12 Days until our trip and I'm freaking out

[Atrain13]

about stuff that needs to be done, stuff I could forget, and all of the little details. Here's what I have and all that I have planned, please let me know if there's other things that I may need to make sure that I have all of my "I" dotted and "T"s crossed:

Deluxe dining plan and I've triple checked all of our ADR's
PhotoPass +
MNSSHP tickets
Magical Express set up
Extra spending money
I'm going to finish up clothes shopping next week, but plenty of clothes
2 pairs of very broken in shoes and 1 pair of flip flops


That's all I can think of. I have all of my Disney stuff in a folder right now and ready to go.

I know these threads get brought up on here every so often, and I really hate to be "that guy" who started one, I just haven't been to Disney in at least 15 years and my fiance never has so we want to make sure this trip is as special as it can be. I expect MNSSHP may be overwhelming for us since we really don't have a plan for it.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who's helped me over that past 7 months. This site has been very helpful with everything and I don't think I could have got our planning set up without disboards. Thank you for all of the help in advance.

 

[MEK]

I leave in 12 days too! Dollar store rain ponchos - put those on your list! Sounds like you are in good shape. Woo hoo for your first trip in 15 years!

 

[Eosphotog]

I leave in 12 days too! Dollar store rain ponchos - put those on your list! Sounds like you are in good shape. Woo hoo for your first trip in 15 years!

Same - except we've done nothing except stock up on Disney pins to trade and we've got the stroller reserved. I'll pick up ponchos sometime next week, and we'll pack up our usual bags for kid supplies probably the weekend before we go.

Oh - I've got a touring plan for each day, which we'll throw away 5 minutes into the park, but it helps set expectations for what we'll be doing.

Aside from that... just chilling.

 

[Atrain13]

I set up touring plans for each day as well. What are the chances of actually sticking with them? As you can tell I like to have everything planned out in advance as much as possible, but I know all too well that when actually being there I just want to have fun and the plans can change.

 

[munchkinsmomma24]

I have been having vivid dreams for weeks now that all involve me ruining the trip somehow.... forgetting to get our outfits ready, forgetting my touring plan and wandering aimlessly, somehow ending up in DTD before MK and just blowing half of one of our two days there I think the absolute worst was the night I dreamed that we were at MK, on the last day, and it was time to leave, and I couldn't remember any of what had happened. Everyone else remembered it and assured me we had done it all and it was time to go, but I couldn't remember it!!!

So.... I feel your pain! We leave for FL in ONE WEEK, and are going to Disney in TWO!

 

[Eosphotog]

I set up touring plans for each day as well. What are the chances of actually sticking with them? As you can tell I like to have everything planned out in advance as much as possible, but I know all too well that when actually being there I just want to have fun and the plans can change.

Every minute of our trip is technically planned, but I see it as a set of guidelines. Unexpected things can and will happen: different wait times than posted, side trips to stores, unexpected bathroom breaks, rain, sudden desire to ride something twice, sudden desire to not step foot inside a ride (4YO can't decide if dark rides are ok), and the obligatory meltdown.

 

[addicted2dizney]

leaving in about 36 hours! I am in my total meltdown mode! soooo excited but can't seem to make the thoughts connect to get stuff done, I keep staring at my lists! lol!

 

[Atrain13]

Besides something incase it rains, is there anything else I should plan for?

 

[Kay1]

I would add a credit card, prescription medications, and any OTC meds you think you could possibly need.

Have a great trip.

 

[Disneyhayes]

Extra socks for the park bag...sometimes a fresh pair of socks can work wonders

 

[Spanky]

If either of you wear glasses, it is nice to have a back up pair in your luggage in case of an accident. Also since it has been 15 years have you read about the different rides? Face it - WDW is so big you can not begin to do everything so you need to figure out which rides are the ones you want to be sure and do in each park and plan your day accordingly.
You are very smart to consider your current plans more like guidelines and not a set have to do type thing. Stay flexible - often the unexpected becomes the highlight of the trip. Would your fiance want one of the 1st Visit pins to wear? They are free and can be picked up at guest services in any park. If you are at EPCOT during the food and wine festival I would suggest reading what all the different booths have to offer for food and drink. Then you will already have a game plan for which booths you want to be sure to sample the food or drink offered.

 

[JoAnnPan]

Hi - Are you staying on site?
If you are a tipper make sure you have singles on hand for ME driver/maids, etc. I always go the bank and get some before my trips (I really plan ). Don't forget your phone chargers - camera chargers - extra memory card(s). I have been to Disney in October three times and it can be sweltering hot with humidity - clear with no humidity - rainy one day or for a couple of hours - be prepared but don't stress over it

As for MNSSHP - take it all in - the decorations/the sights/the sounds - make sure you have a good spot for the fireworks in front of the castle but not too close.
Make sure you see the beginning of the parade. I like watching from Frontierland - not as crowded as it is around the hub of the castle and just as enjoyable - on the waterside - you may even get a seat on the fence! Haunted Mansion is a highlight on party night of course - do not miss it!
Good that you have your ADR's and a "plan". I always do also but things change when you are there - and that is OK - it is a magical place - I hope you both have a great trip! I am leaving in 13 days!

 

[Atrain13]

Yikes, I think I got overwhelmed by the last few replies.

Socks: Good idea. I need to buy new socks anyway for the trip, so I might as well stock up. I didn't even think about that.

Pins are a good idea too. We recently (well kinda at least) got engaged so I hope to pick up some pins for that as well.

I'm getting a second cell battery from amazon so I have an extra.
Meds are checked too. I have a G.I. issue (like none of you really wanted to know) and my stomach can get messed up with new/strange foods.

Tipping: Who exactly do you tip while there? I think that we're going to be using the bus system the most. Do you tip them? And what about everyone else that helps you? I don't want to be cheap, but I don't want to spend all of my money on tips.

Sorry, yes I know I'm stressing out about everything, it's just what I do.

 

[mickeyinthehouse]

I would say to plan on tips for anyone that helps you with your bags. Also, you need to tip for your meals as the tip is not included in the dining plan. We are leaving tomorrow and I have tried to have everything packed in the suitcases for awhile just to determine if we have enough space. But I can't get my DH to get his stuff together until the last minute - he is now realizing that maybe we need another suitcase...

 

[JoAnnPan]

I understand what you mean about spending a lot on tips. I went to Las Vegas once and felt like everyone had their hand out just for holding open a door, etc.

I always tip the ME driver (he is driving me to/from my resort and taking care of my bags) and the maids (daily). This is just what I do - there are many, many threads, opinions on the boards about tipping.
If my room is not ready when we check in and have to store our bags I tip the bell hop a dollar bag to hold them and when our room is ready I do the same for the person that brings the bags to the room (if he brings up 4 bags I will give him a $5).
The restaurants at Disney, from what I remember, print on the bill what 18% & 20% of the bill's tip would be. Nice of them isn't it?
I do not tip the daily bus drivers to and from the parks. Really haven't seen many do this.

So basically....I tip the ME driver/maids/bell hop (if I have the need to use them)/waitstaff at restaurants/bartenders.

Like I said, this is just what I do.
Stop stressing...deep breath.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I would say to plan on tips for anyone that helps you with your bags. Also, you need to tip for your meals as the tip is not included in the dining plan. We are leaving tomorrow and I have tried to have everything packed in the suitcases for awhile just to determine if we have enough space. But I can't get my DH to get his stuff together until the last minute - he is now realizing that maybe we need another suitcase...

Can you charge your tips to your room? We typically don't carry any cash and just charge everything to the room.

I understand what you mean about spending a lot on tips. I went to Las Vegas once and felt like everyone had their hand out just for holding open a door, etc.

I always tip the ME driver (he is driving me to/from my resort and taking care of my bags) and the maids (daily). This is just what I do - there are many, many threads, opinions on the boards about tipping.
If my room is not ready when we check in and have to store our bags I tip the bell hop a dollar bag to hold them and when our room is ready I do the same for the person that brings the bags to the room (if he brings up 4 bags I will give him a $5).
The restaurants at Disney, from what I remember, print on the bill what 18% & 20% of the bill's tip would be. Nice of them isn't it?
I do not tip the daily bus drivers to and from the parks. Really haven't seen many do this.

So basically....I tip the ME driver/maids/bell hop (if I have the need to use them)/waitstaff at restaurants/bartenders.

Like I said, this is just what I do.
Stop stressing...deep breath.

What do you do about tipping the bellhop if your bags are delivered to your room when you're not there? I felt bad last year because our bags magically appeared in our room while we were out exploring the resort.

I set up touring plans for each day as well. What are the chances of actually sticking with them? As you can tell I like to have everything planned out in advance as much as possible, but I know all too well that when actually being there I just want to have fun and the plans can change.

I considered our touring plans to be more of a general to-do list than an actual plan. The parks are so big and overwhelming, it was nice to know what attractions to head for and in a general order. We spent three days in the MK and only followed the plan the first day. After that, we knew what we liked and adapted the other two days to maximize the favorites and skip everything else.

 

[princessSunshine]

I totally agree with JoAnnPan about the tipping - these are the regular/typical people we tip too...as for the touring plans, glad to hear your using them as a guideline only - we use the plans but if we can turn around and walk right back onto Buzz, we do (and have done 3 times in a row one day) so sometimes you can fit more (or less) into your day depending on crowds, walking speed and desire to ride. Have fun, relax and try not to be too commando or you'll miss the stop and smell the roses moments

You have all the advice you need from posters. Now enjoy!

 

[JoAnnPan]

What do you do about tipping the bellhop if your bags are delivered to your room when you're not there? I felt bad last year because our bags magically appeared in our room while we were out exploring the resort.

Sorry I forgot about the ME bag service. I do not use the ME to deliver my bags - always get them from the airport myself and bring them to the bus with me. I get nervous they will not magically appear. Though I do not read about many problems with this. Just makes me more comfortable.
So if I have to check them I call bell hop once I am in my room.
In the case where you are not there when the bags are delivery perhaps stop at bell hop and give them a tip/tell them what room it is from?

 

[princessSunshine]

Can you charge your tips to your room? We typically don't carry any cash and just charge everything to the room.



What do you do about tipping the bellhop if your bags are delivered to your room when you're not there? I felt bad last year because our bags magically appeared in our room while we were out exploring the resort.



I considered our touring plans to be more of a general to-do list than an actual plan. The parks are so big and overwhelming, it was nice to know what attractions to head for and in a general order. We spent three days in the MK and only followed the plan the first day. After that, we knew what we liked and adapted the other two days to maximize the favorites and skip everything else.

You can charge meal tips to your room if your key to the world is setup for charging to your room.
As for tipping for bags when you're not there - I don't believe they expect a tip, since you're not there to hand it to them, so I'd say no tip IMHO (yes you may not be there when the maids clean, but they are doing that everyday, so it's customary to tip everyday, or one big tip at the end of stay)

 

[maeslife]

We leave in five days. I do the same as far as the tips are concerned. One thing I did not see on your list that is a must have for disney for us is MOLESKIN! Love the stuff, and by day 2-3 we need it. I usually bring two pair of shoes, but prefer my tennis shoes. It does wonders for your feet for the sure to have blisters. Hope you have a great trip!