So much to do, so little time......

Time doesn't seem to be flying by but more like going at supersonic speed and strangely for me I have so much to do; I am not a last minute.com kind of girl.......nope I like to plan so what is going on in the world; answers on a postcard please

So what has gone on this week.....well Disney had a little glitch with their Fastpass+ system which meant that the tier system had been switched off for Epcot which meant you could get Fastpasses for 2 headliner attractions. As soon as I saw that I was right on my disney experience to see if it was the case and booked Soarin and Test Track on the same day

Then I had to confess, this wasn't as bad as swapping the stunt show for the frozen sing along but Emmie Lou had written everything down; thank good she did it in pencil otherwise we could have had a repeat of the drama when I swapped the stunt show fastpasses for the frozen sing along ones - ooooppps!!!

Another week has gone by and I still haven't written a packing list, but we are getting there as I did actually contemplate doing it and then .....well who knows what I did instead but I guess I need to knuckle down and do it otherwise I will get there and not have something I need so write a list I must!

But the big news of the week, drum roll please - Disney have announced that they are finally bringing out a Glow with the Show Minnie Mouse headband - I swear Disney must be listening in on my conversations as we were only talking about then last week and they are coming out right when we are there; form an orderly queue behind me people! If you don't know what these are basically glow with the show gadgets or made with Magic as they are now are ears, a headband, a glove or a wand will interact with certain disney experiences with light sequences

Finally for this week, I am not sure if some of you remember last week I was going off to search the Internet for something, I was looking for uplifting quotes as I have brought some metal stamps and am contemplating selling personalised ones - because after all you never know what's going to happen and you always need to have a back up plan; but of course I had to start with a disney one for my girl Emmie Lou

Well, I guess I need to go and sort some clothes out after all the temperature on the day we arrive is forecast to be 28 degrees - I'm not smiling at that thought at all; much xxxx

Random questions.....

We are now in the last few weeks before our holiday and I can honestly say the panic and madness has set in - I am sure I am normally like this but after a random conversation with Emmie Lou yesterday about asking Buzz Lightyear for packing advice I think we have reached a whole new level

I keep coming up with random thoughts that there just doesn't seem to be an answer for without spending hours searching the Internet; like to ensure chocolate doesn't melt should you carry it in your hold luggage or hand luggage......anyone?

I guess the next couple of weeks for me is going to be posting multiple odd questions on my faithful disney forums - thank goodness no one on them thinks a stupid question is a stupid question; although I wouldn't blame them for logging on and thinking oh the crazy woman has been online again

So, what planning have I been doing - ummmm to be quite honest apart from checking a couple of times every day if we can get a fastpass+ for Be Our Guest not a lot really. We are kind of at the point  that if its not done now then it's probably too late (I lie, there are 2 things we have left to do which is our API and book extra bags for the way home - I would do them now but because of my OCD I want someone around when I enter important info)

Actually I have a very valid question - why is an extra bag £23 more expensive this year than it was last year; I know companies are in business to make money but oh my goodness they are having a laugh. It doesn't seem that long ago when economy passengers got 2 bags as a matter of course and I realise that by making it 1 they are reducing their costs but still £23!!!!

And do you know what I haven't done, made a packing list or even got the suitcases out of the cupboard - James is still saying he will pack the morning we are going but I am working so I need to do it 2 days before cause then it gives me a day to empty it and do it all over again; I don't think I am alone in doing that but then again you never know.

One thing that is coming along nicely though is my shopping list, this has been a work in progress ever since we booked the holiday and to be quite honest I think is now at the point of excessive but as with every woman I can justify everything that's on there.....hmmm this might be the reason for needing the extra bag

Well I'm off to search the net for an answer to a random question and if you're lucky I might just share with you what it was next week and the answer....or maybe I should just ask Buzz 

Xxxx

Was it you?......

Ok, who's going to own up......was it you who turned off the gorgeous weather we have been having? On Sunday I was in cropped trousers and flip flops (and no Emmie Lou my feet weren't cold) but today the proper trousers and real shoes have been dragged out. It's that proper miserable weather, you know windy and wet rain

I know all rain is wet but you know the type, that misty stuff that gets you soaked without you even realising it. But what does this have to do with my holiday planning.....it means I can start packing  because having a look at the 10 day forecast (not that we go in ten days) it doesn't look like it's going to get much better (boo!!!) but I have everything crossed that the weather in Orlando will be a bit warmer than it is here so the flip flops need to go in the case!

And this made me realise that I have never made a packing list; like ever! And maybe I should have done in previous years as I have gone without a brush (never good), adapter plugs, phone charging cables and I am sure there have been other things (but funnily enough I can't remember what they are!)

So what things will be going in my case/ carry on bag:
A colouring book - I'm not a good flyer so this chills me out (although I do get some strange looks)
A brush - I now have 1 that lives in my suitcase; I won't have that problem again
Travel sized toiletries - I have sensitive skin and I know what works for me so these are a must until we can pop to Walmart
Dry shampoo - my hair and the humidity are definitely not friends so to ensure I don't scare the locals this is on my must have list
Snacks for the plane - I'm a fussy eater and end up giving most of my meal to James so I take little things to keep me going (I get really hungry when I'm tired and travel day is way too long for my liking)

Hmmmm, I see one problem here I've mentioned shoes but what about clothes; oh the drama.......what clothes to take. In previous years I have kind of winged it and taken the bare minimum in the hope that I can pick up bits in Walmart but this year I think I am going to take things that I am totally comfortable in (there is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable or self concious in what you are wearing)

Where as James will be throwing clothes into his suitcase 20 minutes before we leave home I think I am going to write a proper list -it's not like coordinating bags and shoes but that way I should remember everything (including my disney poncho which although it has come to Florida with us every year rarely makes its way out of the suitcase unless we are having a funny five minutes - and no Emmie Lou I have no intention of putting it on I HATE THEM!)

Oooh, the chilly weather has actually made me think of another packing error I made; one time we went late in the year and had amazing weather so I only brought or took warm weather clothes; what I failed to take into account was that we arrived back home in the morning and it was chilly....so there we were at Magic Kingdom on the last morning trying to find something to keep me warm on the plane (not doing that again) so have got my coming home outfit all sorted now

So with that thought I'm off to see what's still in my suitcase from last year......until next week xxxx

Counting down the days ......

We have been counting down to this holiday for what seems like forever and during that time it has been my happy thought; slowly but surely we have ticked the milestones off:

- ESTA's done
- Insurance done
- My Disney experience profile set up
- Double digit dance
- Balance paid

I honestly can't wait as I know it's going to be amazing but the pre holiday panic is starting to set in; what is that all about - for weeks well actually over a year now I have been wishing for the time to pass and now it feels like everything is totally out of control?

So what is this all about; could I really be suffering from too much planning - is there really such a thing; I mean what can be left to do:

- pre book our flight seats
- book our Fastpass+
- pack
- wait for the tickets
- pay for the night before hotel

Did I mention pack; I would say that is something I hate doing; no matter how many helpful lists I find on the internet I always end up not taking something I need or not planning for something (like sore feet - must make sure I pack my emergency flip flops this year)

And oh the dilemma fold or roll? Who the hell cares as long as my clothes arrive when I do the humidity in Florida will remove all the creases in a nano second. So when is too early to pack? Well because of the weather right now I actually need my summer clothes out now so I guess that's my packing plans for this weekend out of the window (only joking - well maybe but I can't get to the cases right now)

I am having to think about clothes for Florida now though, we are in the middle of summer but our shops are switching to autumn wear so if I don't think about it now I will be properly stuck but shopping here is no way as fun as shopping in Walmart so it feels like a chore.

But if there was one tip I have for packing it would be to mix things up a little; I don't mean mix your colours and styles but instead of each having our own case me and the bloke do a bit of a mix and match so that if god forbid one of the cases didn't turn up straight away at least we both have clothes to wear (I don't think my vest tops would suit him)

I'm off to check again if our due balance shows zero; because after all I always have to triple check everything - see you next week xxxx