The Bertrand 4 are going to Disney for the first time!!!!

[ybertrand]

Okay, so I am going to try my hand at writing a pre-trip report. I have enjoyed reading posts on this board so much. Everyone has had so many great ideas and suggestions, most of which I have already used in my planning.

We are leaving in just 25 days!!!!

I'll start with introducing my family.

Me (37)...stay at home mom, Little League and PTA volunteer, and crazy about all things Disney

DH (37)...constrcution General Contractor, super sports fan (especially for University of Texas), Little League coach, great Dad

DS (9)...Lego fanatic, baseball player and truely a considerate and loving person

DS (4)...Star Wars and music lover, sooooo funny He makes me laugh every day with his crazy antics.

DH and I decided we would go to Disney about a year ago, although we did not officially book our trip until August. This will be our first major vacation as a family. We have done something every year since DS (9) was 5 but they have always been long weekend vacations....SeaWorld, lake vacations, Galveston, etc.

I have planned this entire vaction around our boys except for a meal at ESPN club, which is for my husabnd. This is going to be his surprise. DH and I have been to Disney one other time, our honeymoon. I had to really talk him into it then but in the end he loved it. Now a mere 11 years later we are going again. I hope it does not take another 11 years before we go a thrid time. LOL!!!

Hope everyone enjoys my reports. I am by no means the next great author. LOL!!!!

I'll start with my planning details next.

 

[ybertrand]

Well, I think I have enjoyed the planning of this trip as much as I will enjoy the actual trip. I am constantly on Disboards and several other websites searching for more and more knowledge. I am the planner of the family. Heck, I am the planner for almost all of my friends as well. Maybe I should start a business???? Who has the time for that?

I wanted to post a few of the tips, etc I have come across and plan on using. These will not be inany particular order, just things that I think will be useful or fun for my boys.

1. Ziploc Bags-all sizes. I plan on packing an outfit per bag for everyone, including underwear, socks, etc. I like to be organized and I love this idea. My luggage will finally be neat even with my husband digging through it.

2. Seperate everyone's clothing evenly throughout all of our luggage. This way if for some awful reason the airline looses one of our bags, everyone will still have several outfits.

3. I made a countdown calender for family using Mickey Mouse head paint chips from Home Depot. Great idea I found on this board.

4. Pre-bought a standard Mr. Potato Head. I found them on sale for only $4 each. I will pack these and then when we go to the toy store in Downtown Disney we can load up on parts. A case cost about $19 and you can fill it with as many pieces as you can fit in. Since I pre-bought the head I don't have to waste space in the case with the head.

5. I went to the dollar store and bought several things....Mickey Mouse coloring books and puzzles for the plane ride...glow necklaces for the night parades. I still need to buy a few more of these. I want to have a few extras to give away. I am hoping to pass out some magic of my own, even if it is only in this small way.

6. Make at least a general plan of what you want to do. I ordered customizable maps from WDW. I had all of the attractions put on the maps. I then went through each park and marked all the rides, etc that are must sees. I also included notes on the maps....how long to arrive before a parade, etc...parade times...which rides have fast pass as well as which ride to hit first at each park (TSM at DHS) I am also printing out touring plans from touringplans.com. I doubt that we will follow these exactly but I do like a good plan.

7. I bought a lanyard with an attached pouch to hold my KTTW cards, fast passes and some cash. I wanted something that will be easy to access and not get in the way of me holding my camera. I take a LOT of pictures. I am a scrpabooker, need I say more.

I hope these ideas are helpful to others. If I think of more I will post them. I am sure I have forgotten some.