How do you organize all this great info???

[mdmbfly]

Curious about how everyone organizes the inforamtion that they learn here. I started to print some of the sorrentino's thread but it got to be larger than a dictionary by the 4th page. Do you have any suggestions for how to keep, catalog or organize the info? TIA

 

[new kid at heart]

I've wondered this myself, and here's my plan. I'm getting one of those small bound photo albums (brag albums, like grandparents get to put the grandkids pictures in), not the ones where pages can be added or taken out and making 3-4 pages(front and back) for each park with park and parade times, my schedule for that park, fast pass info, dining info, and tips from this sight. I will cut and past what I've printed out and reduce the size on a zerox if need. I feel like it's small enough and sturdy enough for the job. If I have an extra page I will just add miscellaneous tips for just in case situations. I'm new at this, too, so this has not been tested as of yet. Results to come June 2005

 

[HeatherPage]

I just try to keep it all in my head

 

[lynetteSC]

at office depot, I got a thing that holds file index cards (kind of like a notebook) and then it had divider tabs as well. I have it divided into tips for resorts/parks/meals/etc. It is small enough to throw in our backpack or atleast read up on the way to Florida!

 

[jckdisneybound]

I cut and paste to an open word file, then delete any info I don't need.

 

[HappyLawyer]

if it is vital info i will ask the person to pm me and i will save the pm, if it is a valuable link i have a vacation favorite folder on my comp where i store all the links, i downloaded a palm to my laptop where i make some notes
everyone has their own system

 

[Jennyvelaz]

I second the cut and paste! Many bookmarks, too!

 

[Focusdude]

I have a 3-ring binder that is labeled "Travel" - it has a calendar with the current year and the next year as dividers. I punch all my info (from DU, airlines, etc.) and immediately put it in the binder. I have my tentative schedules for every day we will be in WDW, my priority seatings and the dates that I need to call on them on a page. I also print out random info, and place it in the Misc section of the binder. It is easy this way - the binder is soft sided, so it comes in my carry on bag on the trip!

It kind of sounds obsessive now that I read this back to myself . . . but it works!!!

Hope this helps!

 

[pezpam]

I get one or two of those plastic report-covers kids use for school papers. I take along all of my print-outs and each day I put in the pages relating to the park(s) we'll be at that day.

I am a little less obsessive than some, so I don't have a lot of pages to deal with. This time, I actually have a few PS's, but that'll all fit on one page. I take my lists of penny-press locations and include any maps and such I need that day. The plastic cover works well enough to keep the pages dry in my backpack or bag.

I also keep a separate similar folder with all of my flight confirmations, transfer confirmations, car rental info, etc..... Don't drag that one to the parks, though.

I tend to redo this for every trip. All confirmations will be new anyway, and my penny press location list will certainly be updated in between trips since I don't go every month. LOL

Oh! And this time, since we're doing the Dining Plan, I printed out the .pdf file of that brochure and went through alleares.net for menus - I marked which places had things I wanted to try and which places looked skippable. That's a few new pages, but not many - and better than trying to remember all of that info!

 

[eeyore kelly]

I have a word file to paste info in, as I find it useful. About once a week, I go through the file and paste it in the "Disney Vacation Book." Complete with table of contents. At this point the book is 188 pg. I bring the book to office depot to get it bound and I buy tabs for each diffent section to make it easier to find what I need. Can you say OCD?

 

[conmama]

I'm trying to keep it as condencsced as possible. I bought the Unofficial guide book which has alot of info in it.

1. I cut out the condensced touring plans at the back of the book and laminated them. I can now take that with me to the park.

2. I purchased a 10 pocket folder, that was plastic instead of paper, at Office depot. That way each pocket contains something.

3. I typed out my hotel info, phone numbers, reservations number, etc. on one piece of paper - HOTELS. We're driving and will be staying at hotels there and back and also going to Cocoa Beach for 3 nights.

4. I typed out all my Priority Seating by days and parks, times, confirmation, etc. I have that with my hotels.

5. I have my randmcnally maps in one.

6. I have Fast pass information and park openings in another. I just printed that info off of here or allearsnet.com.

7. I have the stuff Disney sent me in another, confirmations, etc.

8. I have a bit more stuff, but anyway, that's how I'm organizing it.

conmama

 

[mdmbfly]

Wow, you've given me some great ideas. I need to fish around for a system that will work for me. The laminating of park stuff is great. Thanks again.

 

[jenr812]

Lots of great info in this thread! Thanks

 

[MagicalMom]

If I really want to remember it, I write a note in my passporter. All reservation number, phone numbers & PSs are listed in my passporter too.

 

[ErinInCT]

Go over to the theme park attractions thread & check out the planner Snacky Stacky "created"/updated. It is great! I did something like that (Excel spreadsheet) but had a tab for each day so I could make sure we knew what we wanted to do when we got to the parks. I planned for such a long time & looked at those sheets so often that I basically had it memorized but would pull it out in the morning to review. I know some people who took colored index cards (diff color for each day) & hole punched the corner & put a key ring thing on it & laminated it so they could bring it with them. Sounded good in theory.

 

[Meezers]

Okay...I guess I am the only techno geek that has all the info I need downloaded onto the PDA.....even word docs cut and pasted to PDA.

You can dowload maps to the pda but they are a little small.

Schedules, menus, park hours, parade hours, phone numbers....everything in pda.

Since it is also wireless web....can jump to a couple of good portable sites right then if I need to.

I am hopeless.