September 2011 - The Planning Continues! (2nd Thread)

[BorkBorkBork]

Great pics everyone!

KELLY, I can't believe you are going in a WEEK!

Last night I got my big Disney Bin which is full of toys etc. I've collected all year plus BodyGlide and stuff like that for the trip, took everything out of its original packaging and put it in our carryon to see how much room it would take up. I really think we will have a lot of space left over in our luggage! After pricing USPS and UPS costs to ship a big box of diapers, wipes and snacks down, I think I'll just put it in a checked bag because we'll have that space and that stuff is all consumable so it'll give us space for souvenirs on the way home. Those places were going to charge $17-22 for a 15 lb box and I'm not sure how much it would weigh yet. We were planning on checking 2 bags anyway and I really think I can get all of our clothes in 1 suitcase so it should be fine.

I am also trying to figure out our carry-on situation. We have a small rolling bag that I was using for "pretend packing" last night so that's 1, then backpacks for DH & I, 1 full of Alice's snacks and entertainment and 1 with our park stuff for that day. I am assuming that normal sized, not full to the brim backpacks count as a "personal item" on AirTran, has anyone had experience with this?

TIA!

 

[skater]

We're blessed this year to have our whole first day at the resort (I think). We're driving 16 hours down and so have decided to rest up in order not to be exhausted for the rest of our trip. We have no adrs, no plans. If after sleeping in, we decide to go somewhere for a couple hours, we might. But its nice to know that we don't have to .

 

[Smile4Me]

What I did for Disney today! A good friend of mine came to visit last weekend from Milwaukee and offered to drive us to the airport and let us park our car in her visitor spot at her apt complex. So we are going to drive up the night before our flight leaves, have dinner and visit with her before the trip! We are going to buy her dinner as a thank you, but should still be saving us the $$ we would have to pay to park at the airport! Today I double checked with her that our flight times would still be ok with her and she said yes! Gonna save us a couple hours of sleep as we live 3 hours from General Mitchell!

 

[wubbogirl]

Help I can't stop buy drink boxes. But how can I turn down $.77 a 10 pack of minute maid juice. Seriously.

 

[L-Harper]

Last night I got my big Disney Bin which is full of toys etc. I've collected all year plus BodyGlide and stuff like that for the trip, took everything out of its original packaging and put it in our carryon to see how much room it would take up. I really think we will have a lot of space left over in our luggage! After pricing USPS and UPS costs to ship a big box of diapers, wipes and snacks down, I think I'll just put it in a checked bag because we'll have that space and that stuff is all consumable so it'll give us space for souvenirs on the way home. Those places were going to charge $17-22 for a 15 lb box and I'm not sure how much it would weigh yet. We were planning on checking 2 bags anyway and I really think I can get all of our clothes in 1 suitcase so it should be fine.

I am also trying to figure out our carry-on situation. We have a small rolling bag that I was using for "pretend packing" last night so that's 1, then backpacks for DH & I, 1 full of Alice's snacks and entertainment and 1 with our park stuff for that day. I am assuming that normal sized, not full to the brim backpacks count as a "personal item" on AirTran, has anyone had experience with this?

TIA!

This is all good thinking and I'd like to have a discussion on this stuff too. We're also flying AirTran and was worried about these same things. Here are some things I've thought of:

-We're going to have 2 suitcases as large as we can for carry-on that we'll put as much as we can in. At least everything we'll need for 3 full days in case our luggage gets lost.

-We will also be checking 2-3 bags of luggage. I've decided that I'm not going to pack all of our clothes in one bag, and one bag of XYZ, and another bag of ABC. I'm going to mix everything up and spread it out over all the bags. I'm doing this in case any pieces of our luggage gets lost. Like I couldn't imagine a whole suitcase of diapers and wipes getting lost and having to scramble around trying to figure out how to get more.

What all are you packing in your carry-ons for your first day in the parks? I guess I just need to read up on what we'll need to pack for the parks anyway. How/What I'm packing has been, honestly, my number one stress. We've never been away from home this long with our boys and its our first time flying.

 

[haven_alise1997]

This is all good thinking and I'd like to have a discussion on this stuff too. We're also flying AirTran and was worried about these same things. Here are some things I've thought of:

-We're going to have 2 suitcases as large as we can for carry-on that we'll put as much as we can in. At least everything we'll need for 3 full days in case our luggage gets lost.

-We will also be checking 2-3 bags of luggage. I've decided that I'm not going to pack all of our clothes in one bag, and one bag of XYZ, and another bag of ABC. I'm going to mix everything up and spread it out over all the bags. I'm doing this in case any pieces of our luggage gets lost. Like I couldn't imagine a whole suitcase of diapers and wipes getting lost and having to scramble around trying to figure out how to get more.

What all are you packing in your carry-ons for your first day in the parks? I guess I just need to read up on what we'll need to pack for the parks anyway. How/What I'm packing has been, honestly, my number one stress. We've never been away from home this long with our boys and its our first time flying.

For our carry on bag we pack: One full days clothes, pajama's, swimsuits, toothbrush, all our electronics: ipod, laptop, camera and all cords. Medicines my daughter is asthmatic so this is a necessity to have with us at all times, all of our disney info list paperwork, gum for ears, book to read on plane, earbuds for the airplane radio/tv...

For our Park bag we carry: flip flops in case our shoes get wet nothing worse than walking in wet shoes and socks, poncho's, camera, phone, park plans, tylenol, bepto for those meals that didn't agree, my dd's rescue inhaler and epipen, in 2010 we always had a jacket in our bag...course we may not need since we are going in Sept. lol. snacks drinks and drink laynard, sunscreen, sunglasses, extra glasses or contacts just in case we loose on the ride....I was unfortunate at Holiday World last summer and lost my glasses on a ride and I didnt have a back up pair with me..........my hubby had to drive an hour to pick us up cause I am blind without them and couldn't drive us home...

 

[BorkBorkBork]

What I did for Disney today! A good friend of mine came to visit last weekend from Milwaukee and offered to drive us to the airport and let us park our car in her visitor spot at her apt complex. So we are going to drive up the night before our flight leaves, have dinner and visit with her before the trip! We are going to buy her dinner as a thank you, but should still be saving us the $$ we would have to pay to park at the airport! Today I double checked with her that our flight times would still be ok with her and she said yes! Gonna save us a couple hours of sleep as we live 3 hours from General Mitchell!

I'm glad you figured something out! That sounds like it'll work out a lot better for you. Are you getting the early flight out of MKE? My FIL is taking us to the airport and we have to be there by 6am but it'll save us all that money on parking too.

This is all good thinking and I'd like to have a discussion on this stuff too. We're also flying AirTran and was worried about these same things. Here are some things I've thought of:

-We're going to have 2 suitcases as large as we can for carry-on that we'll put as much as we can in. At least everything we'll need for 3 full days in case our luggage gets lost.

-We will also be checking 2-3 bags of luggage. I've decided that I'm not going to pack all of our clothes in one bag, and one bag of XYZ, and another bag of ABC. I'm going to mix everything up and spread it out over all the bags. I'm doing this in case any pieces of our luggage gets lost. Like I couldn't imagine a whole suitcase of diapers and wipes getting lost and having to scramble around trying to figure out how to get more.

What all are you packing in your carry-ons for your first day in the parks? I guess I just need to read up on what we'll need to pack for the parks anyway. How/What I'm packing has been, honestly, my number one stress. We've never been away from home this long with our boys and its our first time flying.

Mixing it up is a must, I am paranoid about losing luggage even though it's never happened to us (KNOCK ON WOOD!). I am trying to pack light and I really think we'll have plenty of room with 2 checked bags, 2 backpacks and 1 rolling carryon. We'll gatecheck our stroller too, has anyone had any experience doing that? We aren't planning on putting it in a bag or anything.

My DH's carryon will be our park bag since we'll go right to MK after we check in to POR. It'll have:
2 folding sit-upons/pads for parade watching
camera in its bag
my hip pack that I'll wear in the parks
Ziplock w/ about 6 diapers and travel wipes container
Ziplock w/ change of clothes for Alice just in case
our hats
Ponchos
empty misting fan
our cooling neck ties

I think that's about it. In the parks, I will carry a lanyard like you get at OfficeMax for my KTTW card and some cash, and my hip pack w/ our smaller camera and some small stuff for Alice to do in lines--the mini Disney coloring books w/ stickers they have at Target are perfect!

 

[MissLiz]

How do you get it to switch to days? I would love to see mine say 19 days!

You know, I wish I had an answer for that, but I think it was just the ticker that I chose. I don't remember designating how the time was going to be displayed.

So, I got Mickey Mail today!!!! It's for DH's family since I booked their trip. I won't get Mickey mail anymore due to DVC, so it was nice to get that little magic in the mail.

And! I went shopping today and I ended up buying 6 shirts for our trip. I got a couple t-shirts and a few nicer shirts. There were some great sales going on today. I'm so ready to start packing.

 

[Marblies]

Not a great pic but my dd took last night so we could upload via mirror. lol. oh well this is us...if you see us say HI!

Wow your dd grew alot since your thumbnail pic. We are on a girl's only trip and will keep an eye out for you. Daughters rock!

 

[dizziedupbaby0127]

No worries. Jiminy's cousin was taking a quick break and was back for photos and autographs about 10 minutes later.



Oh no!



Sure can! Just have to request it.

Sweet! Thank you!

We will be at POR from 9/12 - 9/18.....I can't wait! Welcome to the group!



Sounds like a LOT of us will be at POR the same time....how exciting!



We will be at MNSSHP the same night!!

We will be dressed as pirates! Say "HI" if you see us!

Great pics everyone!

KELLY, I can't believe you are going in a WEEK!

Last night I got my big Disney Bin which is full of toys etc. I've collected all year plus BodyGlide and stuff like that for the trip, took everything out of its original packaging and put it in our carryon to see how much room it would take up. I really think we will have a lot of space left over in our luggage! After pricing USPS and UPS costs to ship a big box of diapers, wipes and snacks down, I think I'll just put it in a checked bag because we'll have that space and that stuff is all consumable so it'll give us space for souvenirs on the way home. Those places were going to charge $17-22 for a 15 lb box and I'm not sure how much it would weigh yet. We were planning on checking 2 bags anyway and I really think I can get all of our clothes in 1 suitcase so it should be fine.

I am also trying to figure out our carry-on situation. We have a small rolling bag that I was using for "pretend packing" last night so that's 1, then backpacks for DH & I, 1 full of Alice's snacks and entertainment and 1 with our park stuff for that day. I am assuming that normal sized, not full to the brim backpacks count as a "personal item" on AirTran, has anyone had experience with this?

TIA!

We were going to ship diapers too, then decided to just take an extra checked bag and use the room for souvenirs. We have only flown with SW and Jetblue, but both of those, as long as the bag fits under the seat in front of you, it can be your personal item. We are taking 2 checked, a suitcase and my VB weekender bag and 2 backpacks for carry-on plus gate checking our stroller!

This is all good thinking and I'd like to have a discussion on this stuff too. We're also flying AirTran and was worried about these same things. Here are some things I've thought of:

-We're going to have 2 suitcases as large as we can for carry-on that we'll put as much as we can in. At least everything we'll need for 3 full days in case our luggage gets lost.

-We will also be checking 2-3 bags of luggage. I've decided that I'm not going to pack all of our clothes in one bag, and one bag of XYZ, and another bag of ABC. I'm going to mix everything up and spread it out over all the bags. I'm doing this in case any pieces of our luggage gets lost. Like I couldn't imagine a whole suitcase of diapers and wipes getting lost and having to scramble around trying to figure out how to get more.

What all are you packing in your carry-ons for your first day in the parks? I guess I just need to read up on what we'll need to pack for the parks anyway. How/What I'm packing has been, honestly, my number one stress. We've never been away from home this long with our boys and its our first time flying.

I always cross-pack! I am paranoid of them losing our luggage or delaying it, we had our luggage delayed on our honeymoon, luckly we had packed enough (thanks to my cross-packing) in our carry-ons to get us through the night and next day. We also switched resorts during our stay and Disney took FOREVER to transfer the luggage I think we counted 6 hours CRAZY!

Our parks bag will have: SUNBLOCK, sunglasses, change of clothing,diapers, wipes, disposible changing pads, disposible bibs, socks/shoes,snacks, sippy cup, shout wipes,spray neosporin,lysol wipes, headache meds, chapstick, hair tie, hat,binky, rain coat/poncho, camera/camera bag, phones, cards/id, light weight blanket for naps, toy/lovie, light hoodie

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

7 days left.

I have been so busy today with dance things for the girls and getting my house ready for a b-day party. That I haven't really had much time to concentrate on the trip. Also been doing laundry the girls are all packed it just myself. Which probably wont' happen until Thursday night.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Kelly, I can't believe how close you are

Can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back!

 

[anjalee6]

This is our first time flying with kids and I am super nervous. For anyone that flies with children often, can you explain gate checking versus regular checking of our stroller? Can you gate check a double stroller or is it too large? Do most airlines allow you to check your stroller for free?


This is all so new to me. We drive every time, but because this trip is so short, we decided to fly. So much to think about.


We also split our luggage. I am afraid of losing bags too. The flying part, made me happy, but now it feels a little overwhelming with two young kids. Any seasoned fliers that have helpful flying tips I would be happy to hear advice.

 

[haven_alise1997]

Wow your dd grew alot since your thumbnail pic. We are on a girl's only trip and will keep an eye out for you. Daughters rock!

She was actually going to a school dance so she had on her heels...so it made her seem taller than she is but she is actually the same height as me now in just one year!

We will keep an eye out for you too, Daughters totally rock! I was lucky getting a girl since that's all I was ever around, my mom had us three girls, my older sis two girls, and me and my younger sis both one girl. lol. If I had a boy I would have been like

 

[L-Harper]

This is our first time flying with kids and I am super nervous. For anyone that flies with children often, can you explain gate checking versus regular checking of our stroller? Can you gate check a double stroller or is it too large? Do most airlines allow you to check your stroller for free?


This is all so new to me. We drive every time, but because this trip is so short, we decided to fly. So much to think about.


We also split our luggage. I am afraid of losing bags too. The flying part, made me happy, but now it feels a little overwhelming with two young kids. Any seasoned fliers that have helpful flying tips would be happy.

YES! I'm wondering about all of this too!

 

[MamaJessie]

Help I can't stop buy drink boxes. But how can I turn down $.77 a 10 pack of minute maid juice. Seriously.

Where is this??

KELLY - Yay!! You are getting so close now!!

 

[basketkat]

Anybody have a sharpie on their packing list? I always try to take one - at least to mark the mugs. We have 5 in our family, and I really don't want to switch mugs halfway through .

I actually really like sharpies for the characters to sign with! It is way easier for them than a pen.

7 days left.

Wahoo!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Hi guys. I've been missing from this thread for months. Things got crazy after the princess was born and I just couldn't keep up. I hope everyone has been well. I can't believe how close our trips are!

 

[disneychic2]

I am also trying to figure out our carry-on situation. We have a small rolling bag that I was using for "pretend packing" last night so that's 1, then backpacks for DH & I, 1 full of Alice's snacks and entertainment and 1 with our park stuff for that day. I am assuming that normal sized, not full to the brim backpacks count as a "personal item" on AirTran, has anyone had experience with this?

TIA!

We fly Airtran all the time and you should be fine with the backpacks. You should see what some people bring! Make sure the one you need to get into while flying can fit under the seat in front of you so you won't be constantly having to get up to retrieve something and you'll be good to go.

What I did for Disney today! A good friend of mine came to visit last weekend from Milwaukee and offered to drive us to the airport and let us park our car in her visitor spot at her apt complex. So we are going to drive up the night before our flight leaves, have dinner and visit with her before the trip! We are going to buy her dinner as a thank you, but should still be saving us the $$ we would have to pay to park at the airport! Today I double checked with her that our flight times would still be ok with her and she said yes! Gonna save us a couple hours of sleep as we live 3 hours from General Mitchell!

So you got a little pixie dust early...sweet! It's always good to be able to sleep a couple of extra hours. Nice friend!

7 days left.

I have been so busy today with dance things for the girls and getting my house ready for a b-day party. That I haven't really had much time to concentrate on the trip. Also been doing laundry the girls are all packed it just myself. Which probably wont' happen until Thursday night.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

I'm glad you didn't leave our Sept thread so we can share your excitement of being so close! Hope you got enough done so you won't spend the 7 days stressing.

 

[disneychic2]

Hi guys. I've been missing from this thread for months. Things got crazy after the princess was born and I just couldn't keep up. I hope everyone has been well. I can't believe how close our trips are!

Welcome back! Can't imagine getting behind with a newborn around!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Welcome back! Can't imagine getting behind with a newborn around!

I know. I'm just a complete slacker.