Going to Disney as a group - How to plan for success?

I went to Disney with a total of 8 people and learned a lot about what not to do.  So I thought I would put together a list of expectations.

• How are you getting to Disney?
• If you driving how often do you want to stop?
• What vehicle will you take?
• What are you going to do to make the trip entertaining?
• Is there going to be quite time required in the car?
• How much stuff is there room for?
• What are you going to do with other stuff that does not fit?
• Who will get snacks for the car/cooler?  
• How are you going to split expenses?
• If your flying who is going to book the reservations?
• What time do you want to leave?
• What time do you want to arrive?
• What time do you want to leave Disney?
• How are you getting to the airport?
• How are you getting back from the airport?
• What vehicle will you take?
• How are you going to split expenses?
• How long do you want to stay?
• When do you want to go (leave and return dates)?
• How do you want to split up rooms/expenses?
• Do you want to use the Disney Dining Plan?
• What plan? Everyone in the same room has to be on the same plan so be aware in planning.
• Where do you want to eat?
• Who is going to pick the restaurants?
• Who is going to pick the times?
• Who is going to make the ADR?
• How much time do you want to spend together?
• How much free time do you wnat?
• What time do you plan to head to the park each day?
• Do you plan to come back to the room during the day?
• What time do you plan to be in bed each night?
• What parks to you want to visit?
• Do you want to go to the water parks?
• Do you want to go to Disney Quest?
• Do you plan to take a day "off" from the parks?
• Do you plan to do anything offsite?
• What resort do you want to stay?
• Do you plan to get the Photopass?  
• How are you going to split cost?

The biggest caution I have to you is plan to get in the parks early and if the others that are going with you don't want to do that leave them at the resort and meet up at a designated lunch spot or have them plan to text the group when they leave the resort.  If you want different sleep schedules either don't get adjoining room or keep the door securely shut after a predetermined time.  The other caution is be aware about splitting cost and have a plan in place before hand.  It might be a good idea to have a combined budget that can get approved before leaving home.  Include some unexpected issues like what happens if the car breaks down or what happens if no one can drive any longer and you need to spend an unexpected night, what is an acceptable cost.  Also, have a plan if someone gets sick or hurt.  Don't leave it to chance you might end up not coming back with friends.

Disney Themed Tissue Holder

I finally got to make one of the crafts I found on pinterest a tissue holder.

I found some really cute Eeyore and Pooh material at Wal-mart so I picked up a yard without of it without any plans about a month ago.  I also got a yard of green silky material that matched as I figured I would need  something to coordinate with it.

It was  a pretty simple project and I am glad I started with it so I did not get discouraged.

So it was pretty easy, this fits the larger tissue packets (I also felt it would work with tissues you grab out of the box):

1. Gather your supplies
2. Next cut 2 7x10 inch pieces (one from each fabric you plan to use, I used the green for the lining and the Eeyore for the visible side)
3. Pin them together wrong side of the material touching
4. Sew up the short sides
5. Flip it right side of the fabric out (might be a good time to iron the seems)
6. Trim any excess material, especially on the long sides
7. This step is optional - I used a fancy stitch on my machine and ran along the edges (they will be visible at the opening)
8. Then fold it and pin it so the opening will be centered (with the inside material facing out)
9. Sew the (new) short side together
10. Flip it right side out and your done

Disney Clothing Idea

I found this material that you can print onto, and I had a unique idea.  I am going to print an applique type of image then edge the image to look like it was pieced together.  It should make for a pretty quick and handmade look to a T-shirt.

I think I will try this out with a Disney horse image.  Thinking about using one of these:

I hope I can actually make something creative soon.

Disney at Christmas

I just found out that if you are traveling to Disney for Christmas plan ahead to decorate your room window.  Anything from lights to Christmas trees were some of the items used to decorate the room window.

Don't be caught off guard or you may end up feeling like you need to spend money that you did not budget.

I am brainstorming already...  lights, window clings, some ornaments maybe some clips to clip to the back of the curtains to hang stuff from.  Definitely a pack of 3M hangers is a wreath going to far or just right...  guess there is a lot to think about.

Anyone already have some pictures of resort windows?

Ways to make your room feel more cozy and less chaotic

Here is my confession...  I am OCD and like to have some order in my life.  Sometimes it feels crazy when your on vacation with all the stuff you "have to take" with you and the tiny space you try and cram it all into.  Value resort rooms are not large but how much time are you really spending in your room?

I have been gathering some idea to make a value resort feel like a comfy happy home.  So far here is my list of todos:

• Hand soap pump dispenser (decorated in Disney style)
• Pop up clothing hamper
• Storage containers 
• For stuff on the counter 
• To bring food back to the room in (the to go boxes don't work well in a backpack)
• Dish soap
• Sponge
• Laundry Soap (don't plan to have to use it but you never know if that one thing you forget to pack is going to mess with your whole plan also we will have some driving days in our trip so having enough may bet a little tough just due to the length of time we will be going)
• Consider either a hanging shoe rack or sweater rack to help give stuff a place to call home 
• Charging Station
• Basket for all the chargers to be located
• Pack a surge strip so you can plug everything in
• Separate Battery chargers that will charge your extra batteries in the afternoon
• Suction cup hooks for wet stuff in the shower

On a side note we will be spending 2 days driving down and 3 days driving back, I am planning on packing separate bags for all three sections of the trip.  Since it will just be the two of us and both of us tend to pack our toiletries in a backpack we should be able to have one night/day in the backpack and then maybe a separate combo small bag for the second travel night, then 2 bags for Disney and one bag on the way back.  That way we don't have to unpack the entire car just to find our socks.

After about 30 Seconds in the room with a large group not my preference .

Road Trip Tips for Grown Ups

So there are a ton of ideas for kids on road trips but what about adults?

Here is a list of things that you can try:

• Cracker Barrel audio books
• Famous Person Alphabet name game
• Name a person
• Next person has to name a person that their names starts with the last letter of the name before
• Movie Game - 20 Questions
• I think I will make a couple of these up Disney version
• License Plate Game
• Keep track of each state you see
• I will try and make up a check list/ board
• Get to know each other questions 
• I will be making up a question list at some point
• I will be asking my husband for input on this as well
• Scavenger Hunt
• I will be making up a check list
• Map stops gift bags
• I figure I will try this at an adult level, there is stuff I have to purchase for use to have on our trip and I will see if I can make this work out a little bit.  

Anyway I will be adding to this list over the next several months and would love to have some feedback in the comments if you have other ideas.