It probably seems like the planning never ends! But I promise, everything from here on out is much much easier.
A lot of your planning is done at this point. You've got your plane tickets, hotel reservations, Disneyland tickets, restaurant and character dining reservations, you've ordered your various gadgets and fun things online... what else could there possibly be?
Well lemme tell ya!
First of all, this is the time to make sure you've ordered anything you were going to order online for your trip. Get those last-minute orders in, to make sure you have everything!
Now, this is the time that I like to start making lists. I'm just that type of person, but I recommend you become that person too so you can make sure you don't leave anything important at home. There are a couple of different lists you should be making. The more obvious being a list of things to pack in your suitcase...clothes, shoes, phone charger, shampoo, that kind of stuff. I've made a sample list here. It probably doesn't have everything you will need, as everyone's trips are different...but it has various items for different types of weather, and most importantly it includes your plane/park tickets and things of that nature. The easiest way I find to make a list is to start one on my phone, and add to it ANY TIME I think of something else to put there. My biggest tip about making your list is to include even the most obvious and tiny things that you think you might never forget. Like your makeup. I've almost left that at home because I left it off the list! And do NOT delete an item or check it off of your list until it is IN your suitcase. You don't want to forget anything when you will be so far from home.
Another type of list you can make is a shopping list. You probably don't want to buy all your snacks two weeks in advance, especially if you want to bring along a lot of fruits and other perishables. But a list never goes rotten, so list away! And make sure to add the little things to your list!
There are a few things you can definitely buy two weeks in advance though, if you so desire. Start grabbing some travel items. Travel size tissues, hand sanitizer, extra batteries... the little things you'll keep in your fanny pack or backpack. Also make sure you grab medicines. Things like Advil or Tylenol, and ESPECIALLY Dramamine! As I've been getting older, I've come to love more and more the huge thrill rides like California Screamin' and Tower of Terror. Unfortunately, another effect of aging (Ha I'm acting like I'm so old...I'm only 23.) is that I get motion sick much easier than I used to. Dramamine is an absolute must for me on these trips, or at least it is if I want to ever ride Star Tours!
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| I love this ride, but sometimes it makes me sea-sick! |
There are only a couple more things I would suggest doing at the two-week mark, and they are typically for those of you traveling with kids.
When you go, the kids will definitely want to meet some princesses and other characters. An easy way to add to the fun is to get their autographs as well! However, the autograph books at Disneyland can get expensive... a fun things to do a couple of weeks before the trip is to have the kids make their own autograph books! Cute, right? Just head over to your local craft store and grab some construction paper and a few little scrapbooking supplies. And I'm sure you can find a cute Disney pen at your local supermarket.
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| Make sure they have an autograph book for when they meet their favorite princesses (and princes!) |
While you're at that craft store, grab a few blank t-shirts and fabric pens and have the kids make a Disneyland shirt as well! They can put whatever they want on it, and I can guarantee you it will save you tons of money on the outrageously priced Disneyland merch. And imagine how excited they will be to show their favorite princess the shirt and autograph book they made! That's a kind of cuteness that can't be found anywhere else. I'm already excited for you just thinking about it!
Speaking of kids, make sure you measure their height so that you already have an idea of which rides they may not be able to ride. You can click here for a list of all the attractions in both parks, make sure you take a look at the height requirements.
The last thing (and possibly the most important) I would suggest doing before you leave is to start looking at that attractions list above - get yourself a game plan! You don't need to create anything down to the minute, but definitely get an idea of what things you definitely want to do and what things you might skip of you find you are low on time. Again, this can all go back to lists. Sit down with the whole group and find out what everybody considers a "must-ride" and what everybody would be okay skipping. Do this with the park entertainment as well. This can save you a surprising amount of time. There was a time that I went with extended family, we had 4 families as well as the grandparents...all that good stuff. I can't tell you how irritated I got when the entire group would just stop and talk about what they wanted to do next, and what the kids wanted to do, and what they shouldn't do....they never had those conversations beforehand and it cost us a LOT of time! Disneyland is expensive, so every minute counts...don't waste your park time with conversations you could have had weeks ago.
So go have fun making your own cute Disney stuff for your trip!
Happy planning!
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