LEN TESTA - Idea for planning pages!

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

HI Len,
I love the Unofficial Guide planning pages. I was on of the DISers who was lucky enough to get to help test them before their release (I had suggested the pop up calendar ). I used them for my December 2004 trip, and I am very excited to use them for my next trip, Jersey Week 2005.

I have an idea for a new planning page. I thougth of it during my last trip, and again for this trip. How about one page for travel info for people who are *driving* to WDW? I would want to keep track of things like:

* dates for driving, departure times,
* anticipated miles to cover each travel day
* notes about any hotel arrangements
* any planned stops along the way
* a space for extra misc. notes
* budget planning for the drive (gas price, miles, hotle and food costs, etc.)
* packing list for items needed for raod trip portion to keep handy in the car

* plus the basic car info that you already have on another page (insurance info, AAA info, etc....)

If you like the idea and need any help with the page(s), you can PM me or e-mail me at danawp@optonline.net.

If you don't think others would benefit from this, I understand. I just thought it might be a good planning page. Either way, I love the Unofficial Guide Planning Pages --- thanks so much for all your done!!

 

[areno79]

I think it's a great idea! (Can you tell we're driving too? )

 

[lentesta]

SnoWhiteRabbit, wow, those are great ideas. Double wow.

We're working on adding driving directions to the trip planner this year, so we can integrate these ideas into that work effort.

A couple of quick questions: would you want the hotel information for road trips in the "driving" section, or in the "hotels" section? I can see good reasons for each. It would be easy to maintain copies on both pages (ah, the joys of computers!), but from a usability perspective, which makes more sense to be the "main page" for that information? Same question on budgeting, I suppose.

Thanks very, very much for the ideas.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

SnoWhiteRabbit, wow, those are great ideas. Double wow.

We're working on adding driving directions to the trip planner this year, so we can integrate these ideas into that work effort.

A couple of quick questions: would you want the hotel information for road trips in the "driving" section, or in the "hotels" section? I can see good reasons for each. It would be easy to maintain copies on both pages (ah, the joys of computers!), but from a usability perspective, which makes more sense to be the "main page" for that information? Same question on budgeting, I suppose.

Thanks very, very much for the ideas.

Sincerely,

Len

Hi Len,
I'm glad you liked the idea. That's awesome that you are working on driving directions, too! I like how you said about having hotel info accessible on two pages. With the 4 spots for rexervations on the hotel page, that would probably accomodate travel plans. But, I do like the idea of a separate space for my travel info separate from my actual Disney vacation.I would include hotel space on the travel pages. Same with the budget.

Here's how I'm looking at it. We drive from NJ with 3 little ones. We drive for 2 days (1 night) and arrive at WDW at the end of the 2 travel day. "Day 1" on your planner now for me is my first full day at Disney - separate from our 2 day drive. But, I would very much like a place to record our anticpated departure time, miles we hope to cover each way, rough costs on hotel, meals, snacks, and gas for these 2 travel days, etc. As far as budgeting, I would like to keep a record of my anticipated travel costs separate from our actual "Disney costs" (resort and park costs).

Like you siad, it could easily make sense working it more than one way, but for me travel as a separate section would be the way I would look at it.

Thanks for repsonding. I'm excited to see any additions! The pages were SUPER for our last tirp. I can't wait to use them again for this trip!!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

bumping for Len

 

[lentesta]

Thanks SnoWhiteRabbit! I've got updates to make to the Epcot touring plans this week for Soarin', and we'll start roughing out these pages after that. Thanks again for the idea!

Len