Itinerary's - how do you do yours?

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I am at the stage where I need to get our itinerary down on paper so that I can see where the glaring holes of my planning are .

I'd love to know what you all do in terms of an itinerary? Do you type them up, do you use an excel spreadsheet, do you handwrite them?

Do you do one that includes each of the days all together or do you do a "day a page" style thing?

How much detail do you put on your itinerary? Phone numbers and addresses of everything, times, booking nos. etc?

Enquiring minds would like to know

 

[battymum]

What works best for me, is a regular A5 size diary, with a pencil and eraser, (make sure its one of those mechanical ones!
1 week to an opening is probably best for an easy view.

I had all sorts of spreadsheets and notes, but sometimes its easier to just write things down, rather than typing - I am trying to use my iphone calendar more, but its just easier to write. (although, I do hate my handwriting)

To be honest, I didnt carry the diary with me, my itinerary was not that detailed - it was just a day by day plan.

I would put booking numbers for ADRs and telephone numbers of tour operators in my phone though.

 

[Beee]

I am at the stage where I need to get our itinerary down on paper so that I can see where the glaring holes of my planning are .

I'd love to know what you all do in terms of an itinerary? Do you type them up, do you use an excel spreadsheet, do you handwrite them?

Do you do one that includes each of the days all together or do you do a "day a page" style thing?

How much detail do you put on your itinerary? Phone numbers and addresses of everything, times, booking nos. etc?

Enquiring minds would like to know

My day job is a a scheduler so I have a spreadsheet for the whole trip, im also planning to type up a more detailed day by day kind of thing and I have tripit on my phone .

 

[australiankaren]

I also use pen and paper
dates down one side, locations on the other
then check WDW crowd levels and try to go during low times
then slot in cruise dates
look at flight availability and dates/prices
then tell DH we are going.....
then put it all in tripit....

speaking of going I emailed DH and said we will revisit finances re holidays on jan 1, 2014 for a sept 2014 trip...he said OK

too easy

 

[JessNewbs]

I tried to do the paper pencil thing and kept redoing it. I found it much easier to do a word document, I have each date and what will be planned on those dates. So flight times, things left to book are in bold font and any phone numbers we may need on those days included. I am going to put all paperwork for each leg of our trip in a resealable sandwich bag and make enough copies of each leg so that we have one set of each in each of the 4 suitcases (and one carry on). That way if one goes wayward we still have one somewhere!

 

[Ozdisneydreamin]

I have it all on an excel spreadsheet. If I'm out and about and think of something I add to the notes section on my iPhone and add it later. Sometimes I think I prefer the planning part the most. I obsessively check dis, tripadvisor, miceage, laughing place and a multitude if blogs. I think I have some sort of disorder lol

 

[Franrose]

I use one of those slip in folders with everything in it - plans, ideas, tips, tricks, as well as itinerary. For that, I used TripIt - you can keep tabs on everything and print that out at the end as your "master", but I also had a printed out calendar in there that I could write notes on for each day's plans. I love that I can go back to this folder to jog my memory about what we did and also use it to help make decisions about the next trip (because a lot of my decision making is documented).

Looking through my old folder, after my TripIt itinerary I have a touring plan calendar print out, airline and hotel reservation confirmations, my T-mobile info, show booking details, insurance details and then a whole lot of NY info in there. The thing I loved about having TripIt on my phone was that I had all my reservation details loaded up, if I wanted to have anything changed I had the phone number and reservation/booking number right there at my fingertips to do it. Addresses and maps were also right there. And DH could log in from his phone so also had our plans at his fingertips to look through.

 

[australiankaren]

I use one of those slip in folders with everything in it - plans, ideas, tips, tricks, as well as itinerary. For that, I used TripIt - you can keep tabs on everything and print that out at the end as your "master", but I also had a printed out calendar in there that I could write notes on for each day's plans. I love that I can go back to this folder to jog my memory about what we did and also use it to help make decisions about the next trip (because a lot of my decision making is documented).

Looking through my old folder, after my TripIt itinerary I have a touring plan calendar print out, airline and hotel reservation confirmations, my T-mobile info, show booking details, insurance details and then a whole lot of NY info in there. The thing I loved about having TripIt on my phone was that I had all my reservation details loaded up, if I wanted to have anything changed I had the phone number and reservation/booking number right there at my fingertips to do it. Addresses and maps were also right there. And DH could log in from his phone so also had our plans at his fingertips to look through.

that is exactly how i do it...I print it off and pop it in my folder...worked a treat..also loaded it on ipad/ ipod.....

but i do enjoy paper & pen approach at the beginning....I have so many manila folders...I need to cull...

I also enjoy stationary so its win win for me

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

What works best for me, is a regular A5 size diary, with a pencil and eraser, (make sure its one of those mechanical ones!
1 week to an opening is probably best for an easy view.

I had all sorts of spreadsheets and notes, but sometimes its easier to just write things down, rather than typing - I am trying to use my iphone calendar more, but its just easier to write. (although, I do hate my handwriting)

To be honest, I didnt carry the diary with me, my itinerary was not that detailed - it was just a day by day plan.

I would put booking numbers for ADRs and telephone numbers of tour operators in my phone though.

I too love to write things down. I work much better with a handwritten to do list than a typed one. I still have a normal paper diary for my business with a week to an opening. My DH says I'm like a dinosaur that way. I just can't get used to the calendar in my phone .

My day job is a a scheduler so I have a spreadsheet for the whole trip, im also planning to type up a more detailed day by day kind of thing and I have itrip on my phone .

I just can't get my head around the spreadsheet thing. So many people swear by them though so maybe one day I need to embrace it .

I also use pen and paper
dates down one side, locations on the other
then check WDW crowd levels and try to go during low times
then slot in cruise dates
look at flight availability and dates/prices
then tell DH we are going.....
then put it all in tripit....

speaking of going I emailed DH and said we will revisit finances re holidays on jan 1, 2014 for a sept 2014 trip...he said OK

too easy

Your husband is such a push over .

I tried to do the paper pencil thing and kept redoing it. I found it much easier to do a word document, I have each date and what will be planned on those dates. So flight times, things left to book are in bold font and any phone numbers we may need on those days included. I am going to put all paperwork for each leg of our trip in a resealable sandwich bag and make enough copies of each leg so that we have one set of each in each of the 4 suitcases (and one carry on). That way if one goes wayward we still have one somewhere!

I do something similar but I have a master itinerary with flight and hotel information etc. and then for places like WDW I have a separate one with detailed per day information per page so I just tear that days plans off the top and take it with me to the parks.

I have it all on an excel spreadsheet. If I'm out and about and think of something I add to the notes section on my iPhone and add it later. Sometimes I think I prefer the planning part the most. I obsessively check dis, tripadvisor, miceage, laughing place and a multitude if blogs. I think I have some sort of disorder lol

Sounds like it, although I think most of us here on the Dis have that disorder. What blogs do you read?

I use one of those slip in folders with everything in it - plans, ideas, tips, tricks, as well as itinerary. For that, I used TripIt - you can keep tabs on everything and print that out at the end as your "master", but I also had a printed out calendar in there that I could write notes on for each day's plans. I love that I can go back to this folder to jog my memory about what we did and also use it to help make decisions about the next trip (because a lot of my decision making is documented).

Looking through my old folder, after my TripIt itinerary I have a touring plan calendar print out, airline and hotel reservation confirmations, my T-mobile info, show booking details, insurance details and then a whole lot of NY info in there. The thing I loved about having TripIt on my phone was that I had all my reservation details loaded up, if I wanted to have anything changed I had the phone number and reservation/booking number right there at my fingertips to do it. Addresses and maps were also right there. And DH could log in from his phone so also had our plans at his fingertips to look through.

I had a look at tripit a while ago but couldn't quite get my head around the technology of it all .

I do a folder style as well with plastic pockets.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

It's been great hearing what you all do. Most of it sounds fairly similar to me so that's reassuring.

 

[cola]

speaking of going I emailed DH and said we will revisit finances re holidays on jan 1, 2014 for a sept 2014 trip...he said OK
too easy

Congratulations
You have DVC, how can you not go?!?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I have a folder for the trip that I decorate with the relevant theme eg. Disney.

I then have dividers in the folder for each city we will visit.

I then put every separate detail of the trip like flights, hotel bookings, tours, shows, etc. into their own plastic pocket - in exact date order. That way I can turn to the next plastic pocket to grab out that day's tickets or maps or information.

Then closer to the trip I type up a master itinerary that looks something like this:-

2010 US Itinerary
New York – plus 10 hours

WEDNESDAY 22 September, 2010

DELTA AIR LINES FLIGHT DL 16
22 SEP 10 - DEPART - SYDNEY/SYDNEY KINGSFORD 0950 Terminal: TERMINAL 1
22 SEP 10 - ARRIVE - LOS ANGELES/LOS ANGELES 0640 13HRS 50MINS Terminal 5
SEATS 49A, 49B, 49C, 50A

Clear Customs – check in for New York flight

DELTA AIR LINES FLIGHT DL 2662
22 SEP 10 - DEPART - LOS ANGELES/LOS ANGELES 0800 Terminal: TERMINAL 5
22 SEP 10 - ARRIVE - NEW YORK/JOHN F KENNEDY 1700 06HRS 00MINS Terminal: TERMINAL 3
SEATS 30A, 30B, 30D, 30E

Car Service – Wiro Limo, William Rodriguez, Ph 7187752611, $80, pay with cash
Accom – Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, Ph 212 586 7000 Check in 3pm, pay with credit card on arrival, check whether upgraded to Executive Level for $35 p/n $210 extra total

Get a quick dinner and sleep

THURSDAY 23 September, 2010

SHOPPING – Macy’s, Saks, Bloomingdales, etc. Fifth Avenue, FAO Schwartz, Toys R Us, Nintendo World, M&M World, Rockefeller Centre
Times Square – shopping
Grand Central Station
Lunch – 5.30pm Ellen’s Stardust Diner maybe, good burger joint inside Le Meridian or Mickey Mantle’s
Dinner - Planet Hollywood

FRIDAY 24 September, 2010

Hoboken – Cake Boss
Brunch Options – Turning Point
Lunch options Luca Brasi’s, good roast beef, chicken parma hero, mozz sticks
New Jersey
Little Italy
Food options – L’asso or Florio’s Pizzeria

SATURDAY 25 September, 2010

Central Park – see map of park in folder, take Carriage ride
Madam Toussauds – see map for location, hours 10am – 10pm
Dinner – Bubba Gumps

SUNDAY 26 September, 2010

Leisurely Breakfast
Shopping
Rest before Yankees game
Dinner – wherever
New York Yankees Game – game at 8pm at Yankee Stadium, arrive at 6pm so there is plenty of time to explore


You get the idea. I also email this itinerary to family so they know how to contact us.

All things except for prepaid items are a guide only. Can be changed.


Then for WDW I type up a page per day itinerary that looks something like this:-

Wednesday 29 September

Rating 4 Overall

Park Hours – MK 9am – 9pm 3.9
Epcot 9am-9pm (8am EMH) 6.3
HS 9am-7pm 0.3
AK – 9am-5pm 2.5

Breakfast – 7.30am Whispering Canyon Café (Res. No:- 402277896491)

Catch bus to AK at approx. 8.30

ANIMAL KINGDOM – 9AM
If at the park too early, have a wander through the Rainforest Café Gift Shop and enter through their turnstile

Do Safari first
FP for Kali River Rapids
Do Tiger trail Jungle Trek
FP for Kali River Rapids
Go to Camp Minnie Mickey to meet Characters
See Festival of Lion King – Times 10,11,12,1.30,2.30,3.30
Dinoland – ride Dinosaur, Triceratop Spin and maybe Primevil Whirl, play in Boneyard
See Finding Nemo Musical – Times 10.30, 11.45,2,3.15

Lunch – 1.30 Yak & Yeti (Res. No:- 401963105131)
Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp, tempura shrimp, pot stickers, friend wontons)

Either ride Kali River Rapids (don’t forget to wear ponchos and change shoes) after lunch
or watch Parade 3.45pm

Back to Resort for Swim and Rest
Eat dinner in the Club Lounge

MAGIC KINGDOM – evening, open until 9pm

Catch boat to MK at around 5.30-6pm
Wander up Main Street shopping
Maybe ride Pirates or Buzz

7.50 - Wishes Dessert Party at Noodle Station, Tomorrowland Tce (Res. No. 402151812591)

Catch boat back to Resort


So each day I just tear off the relevant date and pop it in my bag and head to the parks.


I feel like this system has worked fine for me in the past but I was just wanting to see what others are doing to see if there was something that jumped out at me that would suit my style better. My DH is always complaining that I don't like change and I have to say "guilty as charged" because I'm very much an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of girl. I was hoping to fall in love with someone elses system but you really are all doing similar stuff to me so I'll likely stick with it. Although I may revisit Tripit and see what I think.

 

[Andona]

I'm another Tripit fan, its so easy to forward booking confirmation emails to Tripit and 90% of the time it is able to read the emails and set up the details for you without any intervention. I usually add photos of the hotel etc to each reservation and any extra details.

I also keep a manila folder with the printed confirmation of all bookings (and any daily touring plans for WDW) in chronological order, then I discard sheets as the days go by so I'm not carrying to much weight around ( paper is heavy!),

Finally I prepare a very simple website of our itinerary ( day by day with pictures, flight numbers, links to hotel websites etc) and send the address to family and friends. I also add photos of hotels and sightseeing places to it - my parents are visual and like to "see" where we are going. The website is also accessible from my ipad so I can easily link to hotel websites etc while travelling.

I agree with everyone who says the planning is almost the best part!

Andona

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

So Andona, is that a website that you keep all of the time and just update the information when you are going on a new trip?

You sound so organised, very impressive stuff.

 

[5ofus]

speaking of going I emailed DH and said we will revisit finances re holidays on jan 1, 2014 for a sept 2014 trip...he said OK

Your DH and mine sound SO similar!

I usually use an excel spreadsheet, but I like the look of Tripit so might have to check that out.

 

[marvel]

I do something similar with the plastic pockets. I thinks its funny that we have Ipads, iphones, laptops and all sorts of apps for travelling but the good old paper and plastic pockets still rules

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I do something similar with the plastic pockets. I thinks its funny that we have Ipads, iphones, laptops and all sorts of apps for travelling but the good old paper and plastic pockets still rules

I spend my worklife on a computer and much of my personal life researching trips. I like to go back to basics when we travel .

You are so right that the old ways never die.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I use excel so that I can plan out the itinerary and then calculate the costs and budgets accordingly.


Before I go, I email a copy to DH and myself so that we can access it if we need to.

I print out my itinerary by the logical tour destinations. I also print out the confirmation emails for all my bookings and sort them based on tour destinations.

Each destination goes into a separate envelop. I used to do plastic sleeves and folders; but they take up space. The envelops work best for me because I only have to open the one for each destination and it will contain all the documents and information I have planned.

At the end of the stay, I just tear everything up and throw the paper away.

And pull out the envelop for the next destination.

 

[shushh]

For planning, I use everything google!...maps, docs, etc.
I pin like crazy, and jot down notes, blogs, websites to check out all on google docs. I also have a spreadsheet for a budget.

Once something is finalised, it goes into Tripit. I add details that I need if it isn't already on there. It does everything including a rough daily plan of activities.

I then share it with family and friends. Its on our iphones and ipads, also a copy that doesn't need internet connection on our laptops just in case.

I keep a folder of things that need a paper copy in a plastic sleeve chronologically, then like Andona, chuck as I go.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I use excel so that I can plan out the itinerary and then calculate the costs and budgets accordingly.


Before I go, I email a copy to DH and myself so that we can access it if we need to.

I print out my itinerary by the logical tour destinations. I also print out the confirmation emails for all my bookings and sort them based on tour destinations.

Each destination goes into a separate envelop. I used to do plastic sleeves and folders; but they take up space. The envelops work best for me because I only have to open the one for each destination and it will contain all the documents and information I have planned.

At the end of the stay, I just tear everything up and throw the paper away.

And pull out the envelop for the next destination.

I like this idea of the envelopes. My only problem would be I like to keep all of the paperwork as a reminder of the trip. Not that I would probably ever go back through the folder but I like knowing it's there .

For planning, I use everything google!...maps, docs, etc.
I pin like crazy, and jot down notes, blogs, websites to check out all on google docs. I also have a spreadsheet for a budget.

Once something is finalised, it goes into Tripit. I add details that I need if it isn't already on there. It does everything including a rough daily plan of activities.

I then share it with family and friends. Its on our iphones and ipads, also a copy that doesn't need internet connection on our laptops just in case.

I keep a folder of things that need a paper copy in a plastic sleeve chronologically, then like Andona, chuck as I go.

Well you know I love that you put me onto the google map pinning thing. Mwah mwah mwah to you for that one .

I need to spend a little more time on Tripit and see if I can love it.