Going to Disney Without The Kids... 'Cause We're Evil Like That!! ~ updated 9/21

[Lady Lallie]

It took me almost all day but I finally realized that I am down to exactly 4 weeks before we leave

... at this moment in 4 weeks...
... I will be wishing away the last 45 minutes of the work day

Yep DH and I are both working the day we leave for Disney. In fact DH is on the "late shift" that day so he works until 6:00 pm (he normally gets off at 3:30pm)

BUT we will be on our way that day

Yayayayayaya for Four Weeks!! How exciting. I rather leave a day early for Disney then just wait to sleep and leave. Pfffft to sleeping.

 

[ForeverDance]

I'm sure that last work day will be really draggy for you and DH both.

But once it's over you'll be able to hop in the car!

Yep it will be torture Last year DH got the day we were leaving off of work and I only worked until 11:30 and even that day dragged

Yayayayayaya for Four Weeks!! How exciting. I rather leave a day early for Disney then just wait to sleep and leave. Pfffft to sleeping.

Yep that's what we thought exactly. We were originally going to leave after dropping DD off to school on Friday morning. That would get us to Disney on Saturday morning sometime. Then we realized that we probably wouldn't sleep well that night anyway and so when DMom and DDad offered to take DD on Thursday night so we could leave anytime we wanted we jumped all over the offer

 

[ForeverDance]

A Planning Tool Intermission


I know I indicated that I was going to show you my To Buy List next but I am diverting a little from that plan (sorry LL I do promise that more lists are coming).

This morning I got to wondering where I would be in 4 weeks time. Looking at the clock it's 8:20 here now so that puts us somewhere in Tennessee... how do I know that you ask?

Good question. Let me show you.

Presenting my wonderful Travel Time Spreadsheet

Isn't she beautiful

I made her up because last year we hit both Detroit and Atlanta at rush hour and our 24 hour trip became 28 1/2 . This year I was determined not to hit at those times. And so my spreadsheet was born.

I used Google to estimate the travel times between the places of interest and then added in some break times (avg 15 minutes / 2 hours) and there you have it.

I can see that we will hit Atlanta around 11:20 so going back 3 hours puts us in the middle of Tennessee. Which I have to say I'm pretty happy about. The last couple years we have hit Tennessee in the middle of the night and didn't get to enjoy the scenery and this is one of the more beautiful states to drive through

Up Next: The To Buy List... for real this time

 

[Lady Lallie]

Wow! That is just beautiful. I will forgive the delay on lists because that travel sheet is just amazing!

 

[willwriteforears]

Oh gosh, I don't think I would have ever thought to put together a travel time spreadsheet when driving! That is so clever!

I have a question--are the fifteen minute breaks what you uses for meals? When I'm in the car a long time, I find getting out of the car to eat is essential, even if it's just stopping for fast food. Eating in the car doesn't work for me (as I discovered during "road trips" from and to college with friends--growing up, my family always got out of the car to eat lunch, and I'm much happier that way).

 

[If U Had Wings]

Woo Hoo! Nearly time to go! I love the spreadsheets. I don't blame you for wanting to miss the bad areas. My last trip we hit Washington DC on the way home right after they had a huge accident that had shut down the entire beltway. Luckily my brother and his family (who had left a few hours before us) called to let us know about it so we were able to circumvent it. My poor brother on the other hand got caught in it, and ended up arriving home only 15 minutes ahead of us.

 

[lmillercrew]

O.K., I'm joining your TR because the other 518 that I'm reading are all coming to an end. Your title intrigued me because last year my DH and I did the same things to our kids. We didn't take them to Hawaii and we didn't take them to Disney with us. And you know what? They survived!!!! You guys will have such fun there by yourselves doing exactly what my DH and I did, and that is whatever WE wanted to do. Eat where you want to eat and ride whatever YOU want to ride. I am, however, jealous that you get to go for 10 days. (I know that some of those days are travel days, but you'll be alone) We were only able to pull off a Thurs night to Mon night trip. But, that's o.k. We will be celebrating 18 years this year and are thinking about Toronto/Canadian Niagra Falls. We live in the Toledo, OH area so wave to us on your way through to Atlanta. Can't wait to enjoy the journey with you!!!

 

[ForeverDance]

Wow! That is just beautiful. I will forgive the delay on lists because that travel sheet is just amazing!

Thank you. And I promise not to take too long getting the next list out.

Oh gosh, I don't think I would have ever thought to put together a travel time spreadsheet when driving! That is so clever!

I have a question--are the fifteen minute breaks what you uses for meals? When I'm in the car a long time, I find getting out of the car to eat is essential, even if it's just stopping for fast food. Eating in the car doesn't work for me (as I discovered during "road trips" from and to college with friends--growing up, my family always got out of the car to eat lunch, and I'm much happier that way).

We are brining food to eat in the van on the way. We did this last year and were very thankful that we did not have to stop to eat because it took us a very long time without the extra stops. We may change our mind. On the way back last year we did get out to eat a liesurely breakfast. But the plan is to just make stops for bathroom and gas.

Woo Hoo! Nearly time to go! I love the spreadsheets. I don't blame you for wanting to miss the bad areas. My last trip we hit Washington DC on the way home right after they had a huge accident that had shut down the entire beltway. Luckily my brother and his family (who had left a few hours before us) called to let us know about it so we were able to circumvent it. My poor brother on the other hand got caught in it, and ended up arriving home only 15 minutes ahead of us.

Yikes! It was nice of your brother to let you know... although I bet he was a little irked that you got home at almost the same time

I'm hoping that we will manage to miss any major accidents but you never know... because if you did know then they wouldn't be accidents would they

O.K., I'm joining your TR because the other 518 that I'm reading are all coming to an end. Your title intrigued me because last year my DH and I did the same things to our kids. We didn't take them to Hawaii and we didn't take them to Disney with us. And you know what? They survived!!!! You guys will have such fun there by yourselves doing exactly what my DH and I did, and that is whatever WE wanted to do. Eat where you want to eat and ride whatever YOU want to ride. I am, however, jealous that you get to go for 10 days. (I know that some of those days are travel days, but you'll be alone) We were only able to pull off a Thurs night to Mon night trip. But, that's o.k. We will be celebrating 18 years this year and are thinking about Toronto/Canadian Niagra Falls. We live in the Toledo, OH area so wave to us on your way through to Atlanta. Can't wait to enjoy the journey with you!!!

and thanks for joining in.

We are definately looking forward to being able to do what we want and ride what we want... and more importantly not ride what we do not want (no Tea Cups this year).

I'll be sure to wave to everyone we pass on the way through the Toledo area so that we don't miss you... I'm imagining a lot of confused Ohioans as we drive by

 

[ForeverDance]

The To Buy List


As promised I have returned to presenting my lists. Tonight I present the To Buy list which, as the name implies, is a list of things that I need to buy for our trip.

Glasses - some people have shoe drama, others have bag drama, and still others have hair drama... I have glasses drama I have only had glasses for 2 years now and I'm near sighted so I mostly wear them only when I'm outside. As a result I'm still not really use to them... seriously I still find them irritating at times. I have been searching for the past few weeks and still haven't picked a new pair... but I have an appointment with the optomistrist on Thursday and I am determined to settle on new frames that night.

Running Shoes - my current pair are getting old and I really should get new ones. I'm either going to have to hurry up and get a new pair so I have time to break them in, or else I'll have to wait until after Disney. Last year I mostly wore my crocs in the parks... but I'm definately bringing running shoes in case I decide to wear those instead.

Shirts - I still need to pick up some blank shirts for putting designs on... of course I still haven't completed all the designs so I guess getting them done kind of takes priority over buying the shirts.

Dark Transfers - I need to pick up some dark transfer paper to do the shirts. Last year I did the shirts with light transfer paper and they all cracked in the wash I have another white sweatshirt that I did about 7 years ago with DD's picture on it that still looks really good which I did with dark transfer paper so I think that is the way to go.

Dove Frizz Control - I just discovered this stuff recently and I absolutely love it I have a lot of trouble with my hair getting frizzy in the humidity and this stuff actually stops the frizzing. I only have one small bottle of it since I bought it just to try it out so I definatley need to get some more.

Sunscreen - okay so sunscreen also causes a little bit of drama for me. I hate hate hate the greasy feeling of most sunscreens. I also hate the sticky feeling of the spray on sunscreen. So I have to find the "non greasy" stuff. It's more expensive than the regular stuff and can be hard to find but it is so worth it to me.


And here are some items that I just knocked off my list this weekend...

Bathing Suit - I actually bought 2 of them... the first is a 1 piece that DH picked that he thought was really pretty. It has some metal ties on it so I can't wear it to the water parks (should we chose to go) so I also purchase a 2 piece that I think is really pretty. And the best part... it was an end of season sale so I got the 2 peice for 18 dollars (9 dollars each piece) and the 1 peice for 15 dollars... isn't that awesome


TR Journal - I had been holding out to find one with Eeyore on the cover but I haven't seen anything like that. I bought this one from the dollar store and I figured it would do since he is at least on there. I like that it is small so I can tuck it almost anywhere and it has lots of pages so I won't have to worry about running out of room.

And because my TR has been lacking colour and I finally got around to uploading this picture, here is DD with her lime green cast

Up Next: The Packing Lists

 

[If U Had Wings]

I can completely commiserate about the glasses. I just bought a new pair of frames this year, and I think I hit just about every place between my house and NYC. (Just about at any rate). No one had the designer I was looking for. Finally found a great pair, at a great price at Costco. Loved the frames at my doctors office, but couldn't afford the $400 price tag on most of them!

Love the new trip notebook too. The pooh characters are adorable.

 

[PEANUT1]

Add me to the list of those going to disney without the kids I love your pre trip report. We were just at the World with the kids in May and are going back in January too. (we are DVC members)

We are also going for our anniversary but only Oct 4-8 at Boardwalk Villas. I don't think I could leave my 2 year old for longer than that Next year for our big 10 year anniversary, we are going to Hawaii for 8 days!!

This trip for us is also all about the food and whatever we wanna do. We are doing deluxe dining plan too and plan to eat at.....

Tutto Italia, Flying Fish, Chefs de France, Tokyo Dining, Kona Cafe, California Grille, Coral Reef.

Hubby will golf one day and I will relax by the pool....I can't wait. My vacation ticker says 46 days to go.

 

[willwriteforears]

Replying a bit late, but I am amazed at your ability to go on such a long drive with just bathroom and gas breaks!

Hurray for the great bargains on the swimsuits!

Dove Frizz Control, you say? I have naturally curly hair, and while the dry climate in Colorado doesn't give me too many problems, I'm always on the look out for products that do well at controlling frizz. I'll have to try out DFC!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Another great list! What an awesome deal on the bathing suits.

I love your daughter's lime green cast.

 

[lmillercrew]

Yay for affordable bathing suits!!! I hate that they cost so freaking much, and um... they have less fabric than my shirt that cost $20!!!! Sounds like you're on the right packing and gathering path.

 

[Bev1016]

I'm enjoying your pre-trippie very much--especially the lists and spreadsheets!

We're also staying at CSR on our next trip and eating at many of the restaurants you're going to, so I'm eager to hear all of the details of your trip!

 

[ForeverDance]

I can completely commiserate about the glasses. I just bought a new pair of frames this year, and I think I hit just about every place between my house and NYC. (Just about at any rate). No one had the designer I was looking for. Finally found a great pair, at a great price at Costco. Loved the frames at my doctors office, but couldn't afford the $400 price tag on most of them!

Love the new trip notebook too. The pooh characters are adorable.

Not that I'm glad you had the same issues with glasses, but I must admit it is nice to know I'm not alone. My glasses are going to be <= $250 all in because that is all DH's plan will cover and I'm not paying any more than that.

Add me to the list of those going to disney without the kids I love your pre trip report. We were just at the World with the kids in May and are going back in January too. (we are DVC members)

We are also going for our anniversary but only Oct 4-8 at Boardwalk Villas. I don't think I could leave my 2 year old for longer than that Next year for our big 10 year anniversary, we are going to Hawaii for 8 days!!

This trip for us is also all about the food and whatever we wanna do. We are doing deluxe dining plan too and plan to eat at.....

Tutto Italia, Flying Fish, Chefs de France, Tokyo Dining, Kona Cafe, California Grille, Coral Reef.

Hubby will golf one day and I will relax by the pool....I can't wait. My vacation ticker says 46 days to go.

and thanks for joining. I wish we could be DVC members but that just doesn't seem to be in the cards for us... oh well I can't complain when we've been able to go as much as we have.

Replying a bit late, but I am amazed at your ability to go on such a long drive with just bathroom and gas breaks!

Hurray for the great bargains on the swimsuits!

Dove Frizz Control, you say? I have naturally curly hair, and while the dry climate in Colorado doesn't give me too many problems, I'm always on the look out for products that do well at controlling frizz. I'll have to try out DFC!

OK I just double checked and the actual name of the stuff is Dove Sheer Moisture - Anti Frizz Finishing Cream... hey I was pretty close. I have "curlyish" hair... which means I either have to cover it in product to make it hold the curl or else I have to blow dry it straight. In both cases I tend to end up with frizz in the humidity. This stuff has been great.

Another great list! What an awesome deal on the bathing suits.

I love your daughter's lime green cast.

She was really proud of it when she got it... now she is just dying to get it off If all goes well she will be free of it on Friday.

Yay for affordable bathing suits!!! I hate that they cost so freaking much, and um... they have less fabric than my shirt that cost $20!!!! Sounds like you're on the right packing and gathering path.

I know it's so ridiculous. I think my last suit was something like $50 so I was so happy to find that deal.

I'm enjoying your pre-trippie very much--especially the lists and spreadsheets!

We're also staying at CSR on our next trip and eating at many of the restaurants you're going to, so I'm eager to hear all of the details of your trip!

Thanks for joining in. I am so looking forward to staying at CSR it is such a beautiful looking resort.

 

[ILuvCrush]

I love love LOVE the spreadsheet!! You make me feel so NORMAL!

I'm an obsessive planner...and I mean OBSESSIVE!! I have ADR notebooks..including menus.. Daily Itineraries with times/order of attractions...actually multiple daily itineraries..in case I don't want to do whats on the REAL itinerary for the day.. I have back up ones!!!
I even have a listing of other flights the days before and after mine....JUST in CASE!!!

I'm so glad I'm not the crazy person my family thinks I am... I'm perfectly normal is DIS-land!!!

Loving you PTR BTW, keep up the great posts!!

Paula

 

[ForeverDance]

I love love LOVE the spreadsheet!! You make me feel so NORMAL!

I'm an obsessive planner...and I mean OBSESSIVE!! I have ADR notebooks..including menus.. Daily Itineraries with times/order of attractions...actually multiple daily itineraries..in case I don't want to do whats on the REAL itinerary for the day.. I have back up ones!!!
I even have a listing of other flights the days before and after mine....JUST in CASE!!!

I'm so glad I'm not the crazy person my family thinks I am... I'm perfectly normal is DIS-land!!!

Loving you PTR BTW, keep up the great posts!!

Paula

I agree it is so comforting to know you are not alone. I was talking to my mother yesterday and I had just given her access to my photobucket account because we have all kinds of pictures of the kids, and us, and their 50th b-day party. Well she found the section called "Trip Report 2008" and popped in there and found my spreadsheet. She laughed and said only I could be that organized. I laughed too and said "oh no there are many of us"

 

[ForeverDance]

The Packing Lists

Nope that isn’t a typo… I actually have more than one packing list. And why is that? Well because I have to pack for more than one trip: our Disney trip and the kids trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s.

Let us begin with the much more interesting and fun list (yes lists are fun... just ask LL )


The Disney Packing List

So clearly this is but a small sample of what my huge packing list looks like but it gives you an idea of how the list is laid out. The item name and number of items is pretty easy to figure out ahead of time based on the number of days in the trip. The location I will fill out as I pack although I will have it penciled in before hand based on how I have packed things in the past.

My Disney Packing list has the following categories (which are all laid out like the above example): Clothing & Accessories, Toiletries & Medications, Documentation, Car Travel, Other Items, and Snacks & Drinks (this last one could probably go in with Car Travel if I wanted... but I like it where it is). Each category is grouped in such a way that items in the same category will typically be packed in the same location... although there are always exceptions.


The Grandparents Packing List

This list is laid out similarily but with a couple of differences. Instead of DD and DS's clothing being grouped together it is seperate because DD will be there the entire time and DS will likely only be there for one of the weekends. Also on this list you will notice the "Packed for Trip" and "Packed for return". This is to help DD and DS make sure that they leave with all the items that they took (when we stay at a hotel I just work my way through the room checking all the corners etc. to make sure nothing is left behind).

The grandparents packing list has the following categories: DD Clothing & Accessories, DS Clothing & Accessories, and Documentation.

There you have it, my wonderful packing lists... riveting installment wasn't it

 

[willwriteforears]

Those clips of your lists are lovely (channeling LL ). I have to admit, my packing lists have never taken spreadsheet form--I'm more of legal-pad-and-check-off-as-you-go kind of gal when it comes to packing lists.

But yours are very organized, and that is a good idea of ensuring your kids come back with everything that was packed!