Pre-Trip Report for Three Princesses and a June Trip to the World, 6/24 We're Back!!

[Disneyland_Mama]

Bravo, Cathy!! I love that we do almost the same style of packing and that I am not alone in my uber-organized world!

Just a quick question: I love that folding insulated bag! Where'd you find that?

 

[DisneyJo]

What can I say? You are the Queen of packers, I can't believe how organised you are We wouldn't have enough clothes to do all that Quick question what are the blizzards? They sound yummy

 

[Cinderella16]

I give you the organization award for packing...my my my! I am so impressed. I love the way you organized your suitcases by day and then with all the baggies, oh my I cannot stop thinking about how organized your suitcases are!

Okay, this is exactly why DBF doesn't understand the DIS, he just cannot see how we ladies can talk about organizing suitcases and go on and on about it for pages. I am definitely going to tell him all about your suitcases and he will definitely roll his eyes at me. Haha.

Really, Cathy, AMAZING ORGANIZATION SKILLS!!!

 

[Disneyolic]

So now I feel like the biggest loser packer ever! Now I have to rethink my packing strategy just to keep up with the "Cathys"! My packing has never been bad before but just not that organized and I thought I was an organized person....

 

[twob4him]

I am truly amazed by your organization. Are you like this in all aspects of your life or just your disney trips?

I suddenly feel the need to organize my closets

You are going to have a wonderful time...enjoy

Hi Peanut! I am sorta organized at home and definately organized at work ( I am a teacher) but truely I didnt think this type of packing was overly organized.....

Wowzer is all I can say....look at that organization. DH would be thrilled if I was like that at home.

How exciting one more week. We have 48 more days and my dd cannot wait to take her auntie for the first time.

Awesome....48 days goes by quite quickly! Did you make your itinerary yet? Your ADR's???

It just took a few days. I absolutely love the bows and think the outfit packing is too smart. Thanks for the tips, and enjoy the last few days before your trip!

Hello Iluv...thanks Yes less than a week to go!

I love your packing skills...I think I will be the same way when we have kids...you are super organized and it will really pay off while you are there! I can't believe your trip is so close!!!

Thanks...its like packing for a multiday horse show....hahahaha I am hoping it runs smoothly once we get there. Your trip is coming up too....

Bravo, Cathy!! I love that we do almost the same style of packing and that I am not alone in my uber-organized world!

Just a quick question: I love that folding insulated bag! Where'd you find that?

Hi T -lets see...I believe it was called Family Dollar ...its a dollar store locally. I figured we can try to keep the water cold and contained while in the parks.

What can I say? You are the Queen of packers, I can't believe how organised you are We wouldn't have enough clothes to do all that Quick question what are the blizzards? They sound yummy

You mean all you Disers dont pack like this??? I thought I was normal It was tough getting the kids clothes together....fortunately some of them were hand me downs (which I love) from friends. Free clothes!!! Any longer of a stay and I would need a washer/dryer!
Now Blizzards are vanilla soft serve ice cream blended in with your favorite topping like M&Ms or cookies etc. Its very thick...not a milkshake and yummy. You eat it with a spoon!

I give you the organization award for packing...my my my! I am so impressed. I love the way you organized your suitcases by day and then with all the baggies, oh my I cannot stop thinking about how organized your suitcases are!

Okay, this is exactly why DBF doesn't understand the DIS, he just cannot see how we ladies can talk about organizing suitcases and go on and on about it for pages. I am definitely going to tell him all about your suitcases and he will definitely roll his eyes at me. Haha.

Really, Cathy, AMAZING ORGANIZATION SKILLS!!!

Thanks so much! But I don't want to overpack and the only way I could figure out what to do was pretend I was in Disney trying to get the girls dressed each day. With three kids you gotta be somewhat prepared. Even now I dont know if I covered all the bases.

As a mom, you are really under a lot of pressure...any moms out there know what I mean??? If something goes wrong....or is missing etc, everyone looks at you to solve/fix it

Now, my DH doesn't say ya or neigh about what I have done towards packing and shopping. Either he doesn't care or understand or thinks I am being ridiculous.....not sure which...maybe all three

So now I feel like the biggest loser packer ever! Now I have to rethink my packing strategy just to keep up with the "Cathys"! My packing has never been bad before but just not that organized and I thought I was an organized person....

Now DM - dont be so hard on yourself! I am just trying to put the time in now (ugg it took me a while) so when I am in Disney I can relax. I am sure you have a great system... And like I said above, I dont want to bring extra stuff or not enough. I couldnt think of a way to do it without planning out outfits ahead of time. Some people, like my DH, throw shirts and shorts in a suitcase and call it a day and it works great!!!!

 

[Beana9802]

Wow Cathy! Beautiful job packing! How excited are you for the last day of school?! I have 8 days left..counting tomorrow! We don't have kids in the HS anymore (today was the HS' last day of classes ), but I still have ES kids...but they're done, if ya know what I mean.... (I am district wide)

 

[twob4him]

Wow Cathy! Beautiful job packing! How excited are you for the last day of school?! I have 8 days left..counting tomorrow! We don't have kids in the HS anymore (today was the HS' last day of classes ), but I still have ES kids...but they're done, if ya know what I mean.... (I am district wide)

Hi Beana! Tomorrow I dont have classes. I actually run around getting signatures, check grades etc. Its a half day of course. Then graduation at night...then we are done Baybeeee! My DD9 had been done too...they have actually brought board games in to play! Tomorrow is her last day. Thanks for reading Beana!

 

[Beana9802]

My DD9 had been done too...they have actually brought board games in to play! Tomorrow is her last day. Thanks for reading Beana!

When I was a classroom teacher those were my favorite days! Spending time with the kids playing board games..getting to really decompress after the year!

Oh, and of course you're an excellent writer!

 

[Cinderella16]

Haha I told DBF all about your packing skills for like 20 minutes and he indeed rolled his eyes and called me a loser. Did I call it or what?

 

[Eventer98]

Thanks...its like packing for a multiday horse show....hahahaha I am hoping it runs smoothly once we get there. Your trip is coming up too....

Ha! Last year we did NOT overpack one thing for our shows. All those extra halters/leadropes you think you might need? Nope. Left them. We didn't take the whole brush box..just ONE brush. It was so freeing!!! And guess what..we didn't miss one thing.
I am almost to the single digits like you!!

 

[DisneyJo]

Now Blizzards are vanilla soft serve ice cream blended in with your favorite topping like M&Ms or cookies etc. Its very thick...not a milkshake and yummy. You eat it with a spoon!

Are they like McFlurries? I love McFlurries I think you can get them somewhere in Epcot as desert on the DP

 

[milouster]

Cathy,

I have to say that I am blown away by the organized packing....it's wonderful!!

I completed the first of my hairbow experiments yesterday, but haven't posted enough (yet) to show you a picture. It came out pretty okay, though....I'm pleased and anxious to keep trying.

Melissa

 

[buffy0214]

Man, I've missed a bunch. I've got to go back and read again. I left at wether or not you were going to stay at POR.

 

[twob4him]

Wow Cathy! Beautiful job packing! How excited are you for the last day of school?! I have 8 days left..counting tomorrow! We don't have kids in the HS anymore (today was the HS' last day of classes ), but I still have ES kids...but they're done, if ya know what I mean.... (I am district wide)

Well, you are getting there then Beana!! Thanks for reading along!

When I was a classroom teacher those were my favorite days! Spending time with the kids playing board games..getting to really decompress after the year!

Oh, and of course you're an excellent writer!

Awww shucks, thanks Beana! When did you teach? Do you want to teach again? I am afraid if I stopped working I wouldnt ever want to go back....(my DH is afraid of that too )

Haha I told DBF all about your packing skills for like 20 minutes and he indeed rolled his eyes and called me a loser. Did I call it or what?

Ya well, tell Mr. Eye-Roller Loser Caller, while touring Disney, who is the first person he is going to ask...Where's this, did you bring that????? Hmpffff Oh and another thing...just make sure DBF packs the big present and calls it a day!!

Ha! Last year we did NOT overpack one thing for our shows. All those extra halters/leadropes you think you might need? Nope. Left them. We didn't take the whole brush box..just ONE brush. It was so freeing!!! And guess what..we didn't miss one thing.
I am almost to the single digits like you!!

Now that is quite impressive! Yaaaa you're getting sooo close...I will check your updates on your thread!

Are they like McFlurries? I love McFlurries I think you can get them somewhere in Epcot as desert on the DP

Yes, but the vanilla soft serve from DQ is 100% tastier (and fattening no doubt)

Cathy,

I have to say that I am blown away by the organized packing....it's wonderful!!

I completed the first of my hairbow experiments yesterday, but haven't posted enough (yet) to show you a picture. It came out pretty okay, though....I'm pleased and anxious to keep trying.

Melissa

Awww thanks Melissa! I am soooo impressed by your hairbow experiments...I am dying to see them. I saw that DL Mama tried it and they came out sooo cute! Good for you!!!

Man, I've missed a bunch. I've got to go back and read again. I left at wether or not you were going to stay at POR.

Hey, Buffy, I know what thats like!!! I fall behind all week and try to catch up on weekends....well that is until today....NO MORE SCHOOL!!!!

 

[buffy0214]

I'm finally done! Yeah no more school! A couple of belated comments/questions:

What is lapu lapu?

You t-shirts and hair bows are cute, cute, cute! My DD6 will still wear a hairbow, but not my DD9. I miss being able to dress them alike.

Love your suitcase packing! I like putting the hanger inside the plastic baggie. I invest in zippy bags also. I had read the tips on day packing in zippy bags and now I can see how it works out. I bet it will be fast getting ready in the morning.

It won't be long now....

 

[twob4him]

I'm finally done! Yeah no more school! A couple of belated comments/questions:

What is lapu lapu?

I actually didnt know what they were (other than a drink) until I saw a pic on Princess V's trip report. They are a hollowed out pinapple sitting upright, with fruit juice and rum and its very big and decorated with umbrella's etc.

You t-shirts and hair bows are cute, cute, cute! My DD6 will still wear a hairbow, but not my DD9. I miss being able to dress them alike.
Aww thanks...my DD9 wont wear them either. I always wished I had a sibling close in age (or a twin) and so when I had two girls close in age...well I couldnt help myself dressing them alike sometimes. They love if for now...though as you say...that will change

Love your suitcase packing! I like putting the hanger inside the plastic baggie. I invest in zippy bags also. I had read the tips on day packing in zippy bags and now I can see how it works out. I bet it will be fast getting ready in the morning.

It won't be long now....

Dollar store baggies...gotta love em!

 

[twob4him]

Good Morning to all...its the first full day of summer vacation. I awoke to 55 F and overcast....brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I cant take this going back and forth between 88 and humid to 55 and freezing all within a few days. But nothing can dampen my joy at realizing its 3 more days!!!!!! Please help yourself to tea, coffee and hot chocolate and buttery croissants...yummy!

So I got a special envelope in the mail yesterday and to my amazement it was the custom maps I ordered from the official Disney site. I requested everything we hoped to see and they made it into a pretty map. They mark all of the locations and make a special key and everything. Cool! I am going to laminate them eventually I think. I don't know if I am going to bring them with us, though, cause they are big and I have my passporter maps plus the park maps and folks,,,, at this point I have memorized the parks anyways So I have included pics below in case you were interested in ordering them. They are free and you can order them every 6 months...so dont hit the "Order" button unless you are sure you are ready.

Here is a close up of one of the maps. They are pretty eh?:

The other night, my DH took DD9 fishing. They fished off of the jetty and caught lots of fishies. They are planning on fishing at POR in the little fishing hole they have. Apparently they provide poles, bait and whatever else you need. I think its like $6 or something for a half hour. Sounds great!
So of course DH took pictures of the girls and the fish! (It was like 8 pm so the little ones were in their PJ's )

So today's agenda includes finally packing DD9. We have to iron, fold and bag her clothing. Oh and yesterday I called Disney to confirm our ressies and see if i could change the Ohana ADR's. Here's what happened....the CM said since I made ressies thru AAA I had to call them to confirm???? OK I said. Next, if you recall, I have two reservations for Ohanas. One for us (party of 5) and one for John (his time was within 5 minutes after ours) and his daughter (so a party of 2). Now I never cancelled the ADR's for John but I wanted to see if we could simply make our party of 5 a party of 6 to add John and then cancel his separate ressie for 2. Are you following?? Well, the curt CM on the phone said no availability. Ok whatever I think...trust me...when I arrive to check in I am sure they can add John to our table...we already are a big table. Who has ever heard of a table for just 5 people? They set them evenly dont they?? Whatever, I am not going to get my drawers in a knot over it.

And thats about it for today!

 

[DISUNC]

3 DAYS!!!!!!!

And YOU are not packed yet??????

Arent those Maps great! Come to think of it...I dunno where James put ours!

 

[twob4him]

3 DAYS!!!!!!!

And YOU are not packed yet??????

Arent those Maps great! Come to think of it...I dunno where James put ours!

It is exciting DU!! Now dont get confuzzled...everyone is packed except DD9 who wasnt around last weekend when I did myself and the two little ones. Soooo, never fear, I am rectifying the situation if I would just get off the Dis and start moving!!! Oh and DH packs himself

So you got the maps too....arent they pretty? I love em! Did you bring them with you on your past trips? Did James' crocs come in yet? What color did he get?

 

[Disneyolic]

So I got a special envelope in the mail yesterday and to my amazement it was the custom maps I ordered from the official Disney site. I requested everything we hoped to see and they made it into a pretty map. They mark all of the locations and make a special key and everything. Cool! I am going to laminate them eventually I think. I don't know if I am going to bring them with us, though, cause they are big and I have my passporter maps plus the park maps and folks,,,, at this point I have memorized the parks anyways So I have included pics below in case you were interested in ordering them. They are free and you can order them every 6 months...so dont hit the "Order" button unless you are sure you are ready.

I ordered these maps about 3 months ago. I love them! Then I thought, why did I order them now? I should have waited until after our trip so I could make them like souvenirs.

So, once my 6 months is up, I am going to reorder them and only put the attractions that we actually did! Good idea right?

Here's what happened....the CM said since I made ressies thru AAA I had to call them to confirm???? OK I said.

That is EXACTLY why I do all my own ADRs! I like to be in control of as much as I can. Plus I knew I was going to do some tweaking of ressies...

Now I never cancelled the ADR's for John but I wanted to see if we could simply make our party of 5 a party of 6 to add John and then cancel his separate ressie for 2. Are you following?? Well, the curt CM on the phone said no availability. Ok whatever I think...trust me...when I arrive to check in I am sure they can add John to our table...we already are a big table. Who has ever heard of a table for just 5 people? They set them evenly dont they?? Whatever, I am not going to get my drawers in a knot over it.

There should be absolutely no problem adding 1 person to your party on arrival. A very kind CM told me that the tables were basically "even". Going from 5 to 6, or even dropping from 5 to 4 works w/o having to cancel an ADR. He told me that if you have greater/less than 2 in your party then a whole new ADR would have to be done and it gets difficult at that point if your trip is close.