My Travel Checklist
April 30, 2008
Posted by CindyC in : Green Journal , trackback
Despite my best efforts, my 5 year old is being held captive by the marketing geniuses at Disney. So for our last off-season family vacation (before she starts kindergarten), we are headed for Disneyland. To offset this fun but rather commercial destination, I searched around for some simple travel tips and found a couple of good lists ( here and here). I used these ideas and compiled our own green check list that my family agreed to obey.
1. Stay near Disneyland so we can just use the free shuttle and avoid the hassle of driving and idling while looking for parking.
2. Turn down the thermostat before we leave.
3. Unplug unnecessary electronics like our computers and TV.
4. Pack our own toiletries, water bottles and snack containers (so we refill snacks from large bags and avoid convenience plastic ones).
5. Avoid the urge to over pack so we can take our smaller and more fuel efficient car.
6. Turn down the AC and use the “do not change linens daily” option at the hotel.
7. Try to dine-in at restaurants, rather than eating on-the-go with styrofoam and plastic containers.
8. Only a limited number of useful souvenirs (like a sweatshirt or hat) are allowed. We even made our own autograph book so we don’t have to buy one.
We’ve already complied with the Rule #1. The rest of items seem fairly easy to do, though Rule #8 will take some restraint and discipline. So we’ll see how we fare on this trip.
CindyC at Organicpicks
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Comments»
Got a message from Sierra Club a couple of days ago. It sent me to a link to test how green is my getaway. Questions include “Does it really matter whether I take a plane or train or drive? That plane’s going to fly even if I’m not on it.”, “Are ship cruises a more environmentally friendly way to travel?”, etc. It was interesting. After you take the test, it gives you back Sierra Club answers as a reference.
Does anyone need to know how many hotels comply with the do not change towels that are left on hooks? I always hang mine up to indicate they do not need to be changed daily and most often they are changed with the room cleaning.
Thanks,
Dagny McKinley
www.onnotextiles.com
organic apparel
Did you confirm that your hotel actually has a free shuttle? It’s been our experience the past couple of trips that every hotel seems to be using the Anaheim Resort Transit these days. There are a few holdouts, but some of those are so close that you could just walk. Mass transit is definitely better than taking your own car, even if you have to pay for it though, but it was an unexpected expense for us.
Have fun at Disneyland! It’s cooled down today so hopefully you won’t roast. Last weekend was pretty unbearable.
Have fun! I haven’t been since I was too young to remember. My grandma has gone every year for the last three. Epcot is her favorite. She has spent days losing herself in the “countries.” She had to do it by wheelchair (she’s 88) but she LOVED it!
If you weren’t living with some little princesses before, you sure will be afterward! They are going to love it!