Tasty Planning Time with ZeBrook! A 2 for 1 PTR - 12/24 - All our bags are packed

[brookelizabeth]

Wow that Passporter is nice!!!!! Kinda reminds one of the Dayrunners people used carry around.

I just googled the hotel myself...very nice!!!!!!

I think you'll have a grand time.

It has a similar feel to a Dayrunner, expect on the inside is maps and WDW info instead of a calendar and all - otherwise, very pretty much the same, a spot for cards, notes, and a pen.

I am loving the Passporter with spaces for all your cards!!! How sweet of a fellow DISer to pass it along to you!

It is a very, very nice Passporter! I'm thrilled with it, and love all the little slots for the cards. It will make it much easier to keep track of!

I can answer this from experience! Back in Jan. '93, it was a counter service restaurant that had characters. We took our then DS5 and DS 18 mo. DS 5 had a great time, the younger one screamed every time a character came near!

Ah! How cool! I wish they still had a CS with characters that would be perfect for the little ones! (unless they are screaming...)

Yep the counter service restaurant opened in 1982 and closed in 1994. I guess there is a castmember cafeteria in the back.

That passporter looks kinda cool! What is it exactly? I like all the slots for your important cards . Woo hoo! Way to save some money!!

It's really too bad they closed it! Joe and I peeked in between the curtains one time and from what we could tell it did look like a cafeteria or a banquet hall of some sort.

I love the slots for the cards! I usually stick them in my Baggalini in the front for easy access, but they sometimes get moved around too much in there and I can't find the one I need. This will be very handy!

I had to quickly scroll those the passporter photos or I'd be ordering one this weekend. I am sucker for anything organizational.

Great deal on the hotel, $100 cheaper is great!

I'm the same way! I'm always looking at little containers/baskets, etc. at the store wanting to buy them ALL.

I was thrilled to save the 100 bucks! We really need to pinch every corner we can on this trip!

Me too.....

Getting a passporter and a cheaper hotel is great! DISers really are a wonderful community!

I am sure you are right about going to EMH IF you manage to be there for opening! I remember that Len Testa of the UG regularly says on the WDWToday podcast that the reason they say to stay away from EMH days is that people don't manage to be there for opening. But if you are there for RD and leave once the park becomes too crowded, they really work!

Ah! That is great to hear! I haven't listened much to the WDWToday Podcast, but use their site for the touring plans (as you know). It's a relief to hear he says that. We should make RD, my MIL is an early bird and she'll be up getting the coffee brewing, etc. while the rest of us peel ourselves out of bed.

Wishing you, Henry, and Joe a beautiful Thanksgiving Day!

Thank you MeMom! It was a great holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving, Brook!!!

Woo hoo for being at less than 30 days now!!!

Thanks CP! I cannot believe how quickly the days are FLYING.

Yay for being able to start your 30 day countdown!!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

We did! We were at Joe's parent's this year, it was a small gathering but a lot of fun, a lot of food, and lots of card games. The kids played, played, played!

I love when the trip finally starts to feel like that. for 30 days!!!

You are very welcome. We loved the hotel, and yep, it was for our honeymoon. It's small, nice and right in the center of everything. Every time we've talked about going back, we knew that we would stay there. I can't wait to hear what you think of it and see pictures! I'm hoping it's still great!

Hope yours was great too!

It has really good reviews on TripAdvisor.com, so I'm pretty confident that it will be a good one!! Thank you again sooooo much for sending me that way. We truly are pinching our pennies for this trip, so the extra $100 saved is a LOT for us right now.

I will come back with a boatload of pictures!!!

What nice Dis'ers!!! Yay Brook! And yay for 30 days! (We leave in 5 and I'm a nervous wreck!)

I hope you are able to get everything done, and that the nerves go away and turn into excitement!!! I'm getting nervous about our trip now due to the sheer amount of things I need to get done.

I hope you have a very magical trip!!!!!! Bring back lots of pics to share.

Yay for 30 days!!! And don't you just LOVE DISers?! They are the BEST!!!!!

They really are!!!! So incredibly helpful and kind!

 

[brookelizabeth]

24 days.

Twenty-four! I'm starting to get nervous and anxious about everything I have to do in the next few weeks.

Despite that, I'm more than happy to say...

"WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD THIS MONTH!"



Here is an updated To Do list, a few things added, and some have actually gotten done:

Life

1. Finish Christmas shopping
2. Wrap Christmas gifts
3. Write Christmas letter
   
4. Send Christmas cards
5. Clean house week before we leave
6. Stop mail
7. Finish September Trip Report!!!!
   

Disney

1. Print basic trip plan for in-laws and fill in Passporter
2. Organize travel toiletries
3. Pack (we can do this at anytime considering how cold MN is now!)
4. Buy a bunch of non-perishable items, send box to resort
   
5. Figure out how much and get cash for tips
6. Clean out stroller and car seat
7. Charge electronics
8. Make the inevitable 838 trips to Target for last minute things - I think I've made about 721 so far.
   
9. Reserve parking spot at Park N Fly - Joe's to do list, I just have to make sure he does it!
   
10. Get basic touring plan done for parks, "must do's" - DONE
11. Research scooters for Poppa - DONE
12. In-laws need to buy tickets - DONE
    
13. Plan in-room meals - DONE
14. Set up details of NYE meet with MeMom - DONE
    
15. But Passporter inserts - DONE
16. Make grocery list - DONE
    
17. Put in WeGoShop order - DONE
18. Get countdown calendar ready with stickers for Henry - DONE
19. Make budget so I have a clue what we can expect to spend while there - DONE

NOLA

1. Buy wedding present for the happy couple!
2. Research cheap/free things to do
   
3. Get a basic map of the area, walking map?
4. Go back to early pages of this PTR and re-read all NOLA advice given, take notes, commit to memory!
5. Try to find a cheaper hotel - DONE

Looking back over my list, I have gotten quite a bit done, it just doesn't feel like it. I know it's the pre-trip anxiety and it is coupled right along with second guessing every detail of the trip that has been set for months. Everything from resort to ADRs. Thankfully it's near impossible to change stuff this time of year, so we are locked in!

I have each of the above items scheduled as a "to do" for each day up until the trip in my daily planner. The "print basic plan for in-laws and fill in Passporter" was for Saturday. I'm still working on it. So, the next two items, haven't even gotten started on. I think I just might skip to the toiletries for today though, it should be an easy one and I need to knock SOMETHING off this list before I start to fully panic!

Just wait until you see how many travel toiletries I have.... Jordan, you might need to take a Valium....

 

[jordanyosh]

That last line had me laughing so hard! I hope no one is walking by the window to my office right now. Let me look...phew.

I may go into cardiac arrest. Where are the paddles?

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh Brook, you are way ahead of me lady. I haven't got the suitcases out, haven't got cash, none of the neccessities. And we have 3 days left. That's it! I think you're doing great! Hopefully we can get it all done.

 

[jenjolt]

WOW!! What a to do list!!! Time is going to fly by so fast!!!!! YES you can say you are going to Disney this month WOOT!!!!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

24 Day dance! Good luck on the to-do list. I'm sure it'll all come together. That last line had me cracking up.

 

[Lady Lallie]

What is about miniature sized items that make us all a flutter?

You can conquer that to do list!

 

[A.Mickey]

If you can manage to knock off two things a day for the next 10 days you will be done with your list and have two full weeks before your trip to just relax!

Doesn't that make it sound better

Woo hoo! And that was my 1000th Post!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I'm so glad you guys like the passporter and someone who loves disney is getting good use out of it!!

Yippee for getting a cheaper hotel on NOLA!!

I agree with the thought that if you get 2 things done a day you'll have time to rest and relax before the trip! Sounds loike a great idea!!

I can't believe your trip is coming up so fast!!!

I have to get over to your TR and catchup there!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, I am all kinds of excited to see the travel-sizes!!!

Jordan, I just got trained on how to use a defibulator today if you do go into cardiac arrest.

 

[MeMom]

Oh Brook, you are way ahead of me lady. I haven't got the suitcases out, haven't got cash, none of the neccessities. And we have 3 days left. That's it! I think you're doing great! Hopefully we can get it all done.

You have a lot to do, girlie!

I guess I'm pretending we don't have a trip coming up, either, because I haven't really thought about it much. School testing is involved right now, and then all this stuff with my student's fire. I haven't been in planning mode at all. It'll have to wait until school is out, but definitely before three days prior to leaving!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Woo hoo, this month! Wish I was going this month. I'm getting so jealous seeing all the Christmas pictures and reading about everyone's holiday trips. I have decided I must go again next Christmas.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Your list looks ALMOST as bad as mine - and I have one less week to get it all done! Obviously, I'm in denial because I'm sitting here on the DIS instead of working on the list.....

 

[Lovemy3babes]

You have a lot to do, girlie!

I guess I'm pretending we don't have a trip coming up, either, because I haven't really thought about it much. School testing is involved right now, and then all this stuff with my student's fire. I haven't been in planning mode at all. It'll have to wait until school is out, but definitely before three days prior to leaving!

Come help me MeMom! I have no one IRL to help me and I'm feeling so overwhelmed. I think the holidays that are fast approaching also are throwing me for a loop. We'll make it there somehow.

 

[PopArtGal]

You guys are so lucky to be leaving this month.

I am so in need of a vacation (anywhere) that I could cry

 

[princess&her4princes]

WOOHOO this is THE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

That last line had me laughing so hard! I hope no one is walking by the window to my office right now. Let me look...phew.

I may go into cardiac arrest. Where are the paddles?

Hee hee. Glad it made you laugh.........and at work!!

Oh Brook, you are way ahead of me lady. I haven't got the suitcases out, haven't got cash, none of the neccessities. And we have 3 days left. That's it! I think you're doing great! Hopefully we can get it all done.

We don't have the suitcases out yet, but I hope to pull them out next week! We almost always pack just a day or two in advance, but I'm hoping to get some of it done earlier than that this time.

Two days for you!! Those last two days are always full of activity - I hope they go smoothly for you!!

WOW!! What a to do list!!! Time is going to fly by so fast!!!!! YES you can say you are going to Disney this month WOOT!!!!

And I keep thinking of things I have to add to it.....like ME RESERVATIONS! I realized I haven't done that yet...

24 Day dance! Good luck on the to-do list. I'm sure it'll all come together. That last line had me cracking up.

I'm sure it will all come together too, I just need to keep working on it so not everything is left to the last couple of days.

What is about miniature sized items that make us all a flutter?

You can conquer that to do list!

I love me some travel items too! I like that they mean I am going on a trip.

If you can manage to knock off two things a day for the next 10 days you will be done with your list and have two full weeks before your trip to just relax!

Doesn't that make it sound better

Woo hoo! And that was my 1000th Post!

I like that idea! Chances of knocking 2 off a day is slim on some days, but even if I can finish a week in advance that would be nice!!

Congratulations on your 1000th post!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm so glad you guys like the passporter and someone who loves disney is getting good use out of it!!

Yippee for getting a cheaper hotel on NOLA!!

I agree with the thought that if you get 2 things done a day you'll have time to rest and relax before the trip! Sounds loike a great idea!!

I can't believe your trip is coming up so fast!!!

I have to get over to your TR and catchup there!!

I really do love that Passporter! It's already getting use sitting right next to my laptop and is referenced daily.

I do like that 2 a day theory....I just don't know if it's possible for some of those tasks. But, even if I finish one week early, I'll love it!

There probably isn't much to catch up on over at my TR, I updated today, but prior to that it was before Thanksgiving!

Oh, I am all kinds of excited to see the travel-sizes!!!

Jordan, I just got trained on how to use a defibulator today if you do go into cardiac arrest.

I made sure to document my plethora of travel sized items. That update will hopefully be ready tomorrow.

too funny about the defibrillator!!!!

You have a lot to do, girlie!

I guess I'm pretending we don't have a trip coming up, either, because I haven't really thought about it much. School testing is involved right now, and then all this stuff with my student's fire. I haven't been in planning mode at all. It'll have to wait until school is out, but definitely before three days prior to leaving!

3 days prior to leaving! MeMom! How are you going to do that?! Jill takes care of the "plan of attack" on the parks though, right? That is what sucks up a lot of my time. The crowds have me a tad nervous too.

Woo hoo, this month! Wish I was going this month. I'm getting so jealous seeing all the Christmas pictures and reading about everyone's holiday trips. I have decided I must go again next Christmas.

Ah, don't you love the way the DIS enables you? I am getting very excited about seeing it all - we've just seen MK decked out last year in November....and the Epcot tree. Seeing all the resorts, seeing the Candlelight Processional and all that will be awesome!

Your list looks ALMOST as bad as mine - and I have one less week to get it all done! Obviously, I'm in denial because I'm sitting here on the DIS instead of working on the list.....

Oh no!!! But, I understand - most of the time I'm not this on top of things....usually I am in denial until about a week prior, then I go into crazy mode!

Come help me MeMom! I have no one IRL to help me and I'm feeling so overwhelmed. I think the holidays that are fast approaching also are throwing me for a loop. We'll make it there somehow.

I agree - with the holidays it just adds a whole 'nother list of things to do! That alone is a lot, then planning a vacation on top of it--whew!

You guys are so lucky to be leaving this month.

I am so in need of a vacation (anywhere) that I could cry

Oooooh, that stinks, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you able to escape to anywhere, anytime soon?

WOOHOO this is THE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!

It's hard to believe!!! It's here, it's here!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Can't.Wait.To.See.Travel.Aisle.Items. I wish there was a rabid dog smilie...

 

[rustysfr56]

woooooooooowwwwwww!!!!!!! The last time I read this report it was on the 25th page or so....talk about being M.I.A on the disboards for forever!! I had a marathon disboard reading experience ..but I love it haha! I've missed reading your trip reports-I look foward to reading more!

p.s-A little belated but, glad your foot is better!