What else should I be doing?

[davishalfdoz]

We (6 of our family of 8) are going to WDW 12/19-12/28. I have been planning like crazy. My husband thinks I am nuts. I have already starting packing. Here is what I have done so far.

Booked and paid for trip and ddp. Made all ADRs (WC,1900PF,CP,CR,TH,PH,CM,FANTASMIC @MM)

I have packed personalized shirts, socks, underwear and pjs for all (bought new for everyone). I have also packed makeup, hair care products, OTC meds, razors, soap, shaving cream and other neccesities. I also, have a box packed with poptarts, cereal, cereal bars, ramen noodle soups, paper plates, pb&j, ziplocs, popcorn, chips and pudding snacks. I have some glowsticks also. I bought everyone new shoes for the trip now so that they can get broken in fairly well. I purchased lanyards for myself and the kids as well as some pins. I have my scrapbook made and ready for pics.

I have purchase 4-$50 gift cards for my children's christmas gifts and have purchased $850 in travelers checks for tips, hotels on the way, gas and other necessary items. I have also prepurchased the Photopass CD.

I still plan on purchasing new jackets, gloves and hats for everyone. I also plan on purchasing a basket from a website to have delivered to our hotel as a welcome to include mickey ears, and refillable mugs. I also intend on purchasing at least another $600 in travelers checks over the next couple of months.

I still need to make our ressies for rooms on the way there and back, as well as due some maintainence on our van, but is there anything I have missed...I am starting to freak out that I am going to forget something.


Okay now that I truly sound certifiable...let me have it. How am I doing in planning our first trip?

 

[Ashlander]

I think you're doing great for your first trip. I can't believe you have so much packed already. I have a lot of the items you have bought and ready to be packed...but I have not bought food yet. I'll probably do that last minute. I will start packing the kids soon - we go to the beach in a week so I'll wait until we are back from that before I really start packing.

Now what are you going to do for the next 4 months

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

WOW! I leave in 3 weeks and you are ahead of me! I would suggest limiting the amount of travelers checks that you bring. They are kinda of a pain to cahs and a LOT of places don't take them anymore since they are virtually being fazed out in favor of debit/credit/gift cards. We barely bring ANY cash to Disney. We have a Disney Visa so we charge to that and pay it as soon as we get home. Before we had it, we just used our debit cards. Way easier.

 

[davishalfdoz]

Now what are you going to do for the next 4 months [/QUOTE]

I know I guess I need ideas for another Disney project.

WOW! I leave in 3 weeks and you are ahead of me! I would suggest limiting the amount of travelers checks that you bring. They are kinda of a pain to cahs and a LOT of places don't take them anymore since they are virtually being fazed out in favor of debit/credit/gift cards. We barely bring ANY cash to Disney. We have a Disney Visa so we charge to that and pay it as soon as we get home. Before we had it, we just used our debit cards. Way easier.

I am actually not going to take the traveler's checks. The difficulty in cashing them is exactly why I bought them. I have a hard time saving money sometimes, with all the emergencies that appear in our household (my husband thinks that him needing to go fishing is an emergency ), so I figured that this way I could put the money back. I will purchase a visa debt card when the time comes. I don't like taking my debit card attached to my banking info on trips.

So anyone have a suggestion for another project for me?????

 

[aristocats_lover]

Window decorations! I am addicted to doing this. Also, it's Christmas, will you have a tree, stockings, etc?

 

[davishalfdoz]

Window decorations! I am addicted to doing this. Also, it's Christmas, will you have a tree, stockings, etc?

Well, the trip itself is from Santa, and so is the welcome basket, so we really won't need a tree or stockings. Plus, I don't think we will be spending much time in the room to enjoy decorations. And wasn't there a post about someone having to take down there decorations or be charged?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I am actually not going to take the traveler's checks. The difficulty in cashing them is exactly why I bought them. I have a hard time saving money sometimes, with all the emergencies that appear in our household (my husband thinks that him needing to go fishing is an emergency ), so I figured that this way I could put the money back. I will purchase a visa debt card when the time comes. I don't like taking my debit card attached to my banking info on trips.

So anyone have a suggestion for another project for me?????

Good idea (my DH thinks Golf Tournaments and new Wii games coming out are emergencies...i understand!)

Do you sew? You could always try your hand at making some Christmas customs!

 

[imthatgirl]

oh my...i leave in 10 days and have yet to pack a thing. i pack the night before.

as far as things left to do, just enjoy the wait.

 

[Trinity524]

We (6 of our family of 8) are going to WDW 12/19-12/28. I have been planning like crazy. My husband thinks I am nuts. I have already starting packing. Here is what I have done so far.

Booked and paid for trip and ddp. Made all ADRs (WC,1900PF,CP,CR,TH,PH,CM,FANTASMIC @MM)

I have packed personalized shirts, socks, underwear and pjs for all (bought new for everyone). I have also packed makeup, hair care products, OTC meds, razors, soap, shaving cream and other neccesities. I also, have a box packed with poptarts, cereal, cereal bars, ramen noodle soups, paper plates, pb&j, ziplocs, popcorn, chips and pudding snacks. I have some glowsticks also. I bought everyone new shoes for the trip now so that they can get broken in fairly well. I purchased lanyards for myself and the kids as well as some pins. I have my scrapbook made and ready for pics.

I have purchase 4-$50 gift cards for my children's christmas gifts and have purchased $850 in travelers checks for tips, hotels on the way, gas and other necessary items. I have also prepurchased the Photopass CD.

I still plan on purchasing new jackets, gloves and hats for everyone. I also plan on purchasing a basket from a website to have delivered to our hotel as a welcome to include mickey ears, and refillable mugs. I also intend on purchasing at least another $600 in travelers checks over the next couple of months.

I still need to make our ressies for rooms on the way there and back, as well as due some maintainence on our van, but is there anything I have missed...I am starting to freak out that I am going to forget something.


Okay now that I truly sound certifiable...let me have it. How am I doing in planning our first trip?

Oh My Gosh, you are organized...I have to go home and start organizing...

 

[davishalfdoz]

Oh My Gosh, you are organized...I have to go home and start organizing...

I just want this trip to be so perfect...it is probably a once in a lifetime for us. At least, to this extent. My children ask Santa for this trip and I want it to be amazing.

Unfortunately, I don't know how to sew. And I probably couldn't get my brats to wear more than the shirts I have made, especially the teens. Here's a few, I have four more designs that I don't have pics of.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Love them!!1

 

[justplaingoofy]

Someone had posted some spread sheets and was nice enough to share them. Not sure what the thread was under...

Or you could make your own on the excel program. The o.p. of the spread sheet thread enlarged the spaces not only by width but by height too.

had spaces for each day complete w/ adr's and also all the hours for each park. They even color coordinated the parks with a color then below it listed the park hours in the corresponding colors.

 

[aristocats_lover]

Well, the trip itself is from Santa, and so is the welcome basket, so we really won't need a tree or stockings. Plus, I don't think we will be spending much time in the room to enjoy decorations. And wasn't there a post about someone having to take down there decorations or be charged?

No, you are allowed to decorate as long as you don't physically write on the windows or hammer anything into the walls. (You know, common sense stuff!) Having something in your window helps you find your room at the end of a long day! Plus, it adds some Christmas cheer.

 

[vcgirl925]

What are you doing with the other two member of your family? Wouldn't it be weird to be without them on Christmas?

 

[davishalfdoz]

Someone had posted some spread sheets and was nice enough to share them. Not sure what the thread was under...

Or you could make your own on the excel program. The o.p. of the spread sheet thread enlarged the spaces not only by width but by height too.

had spaces for each day complete w/ adr's and also all the hours for each park. They even color coordinated the parks with a color then below it listed the park hours in the corresponding colors.

I have spreadsheets for everything already: itinerary, budget, packing list. I did use some ideas from the posted ones though. I use spreadsheets for everything so that was a must for me.

No, you are allowed to decorate as long as you don't physically write on the windows or hammer anything into the walls. (You know, common sense stuff!) Having something in your window helps you find your room at the end of a long day! Plus, it adds some Christmas cheer.

Good to know... I will be on the look out for window clings and such. Thanks.

What are you doing with the other two member of your family? Wouldn't it be weird to be without them on Christmas?

Well, I did want them all to go in the beginning of this plan, but the 2 children that aren't going are my oldest step children (21 and 22). Our oldest daughter can't afford to take off work that long and she also wants to stay with her boyfriend. We have had some issues with our son (legal and motivational...he is just lazy and expects the world to take care of his every whim) and although I wanted him to go, I wanted him to be responsible for some of the expense (daughter too). I was going to pay for room and dining plan as well as all travel expense. I only ask that they pay for park tickets. He said if it was going to cost him any money he didn't want to go...and there you have it. We will miss him, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. He will be spending Christmas with his mother, probably sleeping.

 

[tina_la]

We (6 of our family of 8) are going to WDW 12/19-12/28. I have been planning like crazy. My husband thinks I am nuts. I have already starting packing. Here is what I have done so far.

Booked and paid for trip and ddp. Made all ADRs (WC,1900PF,CP,CR,TH,PH,CM,FANTASMIC @MM)

I have packed personalized shirts, socks, underwear and pjs for all (bought new for everyone). I have also packed makeup, hair care products, OTC meds, razors, soap, shaving cream and other neccesities. I also, have a box packed with poptarts, cereal, cereal bars, ramen noodle soups, paper plates, pb&j, ziplocs, popcorn, chips and pudding snacks. I have some glowsticks also. I bought everyone new shoes for the trip now so that they can get broken in fairly well. I purchased lanyards for myself and the kids as well as some pins. I have my scrapbook made and ready for pics.

I have purchase 4-$50 gift cards for my children's christmas gifts and have purchased $850 in travelers checks for tips, hotels on the way, gas and other necessary items. I have also prepurchased the Photopass CD.

I still plan on purchasing new jackets, gloves and hats for everyone. I also plan on purchasing a basket from a website to have delivered to our hotel as a welcome to include mickey ears, and refillable mugs. I also intend on purchasing at least another $600 in travelers checks over the next couple of months.

I still need to make our ressies for rooms on the way there and back, as well as due some maintainence on our van, but is there anything I have missed...I am starting to freak out that I am going to forget something.


Okay now that I truly sound certifiable...let me have it. How am I doing in planning our first trip?

Just don't forget the kids!

Seriously after all that sounds like you have it under control. Might recommend a few ponchos. Can buy a 2 pack for a $1 at your local Dollar Store. We didn't get any last year in all my overpacking and it was prob the one thing I regreted when I was paying $8 a piece.

 

[sanapp]

What about making personalized pillow cases for each of the people in your party. I am suprising my party with these and I think they will really like them. I am not sure of the ages of the children in your party, but I am also printing out autograph pages and making invitations to each of the special dinners/events they will be going to. I have also picked up little things at Target and the Dollar Store so they can get a little gift each day witht he thought that the souveniers will cost less.

 

[davishalfdoz]

Just don't forget the kids!

Seriously after all that sounds like you have it under control. Might recommend a few ponchos. Can buy a 2 pack for a $1 at your local Dollar Store. We didn't get any last year in all my overpacking and it was prob the one thing I regreted when I was paying $8 a piece.

I do have 12 plastic ponchos...hoping it only showers 2 of our 10 days

What about making personalized pillow cases for each of the people in your party. I am suprising my party with these and I think they will really like them. I am not sure of the ages of the children in your party, but I am also printing out autograph pages and making invitations to each of the special dinners/events they will be going to. I have also picked up little things at Target and the Dollar Store so they can get a little gift each day witht he thought that the souveniers will cost less.

Pillow cases are a great idea...I have already purchased fleece blankets for all the kiddos from disneyshopping.com so that would be a great complement gift. My mother used to make pillows for all the kids in my family a long time ago when you could get liquied embrodery pins....hmmmmm I think I have a new project. Thanx