[dznygrl]

Hi guys, it's me again! :laugh

I don't know why, but suddenly the realization that we leave in 10 days is making me panic. I still have so much left to do, and I work overtime so a lot of things are ganging up on my brain...!

First of all, I've never traveled across the country on my own before (I'm 18 for anybody who doesn't know), so I'm hard-pressed to remember everything I need to do!

We are doing ticketless travel through Southwest Airlines, so all I need to check in at the airport is my confirmation. Got that.

As for checking in at the resort, I have my I.D., Visa and confirmation. Anything else I need?

Now I still haven't made our Priority Seatings for any of the places we're going to eat. (We are only eating about 4 or 5 sit-down meals, so it's not super-important.) I plan to do that tomorrow (if all goes well.) Any tips for making PSs? Never done that before, either.

I'm trying to write out my packing list, but I'm sure I'll forget something very obvious...

I'm considering gluing my Park Hopper Plus ticket to my hand, because something tells me that if I DID forget something, it would be important like that!!

We bought our Cirque du Soleil tickets through TicketMania, but from what I understand, we still have to call and reserve our spots at the specific show we want to attend. Is that true? And if so, what's the number? Haha!

HELP! My head is totally spinning. :dazed I want to do this right! Considering I've planned this whole trip, I want every detail to be perfect. :cry:
I don't care if stuff goes wrong when we're there--it happens--but as for all of the ressies and stuff, I don't want to forget a thing!

What should I be doing at this point? We leave in 10 days...what kind of checklist should I be going through??

[iluvwdw]

Dznygrl, RELAX!!! Breathe in...Breathe out...:wow: You seem to have it all under control. However, I would call for PS's if I were you. I did mine pretty much last minute too, but you never know. If you have ideas of where you want to eat, I would call tomorrow morning. First, you need to have an idea of what days you will be doing each park. Then you should make your PS's accordingly. Don't make a 10am PS at Animal Kingdom for Rainforest Cafe if it is Early Entry (Extra Magic Hour) at the Magic Kingdom...doesn't make sense! Instead, you might want to try breakfast at Crystal Palace, or someplace within close proximity to the MK. Well, you get my drift...Anyway, the number to call to make your PS's is 407-WDW-DINE.

- Make yourself a check list of everything you need to pack and start putting everything together

- Keep important documents all together in a folder to keep in your carry-on...make sure it is on your person AT ALL TIMES! (this includes e-ticket confirmation, PS #s, Park Hoppers, Hotel Ressies, Car Rental, Taxi or Shuttle Ressies, meal vouchers, other attraction tickets, etc.)

- Pack a journal so you can keep track of everything you do each day...if you want to write a trip report, or even just to remind yourself what you did each day

- Disney guide books for the plane

- Call Cirque Du Soleil box office to ask any questions you may have about the tickets. As far as I know, Ticket Mania is an authorized Disney broker, so you should be fine calling the box office and telling them you already have tickets and ask them what else you need to do. I have never seen Cirque Du Soleil at WDW, so I really don't know what the procedure is with that, sorry! :whistle:

Other than that, you should be A-OK!!! ;)

[dznygrl]

Oh, you are such an ANGEL!!!! :love: :love: :love:

Thank you...I know, I need to slow down and take a deep breath. So far, everything's under control. I have a folder with all of my important information--park hoppers, flight itinerary, resort confirmation, towncar confirmation, DQ tickets, Cirque du Soleil tickets, on and on...I estimated that if I lose that folder, I'll be losing about $1,200!!!!

I'm in the process of making lists. This Saturday I'm picking up everything I will need--film, etc. And Saturday is also the day when I 1) buy more Disney Dollars, 2) pack, 3) deposit money in my checking account for paying the hotel balance.

I'm doing okay for the moment. I just wish I had everything in an organized list form (instead of 20 different lists!) Maybe I just need a good night's sleep...

Haha! :D
Thank you sooooo much for your help! You just made everything better!

[dab]

Make a photo copy of the back of your Park Hopper passes. Be sure to carry enough dollar bills for baggage assistance tipping at the airport, resort check in etc... If you're using an airport transfer you might want to have tip money separated for that too. My tip for keeping up with your park hoppers... Get a pin lanyard with a clear pocket attached. That way you're pass, room key/charge card and a little money will always be around your neck when you need it and there will be no need to carry a wallet. It comes in really handy when you need to grab your pass quickly at the Fast Pass machine. And, you can display the new Fantasmic! pin your Dad gave you and have room for what I predict to be a new hobby! Pack a change of clothes and can't live without toiletries in your carry on in case of lost baggage. Oh, and one more thing... relax and have fun!

[dznygrl]

THANK YOU DAB!!!
Man, you guys know just what to tell me, and you're definitely calming my nerves! :nervous :D

I absolutely love that lanyard idea--brilliant!!! I'll feel so much better when I have that secured around my neck!

And I can't tell you how glad I am that you reminded me about copying the back of my Park Hoppers! I made a mental note to do that a few weeks ago, but somehow the mental note got lost among a thousand other things... ;)

And I have to make myself a HUGE note--tip money, tip money!!

Keep the advice coming people, I'm taking notes! :laugh

[iluvwdw]

Originally posted by dab
My tip for keeping up with your park hoppers... Get a pin lanyard with a clear pocket attached. That way you're pass, room key/charge card and a little money will always be around your neck when you need it and there will be no need to carry a wallet. It comes in really handy when you need to grab your pass quickly at the Fast Pass machine. And, you can display the new Fantasmic! pin your Dad gave you and have room for what I predict to be a new hobby!

Dab, this lanyard idea is wonderful! I wish I thought of it on my last trip! I don't collect pins, but I am finding a fondness for them...especially since my 22 month old son got his first pin this trip for free from a CM! He picked it out himself! (Am I too old to start collecting pins at age 30???)

Oh, and you are right about keeping your passes and room key around your neck and secure...I had my Annual Passes and Hoppers in my backpack, and it was rather annoying to reach in and find it every time I wanted a Fast Pass...or whenever I was going into another park! Great idea, I will use it for my December trip! Now...where can I get some cool lanyards?!? Did someone say EBAY?!? :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

[alexatdisney]

Hi dznygrl, lucky you, you are leaving IN ONLY 10 DAYS!!!!!

I usualy start my list a few months ahead so that I can add and remove things without stress.

But the last minute thing I usually do is...
Start packing my lugage a few days in advance with things that can be pack in advance like clothings, passports, etc...
And checkmark my list.
In the hours before leaving I add what's left on my list.

And finnaly I go over the list visually looking in my bags to make sure all is there and doing another checkmark.
It might sound like a pain but this way I left more confidant and less stress during my travels.

Also, keep your list with you for when you will be leaving Disney but we don't want to talk about that do we.

[ajbdk5]

Do they sell these lanyards with the clear holder thingie on them?
Or do you buy them separately? Can all this be bought in WDW?

B.t.w. have fun dznygrl, and relax it will be fine...and don't forget FUN!

[llama]

Dxnygirl RELAX. We sent our 18 year old and a friend last year and they had a great time. The Disney folk seemed to know they were on they own and helped them with anything they needed. Just ask. Do check with the box office about Cirque du Soliel. I had ordered tickets the same way and thought I would check on them when I got there. When I called they said they didn't have them, but after about 10 minutes they were found. (Had spelled our name wrong and put us in the wrong city). THIS WON'T HAPPEN TO YOU, but it was much better sorting it out over the phone then just showing up at the box office. The show is unbelievable! You'll love it.

[JOANN]

Hope the weather is great, and the rain stops for your trip. Just remember one thing, bring at least one extra pair of your most comfortable shoes. Just in case one pair gets wet!!! It happened to us one year. So , from that I learned an extra pair of our "Nikes", always.
I have no doubt that you will have a great time!!!
JOANN:)

[dznygrl]

Thank you guys all sooooo much for helping me out! Just hearing little bits of advice and encouragement has totally calmed me down. I've got all my lists written out now, just went and cleaned my room so I can actually *find* everything (:D Hehe!) and I think I'm on my way.
Now I just can't wait to go!!! :cry: :cry: :cry:

[MickeyMac]

I don't have a single piece of additional advice, just wanted to send you best wishes. Sounds like youa re going to have a fantastic time. :D

[dab]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
Dab, this lanyard idea is wonderful! I wish I thought of it on my last trip! I don't collect pins, but I am finding a fondness for them...especially since my 22 month old son got his first pin this trip for free from a CM! He picked it out himself! (Am I too old to start collecting pins at age 30???)

That is exactly how we got started! My DD was given a CM pin and then we bought her a lanyard. Then she was given 4 more CM pins and we had to get our own to keep up with her. Now we're hooked!

We are currently using the free AMEX lanyards we got at check-in. They have the clear pouches. But, I'm now considering buying one from www.whatwouldwaltdo.com. They are $15 each and $5 shipping for as many items as you purchase.

[dznygrl]

Originally posted by MickeyMac
I don't have a single piece of additional advice, just wanted to send you best wishes. Sounds like youa re going to have a fantastic time. :D

Thanks so much, MickeyMac! :D I'm so excited, trying to concentrate at work is impossible!! :dazed Don't even want to think how bad it's gonna be next week!!! :laugh

[jsykora]

TIP:

I do not mean to insult your intelligence but having traveled many times on planes, trains, and automobiles;

BE SURE TO CONFIRM YOUR AIRLINE RESERVATIONS A WEEK TO 3 DAYS AHEAD OF TIME!!

Check Southwest and see when they recommend confirming your tickets. It also helps to avoid problems when they make changes in flight plans. I tend to buy tickets several months in advance so I expect changes. Most airlines will not change plans three weeks from departure but they expect YOU to check with them before coming to the airport.

The airport jiggy can be hectic so get there early!