How do you pass the time to your next vacation when it's really far away?

Make stuff for the trip, or make stuff using pics from your last trip - plan surprises for your hubby around the itinerary you have probably already half planned (i.e. surprise him with a fireworks cruise, fireworks dessert party, or whatever will appeal to him/your romantic groove. That reminds me to do the same for my spouse! :love:
 
For me, the research and planning are a part of the fun. I've been searching for new craft ideas on pinterest and will soon be working on window decor for our resort. I'm also thinking of coming up with something similar to the fish extenders (small gifts people exchange on the Disney cruises) to enhance my family's fun while at WDW.
 
We listen to Disney tunes pretty regularly - youtube has a ton of music loops from different areas of the park. We make (attempt to make) our favorite dishes from the parks, and watch Disney movies.
We go annually, so one thing I do is keep a bag/suitcase for Disney trips, and keep adding to it during the year. As I think of something I will need, I throw it in the bag. It is nice to do some preparation while you still have time, and the few weeks prior to the trip get really hectic.
Otherwise, I wouldn't mind being placed in cryogenic sleep so the time will go faster.
 
1. Planning
2. Smaller, more local trips

The Disney planning bug comes and goes for me, so I'll spend a few weeks reading the DisBoards daily, writing out lists of things I'll need, scouring information on the resorts and so forth...and then for a few weeks I'll forget all about it again. When the mood strikes, I find it's most helpful to make specific lists of things I'll need, things I want to do, and timelines for trip preparations (this time I'm determined to get the house cleaned and have everything prepared in advance so it's not a mad last-minute dash to get packed and do the last chores the night before the trip). I typically get travel anxiety in the week or two leading up to any trip; it goes away one I'm actually on my way, but right before a trip I can end up making myself really miserable. I discovered this year that having a set timeline with deadlines (even artificial ones) for trip preparations really eases the anxiety, so writing timelines and task lists when I'm still early in the planning process is both fun and really, really useful.

The other thing is just...enjoying life where I live. I take weekend trips to nearby areas, I host visits from friends and family, and I do my best to take advantage of all the interesting things I can do near home. It's not Disney World, but I wouldn't live here if I didn't like it here. Taking trips near home and taking the time to remind myself of why I choose to continue to live here is really important.
 
We are also surrounded by Disney. DH and I joke that it is like Disney puked merchandise on our house. DD begs daily to watch episodes of MMCH. We don't get the Disney channel, so I usually cave. Or I put on something that I am happy to watch, too, like Mary Poppins.
 
We will be planning a trip for July 2017. In addition to checking on disboards weekly, here is how we are spending our time:

- July 2016 - Compare resorts, prices, packages, and other activities we want to do. From that we will determine where we are staying and how long. Make Reservations
- August 2016 - Step back and focus on getting ready for school
- September 2016 - Start watching Disney movies one each week until vacation. Make a list of characters and start coming up with quips/jokes/questions that will cause interesting interaction. Build on that list throughout the year.
- October 2016 - Check out books from the library on WDW. Begin making a list of tips for each park/resort/activity/event. (Add in information from disboards)
- November 2016 - Step back and focus on the holidays
- December 2016 - Step back and focus on the holidays
- January 2017 - Make a list of all the restaurants we want to go to. Compare prices with OOP vs DP. Decide whether or not to add on DP. Make ADRs
- February 2017 - Step back and focus on the DDs Birthday (early March)
- March 2017 - Decide on family theme and discuss if we will be getting T-shirts, buttons, etc. to wear to reflect that theme.
- April 2017 - Start crafting (see March.) Shop for autograph books.
- May 2017 - Step back and focus on exams and end of school year.
- June 2017 - Make a packing list. Go shopping for anything still needed. Finish up any craft projects.
- July 2017 - Go over everything (tips, packing list, etc.) Order water for resort. Pack suitcases and have fun!!
 
Wait. Impatiently. I have a "Countdown" app on my phone - it started at over 500 days and at this time next week I will be 100 days away. I used my time wisely though (for me). I've been losing weight for Disney :).
 
I am apparently driving DW crazy with my pre-planning. Our trip isn't untill May of 2018. It is also a Family Reunion. I am planning 2 meals and 2 photo ops with the whole Reunion. I am a planner and she isn't.
 
AshleeH said:
Wait. Impatiently. I have a "Countdown" app on my phone - it started at over 500 days and at this time next week I will be 100 days away. I used my time wisely though (for me). I've been losing weight for Disney :).
Click to expand...
I'm at 702 days
 
OP, we just booked our next trip. Now the planning, acquiring items, listening to Disney parks music and watching YouTube videos on Disney just shifted up to a higher gear! :teeth:
 
I do crafts that are Disney related. I have made mats for our Disney pins, mickey ears, decoupage shoes with Disney books from thrift stores, tshirts, wreaths, bows etc... Pinterest is my best friend.
 
-Read the boards, specifically trip reports and pre trip reports. The PTR's are a great way to find people who are going down at the same time as you and make some new friends to potentially meet!
-Write a ptr!
-Youtube! It's a godsend, there's SO MANY VIDEOS out there, whether they're "day 1 part 1" vlog style ones, or the whole trip done into a 15 min song & dance video, and they're super fun!
-Since you've got a year, start stocking up on things you might need when they'll be on sale. Ex; sunscreen at the end of summer, summer clothes at the end of summer, if you're doing a MNSSHP, start thinking about costumes and pick up some halloween supplies when they go on sale afterwards.
 
We have been savings for our dream trip for the past two years, booked it on the 499 day mark, and we are now less than two months away! I totally know how you're feeling! What I did to help was watch youtube videos of walk throughs of the parks, purchasing items for my trip off of the Disney Store app, reading these boards, and going on instagram under the "waltdisneyworld" hashtag :)
 
I like to hang out on Disboards or the WDW Subreddit. Watching YouTube videos has become a guilty pleasure of mine as well. I love the long walkthroughs that iThemePark has posted. Researching, planning, and organize details is also really fun for me. I'm a spreadsheet maker :o
 
Brittni__duh said:
I like to hang out on Disboards or the WDW Subreddit. Watching YouTube videos has become a guilty pleasure of mine as well. I love the long walkthroughs that iThemePark has posted. Researching, planning, and organize details is also really fun for me. I'm a spreadsheet maker :o
Click to expand...

I love my spread sheets! But lately as my 180 day mark is fast approaching I have become obsessed with transferring my notes from my spreadsheets into a handy notebook so I don't have to keep flipping different screens when I am making my ADRs...that way I just have my notes in front of me...I could of printed them all out but my printer is currently broken :( so I am copying them down, but thats ok bc it keeps me busy so I don't really care, LOL
 
I discovered it was cheaper to live in orlando and moved. I wish i can say disney is much cheaper when your home costs are lower and your down the street but it's not.. however, hitting a park when your having a bad day is hard to beat.

It happened because I was researching how to make disney cheaper to the point that it spilled into researching what it would cost to just live here to see if that was more cost effective. It was, by a very large amount.
 
Shelbizzles said:
My husband and I have went the past two years but unfortunately we are not able to afford to go this year:sad: but we've talked about it and we should be able to go September 2017. Which is awesome! But sooo far away. And I love to plan. So anyway. My question is what do you guys do to pass the time until your next trip? What can I do to plan for it now? What can I do?! Lol
Click to expand...
We always, always, always make a paper chain and pull off one link each day. One year we made it quite early and it kinda swung all around the living room. Nonetheless, it's what we always do and will continue to do. :)
 
We buy a Disney gift card every month and just put it away. When the trip comes, we now have a stack of already-paid-for gift cards ready to use in the park. If your trip is 6 months away and you buy a $50 gift card every month you now have $300 in already-paid-for gift cards. We don't miss the $50 each month and we feel like we can splurge a little since the money is already there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page


GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!


New DISboards Threads

P
Pixie Dust for DS and his GF at Hearthstone Lounge!!!
Replies
0
Views
9
pklein09
P
F
UT Ticket
Replies
0
Views
23
friendoffigment
F
The Hendies
ECV availability at the parks
Replies
1
Views
24
lanejudy
lanejudy
mousefan73
Now DD’s friends want to tag along! Questions
Replies
3
Views
64
lanejudy
lanejudy
ChristopherFamily
Sanaa @ AKL info please
Replies
0
Views
46
ChristopherFamily
ChristopherFamily
Louis morrell
Your favorites?
Replies
0
Views
64
Louis morrell
Louis morrell
NEWS & UPDATES



Latest posts







facebook twitter
Top