How far in advance do you start getting ready?

[eeyoregirl]

Am I alone here? Our trip is in late May, but I have already started writing lists and getting stuff together. Is this normal?

Here's some back story: I am a single mom and work a demanding full time job, and I also work at a restaurant one or two nights a week. In short, I am pressed for time. Do you think that I am nuts for planning so far in advance?

Can anyone give me a timeline on how you go about packing for a trip like this (we are going for 10 days, 9 nights).

Thanks!

 

[ameraumi]

This is our first trip and I have made out my packing list already. I have also started to buy some of the travel sized items that I will need.

 

[dsnymomof4]

Yes, very normal. Plus, getting ready is exciting. It means your trip is getting closer. I also start making lists months in advance. Whenever you think of something you want to take or need to do before you leave, write it down. That way, in those hectic days right before your trip, you're less likely to forget something. You can even start packing things you won't need until your trip. Especially since your so busy, the more you get done earlier, the better. Have fun getting ready and have a wonderful trip!

 

[stitch&ariel]

As soon as we get back we are planning for our next trip. We do itineraries, packing lists and shopping lists for when we get there! That we we make sure that we fit everything we can in I love planning for it but I get way too excited too early lol

 

[f7prez]

I have recently been reading posts here for our trip in April... 2007.

It is never too early to begin planning. We are continuously looking for different hotels to stay at, restaurants to eat at, attractions to see.

I have just read that someone was looking for places to pick oranges. I have been to WDW more times than I can count... but we have never gone orange picking. We go apple picking at home every autumn, but never thought about orange picking. The more you plan, the more you will learn.

 

[Polyfor30th]

We are going in late May too! Wow, we started to ramp up last fall when we decided to narrow our trip to Spring of 2006--then really started to plan when the final decision was made for May over the holidays. My dh is the self proclaimed list king--he has been generating (and re-generating) itineraries via Excel for months. It's a fun process--can't wait to get there

 

[ZoZo]

For me, part of the fun is planning the trip. Making dining reservations, deciding which things to do on which days, updating my packing list - this is all part of the adventure for me. For my trip last October, we started seriously planning our trip in June or July, "tweaking" things as we went along.

Regarding what to bring for a 9/10-day trip, my main advice is to bring half of the clothes you think you'll need and plan to do laundry mid-week. I'm a compulsive over-packer, and brought waaaaay too much stuff last fall. Wish I had lightened my load by half on the clothes, since I did laundry mid-week. Things I would recommend you do bring with you, though, are: "emergency" ponchos (invaluable to tuck into a fanny pack or purse, so you don't have to buy the expensive Disney ones); cell phone; ADR confirmation numbers; spray-on sunscreen (love that stuff); moleskin; bodyglide to prevent blisters; sunglasses; and a couple of pairs extremely well-broken-in shoes (the older and more "beaten up" the better).

 

[swillis]

I'm booked for May. It's myself, DD (11) DS (10) and a friend of mine going. My friend is coming over this Friday night, we'll have dinner (some wine!) and sit down with the kids and plan our trip. Hopefull after this I will have a better idea about where we want to book ADR's.

I have a weekend trip planned to the Bahamas at the end of this month, so I took out my summer clothes today in fact, and got started on packing. It will be interesting (always is) to see what fits the kids, and what they've outgrown since this past summer.

 

[Snow Shoe]

About a month after getting back from our last trip, we will have already agreed on when next year, July as usual, we'll go. I'll then call MS and get our 2bdrm villa at BWV's booked, done also! Then I'll start looking for airfare and when I see a good rate, I book then; we both refuse to fly SWA, also done now. Before the 180 day ADR's calling came into effect, I used the PC Calulator to figure out when to call WDW Dining and make our PS's. This year I've alread made all of our ADR's at the 180 day mark. We've also already drug out our first aid/blister kit, and restocked it. Both of our camers are digital so I charge my batteries a couple days before leaving, and buy new lithium ones for the other camera. About 3 weeks before arriving, I'll e-mail our grocerier a listing of what we want delivered the day after arrival. This is all that's left to do other then pack.

We've gone now so many times, that packing is now done the day before leaving. WE both have it down to an art as to what we take. Since our room has washer/dryer in them, we'll take just enough to get started and then wash as we need.

Now on my computer desktop is a countdown! Everyday I'll open it and see that one more day has ticked by. Today's count was, 112 days left!!!!!!

 

[dbarker]

I start getting things gathered up and planning about a year in advance. (Sometimes longer if I know when I am going). I have a "Vacation" tote in the corner of my bedroom. As I gather things for vacation, I toss it in there. I already have the glow sticks and necklaces. I bought them around Halloween. In the next couple of months I will be doing a summer clothes inventory to see if anyone needs any new shorts. I buy Disney t-shirts at the Disney Store when they are on sale. We are going in July.

 

[swkmom]

We are going in June and I'm already picking up stuff that we see at a good price, i.e. ponchos, sunblock, hand sanitizer. I also have a rubbermaid tub I have been throwing everything in. I'd rather do a little at a time then having to run around shopping after work every day for a week before our vacation!

 

[Violets by da Marina]

Hey SWKMOM, we're also going in june... From the 22 - 30th. We're also buying some stuff for the trip. We've been planning since last summer and now the plans are starting to come together. I went and bought some ziploc bags already. And I've made my list on other things I need aswell. I don't think we're to early, because it will be here before we know it. So, na eeyoregirl, go ahead and start buying and packing... If you hear of any other good tips or things we're gonna need. Please share!!!


​

 

[Disneyorl]

The earlier the better! It makes it so exciting to know that going to Disney is coming soon! As a matter a fact, we are going in August and I am planning and constantly thinking about the trip! I, too, am already getting things bought (especially when they are on sale), surprise Disney gifts for my nephew (Our Disney store here in Harrisburg,PA had alot of things on sale/clearance this past weekend, toys and light pajamas, sweatshirts (for those too cool a/c areas). You are perfectly normal so keep on planning. Have fun!!!! Save some fun for me when I get there in August!

 

[eeyoregirl]

You guys are awesome! I am a compulsive listmaker, too....

The planning is fun, though, isn't it? Last year I sabotaged myself. I made lists way beforehand, started packing early, and then I got hit with a big project at work. I ended up staying up all night the day before our trip and wow was I whooped later on!

Thanks for all of your advice and encouragement, and if you can think of any other great tips, bring 'em on!

Michelle aka eeyoregirl

 

[zenshome]

We start planning the next trip on the way home. This way we never lose contact with the magic. We may be crazy but we like it.

 

[Stitchfans]

our trip isn't until March 2007 and I already have lists made. I have bought a few things already for the trip too.

 

[BuzzNutt]

Am I alone here? Our trip is in late May, but I have already started writing lists and getting stuff together. Is this normal?

Here's some back story: I am a single mom and work a demanding full time job, and I also work at a restaurant one or two nights a week. In short, I am pressed for time. Do you think that I am nuts for planning so far in advance?

Can anyone give me a timeline on how you go about packing for a trip like this (we are going for 10 days, 9 nights).

Thanks!

You are not crazy. I have already started my lists and notes and I am over a year out for my trip.
I usually make piles of the clothes I am bringing about a week out. By the time I actually pack I am putting half of the pile away since it is too much.

 

[Andrea]

lol i started planning our trip in january lol and its for june!!! that is awful lol

 

[mickeymousemom]

The minute we drive off property! We are all Disney nuts, though my 16yo DD is beginning to get a life. We immediately start the planning process. We decide what we want to try next time, where we might stay(though it seems POR is our "home"), etc. We talk and talk and talk for a few months, planning ADR's, time of trip, finding out when DDs' vacations are and go from there. As far as the actual packing, getting things together routine, I usually start doing this as soon as I book the trip, which is usually at least 6 months in advance. We go in October...I book around March. The trip becomes a reality then and I use every excuse I can to bring out the vacation items. I must get them out of the closet now, lest I forget them later . I make ADR's as soon as possible and write them all down, lest the crowds dictate we shan't eat at a TS restaurant . As summer comes to an unofficial end, with the start of school, etc, I start packing the summer clothes and buy more on clearance. I hit the dollar stores and buy goofy things for the room, such as a shoe hanger for our toiletries(saves room in the bath area) and a cheap container of deodorant to prevent blisters on our feet(yes, it truly does work). I also buy a $1 laundry bag to keep our dirty stuff together and I can just carry that to the laundry at the resort. Now, I know this isn't a "What do you take to make things easier" thread, but I just added those tips as a bonus for y'all.
Once it gets to two weeks and less, most things are packed, except for our toiletries and a few other things. This is when I PANIC. What will I forget? What do we need?? What will make our life easier when at WDW? I then scour thru all the threads I have saved and get more tips, which cause me to go out and buy more things. Oh well. I then begin to hope our house won't burn down or that I'll get arrested for some silly reason so as to ruin our lovely trip to WDW.

So, to answer your question...
We start getting ready as soon as we drive off-property

 

[Violets by da Marina]

But yeah, all sounds good. So you mean to tell me I'm not the only one thinking my house will go on fire whenever I go out of town. Whew!!! What a reflief!!! So yes if you have any more tips send them on... That was a good idea about the glow bracelets because there i'm sure they are an arm and a leg... ha ha ha!!! Got to go hit the dollar store now!!!