Best trip planning tools?

[Minnie M6]

Now that we decided on a resort (phew) and have our reservations set, I am moving on to the hard core planning phase- which park(s) on which day, what restaurants, what shows, which character meals, do we try and go to Sea World and Universal, etc. I have the Unofficial Guide, and plan to get my kids a Birnbaum Disney for kids by kids book to collect autographs.

Does anyone recommend any specific books or tools for the daily planning? I like the idea of a spreadsheet or some kind of written plan (geez I can't believe I am talking about making a spreadsheet for vacation)

Anyway, I do feel like if we plan this well we can get more accomplished. I don't think the EMH for December are available yet, but I can still start making plans.

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this, I went to the planning board and didn't know any of the lingo

 

[robhawk]

I love the Unofficial Guide. It has been very helpful the last 2 visits. The only thing that we do which is different from what they say is extended night time hours. Now that our kids are a older we enjoy using the parks late night. We usually make ADR's for that park then enjoy the night. Good luck!

Rob

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Hi Minnie M6, I am in the same boat as you and one thing that I found was last year's EMH schedule on the planning part of the dis boards. It looks like it follows the same pattern. It at least gives me an idea and is helping me keep hope alive (since I have so long to wait).

It helps me get an idea on how handle the park, especially since WDW is huge! I am just so excited to have finally made the decision to go.
Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

[creativeamanda]

The Unofficial Guide and the coordinating website is awesome! Also, allears.net and mousesavers.com

 

[Minnie M6]

Thanks for the replies- I am thinking about getting the Passporter book/ guide- anyone use it? Recommend it? It has great reviews on Amazon.

And I'm still searching for a good spreadsheet.....there's probably one on this board somewhere!

 

[jewelmicky]

I am ALMOST done with all my plans....ADR's have been set, Days, breaks.....the only thing I am still tweeking is tour plans.

I use UG for most of the tour plans......order you do things in the park.

I use tour guide Mike for the DAYS to do the park (he breaks the days down by number of people and (red, yellow, or green) for attendence.

We are goin during a busy week and I feel we need the extra planning information.


I also have the passporter and don't really care for it all that much.

 

[RMulieri]

Hi, I have the Unofficial guide, passporter,Birnbaums and Tourguide Mikes...Love them ALL!!!! Birnbaums is so-so I just get that one for the colored pics...My husband bought me a Passporter...and I have to say that this is the ultimate plaaning tool...I am bringing mine to wdw in my carryon.....

 

[sullymoscow]

I agree with Jewelmicky. Tourguide Mike rocks!!! So worth the extra few dollars, it really helps in planning where to go and what to do when....

 

[Minnie M6]

I looked up Tour Guide Mike and found his website. We're going in the 2nd week of December- would it still be worth the cost (it's really not much at all) since it's not as crowded that time of year?

Going to the bookstore today for the Passporter (can't wait on Amazon)!

 

[vellamint]

Thanks for the replies- I am thinking about getting the Passporter book/ guide- anyone use it? Recommend it? It has great reviews on Amazon.

And I'm still searching for a good spreadsheet.....there's probably one on this board somewhere!

I have been using Passporter since we started going in the year 2000. Back then I would buy the "old" spiral one (last years) because we did not have the money.

Since then I have bought bound leather-type one and love it - I still buy the outdated ones to use as a refill........sometimes for as low as $1.99.

I keep them in my Disney Box in the attic and can go back and look at what we did from day to day for all of our trips.......I really love it.

PLUS for our current trips....I put everything I need (and dont want to forget) in the little pockets.....coupons, Loews First Card, Orlando Magic Card, airlines printouts....my Mr. Potato Head list of parts that I need...its great!!

Can you tell I love my Passporter?

 

[Coconuts]

I love the unofficial guide, and also used mousesavers.com, allears.net, and wdwinfo and or disboards.com online. I basically made my own spreadsheet at home and planned my park days by staying away from the parks that had EMH that day, any special events like MVMCP, or unofficial guide's online chart for best park/best day. If I had to visit a park on its EMH day , I would go there first thing then leave when it really started to get crowded and visit another park. Hope this helps.

 

[Mamalisa58]

My sister & I used Passporter and found it very helpful in planning out our days.
I used Tour Guide Mike last Easter, having been many times in the past, I didn't really get any great tips from him. For a person who hasn't been in the past his tips may be useful.