Ok, maybe not actually getting there- but the planning is a
big part of any trip to WDW. As with many fans, it first started long ago, while getting ready for one of my first trips. What? I have to make restaurant
reservations ahead of time if I want to eat in the parks? Huh…ok, I’ll look into that. A few quick internet
searches later had me gulping and wondering what I had gotten myself into. I
had no idea about the depth and breadth of planning resources available online.
I dove in and read everything I could get my hands on, and the rest, as they
say, is history. I quickly realized that
for me- getting ready for a trip is almost as much fun as the trip itself.
Disney plusses the magic by providing great resources on all aspects of trip
preparation. Along with Disney’s main website, they also offer the
Disney Parks Mom’s
Panel, a great resource with a panel of experts ready to answer any and all
planning questions. In addition to the official Disney sites, there are countless
forums, blogs, and websites to aid in planning. I’ve made some great connections in the Disney blogosphere and
twitterverse, and I’m always amazed at the generosity and support in the Disney
fandom. Whatever kind of information or planning help you’re looking for- it’s
out there! A blogroll sharing some of these helpful sites is in the works for my sidebar.
As of this writing, I am four days out from what will likely
be my last trip to WDW for a while. This is a short trip- just four days-
but I plan to make the absolute most out of it! I’d show you my spreadsheet,
planning lists, ADR chart, and time schedules, but I think I might scare you away…
Instead, I’ll show you something I find invaluable. As I start my packing, I have to to put a plug in for something that changed my travel
system in a profound and positive way: packing cubes. It's hard to explain how &
why they’re so great, but they make it easy to pack and super easy to keep
organized. They are zippered pouches, in various sizes, that go right into your luggage. Everything stays where it should, and they allow me to pack much more in a small space than I'm able to without them. Oh, but whatever you're thinking about them right now- they're WAY better than that. A review I once read about them sums up my feelings well: I used to
think, “what could I possibly need these for”? Then I tried them, and now I think, “I
can’t believe I used to pack like a caveman”.
Try them, and you’ll see what I
mean…
Have you ever used packing cubes?
(No disclosure necessary- I'm just a big fan!)
(No disclosure necessary- I'm just a big fan!)
My wife just started using these and she swears by them. I don't quite get it yet but on a recent trip we took, I saw her's in action and I must say, her things were way more organized than mine. Not sure if I'm all in though. Love you blog.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued! I have not used these, I am still packing like a caveman, always thinking that there must be a better way. I also always struggle with organizing everything in the room once we get there- all the little odds and ends, Would these help with that problem, too? Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteYes! I should have mentioned that in my not-so-thorough description. That's one of the great features- when you get to your room, they come out of the suitcase and go right into a drawer. Voila, you're unpacked. They also help me feel like my stuff is staying cleaner, because it's still in the cube and not really touching the inside of the never-been-cleaned drawer. Sometimes I keep a smaller one out on the dresser, to be a catch-all for all the little stuff.
DeleteWow, next time I go on any sort of extended trip, I will definitely have to look into these. They look great! On the other hand, I act like a caveman, so I might as well pack like one...
ReplyDeleteI've been packing the kidlets in Ziplocs for years (each day's outfit per bag), but I just bought myself some Ikea (read: inexpensive) packing cubes. We're headed to WDW in about a week and a half, so I'm dying to try them. I, too, am not sure what's so great, but everything I've ever heard about them has been good, so I'm ready to be convinced.
ReplyDelete