Some things I'm doing as we get closer...

[mudnuri]

Some of these things are probably things people on here do, but if 1 of these tips helps some one- it's all good. We leave in 24 days so I've started to get all of my important stuff together....

1. I have printed all of our hotel reservations out and made 2 copies. The original goes in my passporter, 1 copy goes in the glovebox in the truck (we're driving)...and the 2nd copy stays here with DMIL...

2. All WDW tickets have been photocopied..only 2 copies..1 in the glovebox, and 1 to DMIL

3. All credit cards, drivers licenses, and any other card in our wallets- this includes insurance cards... 2 copies...1 for glovebox, and 1 for DMIL...if we lose our wallets, or any cards, we have a copy, and if for some reason we don't, DMIL can fax us the copy she has...(these copies are front and back...for phone numbers)

4. All addresses for post cards have been printed out on Avery mailing labels. I got the addresses for DD's bestest friends, and put all the family's addresess on labels. These are ready to be packed....

5. Bought postcard stamps here at home... then we can fill the post cards out at night, and just drop them in the mail box in the AM..no searching for stamps etc.


The most important tip I have is to never think your being "overprepared"...its so much better to cover all basis, than it is to have something happen and not be prepared for it.

Okay- off to print out the packing list..(yes, Im a bit of an anal planner!

Brandy

 

[Gomez Gang]

Your planning sounds good to me! The idea of photocopying your cards is great!! I also do the postcard prep with stamps and labels and also leave an itinerary with my mom at home. You are better safe than sorry!
Have a safe trip and an EXCELLENT vacation!

 

[Sarahsmom85]

you might want to copy down some email addresses. When I was at Epcot last time and wanted to send a video postcard to one of my friends i couldn't remember her email address because I have it listed in my address book so I didn't send it right, I mixed up two of the numbers.

 

[Kate-n-sam]

I feel like I do something every day for the trip...updating packing lists, park list, grocery list, plane and car rental confirmations, buying tickets for the parks, cashing in change, going back and forth with villa owners. Set up a large box in bedroom to toss things into, dug out big kids summer clothes, shopping for summer clothes for the baby. Pulled our Disney stroller out of the cellar and cleaned it, bidding on ebay pins for trading, .....whew, this is exhausting. What am I going to do with all my time after the trip

See you there Brandy!

 

[Mad4Dizne]

(I guess I shouldn't admit this--I actually buy postcards on every trip to take home--before my next trip--I address and stamp them--and even sometimes make them out ) I figure--anytime I have to be out of the parks...well... I don't want to spend alot of time with the postcards, but I want to let everyone know we are thinking of them...
Flo

 

[Kate-n-sam]

you guys are so nice. It's my vacation after all, like I'm going to write postcards, LOL I guess if I didn't have 3 kids under 6 I'd consider it, I think I remeber writing them in my past life...

 

[MomlovesDad]

I just wondered about this today and I am so glad you addressed it. I was wondering if we could laminate the original tickets? Has anyone ever done that? I am wondering about the purpose of the photocopied tickets? Can you use them if originals are lost? I know, I may not be thinking clearly....head spinning from being an anal planner....
Thanks - MomlovesDad

 

[disdreams]

Hi. I just wanted to mention that it might be unsafe of you to keep copies of all your cards in your glovebox. Someone could steal all that info from you, and maybe even your identity. It happens all the time. I wouldnt even want all that personal info in my hotel room,, to be honest. Guess I was raised by a "better to be safe than sorry" father. Just wanted to mention it to you, just so nothing bad happens. Hope you have a wonderful trip

 

[mudnuri]

If they steal my car, they can have whats in it it's all replaceable. The chances of my car getting stolen are a LOT less than me misplacing a ticket or forgetting my wallet etc..

now for the photocopy of the tickets- you do this so the number that are on the back can be given to WDW they will cancel out your old ticket, and issue you a new one, with the days left etc....

I dont see why you'd laminate them, but my tickets are plastic like a credit card.

Brandy

 

[disdreams]

I didn't mean that someone might steal your car. I meant, they could break into it, and if you have all your credit card information, etc..... they could steal that and do a lot of harm.

 

[christinadei]

I second the copying of DL's and credit cards. I think it's a good idea to have other stuff on hand and even to have MIL keep a copy just in case, but that's too much of a risk in the glove compartment. No way would I do it, especially all that info together! someone could have a field day with it.

 

[wdwmom2]

There is never a good enough place to hide valuables. Back in the late 1970's on one of our trips to WDW, my family was robbed. I was just about 13. We traveled in a mini motor home. My father used to hide money by wrapping it in foil and putting it in the freezer. Well, needless to say, whoever robbed us knew the old "tin foil secret". Thieves know what they are doing and where to look. These days I'm note sure where I would hide anything. After all, if someone else wants it, they will find it!

 

[uberPlanner]

Check out the "Pre-trip To Do List." Let me know if I have left anything off.

http://www.geocities.com/bczook/

Oh, we also do a countdown with our kids. See the photo at the same site.

 

[Jockaroo]

I agree with some of the previous posters. In fall 2000 we had our car broken into off site. It wasn't a smash and grab type, but the thief put something like a can opener under the door handle and popped it. He went through the glove compartment and the center console. The only thing he stole was a small bag of change we had hidden for the toll roads. But it was several hundred dollars to fix the damage. I'm sure if we had credit card information in the car we would have been in trouble! Stuff like this takes only seconds. It is a good idea to have your CC number to report a card stolen.

We tourists are so visible. Out-of-state car tags and rental car stickers, etc. We make sure now to put all park maps and parking permits/resort info sheets, etc. out of view when off-site. But our out-of-state tags still give us away. And if you have a valet lock for your trunk use it! Luckily the thief did not get in our trunk where we had a laptop, video recorder and our park tickets.

Learn from our misery!

 

[disdreams]

I just wanted to mention...
I have lost my credit cards before, and had two phone cards stolen (and ran up hundreds of dollars), and I had no problem canceling them without even knowing the numbers. They just asked my name and other personal info., like, my social security number, my mothers maiden name, etc.... Also, do not ever carry your social security card with you. You do not need it for anything....really.
Also, I did have a brand spankin' new, expensive camera stolen out of my car at WDW from the rental car company (the car was totally infested with ants, so we returned it right away, but I forgot to take my camera out. As soon as I realized it, we turned around to go back and get it and it was suddenly "no where to be found". And, according to my car rental contract, they are not responsible for things left in the car...even if for only a few minutes. That was a real bummer!). If I were you, I'd make the copies, but leave them with your MIL, or whomever, and she can always fax the info to you if something happens. You can never, ever be too safe. Good luck