Trip is closing in, what should I do?

[MJCota]

So we have 17 days till we leave for Disney! YAY!! It's hard to believe we started our countdown with 90 and here we are, less then 3 weeks to go. We've completed our FPP, ADRs, and most of our itinerary. I've gotten almost all items needed for our trip (we are driving from NC) including refilling our first aid kit with every ailment we can think of! What do I have left to do? I feel like I'm forgetting to do something important. What do you do a few weeks prior to leaving? I haven't been to Disney in 10 years and that was for our honeymoon and we totally winged it then. But with our son going with us I want to be as prepared as possible.

 

[Mukta]

I go to wdwent.com and check out show times for my favorite live acts like Off Kilter and the World Showcase Players.

I doublecheck what I have packed against the packing list from mouse savers. http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-dis...s/time-is-money-at-walt-disney-world/#packing

I check the weather obsessively although it never helps me.

I look at menus on wdwinfo and allearsnet to see if there is a current version for the ADRs I have.

 

[gooftroop5]

My Type A personality (he he) puts together a spreadsheet with parks hours (including EMH), ADRs, FPP ressies, and anything else I can think of. A few days before we leave I double check the park times in case they have changed and then print and laminate.

At 3 weeks out I start laying out all our clothes, etc to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.

I also put together a little care package for my kiddos that usually includes a new Disney movie to watch on the way, a new Disney t-shirt, and other stuff to do in the car. It always mysteriously shows up at our house a few days before we leave.

I also transfer any Disney Visa rewards to my rewards card.

We drive as well, but over 1,000 miles. I always get the tires rotated and oil changed before a trip.

And then I start second guessing my ADRs and have to stop myself from making changes.

 

[jlsHouston]

So we have 17 days till we leave for Disney! YAY!! It's hard to believe we started our countdown with 90 and here we are, less then 3 weeks to go. We've completed our FPP, ADRs, and most of our itinerary. I've gotten almost all items needed for our trip (we are driving from NC) including refilling our first aid kit with every ailment we can think of! What do I have left to do? I feel like I'm forgetting to do something important. What do you do a few weeks prior to leaving? I haven't been to Disney in 10 years and that was for our honeymoon and we totally winged it then. But with our son going with us I want to be as prepared as possible.

Good gosh at 17 days I am usually at the clothes shopping and gift cards from target buying period. And I might be tweaking the itinerary too. I start laundry about 4-5 days before the day of departure and usually have at least one or both grandkids packed 2 days prior to leaving. I am usually packing my stuff the night before. The 7 p's are not my strong point.

 

[jlsHouston]

I go to wdwent.com and check out show times for my favorite live acts like Off Kilter and the World Showcase Players.

I doublecheck what I have packed against the packing list from mouse savers. http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-dis...s/time-is-money-at-walt-disney-world/#packing

I check the weather obsessively although it never helps me.

I look at menus on wdwinfo and allearsnet to see if there is a current version for the ADRs I have.

I do number 3 and 4 on your list too, probably more obsessively than you do.

 

[jlsHouston]

So we have 17 days till we leave for Disney! YAY!! It's hard to believe we started our countdown with 90 and here we are, less then 3 weeks to go. We've completed our FPP, ADRs, and most of our itinerary. I've gotten almost all items needed for our trip (we are driving from NC) including refilling our first aid kit with every ailment we can think of! What do I have left to do? I feel like I'm forgetting to do something important. What do you do a few weeks prior to leaving? I haven't been to Disney in 10 years and that was for our honeymoon and we totally winged it then. But with our son going with us I want to be as prepared as possible.

I just realized I think you are going to be at WDW around Easter. I LOVED the WDW trip we had at Easter one year. I loved it! Great weather! It was really fun for the kiddos too because they did a huge easter egg hunt at CSR where we were staying on the Casita side of the resort and the kids had a ball. We ordered them special baskets from WDW too that were beautiful!

 

[Weather_Lady]

Here are some of our last-minute to-dos:

- Arrange for house-sitting/pet-sitting/mail delivery deferral and stock up on any necessary supplies (e.g., kitty litter). Give copies of house keys, travel itinerary and phone numbers to those who need them.

- Print out all important documents -- travel itineraries, resort confirmation #s, ticket #s, directions, copy of travel insurance policy, WDW phone numbers for hotel / lost-and-found /dining cancellations, ADRs and confirmation #s, touring plans, park maps, resort map, etc. Assemble them in a folder or binder that we'll take with us.

- Refill prescriptions, including DH's epipen.

- Return/renew library books and/or video rentals.

- Deep clean the house.

- Get out our luggage. Wipe it down and air it out (outdoors in the sunshine, if possible).

- Wash all clothes we want to pack and start gathering it in laundry baskets. If the kids haven't worn their summer clothes in awhile, have them try on shorts and swimsuits, etc., and buy new, if needed.

- If needed, buy (and start breaking in!) new sneakers and hiking sandals for each family member.

- Replace furnace filters and do other routine home maintenance. Ditto for the cars.

 

[KCheatle]

At 3 weeks out:

(1) I'm usually double checking that all suitcases are functioning and clean (hate putting clean clothes in a dusty suitcase).
(2) I also am checking my bank account to make sure that all bill pays are set up to go out before we leave so I don't have to deal with even looking at my bank account while we're there.
(3) I'm looking through my pantry and refrigerator and planning meals. I like to use stuff up before we leave, and then buy fresh stuff the day or two before we leave so when we get back its still good and I don't have to get a bunch of groceries in my post-Disney depressed state. I usually just end up having to buy milk when we get back.
(4) I'm double checking that the kids, DH, and I all have all of the clothing and toiletries we need. I usually pack 1 outfit per day, plus at least 3-4 extra outfits in case it rains or we get soaked on a ride and need to change a couple of days. I always pack multiple sunscreens, chap-sticks, medications (band aids, neosporin, ibuprofen, allergy meds, definitely some pepto -- I've had to use/administer every medication I've packed at least once on a trip!)
(5) I'm dowloading movies on the ipads for DH and the kids for the flight so that I don't have to worry about it later. One time I waited last minute to do that and the movie did not download in time So, I do that now several days/weeks out just so I can check it off my to do list.

 

[MJCota]

Do you recommend getting him an Easter basket from there? I've always made my own and was just going to do that, just in a smaller version. I plan on freezing any chocolate he does get (won't be much) ahead of time and just hiding it in our cooler at the bottom. He's oblivious to everything so he won't notice. LOL! I plan on getting my oil changed and a tune up this weekend. Car just got new tires, so we are set on that! Got them from Sam's Club because if one goes, I can go to any club and get them replaced. I'm so paranoid that we will blow out a tire on any road trip I've double checked my mini apartment AKA suitcase (seriously, I could fit a small family in this thing!) and it's in good working order and we just bought my son a new, bigger one. He HAD to have the one with light up wheels too.

I do need to ask my parents to take care of my animals. Thanks for that reminder!!! My grandmother lives with us but can only do so much. I'll stock the house to make sure she's eating while we are gone. I know my mom will stop by every day and check on her. I worry about her being alone but she reminds me she's is fine and can take care of herself. She's in her 80s and still acts like a teenager at times! LOL. Ok..I think that's it. Right?

Oh lord, I'm going to forget something. Ugh.

 

[Mukta]

As long as your have prescription meds with you and your credit card, anything you forgot can be bought at WDW.

 

[Poofiesdream]

I make lists. Packing list and a list for everything at home before I leave. Like shut off the hot water heater, air conditioner, unplug computers, put garage door on vacation switch, things like that. Start pulling out suitcases and checking them out. Go threw my clothes see what I need to buy and get them. I go online and check out everything I can find about my resort. Have the car serviced. Arrange to stop newspaper.

 

[jlsHouston]

Do you recommend getting him an Easter basket from there? I've always made my own and was just going to do that, just in a smaller version. I plan on freezing any chocolate he does get (won't be much) ahead of time and just hiding it in our cooler at the bottom. He's oblivious to everything so he won't notice. LOL! I plan on getting my oil changed and a tune up this weekend. Car just got new tires, so we are set on that! Got them from Sam's Club because if one goes, I can go to any club and get them replaced. I'm so paranoid that we will blow out a tire on any road trip I've double checked my mini apartment AKA suitcase (seriously, I could fit a small family in this thing!) and it's in good working order and we just bought my son a new, bigger one. He HAD to have the one with light up wheels too.

I do need to ask my parents to take care of my animals. Thanks for that reminder!!! My grandmother lives with us but can only do so much. I'll stock the house to make sure she's eating while we are gone. I know my mom will stop by every day and check on her. I worry about her being alone but she reminds me she's is fine and can take care of herself. She's in her 80s and still acts like a teenager at times! LOL. Ok..I think that's it. Right?

Oh lord, I'm going to forget something. Ugh.

The reason we bought the Easter baskets thru disney was because we flew and didn't want to pack them and when we left after Easter we had so much additional stuff we carried on board way more than normal and checked an extra suitcase thankfully we flew SWAir.

 

[Cesar R M]

So we have 17 days till we leave for Disney! YAY!! It's hard to believe we started our countdown with 90 and here we are, less then 3 weeks to go. We've completed our FPP, ADRs, and most of our itinerary. I've gotten almost all items needed for our trip (we are driving from NC) including refilling our first aid kit with every ailment we can think of! What do I have left to do? I feel like I'm forgetting to do something important. What do you do a few weeks prior to leaving? I haven't been to Disney in 10 years and that was for our honeymoon and we totally winged it then. But with our son going with us I want to be as prepared as possible.

You forgot one of the most important things...
HAVE FUN.

Note that it doesn't matter how much you plan.. things might not always go your way, so.. keep calm and go with the flow!

 

[MJCota]

Thanks Cesar, I'm having my husband remind me that on a daily basis. I love a schedule (as does my 8 year old son) but he's WAAAY more flexible then I am. I keep telling myself FPP can be moved if need be and its about the magic and fun and not what is next on my plans!! Thanks for all the ideas. This weekend I have to finish up a ton of homework that will be due that week (finals are the following week, boo!!), get the oil changed in the car, make the packing list and write addresses. We are leaving Good Friday and stopping in Georgia, staying the night and heading to Florida the next day. We are not scheduled to check into AKL until Easter Sunday so we rented another room the night before at an off site hotel. I think we might hit up Wonderworks. Is it worth it? Want to do some leisurely and relaxing.

I think I'll look into the Easter baskets. I keep thinking of all the extra stuff we will be bring home and it'd be nice not to add to the already building list of things we must already bring. Any suggests which basket would be good for an 8 year old boy? He's into legos, star wars and minecraft. Can we have it delivered to our room? I'd assume so. It doesn't matter if it arrives while we are gone in the park on Easter, he won't care, we are finally at Disney after all But we did request early check in when I did the online check in.

 

[Captainvideo]

. Can we have it delivered to our room? I'd assume so. It doesn't matter if it arrives while we are gone in the park on Easter, he won't care, we are finally at Disney after all But we did request early check in when I did the online check in.

If you are having the basket delivered be sure to follow up ahead of time about delivery. I ordered a tote for valentines day and assumed from the email advertisement it would show up in our room at check in. It didn't, and I completely forgot about it until we got back from the parks the next day! No problem, just happy to be there. I was told it was sitting on a storage shelf forgotten. The tote was nicely done with a mix of everything such as cheese, crackers, sweets, fruit, water. Have fun.

 

[buseegal]

if you have prescription med numbers and phone number of pharm with you, separate from med bottles. in case you loose a bottle

 

[disneypearl]

Just sit back and relax. Keep thinking of all the fun you will be having soon. Maybe watch a planning video or favorite Disney movie.

 

[MJCota]

We've been watching the ride videos on YouTube and we watched the planning video the other night It was very exciting. I'm trying to prepare my son for the rides and those videos are extremely helpful.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

So we have 17 days till we leave for Disney! YAY!! It's hard to believe we started our countdown with 90 and here we are, less then 3 weeks to go. We've completed our FPP, ADRs, and most of our itinerary. I've gotten almost all items needed for our trip (we are driving from NC) including refilling our first aid kit with every ailment we can think of! What do I have left to do? I feel like I'm forgetting to do something important. What do you do a few weeks prior to leaving? I haven't been to Disney in 10 years and that was for our honeymoon and we totally winged it then. But with our son going with us I want to be as prepared as possible.

First... take a deep breath. There isn't one of us who doesn't panic when our trips close in. First thing I do, is pack the first aid kit (I must have this down to a science LOL... allergy meds, bandaids, aspirin, stomach stuff, etc etc) I plan clothes out for the length of our stay, but wind up doing laundry mid stay LOL. Check to see your arrangements for travel are all set, house is secured, pets (if any) are taken care of, then expect to enjoy yourself. As long as all that is done, anything you forget, can be purchased! Don't forget phone chargers!!!!! Have a great time!!!!

 

[LAKid53]

And I thought I was OCD.....

I have a Disney tote bag permanently packed with everything we always take with us - the printout of our check-in info, all reservations (resort, dining, FP+), several pairs of ears (I add and delete, depending upon the time of year - Halloween, Christmas), my Princess autograph book, all the chargers for my phone, cameras (yes, I bring both point & shoot and camcorder), the small backpacks we take into the parks, my Disney roll up water bottle and two sets of magic bands. We like to do breakfast in our room (so we can sleep in and avoid the crush at breakfast), so I have another tote bag permanently packed with those items and just replenish the cereals & add fresh fruit.

I have a list of things to pack that is now permanently affixed to the wall in my closet. And a list of other things to do on a white board on my frig - stop mail/paper, call sheriff, give keys to pet sitter, etc. I can make a reservation and be out of the house within hours - that's kinda scary.

If my house doesn't get deep cleaned before we leave, only the cat will care. Everything will be waiting for me when we get back, anyway...