Discovering DVC timandlesley style-A PTR, 19 days TRIP REPORT LINK PG.119!!!!!

[tiggrbaby]

O.K, now I KNOW this is going to sound crazy but I just came to a REALIZATION tonight..................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................................................................
...............................................................................................
We're going to be in Disney for NINETEEN DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had been reading the numbers and I knew it, but when I sat down tonight to stuff the tip envelopes and I kept stuffing, and writing and stuffing and writing and STUFFING AND WRITING, I said to Tim, "WOW, we are going to be there a REALLY LONG TIME!!!!" It was weird for me writing it all out and truly SEEING it, I think it has FINALLY hit me, and I am too excited for words.
I must say, the budget thing is stressing me out today and I have a killer headache as a result. Being there for so long we need to stick to some sort of a budget and there is a LOT to organize. I need souvenier money in one place, dining plan money in another place, Disney gift card for alcohol in another place, tip envelopes in another place, out of pocket money for BBB ressie, child care, meals out of pocket, airport food, etc. WOW! A LOT of organization and planning involved.
So I went to the bank today and tried to get travelers checks for the dining portion and they told me there was a 2% charge (I do NOT remember that last year), that would have been close to fifty bucks So........... instead, we opened a vacation checking account, it will have it's own credit card and that will work out nicely - that way it isn't mixed in with our "non Disney" money which just would add to all this confusion.
So, I withdrew the other money for our trip and got to work (I told you the updates would be fast and furious here in the home stretch)
Here is my "war room" like space on the dining room table tonight:

I should have taken a pic when all the money was spread around, or better yet, the stressful look on my face as I was trying to piece all of this together.
So I put the ressie's and tip amounts on small pieces of paper for each day and placed that piece of paper with the ressie numbers and tip amount AND the tip money into an envelope for each day:

When I was done I had quite a slew of baggies:

I started thinking.... I don't want to put all of those in a carry on because our room probably won't be ready when we get there and I don't want to leave that money unattended, so it will have to go in my Vera Bradley Backpack/purse. So..... what to do about this mess of baggies, well I got out a stapler and stapled them all together:

Not too shabby Now they should fit in my purse no problem.
So: to break it down (PHEW, are you as exhausted as I am thinking about this- now you can see why I have the headache): we have the new vacation account for the dining plan plus about 3/4's of our other budgeted expendeture money in that account so we can use that new vacation check card for the room charges, then the OTHER 1/4 of our spending money I have in cash for us to carry and put in the safe (I like having SOME cash on me, just a little for tipping, etc.) THEN I have a Disney gift card for Tim and my souvie money, another gift card for Luke and Lauren's spending money and ANOTHER gift card to use for alcohol, speaking of alchohol, I need a drink after all of this
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!
Lesley

AMAZING!!!! I am soooo impressed!

 

[hlrababy]

Oh my gosh, you are so dang organized!!!!!!!!!!

Woooo hoooo for 19 days!!!!

 

[punkin413]

wow.....you are WAY organized!!! i have a question. how do you know how much to allot for tips for your meals? do you know what you're gonna order or what if you guys unexpectedly decide to have a drink and it makes your check $14 more than it would have been? just curious because i'm admiring your organizational skills here!

 

[ctmomof4]

That was a great installment there!!!! You are very organized and smart with money.. the only way to be going on vacation with your family!!!! 19 days is quite a trip.. what a wonderful experience for you all.. I can not wait to hear all about it.. You are one smart cookie.. thanks for sharing all of this excitement with everyone... Keep it coming!!!!

 

[MegansMom]

Looks like you have it all covered in true Lesley-style!!! I have never heard of a vacation account, but I love the idea!!!! Now you can have everything you want pulled aside for that trip.....and speaking of that trip-----WOOHOO indeed my dear!!!! Soak it all up and enjoy every last minute!!!!!

 

[PittypatBR]

Lesley, you always do such a fabulous job with your planning!! And kudos to you for making a budget and sticking to it. That is why you are able to buy DVC and actually stay for 19 days this year! I am jealous, but it couldn't happen to a nicer family!

Luke and Lauren are growing up so fast, and cuter than ever!

By the way, you can get more of those lightweight ponchos at Dollar Tree for 2/$1. I always take tons and carry one per person in the park each day. We use them on Splash Mountain and anywhere we might get wet, if we don't want to get soaked, which I don't. I don't mind a little damp, but soaked isn't fun to me. (We really use them a lot at Sea World, too!) Then when we are through, I offer them to someone coming in. People are always so grateful! I had the heavier ones from Walmart or somewhere one year and it rained a LOT, and I hated having them draped all over the room drying out every single night. So now I do cheap and throw-away!

Have a wonderful time with the anticipation and last minute preparations!

 

[The Marsons]

Great updates and that new ticker looks fabulous!

We put all our mousekeeping tips together before we go, but next time i'm going to do what you have done. Never thought about putting tips etc for all the meals into a envelope and put away. Like you said, sometimes last year it was a nightmare looking for the right bills all the time.

18 days now as i am writing this!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Like I said last year, the baggie thing with index card is such a great idea!!!

 

[Sooze]

You are UBER-AMAZING!! I can't imagine being that organized for 5 days, let alone 19!!!!

Doesn't it just feel fantastic knowing you are all paid up for the trip... no credit cards to give you post-Disney pain?!! I'm super excited for you guys.

Hey.. did you set aside some money for Red Robin the night before you leave?!

Cool updates... keep 'em coming!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm so impressed with your organization! I would get confused about which card was for what, etc. But you have done a great job of budgeting! You are getting so close!

 

[LISAMWDW]

Whew! No wonder you have a headache!

You are very organized! It'll be worth all the work when you get there and then you won't have to worry about this stuff. You can just enjoy the Magic!

You are going to be there along time! So fun!

I'm getting excited for you!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I have to laugh because we have a wireless router we keep in our Owner's Locker! I don't like being stuck to the bedroom on the computer and would prefer to be in the living room of our villa to do the work I need to do.

I think we will be leaving the router in our purple friend, if we can find the space! I may need to throw out a few ponchos!


Lesley, you are going to love your long stay. It's nice to feel like you can take a break and chill out, because there is always tomorrow to get it done!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Wow, wow. You are super organized Lesley! That's awesome. What great ideas about the baggies and the tip money. I should do something similar. I can understand how daunting it must be to plan for such a long trip. I think you're doing great!

 

[jwwi]

OMG you bring organization to a whole new level. You really could write a book about planning a Disney trip. 19 days is a long time to be on vacation. I think Disney is the only place to be for that long. There is always so much to do. But then the pools and resorts are so much fun too. With a trip that long I'm sure you will want to just kick back and relax on some days.

Just another thought. Do you think we will have to wait until November to read about day 16? Just kidding, you know how loyal your readers are, we love to hear all the details.

 

[timandlesley]

OMG you bring organization to a whole new level. You really could write a book about planning a Disney trip. 19 days is a long time to be on vacation. I think Disney is the only place to be for that long. There is always so much to do. But then the pools and resorts are so much fun too. With a trip that long I'm sure you will want to just kick back and relax on some days.

Just another thought. Do you think we will have to wait until November to read about day 16? Just kidding, you know how loyal your readers are, we love to hear all the details.

Thanks, would love to write a book, but I'm sure it would never get published! If you know us, we hammer out our TR's when we get back super quick - we'll have to get it done because we have trips in October and December planned so we'll have to get this done quick to get ready for those.

Wow, wow. You are super organized Lesley! That's awesome. What great ideas about the baggies and the tip money. I should do something similar. I can understand how daunting it must be to plan for such a long trip. I think you're doing great!

Funny, I'm not organized about most things in my life, but I am about Disney ; )

I think we will be leaving the router in our purple friend, if we can find the space! I may need to throw out a few ponchos!


Lesley, you are going to love your long stay. It's nice to feel like you can take a break and chill out, because there is always tomorrow to get it done!

I know, it is going to be great!

Whew! No wonder you have a headache!

You are very organized! It'll be worth all the work when you get there and then you won't have to worry about this stuff. You can just enjoy the Magic!

You are going to be there along time! So fun!

I'm getting excited for you!!

The wine helped with the headache last night : ) I agree, takes a lot of planning and headache now but that way when I get there I don't have to think twice about anything and can just ENJOY- can't wait!

I'm so impressed with your organization! I would get confused about which card was for what, etc. But you have done a great job of budgeting! You are getting so close!

Thanks, it isn't confusing, everything is labeled. . .of course : )

You are UBER-AMAZING!! I can't imagine being that organized for 5 days, let alone 19!!!!

Doesn't it just feel fantastic knowing you are all paid up for the trip... no credit cards to give you post-Disney pain?!! I'm super excited for you guys.

Hey.. did you set aside some money for Red Robin the night before you leave?!

Cool updates... keep 'em coming!

You're too funny! Yes, having no credit cards is the only way to go for us! Yes, I'll budget for Red Robin, no worries : )

Like I said last year, the baggie thing with index card is such a great idea!!!

Thanks : )

Great updates and that new ticker looks fabulous!

We put all our mousekeeping tips together before we go, but next time i'm going to do what you have done. Never thought about putting tips etc for all the meals into a envelope and put away. Like you said, sometimes last year it was a nightmare looking for the right bills all the time.

18 days now as i am writing this!

Glad you enjoyed the updates. I know 18 days!!!!!!!!!!!

Lesley, you always do such a fabulous job with your planning!! And kudos to you for making a budget and sticking to it. That is why you are able to buy DVC and actually stay for 19 days this year! I am jealous, but it couldn't happen to a nicer family!

Luke and Lauren are growing up so fast, and cuter than ever!

By the way, you can get more of those lightweight ponchos at Dollar Tree for 2/$1. I always take tons and carry one per person in the park each day. We use them on Splash Mountain and anywhere we might get wet, if we don't want to get soaked, which I don't. I don't mind a little damp, but soaked isn't fun to me. (We really use them a lot at Sea World, too!) Then when we are through, I offer them to someone coming in. People are always so grateful! I had the heavier ones from Walmart or somewhere one year and it rained a LOT, and I hated having them draped all over the room drying out every single night. So now I do cheap and throw-away!

Have a wonderful time with the anticipation and last minute preparations!

Thanks, you are too sweet. Yes, the kids are growing SO fast, I look back at last years TR and I realize it even more. I don't mind getting soaked on the rides in the heat, we time it so we go on those before we leave the park, but I will do throw aways for the rain. Thanks for the dollar store tip!

Looks like you have it all covered in true Lesley-style!!! I have never heard of a vacation account, but I love the idea!!!! Now you can have everything you want pulled aside for that trip.....and speaking of that trip-----WOOHOO indeed my dear!!!! Soak it all up and enjoy every last minute!!!!!

Yes, in Lesley style indeed ; ) I'm excited about the vacation account too, it should work out great!

That was a great installment there!!!! You are very organized and smart with money.. the only way to be going on vacation with your family!!!! 19 days is quite a trip.. what a wonderful experience for you all.. I can not wait to hear all about it.. You are one smart cookie.. thanks for sharing all of this excitement with everyone... Keep it coming!!!!

Yes, I just had to organize to this level for the amount of time we will be gone, glad you enjoyed the update.

wow.....you are WAY organized!!! i have a question. how do you know how much to allot for tips for your meals? do you know what you're gonna order or what if you guys unexpectedly decide to have a drink and it makes your check $14 more than it would have been? just curious because i'm admiring your organizational skills here!

For the tips, that is based on experience. Yes, I went to allearsnet.com and figured approximately what the totals would be. As for the alcohol purchase, we'll pay for that with a gift card but for the tip, I always carry 5-10 dollars in ones so I can add to the tip as need be, hope that helps : )

Oh my gosh, you are so dang organized!!!!!!!!!!

Woooo hoooo for 19 days!!!!

Thanks, 18 days now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMAZING!!!! I am soooo impressed!

Thank you, thank you very much : )

HOLY CROW, I am exhausted just from reading that! I feel your pain with being there for such a long time and sticking to a budget! It is so GREAT though! I have been working on ours too! I bought a Disney gift card for mine and Bryan's spending money and put extra on it for alcohol, I plan on charging all of that to the room and then using the gift card to pay it off instead of using the gift card each time (does that make sense)? LOVE your baggies and I was cracking up at your explainations of how you tip because it was like your words were coming out of my mouth, great minds again! I am starting to freak out a little bit because everytime I check things off the list and see what else I need to do I tell myself oh, next weekend you can do that WELL there are only 2 weekends left!! So excited to meet up with you guys and we can share our excitement over drinks and swimming (Did you budget for that?)

Diane


PS Sorry about your furniture!

Diane, you crack me up. Yes, great minds think alike. Can't wait to meet up with you guys for a drink - yes, I'll budget for that too - that's what the alcohol gift card is for

Wow are you organized! I love how you put your tip money in separate bags for each day......great idea! I think I may have to borrow your idea for our next trip!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Borrow away, that's what I post it for.

 

[stacikristine]

Wow!! You did an amazing job figuring out all of the money for the trip! Thanks for the tips about tip money--that helps a lot. And I'm going to use your baggie idea. That's just awesome. I think we're going to use cash for our spending money while we're there too. That way we won't over-spend! Great, great job!!!

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

Hey Timandlesley! I have been reading along the whole time, but haven't posted yet. I followed last years too, and I can't wait to read all about your trip when you get back! I love the way you write and the pics, and you have the cutest family ever!! I am so excited for you guys, because your TR is really fun to read it makes me feel like I am right there with you! Me and DH are going in Sept for 9 days, and I can't wait! It is our first time alone, we have always gone with family, but this time we are going at our own pace. We went Sept 2006 and 2007. We were supposed to go last Christmas, but they were laying a lot of people off at DH's job and we were worried we would come back to him being out of work and bill's galore and Disney wasn't an extra expense we needed. Of course he didn't end up getting layed, but if we would have went he would have, lol, if I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any! Anyway, this year we are taking a day in the middle and just relaxing which will be nice and needed. Anyway, even though I read your last year's trip, I decided to go back earlier today and start reading again, because I am really excited for my upcoming trip! Anyway, I rambled enough, sorry to take over, again, I hope you have an awesome time!

 

[Happydog]

Oh my! How many boxes of sandwich baggies did you go through? It is a good thing school is almost out! No baggies left for lunch!

Very cool process though, liked the logic and the way you organized it all. That would be too difficult for my non-mathematical brain. My DH is the banker in our house!

looking forward to the rest of the fast and furious count down posts! I also don't think I could really get my head around 19 days at Disney until I was actually there spending 19 days at Disney!!!

Great post!

 

[timandlesley]

Oh my! How many boxes of sandwich baggies did you go through? It is a good thing school is almost out! No baggies left for lunch!

Very cool process though, liked the logic and the way you organized it all. That would be too difficult for my non-mathematical brain. My DH is the banker in our house!

looking forward to the rest of the fast and furious count down posts! I also don't think I could really get my head around 19 days at Disney until I was actually there spending 19 days at Disney!!!

Great post!

I went through 19 baggies, amazing huh : ) Yes, the posts will be fast and furious, ENJOY!

Hey Timandlesley! I have been reading along the whole time, but haven't posted yet. I followed last years too, and I can't wait to read all about your trip when you get back! I love the way you write and the pics, and you have the cutest family ever!! I am so excited for you guys, because your TR is really fun to read it makes me feel like I am right there with you! Me and DH are going in Sept for 9 days, and I can't wait! It is our first time alone, we have always gone with family, but this time we are going at our own pace. We went Sept 2006 and 2007. We were supposed to go last Christmas, but they were laying a lot of people off at DH's job and we were worried we would come back to him being out of work and bill's galore and Disney wasn't an extra expense we needed. Of course he didn't end up getting layed, but if we would have went he would have, lol, if I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any! Anyway, this year we are taking a day in the middle and just relaxing which will be nice and needed. Anyway, even though I read your last year's trip, I decided to go back earlier today and start reading again, because I am really excited for my upcoming trip! Anyway, I rambled enough, sorry to take over, again, I hope you have an awesome time!

I love it when new people post, great to meet you, thanks for reading and posting. I am sorry about the delaying of the trip last Christmas.
Lesley

Wow!! You did an amazing job figuring out all of the money for the trip! Thanks for the tips about tip money--that helps a lot. And I'm going to use your baggie idea. That's just awesome. I think we're going to use cash for our spending money while we're there too. That way we won't over-spend! Great, great job!!!

Thanks, glad the tip could help you out.
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

So yesterday was my FINAL day to get up early and go to school. It was a teacher work day so I just had to go in a few hours. Tim and the kids picked me up and we headed to Indianapolis. He and his brother (who came in from North Carolina for a visit for a few days) headed to the Childrens museum with the kids and me and my sister in law Rachel headed to WICKED!

The show did NOT disappoint, if you ever have a chance to see WICKED, see it. Tim and I had seen it before and this was just as good if not better this time around. Rachel had never seen it and she was just blown away.
We met up with the guys at the Weber Grill restaraunt and had a great dinner.
Here is Tim's brother Jon and Rachel at dinner:

Tim and I at dinner:

They have two kids Jaxen and Kennedy. Jaxen isn't quite 1 yet so he stayed at home with grandma for the day, but Kennedy came along. The cousins had fun together:

What a GREAT day and an awesome way to kick off the summer, I'm free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, then we drove home ( a neighbor had let Mickey out for us and fed him dinner).
I came home to a pile of Crocs in pieces. MY CROCS, BOTH pairs, DESTROYED!!!!!

AUGH!!!!!!!!!
Add that to my Disney to do list, the kids and I need to head out and get new pairs today for me. BUMMER! That was the most expensive chew toy he could have found, gotta love puppies.
16 days until Disney guys!!!!! It's going to be so busy up until we leave. Luke has tons of baseball games, track camp, dentist and a doctors appointment. I have a doctors appointment and a to do list to make and TONS of things to buy and get ready. Tim has DJ events and tons of DVD slideshows for graduations and Father's Day he needs to churn out, Lauren has swim lessons and birthday parties to attend. Should make the time just FLY by, I better start working on that to do list : )
I'll post it when I'm done
Lesley