Call me an Anorak

Well go on, call me an Anorak, but with over 4 months to go before our next trip, I've just about completed our intinerary.

One A4 sheet with Flight numbers and times, passport info, adresses and Zip codes for all 4 of us so we don't have that free for all getting into the overhead lockers when the forms come round on the flight.

Car hire voucher numbers (two lots, uk and Florida)

Directions to Villa's, Door codes, Management Company phone numbers check in and out times.

Photocopies of passports (4) Insurance documents (2),

Exciting or what?[msnsmile2]

Anyone go further? Come on you can own up here.[msnwink]

Anorak!!![msnwink]
phone numbers of other people in florida at the same time, (in hoping to meet up)
msn,and phone numbers for friends to call you and you them
so you can rub it in how lovely it is etc etc

"One A4 sheet with Flight numbers and times, passport info, adresses and Zip codes for all 4 of us so we don't have that free for all getting into the overhead lockers when the forms come round on the flight"

Each time we go we pick up a spare copy of the green visa waiver form for each of us, these can then be filled in and put in with passports so it's all done before we get on the plane. They should give them to you at checkin.

Now you can laminate it,Macka!

I would jot down all the website addresses of the theme parks etc so that you can click on and see if therer are any special events on certain days,or for instance,if you clicl onto the Silver Springs ad,they tell you to bring a can of coke to get a discount

Woooooooo!, Lamination, now you're talking Heather.

Yes Websites are a good idea too. keep them coming please.

Oh to be prepared to early! We are completely the opposite. We bought our plane tickets August 31 and fly out next Wednesday (I think that's a record for the most advanced ticket purchase for us). I'm pretty sure hubby hasn't reserved a rental car yet. I haven't even thought about packing yet. I'll do that next week after my son's birthday party on Sunday!

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by resorthomerentals
Oh to be prepared to early! We are completely the opposite. We bought our plane tickets August 31 and fly out next Wednesday (I think that's a record for the most advanced ticket purchase for us). I'm pretty sure hubby hasn't reserved a rental car yet. I haven't even thought about packing yet. I'll do that next week after my son's birthday party on Sunday!
[/quote]

Ahh you see Denise, you're a homeowner, that's different, you get blase about it all as you go so afoten as a rule.

Us plebs have at least 12 months to ge excited about it.

For a fortnight before we leave, me and Mrs. Macka sit on the settee in our holiday best with our cases packed and by our sides, waiting for the big day.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by resorthomerentals
Oh to be prepared to early! We are completely the opposite. We bought our plane tickets August 31 and fly out next Wednesday (I think that's a record for the most advanced ticket purchase for us). I'm pretty sure hubby hasn't reserved a rental car yet. I haven't even thought about packing yet. I'll do that next week after my son's birthday party on Sunday!
[/quote]

Ahh you see Denise, you're a homeowner, that's different, you get blase about it all as you go so afoten as a rule.

Us plebs have at least 12 months to ge excited about it.

For a fortnight before we leave, me and Mrs. Macka sit on the settee in our holiday best with our cases packed and by our sides, waiting for the big day.
[/quote]

Ah sooo sweet[msnwink]

Macka

you must be my male counterpart


have you put little "if lost or found labels" inside your suitcases

i did my kids had one each in their hand luggage bags just in case they mislaid them

they said this bag belongs to -------- who is 8 years old and i am travelling on virgin vs076 at date /time
if found please please will you hand my bag into airport security or a member of virgins staff or you can phone my mummy
my toys will be sad without me and then a big smiley face picture and mummys mobile number

i photocopied the backs of my theme park tickets with our signatures on and informed the credit card company that there will be some unusual activity on my card with lots of florida debits between the dates we where away

emergency phone numbers credit card lost/stolen numbers same for travellers cheques ,insurance telephone numbers, passport office numbers in case lost or stolen


i could go on an on


my other half thinks i am mad but i think this is a "capricorn" trait being so organised so i cant help it really can i ?

Mizzy

We go out 13th December and last night my daughter got out a piece of paper to make a list of what we are to do each day. I tried telling her that it will all depend on "himself" and what games of golf he is playing as to when we could go where, but she was having none of it!

She is planning her revision work as AS mocks as soon as we get back, or so she says! More likely the shopping days[msnwink].

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by resorthomerentals
Oh to be prepared to early! We are completely the opposite. We bought our plane tickets August 31 and fly out next Wednesday (I think that's a record for the most advanced ticket purchase for us). I'm pretty sure hubby hasn't reserved a rental car yet. I haven't even thought about packing yet. I'll do that next week after my son's birthday party on Sunday!
[/quote]

Ahh you see Denise, you're a homeowner, that's different, you get blase about it all as you go so afoten as a rule.

Us plebs have at least 12 months to ge excited about it.

For a fortnight before we leave, me and Mrs. Macka sit on the settee in our holiday best with our cases packed and by our sides, waiting for the big day.
[/quote]Ahhhh, just like the 'too excited' adverts!

Home owner or not, I do an A4 calendar on the PC divided up into am, pm and evening and write all the 'appointments' we have on that. I print it out the day before we go. At the end of the calendar, I put on all the relevant phone numbers, etc, etc, email addresses and the like. Then I put it into one of those clear floppy folders (to keep it clean) and when we arrive I Blutack it to the wall (it's our wall so I'm allowed to do that!).

As well as that, all the vouchers, photocopies, etc, etc go into my master folder which I carry in my handbag.

Just one note is not to keep the key lock box codes (or any other codes) with the address. If you happen to lose the piece of paper, anyone has entry into the villa (not a good plan!).

I'm really surprised you've got the door codes four months before you're going though or may be you didn't mean you had these yet?

If there is a psychotherapist on the forum, please DM Mizzy urgently as she has issues. [laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh]

Nice one Mizzy. And Fiona, I have considered this, but may keep it as my secret.[msnwink]

We leave everything to the last minute....we kinda have an idea where we would like to go......but we take it day by day most of the time......I have no idea how people renting their homes get time to fit everything in......we are on the go all the time around the villa..

That's a good idea Mizzy about the labels for children's hand luggage, last trip I managed to leave my son's small case on a bus at Gatwick Airport, didn't realise for 6 hours that I had left it behind.
I did manage to get it returned and it was full of toys and colouring books.

I have made passports for 2 cuddly toys ready for their holiday.
One is Simba the other Baloo who are now well travelled and been x-rayed many times.

Talking of well travelled cuddly toys, we have a cuddly Penguin, called, rather imaginatively, Pengie. Every time someone from the office goes away, Pengie goes too! We have a very large Noticeboard up with pictures of him on his travels. Amongst many other places, he's been to: Spain, Skiing in Austria and France, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Madeira, Dubai (twice), India, Up the Himalaya's, China, Bangkok, Phuket, Canada, all over the States, Tunisia Portugal and Torquay.

Tina

my children love their toys more than me so if they got lost i would never get any peace

Macka

why the psychotherapist its me thats normal the others just havent got their act together yet:D
i go in 1year 4months 7days 9 hours etc and i'm nearly as organised as you LOL

you see i live in a mad house already and when you live in a mad house it either rubs off or you go the other way completely[msnwink]

MIzzy

I'll take madhouse any time of the day Mizzy[msnsmile2]. (I've had most of this stuff sorted for months already[msnwink])

I gave my wardrobe a much needed sort out yesterday, and have 'packed' all my summer clothes in a drawer. If we win the lottery all I have to do us empty the drawer into my suitcase and I'm off.[msncool][msncool]

Just thought, if I win the lottery I could just buy more clothes and absolutely anything else I need when I get there - no expense spared.

Dream on ..... [msnsad][msnsad]

I sorted out our summer clothes and put them straight into the suitcase.

I leave the 'documentation' side of things to my husband. I make arrangements for the shopping to be delivered on arrival, prepare the suitcases, and one hundred and one other things, on the flight over in between reading I always make a shopping list for day one although I have usually had enough delivered to last a couple of days. The preparation does make you feel in touch with the whole experience and makes you feel as if you are moving forward to departure day. Chloe

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Ahhhh, just like the 'too excited' adverts!

Home owner or not, I do an A4 calendar on the PC divided up into am, pm and evening and write all the 'appointments' we have on that. I print it out the day before we go. At the end of the calendar, I put on all the relevant phone numbers, etc, etc, email addresses and the like. Then I put it into one of those clear floppy folders (to keep it clean) and when we arrive I Blutack it to the wall (it's our wall so I'm allowed to do that!).

As well as that, all the vouchers, photocopies, etc, etc go into my master folder which I carry in my handbag.

Just one note is not to keep the key lock box codes (or any other codes) with the address. If you happen to lose the piece of paper, anyone has entry into the villa (not a good plan!).

I'm really surprised you've got the door codes four months before you're going though or may be you didn't mean you had these yet?
[/quote]

No Blott we'd never kep codes and addresses on the same sheet in fact we always split these up between me and Beverley (Mrs. Macka). We do treat our holiday homes like our own. (well they are for that time aren't they?)

Yes I've got a code already. I think the owner trusts me with it, and of course he can. He can contact me if he needs to change it.[msnsmile2]

To Macka the Anorak!!!!

If you or the kids plan on sending postcards, you could print off all the names and addresses on labels before you go.[msnwink]

With a lot of suitcases looking the same I have noticed a few people have personalised theirs with a stensil and spray paint, I think they sell a kit in B & Q

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Southsider

To Macka the Anorak!!!!

If you or the kids plan on sending postcards, you could print off all the names and addresses on labels before you go.[msnwink]

With a lot of suitcases looking the same I have noticed a few people have personalised theirs with a stensil and spray paint, I think they sell a kit in B & Q
[/quote]

Thanks Tricia, the postcard idea is a good one.[msnwink]

And I've already done the stencilling on the cases [msnembarrased]

Macka,

I am very lazy of late and do things at lastminute. I now I should not but as I keep all passports and other stuff in a folder it is easy to remember each time. Never done the A4 sheet though, very organised.[msnwink]

<span style="color:red">ANORAK</span id="red">

It's not normally the blokes that are so organised you must be one of a kind. Mrs Macka[angel] must go to bed each night thanking her lucky stars

To go back to well travelled toys, Winnie the Pooh went everywhere with us, with his own passport, which muggins here had the job of asking the immigration peeps if they would stamp - guess what, they all did -with either a huge grin, or a "don't let anyone see me doing this".

Not an Anorak Macka, just a Florida addict, its a fine line between the two but we are all addicts on here.[msnwink]:D

So I am an Anorak then.

I don't care, I like it.
(Mrs. Macka is also organised Paula. Has a list for everything)[msnsmile2]

Chloe, who do you use for your shopping delivery ? I take they are very good, although not sure they would deliver in my area, would have to check that out.

Macka
An easy thing to overlook is emergency numbers for credit card companies, in case they should get lost/damaged

I met a friend of a friend in FLorida once. Organised -puts Macka in the shade, I tell you - they called to see us on their way to a theme park. She had a trolley [ actually a laundry trolley from Matalan] filled with a change of clothes and some flip flops, and towels, for wet rides, a bottle of frozen water each, cameras etc, nibbles and an itinerary to ensure they made every ride. THey push the trolley along and dump it outside rides[ it had a "lid" ]so they didn't have the hassle of lugging rucksacks along, and throw it away at the end of the trip.
I just sat there open mouthed.:D

Ooooh now that is organised. I have to say, once we get there, we blagg it.[msnscared]

Macka please explain to a plain speaking Irish woman what is an Anorak ?

Olive - anorak is either an affectionate or rude word for someone who is dull and boring and particularly obsessed with minutae in relation to their obsession - aka trainspotters!

or a jacket[msnwink]

But being a Florida Anorak is no bad thing.[msnwink]:D

I am trying not to be so organised. I was already packed and ready to go 2 weeks before we were due go in the Summer, and spent the whole day before going through the cases to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything and moving the swimsuits to the top for the kids to jump straight in the pool.[:o)
Must admit though, am now twitching every time I pass the cases, only 1 month to go[msnwink]

Okay Mr Anormacka...............

You being a "seasoned" traveller to the US.../...Florida, how about putting a MUST HAVE list for the new visitors to Florida or the less organised.

A check list based on the things that the contributors to this topic have mentioned

I realise people have their own particular preferences I'm thinking of more general official stuff.

EG maybe photocopies of passports, creditcard emergency numbers. etc


Something that can be "searched" printed off and ticked off sort of thing

Assuming that there is not one already, but I am sure someone will let us know if there is.

Linda

Ahhh Linda Linda Linda, I wondered how long it would be before one of you begged me for my list.[^]

Actually Linda that is a cracklingly good idea[clap][clap][clap].

Ok I love a challenge. How about I post my list, and we'll all butcher it about until we come up with what we can agree is the definitive document? I' not sure if we can print it from the forum in the right format though, perhaps John or an administrator can advise?

I'll post it it shortly and we'll blagg it from there.[msnsmile2]

Airline Booking Ref:

Date BA2037 Gatwick N. Terminal(11:40.)
Date Arrives Orlando (16:20.)

Date BA2166 Tampa (17:45)
Date Arrives Gatwick (07:00) N. Terminal

First Week.

Nice Villa in Florida address
DAVENPORT, FL Zipcode. Check in from 4pm. 16/3/05
Door Code ………..
See Attached Directions.
Check out by 10 am. 26/03/05

Second Week

Another Lovely Villa, Rotunda
West FL Zipcode (Tel: 941 697 XXXX)
Check in 26th. March Check out 6th. March
Door Code XXXX
Man. Co. = xxxxx (10 Mins Away) (Tel 941 697 XXXX)

See Attached Directions.

Dollar Car Rental Agreement Number. XXXXXXXXXXXX


Passport Information

Name Passport No. From: To:

Joan XXXXXXXXX 11 July 2003 10 May 2011
Eddie XXXXXXXXX 1 Sept 2005 1 June 2016
Beverley XXXXXXXXX 30 July 2002 30 March 2013
Paul XXXXXXXXX 27 June 2000 27 June 2010

Credit Card Emergency Number