Before you go - Am I missing anything

[minneylovesmicky]

Hi, We are a travelling duo of 1 Adult and 1 teenager, we leave 31/01/2015 to go to Disneyland Anaheim. I have never gone over seas before, if I rattle of a check list, can others who have done this, tell me if I a missing anything major

WE HAVE GOT - Passports, ESTA, US Cash for instant access to money, US dollars on travel card (all gotten before our $$$ bottomed out), Plane Tickets, booked shuttle to get from and to airport, have all medications plus required letter for said medications, Disneyland tickets, accommodation booked and paid in full,

HAVE MADE COPIES OF - Passports, ESTA, Travel cards, Credit Cards, ID. Will put a copy of these in my carry on luggage and will leave a copy at home.

Have I forgotten anything? Please let me know, thanks

Edited to add - Have notified bank of overseas travel, so they don't cut my money off

 

[jevs]

I let my bank know we will be away as sometimes they refuse too many credit card transactions.

As I'm a sole parent and live rurally, I also let the police know that the house will be unoccupied, they fill out a form which also states who can enter my property. This also ensures people are not wasting time looking for us if there is a fire (we don't have any stock atm so no need for anyone to enter).

Obviously I also inform the school lol, and my closest neighbour for the above reasons.

Other than that I'm pretty slack with photocopying stuff

 

[minneylovesmicky]

I let my bank know we will be away as sometimes they refuse too many credit card transactions.

As I'm a sole parent and live rurally, I also let the police know that the house will be unoccupied, they fill out a form which also states who can enter my property. This also ensures people are not wasting time looking for us if there is a fire (we don't have any stock atm so no need for anyone to enter).

Obviously I also inform the school lol, and my closest neighbour for the above reasons.

Other than that I'm pretty slack with photocopying stuff

Have done the bank notification - forgot that in my original post, will add that one in.

I live with my sister so she will be here at the house whilst I am away, so don't need to worry about mail and such, have our bushfire plan out and boxes of special items packed if she needs to get out, we live across from lots of bush - be prepared and all that...

School is finished for us now.

Thanks

 

[ozliz]

That is all the essentials so long as you told your bank about the trip.., nearly had my card frozen the first time I went overseas for that exact reason.

I like to be super organised and put all the papers in the order that I need them (booking confirmations etc). That way I know if I forgot something. I also make a list of all the phone numbers and addresses of the places that I am staying and leave a copy with a relative then put my other copy in my handbag for the whole trip. It helps if you get stuck somewhere to have all the phone numbers available easily. To get even more over organised then I like to print the Google maps of all the places I am staying or plan to visit but then I walk and take public transport a lot so don't like to risk getting lost (control freak).

Have an awesome trip. The USA and Disney is a good easy place to start for your first international trip. Just remember don't be afraid to ask if you are not sure how something works. With the Australian accent most will understand that you don't know and for the rare person that doesn't... Well you'll never see them again anyway.

 

[Rebekkap]

Always good to have some small bills - ones and fives - for tips, as basically you have to tip for everything in the US!

And travel insurance is absolutely essential. If you have to go to hospital in the US without travel insurance, you will be screwed without it. I buy mine through Travel Insurance Direct (TID) - they're one of the cheapest for the US, and if you google TID coupon code you can usually find a 10-15% off code to reduce the cost further. You should always take it out ASAP after booking the trip - in case anything goes terribly wrong and you have to cancel, it will refund your money in a lot of circumstances.

I found my first time in the US I was really frustrated by my inability to make tea in my hotel room - coffee was fine, almost everywhere had a coffee maker, but electric kettles basically don't exist in the US. If you're a tea drinker, it's worth taking a travel kettle with you (needs to be a travel kettle as it needs to be dual voltage).

I also found none of the hotels I stayed in had shower caps, so if you use one, take one with you!

As well as prescription medicines, it's also worth taking some basic over the counter things with you - it's not that you can't get them there (you can, they have a better range of things available over the counter there than they do here) but if you're sick - for example if you both get a tummy bug - you don't want to have to go out looking for things.


Which airline are you flying with? Which airport are you flying from?

 

[lffam]

you sound very prepared. I echo the previous posters comment regarding travel insurance, it is a must.

I had soft copies (pdf's) of most of my passports/reservations/booking/comfirmations in a dropbox account so I could access from anywhere on my phone or ipad, but thats just because I'm an odd sort who likes to have all that at my fingertips. I also did have paper copies of much of it also.

Have a great trip.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Happy Travels!


About the only other thing I do before I go is register my travel details in the Smart Traveller website. It's crazy, I know. But these days, anything could happen. Should something happen, at least the Australian government have my travel details on file should they need to contact me.

And travel insurance. I hope it was just an oversight in your original post.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

Yep travel insurance was an oversight in my original post, we have it, it was the first thing I brought after the flights, my daughter has health issues, we didn't want to get slugged with a huge bill over there, if the need to go to hospital arises.

Have got some $1 and $5 notes so I can easily tip from the get go.

We have some Imodium and nausea stuff, panadol, antihistamines so that neither of us have to go searching for a chemist, if the need should arise.

We are flying out of Sydney Airport with QANTAS

Have registered with Smart Traveller and have emailed copies of my passport/id's to my ipad.

Didn't realise how much I missed out of my Original post, that I have done.

Thanks guys you have helped me to see I am very well organised and have done it all right.

Getting exciting, this time in exactly one month we will be at the airport...

 

[lffam]

Yep travel insurance was an oversight in my original post, we have it, it was the first thing I brought after the flights, my daughter has health issues, we didn't want to get slugged with a huge bill over there, if the need to go to hospital arises.

Have got some $1 and $5 notes so I can easily tip from the get go.

We have some Imodium and nausea stuff, panadol, antihistamines so that neither of us have to go searching for a chemist, if the need should arise.

We are flying out of Sydney Airport with QANTAS

Have registered with Smart Traveller and have emailed copies of my passport/id's to my ipad.

Didn't realise how much I missed out of my Original post, that I have done.

Thanks guys you have helped me to see I am very well organised and have done it all right.

Getting exciting, this time in exactly one month we will be at the airport...

we took some of those Hydralyte soluble tablets just in case. Didn't have to use them thankfully, but after our first trip where our son got terribly sick, it was peace of mind.

very exciting for you!

 

[minneylovesmicky]

we took some of those Hydralyte soluble tablets just in case. Didn't have to use them thankfully, but after our first trip where our son got terribly sick, it was peace of mind.

very exciting for you!

Those are one thing I hadn't thought of, as horrible as they are, they work. Thanks for mentioning those

Yes is very exciting.

Daughter is starting to get very excited now too, so that is good

 

[jacs1234]

Have you stored your medication in a clear plastic ziploc bag? We used to have to do this, not sure if you still do.

 

[aussie shaz]

Clothes pegs for when your hotel room curtains don't stay closed! I use them every time I travel. I just hate when the sun wakes me too early.
Re: the medication. I think this is only if you have fluids in your carry-on. We always put our medication in our checked luggage, so never use a plastic bag. If you have anything that you really need ie prescription medication, remember to have it in your hand luggage in case your checked bags get lost on the way over.

 

[ozliz]

Never pack your medication in your checked luggage! If your luggage goes missing (more common than a lot of people realise) then it can be very difficult to get a replacement to take until (hopefully) your bags show up.

If the medicine is not liquid you can pack it in any way you want but leave all the original packaging on it so it is easy to identify if there are any questions.

 

[elphaba91]

we took some of those Hydralyte soluble tablets just in case. Didn't have to use them thankfully, but after our first trip where our son got terribly sick, it was peace of mind.

very exciting for you!

It is also a good idea to take Hydralyte on the plane as it is very easy to get dehydrated on the long flights. The apple/blackcurrant effervescent Hydralyte is actually quite pleasant! Gastrolyte, however, tastes like poo, or so I've been told by customers

I would also highly recommend a neck cushion for the flight. We ended up buying them at LAX before our LAX-NYC flight because we regretted not having them for the long flight! The ones we bought have a press stud so that they do up and don't fall off your neck, which I would recommend if you can find one here. My mum also had an inflatable footrest, which I was quite jealous of.

Oh, and flight socks! We all wore them for all flights, except for my sister on the flight home (we changed into them at the airport after a day at Disneyland and she couldn't roll up her jeans enough to get them on) and her feet and ankles swelled up quite badly.

Remember also to follow the rules about fluids - bottles 100ml or less and all in a large ziplock bag.

I would also suggest making sure you've got the IMEI numbers for all your phones. Mine was stolen and the police wanted to know what it was, and I had no way of finding out over there without the phone!

Also, if you've got PP+ (which I loved!) take a photo of the voucher just in case.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

You guys are amazing, easy to tell you have all done this before and I haven't ....lol

Have you stored your medication in a clear plastic ziploc bag? We used to have to do this, not sure if you still do.

I have the medication in a shower bag thingy, it has clear pockets, so I can just unzip it and they can look inside, without everything falling out everywhere.

Clothes pegs for when your hotel room curtains don't stay closed! I use them every time I travel. I just hate when the sun wakes me too early.
Re: the medication. I think this is only if you have fluids in your carry-on. We always put our medication in our checked luggage, so never use a plastic bag. If you have anything that you really need ie prescription medication, remember to have it in your hand luggage in case your checked bags get lost on the way over.

Would never have thought of that with clothes pegs, I just use cushions against the window..will definitely take some pegs for sure..Ta

Never pack your medication in your checked luggage! If your luggage goes missing (more common than a lot of people realise) then it can be very difficult to get a replacement to take until (hopefully) your bags show up.

If the medicine is not liquid you can pack it in any way you want but leave all the original packaging on it so it is easy to identify if there are any questions.

Not any liquid medications, they are Epi Pens and antihistamines, nausea etc, but no liquids and I never put it in my checked in luggage

It is also a good idea to take Hydralyte on the plane as it is very easy to get dehydrated on the long flights. The apple/blackcurrant effervescent Hydralyte is actually quite pleasant! Gastrolyte, however, tastes like poo, or so I've been told by customers

I would also highly recommend a neck cushion for the flight.

Oh, and flight socks! .

Remember also to follow the rules about fluids - bottles 100ml or less and all in a large ziplock bag.

I would also suggest making sure you've got the IMEI numbers for all your phones. Mine was stolen and the police wanted to know what it was, and I had no way of finding out over there without the phone!

Also, if you've got PP+ (which I loved!) take a photo of the voucher just in case.

Will pack the Hydralyte in my carry on, I do get dehydrated on short domestic flights even though I drink lots of water, so I can imagine how dehydrated I will end up after 15 hours or so

Have got neck pillows, nice soft squish ones, not blow up ones, so nice and comfy

Are not taking any liquids, so we are right there

Will get some flight socks next time I am down town

Never thought that with the IMEI and PP+, will do that for sure

Thanks guys you have helped me heaps

 

[Rebekkap]

Are not taking any liquids, so we are right

I'd strongly suggest you do take some liquids! The dry air on an aeroplane doesn't just make you thirsty, it dries out your whole body! Without moisturiser, hand cream, eye drops, lip balm and a saline nasal spray I would be a dried up husk like something from a horror movie by the time I got to LA. Not to mention it's nice (for you and everyone else) to have some deodorant and toothpaste in your carry on bag!

 

[jevs]

Face moisturiser, hand cream, and lip balm is a must for 40 plus -ers I didn't need any of it in my 20s traveling about lol.

Honestly the trip isn't as bad as you image, just drink plenty of water, limit alcohol/caffeine/soft drinks etc. and cat nap when you can. Your biggest issue will be boredom if you are anything like me.

 

[jevs]

Just realised I should just say what I'm planning to take in case it helps you out given I'm leaving NEXT WEEK

Keep in mind I travel with small children.

smallest box washing powder (double wrapped)
sard wondersoap stick (double wrapped)
elastic pegless clothesline
one of those mini clothes defluffer things
ear plugs (light sleeper so better for me to deal with myself rather than noisy hotel guests)
combo usb plug
small powerboard
luggage scales
ziplock bags

When something needs to be double bagged (which includes toilet bags) I first put them in a large ziplock bag and then into a plastic bag. I've had things leaking and it's not pretty

On the plane we have prescription medicines including prescribed melatonin which is wonderful. My daughter requires this but I have the go ahead from the GP for all of us to take it to combat jetlag for a few days.
hydrolyte
gastro stop
painkillers
strong codeine painkillers (prescribed)
enough ventolin to sink a ship
kwells
and the usual paw paw cream, band aides etc etc

all our chargers and another plug converter
complete change of clothing
roll on
toothbrush/paste
facewasher in a ziplock bag (I prefer to use rather than wipes which we also have. The kids didn't use theirs which didn't surprise me lol)
usual spares of female items

I think that's it. Sounds like a lot but isn't when it's over 4 carry on bags.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

I'd strongly suggest you do take some liquids! The dry air on an aeroplane doesn't just make you thirsty, it dries out your whole body! Without moisturiser, hand cream, eye drops, lip balm and a saline nasal spray I would be a dried up husk like something from a horror movie by the time I got to LA. Not to mention it's nice (for you and everyone else) to have some deodorant and toothpaste in your carry on bag!

Oh I have those things, I thought they meant shampoo and conditioner..lol..we are getting those when we land, but the things you mentioned, we are taking in our carry on...sorry for any confusion

We have roll on deodorant, so as not to use any spray on the plane. As I know some deodorant scents churn my stomach, so don't want to do the same to others

 

[minneylovesmicky]

Just realised I should just say what I'm planning to take in case it helps you out given I'm leaving NEXT WEEK

Keep in mind I travel with small children.

smallest box washing powder (double wrapped)
sard wondersoap stick (double wrapped)
elastic pegless clothesline
one of those mini clothes defluffer things
ear plugs (light sleeper so better for me to deal with myself rather than noisy hotel guests)
combo usb plug
small powerboard
luggage scales
ziplock bags

When something needs to be double bagged (which includes toilet bags) I first put them in a large ziplock bag and then into a plastic bag. I've had things leaking and it's not pretty

On the plane we have prescription medicines including prescribed melatonin which is wonderful. My daughter requires this but I have the go ahead from the GP for all of us to take it to combat jetlag for a few days.
hydrolyte
gastro stop
painkillers
strong codeine painkillers (prescribed)
enough ventolin to sink a ship
kwells
and the usual paw paw cream, band aides etc etc

all our chargers and another plug converter
complete change of clothing
roll on
toothbrush/paste
facewasher in a ziplock bag (I prefer to use rather than wipes which we also have. The kids didn't use theirs which didn't surprise me lol)
usual spares of female items

I think that's it. Sounds like a lot but isn't when it's over 4 carry on bags.

Thanks for that list, we have all but one or two things on your list, we are the same with the Ventolin...lol and loads of Trav Calm...lol

Have my power converters in my checked in bag, will switch it over to my carry on..

Thanks again, Have a great trip