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Getting Organized…For Disney

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Is your Facebook & Instagram feed filled with friends and family reveling in all things Disney?  Got a bad case of FOMO?
Hoping to head to Disney soon but feeling overwhelmed by all the things?  You are not alone and there is help!
Sharing all my tips & tricks to get organized for your Disney vacation with the help of the Disney experts from 2 Dis Chicks with Ears of Experience

 

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Anna & Elsa, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Cruise, Epcot, Fast Passes, Reservations, Park Times, Fireworks, Dining Plans and more….does Disney vacation planning have you feeling dizzy!?!?

As a seasoned Disney vacationer, I can tell you it is magical, and our family loves our Disney adventures.  But we’ve learned that each member of our family has preferences…when it comes to travel and entertainment.  The trick is making it memorable and enjoyable for everyone!  There’s a steep learning curve.  Lots of moving parts, research and decisions to make…

I did what most first timers do when we took our first trip to Disney for the twins’ 7thbirthday…I did everything myself.

I mean….I’m a Professional Organizer…how hard could it be?

I read all the books, did research online. I spent what seemed like hours, on the phone, on hold, waiting for a Disney Agent to answer all of my questions and hear my concerns. I got up early to secure my fast passes and dining reservations. Then I changed them after I found some good advice on the Disney online boards. Truthfully, I was exhausted from Disney and we hadn’t even left yet.

I know I’m not alone…I know there are many parents who have done the same thing. Desperate to plan the perfect vacation for their family, they spend countless hours poring through all things Disney.

I don’t want to any parents to feel spent before they step foot in the Magic Kingdom. I want your vacation to be easy as 1, 2, 3….Disney!  Here’s how…

Disney Planning…Easy as 1, 2, 3…

  • ENGAGE a DISNEY EXPERT

When it was time to plan our next Disney trip, a Disney cruise, I knew I just didn’t have the time to research everything and frankly, I just didn’t want to.  So, I got smart! We enlisted the help of 2 Dis Chicks with Ears of Experience. Now, I know I’m organized but these ladies know all the tricks of their trade and helped us plan the perfect Disney vacation. Using an expert was a HUGE game changer for me and my family and I highly recommend them to anyone headed to Disney…whether it’s the first time or the 10th time.

  • PREP YOUR POCKETBOOK

Disney can be expensive. There’s no way around it. Sure, your package may include hotel, transfer and meals…but not incidentals, gear, and everything that you’ll encounter as you travel through the parks.

Shop in advancefor Disney related clothing, bathing suits, toys and other items…at the Disney outlet, Disney Store on clearance. This is a great way to save money. You’ll get great deals the earlier you start.  Our Disney gear was in hiding for 10 months prior to our trip!  Surprise the kids on the day of or when you arrive.

Set aside daily spending cash, tips.  It was so helpful to have our daily tips ready for our Mousekeeping staff at the hotel.  I pre-stuffed envelopes for each day.  I labeled them, Monday – Sunday and sealed them with the stickers I received from Disney in anticipation of our trip.  It was one less thing that we had to do each morning as we got ready for a day at the parks. And we knew exactly how much we had set aside for this and could plan the rest of our budget accordingly.

  • PACK FOR EFFICIENCY

Now this part comes easy to me.  I love packing…now, unpacking…not so much.

Things to consider when packing…seasonal weather, daytime vs night, length of trip, planned activities, carry-ons vs checked luggage.

Our first trip was 7 days in May.  2 adults and 2 (almost) 7-year olds.  I recommend packing about 5 days before you leave.  It gives you some time to evaluate what you have, what you need and what you may have forgotten.

Organize kids’ daily outfits in bags.  I prefer to lay out the kids’ outfits by day and place them in zip lock bags. I grab my label maker and label each bag by day, park and child. Each bag has a full outfit including socks, underwear and a pair of pajamas. If applicable, remember to coordinate outfits according to the Disney characters that you’ll see that day. At this time, my son loved Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates so we had to see him. For my daughter, it was a meet and greet for Anna and Elsa so the princess dress was in the bag for that day!  Each morning, we put a new bag on top of their suitcase to keep them organized. At the end of the day, they put their outfit back in the bag and it goes back into their suitcase.  No more smelly suitcases, clothes go in and out and stay organized. This was also super helpful with laundry when we returned.  I always wash the kids’ clothes together and then my husband and my clothes. I easily dumped the bags into the laundry baskets and I was set to go. No sorting.

  • STOCK YOUR ROOM WITH FOOD/SNACKS/DRINKS

Yes I went grocery shopping months before we even left. Garden Grocery, an online retailer, delivered groceries right to our hotel. So, we stocked up on water, breakfast items, snacks, beer and wine for our stay. It was easy, convenient and saved us money!

Disney is magical for all ages!  But staying organizing is essential to minimizing stress, maximizing fun and hitting all of the top attractions!  Happy Disney Planning!

 

About Carrie Kauffman

Carrie Kauffman is an award winning professional organizer, member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC) and owner of Carrie’s Essential Services, LLC. Carrie Kauffman provides organizing services, in homes & offices, on the Main Line and surrounding communities. Carrie’s Essential Services specializes in moving & packing, preparing homes for sale, office setup including filing systems as well as general organizing & de-cluttering.

 

About 2 Dis Chicks

2 Dis Chicks with Ears of Experience provide families with a stress-free Disney destination vacation by catering to your individual needs. We assist with every Disney destination from Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line to Aulani in Hawaii and Adventures by Disney. We help our clients by breaking down the steps of the planning process so that it is not overwhelming. With each step we provide expert guidance and a wealth of tips. Since no two families are alike, we personalize your itinerary based on your unique interests.

The advantages of booking with us are that we will make your Disney vacation magical at no additional cost to you and the best part is you receive two amazing specialists in one! We work together as a team to meet your needs

With a wealth of Disney Information & tips, we are the experts, we know the ins and out of Disney you can sit back and relax.

Getting Organized…Local Spotlight: Cityteam

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Last month, I had a chance to tour Cityteam in Chester, Pennsylvania.  If you’re not familiar with Chester, it’s the largest city in Delaware County.  And nearly 37% of its residents live below the poverty line.

Chester is a community with great need for the very basic essentials that many of us take for granted.  Cityteam provides support and resources for families and individuals who have fallen on hard times and are struggling to get back on their feet.  Cityteam gives them the tools to do just that.

Find out how you can help their mission and the people of Chester

Part of my job as a professional organizer is to direct my clients’ donations to local organizations, communities, families and individuals who truly have an urgent need.  It’s important to me, both professionally and personally, that my work makes a difference in the lives of others.

Last month, I spent the day in Chester, Pennsylvania. Just about 25 minutes south of my home in Bryn Mawr.

The city of Chester is home to about 34,000 people.

It’s the largest city in Delaware County, according to 2010 census data.

The poverty rate in the city of Chester is 36.9%.

That means nearly 37% of the population of Chester in living below the poverty line.

The median household income is $27,217.

People here, find themselves struggling for a variety of reasons.  They are hard-working parents of young children that couldn’t keep up with the high cost of living and found themselves homeless, out of work, unable to put food on the table.  Others faced medical crises that forced them out of work and depleted their savings. Others battled addiction and found themselves homeless and living on the street.

 

Cityteam is a faith-based, non-profit, located in the heart of Chester.  It’s purpose is to care for those in need in their community by providing much needed resources and support.  Their vision: Restoring lives and rebuilding this community through innovative programs to provide food, shelter, clothing, community, training and spiritual transformation.

 

Cityteam offers a broad scope of valuable resources for people who are in crisis. Resources and support to help them get back on their feet, back in the community, back in the workforce and able to provide for themselves and their families again.

Their programs serve individuals and families living below the poverty line and include:

 

Food Services

Providing warm meals & groceries via Hope Café, Dining Hall, Food Pantry, Fresh Produce and Baked Goods offerings

Men’s Shelter

Providing a safe place for homeless men to sleep, grab a nourishing meal, clean clothing, hygiene kits and a hot shower

Men’s Program

Providing a residential, Christ-centered, holistic program which empowers men to transform their broken lives

Learning & Career Center

Providing a learning center available to those in the residential program offering individualized learning plans to master educational concepts, life skills, including how to manage a budget, write a resume, in order to improve employability

Mother’s & Baby Care

Providing support and resources for low income parents with young children, including Christmas toys, Easter baskets, school supplies and backpacks as well as everyday needs.

Family Services

Providing support and resources for families to break the cycle of poverty, including donations of furniture, clothing, food boxes.

Medical & Dental Clinic

Providing medical care provided in partnership with Widener University, including physical exams and education on disease management, lifestyle changes, self-care, diet, medication management, mobility and safety issues.  Dental care is also provided in partnership with local dentists.

 

Now…You’re probably wondering…How can I help?

When I tell youany donation is accepted, welcome & needed, I mean exactly that.

From the everyday basics such as food, clothing, household items to men’s & women’s suits to baby clothing, gear, diapers, formula…Cityteam has an individual or family that needs it…right now.

So before you think someone may not want something you’re going to get rid of because it’s been worn, out of style or collecting dust in your closet, please think again.

I want Cityteam to be on the top of everyone’s mind.

The most in-demand donations include:

  • Baby Clothing (All Sizes)
  • Diapers (Open & Closed Boxes are accepted)
  • Baby Wipes
  • Car Seats
  • Baby Food/Formula
  • Strollers
  • Cribs
  • Pack & Plays
  • Children Clothing (All Sizes)
  • Children Shoes/Boots/Rainboots
  • Adult Clothing (Men & Women; All Sizes)
  • Socks
  • Bras
  • Shoes (All Sizes & Varieties)
  • Formal Wear (For Prom Season)
  • Backpacks

Donations accepted 7 days a week. Donations are tax deductible.

Additionally, you can always volunteer your time.

Cityteam is always looking for individuals and organizations to volunteer their time for larger, annual events such as their Holiday Food Boxes & Back to School programs. Each Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Cityteam volunteers put together 900 boxes of food to feed local families in need. And as the school year begins, Cityteam volunteers also need help assembling 2600 Back to School backpacks. Throughout the year, they also need volunteers to help pick up food donations from Wegman’s, Trader Joes, Wawa, Whole Foods and other larger organizations.

I cannot thank Nancy Craskey, Director of Development at Cityteam, enough for taking the time to talk to me about Cityteam.  The volunteers, programs and resources are truly life changing for those in need. It is a tremendous resource that needs our attention and support.

Getting Organized…For Travel

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We’re creeping to the end of a long winter…
Are you dreaming of a tropical getaway?  An European adventure?  A once in a lifetime Safari?
Well, you better get planning.  Sharing how my 15th wedding anniversary trip to Italy came to be, with the help of Jamie Jones at WhirlAway Travel!

Travel is one of those things that we all want to do.  But with busy lives, work and school obligations, childcare…some of us might abandon our travel dreams…

“It’s just too hard right now.”

“We can’t leave the kids.”

“I don’t have time to plan a vacation.”

“Who has time for a vacation.”

Truth is.  Travel is good for the soul.  It’s good for the spirit.  We need to make time.  No matter how busy we think we are or how daunting the prospect may seem.  Everyone can travel…it just takes…you guessed it…some organizing!

 

WHERE IT BEGAN

In June 2017, my husband and I set out for a 10-day, 3-city tour of Italy. We were celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary and we wanted to make the most of it.  This was a trip that I had been dreaming of, for a long time!

It would be my first voyage “across the pond.” My husband, on the other hand, has been travelling the world since his early teens. My travel has been confined to the continental US but I still love every chance to explore a new destination and seeing everything it has to offer. I love the hustle and bustle of airports, local transit and even packing/unpacking for trips. (I know you’re thinking, “This woman is crazy!” but I really do like packing).  But this trip was going to be very different.  Lots of moving parts and pieces to coordinate.  It was going to difficult for me to wrap my head around it…but I knew just who to call to help me organize my travel dreams! Jamie Jones, COO & travel advisor, WhirlAway Travel.

Travel is in Jamie’s blood.  WhirlAway has been the family business for over 30 years.  She has travelled the world.  On her own.  With her family.  With groups. By boat.  On safari.  You name it, Jamie’s done it.  And she’s planned it…for the most discerning of clients, looking for a once in a lifetime travel experience.

I had the pleasure of working with Jamie and her staff in their West Chester, PA offices.  Jamie hired me to organize the office and help improve efficiency. After several days working with them, pouring through travel brochures and images, listening to them plan and consult with clients and vendors…I wanted to start traveling the world!

The breathtaking destinations they were sending their clients…

The amazing amenities they were able to offer them…

The exclusive access & upgrades they could negotiate…

So when it was my turn to start planning, of course, Jamie was my first call!

 

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Like anyone traveling abroad or really anywhere my husband and I started doing a little research on our own. It’s a good idea to have some sense of where in the world you want to go and what you want to do.

We wanted to do all of the big stuff…

Gondola Ride in Venice.

The Coliseum in Rome.

Tower of Pisa.

But we also wanted something unique.  An experience that was special & unique to our interests. In this case, it was a private Italian cooking experience since my husband was a chef in his life before law.

And, we also wanted to make sure we had days to explore on our own.

 

PLAN AHEAD

We scheduled a meeting with Jamie, in her office, in September, a full 10 months before we planned to travel.

WhirlAway Travel Pro Tip:  Jamie and her staff at WhirlAwayrecommend 6 – 9 months for most destinations. For Africa and New Zealand, 9 – 12 months.  Early planning ensures that they are able to secure highly sought after accommodations and experiences that tend to sell out fast.

We gave Jamie our “must-have” list and she suggested several other additions to our itinerary, based on our interest & travel style) including some hidden gems you won’t find on the Web.

We discussed budget, timing and then let her do her thing! Yep! We left our dream vacation in her very capable hands! We knew she would put together an unforgettable trip and, frankly, we didn’t have the time to do it ourselves. We wanted what we wanted BUT we didn’t want to think about all of the logistics, research, options so we left all of the “heavy lifting” to the experts.

WhirlAway Travel Pro Tip:  Be prepared to answer a lot of questions during your initial consultation.  They’ll want to know:

  • your vision for your trip
  • what is most important to you
  • how you like to spend your day when you travel
  • what time you like to eat and the types of food you enjoy
  • what type of hotels you typically stay in
  • your expected travel investment

This information will help WhirlAway Travel’s experts create a customized itinerary that fits your needs and expectations.  Their travel planning services are more than booking a plane ticket, hotel and a few tours.  WhirlAway provides a complete itinerary that includes air, hotels, transfers, rail, tours, dining, destination guides and things to see and do during free time.

A few weeks later, Jamie sent us a full travel itinerary, including accommodations, transfers, airfare, excursions and daily breakdowns.

No waiting for flight fares to go down…

No waiting or scheduling hotel reservations…

No trying to get those sought after tickets to the Vatican…

When you work with a travel consultant, you have access to all of the expert travel knowledge, professional connections and long held relationships to hotels and vendors in each city.  Jamie was able to secure countless upgrades in each hotel on transportation and so much more.

Everything was planned from A-Z. We made a few adjustments and it was done and ready to go.

TRAVEL LIKE A VIP

Finally, it was June.  Time to travel!

WhirlAway made everything so easy.  All of our travel information was literally at our fingertips. Jamie and her team at WhirlAway know that keeping your travel information organized and accessible is a top priority.  They offer all clients an app complete with all of your travel information including transfers, hotel information, flight schedules, tours and more. The airport, gates, security, transfers can be the most stressful part of travel.  WhirlAway made it so easy with real time, up to date information and notifications through the mobile app.  AND if something should go wrong along the way, we could message with Jamie through the app.  Such a huge perk to know that if we needed help along the way, Jamie was just a few keystrokes away!

WhirlAway Travel Pro Tip:  Keep your travel information handy at all times. All of WhirlAway’s clients receive final documents including a mobile itinerary that provides complete information on all aspects of your trip.  This includes contact information should you need to make changes or have any unexpected issues during travel.  The mobile itinerary also includes attachments of your confirmations, passports and destination guides to keep all of your travel information organized in one place.

Our anniversary trip was everything we had dreamed of & more.  Now, when we travel, big trip or small, we hire Jamie and her staff to do all the legwork for us.  Travel should not be stressful. Jamie & her team at WhirlAway take every measure to insure that their clients have an unforgettable experience, without lifting a finger!

 

About Carrie Kauffman

Carrie Kauffman is an award winning professional organizer, member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC) and owner of Carrie’s Essential Services, LLC.Carrie Kauffman provides organizing services, in homes & offices, on the Main Line and surrounding communities. Carrie’s Essential Servicesspecializes in moving & packing, preparing homes for sale, office setup including filing systems as well as general organizing & de-cluttering.

 

About Jamie Jones, Co-Owner & Chief Operating Officer, WhirlAway Travel

As a second generation owner at WhirlAway Travel, Jamie has established WhirlAway as a go-to resource for luxury travel and one of a kind experiences for the most discerning clients.   Jamie draws on her lifelong travel experiences, delivering a different travel planning experience, emphasizing one-on-one interaction, personal service, research, expertise & energy in an industry that has become increasingly transactional. With personal travel & planning experience covering all corners of the world, including South Pacific, Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, Italy & Eastern Europe (as well as being well versed in river cruising and luxury cruise lines), Jamie’s expertise & true passion is Africa.  Jamie also serves on the Board of Directors for Signature Travel Network, a consortia of over 6,000 travel professionals.  WhirlAway Travel is located in West Chester, where Jamie resides with her husband and three children.