How do you do it?

[maslex]

I would LOVE to do a trip report for our upcoming July trip. When you actually sit down to type out your report is everything coming from memory or did you take a little notebook with you to jot things down? I tried doing this for a cruise we took last year and I jotted everything I could remember at the end of the night but some nights I was totally exhausted so I'm sure I forgot some things. I never did end up writing up the trip report though

But I plan on taking lots of pics (food included)

Just wondering if anyone has some good guidelines or helpful hints for a newbie like me.

 

[NMAmy]

I haven't done a trip report on here in a couple of years but for each trip, I do a lot of scrapbooking with journal entries of what we did, what we ate, funny things that happened, etc.

I take a ton of pictures (which helps jog my memory) and I write notes every night before I go to bed. If I don't write it down that day, then it's pretty much forgotten. Now my notes are not like a trip report but just cryptic little notes to help me remember.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

I grab an extra park map each morning as I enter a park or when I park hop

I just make quick notes on a nap while waiting in line or while eating or people watching

Also I try to when I download pictures to make quick notes then too

I hope this helps

 

[OhMari]

Don't try and write the report on the DIS. Do it in a word document and copy and paste it to your thread. That way you can do rewrites and spell checks before you post.
Look at your pictures, this sometimes helps as a time-line.

 

[tiggerbell]

I don't take notes - like you said, you're just too tired sometimes.

I use my receipts and pictures and spreadsheet plan as a timeline, then sit in front of Word, clear my mind, and transport myself back to the trip.

I get so immersed in being back in time, that my daughter constantly freaks me out by appearing in the doorway and breaking my writing trance.

I've also discovered that the more reports I write, the easier they come. And the longer they get!

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

I'm an avid scrapbooker. As an editor & writer, Journaling is INCREDIBLY important for me. So, I take a few minor notes ... just enough to jog my memory. This is something I started doing way before we started going to WDW. So, my scrapbooking hobby fed into my first TR. Now, I've been working on a TR simply as a way to get all of my thoughts together from the notes as I'm working to finish the scrapbook of the trip.

I have the neatest little leather ring-binder that fits perfectly in my hip pouch. I keep all our trip details there ... ADRs, important phone #s, etc. It also has slots for IDs and credit cards. Best of all ... a little notebook in the back & a place for my pen. I don't stop immediately when I think of something I want to write ... just jot down notes when we stop to rest or back at hotel. The only exception to that ... if one of the girls says something particularly witty that I want to remember EXACTLY.

I am writing my trip report in MS Word. I just cut & paste a section at a time. Have been doing it for months. As I read other people's TRs, sometimes it jogged my memory so I went to my doc and made a quick note. So, I've got some info already there when I get ready to write a particular installement.

My how do you do it???...
I need to figure out how to post pics. Although my next installment is done, I haven't posted it as I have a couple of good pics that I'd like to include.

Amy

 

[lamagique]

I am currently in the middle of writing my first REAL, big one. I just kind of did it. True, I kept a journal at the time of the events, so I was able to remember what happened.

I say write down as much as you want. If you just want to remember what order you did things in, then just keep a list of things you did. Maybe write before bed. Or if you want it to be more detailed, make it more detailed. Or if you want to wait until you get back to write about it--do that, too. The great thing about trip reports is that they are all different. Each person has a unique experience. So whatever you decide to do will be fine--it's all about what you want to remember and what you would like to share.

I will say, however, that my favorite trip reports have:
1. At least some pictures
2. A great introduction to the people who are going to be on the trip
3. More than just a list of what they did... I like people to focus on the more unique aspects of their trip
4. Some humor

 

[be11e]

I would LOVE to do a trip report for our upcoming July trip. When you actually sit down to type out your report is everything coming from memory or did you take a little notebook with you to jot things down? I tried doing this for a cruise we took last year and I jotted everything I could remember at the end of the night but some nights I was totally exhausted so I'm sure I forgot some things. I never did end up writing up the trip report though

But I plan on taking lots of pics (food included)

Just wondering if anyone has some good guidelines or helpful hints for a newbie like me.

I am not new to WDW nor DIS but finally joined tonite... since I booked a trip for September and ready to ask for help. M favorite part of DIS Board are the trip reports and hopefully get some pointers too. Great Thread you started... subscribing!

 

[ANTSS2001]

I would LOVE to do a trip report for our upcoming July trip. When you actually sit down to type out your report is everything coming from memory or did you take a little notebook with you to jot things down? I tried doing this for a cruise we took last year and I jotted everything I could remember at the end of the night but some nights I was totally exhausted so I'm sure I forgot some things. I never did end up writing up the trip report though

But I plan on taking lots of pics (food included)

Just wondering if anyone has some good guidelines or helpful hints for a newbie like me.

I guess thats why 50% of my trip report are pictures... I never take down notes... but I have 1 memory stick per day. So I still can post it in order. Thats the only thing I do. 5 memory stick for 5 days or 6 for 6 etc. I do need use all the memory stick since I take the biggest resolution on all pcitures just in case I have the need to print it.