This post has been sponsored by Creative Countdown. All opinions are entirely my own.
I am just one week away from my Disney trip! Life has felt a little crazy, so I can’t wait to get away for a bit. Now that the trip is so close I really have to start prepping everything for my trip so I’m not scrambling at the last minute. As I make my lists of what I need to get done, I thought I would share it with you in case it helps someone else out as well!
I couldn’t believe it when I looked at my countdown calendar from A Creative Countdown and saw that we were in the single digits! Sometimes it feels like the time drags but then when you think about all you have to do before you trip it creeps up on you! So having this countdown calendar not only helped me get excited for my trip, it also helped me stay organized.
1 week before
- Create packing list – this helps keep me organized so I know what i need to remember when it comes time to actually pack!
- Make itinerary – I make sure to write down park hours for each day we’ll be there, plus reservations for restaurants, FastPasses, and anything else we might have.
- Make sure a cat sitter is lined up – gotta make sure those cute boys are taken care of while we’re gone!
5-6 days before
- Go to the library for books – for both on the plane and during downtime, I love to have a couple of good books on hand! Of course, going to the library isn’t exactly a special trip for me since I work there…
- Get eyebrows waxed, haircut, etc. – maybe it sounds vain, but there are more photos of me on vacations than any other time, so if I’ve neglected to do any of these things now is the time to catch up!
3-4 days before
- Do laundry – all the basics need to be clean, plus any clothes I’m planning to bring!
- Clear pictures off of my camera – I like to make sure I have plenty of room to store photos, so I delete old ones off of my camera before I leave.
2 days before
- Pack – so I’m not stressed out the night before, I try to pack anything I won’t be using in the next couple of days (like a toothbrush) ahead of time.
- Clean out the fridge – So we don’t have to deal with cooking and cleaning we usually eat out the night before – so now is a good time to make sure any perishables won’t be stinking up the fridge while you’re gone!
1 day before
- Check in to flight – 24 hours ahead of time to get a good boarding zone!
- Charge electronics – I charge my cell phone, two camera batteries, a portable charger, and my laptop.
- Pack anything I couldn’t earlier – toiletries, etc. get packed now.
- Touch base with cat sitter – make sure we’re still good to go, and drop off the key if necessary.
- Put on my Jamberry nails – I like to do my nails the night before so they stay on as long as possible for my trip! Now that they have an official Disney collection by Jamberry there are lots of perfect ones for Disney trips!
- Prep the house – clean up, take out the trash, test the alarm system – make sure everything is in working order before I leave!
Are you counting down to a Disney trip? Help keep yourself organized with a countdown calendar from Creative Countdown! I’ve also got two 60 day countdowns to give away to two lucky readers – all you have to do to enter is fill out the rafflecopter form below!
Did you find this helpful? Also check out the Disney Packing List and Disney tips you didn’t think of!
Anything that I missed? What do you do the week before you go to Disney?
haha I do all these things for any trip! I can’t wait for that to one day actually be disneyland!!
Yes, they are useful for any vacation!
Great tips if we ever get to go.
I hope you get to go someday!
I always want to pack WEEKS in advance. i get ways too excited, it’s a little ridiculous. Your plan is much more pragmatic and sounds efficient! My passes are about to expire (in like 30 days, ahhh!), so I’m hoping to make it out one last time.
Haha I feel the same way! If there is a certain shirt or outfit I know I want to wear I’ll put it aside weeks ahead of time. But the rest of the packing I always seem to procrastinate because I put off doing the laundry! I hope you get to go again!
I think I am a frustrated organized person. I love reading posts about how people prepare for anything. I love all the schedules. I never keep to them, but i love them!
I know what you mean – I’m trying my best to stick to my own schedule this time!
Does my current trip count? 😉 So excited you’re coming next weekend!
Sure, why not?? I can’t wait to be there!
OMG, I was about to enter this because this is so cute but then again, I go to Disneyland once a week so that’s not much of a countdown. Good luck to everyone!
Hey, I think any Disney trip is countdown-worthy! 😉
Adriana,
We love being called ‘CUTE’! Thanks. Know that you can countdown to anything with us. 🙂
Yes Adriana, check out there site – there are countdowns to general vacations, weddings, holidays, and pretty much anything you might want to count down to!
Currently I’m running around like a chicken with its head chopped off. There’s a small pile on my kitchen table, and a couple of started lists… But… Yeah
Haha I know what you mean – hoping to get some things done today!
Love this! Bringing my baby girl on June for her first birthday and can’t wait!!
Oh my goodness that’s so exciting Morgan! What an amazing way to celebrate her first birthday!
I am a list person. I literally put every little thing I might need so I don’t forget anything and need to buy it at our vacation destination-and pay twice as much! Hopefully, next trip will be 2017. Fingers crossed.
I have so many lists! I love having the Color Note app on my phone to try and stay organized. I’m always paranoid about forgetting something! I hope you can get there in 2017!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has both a packing list and an exhaustive to-do list for the last week before a trip!
Yes, I feel like there’s so much you need to do to prepare for a trip! Gotta stay organized or I’d go crazy!
I love this post!! I share many trip prep strategies with you, such as packing in advance and having a countdown. Reading this post is getting me so excited for my trip!! It’s so cool that we will be there at the same time!
I know, it’s so soon! Maybe I will see you at the races!
This is me before Stagecoach Music Festival. List galore and a countdown.
Haha so many lists! They come in handy though!
You forgot to list “give mom my itinerary, flight information, etc.”
You’re right! I actually do need to add that to the list because otherwise I forget 😉
If this doesn’t get you pumped up for a Disney Trip, I don’t know what will! What a creative way to help get ready for a trip!
Thanks! It really is a fun way to stay excited before your trip!
All of your posts really make me wish I was heading off to Disney soon! 🙂
Aww, I know that when I’m not at Disney blogging is a great way to re-live the memories or get excited for my next trip!
i have a packing list that i stick to. it helps me keep organized and not stressed the night before.
http://www.alifewellconsumed.com/freedownload-packinglist/
Having a packing list helps so much with easing the stress of getting ready for a trip!
Becky,
I’ve created a coupon code to celebrate with you! Enter RUNBECKYRUN at checkout to receive 15% one of our custom tear-off pads. This would make it $16.95 for a 30-Day personalized countdown (and of course, you can add additional days for $0.22 per page with the discount)
Run pretty friend!
Amy
That is a great deal, thank you so much!
Also, purchase the Disney digital PhotoPass service 3 days before your arrival, especially if you and/or your family members are running in Disney marathons. Disney employs an army of photographers to capture those special moments, such as running through the Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty castles or crossing the finish line to the cheers of Disney characters. Visiting the parks after your race? Just ask a Disney photographer to snap you in front of your favorite Disney attraction. Yes, it’s a little expensive ($150, covering 30 days starting 3 days after the date of your order), but if you wait to see your photos, the price increases to $180 or $14.50/individual photo. Even if you have your camera along with you, you’ll enjoy not having to always sacrifice one member of your group to take your photo or looking for people who are knowledgeable and/or experienced with taking the best possible picture.
Great tip! I really think photopass is worth it, especially if you’re doing a race. It’s now built in with the annual pass which is a wonderful perk for me.