My Parents Gave US the World! A Poly Dream PTR - April 2012**UPDATE 4/10/12 pg 10**

[wakica]

ooooh! A day in a cabana sounds luxuriously relaxing! Nice Choice!!!

 

[204charity]

Sounds like an awesome trip! I hope you all have fun! The cabanas are a great way to relax but people always try to walk in on your private space. Just a heads up they can be rude

Thanks for the heads up! Any advice on how to keep the strangers at bay? I think my dad will have 3 sides down on the cabana almost the whole time, to keep the sun out, and we will be switching the loungers around, putting those IN the cabana for sleeping, and then putting the other 4 chairs and the table outside.

I know what to do - buy a fog horn and just blow the heck out of it when people come too close! STRANGER DANGER!!! STRANGER DANGER!!! STRANGER DANGER!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

A cabana on your last day will be awesome!!

 

[momtwoboys]

Just read through your whole PTR and Its making me excited for our April trip too! We are staying at AKV, and doing all the parks but no waterparks Our younger DS does not like lots of the same things as your daughter. But he does love Flights of Wonder, Camp Minnie Mickey to meet characters, both walking trails, the train ride to Rafiki's planet, and poking around at the animals that are in the areas around the tree of life ( all this of course in AK) HAVE FUN planning!!!! We are counting down every morning before school, and listening to Disney Music non stop!

 

[Katie & Glen]

Looks like you have done a fair bit of planning and have things mostly settled out. Well done! We tend to have a fairly aggressive plan for what to accomplish every day. DW times things out and uses things like touringplans and other tools to figure out when to send someone (me) to run and get a FP as they head to another ride to minimize the wait times. So, I certainly think your plan is achievable.

If your airline participates in the check in at the Poly, I would certainly take advantage of it . Checked luggage goes into a secure area and you pick it up at the baggage claim at your arrival airport. Once you drop it off, you generally do not have access to it, so make sure you have what you need and don't need to get to it or put anything into it. The big plus is that you do not have to deal with it. The downside is you give up access to it.

You would also be able to get your boarding passes, so once you arrive at the airport, you head straight to security and go to your gate... makes life much easier.

Once thing I noticed that was missing in everything was a discussion on Photopass. Not sure if you are doing it or not. We do it every trip and there is usually a deal if you purchase ahead of time that makes it really worth while, as compared to buying after the fact. You get some priceless photos and can customize them with Disney supplied borders and special effects. There are also parts where they do special pics (Tinkerbell in the hand, balloons, etc).

 

[204charity]

Sorry for the late update everyone, things have been VERY crazy around here. DH slipped at work on some ice and has been off work all week - so needless to say, I am busy being his nurse! lol

So, I wanted to just do a brief outline of the week's plan - so here it is in all it's glory!! I don't have DTD in the schedule, but we WILL be going there at some point, we are just not sure when yet??? We have lots of free evenings, so I am sure we will just play it by ear and go when we feel like shopping!!!

Saturday, April 21: Arrival Day
11:30 am - flight lands
Check into Poly, catch bus to Typhoon Lagoon (closes at 6:00)
9:00 - Wishes on the Poly Beach

Sunday: RD Hollywood Studios
Star Tours, Muppets 3D, Magic of Disney Animation, Little Mermaid & Beauty & The Beast
3:00 Pixar Parade

Monday: RD Epcot Future World/Blizzard Beach
Soarin', The Seas w Nemo & Friends, Turtle Talk w Crush, Club Cool for Beverly
Catch bus to Blizzard Beach (closes at 5:00)

Tuesday: RD Animal Kingdom
Festival of the Lion King, Safari, Pangani Trail, Maharaj Jungle Trek, Kali River, Finding Nemo, DiVine

Wednesday: 8:40 Magic Kingdom (wanna catch the opening ceremony!)
Peter Pans Flight, Winnie-the-Pooh, Philharmagic, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Carribean, Swiss Family Treehouse, Jungle Cruise
BREAK AT POLY!!!
Time???? - Main Street Electrical Parade
9:00 - Wishes at MK

Thursday: 11:00 am -Epcot World Showcase
Japan, and go clockwise around park
BREAK AT POLY 2:00 - 5:00

Friday: Later arrival at Magic Kingdom
Start in Tomorrowland (Monsters Inc Laugh Floor) and go counter-clockwise around park

Saturday: Check-out day
10:00 - Full day cabana rental
11:30 - check out of room
5:30 - arrive at airport
8:20 - flight leaves

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Your plan is looking good! Doesn't just looking at your plans get you excited about your trip? Whenever I pull up our itinerary/touring plans, I do. Only 70 more days!!!

 

[204charity]

Your plan is looking good! Doesn't just looking at your plans get you excited about your trip? Whenever I pull up our itinerary/touring plans, I do. Only 70 more days!!!

I get so excited looking at our plans! my dad bought us a book - PassPorters Walt Disney World 2012, reading over it is getting me even more prepared!! (excited too of coarse)

 

[auprincess]

You have planned a great week!! Not sure if I realized before that your first day looks very similar to our first day. We'll be driving down and probably arrive around lunch. Plan to go to the TL (at least me or DH with my oldest). Then dinner at O'hana and watching Wishes from the beach. Don't forgot to watch the EWP, too!

 

[204charity]

You have planned a great week!! Not sure if I realized before that your first day looks very similar to our first day. We'll be driving down and probably arrive around lunch. Plan to go to the TL (at least me or DH with my oldest). Then dinner at O'hana and watching Wishes from the beach. Don't forgot to watch the EWP, too!

Yes, I remember reading something about you maybe heading to TL on Saturday! (maybe on the poly thread?) I'm getting so excited!how about you?!

 

[204charity]

Well, first of all let me say that I DID post a HUGE update last night with loads of photos, and well - it didn't upload! By the time it was all said and done, I was so frustrated, I just shut the computer down and went to bed. So, let's try it again shall we?

I don't know about you, but I have been secretly stashing away little special items to surprise DD with on our trip. Some things are neccessities of sorts, and others are special little treats. Are you collecting items for your trip? What are you bringing for your loved ones? I plan on giving DD some items at the airport on our way to Florida, some items will be given to her throughout the week as well. So, here are some of the things and their accompanying photos:

First, we have some necessities of the planning - DD knows about these ones, but I just thought I would share so you all could see. My Dad bought this book for DD as soon as it came out in September, it was a definite help when it came down to picking our rides for each park.

Next, we have my two "bibles" for this trip! One was a hand-me-down from my cousin on her trip in December, and the Passporter Book was just given to us by my Dad last week. I LOVE IT!!!

Next, I have bought some disposable ponchos for DD and I. So far, I have 2 for her and 1 for me. I'd like to go and grab one more for her at the local dollar store. We plan on riding Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain, so we'd need 1 each for those rides, and then I'd like an extra one each just to keep in our backpacks in case of rain!

Next, we have some XXL Ziploc Bags I bought for packing. There unfortunately was a case of bed bugs at the Poly in the fall, and it has me quite nervous, so as added protection, I will be packing our clothing etc in the plastic bags and then putting the bags into the suitcases. Also, I bring large clear garbage bags, which I tie around the suitcases when we leave the hotel room for the day etc. I know it seems paranoid, but I am not taking any chances in bringing a little bug back home with me!

And for our toiletries, my parents bought me this awesome Lewis & Clark bags!

I also took the time to make DD a Travel Journal filled with activity pages, coloring pages, and trip report pages. It also has a list of Hidden Mickeys and a Character Check-list! The smaller book is just a cheap photo album, I have brought that so DD can collect any ticket stubs, receipts ect for her scrapbook she is making after the trip!

Even though DD is kind of old for stickers, I thought they were cute and heck, they were cheap from the Dollar store, so I grabbed a couple of sheets of Disney Princess stickers for her to decorate pages if she wants, or just to bring back home even for her scrapbook, etc. The stickers all along the bottom of the picture are from Hong Kong DL, and we got them free with a large Dragon Hidden Mickey Head pin we bought for my Dad for his Camera Strap. (He is not planning to trade it, but keep it as a souvenir instead)

I also bought some Wet Naps (for washing hands and faces while at the parks) I only have 1 pack so far, but I will be buying a few more. The Aqua Paks were an awesome buy, again, at the local Dollar Store! My parents bought two of them for themselves at the local travel store, and they didn't tell me what they paid - but it sure wasn't a dollar! I think they were pretty choked to see that they paid so much. LOL - When we looked at the packaging, they are identical. BPA free etc - so we shall see how they compare upon use!

My aunt went on a holiday to Mexico in November, and she gave us an extra disposable underwater camera for DD to use at the waterparks. I wasn't sure about her using it though, as it doesn't have a wrist strap to keep it on your hand. Well, as luck would have it, we went to a local consignment store last week, and I found this great set of 3 cellphone accessories, one of which is a wrist strap! So perfect!

Next we have a Disney pen that I received free with a Disney Pin I ordered online, and a nice fat one in case DD wants to get any character autographs! There is also a little light up Minnie Mouse pin here that I picked up at the Dollar Store that I thought would be cute to wear to the Electrical Parade and of coarse, one of my favorite things - a Cinderella Carriage for her pearl she will be picking at the "Pick-a-Pearl" in Japan!

We are members of the DMC, so with some of our points, I went ahead and ordered her a Toy Story Vinylmation Doll. She is not a big TS fan, but I figure, at the very least she can trade it for one she likes if she so desires, or she can bring it back home for her little brother as a souvenir. Also, there are 2 hidden Mickey bracelets that my wonderful cousin picked up for us in December when she was in DW!

I took the liberty of ordering some pins for DD online, I am not quite sure of their authenticity but we have no intention on trading them, so I didn't really feel that it mattered all that much. I will be giving them to her throughout the course of the week. The first one is a Minnie Mouse birthstone pin, the second one is a "Good Behaviour" Pin, and the third one is a "Tooth Brushing" Award pin. That one is supposed to be funny, cause my dad is a dentist, so he will give it to her as a joke when she brushes her teeth one morning. They were all around $7 each plus shipping. The final pin, the one from Mary Poppins, was around $20, so I believe it is authentic. My Mom bought it for herself. Again, my mom has no plans on trading it, as she collects penguins.

Next, we have some beautiful shirts that I made for DD with the help of two wonderful Dis-ers. OrcaPotter and RustManFan. The first shirt is a tribute of sorts to my parents (Amma & Afi means Grandma & Grandpa in Icelandic) and the second one is self-explanatory. I am not sure what days she will wear these shirts, but they are in the mix for the week anyways!

Two more shirts that I made for DD, the first one is a beautiful Zebra Minnie Mouse Head for our AK day and the second shirt is my most favorite of the batch! DD's name is pronounced "Yo-Hanna" and rhymes very well with 'Ohana, so I wanted something to kind of represent that. This was the end result! The colors are so vibrant - I am so happy with it!

And finally - my shirt. This one is similar to my DD's first shirt, except it says "My Mom & Dad gave me the World!"

I also was lucky enough as a DMC Rewards member to get a FREE Character Call, so I have a call scheduled for the night before our trip for DD. Cinderella will be calling her to wish her Good Night! I am so excited to get the Pixie Dust spread early!!!

Soooo, what do you guys have planned!?

 

[HalloweenNut]

Looks like a great collection so far!!! Thanks for the reminder to look for the rain ponchos - I'd much rather buy them here at a dollar store than when we're at Disney. I've started picking up stuff as well - my daughter is younger so lots of colouring & activity books, stickers, markers for character meets, etc. I got a number of glow sticks and wands that I can hand out to her at the various firework shows - again rather than buying them there.

I also picked up lanyard & zippered cloth pouches for all of us to keep our tickets organized. I'll be going to get a new backpack soon as well. I want one not too big and will be comfortable to wear.

 

[wakica]

wow! You are SO organized!!! I used to get DD gifts before hand too and giver her some for the trip down (airport and airplane activities), then I'd leave one on her pillow each morning when we left the room so she would have a Disney surprise waiting for her in the room at the end of each day. It helped to keep her from feeling the need to buy things in the parks b/c she knew there would be a surprise on her pillow when we got home each day. So it actually saved us money b/c we got them at Walmart and Dollar stores before leaving home. I actually havn't even thought of these things yet - it's cold up here so I go to the store as little as possible!! Once it warms up (we're talking like end of March/beginning of April) I'll get out more and browse around for fun stuff like that. Until then I'm like a bear - I hibernate and ROAR when I have to venture out in the cold.

The wipes are a GREAT idea!!! You might want to get more. lol. We used them in airplanes to clean off our trays and arm rests, while travelling to clean our hands, in parks to clean our hands and they really came in handy when the birds we were watching at Magic Kingdom decided to poop on my DD's head She was appalled and we were SOOO thankful for a whole stash of wet wipes to get it all cleaned out good.

The shirts look great too!!! and did I say yet how organized you are???

 

[auprincess]

Great stuff!! I've got a stash as well...nightgowns, sunglasses, a princess necklace, some shirts ~ I can't even remember what else!

I love your shirts!!

 

[bigsis1970]

This is our one and only day scheduled to head over to Animal Kingdom.

I think it opens at 9:00 am on this day, and I don't anticipate arriving there much later than that. My daughter is VERY excited for this park. She wishes she was brave enough to do Expedition Everest, and to be honest I wish she was too. I know it would scare the pants off of us, but that's kind of the point, right? LOL Unfortunately, she gets terribly motion sick (even in a slow car ride) so it's not something we want to risk ruining the whole day over. We know that there is plenty to see and do there without making her puke in a garbage can! So, our list of "must-do's" at Animal Kingdom are:

1. Kilimanjaro Safari

2. Finding Nemo - the musical

3. Maharaj Jungle Trek

4. Festival of the Lion King

5. Kali River Rapids

6. Eat a late lunch/early supper at Yak & Yeti

Not sure what order those would best be seen in yet, but that's really all we MUST see when there. We understand that this park is just so wonderful to leisurely walk through, and we really want to take our time exploring the grounds. Maybe we'll even find that beautiful vine-lady! (What's her name again?) And does anyone know anything about the "Pangani Forest Exploration Trail"? What is that and is it worth seeing?

So, this again, is ALL I have planned for this day. There is some information that I need in order to better plan this day I guess. Like:

What time does the park open & close? AND of coarse -
What is the best way to get to AK from the Poly? And how long does it take approx?

HI - About the motion sick.. (I get it to) everest didn't give me any but just to be sure in case she is brave enough you could always give her a dose of Drammine.. Ps like the TR so far!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hi Charity! Are you and your parents making any requests for a specific longhouse at Poly?

 

[204charity]

Hi Charity! Are you and your parents making any requests for a specific longhouse at Poly?

Hey Dave! I think that when we made the initial reservation we requested 3rd floor in either Fiji or Tahiti. My dad was going to splurge on a TPV, but I told him not to bother.....we will enjoy Wishes from the beach, and don't really need to see them from our room. We are just booked for a GV - and really all we care about in the end if s 3rd floor room. I really hate hearing people walk around above me when I'm trying to sleep. So, I am just praying for pixie dust for that request!! (A little slice of water in our view wouldn't hurt either though, I'm not gonna lie)

How about you all? What did you request? And do you know if when we do our online check-in 10 days before, should we also reiterate our original requests?

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hey Dave! I think that when we made the initial reservation we requested 3rd floor in either Fiji or Tahiti. My dad was going to splurge on a TPV, but I told him not to bother.....we will enjoy Wishes from the beach, and don't really need to see them from our room. We are just booked for a GV - and really all we care about in the end if s 3rd floor room. I really hate hearing people walk around above me when I'm trying to sleep. So, I am just praying for pixie dust for that request!! (A little slice of water in our view wouldn't hurt either though, I'm not gonna lie)

How about you all? What did you request? And do you know if when we do our online check-in 10 days before, should we also reiterate our original requests?

We're booked for a GV as well. I only made a request for a patio or a balcony room since the kids will be going to bed earlier than us and it would be nice to have some outdoor space to hang out without having to wake up the kids. Been debating whether I should request a longhouse but I think I'm going to let Disney decide for us . If we end up as neighbors in the same longhouse, that'll be too funny!

As for the online check in, I used it last year for our trip and they never gave any request options during the process that I can remember. So you should be good with the requests you made through the phone.

Thanks for checking in on my PTR! Getting sooooo close now!

 

[ZehnJahren]

I just saw your comment on my TR, and had to come over and check out your trip. LOL, you have a binder of fun! That's awesome!

I've never stayed at the Poly, but on my last trip I got a very extensive tour of the grounds and thought it was beautiful. It was so BIG!!! And it was gorgeous; such lush vegetation and so peaceful.

That's very cool that you guys are waterpark fans. It's funny how different families are! WDW has GREAT waterparks, I think - they're so well themed. Just watch out for the major wedgies on those big slides. !!

Have you checked out easyWDW for park days? Just wondering, because it looks like you did but I figured I'd throw it out there. I see you're doing HS on 4/15, Epcot on 4/16, AK on 2/17, MK on 2/18, Ep on 2/19, MK on 2/20. Looks like those are all the recommended days from easyWDW - I love that site. If you don't know about it, I recommend it.

Now one thing I do have to say - where are the fireworks? I know you're traveling with a child, but I will tell you - when I was THREE I went to WDW for the first time and walked ALL day (couldn't get me in a stroller) and INSISTED on watching the fireworks. I think my Mom said I did a 14 hour day without a single nap or word of protest. I know you said DD doesn't like loud noises in the dark; does that extend to fireworks shows? I might have missed it in all of these pages somewhere. I'd say you should at least consider seeing Illuminations - it's not your usual fireworks show. You could even watch the "first half" and then leave when the major fireworks start.

There are a couple of things I always bring on my trips that you might be interested in. I bring one gallon sized Zip lock to put the tv remote in (because it is the DIRTIEST THING IN THE ENTIRE ROOM); I also bring several gallon-sized zip locks for a lot of reasons - they store dirty socks or underwear, wet bathing suits, stuffed animals, (AND you can use them as a vaccum bag too, squeezing all the air out to compress it for packing) and I keep one in my travel purse (for rides like Splash to keep it dry; it folds up tiny and goes in my travel purse all day) and I bring about a dozen small sandwich zip locks - you'd be very surprised at all the uses there are for these, and they take up so little room. I also bring a little pack of clorox wipes (one of those sample-sized ones from Wal-Mart) and a pair of disposable rubber gloves (we keep those in the house for cleaning the cat box or the bathtub) and use the wipes to wipe down all the sinks and faucets, bathtub faucet, rails, doorknobs, and light switches. It takes about 3 minutes, and just makes me personally feel better. I also take a small flashlight (but I do a bedbug check; knew someone who had them and it was an expensive NIGHTMARE). Otherwise, the little flashlight is helpful in a room full of people that you might not want to wake up in the middle of the night trying to get to the bathroom.

Also, oddly, I always pack beef jerky. If you've been sweating ALL DAY LONG, there is nothing as wonderful as a big ol' piece of beef jerky. I started doing this when I worked in a theme park; I'd sweat out a ton of salt during the day because our air conditioning was not good, and then stop at the mart on the way home and get a thing of beef jerky. I felt like a new woman!

Your plans look like a lot of fun - you should try a TR when you get back!!

 

[204charity]

HI - About the motion sick.. (I get it to) everest didn't give me any but just to be sure in case she is brave enough you could always give her a dose of Drammine.. Ps like the TR so far!

Yes - I will look into the dramamine - I am not sure if we can buy that in Canada without a prescription, but if not I will be getting a prescription for DD. I AM worried about her getting plane sick as well, so I think it's something I would give to her before our flight leaves just in case. I want something non-drowsy though, so I will probably try it out on a random day next month to make sure she doesn't have a bad reaction to it.

Great stuff!! I've got a stash as well...nightgowns, sunglasses, a princess necklace, some shirts ~ I can't even remember what else!

I love your shirts!!

Thanks! I think I saw somewhere that you are making shirts as well? How are they coming along?

wow! You are SO organized!!! I used to get DD gifts before hand too and giver her some for the trip down (airport and airplane activities), then I'd leave one on her pillow each morning when we left the room so she would have a Disney surprise waiting for her in the room at the end of each day. It helped to keep her from feeling the need to buy things in the parks b/c she knew there would be a surprise on her pillow when we got home each day. So it actually saved us money b/c we got them at Walmart and Dollar stores before leaving home. I actually havn't even thought of these things yet - it's cold up here so I go to the store as little as possible!! Once it warms up (we're talking like end of March/beginning of April) I'll get out more and browse around for fun stuff like that. Until then I'm like a bear - I hibernate and ROAR when I have to venture out in the cold.

The wipes are a GREAT idea!!! You might want to get more. lol. We used them in airplanes to clean off our trays and arm rests, while travelling to clean our hands, in parks to clean our hands and they really came in handy when the birds we were watching at Magic Kingdom decided to poop on my DD's head She was appalled and we were SOOO thankful for a whole stash of wet wipes to get it all cleaned out good.

The shirts look great too!!! and did I say yet how organized you are???

Thanks! I am SOOO organized it can actually get one people's nerves sometimes I think. Thank God I have you guys to share my planning with! lol I went out and bought 2 more of the travel packs of wet naps as you suggested. There are 15 per package, so that should be good I think? I may buy a small can of aerosol Lysol at the dollar store to use in the room for the light switches, phone, remote etc. I am germaphobic like that! As for saving us money with our pre-shopping, not so sure about that. DD has around $250 saved, and I have $300, we are on the dining plan, so we plan on spending every penny on souvenirs! DTD here we come!!! (Oh, and I want some Nemo towels with the Seagulls on them. And a mug. heehehee)

Looks like a great collection so far!!! Thanks for the reminder to look for the rain ponchos - I'd much rather buy them here at a dollar store than when we're at Disney. I've started picking up stuff as well - my daughter is younger so lots of colouring & activity books, stickers, markers for character meets, etc. I got a number of glow sticks and wands that I can hand out to her at the various firework shows - again rather than buying them there.

I also picked up lanyard & zippered cloth pouches for all of us to keep our tickets organized. I'll be going to get a new backpack soon as well. I want one not too big and will be comfortable to wear.

Ah, I tried to buy the lanyards with the zippered pouches on line too, but they unfortunately do not ship to Canada. I know we will find something handy when we are there for DD anyways. I will just keep my tickets etc in my purse or backpack.

We're booked for a GV as well. I only made a request for a patio or a balcony room since the kids will be going to bed earlier than us and it would be nice to have some outdoor space to hang out without having to wake up the kids. Been debating whether I should request a longhouse but I think I'm going to let Disney decide for us . If we end up as neighbors in the same longhouse, that'll be too funny!

As for the online check in, I used it last year for our trip and they never gave any request options during the process that I can remember. So you should be good with the requests you made through the phone.

Thanks for checking in on my PTR! Getting sooooo close now!

Hey Dave - Are you going to be updating on the Dis while you guys are there? I will I think. We are both pretty darn busy, but I am sure my 9yo DD would love to swim with another little girl, even if there is a bit of an age difference. We shall see if we bump into one-another. Will you have a LGMH with you? I am sending DH to Home Depot to get a couple for our group. I'll just explain to my parents what the signifigance is so they don't get all confused if someone approaches us. And if we don't get a chance to have a Dis-Meet, at least we can see if we photo-bombed each other's pics in our TR's!!!

I just saw your comment on my TR, and had to come over and check out your trip. LOL, you have a binder of fun! That's awesome!

I've never stayed at the Poly, but on my last trip I got a very extensive tour of the grounds and thought it was beautiful. It was so BIG!!! And it was gorgeous; such lush vegetation and so peaceful.

That's very cool that you guys are waterpark fans. It's funny how different families are! WDW has GREAT waterparks, I think - they're so well themed. Just watch out for the major wedgies on those big slides. !!

Have you checked out easyWDW for park days? Just wondering, because it looks like you did but I figured I'd throw it out there. I see you're doing HS on 4/15, Epcot on 4/16, AK on 2/17, MK on 2/18, Ep on 2/19, MK on 2/20. Looks like those are all the recommended days from easyWDW - I love that site. If you don't know about it, I recommend it.

Now one thing I do have to say - where are the fireworks? I know you're traveling with a child, but I will tell you - when I was THREE I went to WDW for the first time and walked ALL day (couldn't get me in a stroller) and INSISTED on watching the fireworks. I think my Mom said I did a 14 hour day without a single nap or word of protest. I know you said DD doesn't like loud noises in the dark; does that extend to fireworks shows? I might have missed it in all of these pages somewhere. I'd say you should at least consider seeing Illuminations - it's not your usual fireworks show. You could even watch the "first half" and then leave when the major fireworks start.

There are a couple of things I always bring on my trips that you might be interested in. I bring one gallon sized Zip lock to put the tv remote in (because it is the DIRTIEST THING IN THE ENTIRE ROOM); I also bring several gallon-sized zip locks for a lot of reasons - they store dirty socks or underwear, wet bathing suits, stuffed animals, (AND you can use them as a vaccum bag too, squeezing all the air out to compress it for packing) and I keep one in my travel purse (for rides like Splash to keep it dry; it folds up tiny and goes in my travel purse all day) and I bring about a dozen small sandwich zip locks - you'd be very surprised at all the uses there are for these, and they take up so little room. I also bring a little pack of clorox wipes (one of those sample-sized ones from Wal-Mart) and a pair of disposable rubber gloves (we keep those in the house for cleaning the cat box or the bathtub) and use the wipes to wipe down all the sinks and faucets, bathtub faucet, rails, doorknobs, and light switches. It takes about 3 minutes, and just makes me personally feel better. I also take a small flashlight (but I do a bedbug check; knew someone who had them and it was an expensive NIGHTMARE). Otherwise, the little flashlight is helpful in a room full of people that you might not want to wake up in the middle of the night trying to get to the bathroom.

Also, oddly, I always pack beef jerky. If you've been sweating ALL DAY LONG, there is nothing as wonderful as a big ol' piece of beef jerky. I started doing this when I worked in a theme park; I'd sweat out a ton of salt during the day because our air conditioning was not good, and then stop at the mart on the way home and get a thing of beef jerky. I felt like a new woman!

Your plans look like a lot of fun - you should try a TR when you get back!!

Thanks for popping over and reading my PTR! I love reading your updates, it makes me want to do a Solo trip SOO bad! To answer some of your questions - yes, I am using easywdw for my "most recommended" days. I love that site! It's informative AND funny, both of my favorite qualities in a website AND a person - maybe one day I'll get to meet Josh. lol
Fireworks - yup, we have Wishes scheduled in for arrival day from the Poly Beach for sure. And we also have Wishes scheduled in from the Magic Kingdom on our 1st MK day. I am not sure, but I bet we'll stick around for Illuminations while at Epcot for our WS Day too. My Dad took me to see Illuminations alone when I was 11, and I LOVED it! She is EXACTLY like me, so I think DD will be very good for late nights and lots of walking. As long as she gets time to shop, and swim - she's good.
Ziploc bags (large and small), flashlight for bed bug checks and night reading/walking in the room and I don't like beef jerky, but I think Hot Rods would do the same thing....so I'll buy a couple packages of them! Thanks so much for the tips and suggestions!!!! Hopefully I'll write a TR that people actually enjoy reading......we shall see!!!