Some things I'm doing that may help you?

mudnuri

<font color=deeppink>I HATE it when I miss somethi
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Oct 21, 2003
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Since I'm just about done planning the trip, the logistics of it all are coming into play. Since we will be coming from Vermont, DD's will not be in their summer clothing yet here at home...so what I've been doing...

I ALWAYS purchase a ton of next years summer clothes at the end of the season. DD's have always been 1 size off eachother so this works GREAT.. I just starting going through what I bought last fall at Walmart and Kmart, and found that DD's only need some more t-shirts/tanks.

I checked walmart today and they've got some of last years summer stuff on clearance again! $1.25 for t-shirts CANT beat that. I picked up quite a few in a few different sizes. Saved tons of money from regular prices.

While in Kmart today I noticed they had a lot of shoes on clearance, knowing that DD's will need 2 pair of sneakers incase of blisters/wet shoes etc... I picked up 4 pair. each of them got 1 pair 1/2 size bigger than right now, and 1 pair 1 full size bigger. Knowing my kids, 1 of them will go 1/2 and 1 will go full LOL...better to be safe then sorry. $3.00 per pair. DD's will start wearing these the 1st week of April, this will give them 3 weeks to break them in..

One thing that I've noticed when vacationing with others, or just talking to friends is that they always overpack, and STILL forget something.

Since we're driving, I CAN bring more stuff than those flying, but golly I dont want to. We drive a truck, with a toneau cover over the bed, we do not use suitcases when we take the truck, we use blue rubbermaid totes. Yes, we look funny dragging them into the Marriot LOL...but then if you look at my Vermont plates- you'll get it ...... I made up a list of what I need, and what would be nice to have. Knowing that everything I need is available everywhere, I compiled two lists. The need list is stuff I'm now searching for on clearance etc.. it's a list that stays in my purse. The would be nice is a list that I'll work off if I have a few extra $$, but other than that we may buy it down there.

I will be purchasing my park hoppers 2 at a time, this will allow me to pay off the credit card in full, and not incure interest. I will also NOT be using our credit card to pay for our room. We will be paying by cash/travelers check instead.

Because I've heard about the cheaper soveniers at Wal-Mart near disney, I'll be purchasing a few walmart gift cards prior to leaving. DD's get these often and understand how they work, and can figure out if they can get everything they want or not.

I've started picking up a few cheap toys at the Dollar Store each time I go in (not too often)...these are kept in the basement, and will be brought out during our drive, and also in the afternoons at the resort. Some of these are disney themed, others are not.

If anyone else wants to add how they are dealing with the logistics of their trip please do so!! I'd love to hear some other tips of heading out with family on a crazy trip!...This trip started as 5 days in orlando and has turned into 12.

Brandy
 
I had never thought of using those Rubbermaid totes instead of suitcases on road trips - what a great idea! We don't pull out our suitcases while we are driving, I pack a duffel bag with our travel stuff (jammies, change of clothes and bathroom stuff) so we don't have to repack the truck each day. Those would be much more sturdy, flexible and useful. Once we unpack they can be in room toy boxes and laundry baskets! I love it - I'm going to Target!

Our big find is a cooler that plugs into our lighter outlet in the truck. I pack ziplocs of cleaned grapes, cheese, crackers, cereal and drinks (juiceboxes, soda for us) and it all stays cool and fresh. Once we arrive we have an adapter that plugs into a wall outlet and it becomes our in-room refrigerator.
 
I pack the totes specifically for the trip too. We have 1 tote that has the clothes for the trip down, shorts etc... then when I pack to come home, it's got jeans and sweatshirts. This way when we stop in a hotel, we take 1 tote in it, it also has the bathroom stuff and bathing suits.... I take all the other totes, and toss them on the back seat of the truck, tossing the 2 car seats in the front, as our toneau cover is not lockable...

We also have a cooler that plugs into the lighter...it's worked great when we've gone camping etc... it's not too good for our road trips though, with the 2 car seats, and TV theres no place for the cooler....LOL

Glad the ideas helped someone!

Brandy
 
Originally posted by mudnuri
Since I'm just about done planning the trip, the logistics of it all are coming into play. Since we will be coming from Vermont.

Mudnuri - where in Vermont?

Hawk.
 

Another idea for small treats for the car ride is clearance birthday favors. I usually pick these up for well under a $1 and there are 4 to a package. I have gotten mickey parachutes, necklaces, small games, etc. and I make up treat bags for the kids. Watch Target and Toy R Us as they start clearance on the birthday supplies. Also I don't know if you have Big Lots in VT but they carry a lot of disney items.
 
What great ideas!! We are leaving next week and I still needed a few ideas four our girls on the drive down. Someone else told me about using rubbermaid containers instead of suitcases. I have decided to do this on this trip. I also used the large (2.5 gallon) ziploc bags for our clothes and got all of our clothes in on container with plenty of room to spare. By the way...way to go on your tshirt and tennis shoe finds, those prices are great!!!



Cya There!!
:wave2:
 


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