I am the queen of holiday planning and we are currently on countdown until we jet off to Florida. This holiday has been two years in the making and was booked over 16 months ago. It is planned as the holiday of all holidays and will include mum, dad and uncle Sam aswell as the five of us. My dad and me have enjoyed the planning and if you are heading to Disneyworld planning is needed to ensure that you get the best out of the dream holiday.
Therefore when I spotted the Caxton FX competition in my Britmums goody bag I knew I’d enter! Caxton FX have made taking your spending money abroad easier. You simply preload the card with your Dollars or whatever currency and the exchange rate is fixed. You then pay in restaurants, shops and hotels with the card much like you would a debit card. This is just prefect for me as it is a safe and easy way to carry money.
Right back to my planning tips.
1. Research – there are so many possibilities, really think about what you want from the holiday then personalise your holiday. We are doing one week staying at a Disney Hotel then moving to a villa for a more chilled out second week.
2. Time your booking as we bagged free disney dining for all of us by booking at the right time. I then upgraded the dining to the best package for us.
3. Save save save – work out how you are funding this if it is a really big trip. I have had a second account purely for Disney and I have put any blogging earnings in this account. It is surprising how much this can add up.
4. Birthday presents from family have included dollars for the older two. It gives them spending money of their own.
5. Erin has been promised a princess makeover in the castle but we have bought her Princess dress before we go to save paying the disney prices inside the park. Again this was a planned Christmas present.
6. We have booked all our character meals in advance, otherwise we would not have got what we wanted. We booked these 180 days in advance which is the day they are released. It has meant we even have a table booked for the new restaurant ‘Be Our Guest’ with my favourite characters from Beauty and the Beast!
7. We looked at the options available for getting to the airport ready for an early mornng flight and for the 8 of us it was cheapest to be driven in a taxi. I was not expecting that to be the cheapest option, so do check all your options.
8. Use forums to find insider hints and tips. The Dibb website has given me countless ideas and great advice.
9. Here Erin shows just how long we have been planning this! The older two both have countdown apps on their ipods and iphones which is a fun way to track the time. Chloe frequently tells us how many days left!
10. Lastly I say enjoy the planning because it makes the end result even better. I like having the holiday planned as it builds the excitement and we have a plan of what is happening that everyone has contributed too.
I hope you all have an amazing time. I too am in the middle of getting organised for our family holiday too (off to the South of France). I am so behind the times…. I had no idea those currency cards exist – what a clever idea instead of carrying cash!
older mum in a muddle recently posted…A Little Relief
I think planning is often half the fun! Have a brilliant brilliant time! 😀
Wow, you must be so excited now! Am sure you will have such an amazing time and cannot wait to see the photos. Am super jealous. Great tips and hadn’t thought about checking out forums first, bet that was really helpful.
Mum of One recently posted…Monday Parenting Pin It Party #59
Oh wow what an amazing holiday you are going to have! Some very sensible tips there, have a fantastic time
Nikki Thomas recently posted…Have I forgotten how to buy knickers?
Sounds very exciting and well planned. I think it’s great that everyone has been involved and hope you have an amazing time.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Mum’s Summer Bucketlist #HealthHop
Ohh count-down apps are a good idea. I hope you all have an amazing time Emma.. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…The road to nowhere…. #Nochildtaken
Holy smokes Emma! You don’t fancy taking on all my holiday planning for me to, do you?!
I hope you have a really wonderful time, it sounds like you have so many exciting things planned. Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back! xx
Ruth recently posted…Living and Loving as an Introvert
Oh you are going to have so much fun! Sweet video. Great tips too 🙂
Penny A REsidence recently posted…Easy Family Glamping
As soon as my 18 months old hear your daughters voice she came over and pop up into my arms. she kept smiling so i am writing this while holding her…quite difficult 🙂 we need to start planning a trip to Disneyland but probably not to America and to Paris gfor when Anastasia will be 3 and Kara 7. hopefully will not be too early for the youngest and too late for Kara.
Great post!
otilia and anastasia recently posted…Parenting Pin-It Party #59
You are so organised! We go to Crete every year to stay with my in-laws so very little to organise other than flights – and my husband books those! Hope you have an amazing time and I look forward to seeing pics when you get back
Fab tips Emma I hope you have a ball (and win!)
Becky recently posted…Thrifty and Rustic Storage Solutions
I am the Queen of Chaos! I am rarely organised for anything! Have a fab holiday, I hear such good things about Disneyworld!
Manneskjur recently posted…Making a Bow & Arrow
I really hope all your planning pays off as it sounds like you have thought of everything.
Aly recently posted…#igmughoarder- Show Off Your Mug Collection
Sounds like you have it all covered! I have jus 106 days to go and love the countdown app. Just cant wait to get inside the 60 days so I can start booking parks and rides! Hope you have great fun, it is a truly magical place!
Tina Mansfield recently posted…I is for…