Calling all WDW Planners!!!

[Komplex]

I am in the beginning stages of planning my family's very first trip to WDW and I am trying to put together an all inclusive spreadsheet to keep track of my expenses, ADRs, Park Hours, EMH, parade times,etc. I know there are probably hundreds of spreadsheets, Word Docs, PDFs, and the like floating around in DIS cyberspace so I am hoping to take the best of the tried and true planning tools out there and meld them into my master spreasheet. This is a big step for me because I am not the planner in my family and I have a tendency to procrastinate. My trip isn't until the 1st week of Apr (I know but its the only time we can go) so I have some time to get it right and not reinvent the wheel.

So if you are willing, send me what has worked for your family and I will be truly greatful. Komplex

 

[dianemb]

I used the mouse for less pages themouseforless.com . I printed out the 1/2 page sheets and folded them in half. Placed them in a file folder, cut it down to size and stapled it together. I printed out daily highlight sheets for each day, writing down important info for that day like which park we were going to and which ones had EMH. The back page of several info pages have a trip journal page on them and I used one for each park and wrote down the highlights i didn't want to miss. I also included any ADR conf. #s. It ended up not being to big.

I also used and index card for each day with important info that I keep in my wallet.

ENJOY your trip!!!!!

 

[PottersMom]

I bought the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2006. I love it - has tons of info, but the best part - IMHO,. it includes touring plans of the parks so you can avoid bottlenecks and excessive waits in line. Dunno when the '07 will be out. This was a huge help in selecting a resort, choosing tickets etc. I am not a spreadsheet person. At all. Period. We went on a package so expenses are "all inclusive" except for gas money, alcoholic beverages and Souvies. Plus we have set aside $100 to purchase a Photopass CD if we want at the end of our trip. As for the rest, I printed out maps of the parks, then copies of the touring plans and a few trivia items about each park, also the hours of operation, our ADR reservation #'s pieced them together on 6x8 cards and laminated them. This way I can just take the card(s) for that day and everything is in one handy waterproof place! I'm a little more artistic than analytical, but I had great fun getting everything together. Unofficial guide is great though- they even have predictions for which parks are best to visit on the days of your trip based on , well a lot of info. I can't say enough good things about the book and site! Happy planning!

 

[fAnnF]

I have OCD so this is what I have:
the passporter, it has places to write all of the info down and pockets to store stuff, love it.
a 8.5x11 binder, with directions, maps, park hours, ADRs and 3 different touring plans i made myself
I also have a 5x7 spiral where i keep reservation numbers, ADRs, and any other notes I want to jot down.

 

[Komplex]

thanks for the great info. I plan to pick up a guide for 07 when it comes out. Keep em coming!!!

 

[marconat]

I love the www.allearsnet.com site, it has a lot of info... have fun browsing.

 

[01Sweetpea]

I have a 3" binder, I print out everything that I need, seperate it into categories, and then subcategories if necessary.

I have:
info on the resort I an staying at (Poly)
info on park hours, EMH hours
info on parade & firework times
info on the restaurants and their menus, then subcategorized by the park or resort the restaurant is in
info on the water parks
info on anything special going on during my stay (Osbourne Lights, Candlelight processional)

I also have a section with my itinerary, ticket prices, copy of my resort reservation & my airline reservations.

Yes...I am an obsessive planner.

 

[scakul]

I used a spreadsheet to keep track of reservation #'s (airline, hotels (usually split our stay at 2 hotels), ADR's, park hours, show times, planned schedule and a list of the Disney trading pins I already had.

This year I did something different though. After I was finished with all of my planning & completed last minute updates for park hours etc., I reduced the size of the documents to fit on 3 3X5 index cards.

I then put the index cards in my fanny pack. It was great! I didn't have to carry around a passporter or big sheets of paper and I knew at any point in time where I needed to be or, if we had a change in plans, I could readjust because I had everything at my fingertips.

 

[disneyfan61]

I did use the Passporter last year for the first time & I loved it. But I also used
index cards for my ADR's & park hours. They are small & fit in my fanny pack.

 

[Komplex]

I am on the fence as to which guide to pick up (unofficial or passporter). I am going Mar 31-Apr 7th which is being tossed right in the fire. I am trying to do this right since I am the one planning our first trip. I was looking for Spreadsheets and the like that people use to plan so that I can find a system that works for me. Thanks for all the great suggestions.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Passporter and PDA.

Welcome to the DIS.

 

[KatiebugsMom]

I think the menus at allears.net are the best and most up to date. I use these as my guide to pick places for my families ADR's. Also their reviews of resorts and restaurants are nicely organized.

 

[JPN4265]

I am in the beginning stages of planning my family's very first trip to WDW and I am trying to put together an all inclusive spreadsheet to keep track of my expenses, ADRs, Park Hours, EMH, parade times,etc. I know there are probably hundreds of spreadsheets, Word Docs, PDFs, and the like floating around in DIS cyberspace so I am hoping to take the best of the tried and true planning tools out there and meld them into my master spreasheet. This is a big step for me because I am not the planner in my family and I have a tendency to procrastinate. My trip isn't until the 1st week of Apr (I know but its the only time we can go) so I have some time to get it right and not reinvent the wheel.

So if you are willing, send me what has worked for your family and I will be truly greatful. Komplex

With all of this planning, when do you have time for FUN!!!

 

[lexmelinda]

I used the UG last trip but this trip subscribed to Tour Guide Mike which I like better. He updates park hours whenever Disney changes them (which seems to be weekly), he includes best parks for the specific days you will be attending, hotel & restaurant reviews, and sample park tours including how he tours the park with his VIP guests. He also has spread sheets, print outs, etc. if you're looking for that. I like his information and would highly recommend it for a first timer going during Spring Break. I consider $18 to be a very small investment considering the price of our vacation and if I stand in line just one hour less then it will have been worth it to me. I enjoy the planning so I am also DISing daily and checking menus and reviews on allearsnet.com. Have fun!

 

[DisneyMama2H&O]

I used the mouse for less pages themouseforless.com . I printed out the 1/2 page sheets and folded them in half. Placed them in a file folder, cut it down to size and stapled it together. I printed out daily highlight sheets for each day, writing down important info for that day like which park we were going to and which ones had EMH. The back page of several info pages have a trip journal page on them and I used one for each park and wrote down the highlights i didn't want to miss. I also included any ADR conf. #s. It ended up not being to big.

I also used and index card for each day with important info that I keep in my wallet.

ENJOY your trip!!!!!

Wow I just went to themouseforless.com and spent a 1/2 hour there printing great things out. Thanks!

 

[ToyStory#1fan'sMom]

I complied all the (massive amounts) of info I've gotten from this site, mouseforless, and the different guidebooks. Then I bought 4x6 notecard printer paper and made cards for each day. I included ADRs, parade/show times, the order we might want to try and follow, rides to definitely hit and ones to miss. I also did a "Hints and Tips" card for each day. Then I put them in order of days. I also included a "Disney Menu" section. I included menus from our ADRs and the CS meals I think we'll frequent. That way we'll be ready to order when we sit down (less time sitting=happier kiddo!).

I took all that and bought a $1 small photo album. I took out the front and back pictues and made my own with Mickey and and the a family vacation title. It looks really cute and will be extremely helpful when we get there.

My family laughs at me, but I love to plan so I don't care!

Kate

 

[Leigha]

If you can get the search feature to work, type in the word spreadsheet and you'll find more options for some people have made themselves. Good luck!

 

[kkevcamsmom]

I would die without my spreadsheets...lol My Disney Planning one has 8 worksheets in it since we are in the planning phase. I have Hotels, Tickets, Dining, Parks, Flights, Sample 7 day, Deciding (what do we want to do vs. what we need to do) and Est. Costs. I have yet to add my ADR's and plan the days, packing lists, or must to before we go.

As the planning goes on I change the layout and tab names to reflect the trip in it's finished stage better. I will send you a blank copy if you want.

I also keep a notebook to jot down notes, ideas, and whenever I call I note the name of the person I talked to, time and date and a brief note about what we talked about.

My DH doens't understand why I go through such great lenghts when planning a trip but we have yet to have a 'boring' day or forget to bring anything. I am trying to convince him we need a laptop so I don't have to print everything out 20 times...lol

Good Luck!!!


Lori

 

[firkat]

Komplex - I think you are asking about links to spreadsheets . . . not just websites or planning guides. I recall running across an Excel type spreadsheet for ADRs, I think. I checked my Favorites and must not have saved it. I am sure other folks here will know what I'm talking about though.

Good luck!