Disney Planning Tips – Plan It, Pack It, Post-It!

The burden of a family vacation can be overwhelming for the person “in charge”. Disney veterans know that timing is everything, dining reservations are a must and you can’t leave home without your itinerary. If you haven’t traveled to Disney, or don’t travel frequently all of the above is overwhelming; and then you still have to pack.

For some people packing is the worst part of vacationing, I have a three-step system to make your life easy and your vacation worry-free: plan it, pack it, post it!

1. Plan It – A spreadsheet goes a long way, especially in Disney travel planning. I always keep our itinerary in a chart form that has all the park hours (including extra magical hours) our plans for the day and our dining reservations (with confirmation number of course!) The spreadsheet comes in handy for packing as well, knowing where you are going helps you to decide what you need to get there!
2. Pack It – Use your spreadsheet to plan your packing strategy. If you know you are having X number of signature dinners, pack X number of shirts with collars for the men in your family. I like to use Ziploc bags to put outfits in for my 9 year old step-son. It saves time in the morning; all he has to do is find the bag with the date on it and everything he needs is inside. If you have a day at a park with water rides (such as Animal Kingdom’s Kali River Rapids) plan on wearing something you know will dry quickly and won’t be affected by water (eh hem, white shorts are see through when they’re wet!). Shoes take up space, so strategize and minimize. Yes, your wedge sandals might look super cute with an outfit you are bringing, but broken ankles in the Magic Kingdom are not magical. A good pair of tennis shoes (already broken in) will help you cover all that ground in comfort! A multi-purpose pair of flip-flops are always nice for those quick runs to and from the food court, pool or to give your tennis shoes a break. You may swelter in the summer heat at the parks but when you come inside to eat you might get a little chilly (especially children) bring a lightweight sweater or cardigan in your day bag, it doesn’t take up much space and it will keep you comfortable while you dine.
3. Post It – No matter how much you plan there is always something you have to throw in the suitcase the minute before it’s zipped up and you’re out the door. This is where Post-it’s come in handy. When my major lists are all checked off I leave a post it note on the inside of my front door (the last thing I see before I leave) that gives me last-minute reminders for things I may have forgotten such as a phone charger, or to do things in the house…like make sure you take the trash to the curb, turn off the coffee pot, etc. I keep the Post-It notes with me while I pack and when I think of something I need but can’t pack at that exact moment I put it on the Post-It then when the countdown is done and you’re out the door you don’t have to worry about “What if I forgot…”

These three easy steps have worked great for all of our Disney vacations, but you can use them to pack-n-go anywhere! Follow the three P’s and your trip will be Pixie Perfect!

Related articles

• Disney Planning Tips – Dollar To Disney (chipandco.com)
• Disney World Quick Tips – Don’t skip the Advanced Dining Reservations (chipandco.com)

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