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Vacation question

purpledaisies's picture

We are going to my family reunion in july to Fl. we will go to the beach and see my family and some of dh's family as a lot of both sides live there including dh;s sister and grandma and most of my cousins on my moms side. Then from there we will go to ******DRUM ROLL******* DISNEY! So excited!!

here is my question, while researching all of this and booking everything (camp sites and such and the tix) I have come across a lot tips for disney. We will pick my skids up the fri before we leave and they will be packed by their mom or really pack themselves, which if fine as I have done the same thing and will do the same thing. However I was thinking to reduce what we pack is to pack in zip locs. Should I suggest this to yuck or rather to dh to tell yuck or how should I do work this and to see if they can pack one bag instead of 3 like they normally do?

Now I was also thinking of saying no games systems except for their hand held ones and their ipods. Is that a good idea? Now we will be driving it will be an 18 hour drive to where the reunion is so I do want them to be occupied on the way there.

I mainly wanted to know how to handle their packing since I won't be there. Blum 3
Thanks

Comments

Rags's picture

You can always consolidate them to a single bag after you pick them up. I would not waste the breath to make that suggestion to Yuck.

As for game systems. Your call. I get that you want the kids occupied. However, we got to the point where we did not allow any game systems on road trips. My Skid ignored far too much of the amazing things to see on our early road trips so we invoked a "no distractions" policy on road trips. We even would stop the car, wake him up and all get out to gander at cool stuff, take a short hike, etc....

Eventually the Skid got to where he appreciated us making him take it all in. The last road trip we took in Fall 2010 was filled with "Wow!, That's cool!, Dad, Dad, Dad ... check that out!" Most of it was stuff he gamed or slept past before.

Now that he has a DL ... we even make him drive so we can watch. He sees far more while he is behind the wheel than he sees when he is in a coma in the back seat. }:)

Disneyfan's picture

Repack their things once they get to your house.

Touringplans.com is a great planning site. They write the yearly Unofficial Guide to WDW. Great book~ their touring plans are priceless. They will help you avoid crowds and long lines.

Disneyfan's picture

Are you staying on site?

Three more good planning sites are mousesavers.com , allears.net and disboards.com. On the last site check out the theme park, budget, dining and codes/discounts boards.

purpledaisies's picture

Yes last year dh told yuck to have them pack about 8 out fits and nope they only packed like 4. I was so upset I hate to do laundry on vaca! So even if I was to repack I still wouldn't be able to get more if they forgot something.

Rags yes the kids that will have a DL will be driving too. We are driving straight through. And I am still debiting the games i don;t know what I want to do with that. Dh thinks we NEED them I don't think we really do as we will be leaving fri. night and for the most part they will be asleep however since it is an 18 hour trip straight through they will be awake for a lot of it too. But then I want them to see the landscape and things of other states too.

Yes I have been to other site but thanks for some of those as I haven't been to those. I need to get that book I just haven't had the time to go yet. I asked if it was at the library but they don;t have it. Mainly b/c I live very close to one. But anyway I will be going to get that book.

Yes we are staying on site at the Fort the reason is b/c we have so many people that it is the only cost effect place for us. I would LOVE to stay at the movies or pop but we would have to get 2 rooms and the suites don;t make sense for us. There will be 8 of us (dd bf) So If we were to stay in a room either we have to get 2 rooms at a value or a suite but they only hold 6 and the other suite for a mod are too much as with 2 rooms. I would rather stay at the fort and spend more on our experience. lol

I don;t know I am thinking of reminding dh about last year and that I had to do laundry b/c they didn;t bring enough clothes! I do not want to do laundry, I know a lot of people do so they don't have to pack as much but I would rather be in a park or relaxing and not worry about it.

thanks ladies Smile

Disneyfan's picture

Have you looked into renting DVC points? A 2 bedroom will sleep 8. There is a rent/trade DVC board on the DIS.

purpledaisies's picture

I have thought about that but i wonder if it will be cheaper then the camp site if not then I know my dh will say no. however we WILL have to bring the pop up for the reunion. So we will have that with us no matter what. And where is the DVC trade thread on the dis? Thanks

Disneyfan's picture

The DVC board is near the bottom. Near the US and DL boards.

There are several sub boards there, one of them is for renting points.

purpledaisies's picture

thank you disfan. I have one more question If I do that will it be cheaper to do that or to stay at the fort. I ask b/c I Know what my dh will say if it is not. however if it is only a couple hundred diff I might be able to persuade him. Wink

Disneyfan's picture

Hard to say

$12.00 per point seems to be the norm right now. However, some owners will rent for $10.00 (some times less) a point if their points are about to expire.

Are you open to resort hopping? Some folks will book 2 resorts (or more) during their stay. DVC is cheapest Sun-Thurs.

caregiver1127's picture

PD - If you have any questions here is a number to talk to a live human regarding Disney - a good friend of mine that works there gave me this number and I used it a lot - 407-934-7639 - I used it alot to have all of my questions answered .

And are you crazy - let them take those games along - 18 hours is a looooooooonnnnnnnggggggg time to have skids bothering the shit out of you - since kids don't read books anymore let them have the games - don't let this be your fight - give in to it - even at the camp site you are going to want time with your man and if they don't have this to occupy them they will bug DH.

I also went to Disney and got a 4 bedroom/4bath condo for $1075.00 for 8 days and 7 nights at the Westgate Town Center http://www.WGTownCenter.com/ - when we went there we sat down for the timeshare spiel and got really cheap tickets for Disney as well - we went over Christmas and the 4 bedroom condo was way too big for us but because I booked 11 months in advance I got such a great deal that the people at the timeshare made me show them my hotel bill to prove I got that rate - so book now I would get a condo then you can cook and not spend a fortune at the parks - we also took our own sandwiches and drinks to save on money also at this resort there are 13 pools and hottubs - the place is huge!!! Also the master suite is gorgeous with a huge hot tub for you and the hubs to enjoy!!! They also show movies for the kids for free in the afternoon!!

purpledaisies's picture

Caregiver is this on site? I would like to do EMH. how does this work anyway? Do we have to sit through a time share thing or what? Please explain i am sort of a dumby. lol

caregiver1127's picture

No this is one mile from any of the parks but since you are driving down you will have a car - as you know parking is included in the price of the ticket - the talk is only for about 45 minutes and they give you breakfast or lunch and have babysitting for your kids - I highly recommend it - the place is gorgeous - I don't know what EMH stands for.

purpledaisies's picture

Sorry it stands for extra magic hours. meaning you can only have those if you stay on site. I know what you are saying but i really would like to have the full experience and get the extra magic hours since our kids are all older. Thanks for the info.