Six week mark, what should I be doing??

[mickeeemouse]

O.k. six more weeks until my trip, boys won't know until next Sunday, what should I be doing now, I feel lost, we have one adr at chef mickey's other than that we are doing the QSDP. Should I be making list , packing, where we should go, calling the hotel for requests. Can you tell I'm going crazy I'm just not sure what I should be doing or planning right now. Please help me out.

 

[sonnyday]

The first thing to do is to remember that Disney is suppose to be fun for EVERYONE! That includes the person planning the trip. One you tell the children then include then in the planning. Now would be the time to make sure everyone has good walking shoes. Pick out one outfit a week. Let the kids take turns picking out something from the dollar store to play with on the trip. Read the DIS everyday and pick the ideas and tips you like and junk the rest. Nobody has your same style of organizing or planning. I am a list person so I have 10th revision packing list and dining possibilities. Planning is the fun part for me so I get to do it all for everybody going. I have excel spread sheets for packing, dining reservations, and a schedule for each day at the parks. I also keep in mind that a schedule is not carved in stone and plans can and will change

 

[powellrj]

We leave in 3 days and I haven't done anything other than reserve the hotel! Nothing packed, no ADRs, no itinerary, nothing! We are driving this trip and to be honest, we are just going to take our time and enjoy the ride. I don't expect to have any sit-down meals at disney this trip so we are going without any ADRs. Not sure which parks we are going to other than Sea World. DS is meeting up with a friend who is doing the college program, not sure which day.

I will ask DH to get the luggage out so I can start packing soon!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Break in the shoes you plan to wear. Try on your clothes to make sure they fit. Make lists of things to not forget. Do a trial packing run to see what suitcases you need to bring. Make a shopping list that includes sunscreen and pain relievers.

 

[tzolkin]

Personally, I would go ahead and pack. We're going about the same time and I've been mostly packed since February.

I packed even earlier last time... We live in NY as well, so I know the kids won't need all those summer clothes. I pack each of their suitcases with their outfits in ziplock bags (LOVE this method!), make sure each person has pjs, bathing suits, jeans/pants, a hoodie, and clothes set out to travel in. Two weeks ago I went through my packing list and packed all the other things we need for the drive and the resort.

My husband thought I was crazy last year, but it was so nice to just have everything set to go and put it in the car the day before we leave. We bring a ton of stuff, but we're driving and have the room and I like to be prepared even if we don't need it. I even made a list last time of what to do before we left the house (unplug, turn down water heater, etc)...


Have you made a schedule of the park hours for your dates? I made a schedule with the hours, EMHs, etc for each day of our trip, so we can decide which days/times we want to go to certain parks. A few things we plan in advance (we must do all morning EMHs at MK for example), but the rest we bring the schedule with us to look at in the hotel and make our plans for the day.

I also made index cards with the menus for the counter service places in each park. They're nice to have on hand because if someone's in the mood for pizza, a salad, etc you can look at the cards and decide where you want to eat.

Let me know if any of my files would help.

 

[peytonsmama]

Would love your lists. I am a huge planner and a first timer! We are going for 7 days at the end of May. The index card is a great idea!

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

Tzolkin -- I would also love to get copies of your list, if you would be willing to share!

Thank you!

 

[jpkkld]

I also made index cards with the menus for the counter service places in each park. They're nice to have on hand because if someone's in the mood for pizza, a salad, etc you can look at the cards and decide where you want to eat.

What a great idea! I've been debating whether to bring menus with me. This looks like the perfect solution. Plus, I can just bring ONE park's cards each day. Thank you!

 

[jms531]

I just have to say this thread cracked me up! It reminded me of those books you get to plan your wedding week by week...Someone should make one for Disney-I would have to imagine a whole bunch of Disers (and those who have NO clue what they're doing i.e. MK=WDW) would be buying

 

[dancin'girl]

We are traveling around the same time as you!
I pulled out all my summer clothes the other day and most of my shorts don't fit!! My DS tried on his clothes, too (I got them on clearance at the end of last summer) - too big!!!
So, I would check to see if everything fits before packing up! Thank goodness I did, because I would have arrived with a whole suitcase full of clothes, but nothing to wear! Yikes! And my DS's shorts would have been falling down!

 

[mommymeg]

I am heading down in just under 6 weeks and have already started packing. We're in a climate where summer clothes are probably not going to be needed between now and then, and I wanted to be sure our suitcases were big enough. So far I've got DD and DH packed, using the ziplock bags really does keep things organized and frees up space.. Of course I haven't packed socks, underwear, shoes or toiletries yet..

Last week I also started grabbing things at the store that I know we'll need. We're doing breakfasts in room, so when cereal was on sale, I picked up one box for us now, and one for the trip... I added to my stash today and along with saving money from the sale price, I'm avoiding coming out of pocket all at once the week before we leave!

I check the Dis daily for any new ideas or tips. I'm more excited than my kids!

 

[Mama to Three]

We still have 4 months plus before our trip and I started pre-packing last weekend!

I am on my third or so list revision. I took all the things from the list I need to buy for the trip... meds, first aid, organizational stuff, etc and put them in my purse so I can pick up things here and there. My reasoning is that it will spread the expenses out over a few months and not be a big financial hit when the trip comes. Dh is already having a coronary over the cost of the trip! It has taken me YEARS to talk him into going!

I'm keeping all the stuff in a storage bin in my closet. Our kids have no idea, but they are used to me stockpiling (couponer!) so they wouldn't think anything of it anyway.

 

[BellesFavoriteBook]

I still have 1 month, 1 week and 5 days. I ordered my baggallini the other day, should arrive by UPS on the 31st. I'll practice packing it to see how heavy it would be. It won't have a LOT of stuff (poncho, sweatshirt or jacket, things like that) and my valuables (cash and disney gift card + ID and KTTW card) will be in a little waist pack that I hide under my shirt.

I've started making a list of items I need to buy (snacks, ziploc bags for example). I plan to buy stuff @ Target, etc on May 8th and anything I have to order @ minimus.biz I'll order by late April (so I receive it by May 8th).