We are leaving FRIDAY!! A few last minute questions......

[Lives4Disney]

Well, I should be packing, but I am here procrastinating.......

First question....my DD7 wants to bring her Pal Mickey....It was purchased at WDW. Will it be any use other than games at DL?? Is there a DL Pal Mickey available?

Next....We will be checking into the DLH Wed, March 28 til Sunday April 1. Is EE only on Thursday for us?? Will the front desk give us info regarding the benefits of staying onsite at checkin (any other EE type info)?? I still feel clueless.

Third.....Does DLH have turndown service standard? It's a little thing, but I really appreciate it on vacation. Any other DLH advice?? I just have standard view booked as it's ALL I could get. I think it's going to be really busy unfortunately.

One more.....I am a CHRONIC overpacker. (can you say pack rat?) I am just so bad. Can't leave things behind!!! We will be going to San Diego first, so it seems like I have "vacation" clothes and then "DISNEY" clothes. Any packing tips? I did the large ziploc bag thing for my DDs outfits to try and organize a bit.

THANKS so much for all the help, everyone. I have HydroGuys helpful thread all printed out to read, but haven't done it yet - Sorry. Probably while I'm on the plane. I am too hooked on the DIS.

Lives4Disney

 

[DangerMouse]

I can answer a couple. . .

Pal Mickey is not available in DL, so I think she could just bring him for the sake of having a stuffed animal, but he won't work.

As a guest at the DLH, you can take advantage of all EE days. You just need to bring your charge slip to the gates to get into EE. Many front desk CM's will not even mention this to you or tell you about it, but the ticket taker CM's do and will let you in.

The DLH doesn't provide standard turndown service. I believe it's a concierge benefit only.

Good luck with your packing! I'm a chronic underpacker myself. I usually end up buying clothes at WoD!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I can't believe it's so close!! I remember when you were having all of your hard hotel decisions going on adn now here it is!!

1) see Dangermouse above!

2) see Dangermouse above!

3) see Dangermouse above!

4) Now with three little ones, I hear you on the packing front!! The way I would do it (and I frequently do this) is I find it personally easier to pack one of the big suitcases with the San Diego clothes!! At the end of that part, all your dirty clothes from there go in that one and you don't even open it again! Then the other one has all your fresh Disney clothes instead of having some in each or having dirty clothes mix with fresh, and this way you don't end up carrying bags of dirty clothes with you!! So basically I pack all of ours together, or if you have 4, 1 San Diego one for you and Dh and one for the kids, and then 1 Disney one for you and DH and one for the kids!

Works perfectly every time. And I don't bother with ziplocs, I just stack it in order. For instance, for the Disney part on top will be pajamas because that's what you'll need next because you'll have your last San Diego outfit on for the day, then all the next day outfits, then pajamas (or not if you wear the same pair again) I take one new pair for every two nights! Then keep going with that style packing till the end!!

Hope this helps, just my take on it!

Andrea

 

[wendypooh22]

4) Now with three little ones, I hear you on the packing front!! The way I would do it (and I frequently do this) is I find it personally easier to pack one of the big suitcases with the San Diego clothes!! At the end of that part, all your dirty clothes from there go in that one and you don't even open it again! Then the other one has all your fresh Disney clothes instead of having some in each or having dirty clothes mix with fresh, and this way you don't end up carrying bags of dirty clothes with you!!

I do this for me and DH and then one for the kids! Works perfectly every time. And I don't bother with ziplocs, I just stack it in order. For instance, for the Disney part on top will be pajamas because that's what you'll need next because you'll have your last San Diego out fit on, then both kids next day outfits, then pajamas (or not if you wear the same pair again) I take one new pair for every two nights! Then keep going with that style packing till the end!!

Hope this helps, just my take on it!

Andrea

I do this as well... Great system!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

THanks for answering my questions & for the tips!! While I was away from the DIS I added MORE to the pile! I am SO bad.

I am getting excited!!! I am just worried about the crowd level. (I am always worried about something, LOL) For kicks, I went on the DL website to try and see what rooms were available for my dates....NONE!!!! Uh oh. That seems like a bad sign to me. I hope we're not one of those fighting, stressed out families we have seen at WDW - you know the ones, "SHUT UP and have FUN!" .....we see them everywhere.....probably their one and only trip or their first and very unprepared for it. We have been so many times to WDW it doesn't matter what we do or see or not. Just love being there & know we'll be back within months. Gotta remain calm at DL

THANKS all!!

Lives4Disney

 

[fidoprincess]

You don't say if you will be flying but be careful using that packing method. That is what I used to do all the time if we had more than one destination, packed each group of clothes in one big suitcase. I did say BIG and it always worked fine when the luggage allowances were 75-100 lbs per bag but now they are only 50 lbs!!

They WILL weigh each bag and charge you now for anything over 50 so we have had to switch our 2 big bags for several more smaller bags. I weigh everything before it goes out of the house and into the car because when you see that family on the curb with their luggage all open, that has been me trying to "even" the load to save the $100 they were going to charge me!

Another tip is to mix up the clothes when flying. For example, don't put all of your clothes in one suitcase and all of dh's in one. Put some of each in each suitcase in case a piece of luggage gets lost, you will each still have something to wear.

If driving, disregard all the above but throw an empty suitcase into the car to put all the "car junk" into to take to the room. Nothing worse than pulling up to the Grand and trying to stack the dvd player, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, snacks onto the luggage cart-lol! I just throw it all into the empty suitcase and then let the bellman take it!

 

[tinkermell]

Keep a watch on the weather. It is getting a little colder right now. So be sure to bring layers!
As for the DL hotel turn down service? I don't know...but the GC has it for just a standard room.
Also did you ever check out Ride Max for ride scheduling? You don't have to follow it completely, but he sure gives alot of good hints. It has always worked for us...even on DL's busiest day of the year. New Years Eve!!! It is so easy...just highlight the rides you want to go on and a schedule is made for you.
Anyways, have a magical time!!!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Crowds will be very heavy but if you go expecting that and are determined not to let it get you down, you will be fine!! Atleast you are at the DLH, take a break if it gets too bad and take a nice long swim!! That cures and refreshes almost anything!


Andrea

 

[3for Me]

Channing,

I can't believe you are leaving on Friday!

I just wanted to add that when I booked the DLH, I requested turn down service at that time and the CM didn't say anything about them not having it. Now I know that CM's aren't always in the know, but this guy seemed very knowledgeable, so I suspect he might have said something.

I would go ahead and request it and see what they say. I'll be interested to know if they DO have it, because like you said...it's the little things when I'm on vacation...

Hope everything went well yesterday and that your brood is feeling better!

Have a fun trip!

 

[TwingleMum]

Hey Channing!! I can't believe our trips are almost here We leave saturday. I also chronically over pack. We will be away 13 days so I'm trying to pack clothes for only 6 days. Have a magical trip we'll have to compare notes when we get back.

 

[fidoprincess]

Turn down service is odd at DLH. After many many stays we figured out that usually they did it the first night only. They left a whole box of shortbread cookies and a few chocolates that were good! Once or twice, they came another night but did not come every night at all but we never made a request for it either.

Remember when you get to your room to call housekeeping and request a coffee maker if you are coffee drinkers. It will not automatically be in the room but once they see it there, the housekeepers will keep you stocked up the entire time. You can also ask for a free rollaway at the time too so kids won't have to share beds!

 

[Lives4Disney]

THanks, guys!

I am flying and we also weigh everything before we leave. I have so many great suitcases I cannot even use any more since this LOW weight allowance. It would be so nice to just have 2 large bags vs. 5 fairly large rolling duffles....and carryons.....and toiletrie duffles, and DVD players.....and laptops..backpacks...ugh. Thank God for curbside check in!

I have been out running errands all day, so the laundry and packing have just been not happening. There's always tomorrow.

It does look like it will be anywhere from the low 60s in San Diego to the mid 70's by the time we get to DL. That is a chronic overpacker's nightmare!! layers!!!!

I will inquire about turndown at checkin. I am spoiled by that & it has really become a vacation necessity.

See ya there, TwingleMum! Hope we both have great trips!

Channing aka Lives4Disney