15 days...anything I should be doing?

Kristamouse

Kristamouse

Well-Known Member
We leave in 15 days and the our family is over the top excited! We have a very busy two weeks to keep us occupied and me busy. But unlike every other trip we have ever taken ever, I DO NOT want to be scrambling to finish packing hours before we leave. We are heading out at about 6.00 AM in order to make our hotel reservation in Gainsville FL (driving from KY). So I really don't want to be scrambling that early in the AM.
So what should I be packing now? Any other pre trip things I should be doing? Have some free time this afternoon while my babies (2 years and 4 months) are sleeping before my 5 and 6 year old get off the buss. This is our first trip with all four kids and our first with 3 kids that is over 3 days long. So I am really anxious about packing enough for all of our needs, clothing, etc..
Starting to get overwhelmed...in a good way though...I will take overwhelmed by WDW packing over just about any other type of packing!
 
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mickeysshoes

mickeysshoes

Well-Known Member
Sounds like your getting off on the right foot!!! Take a deep breath and enjoy the gettting ready. I would start by making a couple of lists. List for the kids stuff, list for your stuff and a list of the the other stuff...IE.camera, charges, strollers. Do one list a day as to not get overwhelmed and add to them as you think of things and cross them off once you can pack. I put reminder sticky notes on doors to help with the last minute stuff. Get the suitcases out and put in things you know you wont need before you go. I plan out the clothes that i will pack for kids and make sure they wear that stuff the week before we leave so there is time to wash and pack. THen the week of i try to dress them in clothes i wont be taking so it cuts back on the last minute wash...and it there are not enought to go a week then wear at the begining of the week what you will take. For me i find the packing game is more mental than anything and i have fine tuning this routine now for many years and I have found i dont stress as much any more and can get it all done and dont forget anything just days before instead of starting so far out!! Good luck and have a great trip!!!
 
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bgraham34

bgraham34

Well-Known Member
I can't give you any advice on packing because I usually do it the day before. Only thing I would suggest is make sure your camera works before you leave the house.I got to Florida this past April and my camera was completely dead. Luckily we stayed at a friends house before hitting Disney and had a rental car so i was able to go out a purchase a new one.
 
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sshindel

sshindel

The Epcot Manifesto
I'm with the "making lists" posts on here. I'm a list making machine when leaving for a vacation. Some of the things I typically do:

1) start a folder with all relevant materials. Tickets / vouchers, reservation info, maps, ADR times, ADR reservation numbers (which I also program into my calendar on my phone).
2) If you have a lot of things that might require plugging in for charging, pack/pick up a power strip. Keep it with a list of all your "last minute" cords and plug-in things that you need to pack.
3) Go and pre-buy some rain ponchos so you dont get stuck paying Disney pricing for them.
4) We also try and buy something (cheap) new that the kid(s) have never seen before and hide it away and only break it out during travel. That way they have something new to keep them occupied either in the car or on the plane.
5) As mentioned above, if you've got some clothes you want to take and some you don't, then dress them in the ones you dont for a while, and you could even start packing what you do want now. Swimsuits, suntan lotion, and things like this that you may not need right now are also good candidates.
6) Look up the Extra Magic Hours for each park to see if there are any worth taking advantage of (though with young children, you may be more prone to the early ones and not the late hours :)
7) Dont forget to have fun while getting ready. I bounce around like a little kid again for DAYS leading up to a trip!
 
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LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
I am in the same boat as you, we leave in 16 days!

I always make a big list of everything I need on vacation and as it is placed into the spare room or into the suitcase it gets crossed off. This really keeps me from worrying about forgetting something or second guessing a decision.

I agree with the ops about double checking any item that needs batteries or charging. I am bringing my laptop, so I am making sure the verizon software and anti virus program are up to date etc.

I have entered all of the dining ressies into my phone and all of the other paper copy reservations, menus and confirmations in a binder to bring along.

I like to bring a set of jammies and undergarments in my carryon so they are easily to get to.
 
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TinkerChelli

TinkerChelli

Member
We're also leaving in 15 days... Yippie....can hardly wait. Hope you all have a great time, we will only be there for 4 full days :wave:have a safe and magical trip ok.:sohappy:


Kristamouse said:
We leave in 15 days and the our family is over the top excited! We have a very busy two weeks to keep us occupied and me busy. But unlike every other trip we have ever taken ever, I DO NOT want to be scrambling to finish packing hours before we leave. We are heading out at about 6.00 AM in order to make our hotel reservation in Gainsville FL (driving from KY). So I really don't want to be scrambling that early in the AM.
So what should I be packing now? Any other pre trip things I should be doing? Have some free time this afternoon while my babies (2 years and 4 months) are sleeping before my 5 and 6 year old get off the buss. This is our first trip with all four kids and our first with 3 kids that is over 3 days long. So I am really anxious about packing enough for all of our needs, clothing, etc..
Starting to get overwhelmed...in a good way though...I will take overwhelmed by WDW packing over just about any other type of packing!
Click to expand...
 
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WDWmazprty

WDWmazprty

Well-Known Member
We leave in 5 days! Yes, definitely do the list thing. My wife is the one that packs for everyone and believe me she is organized. We have two daughters (8) and (3) and she gets everyones stuff ready. Right now, we're pretty much packed already and set to go for Friday; except for a few last minute stuff we cant pack yet. She is a list freak! :lol:

But, we never leave home without the thngs we need. Definitely double check everything you will need. In your mind, go through your day at the parks. What will you need and when for your kids, for yourself; then pack it if you do really need it.

And do everything early. Try to have everything that you can have ready at the latest the day before, but I would do it earlier if possible. Especially since you're leaving early in the morning, you'll definitely want to have the car packed the night before, that way all you have to do is wake up, get dressed and be on your way knowing that the night before you double checked and packed everything already.

I hope this helps, have fun!!!:wave:
 
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NYwdwfan

NYwdwfan

Well-Known Member
LowesChevy said:
I always make a big list of everything I need on vacation and as it is placed into the spare room or into the suitcase it gets crossed off.
Click to expand...

I do this too - I make a general list (sunscreen, camera chargers, swim vests, snacks for the car etc.) and then below it make a master grid (down the left side I list all of the items everyone needs: undies, pjs, shorts, shirts, toothbrushes, etc. and across the top I list everyone's name). As I put things in the suitcase they get checked off - so I can clearly see what's left.

Oh - one more thing - do the happy dance since you're leaving in 2 weeks!!!! :sohappy:
 
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Graham9

Graham9

Well-Known Member
We are coming to WDW in late November and have already started preparing.

Run up Excel and begin to plan out each day. I have made a picture diary with what park in what day, lunch and dinner bookings. List all Magic Hours, parades and any other stuff going on. Plan out shopping days and laundry days.

I have a second contingency to-do list in the event of bad weather.

A day before we go, laminate it.

It is soooo useful and handy.


I already have a get-the-house-ready list for going away and it will start 1 week before we go and will finish the moment we lock the door.

Some other stuff....photocopy / scan tickets receipts and put them in a Google Mail account which can be accessed anywhere.
 
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Graham9

Graham9

Well-Known Member
WDWmazprty said:
Here is a link to some spreadsheets that a bunch of us put together, you can choose which one you like and use it or make up one of your own. They do help a lot and they're fun!

http://www.mediafire.com/?48kchyaqw20dfxd
Click to expand...


Wow. Thats really good!

Personally we prefer something very simple and basic. We won't have a computer with us on holiday and we get it down to few printed sheets. Its really 14 colored boxes with date and park name, day's parade, magic hours and stuff.

It does the job. :lol:
 
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E

ELopez

Member
We are leaving in TWO DAYS!! I'm the mom of six daughters (ages 11, 10, 9, 4, 23 mos, & 10 mos). I am already packed! Here are a few of my tips:

It is not too late to start packing now! I use a lot of ziplocs (of all sizes). Each child gets a ziploc for socks, one for underwear, etc. I do one for bibs for the little ones. I label the bags with their names.

I will take enough diapers, baby food, formula, etc for the first 3 days, but I will be going to SuperTarget to purchase enough for the rest of the trip (and I have already done the math on how much I will need once I get there).

We are also staying overnight in a hotel on the way. I have packed a separate overnight bag, so we don't have to haul EVERTHING in for just one night.

I have bought lots of little gifts to give the girls along the way to help the time pass - board books for the babies, a few new movies, small dry-erase boards, etc I also make activity sheets for the older kids. I print out Disney coloring sheets for the little ones. Target has some cute little travel crayon sets (so the kids don't keep dropping the crayons).

Since you are leaving early, put a note on the front door so you will not forget anything important that is irreplaceable - like a paci, blankey, taggy, etc!!

Hope some of this helps - Have a MAGICAL time!!
 
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DisneyPrincess5

DisneyPrincess5

Well-Known Member
Aside from packing and getting your reservations/confirmation numbers in order, you should be doing a happy dance because you're going to Disney!!!:sohappy:
Have a wonderful trip!
 
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Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
What is with all these short timers, we don't leave for 17 days :)

I pack most things in the 24 hour period before I leave.

However, the comment someone made about electronics (charges, camera batteries, memory cards, etc) is somthing I do make use of. I make a note, starting about a week out, of any electronics I know I need to include. Also on the note are any 'oddball' items that I may forget. I then cross them off as they go in the bag.

I also make folder with all trip in it, and things such as will call numbers etc written on the inside of the folder itself.

-dave
 
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Pumbas Nakasak

Pumbas Nakasak

Heading for the great escape.
My bags are ready but not fully packed. Currency converted, camera batts charged, lenses cleaned, pirate flag folded, sporran polished, e-tickets and vouchers printed.

Hurricane watch on going.
 
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M

mickeyforlife

New Member
Kristamouse said:
We leave in 15 days and the our family is over the top excited! We have a very busy two weeks to keep us occupied and me busy. But unlike every other trip we have ever taken ever, I DO NOT want to be scrambling to finish packing hours before we leave. We are heading out at about 6.00 AM in order to make our hotel reservation in Gainsville FL (driving from KY). So I really don't want to be scrambling that early in the AM.
So what should I be packing now? Any other pre trip things I should be doing? Have some free time this afternoon while my babies (2 years and 4 months) are sleeping before my 5 and 6 year old get off the buss. This is our first trip with all four kids and our first with 3 kids that is over 3 days long. So I am really anxious about packing enough for all of our needs, clothing, etc..
Starting to get overwhelmed...in a good way though...I will take overwhelmed by WDW packing over just about any other type of packing!
Click to expand...

I always go to mouseforless and print me a packing list. then I start buying the little sample items and go ahead and pack that. and any clothes I won't be wearing and taking to disney I go ahead and pack. but the packing list really helps to get things in order. hope this helps:sohappy:
 
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Raven66

Raven66

Well-Known Member
I only have to pack for 3 of us but I'm very OCD about it. I make list after list. I get my folder ready first. It says Walt Disney World 20??. All of the reservation papers, ADR confirmation numbers, luggage tags etc... I put each person's name on the top of a piece of paper and make a list of what each one will need. If possible I will buy new stuff like undies and socks, wash them and then put them in the suitcase and it won't be used until we get there. I will also buy cheapo toothbrushes so I can just throw them away when we pack up to leave to come home. I think you probably see where I'm going with this:D I usually have everything packed and sitting in the living room ready to go within 2 days of departure.


I hope you have a wonderful trip and an amazing time!! :wave:
 
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