What are you doing to prepare for your trip?

[gramto2boys]

I have been buisy as a bee getting things for my kids long before I go to the park. this week I found a toy story sweatshirt for my son, and a toy story radio ( 1.00 brand new for both !!
this week a rain coat for the little one so he will be dry in case it rains, and 2 rain poncho's for my daughter and I.
I am still looking for toys to also purchase cheaply around the web and not in the park since the park prices for these things is outragious!

What are you doing to prepare for your trip?
whats next..... findind small back packs fro each of the kids to carry poncho's and treats and water.

 

[Jenn1116]

I found a small backback at WalMart for $7 not too long ago. Very cute and DD4 had no problem wearing it around the park. It was big enough for snacks, ponchos, jacket and had two side pockets for water. I also stuck my camera in there when I wasn't taking pics

 

[mystic_path]

HAHA Well where do I start...

1. I've been shopping for brand new clothes and comfy shoes to wear as well as a new park bag to carry around

2. I have been making my brother watch our home videos from the land because he has never been before and is coming with us on the next trip, so im trying to get him pumped up. I too have been watching animated and non animated Disney movies galore to get me psyched.

3.I have been trying to find Disney things to put in my moms secret gift package she will receive at the hotel on her birthday.

4. Pouring over Disboards any chance I get to talk to others who are just as excited as me.

5. I have been religiously checking the disney website to make sure there are no referbs or anything going down.

6. Ive been making lists upon lists of things I have to get done, pack, confirm reservations, make other reservations, make sure someone is at home to watch the animals etc.

 

[sunshinemummy]

What have I done??

Booked the trip about 2 months ago, that took a week in researching the best prices on hotel, airfare, car rental and passes.

For the last few weeks I have booked tickets for 6 days in Disney,Sea World, Universal, swimming with the dolphins, tickets to Elton John concert, tickets to the Long Beach Indy race, reservations at Rainforest Cafe, Blue Bayou and Goofy's Kitchen. I've also read every board on how to go to Disney, getting fastpasses, Jedi Training, where to eat, what to see and do, and times to go.
I've also researched where we need to go shopping, what mall and outlet, Pirates Dinner Theatre, American Girl store booked, and what beaches we are going to. I've also bought all new clothes for all of us, new shoes, suitcases and have already started packing and we don't leave for 10 days!!!LOL

I'm a planner and totally anal about making this the best 2 weeks of my kids lives

 

[Terrif]

I spent my entire day off yesterday washing and ironing my summer clothes and trying them on to make sure everything still fits. I have been going to they gym 4 days a week (trying to loose the 4 lbs I am sure to gain on my vacation). I printed out a "Disney vacation packing list". Today I started to pack my makeup and toiletry bag. I also had my kids try on their summer clothes and had to go out and buy some new stuff for my daughter. Although it is nice to buy all new-more money to spend at the park if we don't!

 

[julieannbabe]

stressing!

what am i gonna do for 11 hours on some plane?

getting anxious about it all.


(all my different emotions at the moment!)

 

[LoveThatMouse!]

I just waste all my time reading this silly board, and then I panic on the day before we leave...

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Not much yet, we've still got a little under 2 months to go. We only buy our suvies at the parks (that's the fun of it, knowing it came from there!). I'm also a super late packer. I like to have lots to do the last few days, keeps me busy!

Oh, I have started exercising. Need to get in shape for this extra long trip were taking this time!

 

[Danauk]

stressing!

what am i gonna do for 11 hours on some plane?

I usually read a whole book, watch a few movies, do some sodoku, do some brain training on my nintendo, listen to my ipod and then spend the rest of the time watching the aeroplane flying on the map on the seat back TV!!

 

[nunzia]

Well, just sent the money to GC, already have AMTRAK tickets and PS at BB and Ariels' Grotto. I have little soft sided lunch box things (Tink for the girls Pirates for the boys) all packed with snacks and stuff for the train. I have the new polos (I must have been on crack when I bought them because I just opened them and they are long sleeved..ugh..maybe we'll have a cold evening)..blue for adults, red for kids, all the kids have new pajama pals and an activity toy (I'll mail some to my son in Denver, wrapped in Disney paper for his kids, and give the others to my daughter for her kids.).
We have our new shoes and are breaking them in, also new cargo pants.
Still to do:
pre pay my photo pass, mail package and documents to son, and oh yea..finish planning and putting on my daughters graduation party for 50 which happens two days before we leave...

 

[jemilah]

have new polo shirts on the way from disneyshopping, I have 2 new pairs of shoes I bought for the trip about 2 months ago, I needed to look at them the other day I had forgotten what they looked like
I am on the dis way too much!
I have e-mail my plans to some family members so they know which day we can visit them or they can see us at DL!
Need some new capri's for me and shorts for the boys.
DH and DS almost 9 are getting Matching Mickey bathing suits for their birthdays coming up before the trip. I just got a new suit for me too and need to get one for DS11 who refused the matching suit for him
I got a power inverter for the car so lap top and portable dvd player can be plugged into ac and not run out of power.
Room is booked for June and November trips, waiting on rent fro BIL to pay for hoppers, I have been saving it up, trying to not charge anything this trip!
Now I am trying to decied when to eat where so I can make our PS's .
Oh and I bore everyone to death talking about my trip...............thanks you guys are the only ones who care

 

[gramto2boys]

I have 8 months before my trip, I am already boring my whole family including the kids.( I raise my grand kids) I am such a Disney fanatic that I am excited everyday I count down!
This will be my last year to go, mom and dad are not doing good,I will not be leaving them alone any longer.( I hope they are ok while I am gone ) its hard to realize that my time will be spent here caring for my aging parents,but there special to me so its ok but knowing for 1 week I can be a kid again, ride a coaster and play makes me giddy!!!
Thats why I do not stop planning, and finding fun stuff to do. it makes it real for me, every day!!!
Now I got to find a great pair of shoes and break them in! ( though I will be on a scooter LOL!!

 

[gramto2boys]

have new polo shirts on the way from disneyshopping, I have 2 new pairs of shoes I bought for the trip about 2 months ago, I needed to look at them the other day I had forgotten what they looked like
I am on the dis way too much!
I have e-mail my plans to some family members so they know which day we can visit them or they can see us at DL!
Need some new capri's for me and shorts for the boys.
DH and DS almost 9 are getting Matching Mickey bathing suits for their birthdays coming up before the trip. I just got a new suit for me too and need to get one for DS11 who refused the matching suit for him
I got a power inverter for the car so lap top and portable dvd player can be plugged into ac and not run out of power.
Room is booked for June and November trips, waiting on rent fro BIL to pay for hoppers, I have been saving it up, trying to not charge anything this trip!
Now I am trying to decied when to eat where so I can make our PS's .
Oh and I bore everyone to death talking about my trip...............thanks you guys are the only ones who care

where did you get the adorable count down?? I want one to!

 

[toyota]

1) Reading these boards morning, noon, and night.
2) Planning each day to the minute (occasional free time here and there).
3) Thinking about what we will carry with us into the parks.
4) I bought a new backpack.
5) I bought a plastic case on a strap (Mouseshoppe.com) for tickets, FP's, etc.
6) Making my "pet care notes" for the petsitter.
7) Thinking about the food we'll eat.

 

[jemilah]

where did you get the adorable count down?? I want one to!

disneymouselinks.com

 

[gramto2boys]

1) Reading these boards morning, noon, and night.
2) Planning each day to the minute (occasional free time here and there).
3) Thinking about what we will carry with us into the parks.
4) I bought a new backpack.
5) I bought a plastic case on a strap (Mouseshoppe.com) for tickets, FP's, etc.
6) Making my "pet care notes" for the petsitter.
7) Thinking about the food we'll eat.

I got the fastpass case from Mouseshoppe to !! I love that thing

disneymouselinks.com

cool I want one to , thank you

 

[pose2pose]

Well, besides getting all our groceries for the trip (snacks for the 10-hour drive, breakfast and lunch fixins, etc.), buying a new digital camera, and doing a countdown chain, I've been planning our itinerary. I've been planning my trips for years, originally based off of the "Unnoficial Guide to Disneyland" plans. But I've personalized them for myself and my family to the point where they're really my own creation. For example, here's my schedule for one of the days:

Sunday 4/13: Early Entry
Disneyland: 8-12
DCA: 10-10
7:00: Early Entry to Disneyland
7:10: Finding Nemo Submarine
8:00: Splash Mt./Get Indy Fastpasses/Pooh
8:45: Canoes
9:15: Indy (when FP time)/Tarzan’s Treehouse
9:45: Jungle Cruise
10:10: Thunder Mt.
10:45: Mark Twain
11:00: Mickey’s House*
11:30: Gadget
12:15: Roger Rabbit*?
1:00: Back to hotel
3:30: Disneyland
3:40: Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
4:30: Monorail to Downtown Disney, walk to Goofy’s Kitchen
5:10: Dinner*
7:00: monorail back to Disneyland
7:30: Star Tours/Buzz
8:10: Whatever we want to do

Obviously this is subject to change depending on our moods, ride lines, natural disasters, etc. And we may end up using fastpass more or less than I've listed. Last year's trip worked like a charm, and even though there were some changes (like when Space Mt. wasn't open one morning) we still got to see the same # of rides as on my list.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I'm a planning addict... we just went in October too... don't think it helped reduce my planning at all...

1. Booked the trip 10 weeks ago through Costco, made payments every other week, and just paid it off--or better said finally put the balance on a credit card--on Friday.

2. Re-did my 5 page spreadsheet from October to incorporate 5 days instead of 4, which rides, which food each day, including park opening and closing times, and the new MM days (instead of EE), special things each day (like EP, fireworks, PoD, PFF, etc...)

3. Made all my PSs... yes, we waste time and do sit down almost every meal, because dd doesn't like typical counter food you find at DL, and I want someone to wait on me!! So practically every meal is a PS place, so I don't have to worry about not getting a seat.

4. Booked our private trans to/from airport... oh yeah, bought plane tix for dd and I from PDX-SNA, and more tix for my mom to come in from PHX, and meet us at SNA at practically the same time... feel kinda bad that I am sending her back in a shared shuttle since she is leaving 2 days before we do...

5. Pre-rented an InMotion dvd player for the plane... never done this before, and also pre-reserved 3 disney movies we don't have at home (came with 3 rentals--or I would have just gotten 2.) Normally I pack all kinds of new toys and workbooks for the 2 hour plane ride (we also go to Phoenix a lot...) but since we are traveling w/out dh, thought I'd try the movie thing out...

6. Already purchased a Cinderella dress, and some new princess tops/bottoms/stuff for Tinkerbell to leave in the room as a surprise each morning....

7. Filled my Vons grocery cart with stuff already, and am just waiting for the two week mark so I can pick my delivery time.

8. Started a packing list, last night I dreamed that I forgot the stroller and our white noise maker...

9. Oh, and I have to read this board like 10x a day...

10. Waiting ever so impatiently to make my F! PS for dessert seating next Thursday...

11. Asked VP for some photos for dd and my mom... and they told me they'd give me one too! : And requested an upper floor room with 2 queen beds... and early check-in since we are getting up at 3 am.

12. Bought a ton of Disney Dollars, so I don't have to carry so much cash, kinda like prepaying for a bunch of stuff too, so the bank account won't take quite such a hit on the actual vacation!

Sheesh... and I still have like 5 weeks to go!!! Oh, and I can't discuss this trip out loud at home, because it is a surprise for dd... going to wake her up the morning of with "You wanna go to Disneyland today?!"



--Lisa

 

[davidsprincess]

We have 7 months to go and already I am starting my "lists". I booked our flights back in December ( early, I know but DH and I received free flights from last trip and we needed to book early to ensure seats for when we wanted to go. Plus we needed to "book" a seat for DD. She is only 2.5 and well, she really does need to fly with us and not on her own lol). I have read many websites inorder to find a hotel to stay at. Booked that but am now having second thoughts (seeing where I can save money so that we have more to spend at DL!) Then I found this website and need to check it many times a day. Oh, and I have also bought princess dresses for DD for each day that we are in the park. Plus I have lists that I seem to be adding to daily. I can't imagine how I will be as the time gets closer. I just might drive everyone in my house nuts between now and then. Dh will either be really excited about going or wishing that we never promised DD that we would go. ha, ha.
Thanks for all your wonderful info. on this board guys!

 

[mariezp]

Currently, I have
1. Made reservations for our trip in November. (back in January)
2. Gotten a quote for limo ride from the airport.
3. Actually read some of my new camera manual so I can use some of the cool features on our next trip.
4. Ordered DD pants for trip. (on sale)
5. Ordered DD disney shirts on sale. (40% off! Woo-hoo!)
6. Called and changed dates on reservations per DH's idea.
7. Ordered DH crocs for the trip.(they have some men's new styles
he was willing to try)
8. Ordered me some new shoes.
9. Ordered me new cargo pants.
10. Persuaded (or should I say bribed) some friends to go to DL with us!
11. Located a new water bottle carrier.
12. Been watching airfare almost daily for sales.
13. Been researching new video cameras.
14. Paid my Disney Visa off and continuing to pay for everything with it to rack up those Disney rewards to fund our souvineer shopping.
15. Regular conversations with my family about upcoming ideas for our trip. Gathering their opinions and omiting anything that I don't agree with (MUU-HA-HA!) because, of course, I possess the greater knowledge of DL! I am the planner after all and I can no doubt provide them with more fun than they can come up with on their own!
16. Garnered and shared info gathered on the DL message boards!


This is my "fixin" to-do list.
1. Need to call and change reservations again after dates are confirmed with our traveling companions.
2. Need to order my DS new shirts so he will look spiffy to impress the young lady traveling with us now.
3. Need to make the limo reservation.
4. Make airline reservations as soon as they go on sale or as soon as I panic that they will only keep going up! (whichever comes first)

I am still looking for toys to also purchase cheaply around the web and not in the park since the park prices for these things is outragious!

I am always on the lookout for new Disney toys to pack in our airplane entertainment bag. I have found some really great unique older items on ebay. You can find lots of fast food toys (such as McDs) pretty cheap. Then there are always stuffed animals, all kinds of coloring and activity books and tons of other items to keep them entertained.