We need to chat about important stuff

[snelsonbrown]

Hello all and hope everyone is having a great weekend - today started as a very pretty day, but this afternoon we had some rain, but mostly lots of thunder and very cloudy -
Anyhow yesterday was a very interesting day for we had 3 families that had problems and some I was able to help and some not.

First folks seem to believe that Norm and I are in Orlando and not here in Cape Canaveral. There was a family who's van had broken down in Orlando and needless to say, we could only advise on the phone for it would have been 120 miles at the least for a turn around and it was very late in the day.

One of the most valuable purchases to have if you are driving down is some type of tow service such as Triple A which this family had - THANK GOODNESS. I do not have any connections as to who I could call if someone runs into a problem in Orlando and then I get concern as how these families are going to be able to solve their problems. When I called this morning to check up on them, they made it in here last night safe and sound but very tired and of course exhausted from all the problems that were encountered.
They still have to concern themselves as to picking up their van at the repair shop - just hope it was an honest one.

Second - when you are getting your stuff all together to leave home - do you have a check off list to make sure you have everything? We had some cruisers that left one of their son's suitcase at home and of course they needed to get to Walmart to buy clothing etc so their son would have some changes etc. It was no problem to pick and deliver them to do some shopping, but the extra expense is something you don't count on.

THIRD and the most important one - PASSPORTS, DOC, BIRTH CERTICIATES ETC - COPIES DO NOT WORK.
We had a couple that lost their passports and it was a horrific feeling I am sure for them. They thought the passports had been lost on the plane and needless to say, the plane had gone to I don't know how many cities and of course if found, where would they be turned in at? Would you have them in time to sail? After over an hour or more, many many phonecalls, the passports were found and turned in at the hotel - needless to say, this couple were so full of emotions and exhaustion from believing they would not be able to sail with the rest of their friends today. I told Sally, this is where duct tape is good - strap it on to the body and then it is for sure they will not be lost and with them at all times.

In the end, all 3 incidents worked out in the end, but I was told last night, there are a number of families that are not allowed entrance simply due to the fact of proper paperwork needed.

I dont know what the answer is, but how about lets start a list of ideas that folks can write down for those "just in case" problems that could crop up.

Norm and I can help as far as being here to be a safe zone, but there are times our hands are tied and feel so helpless.

Thanks for your input and most of all thanks for always being there for each of us.
always
Shirley and Norm

[disney1990]

If you are cruising, you could carry both birth certificates and passports. One adult could carry one and the other adult the other.

In the case of the suitcase that was left behind, why not pack a few items in each others suitcases -- just in case you forget a suitcase or one gets lost by the airline.

[jilljill]

Originally Posted by disney1990

If you are cruising, you could carry both birth certificates and passports. One adult could carry one and the other adult the other.

In the case of the suitcase that was left behind, why not pack a few items in each others suitcases -- just in case you forget a suitcase or one gets lost by the airline.

This is one of the best pieces of advice that can be given for anyone traveling with more than 1 suitcase - intermix your clothes among suitcases.

[kcashner]

Shirley, it is amazing what you and Norm do to help out. Thank you from ALL of us!!!!

Idea 1--play "musical chairs" with the suitcases. We get out all the clothes to be packed and make them into outfits. Then line up the suitcases. Each person grabs one of their outfits and places it one outfit in each of the suitcases. For a 7 day cruise, repeat. That way, each person has an outfit or two in each case. If one case is lost, each person still has most of their clothes. No, it's not a perfect system, but after the MOM suitcase being lost on one trip, I promise it's better than having one person with nothing and the rest with everything.

Idea 2--I have a passport case and a "standard" carry on bag. I've used this bag as my carry on for 18 years. I STORE our passports in the passport case in a zipper compartment in this bag in my front coat closet. A day or two before we leave, I sit it in front of the door--so I can't go in or out without basically falling over it. Yeah, I guess it could get lost or stolen, but it doesn't leave my grip from the time we walk out the door till we're on the ship. And it's bright red, making it hard to miss. And, as part of my cruise preparation, I probably check to be sure the passports are there about 5 times.

[sharen24]

We use color coded ebags packing cubes. We each pack 1/3 of our stuff in each suitcase, but it is really easy to tell what belongs to who because we each have our own color.

We also pack a bathing suit and a basic change of clothes in each carry on.

[diane648]

I love the idea of mixing the color-coded packing cubes between bags. I just rec'd my order of packing cubes from ebags today and was thinking about one color per suitcase but this makes much more sense.

[snelsonbrown]

The ones with the lost passports were carrying like a small compact tote with zippers etc which I thought was so smart, Sally had a journal with everything she needed to remember, all the places they planned to visit and she was just so organized, but stuff does happen even with the best of plans.
Peter and Sally had stopped by the shop to visit with Norm and I and we had such a great time and it was so funny cause I thought boy this couple sure won't need our help and God bless them, they did - I kept telling her that everything was going to be ok but I knew in my heart without those passports or birth certificates, I coulln't produce a miracle = Norm and I were hauling butt to the port when we were called and told they were found. Sally had a small seizure from all the horrors of it all.
Thanks for sharing all that each have done. Even though this couple didn't use DU, I got to speak to them and they were going to help me anyway they could - good folks out there/
Hugsssssss
Shirley and Norm

[Tink rules]

Shirley...

Thanks for everything you do for all of us... I hope to meet you some day too!!!

[4boons]

Like kcashner, we have a standard carry-on bag that all the important paperwork goes into. Everyone in the family knows that protecting "the red bag" is paramount. We all know the "carry-on count", including jackets and stuffed animals, which has helped avoid leaving things behind. When our girls were younger, they were in charge of taking the count every time we changed locations, a responsibility they took very seriously.

I also have a packing list template in Microsoft Word that details what goes in the carry-on and what goes in the suitcases. List varies for trips to the parks vs. cruises. I add "lessons learned" notes after each trip to serve as reminders for next time.

I'll share one of our best "lessons learned". Both DH and I carry a Disney Visa, which is our primary card, but we each carry a different second credit card. For example, I carry an Amex and DH carries a MasterCard. If one of us loses a wallet, we will still have one credit card between us to use to continue the trip. We learned to do this when my dad was pickpocketed in Russia. His wife had a credit card in her purse that he wasn't carrying and therefore didn't have to be cancelled. They were able to continue the trip using her card.

Laura

[sharen24]

I love the different credit card idea!

I also make a copies of all cards in our wallets (front & back) and our passports. One copy stays at home with my in-laws, another goes in a carry on. That way if something gets lost we can get to the numbers right away to call and cancel. I don't carry my actual passport into the ports but I like to have a copy with me just in case.

[atinkerbellmom]

First off THANK YOU Shirley for all that you do for your DIS Family. You are not paid to do this and it is appreciated.

Now my ideas.....
1) As far as passports, FIRST OFF we have passports and do not count on BC to get us on the ship. When traveling with our passports, we make copies, leave one set at home, we have a set of copies in a sealed envelope of one of the checked suitcases and I travel with what we call our "Life line Bag". I place EVERY important document and medication (we travel with Epi Pens) in this bag. I have this all into a folder and very OCD wise, check it at least 4 times before leaving home. I place it next to my shoes the night before we leave. I then strap this bag to me and it stays ON ME the entire duration (except for security) until we hit the ship. We call it our 3rd child It NEVER leaves my waist.... So if it were to get stolen, they would have to take me. If it were lost, they would have to loose me. Trust me, if someone stole me; they would sure bring me back in a hurry. We do not take them out of the bag EVER once they are in there. Why...... You do not need them at the hotel the night before and you know they are in there. If you are doing the park or something the time before, that is what the safe is for in the resorts.
2) We do not have the driving problem, but if we were driving, we would rent a car. It then becomes the companies problem and not ours.... If you shop early enough and have coupons (tons out there) the rental is pretty reasonable. I would rather not come home with a few extra items from the ship to have a piece of mind. Skip a couple of photos or purchases to rent the car.
3) Do not think Shirley & Norm are Gods. They can not help with everything.... Do not call on them for things that are out of their hands. They do have but are not . They can not change the rules of customs or be the FGM and make a coach from a pumpkin. They are just friendly natives that go the extra mile.
4) Give yourself plenty of time. Calculate the arrival the day prior as part of the trip. If you can not arrive the day before, maybe consider the Wonder which gives you an extra weekend travel day and if you want to do 7 days,
B2B them. We would not even consider coming in the day of the cruise. You NEVER know what could happen.
5) Always give yourself time. Do not schedule flights that have you running from point A to point B. Sometimes the few extra bucks are worth mental health. If something was to happen, your medical bill from mental will be far more than what you spent to get different tickets.
6) As far as packing, I too mix our clothes. I pack according to outfits according to days. Clothes for Sat. through Monday go in bag#1 for the entire family. Bag #2 holds the clothes for Tuesday - Thursday and bag #3 is Friday-Sat. You get the idea.... We do place all of our formal wear in one bag, so if that ever got lost we would be screwed, but oh well our family would just be Topsiding on Formal night and make an insurance claim when home.
So that is my advise in a nut shell......

[BobandLee]

Shirley...
thanks again for your helpful advice.
I have noticed many times about how to try to help so many folks.
I have also enjoyed you tips about my favorite place, Key West.

Hopefully we can meet you and Norm one day.

[LindaBabe]

BRILLIANT THREAD!

We travel a lot, so we have a place for everything in our bags - if that place is empty then the item isn't there, and we know to go get it. Further, when we go in a hotel, everything has it's place there also - and we each do certain things that we are responsible for - It's the habit that keeps us organized. (But, since I have galloping ADD, I also check multiple times, lol.)

[orlandothebeagle]

This reminds me of something we done on our last cruise.
We drove to our friends who stayed near the airport, 200 mile drive, we were so excited, we got our luggage out the car and we all went inside.
We all had a glass of wine, then we ordered take away food, so 2 hours after arriving the food came, it was a slightly dodgy area and it was dark.
The man came and said Whos case is that outside in the street??
We were so excited we left one of the cases in the middle of the street !!!!!!!!!!!!

What NUMPTYS we were.
How wrong could that have went?
So I understand all of the above! we were lucky.

[Octoberbride03]

Originally Posted by 4boons

Like kcashner, we have a standard carry-on bag that all the important paperwork goes into. Everyone in the family knows that protecting "the red bag" is paramount. We all know the "carry-on count", including jackets and stuffed animals, which has helped avoid leaving things behind. When our girls were younger, they were in charge of taking the count every time we changed locations, a responsibility they took very seriously.

I also have a packing list template in Microsoft Word that details what goes in the carry-on and what goes in the suitcases. List varies for trips to the parks vs. cruises. I add "lessons learned" notes after each trip to serve as reminders for next time.

I'll share one of our best "lessons learned". Both DH and I carry a Disney Visa, which is our primary card, but we each carry a different second credit card. For example, I carry an Amex and DH carries a MasterCard. If one of us loses a wallet, we will still have one credit card between us to use to continue the trip. We learned to do this when my dad was pickpocketed in Russia. His wife had a credit card in her purse that he wasn't carrying and therefore didn't have to be cancelled. They were able to continue the trip using her card.

Laura

My DH and I DO NOT even combine our credit cards at all for a variety of reasons, this is 1 of them. His cards are in his name only as are mine. Mostly we use mine, and his are for emergencies. Its been this way since we married and we're not changing it any year soon.