What are your last minute preperation tips?

[seashell724]

Hi all!
I am leaving pretty soon (1 and a half weeks!) and am trying to figure out what last minute things I need to do before I go. E.G. Confirm ADR's, flight etc.

I don't want to miss anything I should do last minute and my head is all over the place right now.

Can you list the things that you do last minute to prepare for your trip and your home while you will be away??

THANKS!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Last minute...I always think sunscreen, batteries for the camera, cell phone charger.
Also which we have learned through some unfortunate experiences medication! Advil, Benydryl, Imodium, I also travel with antibiotics.
Gum for the plane (if you need it)
Hand sanitizer
All i.d's are current
Extra space in the suitcase for all the treasures you are sure to come home with!

Have a great time!

 

[Taja]

Most of my last minute preparation revolves around the house. WDW just has to take care of itself until I arrive! *LOL*

Three weeks prior to departure: Issue mail hold and stop newspaper for holiday dates.

Weekend a week prior to departure: Leave housekey with itinerary and emergency contact information with neighbor. Remind family and friends that I'll be away.

Weekend prior to departure: (seem to leave on Friday, for some reason!): Clean pool, tidy yard, clean house, shop for frozen/non-perishable foods for return or last minute holiday necessities.

Two days prior to departure: Do laundry and pack checked bag. Pack as much of carry-on as possible. I don't have separate wardrobes, so what I am wearing to the office (except for a couple of suits!) and a few seasonal (i.e., winter) items is what goes with me! Verify necessities are packed (contact lens solutions, extra contact lenses & sunglasses, medications, etc.).

Night before departure. Do laundry, quick check of premises (windows, door & gates locked, pool filter set correctly, etc.), pack balance of carry-on except items needed overnight.

Morning of departure: As needed items are used (i.e., glasses, contact lens case, other special items), place in basket or box to go in carry-on bag. Dress, tuck final items in carry-on, double check windows, doors & gates. Catch the shuttle and go into holiday mode!

 

[acm563]

Aside from the things you do when you go on any vacation I try to always bring a rain poncho if it is summertime because you can count on an afternoon shower, I take sinus/allergy meds...even if you typically dont get a sinus headache, Take bandages, antacids, a spritz bottle for water if during hot months and you dont want to buy the spray bottle they sell. I always put hard candies on my list because sometimes you are getting ready to ride so you dont want to grab a soda you may have to throw out and that takes care of the dry mouth. I always take a mini bottle of hand sanitizer, make sure I have my sunglasses and I take a necklace type holder for them so I do not lose them on rides. I also have a nice camera case that has extra pockets and I take that so I dont have to lug a purse around. I also always am certain to take a cap because if I ride on splash mt or the rapids I always get soaked and my hair is a disaster then I also always carry a plastic baggy for my phone or my money etc if I am going on a ride where I might get wet. If I fly in which I normally do I try to take extras of my makeup and distribute it among diff bags as my luggage has gotten lost before and the only place you can buy foundation is at the GF and they wont always have your shade. If you are a Pepsi fan as I am make sure you take your own soda as you can only get Coke products at DW( I take my DtDr Pepper) and last but not least take comfortable shoes, this is the only time I opt for comfort over style Dont forget your camera, batteries and a smile I normally throw in a empty duffle bag for the extras I buy as wellas a roll of duct tape because if you stuff your luggage you stand the risk of busting the zipper and duct tape fixes everything

 

[seashell724]

OOO! Good ideas!
I didn't think of a mail hold but since I am leaving in less than a week I think it will be too late.
Seriously, each idea is very appreciated. Keep them coming!

 

[ahoff]

Wow, you folks really prepare. Someone else on here is a prepared packer as well. This upcoming trip will be a little hectic for me, I am already on work travel, I fly back this Wednesday late in the afternoon, by the time I get home it will be early evening. I have a little laundry to do and then pack for my flight to Florida which leaves at 6 am the next morning. My mail is already being held but I have to pack an extra bag for some camping equipment for my pre-Disney stay. I plan to UPS that home on my way to Disney so I only have a carry-on for the return, so I only have to show up an hour before the flight.

 

[cmrules]

You can hold mail online with USPS and it only takes a couple of days to kick in so you are not to late if you have a week. I always make it kick in a day early so I know it worked. One time it didn't and my neighbor had to save me, luckily she noticed.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Whoops forgot some things:

~Timers on lights if you don't have anyone house sitting.
~Make sure there aren't any dirty dishes in your dishwasher...one trip years ago I forgot to do the dishes before we left and when I came home and opened the door to load it.....pretty stinky. Not a big deal but not a pretty odor either.
~depending where you live turn your heat way down.

 

[NewYorkRedNeck]

Make sure I always have clean underwear( thanks mom) and that's it lol

 

[nurse.darcy]

Wow, if I had to do HALF of what some of you do I probably would not go on vacation. I am really the "throw everything into the suitcase and go" type of person and can leave on vaca in about 10 - 15 minutes. BUT, I have a cat now and I usually put her up at the PetHotel at Petsmart, so now I plan for that before I go. . .

 

[Vivianne]

I do clean my house, usually 2-3 days before I leave. I think it's excess energy.

Although, I agree with not leaving anything behind that can cause a stinky house when I get back. I clean out the fridge, too.

Also, the normal things like putting mail on hold and DH makes sure light timers are in working order.

The day I leave, I water my plants, make sure I have IDs & all reservation confirmations with me in the order I will be using them.

Hey, I feel like I'm ready to travel now....

 

[Taja]

Ooops!! Forgot one very important item just before catching the shuttle.

Take out the trash! There's usually just a small amount (trash pick up is on Thursday and I tend to leave on Friday), but just to be sure nothing smelly remains... *LOL*

 

[Taja]

OOO! Good ideas!
I didn't think of a mail hold but since I am leaving in less than a week I think it will be too late.
Seriously, each idea is very appreciated. Keep them coming!

As cmrules noted, you'll be fine if you do it online. I just do it early so I don't have to remember it later! *LOL*