. :cool1:

[scarlet_ibis]

Feed the fish.
Take out the trash.
Make sure that there's not a wet load of laundry in the washer. :eek:
Make sure your children have flushed the toilets. :scared1:

Print coupons for your airport parking and check traffic.
Put your contact information INSIDE your suitcase, in case the tag comes off.
Pack your checked liquids in baggies with a note to TSA requesting that they reseal the bags if they inspect them. (We had a huge mess one time!)
Gather addresses of people you'd like to send postcards to, and buy the postcard stamps. (Then pack the addresses and stamps!)

Book the petsitter/kennel.

[hickchick]

Most of the really good ones are already listed above...

print airport maps if you are connecting, to make it easier to find your connecting gate - especially if your time is limited!

print disney journal pages for the kids (adults too!) from the mouseforless website

if you're pulling the kids out of school - make sure the kids have homework done ahead of time, so you don't have to haul schoolwork with you

don't forget your cell and camera chargers

stash one credit card someplace in your carry-on, just in case you lose your purse/wallet - so you aren't left high and dry

pack gum - disney doesn't sell it on property

be aware that only coke products are sold on property - so you will have to deal with your pepsi/dew/etc need in another way

relax and enjoy every minute - it will all be memories before you know it!

[disneyworldaddict]

If you are a twenty something, travelling with your forty something parents... don't forget to give them the money you owe them for your portion of the trip that they charged on their Disney rewards card! Hint, hint, my DD lol.

[evilqueenmindy]

If you are a twenty something, travelling with your forty something parents... don't forget to give them the money you owe them for your portion of the trip that they charged on their Disney rewards card! Hint, hint, my DD lol.But. . .that's at least three quarters of the Magic!!

[fours]

pack aloe vera...suntan lotion...small first aid travel kit...stop your mail at home...if your driving oil change & rotate tires...go the bank for $$...water the plants at home...buy ponchos before you get there...go with the mindset of whats at home stays at home HAVE FUN:cool1:

[LockShockBarrel]

scarlet ibis- sounds like you speak from experience!!

I'm usually awake from noon the day before I leave to 10 pm the second night I'm there (excitement and clinical insomnia) so I have to find ways to eat up those nights. Last trip I looked up "hello, thank you, and good bye" in all the Epcot countries' languages, looked up the menus for one last time for all our ADRs, check the weather one last time, try to come up with goofy/stumping questions for the characters that can talk.

[DisneyDorkORama]

Sorry if these are repeats..

Clean out the cabinets and fridge of foods that might expire while your gone ( trust me on this one! as I have learned my lesson! lol)

If you have a digital camera make sure the camera or batteries are well charged.

If you have pets make sure you have someone you can watch them, call and remind them of when they are suppose to go to your house to take care of them, what they need to do, where are the pet supplies, etc.

If you are taking your own car make sure you clean it out, put air in the tires, have the oil changed if needed, take it through the car wash, add wiper fluid, etc.

Make out a new packing list, re check your luggage, and cross out everything to make sure you have everything packed.

If you have someone who is going to come to your house, make sure you leave them a note of numbers where to reach you, emergency numbers, house rules, etc.

[kimis]

This is one of our best tips we have used over the years......A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE YOU GO (EVEN IF YOU ARE IN SHAPE) START WALKING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD!!!! It sure helps getting into that disney mode. :) :) :)
HAVE A GREAT TIME AND MAKE LOTS OF MEMORIES!!!

[cjsteiger]

This is an awesome topic. I hope you will get all the ideas together and post them.

My contribution... Break in your shoes!!! Do not go with brand new out of the box shoes you will regret it.:scared1:

[perpetualplanner]

All of the previous suggestions are great! Don't forget the week before you go to verify all of your reservations i.e. limo to airport (if you use one), and make sure you have other travel docs printed out!

That's all I can think of that hasn't been covered already (and mine may have I just can't remember them all)

[3lilpiggies]

I dont know if you are flying or driving. But if you are flying one of the things I tell my family is to wear flip flops or easy slip on slip off shoes for airport security. There is nothing worse than being at the airport and trying to get your shoes and socks on while people behind are ready to go, especially if you have kids.

[leebee]

Make sure your alarm clock is in your luggage, NOT your carry-on. It registers on the security scanner and then they pull you out of line and do the full luggage and full body scan :sad2:

We have 2 cats and even though we have very reliable pet-sitters, we make sure that a bathroom door is propped open and the toilet lid is up, just in case something happens and the cats are not cared for. This is especially important in the summer. A corollary to this is to make sure room doors are either closed tightly or propped slightly (we usually put towels over the top of the door) to prevent a pet from accidentally being closed in a room (especially if the windows are open a crack) :eek:.

Make sure tickets are physically ON your person or IN your pocket before leaving home. I learned this the hard way, by leaving my purse (which I don't usually carry) in the taxi that took us to the airport. Didn't know I could run that fast :lmao: (YES, I caught the cab!)

Unplug everything you can- TV's, computers, small appliances, etc. No sense wasting electricity when you are away.

[noahdove]

Put extra camera batteries in your suitcase, extra memory card, gum, I write my ressie info each on their own card and that way, I only need to take one with me, for the cat lovers, excuse this next one, BUT I always put bleach in my toilet before I leave home....I also write down everything that is in my checked luggage in case it gets lost and I need to file a form for lost luggage..put that advil or tylenol in your carry on bag in the origianl container....if you take regular meds, be sure that you have a list in your wallet or whatever you will be carrying everyday. also, the name and phone number of your drug store, in case of Emergency. If I think of anything else, I will pop back here:) Also, I keep a list of who I am traveling with and where we are going along with an emergency number for someone to call if need be..

[LockShockBarrel]

Agree with last poster, if you have prescription medications keep a list of them and how much of each you take in your wallet or purse. I also have why I take each medication next to it on the list as an added precaution. I think this is a good idea for everyday life actually, in case something happened where you couldn't communicate to an EMT or Dr. My next Disney trip will be with a non family member, and while she knows a couple of my issues, she wouldn't know my meds or anything so I'll be giving her a copy of my list as well.

[Luvchefmic]

1- Put your mail on hold until you get home same with newspaper delivery
2- arrange to have someone cut your lawn if you have one
Don't want to signal your absence
3-make sure you bring your cell phone charger, camcorder charger these things I always put in a side pocket of a bag the last minutes before walking out the door

[Clubhouse5]

Great thread! Thanks for the ideas. I REALLY need to get out and start walking!

[BDJazz]

If you wear contact lenses, make sure to have an extra set ordered before the trip. If you lose the contacts at the park or waterpark without a backup pair it could get miserable!

[thebigkahuna]

don't forget to watch some Disney movies to get you in the mood!!:cool1:

[iheartjacksparrow]

don't forget to watch some Disney movies to get you in the mood!!:cool1:

Haha I was just thinking about which Disney movies I'm going to watch the week before we go...
I'm going to watch one a night all of my favorites!

[iheartjacksparrow]

Thanks for all the great ideas! I especially like the one that says of taking a picture on my camera with my resort name, phone number, etc.

Thanks to all that contributed, let's keep this going...!!

[ZoZo]

We have 2 cats and even though we have very reliable pet-sitters, we make sure that a bathroom door is propped open and the toilet lid is up, just in case something happens and the cats are not cared for. This is especially important in the summer. A corollary to this is to make sure room doors are either closed tightly or propped slightly (we usually put towels over the top of the door) to prevent a pet from accidentally being closed in a room (especially if the windows are open a crack) :eek:.


This is so true! This happened to us once - we had double-hung windows, opened just a crack at the top. It was enough to blow our bedroom door shut, with the cats inside! Luckily, we were only gone overnight, and they did have access to water (in the toilet!) but they didn't have a litter box. The cats were quite creative, though - they used our bed as their litter box, and carefully pulled the edges of the comforter over their "mess". (At least we could wash the comforter and sheets!)

Now I totally prop open every single door when traveling, and do a "nose count" before I leave!

[ZoZo]

I thought of two more things:

As you're packing, put some of each person's clothes into the other person's suitcase. That way, if someone's luggage gets lost, they'll have some of their stuff!

And don't forget to pack your prescription meds in your carry-on. My cousin was visiting me once, and had foolishly packed her Rx in her checked bag. Of course, the airline lost the bag, and we had to make an 11:30 pm trek to a 24-hour Walgreen's to get an "emergency" supply of her blood pressure meds. And I had to work the next morning - what a pain!

[iheartjacksparrow]

That's a great idea to pack some clothes in someone elses bag...I never thought of it. Good tip! :thumbsup2

[flipflopmom]

Hope none are repeats, you've gotten some good ones.

We make 2 copies of everything: insurance cards, credit cards, etc, and keep them in the safe in the room and in the glove box.

Make sure all appliances are shut off, unplugged if possible.

Make sure windows are all locked, no water is dripping anywhere, lights off, AC turned down or off...

Give neighbor numbers for you if emergency.

Water everything.

Pet care.

I totally agree with the cleaning. I've stayed up all night to make sure towels are washed before we go! I even pour pine sol in the toilets so the house smells better when we get back!

Double check your packing list.

Watch videos of rides on you tube!

Make a budget. Think about what souvenirs you really,really want. For me, I have to buy something with the castle on it every year. Last year, I also wanted the wishes soundtrack.

If you are into pressed pennies, clean some up with tabasco and/or ketchup.

Charge camera batteries. Get a new memory card. Charge all electronics you will be taking with you.

Alert bank you will be traveling, so if they see some mega out of town charges, they'll know what to expect.

If you want to order any surprises: cakes, florist, etc. My girls love the slipper dessert that is at CRT and 1900 Park Faire.

Pack your park bag, so you are ready to hit the parks when you get there.

Make room requests if you want to, confirm all ADR's and room. You'll feel better!

Come up with whatever system works for you for your itinerary. Make a couple of copies. I have an ipod touch, and we load everything onto it via air sharing.

[TN Hockey Mom]

Make sure your children have flushed the toilets. :scared1:



Make sure the toilets have stopped running before you walk out of the house. One of the Doctor's I work for flushed a toilet right as they were walking out the door for vacation and he came back to a flooded house. I always wait for our toilets to stop running now before I go anywhere-even if I'm just running next door for a minute.

[happyjen]

I always put some fabric softner sheets in my luggage, keeps things fresh and good for when you get to the hotel. Put the sheet in the drawers and closet at the hotel to keep your clothes fresh. Also good for the trip home if you have dirty laundry, cuts down on the smell :)

[iheartjacksparrow]

Thought of another pretty good tip!

Make sure you get singles out of the bank before you go to pay tips with!
Most ATMs in Disney charge you and I don't even think they give you singles,
So don't forget to pack them in your wallet!!

[noahdove]

I take a seaparte envelope with me with just singles in it just for tipping. That way I am way a head of the plan:)

[spiroff.natasha]

I always load up my iPod with Disney music and listen to it on the plane ride to Orlando :cool1:

[scarlet_ibis]

I always load up my iPod with Disney music and listen to it on the plane ride to Orlando :cool1:

Amateur. I've had my ipod playing Disney tunes in the car for a month and we don't go til May, LOL!

:cool1::cool1::cool1:

[vikkymax]

This is a nice thread with really wealth of information,will come in handy to any one who is disney bound.

[eeyoremommy]

Take a picture of the back of your photopass card as soon as you get it so you'll have the number in case it gets lost.

Go to your favorite grocery store or discount store during the busy times to practice standing in lines.

If you have small children and you are going when it is hot, take a small mister/fan to keep them cool. Better yet, get them outside as much as possible to get them used to the heat.

Smile, relax, and remember it is a vacation. You are there to have fun.

[janloz]

On our last trip, I printed index cards for each day of our trip (we had 8 people) with the park we would be visiting, hours, our ADRS number and time and any special things we were doing like tours and on the other side a small map of the park. Plus for our arrival and departure dates, flight info. They are easy to create. It saved alot of time and if people wanted to go in different directions, they knew what time to meet up.

You can now pre-purchase the Photopass CD and it will save you $50 over purchasing at the parks. If you don't like your pics, you have 2 weeks after your visit to request refund. Also check out on stitchkingdom.com the special photopass extra you can get added to your photos like Tink on Main St.

Order trading pins online. They are much cheaper than at the parks, i just bought our kids 40 pins on ebay for total of $39 with shipping. They enjoy trading but not paying $5-6/pin. ;)

[jessrose18]

We make sure to pack out park backpack before we leave cuts down on time in hotel room in morning. I put bandaids, ponchos, motion sickness pills, pepto, and excedrin in a ziplock bag. Trading pins in a ziplock, autograph book in a ziplock w/ sharpie. also a ziplock w/ sunscreen. This let us just get up and go in the morning w/ everything in one place already and not just thrown in on the bottom of our packback.

Also be sure to check park hours for changes a week out. Also steve soars website has character greeting times and show schedules posted for the week. Don't forget you lime green mickey head for your backpack or stroller to let everyone know you are a diser!

[Nora94]

if you have young kids bring a pad of post it notes - put them over the automatic flush sensor on potties and it saves so much hassle

pack extra batteries or the charger!!

if you sleep with a fan on at night, bring a small one, you will sleep so much better

bring stain stick (like Shout stain remover, but stick form) - you can stain treat a shirt and leave it for up to 3 wks and it will still wash out the stain just fine. Even spaghetti. :)

Don't forget your CPAP machine or no one but you will sleep as your snoring will keep them all awake. (sleep apnea machine)

keep a noteboook with all the info for hotel stays (if driving and staying overnight other places or going from one place to another) and each night record your thoughts about the day - these will make your memories much more clear

If you have children set up a "lost parent" when you walk into the park so they know what to do if they can't see you - my recommendation is to have them stay absolutely still as they call your first name (not mom or dad) ten times as loud as they can, then if that doesn't work they should find a cast member or a mom with kids to help them.

if you have napping age kids - PLEASE respect their routine!! Missing a nap one day is usually ok, but if you go more then that I will be able to pick you out in a crowd so easily. IMO 90% of the tantrums kids have are caused by being overtired.

[Mousemom]

Leave note for the animal sitter how to feed animals, make sure you have enough food for all of them, and leave the vets number. Leave info on where you are staying, cell numbers, and phone numbers of nearest realtive.

Find out from the travel agent which rental car company she booked with. Got to WDW once and had no idea.

Stop mail/paper

Make sure garbage is emptied before leaving and you did not leave anything in the microwave. (Left brocolii in there once. Was not a good thing to come home to)

[Lilmattie13]

This may be an odd one but it works for us both stress and budget wise.
I get travellers checks throughout the year. I buy one everytime I go to the bank or have extra money. I usually bring at least $500 in them with me when I go to disney. As soon as I get there I give them to the CM when I check in to add them to my room bill along with a credit card. They take the added fees on my room card off the travellers checks balance first. This way the hit on my credit card is minimal if any at the end of my trip.

Kind of playing mind games with yourself but its a nice little way to not worry about the budget while you are down there.
Oh, but dont forget to pack them and bring them with you!

[randyolson]

I usually keep diaries for all of my kids to make notes on, during trips and at the end of the day. It’s so much fun later when we all sit together and each gives their version of how the day went and the highlight of the day. Usually ends up in giggles :)

[scarlet_ibis]

I can't remember whether I posted this on here yet or not, but buy your postcard stamps at your local post office so you don't have to scrounge around and possibly pay a premium for them once you get to Disney and print out a list of addresses for people you want to send the postcards to. I actually print them onto mailing labels to make it that much easier.

[lizerbug]

If you take prescription medications, get a pill container to put your meds in just in case you don't make it back to the resort in time to take it. This way, you won't have to carry a prescription bottle with you.

[jean3738]

When you pack your suitcase place clothes in the super large zip bags. That way when you arrive at MCO and it is raining you don't spend your evening and quarters to dry all of the clothes. Just ask my DD. Also, when I make my lists I always do them in pencil,as I pack I erase item packed. When done packing I have blank pieces of paper.
New to the boards but not to Heaven on Earth.
Next trip Sept.4-11-10.