Around WDW in 14 days - a pre-trip report

[MissStitch626]

So, I decided that since it's my day off today I would not do what I normally do on a mid-week rest day (sit on the couch and watch as many movies as I can before DH comes home and wonders what I've been doing all day) and instead I would do something vaguely useful.

Started off the afternoon with a trip to the opticians for a contact lens check and to pick up my lenses for my trip. Easy, right? Wrong. For the second time they have lost all the information on my file, leaving me to try to figure out which lenses I buy (something I only ever do when I'm going on holiday!) It all worked out pretty well though - because they lost my information they didn't charge me for my lens check - more Disney dollars for me!

After the opticians I took a wander around the shops. I have been worried lately that I don't have enough shorts for the trip, and as anyone from the UK will agree, it is almost impossible to find any shorts at this time of year here. But there in the sale rack was the last pair of shorts the shop had, on sale and in my size

I also made a mad dash round the various places to make all the necessary appointments so that I'm hopefully looking my best when I get on that plane (different story altogether when I get off it!)

I even feel a little better about my health and fitness regime - DH and I have found a diet that we can both stick to for the next two weeks so we're giving it a go. I only want to lose a few pounds (which I can then immediately put back on when I land!) so hopefully between the diet and an aggressive Zumba regime I'll get there.

Last but not least, I've been getting creative...here are our home-made luggage tags...

The pics aren't too clear (my smart phone does everything but take decent photos!) but mine is a Lilo and Stitch theme and Ross has a Seven Dwarves theme. They're not the most sophisticated but they'll do the trick

15 days and counting...

 

[TanzUnited99]

Lol at the opticians messing up but on having more Disney dollars! A girl can never have too many of those!

Love the tags and how creative you have been over making things for your trip.

 

[MARsMama]

Atleast they didn't charge you and now you have more Disney dollars!!!
I'm having the same issues with shorts, I know I don't have enough, but they don't have any more shorts around here, they've brought out all the fall/winter clothes now. I've been looking since August, but with no luck
I can't believe how fast time is going now!! We'll both be there before long

 

[MissStitch626]

Atleast they didn't charge you and now you have more Disney dollars!!!
I'm having the same issues with shorts, I know I don't have enough, but they don't have any more shorts around here, they've brought out all the fall/winter clothes now. I've been looking since August, but with no luck
I can't believe how fast time is going now!! We'll both be there before long

I know I was just saying the same thing on your PTR

The issue with the shorts was so annoying - I had the same problem with swimwear - I did buy a costume but wasn't 100% happy with it but trying to get another one even mid-summer was practically impossible! Think the stores forget that some of us haven't been on our holidays yet

I can't get over how close the trip is now - DH worked out that we've been counting down from something like 500 days

 

[MissStitch626]

Mickey Mail! Ok, so it's not really from Disney but it has the documents that will get me there so it still counts

They arrived yesterday morning just before I left for work - no better way to make a Saturday shift more bearable!

This year I'm trying to make the airport a little less stressful so I bought a small, A5-sized zip lock folder to hold all our documents (decorated with Mickey Mouse stickers, naturally!) It's the perfect size for passports, plane tickets, hotel documents etc and means DH won't be rummaging inside his backpack for boarding cards every five minutes!

I know I keep saying it but I really can't believe how close we're getting to the trip - 12 days now! DH laughs at my way of counting days - I don't count the day I'm on or the day we're going - it's cheating a little bit but since I'm already out of the bed the worst of that day is over with

Today's trip preparation activities include:

Housework phase 1
Zumba
Trip to Asda for the absolute last purchases (no, really, I mean it this time, the absolute last purchases)
Unhealthy amount of time spent of the Food Porn thread!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on getting your documents!

I probably won't be able to comment again until after our trip so have an AWESOME time!!! Look forward to meeting up with you and DH in Epcot.

Also just because I will miss it I'm going to do an early single digits dance!!!

​

 

[MissStitch626]

Yay on getting your documents!

I probably won't be able to comment again until after our trip so have an AWESOME time!!! Look forward to meeting up with you and DH in Epcot.

Also just because I will miss it I'm going to do an early single digits dance!!!

​

Thanks Tanz!

I hope you have an amazing trip and I will see you in Disney !!!

 

[MARsMama]

I'm nervous about getting everything 'right' for the flight as this is our first time flying since March 2001, and our very first time with three kids in tow! I hope I can keep everything straight and have all the documents we need handy.
Today I did a bit on the kids' autograph books, but mostly I've spent it mowing the lawn. It was in bad need of mowing as I've neglected it for my Disney planning I'd like to think I won't have to do it again before we leave, but it will likely need to be done once more....we'll see!

 

[MissStitch626]

I'm nervous about getting everything 'right' for the flight as this is our first time flying since March 2001, and our very first time with three kids in tow! I hope I can keep everything straight and have all the documents we need handy.
Today I did a bit on the kids' autograph books, but mostly I've spent it mowing the lawn. It was in bad need of mowing as I've neglected it for my Disney planning I'd like to think I won't have to do it again before we leave, but it will likely need to be done once more....we'll see!

My advice to anyone flying is to carry only what you need! I don't know how many times I have practically fallen through the security scanners tangled in sweaters and backpacks, looking for my boarding card and passport

The biggest change you're likely to see is in security. I always find this a bit stressful, which is why I'm going minimal this year - one small bag containing the essential docs, money, Kindle etc, leaving DH to carry the planning binder, magazines, books, camera etc I also check that I am wearig nothing that needs to be removed for the metal detectors!

At least once check in, security etc is over all that's left it to sit back, relax and wait to get to Disney!

 

[MissStitch626]

I call this The Single Digit Dance...





Yip, we are now into single digits. The trip creeps ever closer, and the house is in CHAOS! We are now in a desperate race against time to get the house in order for our house/pet sitter, trying to make last minute adjustments for the place to be inhabited by someone other than us It feels like as one room gets tidier the rest get more chaotic. Who knew I had so many books?! After a visit to the vets yesterday we also have a sick bunny who needs to be medicated twice a day until right before our trip She's okay, nothing serious, but a little more stressful than I had planned for the week before we go!

So...people at work are beginning to get that glazed look when I remind them daily "it's now x number of days till I go to Disney" or "this time next week..." I'm sure they're all secretly excited for me

The plan for the weekend is to finish the last few rooms, make sure we have some grown up mugs and glasses for the house sitter to use (as opposed to the various Disney-related kitchenware!), and pack the suitcases properly.

A few more days to go...just keep swimming!

 

[MARsMama]

Single digits!!! So exciting!!!
We still have 13 days to go, but still a lot left to do. I'm hoping 'real life' will slow down soon and allow me to concentrate on this trip before it gets here!!!

 

[PixieMama]

Woohoo! I'll join in the single digits dance party!

 

[jenneth79]

I call this The Single Digit Dance...





Yip, we are now into single digits. The trip creeps ever closer, and the house is in CHAOS! We are now in a desperate race against time to get the house in order for our house/pet sitter, trying to make last minute adjustments for the place to be inhabited by someone other than us It feels like as one room gets tidier the rest get more chaotic. Who knew I had so many books?! After a visit to the vets yesterday we also have a sick bunny who needs to be medicated twice a day until right before our trip She's okay, nothing serious, but a little more stressful than I had planned for the week before we go!

So...people at work are beginning to get that glazed look when I remind them daily "it's now x number of days till I go to Disney" or "this time next week..." I'm sure they're all secretly excited for me

The plan for the weekend is to finish the last few rooms, make sure we have some grown up mugs and glasses for the house sitter to use (as opposed to the various Disney-related kitchenware!), and pack the suitcases properly.

A few more days to go...just keep swimming!

When I first read your post on my phone, I thought it was mine! We're in the same chaos, but you have thankfully been more proactive than me, waiting until the last minute!

Joining in on your single digit dance!

I just had a coworker say "Oh, are you going to Key West?" Nope, I replied, I'm going to Disney. (pause) "Why?"

Some people just don't understand.

Have a safe trip, since you'll have left before we return!

 

[MissStitch626]

ONE WEEK TO GO!

Deep breaths, deep breaths.

It is very telling that I was up at 7.30am this morning. On a Saturday. This has never happened to me before. On any other Saturday I would just go back to sleep but there's way too much to think about so there was nothing else for it - after a quick look through photo albums of the last two trips, I got up and started the housework, went over the trip plans and budget and now I'm watching Toy Story 3.

So, here's a rundown and reminder of our final plans (not too many changes):

Sat 24 Sep - fly out from Glasgow at 12:05, land in Orlando just after 16:00 after a 9 hour flight. Check in at resort, possibly head to Downtown Disney for a look around.

Sun 25 Sep - Magic Kingdom, dinner ADR for Tony's

Mon 26 Sep - breakfast ADR for Ohana, resort/park hopping day

Tues 27 Sep - Epcot, ADRs for Via Napoli and Teppan Edo

Wed 28 Sep- resort/park hopping day, dinner ADR for Le Cellier

Thur 29 Sep - Hollywood Studios

Fri 30 Sep - Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, MNSSHP

Sat 1 Oct - breakfast ADR for Crystal Palace, Magic Kingdom 40th Anniversary

Sun 2 Oct - Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Halloween Horror Night

Mon 3 Oct - Animal Kingdom, dinner ADR at Rainforest Cafe

Tue 4 Oct - Magic Kingdom, dinner ADR for Ohana

Wed 5 Oct - Epcot, lunch ADR for Coral Reef

Thurs 6 Oct - Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios

Fri 7 Oct - Magic Kingdom and Epcot

Sat 8 Oct - Magic Kingdom for a few hours before leaving

The only significant addition is Halloween Horror Night - I am really looking forward to this now though we are taking the gamble and trying to get tickets on the day (don't want to buy them in advance in case the weather isn't great that night).

I can't believe the trip we've been planning for more than 18 months is almost here

 

[PixieMama]

One week to go, woohoo!

I'm curious to see how the MK is on 10/1 for the anniversary... wonder what sort of special things they have planned for that day!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you can get the HHN tickets!

 

[laura_<3]

Loving your PTR - we're going to Port Orleans Riverside for the first time next year 20th Sept - 4th Oct. Looking forward to hearing about your trip

 

[MissStitch626]

Loving your PTR - we're going to Port Orleans Riverside for the first time next year 20th Sept - 4th Oct. Looking forward to hearing about your trip

Thanks for reading!

I'm sure you will love POR - it really is a beautiful resort, I would recommend it to anyone. I can remember when my countdown was sitting at more than a year and we're now under a week away! Don't worry, it will fly it (might not seem like it at the time though!)

 

[MissStitch626]

Busy day today!

We are officially packed and ready to go Well, when I say we...

There I am, sitting on the bedroom floor with all my holiday clothes neatly organised and packed, when DH strolls in with an armful of shorts and calmly announces "these need washed." What?! One week to go and you're telling me this now?! Now I know a week is plenty of time to wash and dry his shorts (which apparently have been living in the suitcase since last summer!) so I didn't have a full on meltdown or anything, just sat on the edge of the bed shaking my head disapprovingly and pointing at my packed case Don't even get me started on the way he folds a t-shirt...of course I had to take them all back out and fold them again!

So excited to be packed. It's really starting to sink in that we are actually going and not just talking about going, which it feels like we've been doing forever. I was also very pleasantly surprised to find that my case was well under the weight limit - lots of room for souvenirs!

Looking forward to a busy few days ahead - have some more housework and to do tomorrow and Monday, our house/pet sitter (DH's best friend) is coming over on Tuesday, in laws visiting on Wednesday, various hair/beauty appointments Thursday and Friday and a work night out on Friday night and then we're off! Oh, and I suppose I should also go to work Mon-Thurs.

Think I'll have a dance

 

[PixieMama]

You have a busy week ahead... but that's okay, it will make the time go by faster! You're almost there!

 

[MissStitch626]

Exhaustion is setting in, meltdown imminent!



Alright, so it's not that bad. I'm suffering from a bit of pre-trip tension. I seem to have about a million things to do and the time is moving fast and slow at the same time!

My poor washing machine is going non-stop at the moment, and every time I walk around the house I end up with another to-do list

3 more work days left Looking forward to leaving work and Thursday and knowing I won't be back for three whole weeks (I need the extra week to recover from the trip!)

I've picked out my outfit for travelling - I have rather ambitiously chosen shorts for the journey. September + Scotland = not exactly shorts weather but I'm hoping for a dry, reasonably warm day. If not I have the emergency jeans ready to go!

I am absolutely loving that my ticker is now under 1 week!