Best DVC planning program? And why?

[DISNEY FIX]

What do you use? Please take the poll and explain the positives or negatives of the program you use. If other please explain.

 

[BevS97]

What do you use? Please take the poll and explain the positives or negatives of the program you use. If other please explain.

i use CaskBill for working out how many points I need for a trip. I have tried a few others but this one just makes sense to me, it's completely logical when you use it, you just highlight some dates and it tells you the number of points. I play endless 'what if I had 10000 points' games on it too

For keeping track of banking/borrowing, I use a spreadsheet I downloaded from someone on here http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeowxzy/dvc_point_calculator/

I really like this one because it is very clear to me exactly how many points I've got, spent, banked, borrowed etc.

It also shows me all my options, how many points I can spend with just this years points, or next year if I bank, or if I borrow etc.
it looks a little complicated when you first open it, but I like it much better than the ones that are like little programs. with this one, I can "play" and try out different options quite easily

 

[JimC]

Fredrickson's Point Manager program is the one I used until Caskbill brought out his.

 

[pilferk]

I LOVE Caskbills program, but recently switched over to Mousemanager.

I find the OTHER features of Mousemanager, beyond just the DVC Point management, to be VERY useful and prefer to keep all the eggs in one basket.

 

[DVC4me2]

I use and love CaskBill's DVC Planner!

But the Mousemanager program lets me plan in exquiste detail!

So if I can only have one program it would be mouse manager, it is simply amazing!

 

[Granny]

Fredrickson's Point Manager program is the one I used until Caskbill brought out his.

Same here!

I haven't tried mousemanager since I've found Caskbill's Planner and Tracker software to be excellent tools.

 

[PSC]

I've played with both DVC Planner/Tracker and MouseManager. IMHO both are great solutions and I could easily live with either one, but my personal preference is the DVC Planner/Tracker.

 

[Bopsmom]

Same here!

I haven't tried mousemanager since I've found Caskbill's Planner and Tracker software to be excellent tools.

I agree Caskbill's Planner

 

[Donald is #1]

I voted for Caskbill's program. Admittedly, it is the only one that I have tried. But I love it for trying out different combinations of resorts/accomodations, the 7/11 month window and the indication of trash & towel/full cleaning on the apporpriate days of the trip.

For tracking my points used, banking, etc, I use my own spreadsheet.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I love MouseMangers vacation planning section, and where you can get all of the restaraunt menus right from this site!

 

[wildernessDad]

I guess that I am in the 'other' category as I use tagrel.com 's points calculator and an excel spreadsheet to keep track of my yearly points.

I use a Mac almost exclusively now, so I do not have access to CaskBill's program.

 

[eporter66]

I've never had a problem tracking our points. I decided to download Mousemanager to give it a shot. I get so into planning trips, why not try a few of these programs.

Mousemanager has been a lot of fun. It tracks points, allows me to set up "what if" scenario's to see what points would be etc... Also, I like the setup so that I can put all my information, confirmation, reservations together and keep track of everything. I just started tracking the expenses too (rental car, airline tix, park tix). It is amazing how the money adds up even without a hotel bill (yikes!!!). I like the links to restaurants and other spots. I think I have barely scratched the surface of the program.

Anyway - I have not tried the others, so it is not fair to vote, but Mousemanager has been a lot of fun, easy to use, and keeps things well organized.

 

[mello]

I use and love CaskBill's DVC Planner!

But the Mousemanager program lets me plan in exquiste detail!

So if I can only have one program it would be mouse manager, it is simply amazing!

Ditto here. You really can't go wrong with either one - use 'em for different things - it's a planner's dream!

 

[jemiaule]

I use MouseManager as it is the only Mac one available. That said I have heard really great things about Caskbill's program but since it is PC only I have not been able to see it to compare.

 

[jarestel]

Used to use Caskbill's excellent program until I abandoned Windows and bought a Mac. I've dabbled with Mousemanager for a few weeks now and it looks to be an outstanding program as well. We are truly fortunate to have such talented people here on the DVC boards willing to share their work with us.

 

[DVC Mike]

I don't see the need for these programs. I get by with an Excel spreadsheet.

 

[KevGuy]

MouseManger is what I use.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I don't see the need for these programs. I get by with an Excel spreadsheet.

YOU????? The man who owns everwhere?!?

 

[jarestel]

I don't see the need for these programs. I get by with an Excel spreadsheet.

One can get by with just a pencil & paper to keep track of DVC if need be. The tracking programs make things a bit easier but one is certainly free to tally their points in whichever manner is most comfortable to the end-user, be it tracking programs, spreadsheets, memory, or good ole p&p.

 

[JimC]

Some folks have mentioned using Quicken to manage points.