Kristen's October 2012 F&W Trip ** **

I just finished online check in!

I'm pulling out the suitcases tonight and doing all my laundry tomorrow, then I'll pack up as much as I can. I really don't want to have to check luggage, so I'll be traveling light. I think that I decided just to pack normally and not worry about any possible rain. If I have to buy a poncho so be it!

I'm going to have to figure out how to carry my electronics though. My usually bag won't be allowed on the plane if I'm carrying on my suitcase. I'm thinking I can put cords and stuff in the suitcase and put the laptop in a sleeve in an over the shoulder bag. I don't have that all figured out yet.

I decided to take the bus to the airport because it will save me about $100, I've never done that on the home end before and I'm a little worried but everything should be fine.

My traveling companion leaves for Florida on this Thursday!

Yay!! Weather over the next week is supposed to be great too, I hope it holds out. I can't wait to hear all about how your trip went!

Whoo hoo! Hey, I'm not sure if you've seen the thread yet, but there are several forum meet ups going on over the next two weeks. I'll be at the Dole Whip Meet-up 3:00pm at Aloha Isle seating Friday 10/26.

Check it out here:
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/october-2012-trip-overlaps-meet-ups

No problem! If you happen to be in the area at the time we will be there, even if you just want to say hello and go. I'll send you a private message with my cell number.

I put my traveling companion on the bus for Florida just this morning!

He has a week at a business convention before we get to Disney so he had to pack a TON of clothes! I kept telling him that he could do laundry, but that didn't really sound like much fun to him. So I gave him the big suitcase, showed him how to use the packing cubes and he got it all in with a little room to spare and 20lbs underweight. He's never been away for a business trip before and he was pretty nervous. I told him it would be okay and that I would seem him in a week in Disney!!

Whoo hoo! Just one week to go! I need to arrange for my ground transportation on the Chicago side, and call my Dr. to make sure my prescriptions are in order. My last clothes are clean, so I can finish packing tonight. Then I'll figure out how I'm carrying the electronic this time.

We had a talk about what the general Disney plan is. He's not a "meet-up" kind of guy, and he's a little worried about meeting my friends. He's never had the whole WDW experience before, last trip we only had a day and a half there before we cruised. I'm really excited!! 7 Days left to go!

Yes, but it's been a few years since he's seen you guys. I think a lot of it is that he's just stressed out in general. I think that once he gets to Disney everything will be fine. I mean, isn't that how the magic works?

I can't imagine a better way to kill some time! I've not accomplished one thing since we got off of the phone.

Erik's plane should be taking off any minute!

Packing cubes function sort of like having drawers in your suitcase. They are cloth "boxes" with zippers that you can organize your suitcase with. It's hard to describe, check out the link below. You know how when you pack a suitcase you pack with the bag laying down, then you turn it on end and everything crumples down and gets wrinkled up? Or how you get to the hotel and there's no real place to organize your little stuff? Or even if you hate putting your clothes into hotel room drawers. The Pack-It system helps to organize and prevent all of that. It's a way to know where everything you've packed is and keep it organized while traveling.

My packing cubes are from Eagle Creek. I have the Pack-It Frequent Flyer set and I love it. I never want to pack without the Pack-It Folder again. It keeps my shirts and pants neat, while compressing them to allow me to get more into my bag. The cubes come in all sorts of different colors too, so you can even color code your family and everyone knows precisely where their stuff is, because it's in their colored cube. PERFECT if you share luggage. It does make for an extra step to packing your bag, but for me it has been 100% worth it.

Eagle Creek Pack-It (Packing Cubes)
http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packing-solution-by-bag-type-view-all/l/210

Disclaimer: I should probably note that the packing cubes were sent to me to review by Eagle Creek, but I was not paid to endorse them in any way. These opinions are my own. It was surprising to me (I thought I would hate them) but I really, really love this product.

LoL... maybe that's part of why I like it so much! You also have to fold them into the folder the way the Navy teaches. Only the folder has a guide inside that helps you cheat the measure. I had totally never realized, however I've been out since '91. Amazing how one's subconscious remembers.

Sometimes all you can do is laugh hysterically and realize that the universe is always the one in control. There was a problem when my traveling companion checked into his hotel in Jacksonville today and the desk clerk charged him $400 more than they were supposed to. They "caught it right away and reversed it, but it could take 48 hours to refund" AND after they realized they made a mistake, they recharged it at the correct amount. As I've mentioned, money is not in surplus at our house these days. So, we're overdrawn in the checking account, and I'm praying that the second charge doesn't come through before the credit does like when this happened with Disney.
Nothing to do but wait, and see, and laugh.

Uncle.

Will do Dee! Thanks for the tip!

Everything's being worked out with the refund and the hotel is paying for his meals until the money is back. But then this morning he got stuck in the elevator for 20 minutes!!! Oh my gosh, it just doesn't end. He says that the customer service team has been great, so we're trying to stay positive. This trip has been the biggest mess and I haven't even left yet. I'm just counting on that Disney Magic to be flowing freely once I get there.

Just checked the weather and it is now saying "Scattered Thunderstorms" but next Friday and Saturday only have 30/40% Sunday looks like a greater chance. Happily the temp estimates look like about 80 degrees. We'll see how it all goes! I'm trying to stay optimistic