Ideas for organizing stuff for April 2005 trip

[laurfisher]

I am sure most people can relate....First time (in April ) to WDW. so i have been collecting info on what to buy /bring...earplanes, autograph book, fun stuff for plane ride, toothbrushes, hair ties, sunscreen, bandaids etc....

I am SO worried I will forget something...even though I have made a list..so this is what I have done. I have a small storage "tote" that as I find things around the house, I put them in the tote.

I also have a list of things to buy. Each paycheck from now till then I will pick stuff up. First I check the dollar store and get as much as I can from my list.

Then as I happen to be in Walmart or grocery store or anywhere else, I pick up a few things and go home and put it in the tote. Notice I said " as I happen to be in ......" I keep a little assignment pad in my purse with my " to get list" I started at the end of Jan so I check as I go into stores...This way I don't have to run around to all of these stores at once like crazy before the trip. I even bought new word search, coloring books etc, that my DS won't see until we get on the plane ( a surprise for him) dollar store dollar store dollar store....When I am ready to pack...everything is in the tote.
I am also hoping....the week before we go for ME to go to bed early every night so I will be well rested. ( Since I am up late every night looking for all the info I can absorb! ) If anyone else has some great pre packing plans
PLEASE SHARE...Thanks for listening...

 

[mom23boyz]

A great thing to save money on is glow sticks or glowing jelewry. I bought our kids each two sticks to hold when we were in the parks at night and they didn't even ask for items from the vendors (who are all over the place peddling expensive light up stuff).

 

[disyady]

Hi laurfisher! I don't think that I can add anything that you probably haven't read or heard already, but I just had to post and tell you that we sound like twins separated at birth!!! That is exactly how I prepare for my upcoming trips and in 22 years of Disney trips I still always forget a little something. Of course it won't affect the enjoyment of your trip because there isn't much you can't get there if you absolutely need it. The prep work is half the fun of a trip, but you're right to make sure that you also get plenty of rest. The last thing you need when you get there is to get sick. Have a great time planning and a magical vacation!!!!!

 

[canwegosoon]

I used the packing list off Mousesavers...deleted items that I thought I would not use, and found every thing else (except I deleted ponchos as we were going in the beginning of MArch...ended up buying them at AK on a rainy morning). HAve a great trip!!

 

[christinadei]

That is exactly what I do too! I make lists and lists and lists and then as I get things, I put them together in a bag in my closet! It works out great!

 

[Princess Glenda]

Great idea. I'm doing the same thing. I have a tote in my bedroom closet and I am collecting things for the trip. I call it my Disney Box. Just like you said--I'm buying a little bit here and there and I have a detailed list of things to look for. One other thing I use is an accordion style folder. It measures about 5 in. by 10 in. This is a great way for me to organize our park tickets, Disney Dollars, Park maps, Meal Vouchers, postcard stamps, etc. I also have a nice hanging toiletry bag that I love to pack. It makes things so easy to get to in the hotel room and keeps the room neat.

 

[laurfisher]

Well thanks to everyone here ( THANKS ALL!) and mousesavers. I have able to "plan" and not just go willy nilly or wait for the last minute and go crazy and get stressed! I printed the list off mousesavers as well and deleted what i wouldnt need too! I guess we are all great minds and think alike....any geminis out there!!! Again that's to all the fun loving sharing people my first trip to WDW will be pretty organized.....................

YOU ROCK!!!

.................. I am sure my 7 yr will be grateful on our vacation.........a non stressed mommy...............lol

 

[crazee4mickey]

This is for when you get to your room-----You have probably already heard this but take a shoe bag that hangs on the door, they are inexpensive and it is a great way to keep your sink area and room clean--we had one that had 32 pockets so everyone in our family had a seperate one for their toothbrushes, paste-then there was more than enough room for brushes, shampoo, hair products, medications, etc!
This was the greatest "lifesaver" for organization while we were there! After I had read about it on here I bought one but even questioned packing it, I did and will take one on all of our trips from now on!

 

[pat's mom99]

I can't say enough about buying glow sticks before you go. Walmart and Target sell them in there party section. I always been the hit when I pull those out my bag. And last year I bought those squirt fans at Walmart for about $3 on sale. The same ones that run about $10 to $15 in Disney

 

[ladydancer]

Same here. We are going in April and already have a box and putting things in them as I purchase or come across something. 1 thing I take on every trip is a night light. I like to have a night light for the bathroom so I'm not getting up in a dark room and having to switch on a bright light.

Also as others have said only I have 2 bags that hang. One I also have packed with shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, medicines ect,ect,ect. It is huge and has every thing in it but the kitchen sink. The other is for makeup.

 

[laurfisher]

great tips everyone

 

[PaulaSue]

We are not planning on going for a year but I am starting to think of what to pack and am back here looking for tips.

Also I wanted to Add that I just got a bunch of glow sticks and necklaces at Target on Friday from the dollarspot clearenced for 75% off. So each one was 25 cents each I bought 3 sets each for my girls and thought if you have a target close you might want to check.

 

[ladydancer]

I just bought different sizes of the glow sticks @ the $ store. Each pack had several sticks inside. Of course I put them in my box that I'm collecting our stuff for the trip. Also picked up some poncho rain coats. This is the first time I've ever seen 2 in a pack.

 

[bobcat]

I too have a disney box. When we are ready to go I put it all into it's own duffle bag and that way I know exactly where everything is.

 

[MickieD]

I take disposable dish wipes to wash sippy cups. These are made by palmolive and dawn brands.

also great for washing off your sunglasses!

GF April 2005