I have just gone over the edge... (trip planning)

[Cindy B]

Before, I was a maybe a few PS person, maybe have a day interiarary, maybe a stray map, kind of person...

But this trip, my DH thinks I have LOST IT!

He printed out maps (in color) not only to Florida, to Universal from the hotel, to Seaworld from the hotel, to family from the hotel, to our character breakfast from the hotel., etc.. you get the picture..

I got a binder from work, and some protective plastic sheets, put all the maps in.

Then I created a second section on confirmation sheets, (again in plastic)

Then I created a third section with coupons for dining I have printed out (again in plastic)

Then the fourth section was all the parks time/operating schedule and the fees for parking (in plastic)

Then finally all the brochures for all the places (in plastic)


Now that I have worked on it, watch that I leave it at home!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Pack it now just to be on the safe side. (Although you will probably have more to add--I know I put stuff in my planning docket up until the night before we left.)

And if it makes you feel any better, I get pretty obsessive with my planning documents, too. But for me, planning a trip is half of the fun of going on it.

 

[bfeller]

You sound like my kind of planner. All your work will pay off.

 

[snoopy]

LOL.

I remember when I first found the DIS and I would read about these people who were running around with itineraries that they had laminated and made into keychains. I thought that was the most insane thing I ever heard, as well as the spreadsheets and other crazy ideas I would read here.

That is until I made my first trip. I learned its always good to have a plan. While I've never been what one would call commando, I still learned to appreciate the rewards of having at least a loose plan.

Sounds like you are all set, Cindy. Have a great trip!

 

[Saffron]

ROTFLOL!!! Oh my gosh Cindy!! You sound like me!! Once I'm in the parks, I don't care, but I have all of the same things you have, do all the same things you have just done. I think it's so much fun, adds to the excitement and makes it seem real!!! I love planning trips!!!

We're planning a trip to Wildwood Crest next summer. We have already looked at MapBlast to find maps from home to the Crest, the Crest to the boardwalk, the Crest to Asbury Park for the day. LOL!! I haven't printed them yet, but I will!!

I'm so excited for you!! I hope you have a wonderful time!! I'm sure you will!!

 

[kinlaw6450]

I make a book like that every time I go. I thought it was the meeting planner in me....

 

[glo]

lol...sounds cool. I am a loose planner myself. I will do the PS and what park on what day, but that is about it!! The rest I play by ear, and it often changes as it goes along. Your book will make a great momento though.

 

[aprincessmom]

Since I plan and run projects for a living, planning a vacation gets a bit more attention to paperwork than most other peoples. Although I've never used a binder with plastic sleeves, I always do put together a spiral notebook with a pocket with all the info. And I still have all the ones I've ever done.

Pre-trip we decorate the front cover and divide up the sections, write all the info, paste in maps, pictures and such. During the trip we keep a journal in there of the trip, paste in stuff, etc. On the plane ride home we look through it and relive the recent past. Later on we'll take them out and read through them, especially if we go back to a particular place.

Since it's usually not to big, we keep it in my backpack. And that way I won't forget it.

Cindy...sounds like you could be a project manager. Ever thought of a career change?

 

[Kallison]

Welcome to the world of Type A anal compulsive obssessive vacation planners.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by aprincessmom



Cindy...sounds like you could be a project manager. Ever thought of a career change?

Actually, I'm looking for a job.. are you hiring?

And Snoop, I thought the laminated spreadsheets was over the top too, but then I thought, hey, lets try it...

We don't have a day to day plan (trying to keep it loose), but I figure for 14 days, I need to be somewhat organized.

 

[luvmy2sams]

COPYCAT!!! LOL

My DH has a giant Excel spreadsheet with countdown calendar, color-coded itinerary (including a pictoral itinerary for our 3 year old DD), estimated park hours, PS call dates & confirmation sheet, park-by-park must-see descriptions, etc. He even has a page that describes all the restaurants we've selected. We've also got the plastic-sleeve-filled binder that's currently holding our hotel confirmations, AAA driving directions, etc.

Good to know that we're not the only obsessive ones out there!

 

[JasonLyons]

lol you sound organized, I like to let my mood guide me

 

[browneyes]

On our last trip, I carried a 2 1/2" binder full of maps, tips, things from the dis, phone numbers, etc. I didn't use the protective sheets. However, my dd took my idea and she made up her own binder and SHE used the protective sheets (she was 7 yo at the time). I also took my disney travel book. I was trying to coordinate the fun for 12 of us. By the end of day 1, I told them to go where they wanted to go, I'd go where I wanted to go. That worked out better in the end. They all got mad at me when I MADE them go to MK for one of the parades one night. But everyone enjoyed it (told them they needed to listen to me more often ). The binders are good keepsakes.

 

[cotye]

Wow, that is a lot of preparation there. But it sounds like you'll be ready for anything! Cool!