First timers list of stuff

[crzy4my2]

Yes they are available the same way that B-Day, anniversary & honeymoon buttons. Just check at the guest services at any of the parks (also the concierge desk of most hotels) Got one for a 47 year old last trip and she LOVED it

thank you! I want to get one for my kids.

 

[mom2faith]

Oops

 

[Whitaker24]

Ok ive not been to dis since 93 would u recommend that i book my trip 1st then start planning it out ect or what? for the icons of this planning stuff can u email me some of your plans or itenarys(sp) to kind of help me with planning this trip for my family, im the computer person but also the man.....i figure we plan to go april/may of 09 im gonna call to see when i can book our trip and where or how do i make reservations for the disney meal with characters?

thanks for any help my email is ryan@whitaker24.com

 

[jedi jen]

Can't "weight" to get started!!

Amy

Amy,

Best of luck. I have had a weight issue all my life, and I don't recommend it. Right now, I am doing OK at around 130. I used to be heavier. I still would like to lose a little weight (I am short). I am also an expert at putting off things. I like the idea of baby steps. When I am really procrastinating, I tell myself to just put on my work out shoes--that is all I have to do. Usually, if I do that, I end up doing some exercise. I am OK even if it is 5 minutes. Anything is good, and I don't want to end up not doing anything because I think I have to work out for 30 minutes or more. I am wondering if you eat your donuts while sitting on your eliptical, if that will be the baby step for you. I am teasing a little of course. I can really relate to you and wish you well, and again, best of luck.

Jennifer

 

[thomasclan85]

While I've been to WDW 4 or 5 times, I haven't been there since 1990, or with kids. So, for all intents and purposes, this is my first trip.

I am a psychotic planner-- this trip has been my big project for about 8 months now. Here are some of the things I've done that might be of interest to other first timers.

- My Disney info is in a binder. I've accumlated so much information that I needed one central place for it. Sometime before my trip I'll go through it and weed some out.
I'll be putting the info I need (dining reservations and similar stuff) onto index cards to bring with me.

- Some people decorate the window of their resort. It sounds like fun and I bet the kids will love it. I'll be on the lookout for things at the dollar store between now and the time we leave.

Other people: add on basic tips for those of us who don't know the ins and outs, please!

I have a folder that I keep in my filing cabinet with all of my Disney stuff. I told my hubby yesterday that I would be taking out all of our 2005 trip stuff and making a scrapbook with it. It's a great way to make room for our 2008 stuff.

I was wondering if you could put decorations in the windows. I saw the cutest Tinker Bell battery operated window decoration the other day in a catalog. I wasn't sure if I'd be allowed to put anything in the windows. Thanks!

Great tips. This is our second trip but there's always something new to learn from more experienced folks!

 

[thomasclan85]

My only tip would be to make lists, lists of lists and lists of the list lists!

I have a list for EVERYTHING at this point, so I don't forget anything!

And, read and re-read the tip board.

I am driving my DH and my BIL nutso with the planning.

I can't even share with the kids, since we are hoping to surprise them - our hope is to wake them the morning we are leaving and tell them then!

I'm a listaholic! Even my lists have lists!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

Hello everyone! I love this thread going on here...This is going to be the first time for my mom since she was a senior in high school..my technical first time...my brother who is 16 his first time and the little one of the group who will be 2! We are so excited and we will be going in October...This list has really helped me out...and THOMASCLAN85 don't worry I am the same way...My lists have bulleted lists coming off of them..lol..everything broke down into the finest detail!

 

[joanie123]

Great thread for us OCD planners! Yes, my DH also just does not understand! I booked our April 08 trip in March 07. Now, before we have even stepped foot in WDW, I am planning our next trip! I drive him nuts. Thanks for all the list advice, I am starting my own list of items to take to the parks. Can't decide on a bag, though...

Amy - I, too, am a foodaholic. I love food. All food, especially carbs. I was about 30 pounds heavy, and last year for my 40th, I decided I had had enough! I started going to the gym, walking, lifting weights. I started in May, and really did not see much in the way of results until August. By then people really started noticing, and it encouraged me. By the end of the year I was down to 140 - my goal weight. The thing I noticed was that I too could not lose weight eating carbs, until I switched what carbs I ate. I switched out sweet potatoes for white, brown rice for white, whole grain bread for white, and I really started to eat high fibre foods - especially bran cereals. I didn't feel hungry or deprived. Try starting slowly - I actually love all these foods, and I don't feel like I am dieting. Good luck!

 

[bolo]

I'm a listaholic! Even my lists have lists!

hey, i hear ya! i'm one of those people who adds something to my list that i've already done JUST so i can cross it off!


and joanie123...as for a bag, we're going to use a small sports bag (the ones that are like a backpack) to take in the parks. they're light and pretty small. hoping that works well...

 

[Native NYer]

Great thread for us OCD planners! Yes, my DH also just does not understand! I booked our April 08 trip in March 07. Now, before we have even stepped foot in WDW, I am planning our next trip! I drive him nuts. Thanks for all the list advice, I am starting my own list of items to take to the parks. Can't decide on a bag, though...

Amy - I, too, am a foodaholic. I love food. All food, especially carbs. I was about 30 pounds heavy, and last year for my 40th, I decided I had had enough! I started going to the gym, walking, lifting weights. I started in May, and really did not see much in the way of results until August. By then people really started noticing, and it encouraged me. By the end of the year I was down to 140 - my goal weight. The thing I noticed was that I too could not lose weight eating carbs, until I switched what carbs I ate. I switched out sweet potatoes for white, brown rice for white, whole grain bread for white, and I really started to eat high fibre foods - especially bran cereals. I didn't feel hungry or deprived. Try starting slowly - I actually love all these foods, and I don't feel like I am dieting. Good luck!

Depending on the time of year you're going, you may want to use a water resistant bag. It rains a lot in the summer!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I don't feel so alone with all my planning now after this thread..lol...My bf who isn't able to go because he will be finishing up college just listens to me ramble on and on about Disney...I secretly know he doesn't want to hear it Their are so many things on this list I saw that I had totally forgot...We are going in October but ponchos are a good idea And for my nephew who will be 2 I know we will need a bag full of snacks and toys that he can put his little hands on! I LOVE THIS THREAD!!

 

[Native NYer]

I don't feel so alone with all my planning now after this thread..lol...My bf who isn't able to go because he will be finishing up college just listens to me ramble on and on about Disney...I secretly know he doesn't want to hear it Their are so many things on this list I saw that I had totally forgot...We are going in October but ponchos are a good idea And for my nephew who will be 2 I know we will need a bag full of snacks and toys that he can put his little hands on! I LOVE THIS THREAD!!

At least your bf is polite and listens I think my family is sick of my planning madness.

 

[holly7347]

I keep going back and reading the original thread and I learn something new every time. DH and I can't seem to agree weather to stay on disney property or off. He wants off I want on. Thanks to your post I learned that you can park free if you stay on property.

We were also wondering if a AAA discount was worth the cost and 15% certainly sounds like it would help. Do they give that big of a AAA discount on the value hotels too?

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I have never stayed on but thats because I have never been..lol..I believe it would be so much easier because of all the added benefits...Print out the list from online and let him see it!!

 

[Aliceacc]

I keep going back and reading the original thread and I learn something new every time. DH and I can't seem to agree weather to stay on disney property or off. He wants off I want on. Thanks to your post I learned that you can park free if you stay on property.

We were also wondering if a AAA discount was worth the cost and 15% certainly sounds like it would help. Do they give that big of a AAA discount on the value hotels too?

This is from www.mousesavers.com:

"American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) members qualify for "room only" discounts almost year-round, though there are a limited number of rooms available for each date. You can generally save about 10-20% at the Disney resort hotels, depending on the season.

In general, the discounts run as follows:

During Value Season you can get up to 15% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 20% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.

During Regular Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.

During Peak Season and Summer Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts.

The only time AAA/CAA discounts don't usually apply is Holiday Season (around Christmas) at the Value and Moderate resorts.

You don't have to book AAA/CAA rates through the Auto Club. Room-only reservations with an AAA discount can be booked directly through the Disney Reservation Center at (407) W-DISNEY or a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. Just ask if there is an AAA or CAA discount for your dates and resort. "

 

[Leonsmom]

hey, i hear ya! i'm one of those people who adds something to my list that i've already done JUST so i can cross it off!


...

HAH! I DO THAT TOO!!!!!
Nice to know it's not just me

 

[WEDWDW]

I keep going back and reading the original thread and I learn something new every time. DH and I can't seem to agree weather to stay on disney property or off. He wants off I want on. Thanks to your post I learned that you can park free if you stay on property.

We were also wondering if a AAA discount was worth the cost and 15% certainly sounds like it would help. Do they give that big of a AAA discount on the value hotels too?

I ALWAYS stay on-property.It really adds A TON to the experience to be immersed in WDW 24 hours a day. I NEVER have a car.I fly to OIA;hop on Disney's Magical Express for the 25-30 minute ride to my WDW resort;bus,monorail or boat anywhere I want to go while vacationing at WDW;hop on Disney's Magical Express for the 25-30 minute ride back to OIA and fly home.I usually stay at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort.It has incredible Disney theming,an arcade,a merchandise shop,a food court,two pools,two laundries and buses out front to take me to the parks.On-property is the only way to go for me.

 

[bolo]

I keep going back and reading the original thread and I learn something new every time. DH and I can't seem to agree weather to stay on disney property or off. He wants off I want on. Thanks to your post I learned that you can park free if you stay on property.

We were also wondering if a AAA discount was worth the cost and 15% certainly sounds like it would help. Do they give that big of a AAA discount on the value hotels too?

we went back and forth about where to stay also...figured as a big family it would be cheaper to stay off. once i factored in the cost for parking, gas driving back and forth (twice/day so we could take a break at the pool), plus the extra time away from the parks, it just wasn't worth it for us. we used AAA to book 2 rooms at POP...and so glad we did!

 

[marvali]

and make them early. The closer the trip gets, the more likely you are to get in that last minute panic mode and forget something important that you had thought of previously. I am forever getting that "it seems like we're forgetting something" feeling when I don't write things down when I think of them. Usually, I don't get too far down the road and I also get that "aha, I know what it was now we were forgetting." And sometimes, we just have get it when we get there (as long as it wasn't a child or something).

Here are a few additional items I have on my list that we always need.
reservation info, driving directions (if a first trip to a new resort), AAA card, insurance info, updated immunization info (if travelling with a pet and you might need to board them), travel size woolite (great for rinsing things out in the sink in an emergency), cameras, extra film and batteries, eye glasses and , contact lenses and cleaner, prescriptions, OTC drugs (tylenol, advil, etc.), deodorizing spray (for those musty rooms) and disinfectant spray (bottoms of showers and tubs), water shoes (for pool and water rides), chargers/power cords for electronics (that cell phone battery only lasts so long), and a couple of garbage bags (in case you have some wet clothes or bathing suits to deal with or pack).

We will also have at least a personal first aid kit or two for putting in fanny packs so you can grab a quick bandage if needed. If you will be doing a lot of walking, you may want to customize it and add some moleskin for blisters.

Depending on where you are staying, the time of year, and how long, you may want to bring some additional items, such as:

Suntan lotion, insect repellant, laundry detergent and dryer sheets (I usually put what we need in ziploc bags), a bottle of liquid hand soap (easier than those small bars you often get), extra coffee and filters plus any special items you like such as splenda or that favorite flavor of creamer.

If the drive is long, most everyone grabs a pillow, which makes it easier to sleep during the trip, and maybe a throw or two for those who are cold natured.

Hope some of these help. BTW, my list has gotten much longer with some of the great suggestions I have read on here already too.

 

[Ashlander]

Ok - I have just added to my list...thanks Marvali. I love the liquid hand soap idea. Thank goodness we are driving so we can fit all of these things!

I now have multiple lists going at work and at home. I find myself e-mailing them back and forth in order to keep each of them as up to date as possible.