Packing for Disney

I am a planner. "Failing to plan is planning to fail." Packing for a trip can be very intimidating to some people, and others just throw stuff in a bag and hope for the best. Since our budget is so tight, I'm hoping to save some money by slowly stockpiling what we'll need for the trip throughout the year and not have to buy it right before we leave or while we're in Florida. Since I like to think that I'm organized, I have my list split up into categories/suitcases and the final part of the list is for food and beverages needed for the trip. I'm not packing for everyone involved but I am packing for two adults and a child. My method is packing per suitcase. I can fit my clothes in one suitcase, my son's in another, and my boyfriends can fit into another. That's 3 suitcases, plus an "everything else" suitcase, and then food & beverages. I'm also packing "carry-ons" even though we are driving. Following is my list.
Kymm’s Bag-In Front Seat
Map Lysol Wipes Tums Band aids
Toll Money Dramamine Toilet Seat Covers Mouthwash
Food Money Tylenol Kleenex Hand Sanitizer
Sunglasses Meds Ibuprofen Excedrin
Id’s Cell Phone Camera Earplugs
Credit Card Cell Phone Charger Reading Material Disney Information
Pens Guidebooks Camera Charger Toiletries
Small Notebook Jake’s Meds Lost child Pack Napkins
Wet Ones Sinus Meds Neosporin TP
Chap Stick Contact Case Contact Solution Blanket
Ipod Car Charger

In Back Seat (easy access)
Camera SD Cards Kleenex Playing Cards
Batteries Wet Ones Lysol Wipes Trivia Cards
Handheld Games Sunglasses Umbrella Small Towels
Paper Towels

Packed In Luggage-Small Bag
Straightner Extension cord Hair Bands
Moisturizer Clothespins Address Labels
Acne Cream Bug spray Ponchos/Raincoats
Lotion Trash bags Shampoo
Razors Kleenex (travel size only) Conditioner
Lysol Wipes Baby Wipes Face Wash
Laundry Soap Sunscreen Soap
Softener/Dryer Sheets Nail Clippers Brush & Comb
Q-Tips Large Ziploc Bags Highlighters
Sharpies Hair Spray Make-up
Stamps Toothbrushes Toothpaste
Deodorant Tweezers

Jake’s Amusement Bag
Game boy Charger Blanket Travel Pillow
Movies Portable DVD Player Games
Small Toys
Cars Action Figures 1 Stuffed animal to sleep with
Crayons Note book Books
Coloring Books Pencils
Camera
4 Double-a batteries
Eye Glasses CaseJake’s Luggage-Small Bag
Clothes
2 Pants Ears
3 Shorts Mickey Mouse Pen
4 T-Shirts Swimming Trunks
3 Long Sleeved Shirts Beach Towel
6 Socks 6 Underwear
3 Pajama’s 2 Sweatshirts
Light Jacket

Brian’s Luggage
2 Pants Swimming Trunks
3 Shorts Beach Towel
4 T-shirts Poncho/Umbrella
2 Long sleeved shirts Sweater/sweatshirt/Jacket
4 Underwear 4 Socks

Kymm’s Luggage
3 Pants 2 Capri’s Bathing Suit
4 T-shirts 4 Long sleeved shirts Beach Towel
2 Sweatshirts 4 Socks Birthday Presents
4 Underwear 3 Bra’s Inflatable pillows (to sit on)

Snacks to pack for Disney
In Cooler
Bottled Water Pudding Butter
Pop Applesauce
Juice Boxes Ranch Dressing (dip)
Tea Fruit Cups

Packed in Box/Bag
Chips Mini-Muffins Chex Mix
Powdered drink mixes Cereal Pretzels
Sugar Pop Tarts Goldfish crackers
Sweet ‘n Low Fruit Snacks/roll ups Tea bags
Granola Bars Yo go’s Sweet stuff
Donuts Cashews Popcorn
Bagels Salt & Pepper

Supplies-Packed in Box
Disposable Bowls Coffee filters
Plastic spoons & forks Garbage Bags
Napkins or Paper towels Dishwasher tabs
Collapsible cooler-for car at the parks
Large Ziploc bags (for ice) Dish Soap
Disposable cups with lids Insulated Lunch Box

Note that I'm only packing enough clothes as necessary, I'll be doing a load or two of laundry while we're there. Which is a choice I made to save on space. I'm also packing for all types of weather since predictions are usually incorrect in Cleveland. For example, we were told a light dusting of snow, we ended up with 10 inches of snow. Most of the items I'm packing could be bought while we're there but since I'd rather be prepared I'm packing them with us.

To get started just make a list of what you think you might need and add to it as necessary. Obviously we all know we need clothing, daily toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, etc), and forms of payment. After the basics just keep adding, review your list when you feel you need to and add or subtract items as needed.

Staying At WDW

Walt Disney World is a huge complex of resorts. For this particular trip we are not staying on WDW property. My favorite resorts to look at and plan for another trip are the Contemporary (my boyfriends absolute favorite!), Pop Century, and the All-Star Movies. I'd like to look at more upscale resorts but I simply can't afford them at this time. Since we have 9 people going to WDW with us this November we opted to rent a house which is a much more budget friendly way to enjoy the trip. We rented a house through a vacation home rental company and managed to snag a 6 bedroom 5 bathroom house with a pool & spa for a little over $1500. Now that doesn't include our tickets but if you split the cost between 9 people it's not much.
I like renting a house because you get more privacy, a full kitchen (make food to save money!), our own private pool & spa, and we have more room to relax. I would like to stay at a WDW resort because of the excellent service, themed rooms and the proximity to the parks. I also think staying on site would just be a lot of fun! Each option has it's own perks and let downs. I chose a house this time based on cost and we were able to have my sister and boyfriend along for the trip. Another option we considered but quickly threw out was a hotel room with a kitchenette.
There are many options to choose from when traveling to WDW. You must figure out what your needs are before you can make the right decision. You'd have to consider the following to make an informed decision; Budget, Party size, special needs of any member of your party, proximity the parks, options you'd like to have available to you.
Our party size is 9 people. My mother will be in a wheelchair, my son is young so he will need down time throughout the trip. Our budget will be very strict, we must stick within out budget or else we may go further into debt. Obviously with the our constraints a house would be best. We can cook some meals at the house, keep snacks readily available, we have a pool & spa for relaxation and fun, and the house is large enough that my mother can sleep when she needs to and can have more room for when she decides to stay at the house while we're at the parks.

When to go

One of the many major decisions any person planning any trip will make is when to go. When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, the time you go will majorly impact your vacation. I am personally planning to attend in November, the week before Thanksgiving. Why this week? Well, my son's birthday is during that week as well as my boyfriends. A major perk for that time is WDW is less crowded. Most families will travel during school break times, making these times the most crowded at WDW. I'm sure other popular travel spots are the same way. I have gone to Magic Kingdom during Spring Break, it was fun BUT very crowded and very loud. Of course I will never forget the look on my sons face when he met Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck for the first time. I was almost in tears!
We also went to Daytona Beach in the same week, it was Bike Week and Spring Break, NEVER AGAIN. Wall to Wall intoxicated people with a 4 year old is never a fun experience. I will never forget that trip as it was my first vacation with my son. He got to see the ocean for the first time, got to visit the NASCAR Daytona Stadium, and picked up his first real sea shell. It was a great time, but when we walked further down the beach, looking for the rest of our party, my son father and myself left as soon as we found them. I wasn't comfortable exposing a four year old to Spring Break Daytona style.
These two experiences have taught me that timing is not everything but it does matter.

Why Disney World?

I love Disney World. It is my happy place. I think about going to WDW and my heart beats faster and my mood instantly lifts, and I just smile. Planning for our trip usually puts me in a good mood. Once in a while I feel overwhelmed and have to take a break but that's usually when I'm tired. I think visiting WDW is one of the events everyone should experience. I know some people dislike Disney and that's ok, but for everyone who enjoys anything Disney, they should experience the World at least once in their lifetime.
I like going because it brings a smile to my face, and it makes my son bounce with glee, which brings a smile to my heart. I'm so excited to go!

Introduction

This blog is about my Disney World vacation. I love Disney World, I love Disney, I love planning, and I love to travel. This blog is going to document my planning, my trip, and of course I'll start planning my next trip once we get back.