Preplanning For WDW!

[Talsonic]

What do you do in the way of preplanning for your trip to WDW? We're getting ready to visit starting 9/21 and I have all ready bought all the tickets (AP's). I bought two pair of New Balance MW755 walking shoes today and I am breaking them in prior to the trip. I bought a dozen pair of double layer socks to prevent blisters. I bought three bottles of Hawaiian Tropic SPF 15 sunblock. I bought six WWWD (What Would Walt Do) pins to reward CM's that provide exceptional service. I made up some envelopes on my printer that have pictures of various Disney characters and each envelope is dated for all the days we will be at our resort with the text, "For the Housekeepers". We leave a small gratuity ($3 to $5) every day for the housekeeping staff. I bought a pack of "moleskin" in case we do get some blisters. I'm going to my local Disney Store tomorrow to cash in some Disney Gift Cards for Disney Dollars. Since we're still two weeks away, that's all I have done so far. Still have a lot more to do. Anyone else have ideas?

 

[Fievel]

Where you staying? I'm gonna be there at the same time and I"m looking for a room to loot :lol:

 

[Talsonic]

Musical Rooms.

Originally posted by Fievel
Where you staying? I'm gonna be there at the same time and I"m looking for a room to loot :lol:

We're going to start out at the All-Star Movies. My daughter and son-in-law are going to be over at the Poly and we have some other friends staying at AKL and All-Star Music. We enjoy traveling to WDW together and we swap rooms depending on who's going where in the various parks. It's a lot of fun and we don't get bored staying in the same room for two weeks. Another couple is driving down via Interstate 75 and is going to check on last minute room discounts at the AAA/Disney Welcome Center in Ocala, FL. They often give special rates at the GF but you have to time it just right. It's just another possibility. So, we're looking forward to playing "musical rooms".:lol:

 

[ACE]

Looks like you got it covered.:lol:

Where do you get the WWWD (What Would Walt Do) pins? I know 3 kids who would like to get one of those.

:wave: ACE

 

[mikebrakes]

Make sure those new shoes you bought are broken in REAL well! I brought two pairs in May. One pair I had been wearing every day for about six months. I thought that would be broken in plenty. By the end of the second day, I had blisters on both feet. Thankfully, the other pair I brought was over two years old and ... shall we say, really worn. I brought them mainly for the parks I felt I would be getting soaked in. No problems with them, even with the blisters I already had. The older the shoes, the better.

As far as planning, being here is a great place to start. I searched countless sites trying to get as much info as I could before I left. That is how I discovered this site in the first place.

 

[Talsonic]

Originally posted by acellis_99
Looks like you got it covered.:lol:

Where do you get the WWWD (What Would Walt Do) pins? I know 3 kids who would like to get one of those.

:wave: ACE

The pins are really neat. They cost $5.00 each. The best part is that after you give one to a CM, you can post your experience on the WWW for the CM (and Disney management) to see. Check this link for details:

http://whatwouldwaltdo.com/catalog/catalog.shtml

Also, I still have a bunch of stuff to do. I haven't even bought the room snacks yet!:lol:

 

[Fievel]

I'll be at All-star movies the 25th- oct 2nd....maybe we'll settle our differences with a good old chicken fight in the pool :lol:

 

[Talsonic]

Clothes Make The Man.

Originally posted by mikebrakes
Make sure those new shoes you bought are broken in REAL well! I brought two pairs in May. One pair I had been wearing every day for about six months. I thought that would be broken in plenty. By the end of the second day, I had blisters on both feet. Thankfully, the other pair I brought was over two years old and ... shall we say, really worn. I brought them mainly for the parks I felt I would be getting soaked in. No problems with them, even with the blisters I already had. The older the shoes, the better.

As far as planning, being here is a great place to start. I searched countless sites trying to get as much info as I could before I left. That is how I discovered this site in the first place.

Yeah, I agree with you. It is very important to take care of your feet at WDW. A bad blister can ruin your entire vacation. I would never wear "new" shoes to WDW. You are so right about properly breaking in new shoes. And your point about the old shoes was excellent! I also pack two pair of "old" shoes just in case, although I don't subscribe to "the older the better" theory. However, an old pair of shoes can come in very handy!

Also, www.wdwmagic.com is a great place to learn about everything that WDW has to offer. I too found this site the same way. :wave:

 

[Talsonic]

Great Idea!

Originally posted by Fievel
I'll be at All-star movies the 25th- oct 2nd....maybe we'll settle our differences with a good old chicken fight in the pool :lol:

Maybe we'll see you there! However, you won't see me in the pool. I always ask my wife, "Why do these people spend so much time in the pool?". She always responds, "Some people don't have access to swimmin' holes as you and I do dear.". For me, there is just too much to do at WDW to spend my time in a pool. Perhaps we could settle our differences at Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin? Naw, I take that back. I dislike that ride. Instead, perhaps ToT? That would give you an advantage because I have never been on the attraction because I enjoy keeping my stomach in the proper place!:hurl: But I would make an exception if you were seated next to me!:lol:

 

[Fievel]

Hehe...well Becky's mom is a nurse, and she gets us patches that help with motion sickness, otherwise I could never handle rides like that.

 

[DMC-12]

Re: Clothes Make The Man.

Originally posted by Talsonic
Yeah, I agree with you. It is very important to take care of your feet at WDW. A bad blister can ruin your entire vacation. I would never wear "new" shoes to WDW. You are so right about properly breaking in new shoes. And your point about the old shoes was excellent! I also pack two pair of "old" shoes just in case, although I don't subscribe to "the older the better" theory. However, an old pair of shoes can come in very handy!

I just ordered a new pair of merrell's

http://www.merrell.com/catalog_frames.html

the orbit moc's are the ones I ordered.... and the Jungle moc's I have rock!

...they are really comfy slip on shoes...even more so than New Balance..and I walk 3 miles a day in them... I never got any blisters...best shoes I have ever owned ....but I also have the same pair I have had for the past year...hmmm.... I might just pack those as well...and I have a week to break in the new ones...to see if I get any blisters...oh, I got new socks to...lol

 

[GenerationX]

Two more things to (potentially) add to your list:
1. Buy film and rain ponchos.
2. Make a packing list. This may be unnecessary for you since you're not travelling with small children.

Have a fun time!:wave:

 

[MinnieFan]

Originally posted by Talsonic
I made up some envelopes on my printer that have pictures of various Disney characters and each envelope is dated for all the days we will be at our resort with the text, "For the Housekeepers".

What a great idea. We always leave tips for the housekeepers and never know just where to put it. Hope you don't mind if I steal you idea.

 

[homer424]

Originally posted by GenerationX
Two more things to (potentially) add to your list:
1. Buy film and rain ponchos.
2. Make a packing list. This may be unnecessary for you since you're not travelling with small children.

Have a fun time!:wave:

The packing list is a wonderful idea! I used to make them even before I had my rugrat-they are great to figure out what you need and prevents you from forgetting stuff. Although you can always truck down to Walmart and pick up anything you may have forgotten or unexpectedly need.(Like one of those spray bottle fans-Thank God for Walmart-I wasn't going to pay $17 in the park, $5 in Walmart is more my speed! LOL)

Have a fabulous time!!!

Donna

 

[moonchild]

Talsonic, one very very important thing to do before you leave.....make room in your suitcase for me! Have an AWESOME time!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I have a generic packing list that I give to all of my customers. If you would like a copy, e-mail me and I will send you a copy. Also, I have a program to print out Mousekeeping envelopes . If you have a favorite charecter, I can send it to you. Have a great trip!

Pam

 

[Worldphile]

Re: Re: Preplanning For WDW!

Originally posted by MinnieFan

What a great idea. We always leave tips for the housekeepers and never know just where to put it. Hope you don't mind if I steal you idea.

I think the pillow is the customary place to leave a tip for the housekeeper.

Even if it isn't, that has always worked for me.

The envelopes are nice touch though.

 

[Nineinchnailsmk]

im going sept 23rd to 27th... woo hoo

anyway, i was just curious, what is the proper gratuity for tipping the hotel housekeepers?

we are staying at the port orleans: riverside...

i saw people say 3-5 bucks, is that protocol?

anyway, i cannot wait to go!!! WOO HOOOOOOOOOO:sohappy: :wave:

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I generally leave $5 a day.

 

[RPMdfw]

Originally posted by Nineinchnailsmk
im going sept 23rd to 27th... woo hoo

anyway, i was just curious, what is the proper gratuity for tipping the hotel housekeepers?


i saw people say 3-5 bucks, is that protocol?

One dollar per day per person is the standard I've always used. It's the one most of the hotels use when a convention asks to include housekeeping gratuities in their master billing. (At least the hotels I've worked for . . . )