Any other type A Mom's....

[TigerLilly's Mom]

leaving soon? We are leaving Sunday, and I have the pre -trip jitters! I am a type A and have to have everything orderly and always feel I am forgetting something! My family thinks I am crazy - but they know all my planning is worth it.

The only thing that saves my sanity is carrying my "folder" around with me everywhere. It has my packing list that I am continually adding to, and my "things to do before we leave" list. That way, I can just jot down whatever I happpen to remember - in the laundry room, shower, in the middle of the night, while dinner is cooking and especially at the computer when I am reading the boards!

So, any other type A's out there? I can't be the only one!!!

 

[eek40]

I am very close to you. I normally spend months reading guide books and plotting out my course of action. I am going in Nov with my almost six year old nephew. And I am not really going for myself, more for him so I am trying to be a little bit more laid back. Just worrying about things he will want to see. But I know how you feel
Aimee

 

[taylor1293]

I'm not normally a type A person, I'm usually quite laid back and relaxed about everything.

However, when it comes to "planning" something. Anything at all (especially a Disney trip!). The obsessive and over-planning part in me comes out in full force!

I have my "packing list" in the drawer in the kitchen and look at it and add to it often.

But it's my itinerary that I walk around the house with! I have multiple copies so that one is never far away. I make changes almost daily! I will get up in the middle of the night if I think of a change that I don't want to forget the next day, lol!

The problem with this upcoming trip is that it is a surprise for my DD's, so I can no longer leave this information laying around the house! I have one printed out copy hidden upstairs in my drawer! But when they aren't looking I am working on it!

Have a great trip! I'm sure everything will go perfectly!

Teresa

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one. Teresa - it must be so hard to keep your trip a secret! I couldn't do it - my family would wondering why I was acting strange - at least now I have an excuse. But even though I could never keep it a secret, I have always wanted to.

The thing is, I am not at all compulsive when I get there, just before. When we get there, I am relaxed and easy going, Knowing I did all the planning and research beforehand!

 

[deb305]

Ditto sort of. I am compulsive about knowing every inch of WDW, every ride etc. Rather than plan the day out, I become the source of finding the rides, just the right food, the shows, parades etc to make everyone happy. If any of them is not completely entertained I freak. So bad last time that I got pneumonia while at WDW, doctor said exhaustion. Told DD 5 she better learn to read soon, because next year she is the park planner (Hope DS then 2 will enjoy all the princess meals).
As far as packing, I got my average down to 3 bags per person for a 6 night trip. DH not happy.

 

[addie]

Type A that's me. I can't imagine anyone else as overboard as me, or at least DH can't. Oh, well....he knows it's worth it when we get there.

For example:

I already have packed all the kids clothing, and have each days outfit put in it's own ziplock bag, marked with what day they will wear it.........and I'm not leaving until October!!!

Would anyone be willing to share a packing list here?

Thanks!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Wow! I'm not packed yet and I leave on Sunday. But, I can pack pretty fast. I know I have seen a packing list here before, but can't seem to find it.

I have a family packing list saved on my computer that I print whenever we go on trips - even if it is just one or two nights. This really saves time.

I am a list person, it makes me feel good to cross out things on my list daily. For instance, today I crossed out:
type list for housesitters
wash extra sheets
type grocery list for trip
fully charge both sets of batteries
and set camera on lower setting to hold more pics

Even if it is something little it feels good to cross it off!

Can't wait!

 

[turnlisa]

Glad to know that I am not alone! I have been counting down the days since day 300 and planning just about every aspect! We are going to celebrate birthdays this year (mine and my son's) so I want to make sure that everything is extra special. We are staying at the Poly Concierage this year so I let them make my PSs -- it was almost the death of me! I am sure that Tara and Aida (the great people at the Poly) are thinking that I am crazy! I have been double-checking the lists and making sure that our special events are noted.

I start a pile of things to pack about 30 days in advance. Every time I think of something it gets added to the pile. This makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. I start packing 2 weeks in advance and make long lists of things to take. Once we get there and I am checked in, it is smooth sailing and I can relax knowing that I have taken care of everything I can at this point! It may drive my DH crazy for about 4 months but he knows that we will have a great vacation!

 

[campingcorgi]

Don't worry about the pre-trip jitters--they just seem to come! And it seems like the more planning you've done the more likely you are to get them! Just breathe and enjoy the anticipation!!

 

[luvdamouse]

OK, consider yourself warned... Addie asked for a packing list, so I thought I'd throw mine out there. I LOVE the planning! My family has maintained this list for about 5 years now, and we update it each time we return, thinking of what we wish we had packed - or left at home! Of course it's changed over the years to accomodate our children's needs, and we always add in warm clothes, heavy jacket, and gloves when we go in January, as it can get quite chilly!

Here's the list that we just recently reviewed to pack for Thanksgiving - December 6th 2003. It takes us about 3-4 suitcases for 4 people (me, DH, DD 8, and DS 4). We'll have to be careful this time, as the airlines are definitely enforcing the 50-pound weight limit. I had to pay $25 extra the last time I was on a business trip due to a 53 lb. bag!

I'd love to see others' lists, as well - I like to compare and update! New this year is the over the door shoe organizer for stowing all of our junk. One of many fantastic tips and ideas I've received from these boards!


 Lightweight Jacket
 Hat
 Sweatshirt
 Shirts
 Shorts
 1 Pair Jeans
 Nice shirt (boys) or Casual Dress or Sundress (girls)
 Swim Trunks / Bathing Suit
 Night Shirt/PJ’s
 Undies
 Bras
 Socks
 Tennis Shoes
 Sandals
 Water Shoes
 Toothbrush
 Toothpaste
 Dental Floss
 Hair Brush
 Hair Styling Stuff (gel/mousse, curling iron, hairspray etc.)
 Deodorant
 Eyeglasses and Case
 Contact Solution
 Contact Case
 Extra Contacts
 Razor
 Feminine Hygiene Supplies
 Sunglasses
 Makeup
 Lotion
 Moisturizer
 Face wash or wipes
 Hair clips, Elastics, Headbands, or Barrettes
 Jewelry
 Nail Polish
 Nail Polish Remover Pads
 Shampoo
 Conditioner
 Shower Gel or Soap
 Adult/Children’s Ibuprofen
 Bactine Wipes
 Benadryl
 Bonine (motion sickness)
 Thermometer
 Anti-bac wipes
 Band-aids
 Immodium
 Compeed
 Neosporin
 Detergent Tablets
 Stain Stick
 Woolite
 Stain Wipes
 Dryer Sheets
 Roll of Quarters for Laundry
 Camera
 Lots of Film
 Extra Camera Battery
 Writing Pens
 Journal
 Airline Tickets
 Park Tickets & Vouchers
 Resort Info
 Priority Seating Info
 Passporter
 Ziploc Bags
 Cash ($5/day for housekeeping, $10 for bellhop/porter, $100 for Towncar and tip, $10/day for airport parking, and about $100-200 for family miscellaneous)
 Driver’s Licenses
 Credit Cards
 Guest of Honor Badges
 CD Player and Headphones
 Cell Phones
 Cell Phone Chargers
 Lime Green Ribbon
 Nail Clippers
 Nail File
 Tweezers
 Scissors
 Swiss Army Knife
 Night Light
 Q-tips
 Safety Pins
 Over Door Organizer
 Photo of children
 Prepaid Phone Card
 Sunscreen
 Video Camera
 Video Tapes
 Walkie-Talkies (with fresh batteries)
 Sippie Cups
 Insulated ½ Gallon Water Jug (for parks)
 Tiny Packs Tissue (for backpack)
 Bottle Brush w/ Dish Soap (for washing mugs, sippie cups, etc.)
 Kids Books, Games, Cards, CD’s
 Masking Tape
 Postcard Stamps and Addresses
 Backpack and Fanny Pack(s)

 

[Strings]

Count me in.
I've already started packing. We're going in OCTOBER! I carry my folder all the time to make notes in. My DH is considering a setting up a psychcologist's appointment for me.

 

[junderwood7]

I've been tweaking our trip itenerary for weeks. I suspect I will keep doing it on the plane down there!! I've also got packing lists, backpack lists, buying lists, etc. My husband thinks I'm a little crazy but I know he appreciates someone thinking about these things. Like battery powered fans. He didn't think he would actually use them but I thought they'd be good to bring along on a recent trip to the zoo. Now we don't go anywhere without them. He also didn't think we'd need band aids. They are good for repairing the fans when you drop them (he he). At any rate, we are really looking forward to this trip. Now I just need to relax...

 

[califred]

We're taking our first trip in March with 10 adults and 8 kids and I've already made up little newsletters for everyone, bought all the kids matching shirts for six days, bought ponchos, got some goodies on clearance at the Disney Store, etc.


I figure I dont' work and the rest of them would never spend the time so if I do the work that saves them plus I love it!

 

[gillis95]

I've got my WDW DVD playing right now.. I love listening to the background music on the main menu..so "magical". I've got my long list like the one above on my computer and some drafts too posted on bathrrom mirror - that's usually where I have time to think in peace. I had to laugh at the writer who has the kids clothes packed in the ziplocks 2-3 months ahead!! WOW! I'm totally relaxed with little plans once we reach the parks. My DH always laughs "what scheduled for this moment?" I just want to KNOW everything and be able to go on a whim.

We are planning our next trip with our 18mo and my brother, sil, and 25mo dd, inlaws, DH's sister and her boyfriend. 8 adults and 2 toddlers. I'm stressing out with the planning. The inlaws are only going for 4 days at the END of the trip. This totally messes me up cuz we always do a park each day and then hop around doing our favorites on the last days. Now they are going show up at the end. Our families completely get along great but I just feel like I have to entertain everyone for some reason like I'm the leader. Oh I'm stressin over this and I have 6months to go!! It will all work out..right?

 

[CK1]

I have been called the VFM more than once by my family (Vacation Field Marshall)! I don't know about being Type A, but by Myers-Briggs assessment, I am a solid ESTJ, so inherently I am compelled to do research, set schedules, and administrate! I just can't stand not knowing what we'll do... for me, it's not done due to nervousness... I do it because that's the part I just loooooove -- the planning and orchestrating of it all! I have our vacation plans to WDW planned out for the next 6 years, easily!

We're DVC members, so I start planning our trips at around 18 mos prior, make the ressies at our 11 mos window, and access my "WDW to-do list" starting at around 7 mos out for any needed changes, etc. For our trip next august, I already have an itinerary planned and PS arrangements slated, and the HDDR PS already made! DH thinks I'm nutso, and on our last vacation, he and his brother would poke fun at me. I had a printed itinerary on which 3 of the 10 days were slated as "DWYW" days (do what you want) days. They called them "Scheduled Spontanaiety". If I paused for a moment in Epcot to look at something, my dh and bil would joke and chide me, "Uhh-uhh! Gotta Keep Movin', Woman! That's not on the schedule!!! Stick to the schedule!!!"
They made me out to be some sort of Disney Dictator! (It was all in fun -- in truth, we have one of the most laid back schedules, probably due to DVC, with lots of flexibility for moving days / activities around, etc. After it was over, bil and sil said without me, they would have been lost!)

So my family teases me alot, but they do that because they think teasing is fun, and I still do all my insane planning, because I think planning is even more fun!

Cindy

 

[onecoolmama]

I am an obsessive planner. I am not packed yet, but I have basically everything done. All the PS's were done the morning I could do them. I have planned and set aside all the money that we will need from the Limo that is picking us up..his tip, all the mousekeeping and bellhop tips..the vet money and the airport parking all seperated and organized down to the day. I have had an itinerary done since we decided to book the trip. I have tweeked it since the hours just came out! I have a list for everything...things to pack, money needed, itinerary, PS's, all the confirmation numbers. I am so bad I have a seperate itinerary for everyone in the party..and they don't know it yet and certainly didn't ask for it.

I am like this with everything truth be known. My son's 3rd b-day party late Oct. is planned and I have all the party goods, games, and paper goods all done. I have almost finished all of my xmas shopping and birthday presents for next year through March. (I am going to the Philippines for xmas so I did have to get that done early!) I am sure I will be packed before the end of the month then as soon as I get back I am sure I will start packing for the Philippines and start planning our next Disney Vacation for Dec 2004!

My family thinks I belong with the men in the long white coats..but hopefully they will all appreciate my hard work when we get there!

 

[kimbac3]

We are going to Disney the same time as you are, your checklist was great to check with mine to see if I missed anything. I too am a plan-a-holic. Actually if the truth needs to be told....I need to be constantly planning for the next event. It's what I do. This is our first trip to Disney and I'm on planning overload. We just decided to go last month (we'll be there the beginning of Dec-ish), having never been there before I know I have so much to learn and plan. Hubby is not a planner just follows me .
Anyway, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with Disney on the brain all day and lists everywhere!!!!!!

Thanks Again,
Kimba