Going next year, what to do now???

[sk8bug72]

We decided that we are going to Disney next year (there will be about 15 of us)!!!!! What should I do now??? I can't really plan anything now because we can't book the flight or hotel yet. Are there certain things that I should research or do? I think that I pretty much know everything that I need to know. What should I do to keep me busy for a whole year!!!????? Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

Well, you made a good start by finding this board. Spend some time reading all the relevant posts and you'll be able to make a lot of informed decisions yourself.

Have you decided what dates you are going next year? If so, start looking for info on any special events/conditions that happen then.

Think about your budget constraints. How much money can everybody aford to spend on air and hotel? Both can be affected by the dates of your visit - especially if you have to go during one of the school vacation/holiday periods.

How long will you stay? Obviously this has an impact on the cost of admission, your food budget and the cost of the hotel. But, you need to decide what you are going to do while you are at WDW so that you can set a realistic amount of time to accomplish everything. This will be heavily dependent on the make-up of your party.

Once you've decided on dates and budget issues, then you can start narrowing down your hotel choices. There are a broad range of hotels on Disney property, and an even greater range of hotels nearby.

 

[pooksma]

In addition to all the wonderful tips above, you can go crazy like the rest of us who are waiting to go again

We can book our room at the end of February (500 days out) for our planned July '07 trip. Then it'll be ADRs or whatever they call them now (or then) at I believe 180 days out now (is that correct experts?)

And most important hang out here and learn new things to make you trip a better one than it would have been had you not discovered the DIS.
I never wanted a year to go by so fast...

 

[sk8bug72]

Thanks for the ideas. Does anyone else have ideas about something creative that I could do??? I am already planning on making autograph books and putting together baskets for everyone going with us, but are there any other fun things that I could do or plan??? Thanks!

 

[sk8bug72]

anyone?????

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I've been slowly buying little surprises for our trip. My limit is 5$. We have a local Disney store so I check there at times for anything on sale. So far I got father & son baseball Mickey caps, a Finding Nemo lunchbox, a large Mickey Mouse stuffed toy, and toy cell phone. Also got a sticker book at Target for the plane ride. Our ds will be 18 months old by our trip time.

Also shopping for things like ziplock bags for packing etc. That keeps my mind looking forward to our trip.

Also have been reading reviews and the menus for all the Disney restaurants.

Oh and one other thing, I watch the Disney video while I walk on the treadmill so I can be inspired to lose weight before our trip. It's the free video that they send for planning trips.

Since you will have such a large group going, why not plan a disney themed pre-trip party.

 

[sk8bug72]

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[peemagg]

Don't forget to check out things for Magical Greetings. Groups over ten can get some special perks at the parks. You might want to check into them.

 

[sk8bug72]

Do you mean Magical Gatherings??? if not, what is it??? Either way, good idea, I completely forgot about that. Thanks!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

If there are kids going with you they will probably love collecting the smashed pennies. The machines are everywhere.You could give each child a roll of pennies and quarters as a little gift. Save the tubes from the mini M & M's. The money fits in there perfectly. They can even decorate the tubes.

 

[mytwotinks]

I always look for Disney goodies on sale wherever I am. I usually end up with a bag of stuff for the plane and lots of special jammies and t-shirst to surprise them with during the trip. The Disney store is a great place to look, but really there is Disney everywhere nowadays! I love being able to spoil my girls during the trip and I buy things for a fraction of the cost I would spend if I bought it all for them in the parks!

I also bought some red fabric with white dots and made them some capri pants for our last trip. I put an eyelet ruffle on the hem. They just wore a cute white t-shirt that I found at Gymboree and I made them each 2 red and white polk-a-dot bows for their piggy tails! They were adorable and Cruella De'ville complinented them on their "spots" during the parade! I love things like that to work on during the looooooong waits in between trips!

 

[sk8bug72]

I had heard about using an M&M tube for holding the pennies, but I never thought of decorating them. That would be a great little project to keep me busy! Thanks!

The capris sound so cute!!! What a good idea! Maybe I could make something for my little cousin! Thanks!!!

 

[followin_the_dead]

I have been shopping the sales for our trip in November. This enables me to have all the clothes and MICKEY stuff they could ever ask for at pennies on the dollar. Sunglasses with Disney characters for $2 at Kohls after Summer sale, Mickey Ponytail holders, sox, even underware at JCPenneys. I look everywhere I go so that they will be "pre-outifited" with the latest in Disney attire. I have this all hidden away for later. I have been frequenting the Disney Shop online and have bought several out of season now things (that will be perfect for then). I was even able to get mickey towels with our names on them, and tshirts that I designed online at the disney shop that has the family vacation and our initials and year on them....TOO CUTE! I also have a Disney credit card and put EVERYTHING on it to earn Disney Reward Dollars we are up to about $800 on that.

I like the treadmill inspiration idea....I'll have to try that.

 

[daisyduck123]

If it were me -- I would use the time to find out everyone in my groups shirt sizes & go get t-shirts, white 100% cotton, for everyone in the group. I'd have a tie-dyeing party on a warm weekend. My kids & I love doing this.
I would do enough shirts so that you can match for several days.

You will love it if your whole group matches.

We've been 3 times in the last year & a half, & we go for 8 days at a time.
We have made enough tie-dyed shirts for our group that we can wear matching shirts everyday of our trip. (Our group is me, my mom, DD11, & DS7). When we go this May, my DH will be coming instead of my mom, but he can wear her X-Large t-shirts.

 

[sk8bug72]

thanks for the ideas!

 

[sk8bug72]

anyone else???

 

[skooniebird]

We decided that we are going to Disney next year (there will be about 15 of us)!!!!! What should I do now??? I can't really plan anything now because we can't book the flight or hotel yet. Are there certain things that I should research or do? I think that I pretty much know everything that I need to know. What should I do to keep me busy for a whole year!!!????? Thanks!

Planned trip for 11 myself. Start a good 15 months early. Get park tickets ASAP since they raise prices at least twice a year. You can book hotel on property early. Research alot! Have schedule of what parks for what days and where you are thinking of eating and then 8 weeks out make your restuarant reservations and any special function tickets or reservations too. You can start early and it makes for less pressure and you are sure to get what you want.