Are you the type that waits until the very last minute to pack before your departure date? Or are you the type that packs weeks before? I'm somewhere in between.

I'm already buying new socks, new undershirts, new shoes and new clothes at least 2 months before my departure date. The reason is I plan on spreading out my spending money on new things for the trip. I buy new shoes at least 2 months before my trip to "break in my shoes". The last thing anyone wants are brand new shoes you bought just before you left and your feet hurt like a bitch. I know the myth is your feet are suppose to not hurt and there is no "breaking in new shoes" myth but seriously, buy shoes before you leave so you are at least comfortable and feel good about what you're going to be walking in all day long.

So this past weekend I bought new shoes, new socks and at least one new shirt at the mall. I was suppose to look for new flip flops but shit happens and you get distracted at other nice new stuff. My goal is to spend less the closer my trip date comes and to have a healthy amount of spending money for the parks extra expenses.

I already have a backbone of each day, which park we're going to, when certain parks have Extra Magic Hours, which nights are Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which park has our family dining reservations scheduled, etc. Now I plan on going through some boxes in the garage for some Halloween goodies to take with us. Bags, flashlights, accessories to wear, basically figuring out what we absolutely need to buy that we don't have already.

You get what I'm saying now, you get my point of this article? Plan plan plan at least 2 months before you leave on the minor details so that you have almost everything pre-planned and selected and put aside ready to be packed away and taken with you.

Posted by micoofy at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Breaking in new shoes can be an uber bitch to your feet and that pain can bring you down emotionally and physically before and during your big Disney trip. So buy new shoes at least a month before you depart for your Disney holiday. Give your feet about a month to break those new shoes in. Also bring your favorite pair of vintage shoes your feet are already comfortable in along with a pair of comfy flip flops. You want options for your non stop walking Disney trip. Be kind to your feet.

Women out there, be very extra careful with your shoes because if you think you can tackle the parks in dress shoes or flats, tsk tsk tsk, you're highly mistaken. Expect blisters and skin rubbing from your shoes that will leave you in pain that will make you a big grump. Do bring your flats or dress shoes but pack them in your travel bag that you take in the park. Switch out your shoes if you have plenty of baggage entering the parks. No one wants to travel all the way back to your car or hotel room to switch out shoes.

Remember there are lockers at each park but that'll cost you. Think about your feet when your next Disney trip approaches.

Posted by micoofy at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So usually the day before I leave for another Disney theme park trip I have this toiletry ritual. Let's say my flight heads out Friday morning of this week. This means Thursday morning, afternoon and night I only use items from my toiletry bag.

I do this to prepare for those fucked up moments when you're half way across the country and you've forgotten something you depend on... at home. Like a toe nail clipper or that baggie of q-tips. Look, I have money for a trip to the theme parks but I really don't budget to buy overpriced bathroom shit at the hotel gift shop or worse yet, the airport gift shops.

I mean it's completely fun as a family, as a lovey dovey couple or as friends to go to Target to shop for items to put in everyone's toiletry bags. Hell while you read this you may not even have a bag set aside solely for your toiletry items. I would advise you to go out and get one. Do not, I repeat, do not just use a large baggie to put everything in and then toss it in your checked baggage. Just think of one of those bottles or creams to spill out and soak your clothes. When that happens you will have to PAY to have those items washed. More money you didn't need to spend.

So find your bag, go to Target/Walmart to grab your fun little cute sized bathroom accessories and then fill your bag 2 days before you leave on your trip. Test run your toiletry bag to ensure you have everything you need. Treat your bathroom like your hotel bathroom the entire day before you leave for your trip. Put everything that's sitting on your counter top in the bathroom up in the cabinets. Only use the items you've prepacked in your bag. You know the hotel will have tiolet paper, towels and tissues. They'll also have small bottles of shampoo, soap and conditioner.

So now it's the day before you leave for your big Disney trip. You're awake, in the bathroom now and ready to get ready for the day. Time to test your prepacked toiletry bag. Everything you use throughout the day must come from your toiletry bag. Here is where you'll save your money when you discover what you've forgotten or what you need to put in the bag. You'll even have an extra night to run to the drug store to grab a bottle of headache medicine that you clearly see is not in your bag. What's that, you need a breathe mint or gum? Not in your bag? Another item to grab that you know is just sitting around the house waiting to find a home in your bag.

And if you have time to spare the week before you leave, keep a continued list what's in your toiletry bag and continue to add to it for your future trips. A guideline shopping list/check list to help you get ready faster for your next Disney theme park trip.

Glad I could help!

Posted by micoofy at 12:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)