Backstage Magic-ABD trip reports/journal?!?!

[happymomof1]

Hello!

While preparing for our upcoming Backstage Magic/Hollywood tour, I have been wondering about something that maybe a seasoned tour traveler can help me with:
Since a bit of our tour will be "no cameras allowed", what's the best way to keep track of things seen, places visited etc? Journal writing in between stops on the tour? Using a computer/iphone to take notes while in the room, during meals etc?
What have you seasoned tour travelers typically done? Some trip reports are SOOOO detailed, and I would like for mine to be as well, so what's the best way to do it? I don't want to leave anything out/forget anything.

I'd love to hear your tips! Thanks!

 

[sayhello]

Hello!

While preparing for our upcoming Backstage Magic/Hollywood tour, I have been wondering about something that maybe a seasoned tour traveler can help me with:
Since a bit of our tour will be "no cameras allowed", what's the best way to keep track of things seen, places visited etc? Journal writing in between stops on the tour? Using a computer/iphone to take notes while in the room, during meals etc?
What have you seasoned tour travelers typically done? Some trip reports are SOOOO detailed, and I would like for mine to be as well, so what's the best way to do it? I don't want to leave anything out/forget anything.

I'd love to hear your tips! Thanks!

Sorry I can't really help you much, because the way I keep everything straight is to take a kabillion photos, and the photos remind me of exactly what we did and when. I've never been any good at journalling! It kills me when they say "No photos allowed". (Although the Guides can sometimes manage a group photo or 2, which will help a little!)

I'm sure you'll figure it out! Enjoy your magnificent ABD!

Sayhello

 

[happymomof1]

Thanks! I've never blogged or journal'd before, but I really want to be able to keep track of the details....
So..... Seasoned bloggers and journalers....I'd love to hear how/.when you do it!(write, that is! )

 

[jacksparrowfan]

For me, I also take alot of pictures throughout the day. But, as I wind down at night, I brought a journal to write about my day. (A laptop would be so much better.) I do have to say, by the time we arrived to Disneyland the entire day was full of something to do. When I went back to the hotel I jotted down highlights of the day instead of details as I just wanted to go to sleep for the early morning wakeup call. I have an Iphone, and I recently got an app called "Momento". I am going to use that to document highlights on my next Backstage Magic tour in August. I can also add pics to help me document. Have a great time! It's unbelieveably magical!

I'm interested in any journal-type Iphone apps that anyone may know of as well?

 

[happymomof1]

I checked out the Momento app, it looks good! I did a search for travel diary/journal apps, and did not see anything more comprehensive.
If anyone uses any other ones, please let us know. As a new journaler, I'd love to hear if you use something different.

 

[Mickeyfans4ever]

To jacksparrowfan:

We too did ABD Backstage....Tell me was your second trip as wonderful as first and did you do anything different. Why third trip instead of another destination?

 

[jacksparrowfan]

To jacksparrowfan:

We too did ABD Backstage....Tell me was your second trip as wonderful as first and did you do anything different. Why third trip instead of another destination?

The first trip was magical and with my husband. It was the first one out. The people and the Guides were golden! I didn't think it could get any better.

My second trip I went with my girlfriends and they added new places that I didn't get to see the first time. One was the Archives that I was so thrilled to see. It honestly was just as special. The Guides help to make it that way. We also have new friends that we still keep in touch with. And, Stacia drew Lady to my husbands Tramp that she drew on our first trip. Really special!

I am looking forward to #3 as much as #1. And, the D23 Expo is the week following the tour so it was perfect timing. Over a week of Disney magic. I am hoping for a couple of changes, but we will see if it happens. If it doesn't, that's ok too. We want to see a movie at the El Capitan and do some touristy things in the area. I am also ready to shop at Imagineering (LOL!). My husband and I travel, but not always through a tour company. I am thinking of Ireland someday. But, not yet.

Are you thinking of Backstage Magic again? On #3, there will be four of us (that I know of) who will be on #3. And, my friend is going again with me. Can't wait!!!

P.S. My Husband and I are Wilderness Lodge fans, too. We are thinking of going next year. We talked about a hotel, and we both said Wildnerness Lodge. Love that place!

 

[safetymom]

They do give you a booklet when you check in that lists the theme of the day and the word of the day and the places you will visit. That was enough for me to remember when scrapbooking. I was too tired at night to write it down.

 

[DisneyCruisin']

Remember too the Guides can take pics where you can't for the most part. When in Imagineering there are areas that they can take pics and they can't take pics but for the most part you will gets pics. Even some of the areas at Disneyland where we weren't allowed cameras, the Guides were (except for two areas). We went on the trip in August and I'm just getting around to scrapbooking the trip. The worst thing for me is a couple of names and figuring out the kid's names of those I didn't get close to (we had a set of twins too). I started journaling the first day and by the second day I was too pooped to do it or just didn't have time. It's a whirlwind of a trip!

 

[rchristiansen]

They do give you a booklet when you check in that lists the theme of the day and the word of the day and the places you will visit. That was enough for me to remember when scrapbooking. I was too tired at night to write it down.

I agree with Kathy and others, I was tired to write anything down. Imagine the most tired you felt on any of your Disney trips and then even more so. I was even so tired that I couldn't finish a glass of wine one evening. DD took about 10 seconds to fall asleep once her head hit the pillow! LOL


MOST places you can take photos - about 75% of the tour. However, like someone else posted, the guides do take your photo at certain areas behind the scenes. And the ones where they can't take your photo, it's so memorable you won't forget it.

Also, the really cool stuff that you can't take photos of, you probably don't want to include in your trip report - that would give too much away for others and you wouldn't want to spoil it.

Finally, the podcast crew did a nice job in last week's podcast recapping everything that I saved it as my audio souvenir.