****Official May 2012 Thread**** ALMOST TIME TO LEAVE!!

[MissLiz]

I'm a list person. I have each person's clothes list, our toiletries list, our "miscellaneous" list, and then our to do list. All of my lists are in a vacation notebook that I have used for the past 4 years. It's getting a little thread-bare and I'm running out of pages, so I may need to retire it after this trip.

DH keeps saying I need come into the 21st century and start using the laptop and the iPad, etc. I tried this trip, but there is just something about writing everything in pencil and being able to use an eraser to erase things and make changes that is so satisfying.

We use a regular backpack in the parks. We probably take way too much to the parks with us, but we like to be prepared. The main part of the bag is for our ponchos, the hidden Mickey book, and a change of clothes for DD. She's been potty-trained for over a year, but I can't give up the extra clothes.

The little pocket has the autograph book, Sharpie, camera, and pressed penny stuff. Oh! And the Tide pen. Loooove the Tide pen!!!

 

[Ellen]

Question of the Day:

Please share any trip organization tips that you have for others! It can be anything from your daily park book bag, to your luggage, anything in your room...etc... ​

When my kids were younger I would pack an outfit per day in Baggie. Made it so much easier in the morning rush to get out. Just toss each child a bag also if the suitcase get checked at airport at least clothes are in Baggie and not handled.

 

[sullins5]

Just over a month left and I can't think of anything else. I'm at work reading Dis all day

This is my first post (I've just been stalking the boards for the past few months) We are staying at Kidani Village starting on the 28th. There are 9 of us going , my DW, DS3, dad, mom, cousin, cousin's husband and cousin's D4 (turning 5 during trip).

no ticker yet (not enough posts)

It really is fun to join in! And wow, coming with 9 will be a blast!

Question of the Day:

Please share any trip organization tips that you have for others! It can be anything from your daily park book bag, to your luggage, anything in your room...etc... ​

We pack 'sackpacks' to carry to the park in lieu of fanny packs or purses. Lightweight, can hold a multiple amount of things, and you can get small or large ones. We also have dd wear her swimsuit under her clothes for Epcot and playing in the water fountains...a wonderful break in the heat! (and undies of course are in sackpack)

We also make our own tip envelopes for 'mousekeepers' and have their tips inside with personal thank you notes. Dd really likes writing the thank you's at night pointing out anything special that mk's did, and then they are ready to go!

I also pack a baggie with dryer sheets, and detergent for washing a couple of loads before going home.

I also make sure I have extra camera batteries/sd cards/video batteries as well. These can get costly. We also take our own water misters, and Disney capes from years before. Hth's someone!

 

[Anna114]

Question of the Day:

Please share any trip organization tips that you have for others! It can be anything from your daily park book bag, to your luggage, anything in your room...etc... ​

My big things are one, I have a reusable clear plastic folder that holds all of my printed out information.... boarding passes, ME paperwork etc.

Second, I fly Southwest and usually only need 1 suitcase. I like to do laundry while I am there so I pack less. We stay DVC so laundry is easy enough. ANYWHO, I bring a second suitcase. It holds some food, we eat breakfast in the room, everyday. The suitcase, on the way home, holds our souvenirs.

Third, usually it's only me, my husband and maybe my 16 y/o son. We need very little so I have a lanyard that holds room key, credit card and some money. I don't like to carry anything in the park and it allows us to go through without bags so there is no wait.

Fourth.... Disney had a special, spend $40 and for $10 I got a Disney canvas beach bag. I love the damned thing. I pack it so that I have a bag to bring down to the pool. It hold a snack, sun bloc, my iPad and my iPod. I don't bring a carry on, on the plane. So if I have something delicate to bring home it makes a great carry on.

Just over a month left and I can't think of anything else. I'm at work reading Dis all day

This is my first post (I've just been stalking the boards for the past few months) We are staying at Kidani Village starting on the 28th. There are 9 of us going , my DW, DS3, dad, mom, cousin, cousin's husband and cousin's D4 (turning 5 during trip).

no ticker yet (not enough posts)

Welcome to your first post! I hope you enjoy the boards!

 

[bigsis1970]

YAY - 2 MORE DAYS!!!!. And today is baby day. My twin nephews should be here around 10am.

Happy Birthday !!!!!! I'll have to give you this since there isn't a cake one LOL

Question of the Day:

Please share any trip organization tips that you have for others! It can be anything from your daily park book bag, to your luggage, anything in your room...etc... ​

I'm a fan of rolling clothing and using the baggie method when my kids were young..
I make a list and check it twice with all the items that need to be in a suitcase or carryone..
I also have a spreadsheet that has all the important info on it - ADR's hotel confs and airline info..
I take a pic with my camera and cell phone of the back of my park ticket incase it gets lost..
and I put a hotel towel and hand towel in my packback to wipe seats, benchs after rain or from a wet ride and to sit on while waiting for the parades..

OH and I pack a large zip top bag to put my camera case in if it rains ( my back pack isn't waterproof!) along with extra batteries and camera cards!

My girls will love this! Is that the one by the fairy gardens?

I am sorry Im not sure.. it was just to the right of entering the world showcase (I took the rose garden pathway)

Just over a month left and I can't think of anything else. I'm at work reading Dis all day

This is my first post (I've just been stalking the boards for the past few months) We are staying at Kidani Village starting on the 28th. There are 9 of us going , my DW, DS3, dad, mom, cousin, cousin's husband and cousin's D4 (turning 5 during trip).

no ticker yet (not enough posts)

WELCOME!!!!! sounds like you'll have a great time with a big crew!!

 

[litlpixie]

I dont think I have anything brilliantly different to add to these wonderful ideas. The only quirky organization "ritual" that I have is I keep the bathing suits, flip-flops, and sunscreen in my carry-on. That way we're not rummaging through our suitcases in Bell Services.

Most of time, our room isnt ready, and since traditionally we spend the first day hanging out by the pool and not going anywhere until that evening, it makes sense for our family to just have the swim gear ready

 

[salann]

I dont think I have anything brilliantly different to add to these wonderful ideas. The only quirky organization "ritual" that I have is I keep the bathing suits, flip-flops, and sunscreen in my carry-on. That way we're not rummaging through our suitcases in Bell Services.

Most of time, our room isnt ready, and since traditionally we spend the first day hanging out by the pool and not going anywhere until that evening, it makes sense for our family to just have the swim gear ready

this is what I am planning on doing! I think the pool is a great way to decompress after a long flight!

 

[amazingact21]

Oh my goodness, I can't believe the trip is getting so close!!! For almost 9 months I've imagined myself walking into The Magic Kingdom, now that the day's almost upon me, it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that it's not just a dream anymore!


Once DH gets home tonight we're going to do on-line check-in. After that all we'll have left to do is pack and leave!

Question of the Day:

Please share any trip organization tips that you have for others! It can be anything from your daily park book bag, to your luggage, anything in your room...etc... ​

I'm kind of the organization queen, so I have too much to write in one post. I created a travel journal a couple months ago (the pictures are in my PTR-found in my signature) that includes a daily schedule, park hours, ADR #s, ride hopefuls, tips I've read about and wanted to check out/remember from other DISboards members, items to remember to bring that day, how much tip money to have, fastpass time slots, and journal space.

It's crazy, I'm well aware, but I'm so much calmer when I know I have everything jotted down.


I also have a clothing spreadsheet that I use to pack. I write down the parks I'll be at, whether or not it's a busy or easy-going day, and what restaurants we're eating at. Since we take breaks in the afternoon, I split the days to give myself two outfits. I hate wearing sweaty/nasty clothes, and I'm a girl on vacation...I like clothes. But I write everything down beforehand so that way I pack in about 15 minutes, and I don't pack more things than I need.

 

[figmentswife]

Question of the Day:

Please share any trip organization tips that you have for others! It can be anything from your daily park book bag, to your luggage, anything in your room...etc... ​

First - Jessica, you have done an amazing job with this thread.

And I am an organizer. I have a 3 ring binder with list's, reservation confirmations, each park's restaurant info....a bunch of stuff. To organize my room I have hanging show holder's for undies & socks, we bring hangers for all shirts, for the bathroom I have small baskets for each person's personal items (razor, shaving cream , toothbrush & toothpaste) I also bring towel racks that I hang in the bathroom for wet bath suits to dry. I have a couple of more small baskets that I put on the dresser for personal items from each day. This is NOT everything, there are a ton of things I do once we get there but I can't think straight right now b\c I AM GOING TO DISNEY IN 2 DAYS!!!!!

Oh, and we store luggage in the closet, out of the way.

 

[JennSox11]

Question of the Day:

Please share any trip organization tips that you have for others! It can be anything from your daily park book bag, to your luggage, anything in your room...etc... ​

Hi everyone! I only just found this thread so I feel a bit behind in the celebrating our May trip, but I wanted to introduce myself. My DB (that's boyfriend right?? ) will be staying at the poly May 13-20. I'm really looking forward the this trip!

My organizational 'secret' is my wonderful bf who keeps all the important planning documents organized. This trip, he is even planning the whole thing himself. I know a little of what we are doing, but most is a big secret.

While at the parks, I carry a small backpack type bag where I keep our sunscreen in its own ziplock bag, a water bottle wrapped in a towel ( both to keep water cool and to use when we need to reapply sunscreen, & my camera and phone in its own ziplock bag (you never know). I carry hand sanitizer as well, maybe a bit overkill, but it is a lot easier than hunting down a washroom every time a Mickey cookie calls my name.

 

[figmentswife]

The boys were born this morning around 10:30am - twins. 6lbs 5oz & 7lbs 1oz. They are healthy and happy and everyone is doing great.

 

[ArielRae]

The boys were born this morning around 10:30am - twins. 6lbs 5oz & 7lbs 1oz. They are healthy and happy and everyone is doing great.

Yay cake for both boys!

 

[pigletto]

The boys were born this morning around 10:30am - twins. 6lbs 5oz & 7lbs 1oz. They are healthy and happy and everyone is doing great.

Wonderful!!!! Congratulations!!!!

 

[disneydiva16]

The boys were born this morning around 10:30am - twins. 6lbs 5oz & 7lbs 1oz. They are healthy and happy and everyone is doing great.

That's great news!!! Congrats! Congrats!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

7 days till our Disney Vacation!!!!!

Boy this time is going by quickly now!! I can't believe this time next week we will be getting ready to have dinner at Kona!!!

Can you say super excited?!!!

 

[figmentswife]

7 days till our Disney Vacation!!!!!

Boy this time is going by quickly now!! I can't believe this time next week we will be getting ready to have dinner at Kona!!!

Can you say super excited?!!!

SUPER EXCITED

And this time Friday - I will be eating at Pop Century!!!!!

 

[MACUSER]

This week is going by quick should have packed more this weekend leaving friday for WDW

 

[snowdrift7]

One more sleep til Disney!!

 

[MickeynMinnie]

single digit dance!!!
leaving in 9 days!!

 

[jphilhower]

Doing the single digit dance Seven days to go.