"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[swwake]

While we're on the topic, here's Harry's story. Harry is our other dog.

I wrote that Sunday or Monday. See? I actually do do other things than DIS.

 

[swwake]

Here's a question for you.

How do you include your contact information in your luggage?

I know it's good practice to have your contact info somewhere inside your luggage. I am trying to figure out where to put it. Should it be printed/written on an adhesive-backed paper so that it sticks to the inside of the luggage itself? Should it just be on a slip of paper, slid inside a pocket somewhere? Does it matter if someone would have to dig through the contents to get to it?

I know it's trivial, but I'm just trying to figure out the best way. It's on my to-do list.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I always just write it on an index card that sits on the top of everything before I close the lid -- although, you could write it on the Disney luggage tags.

 

[swwake]

I always just write it on an index card that sits on the top of everything before I close the lid -- although, you could write it on the Disney luggage tags.

My Disney luggage tags won't be on the outside of our luggage, so maybe I'll put them on the inside. Perhaps I can tie them to something inside. I don't want them on the outside because I don't want to do anything to advertise for AAA, and they have that beautiful AAA logo. Plus, we have those cool, bright, colorful, oversized tags I got at Brookstone that say "Are we there yet?" and (I can't remember the others).

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks - I will look you up when I move there. Does he look anything like Josh Holloway, by any chance? (where's the animated raising eyebrows then wink emoticon?)




Thanks y'all! That is our Magic. It was taken around 2002 or 2003. She is now 9 years old and white-faced. Like this:

He doesn't look like Josh Holloway. But he has a fantastic body, beautiful eyes, and great dimples. Very motivating during a workout. Plus, he tolerates me

Magic is too cute. I love Golden Retrievers.

 

[Native NYer]

Here's a question for you.

How do you include your contact information in your luggage?

I know it's good practice to have your contact info somewhere inside your luggage. I am trying to figure out where to put it. Should it be printed/written on an adhesive-backed paper so that it sticks to the inside of the luggage itself? Should it just be on a slip of paper, slid inside a pocket somewhere? Does it matter if someone would have to dig through the contents to get to it?

I know it's trivial, but I'm just trying to figure out the best way. It's on my to-do list.

I actually leave my home address, keys to my apartment and car, and my credit cards.

Just kidding! Actually, I just have my info on luggage tags. I like to think some random person isn't really searching through my things Yes, denial I know.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Here's a question for you.

How do you include your contact information in your luggage?

I know it's good practice to have your contact info somewhere inside your luggage. I am trying to figure out where to put it. Should it be printed/written on an adhesive-backed paper so that it sticks to the inside of the luggage itself? Should it just be on a slip of paper, slid inside a pocket somewhere? Does it matter if someone would have to dig through the contents to get to it?

I know it's trivial, but I'm just trying to figure out the best way. It's on my to-do list.

I usually steal about 4 of those airline luggage tags per bag and put them in different pockets on the suitcase. It's probably overkill, but my luggage has been lost before, so I'm paranoid!

I only put my name and cell phone number. My DH always tells me that if you put your address and the thieves know you're on vacation, you're an easy target. I guess we're a family of paranoids!

 

[swwake]

Another question for everyone.

I printed a bunch of touring plans today, but I don't plan for us to ever go commando. So are these touring plans completely useless to me?

How would I use them?

 

[Native NYer]

Another question for everyone.

I printed a bunch of touring plans today, but I don't plan for us to ever go commando. So are these touring plans completely useless to me?

How would I use them?

That's a great question. I've never used touring plans because I like to just go with the flow. And while commando may be appropriate for certain situations, it doesn't work for me at Disney. I like to take in all of the details.

However, that doesn't mean I don't get to the park early and speed walk to popular attractions.

Just get there when the park opens and you'll be fine. Are you taking advantage of morning EMH? We did in January and it was great.

 

[swwake]

That's a great question. I've never used touring plans because I like to just go with the flow. And while commando may be appropriate for certain situations, it doesn't work for me at Disney. I like to take in all of the details.

However, that doesn't mean I don't get to the park early and speed walk to popular attractions.

Just get there when the park opens and you'll be fine. Are you taking advantage of morning EMH? We did in January and it was great.

If we get up early enough, we will likely do EMH, but would plan to leave the park shortly after its normal opening, to go to whatever park is green that day. At least that's the plan.

I really have no idea how this vacation will work out. So much I want to see and do, though I'm glad I don't want to see and do everything, and I'm glad this time we don't have small children who are into characters, so we can skip that part. Not standing in line for character meets, and not having character meals should give us time to explore some of the other things.

I hope to get to relax on this trip, but not sure how to do it. Again, so much I want to see and do.

I am not going to make set plans for which days at which parks, for times to be places, etc. (Except for California Grill, Brown Derby, LaNouba, and KTTK tour - the rest of the ADRs can be canceled, so we won't have to stick to those times.)

It would drive my family crazy if I told them when and where they had to be, even if they would appreciate it in the long run b/c my efficiency would lead them to get to see and do more. But the other reason I'm not planning out times and days is because I am a planner. If I plan it, and the schedule goes off course, I go ballistic and it ruins the rest of the day for me, if not the vacation. Too stressful for me - I learned long ago.

So maybe I shouldn't waste packing space/weight with these touring plans, you think? Maybe I should just take a printer with me and print what I need on the day I need it. Might be lighter in weight and take less space than all this paper.

 

[swwake]

I actually leave my home address, keys to my apartment and car, and my credit cards.

Just kidding! Actually, I just have my info on luggage tags. I like to think some random person isn't really searching through my things Yes, denial I know.

So nothing on the inside? What if your tags go lost?

I usually steal about 4 of those airline luggage tags per bag and put them in different pockets on the suitcase. It's probably overkill, but my luggage has been lost before, so I'm paranoid!

I only put my name and cell phone number. My DH always tells me that if you put your address and the thieves know you're on vacation, you're an easy target. I guess we're a family of paranoids!

Good point. Maybe I shouldn't put my address on the outside either? Or, I can just put my business card and the thief would know where I work, but not where I live.

He doesn't look like Josh Holloway. But he has a fantastic body, beautiful eyes, and great dimples. Very motivating during a workout. Plus, he tolerates me

Magic is too cute. I love Golden Retrievers.

Sounds like Josh Holloway - body, eyes, dimples. But Josh always looks stoned - doesn't he? I think it's the Hawaii surfer lifestyle.

I love my Magic. She is so snuggly. Did you see the story about Harry that I linked?

 

[Native NYer]

If we get up early enough, we will likely do EMH, but would plan to leave the park shortly after its normal opening, to go to whatever park is green that day. At least that's the plan.

I really have no idea how this vacation will work out. So much I want to see and do, though I'm glad I don't want to see and do everything, and I'm glad this time we don't have small children who are into characters, so we can skip that part. Not standing in line for character meets, and not having character meals should give us time to explore some of the other things.

I hope to get to relax on this trip, but not sure how to do it. Again, so much I want to see and do.

I am not going to make set plans for which days at which parks, for times to be places, etc. (Except for California Grill, Brown Derby, LaNouba, and KTTK tour - the rest of the ADRs can be canceled, so we won't have to stick to those times.)

It would drive my family crazy if I told them when and where they had to be, even if they would appreciate it in the long run b/c my efficiency would lead them to get to see and do more. But the other reason I'm not planning out times and days is because I am a planner. If I plan it, and the schedule goes off course, I go ballistic and it ruins the rest of the day for me, if not the vacation. Too stressful for me - I learned long ago.

So maybe I shouldn't waste packing space/weight with these touring plans, you think? Maybe I should just take a printer with me and print what I need on the day I need it. Might be lighter in weight and take less space than all this paper.

Don't pack a printer.

How about doing lists of attractions and shows that you definitely want to see? Then you can just make sure you hit those. Touring plans seem too restrictive. And like you, if they go off course, I'll be a mad woman. I'm already crazy, my family doesn't need to see insane!

I'm only printing up our must-do attractions. Thank the heavens that T is not obsessed with Dumbo and would prefer a rollercoaster.

 

[swwake]

Don't pack a printer.

How about doing lists of attractions and shows that you definitely want to see? Then you can just make sure you hit those. Touring plans seem too restrictive. And like you, if they go off course, I'll be a mad woman. I'm already crazy, my family doesn't need to see insane!

I'm only printing up our must-do attractions. Thank the heavens that T is not obsessed with Dumbo and would prefer a rollercoaster.

Ok, well, I already have my NTBM lists. So that's done. But I thought printing touring plans was on your to do list, so I was copying you. Now I have a half-inch stack of all varieties of touring plans and I don't know whether to take them. I am leaning towards not taking them.

I think more important is knowing how to use the fastpasses, taking time to stop and smell the roses (as you say), and making sure I hit my Must-Hits.

I think I'll ditch the touring plans.

T seems very mature.

 

[swwake]

I had a conversation with Katie tonight about Photopass. I was reading an article in one of those weekly Disney newsletters and got the tip that you can put more than one card on one Photopass account/CD.

So we are going to get Katie and Caitlin their own card, and Chris and I will have our own. Maybe Mom will get one too, if/in case she ever separates from us.

I wasn't sure how Katie would react. She loves pics for Myspace and Facebook, especially with friends. She and Caitlin take really cute pics together. However, Katie has been very self-conscious about her appearance lately and I wondered if she would want to avoid pics.

Nope. She was all for it. I told her some people have 400 or more Photopass pics from a single WDW trip, so take as many as she can. Multiples with each photographer. Get creative. Whatever.

She's excited. We both are.

You know what that means. More pics for the TR!!

 

[Native NYer]

Ok, well, I already have my NTBM lists. So that's done. But I thought printing touring plans was on your to do list, so I was copying you. Now I have a half-inch stack of all varieties of touring plans and I don't know whether to take them. I am leaning towards not taking them.

I think more important is knowing how to use the fastpasses, taking time to stop and smell the roses (as you say), and making sure I hit my Must-Hits.

I think I'll ditch the touring plans.

T seems very mature.

I printed out touring plans and then had a panic attack just looking at them. I cannot move from one attraction to the other as if I were competing in the Amazing Race. I'd like to stop have a Grey Goose Slushie, try a Grand Marnier Slushie, or have a Fiesta Margarita without feeling like I'm missing something.

I agree with you about the fastpasses. The attractions that I found fastpasses necessary for are Mission Space, Test Track, Soarin', Space Mountain, ToT, RnRC, EE, and the safari in AK. I guess TSM can be added to that list.

The safari in AK is a not to be missed. While it's no comparison to the San Diego Zoo or Bronx Zoo, it's still amazing.

T isn't a typical 4 year old. He likes thrill rides, football, tae kwon do, gymnastics class, and music. He dislikes Barney and Spongebob. Thank Goodness!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

I had a conversation with Katie tonight about Photopass. I was reading an article in one of those weekly Disney newsletters and got the tip that you can put more than one card on one Photopass account/CD.

So we are going to get Katie and Caitlin their own card, and Chris and I will have our own. Maybe Mom will get one too, if/in case she ever separates from us.

I wasn't sure how Katie would react. She loves pics for Myspace and Facebook, especially with friends. She and Caitlin take really cute pics together. However, Katie has been very self-conscious about her appearance lately and I wondered if she would want to avoid pics.

Nope. She was all for it. I told her some people have 400 or more Photopass pics from a single WDW trip, so take as many as she can. Multiples with each photographer. Get creative. Whatever.

She's excited. We both are.

You know what that means. More pics for the TR!!

Are you going to prepay for your photopass CD?

And why is Katie self-conscious? She's a beautiful girl!!!

 

[swwake]

Are you going to prepay for your photopass CD?

And why is Katie self-conscious? She's a beautiful girl!!!

already done.

see PM.

 

[Native NYer]

already done.

see PM.

I didn't get a PM.

 

[swwake]

I didn't get a PM.

Geez woman, patience.

 

[Native NYer]

Geez woman, patience.

I'm a New Yorker. A minute for us is like 20 seconds.