*Chocolate and Pixie Dust* - An August 2008 TR- 8/29 pg 6: Sort of an update

[Tanya90210]

I consider myself very organized, but I don't do a "binder" - that would make me nuts having something that bulky. lol I use a strong folder. Dining reservations, room reservations, flight info, limo reservations, mass times at the Shrine, tentative itinerary, ticket copies. I put the really important things in plastic sleeves. That's it.
I'm on VACATION!!!!!!!!!!

I am a crazy binder person... but I do what I call a QR (Quick Reference) that is way smaller and only has pertinent info... for the parks... it fits perfectly into the bag we carry without getting bulky...

 

[Tanya90210]

ok... here are my binders and QR's from last year... the pink one is a yearly one that has all the rides info... but the black will have a replacement this year..
This is 2 of the QR I did for last year... one for me... one for a good friend of mine

Here are the binders... the purple clipboard behind sometimes holds the QR's if I am worried it might rain... since I can put stuff inside it

 

[Native NYer]

It's a fun place to go spend some time. They have a 3-D film, a bunch of exhibits, a character meet n' greet with the polar bear, a tour that shows how Coke is made, and of course, the tasting room.



I organize mine into sections: reservation details, resort, packing stuff, directions, park info., dining plan/dining reservations, fun stuff to remember to do -- I know I have other sections, but that might get you started.



There is a pirate cruise that sails from the Grand Floridian that would be right up T's alley! Also, they have a Junior Chef program at the Land where they make chocolate chip cookies. I'll see if I can think of anything else today.

The World of Coca Cola sounds like fun. I really am excited about visiting Atlanta.

That will get me started. I think I'm going to get those clear page protectors to slip maps, etc. in.

The pirate cruise seems like a good choice for T.

I was going to mention the Pirate cruise as well (haven't done it, but have read a lot about it).

Sorry I haven't been around! I'm sure I have a lot of catching up to do.

How are you feeling Jennifer?

Don't worry. You've had your hands full!!

I'm feeling so much better, thanks!!

Just found you & I have to say, your nephew is seriously the cutest little guy ever!

Thanks

Binders I cannot help with. Everyhting goes on my Treo (hopefully IPHONE) before I go.

as for your nephew have u checked Allears and see if they have info on it.

POR does a Pirate cruise also I think.

How about a book for kids. maybe that would give u ideas.

I'm going to check Allears tonight and get Birnbaum's guide for kids.

I think you've seen enough pictures of my binder, but here's one:

Here's the binder not making the height requirement at Space Mountain:

I love the pic

 

[Native NYer]

What about the Pirate Cruise... Farrah's kids (heath-and-javens-mom) did that last year.... I hear it's pretty fun...

I'm going to ask Farrah for details about that one.

I'll post some of mine later... if you need any assist with stuff to put in em let me know... I save alot of files on my laptop for binders that I help others with

ok... here are my binders and QR's from last year... the pink one is a yearly one that has all the rides info... but the black will have a replacement this year..
This is 2 of the QR I did for last year... one for me... one for a good friend of mine

Here are the binders... the purple clipboard behind sometimes holds the QR's if I am worried it might rain... since I can put stuff inside it

I going to take you up on your offer to help. I love that you doo a QR. That is so smart! You are way more organized than me.

If I have trouble sometimes being brief and I'm afraid my QR would read like the Encyclopedia Brittanica. I could never stay within the page limits in grad school either

Tanya, I'm ready to fly you to NYC to help me. I think you should go into business preparing binders for WDW vacationers. I'd buy one!

 

[Native NYer]

I consider myself very organized, but I don't do a "binder" - that would make me nuts having something that bulky. lol I use a strong folder. Dining reservations, room reservations, flight info, limo reservations, mass times at the Shrine, tentative itinerary, ticket copies. I put the really important things in plastic sleeves. That's it.
I'm on VACATION!!!!!!!!!!

Right now, I have a couple of those strong plastic folders stuffed with all sorts of info. I have all my reservation numbers on a chart on my computer. I feel like I'm doing more work for this than my final project in grad school But this is way more fun.

I've never considered getting a mass schedule in WDW. I just figured it would be hard to find services or I'd have to travel far.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Oooh a binder!!! Mine is on my PTR. I usually put reservation information on the hotels we are staying at during our drive there and back. Then I have our itenerary, then I have park hours listed for each park/each day we are there along with magic hours. I also print out the entire pdf file for the dining plan to help me remember what is on the plan and what is not, just incase I want to change something last minute. In the pockets I have a map of WDW and a map of our resort. I also put our vouchers there and some extra LGMH's, a pen and a highlighter.

 

[Native NYer]

Oooh a binder!!! Mine is on my PTR. I usually put reservation information on the hotels we are staying at during our drive there and back. Then I have our itenerary, then I have park hours listed for each park/each day we are there along with magic hours. I also print out the entire pdf file for the dining plan to help me remember what is on the plan and what is not, just incase I want to change something last minute. In the pockets I have a map of WDW and a map of our resort. I also put our vouchers there and some extra LGMH's, a pen and a highlighter.

The pdf file of the dining plan is a great idea. I can never remember what's included and what's not.

Pen and highlighter- great idea I think I may add Post-Its and Post-It page flags. I'm a bit obsessed with Post-It's.

I'm anal about the asthetics and want to get it to look perfect. I have to find section dividers I like at Staples.


I have not gotten any LGMH's. The last time I was in a Home Depot was when I painted my classroom 4 years ago. I used two colors, a light blue by Benjamin Moore and Fairy Godmother (a darker blue) by Disney. The cabinets are painted a light green and yellow. My classroom has a jungle theme this year- large bamboo wall stickers and huge leaves from Ikea overhead.
I really should be on prozac.

Oh and yes, teachers at my school are insane type-a people that paint their classrooms. This is why I love the school. I fit right in

I really need to post pictures.

 

[Native NYer]

As you probably already noticed, I find new things to obsess over each day. And you are only seeing the Disney side to my OCD-esque, type A personality. Believe me, it extends to other things, like work, clothes, the gym, my golf lessons. All of my obsessing happens in my head, oh and now on the DIS I don't make lists of things to do and I never write down appointments and that kind of stuff. I never plug it into my Blackberry or use a planner. Miraculously, I just remember. No one at work seems to notice because about 95% of the faculty is the EXACT SAME WAY. What are the odds?

Anyway, back to tonight's obession. Bags! Not the kind that are found under tired eyes, not the kind that you go to the plastic surgeon to remove (yes, I have friends that have had their eyebags removed- remember I live in NYC ). I'm talking about the bags that we all take to WDW to shove hand sanitizer, wipes, sunblock, tissues, cameras, camcorders, wallets, park tickets, room keys, cell phones, etc. in.

I've been reading ptrs and noticed that people are into something called a Baggalini. Well, I've never seen one of these creatures up close until this week. I was strolling through The Container Store on Lexington and 58th street after a stop in Bloomingdales. The Container Store has a great aisle of travel size containers to pour shampoo (remember, my salon doesn't sell travel sizes) and lotions and other stuff in for trips. They have tons of organizer bags and pillows for the airplane. Well, as I was experiencing a high from being so close to travel size things, I saw it. I saw a Baggalini. Then I noticed a whole aisle of them. Small ones, big ones, ones that fold up. But no messenger Baggalinis. That's what I was really interested in. The Baggalinis I saw were not for me. And they were definitely not appropriate park bags.

So, now my new obsession. I want to find the PERFECT bag for Disney. I want something that's waterproof because it rains a lot in August. I want something lightweight because I'm not a pack mule and have no desire to be hunched over, weighed down by some heavy bag with a couple of ponchos in it. And I want something asthetically pleasing because I don't do ugly. While the thought of a new Coach bag or possibly a Gucci is exciting, I know those are not practical. I would thoroughly enjoy purchasing them, but I can't see wearing Nikes and carrying a Gucci bag while spinning out of control on the teacups. Doesn't make sense.

I also want something my dad wouldn't mind carrying if I want a break (or just get lazy ).

In January, I carried a LeSportsac backpack. I LOVE LeSportsac. I love all of the crazy prints and styles. The bag is lightweight and waterproof. Double bonus While I really like this bag, my dad would NOT be caught dead carrying this:

So, I'm considering a small Northface backpack or one of the smaller LL Bean backpacks. I don't want the larger variety because my nephew will be riding in his stroller, not on my back.

I'm also considering messenger bags. I do like the Baggalini messenger bag, but would have to order it online. So, I want to know what all of you Baggalini carriers like or dislike about the bag.

Also, any bags that I'm not thinking of and should?

 

[Tanya90210]

I going to take you up on your offer to help. I love that you doo a QR. That is so smart! You are way more organized than me.

If I have trouble sometimes being brief and I'm afraid my QR would read like the Encyclopedia Brittanica. I could never stay within the page limits in grad school either

Tanya, I'm ready to fly you to NYC to help me. I think you should go into business preparing binders for WDW vacationers. I'd buy one!

Feel free.... I am in "practice" mode right now to do just that.... for now... still doing everything for free to get practice as I don't want to charge when I am not fully confident in my work hehe...

 

[swwake]

... because it rains a lot in August.

It does??? I didn't know that. Rain is DEFINITELY not in my itinerary. Now I am going to have to go change some things.

I love the heart-y bag you carried in January. I think you should stick with that one.

 

[Native NYer]

Feel free.... I am in "practice" mode right now to do just that.... for now... still doing everything for free to get practice as I don't want to charge when I am not fully confident in my work hehe...

Well you're binders look great! I really like them. I wish I could flip through one right now

How long did they take? Did you print out ride info online or typed up your own?

 

[Tanya90210]

As far as bags go I go for what is Cute and disney then if it's not waterproof.. which is normal... ziploc bags for stuff that might be damaged inside

 

[Native NYer]

It does??? I didn't know that. Rain is DEFINITELY not in my itinerary. Now I am going to have to go change some things.

I love the heart-y bag you carried in January. I think you should stick with that one.

I wish it didn't rain so much in Orlando in the summer

I may bring the heart backpack, but I'm looking for an excuse to get a new bag You're actually saving me money!

 

[Tanya90210]

Well you're binders look great! I really like them. I wish I could flip through one right now

How long did they take? Did you print out ride info online or typed up your own?

Print up mostly... alot of the QR info except for Dining PDF and Hidden Treasures info ... is typed up and printed by me... plus I spent hours making my own park maps... that I laminated... without ride names and such on top but if your as obscessed as I u don't need names hehe... and I have some dry erase markers I keep with me at parks so if I have to "show" someone where to go I can hehe... or so I know which way to go if i forget where the heck I am or need a shortcut or whatever...

 

[Charleston Princess]

As far as bags go, I got a Vera Bradley hipster for Christmas for the very reason that I wanted it for Disney trips. I love it! It can sling across your body and is big enough for the things I take to the park. It zips across the top so when I go on rides, nothing will fall out. It worked beautifully this week -- no problems on the Barnstormer or Big Thunder. It's also light enough that I did not feel like my back was about to break by the end of the night.

 

[Native NYer]

As far as bags go I go for what is Cute and disney then if it's not waterproof.. which is normal... ziploc bags for stuff that might be damaged inside

I hadn't thought of ziplocs! Great idea

Tanya, you're like my Yoda

You should consider writing a trip planning book or starting your own website.

 

[Tanya90210]

I hadn't thought of ziplocs! Great idea

Tanya, you're like my Yoda

You should consider writing a trip planning book or starting your own website.

awwww I love Yoda! and I am short too just not that short

I plan on eventually doing a "trip planning" business specializing in Disney Vacations (WDW and DL) but am not ready to do so yet... so anyone that lets me is a test subject I just want to be ready for anything when I do actually do that KWIM so if u need/want help feel free... I loves me some disney planning!

 

[Native NYer]

Print up mostly... alot of the QR info except for Dining PDF and Hidden Treasures info ... is typed up and printed by me... plus I spent hours making my own park maps... that I laminated... without ride names and such on top but if your as obscessed as I u don't need names hehe... and I have some dry erase markers I keep with me at parks so if I have to "show" someone where to go I can hehe... or so I know which way to go if i forget where the heck I am or need a shortcut or whatever...

You are ultra-organized! I like the idea of creating my own park maps. I just wouldn't know where to begin. I do plan on laminating things. I like knowing that it's not going to get wrinkled and crinkled. Dry erase markers is a great idea

As far as bags go, I got a Vera Bradley hipster for Christmas for the very reason that I wanted it for Disney trips. I love it! It can sling across your body and is big enough for the things I take to the park. It zips across the top so when I go on rides, nothing will fall out. It worked beautifully this week -- no problems on the Barnstormer or Big Thunder. It's also light enough that I did not feel like my back was about to break by the end of the night.

Oh I love Vera Bradley. I have to check out those bags, especially since it was not heavy.

 

[Native NYer]

awwww I love Yoda! and I am short too just not that short

I plan on eventually doing a "trip planning" business specializing in Disney Vacations (WDW and DL) but am not ready to do so yet... so anyone that lets me is a test subject I just want to be ready for anything when I do actually do that KWIM so if u need/want help feel free... I loves me some disney planning!

Thanks Tanya
I'm definitely going to take you up on your offer. And if you need/want anything from the World of Disney store in NYC, let me know. I'd be happy to pick up and ship some goodies to you.

And iyour trip planning business is a great idea. When you get started, I'll be your first client!

 

[Tanya90210]

You are ultra-organized! I like the idea of creating my own park maps. I just wouldn't know where to begin. I do plan on laminating things. I like knowing that it's not going to get wrinkled and crinkled. Dry erase markers is a great idea

you are too funny PM me and I'll give u my email addy and I will share with ya whatever you like or help or whatever Farrah can tell ya... I love to help add some wizard: to folks vacations