Tips - What you should do before you leave for Disney!

[lsteadman]

1 Week Before Departure
*Stop Mail
*Stop Newpaper Delivery
*Start Packing

Two Days Before Departure
*Do Nail and Toes (Please - I've seen some bad feet at Disney)
*Confirm flight reservations
*Confrim Priority Seating Reservations
*Confirms Shuttle/Towncar reservations
*Confirm Hotel Reservations
*Verify Orlando Weather
*Finish Packing


Day Before Departure
*Empty All Garbage
*Make sure garage door closed, locked, lights out
*Unplug all electronics
*Empty Dishwasher
*Empty Washer and Dryer
*Make sure no paper or clutter outside

Morning of Departure
*Turn off phone ringers
*Make sure all windows and doors are locked
*Check stove
*Make sure refrigerator door shut
*Make sure blinds are shut
*Turn on lights timer
*Water plants
*Take pets to sitter
*Make sure mailbox empty
*Do any last minute packing

1 hour before departure
*One last house sweep

30 minutes before departure
*Relax there is nothing left to do!!!!!

Add your tips to the "Departure Checklist"

 

[Princess Wannabe]

Quote: *Do Nail and Toes (Please - I've seen some bad feet at Disney)"

Too true...too true! I would suggest this for EVERYONE...! Regardless of gender!

 

[robyn323]

Thank you. I'm going to print this out.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Some of those are funny.

I would go crazy if I didn't start packing until a week before our trip. We leave April 22, and I started packing a few weeks ago. As I buy things I need for the trip (hate to wait until the last minute to do this) I put them into one of my small suitcases.

By starting so early, I'm less likely to forget anything.

 

[eeyore kelly]

Before you leave

Give neighbors your travel Information:
Your Name, Address, Telephone Number
Cell Phone Numbers
Reduce Heating and A/C settings
Turn off Computer

 

[NotUrsula]

Here's one that not many people do until after they have had disaster strike: Turn off the water supply to the washing machine. If a hose breaks/leaks while you are gone, you could return to a totally flooded home. It happens more often than you might think.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

When you say start packing a week before you go, are you talking about laying stuff out to pack or actually putting stuff in luggage.

 

[dzneelvr]

Maybe 2 weeks before departure, make sure a designated family member knows your resort name and it's telephone number, flight numbers and cell phone numbers. Call the first night and give them your direct room number in case someone from home needs to get to you about something important.

Also, copy any prescriptions you have, especially glasses (if they get lost) so you could refill something in an emergency. take your pharmacy's phone number along (if it's a national chain you can use their Orlando location).
I may sound over-cautious, but on one of our first trips, DH lost his glasses on the Haunted Mansion ride (they fell down in the crack next to the cars and could NOT be retrieved....CMs tried everything..!) and he's totally blind without them. He had to spend most of a day getting a new pair; if we had thought to bring his prescription along, it would've been so much faster...live and learn....

 

[kkana]

I could never wait that long to pack - I'm putting things together now in one place that I will need for the trip, new clothes for granddaughter, and myself. Plus I have a running list of everything I will need as per the tips on these boards... I would have forgotten binoculars, which I do own, if I hadn't seen that tip. Also ear drops for DGD she does get earaches and I don't want one to ruin the trip for her.

 

[sanibelover]

i have a tip about doing your toes.......

if you get a pedicure, don't let them file off your callouses!!! You will need them for all of that walking around. I learned the hard way. My toes were beautiful, but I had blisters all over the bottom of my feet.

The last time we went, I had callouses and no blisters. As a matter of fact, my feet weren't even tired after walking all day.

 

[sanibelover]

It's a good idea to turn off the water at the main shut-off. That way you are covered.

 

[jenr812]

Thanks for the great tips!

 

[canwegosoon]

Depending on the town you live in, you might want to notify police...or at least tell a friend on the police force, usually they will do additional drivebys. 2 weeks or earlier, you should make arrangements for any pets you have. And in our school 2 weeks prior, the school teachers like notice so they can have work prepared for you before you leave.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

My trip is still 6+ weeks away, and I am already working on my WINTER FEET.

Does that make you happy? LOL?

I'm right there with you. Yucky heels gross me out BLEH!! But, seriously, I am already working on my feet.

 

[Deesknee]

Some of those are funny.

I would go crazy if I didn't start packing until a week before our trip. We leave April 22, and I started packing a few weeks ago. As I buy things I need for the trip (hate to wait until the last minute to do this) I put them into one of my small suitcases.

By starting so early, I'm less likely to forget anything.

I too would go crazy waiting that long to pack. We go in June & I already have a few things in my carry on. As DH likes to say OCD begins with me!

 

[lajones81]

Thanks for all these tips!

 

[Donalds#1Fan]

If you have children: Roughly a month or so before you depart or 5 weeks or so make preliminary checklists for your kids(all of the items that all of the kids will have at the top), have them check them over, and add in anything you have forgotten or they need. When it comes to packing(a week or two before hand) I have heard that the assembly line things works for kids. Name an object off and have them go and get it, return to you, check it off their lists(or have them check it off), and then have them put it in the suitcase correctly. This allows them to pick their own clothes that they want to wear to Disney, and eliminates the hassle of you having to pack each childs suitcase. The more specialized objects can be done by person. Your children get their exercise, are packed, and all you have to worry about is your stuff. You can also run through their lists and make sure nothing is missing in general. Also, make a list of last minute stuff to pack like toothbrushes, hair brushes, etc. as you may want to brush your teeth daily in the weeks coming up to Disney rather than to have your toothbrush missing and as for your childs special blanket or whatever, do laundry the day before you leave, make sure its clean, and then remind them or set out a note to put it in the carry on as soon as you get up!

 

[disneyworldgirl]

30 minutes before departure
*Relax there is nothing left to do!!!!!

Relax? How can I relax?! After all, WDW's the greatest place in the whole world, maybe even the universe! I can't wait to go! I just havetoseePiratesof theCaribbean!AndSnowWhite'sAdventures!ANDPETERPAN'SFLIGHT!ANDALLOFTHECHARACTERS!!AREWETHEREYET?!!




Sorry-- got a little carried away. Thanks for the tips, though!

 

[HenDuck]

My to do list usually starts about 60-90 days out:

60-90 days out:
1. buy park tickets
2. make reservations for car service if necessary
3. make PS

30 days out:
1. make tip envelopes for housekeeping (which we won't need next year when we stay in a vacation home! yippee!)
2. start purchasing toiletries every week
3. make sure have enough film, batteries, memory cards for camera

1-2 weeks out:
1. take out all suitcases, carry-ons, backpacks, etc. check them over for damage and buy new ones if needed.
2. send stop mail notice to post office
3. buy traveler's checks and get cash from the bank
4. buy whatever food/water/snacks to take on the plane
5. confirm all reservations
6. check all maps, directions, etc.
7. start packing clothes
8. pack carry-on bags

Weekend before departure:
1. do laundry
2. pack, pack, pack! Nag DH to pack...
3. take DS to visit Nana
4. set timers on lights, radio, etc.

Day before departure:
1. pack snacks
2. set out packed suitcases
3. set out cooler bag for plane trip
4. set out travel clothes
5. pack prescription meds
6. double check travel wallet - $, travelers checks, credit cards, reservation #s, tickets, IDs, etc.

Day of departure:
1. double check prescription meds
2. pack cooler bag
3. load up and leave!
4. as soon as have checked in at airport, get a latte...ahhhh...I'm on vacation!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

60-90 days out:
Not even thinking about it yet.

30 days out:
Don't worry, plenty of time yet!

1-2 weeks out:
There's still next week

Weekend before departure:
Just a couple of things to finish off in the office.

Day before departure:
I'm gonna have to work all night to clear my desk

Day of departure:
Panic, panic Panic!

Andrew