What do you do to prepare?

[Twinprincesses]

We leave next Saturday for 9 fun filled California Days. I feel totally unpreapared. What do you do to get ready for vacation?

 

[abby]

I do laundry, then I put clothes I think I want to take on the bed in our guest room, then I remove at least 1/3 of what I have set out. I put out all the shoes I plan to take and them also remove at least 1/3 or 1/2 of those. Then I read these boards, and make plans of what we are doing each day, not hour by hour but just a guide to the priorities for each day.

 

[smiles33]

Um, see page 1 of my TR (linked below). I'm VERY particular, though, and I don't like spending money at hotel gift shops to pick up stuff I've forgotten so I like to make detailed packing lists. DH thinks I'm obsessive-compulsive....

 

[kristie73]

We leave in 2 weeks and I feel a little overwhelmed too. I plan to get out some lists this weekend to review. Figure out if I need to purchase any clothes or anything, get an idea of outfits for me and the kids. I have a pretty good idea on stuff, it just helps me to see it all on paper.

The weekend before we leave I'll do laundry and start making piles to pack. We aren't packing any snacks other than for the airplane so I don't need to worry there, until we get there (but I will have a list). I will get all the disney clothes, photopass stuff, tickets, gift cards, coupons, etc together and pack it in my carryon. Go over the lists and check things off.

We have a good idea of what we are doing on certain days at Disneyland, Legoland, and San Diego. I hope for good weather, low crowds, and comfortable feet.

 

[RuthieT]

we leave on sunday for our 10 day trip. I just got out the suitcases in our spare room and I will start getting laundry done and start putting things that we will need in the suitcases. I feel alittle overhelmed at the moment but it will all get done!

 

[lalasmama]

About a week ahead of time, I do laundry and do a "preliminary" pack of clothing. To deal with my anxiety about traveling, I will unpack and repack our suitcases every.single.night until we leave.

I print out 4 copies of my flight itinerary (did I mention I have travel anxiety?). I print out 2-3 copies of e-tickets, hotel confirmations, ground travel confirmation, etc. I highlight any phone numbers for all the above companies so that I will know who to call if there's a problem. I stow all of these in different places, and about 48 hours before, I play a great game of "find the safely hidden travel confirmation pages". LOL. Of note, this upcoming trip, all the pages are going in my planning journal, which is stowed safely in my purse. I then put all the pages in the front pocket of my backpack (my "personal item" carry-on).

The day before I leave, I remind people where I'm going, and when I will be back. If DD isn't going with me, I make sure to get her things packed and over to her babysitter's, along with a permission note in case they need to take her to the doctor/hospital.

Otherwise, I just try to imagine/daydream about all the fun we're going to have!

 

[mydisneymoney]

I too make multiple copies of tickets and itineraries. I typically plan way ahead for pins to trade and photopass+ and any matching shirts I want to make. I also make sure everyone has shoes for the trip ahead of time too since it is always a good idea to break them in prior to going. Then about 2 weeks before, I start putting suitcases on the bed in the guest room. As I do laundry, I start packing the "good" underwear and make the family wear the stuff they normally shove to the bottom of the underwear drawer. Same with socks, good ones in the suitcase and not so good ones to wear. Then I start monitoring Weather.com to see what the weather is going to be like. We are going in December which can be warm or cold. So I will watch to see if I need 5 pairs of shorts/capris or 1 pair and all jeans. I typically pack and unpack several times to make sure I have it all.

 

[Monica D]

Lists, lots of lists! If you do a search here or even on the internet, you'll find all kinds of helpful tips on packing and what to bring. Something I did on our trip was to sort all of my outfits ahead of time and put them in individual 2 gallon Ziploc bags; it mad it so much easier in the morning to just pull out a bag and not have to sort through my suitcase.

At home, I like to come home to a (somewhat) clean house, so I try to at least vacuum and have laundry done before I leave. I don't stress if it isn't done, but I try.

 

[budamacdvcr]

All the things the PPs listed but also to relax and get ready for a Dis vacation - put in some Disney dvds and watch them as a family

 

[Twinprincesses]

I think we finally have our itenerary finalized. I am so excited as are the kids I feel so unprepared.

 

[momsquad]

OH! OH!! I must show this thread to the DH!!! He thinks my multiple lists (what to pack, what to buy, what to do before we leave), and 1 week out pre-packing are just "over the top!"

Thank you my DIS-board virtual friends for making me feel NORMAL!!!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

This is sort of random, but program into your phone all your necessary travel-related and banking phone numbers just in case you need them. Plug in your airline, hotel, rental car or shuttle phone, Disney Dining (yes!), and the customer service phone numbers for all your checking and credit cards. Do this so you have at your fingertips the numbers to call in case of delays, emergencies, need to make reservations, lost bank cards.

And set up flight status notifications on your cell phone, though you should check the day before to confirm the departure time. There was one trip that surprised us with a four hour change in departure - and we missed our flight! I learned my lesson the hard way. Nevah again!!

 

[SuperDisneyDad]

For those that have smart phones, there is a wonderful application called TripIt. In there, you can store all of the details of your trip. After you set up an account, all you have to do is take your confirmation e-mails (flight, hotel, Disney package, etc), and forward them to the tripit e-mail address, and they automatically get added to your trip details and organized. It's great. I put everything in there like ADR info, and even tips (like the wide right technique for RSR) so everything is at my fingertips and all in one place. You can also use the web version (where you have to initially sign up before using the phone app), and just print your plans to take with you. The app is free, unless you want to upgrade to the Pro version which also monitors your flights for schedule or price changes, and allows you to keep track of all of your airline and hotel frequent traveler accounts. So, the days leading up to my trips, I'm busy updating all the details in my Tripit account (and working through my extensive packing and "to do" lists!)

 

[julieheyer]

About a week ahead of time, I do laundry and do a "preliminary" pack of clothing. To deal with my anxiety about traveling, I will unpack and repack our suitcases every.single.night until we leave.

I print out 4 copies of my flight itinerary (did I mention I have travel anxiety?). I print out 2-3 copies of e-tickets, hotel confirmations, ground travel confirmation, etc. I highlight any phone numbers for all the above companies so that I will know who to call if there's a problem. I stow all of these in different places, and about 48 hours before, I play a great game of "find the safely hidden travel confirmation pages". LOL. Of note, this upcoming trip, all the pages are going in my planning journal, which is stowed safely in my purse. I then put all the pages in the front pocket of my backpack (my "personal item" carry-on).

The day before I leave, I remind people where I'm going, and when I will be back. If DD isn't going with me, I make sure to get her things packed and over to her babysitter's, along with a permission note in case they need to take her to the doctor/hospital.

Otherwise, I just try to imagine/daydream about all the fun we're going to have!

This is me!! I put things in "safe" places then rip my bag apart trying to find the stupid things!! Multiple copies in multiple places would help, I think . We drive but I think moving my "purse" to a backpack for the whole trip might be a good plan too.

OH! OH!! I must show this thread to the DH!!! He thinks my multiple lists (what to pack, what to buy, what to do before we leave), and 1 week out pre-packing are just "over the top!"

Thank you my DIS-board virtual friends for making me feel NORMAL!!!

Me too!! dh thinks I'm nuts, but clearly I'm not alone .

This is sort of random, but program into your phone all your necessary travel-related and banking phone numbers just in case you need them. Plug in your airline, hotel, rental car or shuttle phone, Disney Dining (yes!), and the customer service phone numbers for all your checking and credit cards. Do this so you have at your fingertips the numbers to call in case of delays, emergencies, need to make reservations, lost bank cards.

And set up flight status notifications on your cell phone, though you should check the day before to confirm the departure time. There was one trip that surprised us with a four hour change in departure - and we missed our flight! I learned my lesson the hard way. Nevah again!!

Good advice!! I will add password protect your phone, especially if you have all this info on it!! I had my iphone stollen a few years ago (while in Disneyland) and all my itinerary info (hotels, etc. were on there). I was lost!! The criminal had the audacity (stupidity) to post a picture of his car to my FB page (clearly using my iphone to do so). Really infuritating!! Just be careful .

For those that have smart phones, there is a wonderful application called TripIt. In there, you can store all of the details of your trip. After you set up an account, all you have to do is take your confirmation e-mails (flight, hotel, Disney package, etc), and forward them to the tripit e-mail address, and they automatically get added to your trip details and organized. It's great. I put everything in there like ADR info, and even tips (like the wide right technique for RSR) so everything is at my fingertips and all in one place. You can also use the web version (where you have to initially sign up before using the phone app), and just print your plans to take with you. The app is free, unless you want to upgrade to the Pro version which also monitors your flights for schedule or price changes, and allows you to keep track of all of your airline and hotel frequent traveler accounts. So, the days leading up to my trips, I'm busy updating all the details in my Tripit account (and working through my extensive packing and "to do" lists!)

Off to download this app!! Thanks!!

I'm 6 weeks out tomorrow and already thinking of my lists!! I am not going to plan a daily itinerary, which I've done in the past. I want to relax more this trip and although I'll have a loose daily plan (like our DCA day getting there at rope drop, do wide right, get FPs while the rest of the party waits in line, then get WOC FPs) the rest of the day we'll go w. the flow.

We're driving, and gluten free, so we'll be bringing lots of food. I'll need to be well prepared so we can easily pack food into the parks each day. I've got Pirate booty, Cliff bars, Rice Krispy treats and capri suns in the garage all ready to go. Cereal boxes and oatmeal too. I'll wait on the trail mix and nuts to take along.

I tried on my Disney t-shirts yesterday, they're all big. A blessing and a curse . I have a nice big thick WDW sweatshirt I'll probably pack, although I'll likely only wear it once. It's so heavy to carry around in the backpack all day. May need to leave that home. I'm already over-thinking the wardrobe!!

I did buy new Disney shirts for myself and our dd's. We got matching ones for our BFFs who are meeting us there. They were great deals at Target, btw.

I'm crazy, just like you guys!! I love the planning almost as much as the going!!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Good advice!! I will add password protect your phone, especially if you have all this info on it!! I had my iphone stollen a few years ago (while in Disneyland) and all my itinerary info (hotels, etc. were on there). I was lost!! The criminal had the audacity (stupidity) to post a picture of his car to my FB page (clearly using my iphone to do so). Really infuritating!! Just be careful .

I just keep the 800 phone numbers in my contacts! Not my password or account information! I don't keep personal information on my phone anyhow. "That would be dangerous, very dangerous." Get it?

 

[hollyshoffbrau]

Ditto all of the above...and since we are going w 2 kiddos under 3 and 2 seniors beside DH and I.....I laminated copies of the park maps for the grandparents and us and also laminated copies of all the rides that have no height restrictons....we are going to do the touring plans as well....and I might print copies of the menus of the counter service places so we can all prepare ahead of time where we may want to eat...ya I am type A