What are your pre trip rituals?

[Tink0102]

What do you from the time your vacation is booked until the time you leave for your vacation to help pass the time? This is our first Disney vacation but here is a list of what we/I have been doing.
Looking at "My experience" everyday to see my official count down and then announcing it loudly to DH and DS (and anyone else who will listen...by the way it's only 76 more days now!)

Watching videos of our resort, of rides, of restaurants, pin trading, etc on YouTube.

Watching as many of the classic Disney movies as we can get our hands on...and the newer ones too, but a lot of classics to get DS son familiar with the characters. Last night was Swiss Family Robinson. Tonight, Fantasia.

Stalking this board endlessly. Commenting and posting as well, but a lot of stalking going on.

Asking friends who have been to Disney questions and calling them up to make them aware of how many days I have left...I know they are probably sick of me.

Saving shiny pennies for the coin press machines and googling ways to shine the dirty ones I have.

Knitting and selling scarves to make extra spending money.

Trying to compile our family's Disney packing list based on what I see on other people's list.

Stalking dining reservations in case better times come up for some of the restaurants we have booked...Our Ohanas reservation is for 8:15pm and I would prefer an earlier one.

I think that is about it. Tell me some of the things you and your family do.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I write checks to Disney -- that's a ritual, isn't it? ; )

I also stalk, print park maps, peruse calendars and refurbishment schedules (all of which goes in a big WDW planning binder), and check out this board and some similar websites.

All of this is in addition to my "regularly-scheduled program" of full-time work, parenting, wife-ing, etc.

 

[Tink0102]

I write checks to Disney -- that's a ritual, isn't it? ; )

I also stalk, print park maps, peruse calendars and refurbishment schedules (all of which goes in a big WDW planning binder), and check out this board and some similar websites.

All of this is in addition to my "regularly-scheduled program" of full-time work, parenting, wife-ing, etc.

LOL....yes, I would say writing checks to Disney counts. I have written a few of those as well.

 

[Figgy1]

1 year out book lodging plan park order as soon as the calendar comes out make ADRs at 180 days plan watch videos and get a mani-pedi the day befor we leave and mostly live here!

 

[foreverbelle]

We make a countdown each morning we get up and 'officially change it.'
When we arrive at the airport right before-or if we drive-we have to stop and get a DD bagel, coffee/ breakfast.
We try and watch Disney movies, favorites, ones we haven't seen each weekend.
Go over in writing and agenda books ADRs and plans.
And we mark each 30..20..10...big marks with happiness....its the small milestones that thrill us so.

 

[Susan Savia]

We booked last night for two weeks in February 2014. I have a calendar by the computer and each Friday I count down one more week. I send for the latest WDW vacation planner and we watch it the night before we leave. We pick up various restaurant gift cards (Olive Garden, Denny's, Ponderosa). I check out the times schedule for the period that we'll be in the parks and keep an eye on the weather as it gets closer.

 

[epcotisbest]

Mine is reading up on the various guide books...I have about five different ones stacked on my nightstand right now.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Set up countdown calendars everywhere. Check crowd calendars. Write and rewrite to adjust trip plans. Check out packing lists... What did I need last time that I forgot and what didnt I need that I wont take this time? Get Disney rewards card points ready. Try on shorts, break in sneakers, get walking routine started. Check ALL Disney blogs, sites, menus, posts for best advice.

 

[Tink0102]

Set up countdown calendars everywhere. Check crowd calendars. Write and rewrite to adjust trip plans. Check out packing lists... What did I need last time that I forgot and what didnt I need that I wont take this time? Get Disney rewards card points ready. Try on shorts, break in sneakers, get walking routine started. Check ALL Disney blogs, sites, menus, posts for best advice.

I am starting that as well. I walked one mile and realized I am not ready for Disney, so I will be walking every day for the next 76 days.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I check this site daily and check out all the news... I pick all our dining out.. and when I say ALL I mean we pick everywhere we're going to each that way we know exactly how much money we will need for food. We're pretty predictable in our QS dining habits so we tend to gravitate towards the same places every time we go. I print out our ADRs and packing lists. I'm the one who plans out everything and keeps track of it all .I love doing that kind of stuff

My sister and I also watch one Disney movie a week in the 6 weeks or so leading up to the trip

 

[disneyfriend32]

Plan plan plan, day 1 check in , unpack, swim , lunch at resort, nap, 5 pm head to MK,dinner Tonys, stay for night show..... We arent going until Aug 2014, so I plan everything! Plan the route to drive, where we stay on the way, i go over all quick service menus so we arent eating the sane thing everyday.....

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Call me crazy (and you can - it's ok ) but I love stalking the dining site for better times. Even if I like my ADRs - it's just fun to me to play with dining while the months pass.

I also greatly enjoy watching videos of Wishes at my desk at work so I can sit there tearing up, while I try to pass it off as bad allergies. Hey- the oak pollen is bad here right now and I am highly allergic to oak. It works!

I've also sketched 2 of our potential 3 cakes so far...one is fine as it is, but the other 2 need full final sketches so they are pastry chef ready. So, I'll pass the time the next couple of months refining sketches. Fingers crossed Chef Brian will be willing to dress a white chocolate Donald in a hula skirt and lei. - among other things.

And naturally, I'm on here playing

 

[disneyfriend32]

I have to say that its so great to know that there so many otherslike me who plan and plan and just loveeverything disney!

 

[bethymouse]

Well, go to this site daily of course!
Disney Jr. gets my boys in the mood ( they're 8!). They love Doc McStuffins and Jake&the Neverland Pirates!
We watch our favorite Disney movies over and over!
We watch youtube videos and I listen to the youtube music of the parks! In fact, I'm listening right now!

 

[Poofiesdream]

I go on Disneystore.com every day for sales of clothing I want to bring, or anything else I want! I also shop the stores around me like Walmart that have disney clothing and when I have a few extra dollars I buy the stuff. Its better than having to take up time at Disney to shop!