I'm such a nerd - is this normal??

[SHarrison]

Okay guys,

Hubby & my Orlando/Tampa trip seems fairly complicated (at least to me!). We are flying from BOS - MCO, and staying at the Royal Pacific Hotel for 4 nights to enjoy all of Universal's fun! Then, we are renting a car and driving to Tampa to see family and enjoy Busch Gardens for 3 nights. To get home, we are flying out of Tampa.

So, we've got 2 one-way flights, 2 hotel ressies, a one-way car ressie, town car ressie, and various tickets, etc. In order to organize all of this - and this is where the super-nerd factor comes in - I have been printing out all confirmation numbers, emails, etc and keeping them in a 3-ring binder that I plan to bring with us JUST IN CASE of any mishapes or misunderstandings.

Am I being WAY too anal about all of this or am I just really prepared?

 

[AlexandNessa]

If you're a nerd, than so am I! Welcome to the club!

I print all my confirmations (must print in color if applicable). If the entire confirmation letter is in black and white, I highlight the confirmation number. Then, I use the plastic protective sheets and slide in the print-outs of the confirmation so as not to get them folded or muddied. I don't use a 3-ring binder, but an accordian file folder because it's easier and lighter to pack than a binder.

I do the same thing for gift certificates, vouchers, coupons, maps,and menus that I may or may not need for the trip. Some people call it an obsession. I prefer to think of it as a hobby.

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

OH, yes!! VERY normal.... or you and me are just to prepared!! I did the SAME THING for our trip to Disney... I even had my daughter print out all the times for the parks openings and closings and the times for parades, fireworks, etc.... to find out it was all in the brochure. At least she enjoyed doing it!! LoL. Have a fun trip!!

 

[BelleRN]

I made my own planner notebook in the same fashion. I used a 3 ring binder with pocket pages to hold my paperwork. I labeled them according to each park, dining, travel, etc., then every time I read something on the DIS that sounded like I might want to try it, I put my "thoughts" in the notebook. It has helped me to remember the important things such as :Where to find the best Margarita---Mexico/Epcot and don't forget to go to Gheradelli (sp) for a sundae. ( I've been to the one in SanFrancisco, it was heaven)
Nerd....Never, just well prepared.

The most horrible thing I can imagine is standing in the middle of Main Street USA and having everyone in my family say, "I don't know, what do you want to do?" UGH

"If you fail to plan, you will plan to fail" author unknown

 

[curlyjbs]

On our last trip I had a years worth of planning info in folders, a binder, and the passporter book..............all of which I left home on the table by the front door. I didn't want to pack it because I wanted to be able to browse through it on the plane


Couldn't believe I did that. DH still wont let me live it down!


Still had a great trip though!!!!!



curly

 

[puffkin]

Sign me up for the nerd club!

I buy one of those 4 pocket expanding folders from Target (about $3). It is made of a plastic type material but it is very flexible. The flap folds down and hooks on with a stretchy rope type thing. It has four pockets. I put all our reservations, PS's, tickets, park maps, Disney dollars, pre-filled tip envelopes ect. into the different pockets. It is nice to have everything handy and in one place. The folder holds up great and slides in and out of my bag easily.

 

[wendypooh]

Wow......... I'm a nerd too!!!!

We search, and search, and research, and copy, and print, and "double" write it down........ I have one copy of all our confirmation #'s in my purse, and then there is another copy in our FOLDER!!! I couldn't keep up with it all otherwise!!!

 

[SHarrison]

Hooray!

I have finally found more people like me

DH teases me all the time, and has even asked me to plans in stages because he thinks that I'm doing too much too early - not possible!!

 

[Eclpz314]

This sounds like a meeting where we should all stand up and say "hi, I'm so-and-so....and I'm an obsessive planner" lol I wish I had read about the binder/pocket idea BEFORE our trip last year! I kept thinking I could fit "just one more piece of info in that USO Vacation pkg. envelope. I managed to get it all in but then had to make sure it was kept in the right order....you know, plane tickets in front w/school id cards for kids (which got moved to the back as soon as we boarded so they'd be right where I needed them for the return trip. Then there was the towncar reserv., RPR confirm. paperwork, DC reserv., etc. It worked well until I had placed something in the wrong order during our trip and couldn't find it right away! I referred to the envelope recently in comparing stuff for my trip this July. Surprisingly, the envelope/packet thing looks pretty good.....well-used, but good! I will definitely take some of the ideas from here with us this next time.

 

[No11's Mom]

My friends and family used to make fun of me...but our vacations usually go so smooth, that they appreciate it now (well, they still make fun sometimes). I keep my stuff in a folder with 3-brads, I have zip pouches in it, and clear pocket pages. Several people have borrowed my packing list template for their own vacations. I always have an itinerary that I print for everyone in our party. It is a flexible schedule, but I think it really helps to have it. Now everyone says "What's next Donna?"

Fifteen people, including 4 teenagers went to New Orleans with us in January to celebrate my 40th...I made everyone a map of the French Quarter, with locations we would be visiting marked. It was attached to a schedule and had everyone's hotel numbers and cell phone numbers attached. We all felt comfortable letting the teens go off by theirselves for periods, since we knew they had their maps and numbers with them.

I have had people ask me that after so much planning, am I ever disappointed in the actual trip. But that has never happened. I've found that all the planning and research has helped us enjoy our trips even more...and helped us save tons and money and time.

Now I'm off to do more research....

 

[SHarrison]

You have a packing list template??? Would you be willing to share with me ?

 

[No11's Mom]

SHarrison - I'll be happy to send the packing list to you...just pm me or email me with your email address.

 

[highlander447]

U wouldn't be on these boards if this wasn't the norm for us