Wait for it...Weight for it...June 2009 WL **PACKING**

[TxRabbit]

School's been out.

Soccer camp this week.

Planning our overnight stay for the road trip.

Figuring out the best fit for suitcases in the car. Doing tons and tons of laundry.

Cleaning. Organizing. Trying to leave a safe home for the kittys to stay in while we are gone. Yes. We leave our cats home alone. I think they prefer that to a stay in a cage for as many days.

Gathering info to print to bring.

Eagarly wondering and waiting for early next week because I have been waking up feeling slightly nauseous with certain parts feeling more tender than they have a right to feel at this time of the month.

 

[jenseib]

Uh oh...coul there be a chance that a new family member will be on the trip next year? LOL!

 

[tinkgurl]

Uh oh, is there going to be a new family member joining the trip?!

 

[TxRabbit]

Uh oh...coul there be a chance that a new family member will be on the trip next year? LOL!

Uh oh, is there going to be a new family member joining the trip?!

It's certainly a possibility. I don't really think of it as an uh oh, though. More like...



But I've been disappointed before...

But it's been a while since so many different signs having pointed this way...

I just had to share. Because I'm seriously having issues with the waiting. There are things I would need to know if this were to be confirmed. But I just don't know if I want to get my emotions all involved with the research.

Not to go into too much detail, but, I have a negative blood type. IF something were to happen in WDW, I would need to get a rhogam shot within 48 hours. Not that I want to think about these things, but unfortunately, I do. And I don't know a thing about where or how I would go about getting one of those in WDW.

So I thought I'd let ya'll in on the wait!

 

[latexscooter]

Well I jumped over from my question thread to your PTR - thanks for the invite! I started reading and we are very similar...if I wasn't at work I'd read your TR from beginning to end. Guess I'll be sitting at my desk for lunch.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Woo-hoo for updates! Your trip has really snuck up quickly. You're leaving NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm very impressed with all your road trip research. That recreation/play area looks quite nice.

Hmmm...sounds like I'll have to be stalking your PTR until you receive any word on if you'll be adding to your family. How exciting!!

 

[TxRabbit]

Well I jumped over from my question thread to your PTR - thanks for the invite! I started reading and we are very similar...if I wasn't at work I'd read your TR from beginning to end. Guess I'll be sitting at my desk for lunch.

Welcome!

I've been pretty lame with the updates lately. And I haven't updated my links list in FOREVER. And now suddenly, I feel like I am in high gear trying to get things together for the trip. And yet, life still goes on and I don't feel like I have too much time to do updates. But I'm trying.

Woo-hoo for updates! Your trip has really snuck up quickly. You're leaving NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm very impressed with all your road trip research. That recreation/play area looks quite nice.

Hmmm...sounds like I'll have to be stalking your PTR until you receive any word on if you'll be adding to your family. How exciting!!

It IS exciting. Moving and other life changes haven't been too condusive to family expansion, so to speak. The one time that it was looking good, I miscarried at 10 weeks. So, needless to say, I'm a little up in arms with how this potential will impact the trip. Not that I care that the trip will be affected, really. It's too exciting. And this is way more important. I'm thinking I might buy a mega pack of early tests and see if I can get any to come up positive before next week...

 

[Happydog]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I am so behind! I just read all your posts!! WOW! Well we will all wait to hear the news, it is an exciting proposition for sure! I will cross my fingers and toes for you

Regarding the "mail" stuff, btw -- I am JUST TODAY getting to the postoffice, so you should have my envelope by Wednesday, I imagine,

Okay ONE week!!!!

Can't wait to hear more about the final count down!!!

 

[TxRabbit]

On the fourth day from today, my sweet little Vibe will be getting packed and ready to go on her longest trip to date.

It's time to get serious about packing plans.

It's time to stop wearing the clothes that we want to take to Disney.

So we have to figure out WHAT we are really going to pack.

To help myself, I have catagorized the clothing that we will need as follows:

Travel Outfits: 3
1. Outbound overnight
2. Homebound day (Chef Mickey photos)
3. Homebound overnight
Park Outfits: 4
1. AK (Tusker photos)
2. Epcot (Akershus photos)
3. MK
4. ???
DTD Outfits: 2
Dinner Outfits: 6
1. WCC anniversary celebration, with campfire afterward
2. CA Grill Father's Day celebration
3. Jiko with pm EMH at AK
4. Yachtsman with mini-golf afterward
5. Narcoossee's
6. AP with sleep afterward
Underwear
Swimming
Lounging
Sleeping
Extras (based on 20% overage for 15 outfits, that would be 3 extra tops and bottoms)

A park outfit will differ from a DTD outfit in that the park outfit must be able to withstand complete and total drenching on KRR. Whereas the DTD outfit can merely be comfortable and casual. A dinner outfit will obviously be more resort casual than park campy, but will be in keeping with the idea that this is a DISNEY vacation. Travel outfits just need to be super duper comfy. Make sense?

That's 18 outfits per person. Notice that I use the term "outfit." A smart travel realizes that you can wear two different shirts with the same pair of shorts/skirt. This is how the break down of purpose will really help to condense the packing, and I'll know whether or not laundry will be required on the trip.

Yes. Laundry.

The weather will be outrageously hot. It will be just like home actually. Hot. Humid. You just don't put the same clothes on after swimming/showering that you wore to the parks that morning.

I don't know how other's figure out what to pack, but this is my methodology.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Ha, love your clarification b/t all the outfits -- so true! It's the one thing I've learned about venturing to WDW in the summer. You have to be very prepared on what type of outfits and just how many you'll need. I think I'll probably over pack just b/c I really want to avoid doing laundry while we're there. Thank goodness SWA doesn't charge for a second bag.

If I were you, I'd definitely buy a bulk load of the early detection tests. Hope you get good news!!

 

[TxRabbit]

Ha, love your clarification b/t all the outfits -- so true! It's the one thing I've learned about venturing to WDW in the summer. You have to be very prepared on what type of outfits and just how many you'll need. I think I'll probably over pack just b/c I really want to avoid doing laundry while we're there. Thank goodness SWA doesn't charge for a second bag.

If I were you, I'd definitely buy a bulk load of the early detection tests. Hope you get good news!!

Unfortunately, I can't overpack too much because my car just isn't that big! We need to keep the space comfortable for our road trip. I realized that in the past we have put half the back seat down for all our luggage, which is no big deal on the way to the airport, but for 1000 miles? Um. Not so much.

So I might have to do

I did buy the tests, but alas, there was no need really. There is no baby onboard this trip. I have mixed feelings about this, but I trust that there is a right timing for it all, and obviously, this wasn't the right time.

 

[tinkgurl]

A park outfit will differ from a DTD outfit in that the park outfit must be able to withstand complete and total drenching on KRR. Whereas the DTD outfit can merely be comfortable and casual. A dinner outfit will obviously be more resort casual than park campy, but will be in keeping with the idea that this is a DISNEY vacation. Travel outfits just need to be super duper comfy. Make sense?

You completely sound like me!

 

[TxRabbit]

You completely sound like me!

I'll take that as a complement!

Of course, those of us that spend any significant amount of time in the midwest have all sorts of common sense.

 

[TxRabbit]

Cruising the mall to walk off Sweet Tomatoes, we all picked up a little something. Bag-lover that I am, I finally found one that was too good to resist. I bought it in a blue-ish color, but it has the same almost tie-dyed look as this one:

I bought it on clearance for $31.50 (I know, I know, a bit pricy, but still)...here's the description:

The iconic silhouette of Kipling with a complete organizer. Very versatile for someone who is always on the go! Dimensions: 6"L x 8"H x 1"D

Eldorado Small Shoulder Bag

Adjustable shoulder strap that allows you to wear as shoulder or cross body bag
Main flap compartment has 1 open pocket, 1 Velcro® pocket and 3 card slots (This is the one that is shown open)
Additional flap front pocket with Velcro® closure (This one is destined to hold the fast passes)
2 external zippered pockets (one in front (KTTW go in here)/one in back (camera goes here))
Small furry Kipling monkey keyhanger (not sure about this thing)
Fabric: Water Resistant 420 Denier Nylon
Imported (Who cares?)

The brand is called Kipling.

I think it will be perfect for me, which is what matters, right? Plenty of compartments for everything from fast passes to wet wipes. Despite the 1" depth description, this is one of those bags that can easily expand. I have an older camera, and it works well. It's definitely smaller than many I've seen, like I will be bringing a gallon ziplock bag and stowing away this bag in that for those rides that I deem to be worthy of such. Meanwhile, it's nylon, so I dont' think that it will bleed on my clothes if it gets wet, or rubs against my wet self. Anyone get that I totally anticipate getting totally soaked on KRR? (I always seem to be the one in that fortunate seat!)

Anyway, for all you bag buffs out there, I thought I would share. One more to throw in the pot for consideration of what might work for you.

 

[Happydog]

Hey Rabbit! Okay so I love your packing philosophy. what we wear to the park vs. DTD, vs. dinner, etc...... Outfits (with shared items, tops, bottoms, etc.) is visually, mentally, easier for me than "8 shirts, 8 bottoms, 6 this, 9 that, etc....) So that makes sense. Hey, laundry at Disney in November wasn't trouble. I put the load in, went to the workout room, came back threw it in the dryer, then came back again.... It worked for me. It was late at night, not busy. Another good time is pool day, so you can "double duty" multi-task!

Hey, your new bag, very cute. I didn't think about the wet clothes bleed factor... I just thought about that with this VBradley bag I just bought. I better ask around on that one...

Getting close! SO excited for you!

 

[TxRabbit]

Hey Rabbit! Okay so I love your packing philosophy. what we wear to the park vs. DTD, vs. dinner, etc...... Outfits (with shared items, tops, bottoms, etc.) is visually, mentally, easier for me than "8 shirts, 8 bottoms, 6 this, 9 that, etc....) So that makes sense. Hey, laundry at Disney in November wasn't trouble. I put the load in, went to the workout room, came back threw it in the dryer, then came back again.... It worked for me. It was late at night, not busy. Another good time is pool day, so you can "double duty" multi-task!

Hey, your new bag, very cute. I didn't think about the wet clothes bleed factor... I just thought about that with this VBradley bag I just bought. I better ask around on that one...

Getting close! SO excited for you!

Thanks! It really helps me to think in this way, especially when I'm dressing Ken (that's Peter and mine's most affectionate term for Peter when I get to pick what he should be wearing) and Bolt. I really just overpack for Bolt, because something about boys just means mess. I can't really count on too much repeat clothing there.

Having to do laundry won't be the end of the world, however, I think that I'll be able to get away with an abreviated version of laundry. We own a lot of "Dry Fast" type clothing. Especially in shorts. My thoughts were to just dunk a few into the tub one evening and hang dry them. They should dry quickly and be clean enough to wear again for more sweating in the park.

The great thing about summer is how small all the clothes are!

I think the wet bleed factor is really only one with certain colors. I can't remember what color you got, but basically the darker the more likely the color is to bleed, reds, blacks, dark green, dark blue. Ever crossstitch? Or do needlework? There are certain threads that you have to pretreat so they don't bleed in your finished product. That's one of the reasons I think of that...

We are getting close. I'm hoping I remember everything I was hoping to remember! I feel like I lost a bit with my hiatus for home improvement!

 

[TxRabbit]

I just realized that I could check-in online!

So I did.

I never made any room requests. I never have. All two times. Never. Things have gone well every time. All twice. So we'll see what happens this time around.

It was quite simple.

And something about it just makes me feel like I'm really going.

Like when you fly Southwest and you get your boarding pass 24 hours in advance. Then you know you are really going.

We'll see what kind of a benefit it really is on Saturday!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Aw, bummer! You're right though, the timing was just not right. If it's meant to happen, it will. The good side of all of it...you don't have to worry about what you should and should not ride!

Love the new bag...very cute! I wish I could carry something that small into the parks. I hate to see what I'll be like when I actually have kids.

Off subject...I absolutely adore Sweet Tomatoes. It's one of my favorites! Sadly, the closest one to us is in Chicago -- which is about three hours away.

Nice that you were able to use the online check-in. That would definitely make me more excited. Hope it works out well for you. Have a fun (and safe) trip!!!

 

[TxRabbit]

Aw, bummer! You're right though, the timing was just not right. If it's meant to happen, it will. The good side of all of it...you don't have to worry about what you should and should not ride!

Very true!

Love the new bag...very cute! I wish I could carry something that small into the parks. I hate to see what I'll be like when I actually have kids.

I've learned that the less I take the better. I know I can't go without a bag. I need my camera, rewetting drops, wet wipes, sunscreen, phone, etc etc. I've decided that I would rather go in need than overpack into the parks. Having kids will be a two edged sword. Likely, you need more stuff, but also, you'll probably have a stroller, so it will be easier to HAVE more stuff!

Off subject...I absolutely adore Sweet Tomatoes. It's one of my favorites! Sadly, the closest one to us is in Chicago -- which is about three hours away.

I LOVE Sweet Tomatoes. I usually overeat there though, so we can't go too often. Ours is right in the parking lot of a mall, so sometimes we go for a mall walk afterward, which helps with the stuffed feeling.

Nice that you were able to use the online check-in. That would definitely make me more excited. Hope it works out well for you. Have a fun (and safe) trip!!!

Thank you!!!

I'm going to keep posting things. If only for my own record. It might get a bit tedious for all the readers, but IF you've ever wondered how OTHER families do it, you will definitely find out if you keep reading.

 

[TxRabbit]

Since I started this PTR talking about some financial goals, I thought that I would make a report here, but also talk about some other pertinent credit card info (esp. Chase Disney Visa).

The big bad $20K balance that we hoped to pay off was largely paid off. I realized after several car issues, garage door issues, rat issues, and home improvement expenses that we would just fall short of the goal. It's fortunate that we had yet another card that offered a 0% balance transfer option. We had to transfer $4600 over there for a nominal fee. And we have until Jan 2010 to pay it off. Based on our successful saving and pay off of how much we were able to in the recent past, I know that we will be successful in paying off both the Disney vacation (0% for 6 months) and this last bit. I'm very much looking forward to being credit card debt free in 2010. The light is there, and the end is in sight!

We have stopped using our credit cards. Rule number when you are trying to pay them off, you know. So I actually called the bank today to have them note on the account that we will be traveling, where we will be traveling, when we will be traveling, and gave forewarning of SUDDEN activity.

Hopefully, this will keep us from having to deal with an alert on the account that would slow us down along the way! This has happened too many times to count, and while I appreciate the security, sometimes it's a bit annoying to deal with.

I have a Disney Chase Visa, like many on these boards. And we plan on using reward dollars to pay for tips, souvenirs, etc etc. I always had the plan to deal with getting the reward card onsite, rather than order it in advance. Our plan is to get the card on our first day in DTD.

If you have a card, here is a great link:
http://disneyrewards.disney.go.com/cardbenefits/waltdisneyworldresortbenefits.html

On this page is a link to print out all the benefits info and the info about getting a rewards card onsite!