Our 2nd Trip to Disney! Did it Measure Up? (w/pics) **THE END**

[carissanboys]

I'm going to start my packing lists. Yes, I said LISTS, plural. I'm going to break this up into separate lists so that it's not so overwhelming for me (or you all! although feel free to skip over this part).

I'm going to start with a list of things to pack in the van, for use while IN the van, i.e. entertainment.

-- Things for the Van --

Gameboys
(also pack chargers and check to see if there is somewhere to plug them in while we drive)

Leapster
(also pack charger)

Assorted games for each

Disney Movies
(remember to check and leave the PAL versions at home - Aussies will know what I mean)

Snacks and water

ipods for DS7, myself and dh
(and chargers)

CD player for DS5 along with CD's
(including Disney CD's although we can't listen to these in the van as the CD player portion of the stereo has gone whacky also need to bring batteries)

A few books for everyone

A few cars and trucks for DS3

BINDER!!!!!

Small bills and change for tolls

GPS
(this will be our first trip with our new GPS unit bring car charger along)

My Traveling I95 and Florida Highways books

Notepad and pen for me to jot down notes

Cell phones (and, you guessed it! chargers)

Wipes and pull ups

Container for Emergency Pee Situations (thanks Jordan!)

Ziploc Bags of Varying Sizes (thanks Liz!)​

That's all I can think of at the moment (it's WAY past my bedtime *YAWN*). Can anyone see anything obvious that I've left off? Feel free to pipe up!

Up Next...Question

 

[jordanyosh]

You forgot empty jar for son's to pee in so you don't have to stop.

I made it through the report...

Some things to do to save money until your next WDW trip (I give you about 2 years):

I save any change I receive a keep it in a fishbowl. I probably have 50-60 dollars saved up in about 6 months. Imagine if your DH and you saved all your loose change over the next 2 years....

Have your sons collect cans/bottles (do you get money for recycling?). My cousin's, an aunt all save their stuff for me...I'm going to take everything I've collected in the past few months in sometime next week..I think I've got 30-40 dollars worth. I also am getting the money changed into coins and putting it in my fishbowl so I won't be tempted to spend it. I will cash it in right before my trip.

This extra 100 dollars is just extra for me...but it will definitely come in handy....

I'm not a saver so I actually give my cousin money to save for me. I can't get to the money unless I have some emergency. It starts off as 100 dollars a month when I don't have any vacation and then ramps up to 400 dollars a month when i know I have a vacation coming up....

I'm just trying to think of ways to get you back to WDW sooner than NEVER.

 

[carissanboys]

You forgot empty jar for son's to pee in so you don't have to stop.

I made it through the report...

Some things to do to save money until your next WDW trip (I give you about 2 years):

I save any change I receive a keep it in a fishbowl. I probably have 50-60 dollars saved up in about 6 months. Imagine if your DH and you saved all your loose change over the next 2 years....

Have your sons collect cans/bottles (do you get money for recycling?). My cousin's, an aunt all save their stuff for me...I'm going to take everything I've collected in the past few months in sometime next week..I think I've got 30-40 dollars worth. I also am getting the money changed into coins and putting it in my fishbowl so I won't be tempted to spend it. I will cash it in right before my trip.

This extra 100 dollars is just extra for me...but it will definitely come in handy....

I'm not a saver so I actually give my cousin money to save for me. I can't get to the money unless I have some emergency. It starts off as 100 dollars a month when I don't have any vacation and then ramps up to 400 dollars a month when i know I have a vacation coming up....

I'm just trying to think of ways to get you back to WDW sooner than NEVER.

Thanks for reading through And for the tips!

We already save change. I'm waiting until it's full to turn it in. It'll be interesting to see how much we accumulate.

I think it's funny that you give your "savings" to Wendy! I'm not a saver either. I tend to spend it if I have it. We recently started a Money Market so that it's a bit tougher for me to get to.

Unfortunately, Maryland does not do the can/bottle deposit thing. As you know from reading this, I'm from Maine originally and we had it there. We still recycle though just because we're good people

And I didn't say we'd NEVER be back. It'll just be a while. I actually think 2 years is a good amount of time and I was already thinking about it last night. It's hard not to have a trip to look forward to. I've contemplated staying at Fort Wilderness (and tent camping ). We'll see how our numerous camping trips go this coming year (and how much we fall in love with FW when we go to the HDDMR). We've also thought about trying the whole cruise thing. I didn't realize until fairly recently that you can actually book a vacation through Disney and pay it off in installments Might be something I have to look into.

And thanks for the reminder on the pee container for the boys. I have the perfect one in mind.

 

[carissanboys]

Would I have to pay to park at Fort Wilderness? I was just thinking about our plan to take the ferry over from MK and realized that means paying to park. If it'll save me $10, we'll just drive over to FW. Can anyone help?

Up Next...Packing the Overnight Backpacks

 

[carissanboys]

I think I have the whole picture thing figured out. What a relief!

Before I begin my next packing list, I thought I'd show you what I'm drinking my coffee out of this morning:

It was a Christmas present from my parents (Memere and Pepere). DH got one also. And he loves it!

I also thought I would channel Jordan a bit this morning and take a few silly pictures. Here's DS5 (the only one that would agree to do it for me) giving BINDER a big hug

And, speaking of Container for Emergency Pee Situations, here is the container we'll be using (in the picture with BINDER of course):

This container has a bit of history. It comes all the way from Australia! I use to buy containers of peaches and they made great homemade spaghetti sauce containers. We use to do a bit of traveling out bush and there aren't a lot of rest rooms (or even portapotties). DS5 was potty training at the time and couldn't hold it all that long. And I was pregnant with DS3. Carissa + pregnant = miniscule holding power. So, we brought along such a container (it wasn't THIS exact container since we threw it out when we were done with it, but one just like it) to use while out exploring. There. Now you know TMI about us

And, lastly, as you can see from the previous picture, Josie the Kitten really wanted in on the action, so here she is:

Now, which packing list shall I do next? Let's do an easy one (since it's still early and all).

-- Packing List for Overnight Backpacks --

Change of clothes for everyone
(Disney arrival clothes, which must include a Disney related shirt of some sort)

Bathing Suits

Toothbrushes/toothpaste
(I have this AMAZING Sonicare toothbrush that I got for free from being a BzzzAgent -- retailed for like $179!! it says it'll stay charged for 2 weeks so we'll see, won't we?)

Comb

Shampoo/Conditioner
(I have some samples that I, yup, you guessed it! got for free from the freebie thread )

deodorant

This would be a good place for certain chargers, like the gameboy's and leapster's since we can charge them overnight.

The boys will have their ONE special stuffed animal with them (or in DS3's case, his blankets) so they can carry them into the hotel.

Bring the laptop in as well
(so it doesn't get stolen and so I can check in to my class and charge the ipods)​

I think that's about it. We really won't need much. I know when we traveled down last time, we were all so tired by like 6 p.m. since we left our house at 4 a.m. (which we're debating this time as there really isn't a need to leave so early this time). The point is, there isn't going to be a ton of time to hang out in the hotel and we'll be eating dinner and swimming. Don't need many toys. Besides, we'll have the Game Boys in the room with us and a TV.

I have to just mention how excited I am for tonight's Patriots vs. Jaguars game!!! The Pats having a bye last week kind of stunk (at least in terms of not having a game to watch!). I'm ready for a great game! Although, I hate to admit this, but I had a dream last night that they lost I hope that's not an omen!

Up Next...Help! I've Lost My Marbles

 

[Liz]

Good Morning! Just catching up since I haven't had time since we've been back! Looks like you are all set for your trip. Love the pic of your little guy!

Do you mind if I'm rooting for the Jaguars since I'm from Jacksonville?!

Have a fun day!

 

[carissanboys]

Do you mind if I'm rooting for the Jaguars since I'm from Jacksonville?!

I suppose I can let it slide Most people (who aren't NE fans) seem to hate the Patriots right now. So, as long as there is no mean talk about my Pats on my PTR, then I'm fine

I'm anxiously awaiting your next installment If you're posting here, perhaps that means you have one already!

 

[carissanboys]

Two things I forgot this morning.

1) Only ONE WEEK TO GO!!!!

One week from today we should be halfway to Savannah (or about that anyway)!!!

2) I meant to talk about the fact that I didn't pack any PJ's on the last trip to Disney. I figured, why pack more clothes that really aren't necessary? What we did was give the kids a bath at night before bed, put them in their clean undies, along with a clean t-shirt. That way in the morning we just threw some pants or shorts on them and away we went. It worked well for us. I think we'll do the same for this trip. Dh and I just sleep in a similar fashion and we'll just throw some pants on to go downstairs (since my parents will be with us).

No PJ's means more available space in the bags and less

Up Next...More Revealing

 

[pamouselover]

Yes, you can no longer post. Yes, we still made it. It has to be the lastest we have ever eaten dinner. But I tell you we had a blast, and it turned out to be a great memory of our trip.

So, once you complete your trip report and it's moved over to that board, no one can reply anymore?

I just read about your experience with the Hoop Dee Doo. I'm glad you did get to go, although later than planned and glad to hear you all enjoyed it so much! And the picture of you all there is great

 

[pamouselover]

Just make sure you have leave enough money in your car for the tolls on the way home. We didint. Have a safe trip driving. We are hoping to drive down in May, and do a disney cruise!

 

[carissanboys]

Just make sure you have leave enough money in your car for the tolls on the way home. We didint. Have a safe trip driving. We are hoping to drive down in May, and do a disney cruise!

Oh cool! I'd love to read about your Cruise trip!

 

[jordanyosh]

Anytime you want to talk DCL. I've been on 4. 2-3 day, 1-4 day and 1-7 day.

 

[jordanyosh]

Binder and Pee container together is classic.

 

[carissanboys]

Anytime you want to talk DCL. I've been on 4. 2-3 day, 1-4 day and 1-7 day.

Awesome! At the moment I have only two questions/concerns and I'm not sure if you can answer the 2nd. My main concern is motion sickness. I've been on a very large ferry before (crossing from Maine to Nova Scotia) and it bothered me (although, the major hangover that I was experiencing might have greatly contributed to the problem ), although I didn't actually get sick. DS5 has gotten sick while riding in the van on occassions. I just don't want to spend all of this money on a cruise only to spend our time feeling sick.

My second question (that you might not be able to answer, unless you went with kids) is whether or not they charge extra for the kids clubs they have on board. The kids clubs would be a big reason why we would be going and if it's going to cost extra, that would be MAJOR $$$$.

 

[carissanboys]

Binder and Pee container together is classic.

I'm glad you liked that one I think my DH is getting ready to call the Looney Bin on me, though

 

[jordanyosh]

Awesome! At the moment I have only two questions/concerns and I'm not sure if you can answer the 2nd. My main concern is motion sickness. I've been on a very large ferry before (crossing from Maine to Nova Scotia) and it bothered me (although, the major hangover that I was experiencing might have greatly contributed to the problem ), although I didn't actually get sick. DS5 has gotten sick while riding in the van on occassions. I just don't want to spend all of this money on a cruise only to spend our time feeling sick.

I travelled with an aunt who is VERY sensitive to motion. She wore the Patch and was fine as long as she didn't look at the ocean.

Also, remember the ship is LARGE and you can rarely actually feel the ship rocking.

Book in advance and you can choose your stateroom. Try to get one lower and in the middle which reduces any movement.

My second question (that you might not be able to answer, unless you went with kids) is whether or not they charge extra for the kids clubs they have on board. The kids clubs would be a big reason why we would be going and if it's going to cost extra, that would be MAJOR $$$$.

No extra charge for clubs.

 

[jordanyosh]

I'm glad you liked that one I think my DH is getting ready to call the Looney Bin on me, though

Join the club.

 

[carissanboys]

I travelled with an aunt who is VERY sensitive to motion. She wore the Patch and was fine as long as she didn't look at the ocean.

Also, remember the ship is LARGE and you can rarely actually feel the ship rocking.

Book in advance and you can choose your stateroom. Try to get one lower and in the middle which reduces any movement.




No extra charge for clubs.

Fantastic! What a plethora of information you are!

 

[carissanboys]

Join the club.

Wait until you read my latest idea. I really thought he was going to have me committed. But, in fact, he thought it was a great idea. Maybe my obsession is rubbing off on him.

 

[scottny]

I have seen u on other threads so I figured I would come over and see your pre tr. u have a great report going. Looking forward to hearing about the trip. I think u go 1/19 - 1/26. we will be there the same time. Looking forward to hearing about it.