My family thinks I'm crazy..but I know you all won't! Back and my TR is started!

[Monknmom]

I had to wait until the kids went to bed too! I just wanted to be able to sit and work on it for a few hours without being interrupted. Worked out well. It only took me 2 nights (after they went to bed) to get it done.




Hi! Welcome to my PTR--it's nice to "meet" you! I see that you have a little over 2 months to make your ADR's, so lucky you, you have plenty of time to research! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will have started my TR (including dining reviews!) by the time you are making your reservations...we'll see how that pans out.

My DH has gotten a little peeved with me lately since I am in Disney overload. We are so close, I just can't help it! I know he's excited to go, he is just the type of person that doesn't enjoy the weeks leading up to vacation. The anticipation of going on vacation sometimes puts him in a bad mood--weird, right? But I do have to keep reminding myself of that so I don't go too Disney overboard on him...

I hope you guys have fun with the Disney movie nights...we really enjoy them when we can get them in. We've been so busy recently we haven't done one in over a month--yikes! And just so you know, we've eaten at CP before (for breakfast) and LOVE it. Yak and Yeti will be a new one for us this year and I'm looking forward to trying it--I've read lots of good reviews. Enjoy plannig for your first trip--it is SO MUCH FUN!

Thank you!!!

 

[merbobear]

OK all...it's time to unveil the planning journal!


drum roll please...



The outside first--

--not too exciting but I figured you'd want to know what it looks like overall. Bought it at WalMart for $8.


Intro page--

Our schedule for the week (made in excel)--

Crowd levels, EMH and Park hours for the week--

Close up of these 2 pages--

ADR's at a glance--

Day by Day schedule--B, L and D along with a place for notes and a pic from a past trip

Then I posted touring plans print-outs--crowd level info for each park as well as the touring plan we are going to use for that day.

(I set up each day the same, so no need to post all 7 days!) But, let me draw your attention to a particular note that I've made for May 7th --

DDP Snack list (several pages; again no need to post all of them!)--

Transportation info (I cut up a brochure that they gave me when we checked in on our first trip in 2008. See, sometimes hanging on to things is a GOOD thing! I don't even know that we'd really need this page, just thought since I found the brochure and wasn't using it for anything else that I should add it!)--

And that's it. The rest of my journal is blank. While we're on the trip I plan on using the rest of it to write in (gotta take good notes for a TR!!), keep receipts/maps, and anything else I may think of that I need it for.

Am I missing anything important?? Just because I feel like it's done that surely means I've forgotten something

I love it! I had plans to print my PJ on index cards, but I am liking your idea now so maybe I will follow suit and get a little journal and use that.

The only thingI would add are some pockets on some of your blank pages (to stash receipts and whatever else in). You could attach scrapbook paper to the bottom half of a page to make a half pocket..maybe do 2 pockets per day?

 

[AKL LOVER]

Love the journal! I need to brush the dust off my planning binder from a few years ago.

I guess we were posting at the same time, I just saw your journal update!

You did a great job- very useful for planning, and what a cool keepsake after!

That is an awesome planning journal!!

Thank you guys for the compliments! It made the time go by faster for a bit, but now that I'm done, I need to find my next project to occupy some of my time...

 

[AKL LOVER]

Wow, I am very impressed! I need to make some type of journal and I might have to steal some of your ideas.

Feel free that's why I posted pics! I can email you my spreadsheets if you need them. PM your email address if want them.

very cute journal! I'm working on mine tonight... had some bad storms though, so I had to take a 45 minute "break". My neighbors trampoline flew over our fence and is now stuck in our yard!

Oh NO! This happened to my sister back in the fall...except it didn't fly over her fence, it flew THROUGH it. Not good, obviously.

Hope things calmed down around you last night so you could squeeze in more work on your journal!

Wow, the journal was very impressive! I might be inspired to try putting together a planner too. I'm sure it won't be as extensive (or as pretty) as yours but I should at least have something to keep us organized! I was originally planning to just have the ADR information and touring plans on my phone, but print outs would be good in case I can't access the phone for some reason.

Adding stickers helps...that's what I did to the pages that looked plain, definitely made it look cuter

I love it! I had plans to print my PJ on index cards, but I am liking your idea now so maybe I will follow suit and get a little journal and use that.

The only thingI would add are some pockets on some of your blank pages (to stash receipts and whatever else in). You could attach scrapbook paper to the bottom half of a page to make a half pocket..maybe do 2 pockets per day?

Love the pocket idea! I was thinking about them, but wasn't sure how to incorporate them or why I would need them. I think I will add a section to the end for all of the trip details and journaling. I'll make 3 pages for each day...2 to take notes and journal and the third to make a pocket for each day's receipts. That way I can keep even more organized.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

I love your journal!!! Oh, I wish I had more time to finish mine. I am so excited. I am trying not to talk about Disney here at home because my in-laws were a bit upset when we told them we are going to Disney. They said that if we would have told them sooner, then they could have went with us. But, they don't like disney, my father in law would need a scooter, and they complain that EVERYTHING is too expensive. I could not imagine what it would be like to go with them.

So I am going through Disney and dis withdrawals!

Terri

 

[catinthehat35]

I absolutely love your planning journal. Thank you so much for sharing! They are so fun to work on. I am almost finished with mine. I love that you added the snack credit options to your journal. I might do the same. How did you make the EMH and daily schedule. And I love your touring plans. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!!

 

[bcnorth]

Excellent journal, I can't believe that time has flown by, we will be in the world in just over 20 days now. Will be looking for you at the AKL, we will be the big red tomatoes from Canada (it was still snowing here yesterday so we should have sunburns by the time your family arrives).

My son got really excited yesterday, our Magial Express envelope arrived in the mail, can't wait to get everything else some time this week.

I thought I planned down to the last detail but you have been busy , I fall to my knees, as you are the Queen of organization!!!!

See everyone in the world soon.......

 

[sahm2two]

Feel free that's why I posted pics! I can email you my spreadsheets if you need them. PM your email address if want them.

oooo, can you send them to me too? I'll pm you my email


Oh NO! This happened to my sister back in the fall...except it didn't fly over her fence, it flew THROUGH it. Not good, obviously.
oh no! that's what we said last night, it could've been a lot worse! The only thing that got hurt was the trampoline, it didn't hit any windows and it didn't take our fence out with it!


Hope things calmed down around you last night so you could squeeze in more work on your journal!

I got a little bit more work done on it, DH went to bed early and all my stuff was spread out on the bed, so I had to put it up, but I'm thinking I'll be able to finish it up this week

headed to send you my email now

 

[AKL LOVER]

I love your journal!!! Oh, I wish I had more time to finish mine. I am so excited. I am trying not to talk about Disney here at home because my in-laws were a bit upset when we told them we are going to Disney. They said that if we would have told them sooner, then they could have went with us. But, they don't like disney, my father in law would need a scooter, and they complain that EVERYTHING is too expensive. I could not imagine what it would be like to go with them.

So I am going through Disney and dis withdrawals!

Terri

Oh, no, DIS withdrawals. Those are the worst. At least you have the comfort of knowing that you'll soon be in Disney. And I agree with you on not wanting to travel with people who complain--some people in my (extended) family are like that and they always seem to put a damper on our big family trips when they go!

I absolutely love your planning journal. Thank you so much for sharing! They are so fun to work on. I am almost finished with mine. I love that you added the snack credit options to your journal. I might do the same. How did you make the EMH and daily schedule. And I love your touring plans. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!!

I replied to your PM.

Excellent journal, I can't believe that time has flown by, we will be in the world in just over 20 days now. Will be looking for you at the AKL, we will be the big red tomatoes from Canada (it was still snowing here yesterday so we should have sunburns by the time your family arrives).

My son got really excited yesterday, our Magial Express envelope arrived in the mail, can't wait to get everything else some time this week.

I thought I planned down to the last detail but you have been busy , I fall to my knees, as you are the Queen of organization!!!!

See everyone in the world soon.......

Thanks for the compliments on my organization. I'm a bit of a control freak

It is so exciting that our trips are getting so close. Be sure to pack and use lots of sunscreen so you can take advantage of all the sun! I've heard it's been expecially hot down there so far this year...

headed to send you my email now

Got it and replied. Glad you guys didn't have any damage to your house or fence. Are you going to post pics on your PTR of your planning journal when you finish it? I'd like to see what you came up with!

 

[sahm2two]

Got it and replied. Glad you guys didn't have any damage to your house or fence. Are you going to post pics on your PTR of your planning journal when you finish it? I'd like to see what you came up with!

I will! I'm waiting till it's all done, no reason to post pics of 1/2 finished book.

Thanks for the email!

 

[fadingjamie]

I love your snack credit lists!! Where can I get that list?

 

[Lidian]

Whew! I'm all caught up, I think! Forgive my lengthy post, as I'm on coffee (and tend to ramble), and haven't been able to reply all throughout the various threads. Your planning journal is what brought me over here - it was absolutely amazing (as I mentioned on another member's PTR.)

You have a beautiful family! I was excited to hear that you're a teacher and not afraid to schedule your personal time off for something like WDW! I know some teachers get grief for missing time in the classroom, but a good teacher will leave thorough plans for the sub and make sure their students are on top of things prior to planned time off. Plus, many classes have TA's these days, and they're versed on the material and classroom antics. So good for you! I'm also a firm believer that anyone should use their personal days as they see fit - even if that means saving them all up for a nice family vacation!!

I loved that you surprised your kids on Christmas! The video was wonderful! I loved how your DS just sat there smiling waiting for a flash. He was soo sweet (and the loving the backpack more than the thought of a trip!).

You have talked about AKL so much that you've made me want to try it one day. I've always wanted to try every resort Disney has to offer, but AKL was pretty much at the bottom - however, just reading your PRT has really put it to the top! Maybe in a year or two we'll get over there and see it.

You mentioned trying Sci Fi for the first time in a post (not sure if you still have this ADR), but its one of our favorite places. They had the most delicious salad I had ever eaten (steak salad). You also mentioned cancelling Spirit of Aloha - we booked this last year and then cancelled. We were afraid of bad weather and either having to endure through it or be without a dinner we wanted.

I loved your theme nights - I loved how you got created with Aladdin and did a menu. It was absolutely adorable! Thanks for the link to theme nights. Not sure I would be able to use anything there, but I love to read other people's stuff and live vicariously through them.

Have you converted your aunt and uncle yet?

I hated to read about your issues with Delta, but glad you have it sorted out. I'm also glad to hear that you was able to stay CL and upgrade to the DxDDP (you did upgrade to Dx, right?)!

I hated to hear that you didn't like DHS. It's actually my favorite park. I know its not for everyone, but I could really spend two days here (I've yet to get that luxury as our trips are pretty short). I'll be anxious to read your TR and how you felt about DHS this year.

How is the Kodak Play-Sport working out for you? I think it was very cute and stylish!

You mentioned seeing Remy @ Chefs de France ... we ate there last year and Remy never made an appearance. I was told that he makes one appearance for lunch and one for dinner - but wasn't told what time - and can't vouch for the accuracy of the info. You may want to verify that Remy will be there.

You mentioned only your DH will ride Mission to Mars. I'm thinking you meant Mission: Space, but I know I fail at guessing what other people mean. I was wondering why only DH?

Did you decide on a park for Mother's Day? If I was there, I would totally go to MK or DHS.

I totally loved your countdown calendar. It was absolutely adorable! And of course, I totally dig the planning journal.

Anyway, sorry for being long-winded. I'm sure I missed things between reading here and there and tending to kiddos.

 

[jm106]

I wanted to say how awesome your binder is. Thanks for the offer to share spreadsheet but I think I figured out my itinerary sheet. It looks sort of like your but all in one(Im adding it to my PTR if you want to take a gander.)
I would love though, do you have a copy of a more reasonable snack list? I have converted the one on restaurant board to columns, deleting soda and bottled water fromthe list but its still larger then I would like. Otherwise Ill have to cut it and make a booklet from it for each park.

 

[lbuzz52]

I love your planning journal! i made a lengthy one on index cards for our last trip but can't seem to get it together to do so for this trip. You did great!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I love your snack credit lists!! Where can I get that list?

There was a thread here on the DIS that I printed that off from. It was from last year, but I can't imagine the snack list has changed that much. I'll try and locate the thread and post it on your PTR if I can find it...actually, I'm pretty positive that I saved the list as a word file on my work computer (ssshhh, don't tell! ) and I can check for it tomorrow.

I wanted to say how awesome your binder is. Thanks for the offer to share spreadsheet but I think I figured out my itinerary sheet. It looks sort of like your but all in one(Im adding it to my PTR if you want to take a gander.)
I would love though, do you have a copy of a more reasonable snack list? I have converted the one on restaurant board to columns, deleting soda and bottled water fromthe list but its still larger then I would like. Otherwise Ill have to cut it and make a booklet from it for each park.

See my comment to fadingjamie. If I have it as a word file, it would be easy for you to cut out what you don't want and condense it down! Once I find it, I'll let you know!

I love your planning journal! i made a lengthy one on index cards for our last trip but can't seem to get it together to do so for this trip. You did great!

Thank you!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Whew! I'm all caught up, I think! Forgive my lengthy post, as I'm on coffee (and tend to ramble), and haven't been able to reply all throughout the various threads. Your planning journal is what brought me over here - it was absolutely amazing (as I mentioned on another member's PTR.)

Thanks!

You have a beautiful family! I was excited to hear that you're a teacher and not afraid to schedule your personal time off for something like WDW! I know some teachers get grief for missing time in the classroom, but a good teacher will leave thorough plans for the sub and make sure their students are on top of things prior to planned time off. Plus, many classes have TA's these days, and they're versed on the material and classroom antics. So good for you! I'm also a firm believer that anyone should use their personal days as they see fit - even if that means saving them all up for a nice family vacation!!

Unfortunately we do tend to get a lot of grief for taking vacation when school is in session, but it's what works best for my family this year so I'm going with it. Besides, like you said, they are my personal days to use so it's no one else's business what I use them for ....And I will most definitely leave plenty of stuff for my kids to do. Probably more than some teachers because I am a bit of a control freak and I don't want my classes to be out of control even when I'm not there!

You have talked about AKL so much that you've made me want to try it one day. I've always wanted to try every resort Disney has to offer, but AKL was pretty much at the bottom - however, just reading your PRT has really put it to the top! Maybe in a year or two we'll get over there and see it.

Definitely get over there when you can. We. LOVE. it!

You mentioned trying Sci Fi for the first time in a post (not sure if you still have this ADR), but its one of our favorite places. They had the most delicious salad I had ever eaten (steak salad). You also mentioned cancelling Spirit of Aloha - we booked this last year and then cancelled. We were afraid of bad weather and either having to endure through it or be without a dinner we wanted.

We are still doing Sci Fi and I am so excited to try it! Glad to hear the good review!

Have you converted your aunt and uncle yet?

Not yet, but I'm working on them! The other night we saw a Disney commercial for the value resorts being $89 a night...my aunt was like, '$89?? I want to go!' She wasn't really that serious, but, hey...it's progress!!

I hated to read about your issues with Delta, but glad you have it sorted out. I'm also glad to hear that you was able to stay CL and upgrade to the DxDDP (you did upgrade to Dx, right?)!

Yes I have upgraded. Was going to post that on here when I did, but I think I forgot!

I hated to hear that you didn't like DHS. It's actually my favorite park. I know its not for everyone, but I could really spend two days here (I've yet to get that luxury as our trips are pretty short). I'll be anxious to read your TR and how you felt about DHS this year.

How is the Kodak Play-Sport working out for you? I think it was very cute and stylish!

Love it so far, but I really need to find some time to play with it some more before our trip.

You mentioned seeing Remy @ Chefs de France ... we ate there last year and Remy never made an appearance. I was told that he makes one appearance for lunch and one for dinner - but wasn't told what time - and can't vouch for the accuracy of the info. You may want to verify that Remy will be there.

I've heard he comes out at 1:30. Anyone else know if this is right?? Our reservation is at 12:30 so we should still be there at that time...

You mentioned only your DH will ride Mission to Mars. I'm thinking you meant Mission: Space, but I know I fail at guessing what other people mean. I was wondering why only DH?

I did mean Mission: Space. Opps. And only DH rides it because I get motion really easily. I don't want to chance it.

Did you decide on a park for Mother's Day? If I was there, I would totally go to MK or DHS.

Gonna leave this one up to the kids I think and let them choose on Saturday night. Consider it a surprise for my TR!

I totally loved your countdown calendar. It was absolutely adorable! And of course, I totally dig the planning journal.

Thank you and thank you! I had such a good time making them!

See my comments in red above.

 

[AKL LOVER]

I am lovin' all the traffic and comments I'm getting on here! Thanks to everyone for all the compliments on my planning journal.

I'm definitely feeling the love...

 

[teachermommy78]

Sent you a PM!!! I know what you mean about being a teacher control freak. My subs usually leave me thank you letters for my plans. I have been known to come in with a fever just to set out books and specific plans. I've only done that a couple times, but believe me, I can rest easier afterward!

Love the journal!!! I have been meaning to start detailed planning and now I can wrap my head around a place to start! I need to go grab some cute stickers.

 

[Lidian]

Unfortunately we do tend to get a lot of grief for taking vacation when school is in session, but it's what works best for my family this year so I'm going with it. Besides, like you said, they are my personal days to use so it's no one else's business what I use them for ....And I will most definitely leave plenty of stuff for my kids to do. Probably more than some teachers because I am a bit of a control freak and I don't want my classes to be out of control even when I'm not there!

Not yet, but I'm working on them! The other night we saw a Disney commercial for the value resorts being $89 a night...my aunt was like, '$89?? I want to go!' She wasn't really that serious, but, hey...it's progress!!

I did mean Mission: Space. Opps. And only DH rides it because I get motion really easily. I don't want to chance it.

Gonna leave this one up to the kids I think and let them choose on Saturday night. Consider it a surprise for my TR!

I'm very sorry to hear that people give you grief over using your personal days as intended. Just know that there are parents out here that stand behind you!

Glad you're making progress - even if its in a joking phase! Progress is progress in my book!

Have you tried Mission: Space? I suffer from motion sickness myself and I did fine with it. The 3D effects bothered me a touch, but I just looked away from the screen and was fine. (I was Bonine/Dramamine free that day.) (I'd never, ever dare try the orange team - but DH did and loved it.) Are you able to do rides like Star Tours? If you can handle those, you should be okay on M:S. (Now that I say it, Murphy's Law will kick in. )

Oh, I can't wait to hear what your kids pick!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Sent you a PM!!! I know what you mean about being a teacher control freak. My subs usually leave me thank you letters for my plans. I have been known to come in with a fever just to set out books and specific plans. I've only done that a couple times, but believe me, I can rest easier afterward!

Love the journal!!! I have been meaning to start detailed planning and now I can wrap my head around a place to start! I need to go grab some cute stickers.

Just sent you an email. And yes, leaving detailed (down to the minute...) plans do make me feel better when I'm out.

Cute stickers are always a good thing

I'm very sorry to hear that people give you grief over using your personal days as intended. Just know that there are parents out here that stand behind you!

Glad you're making progress - even if its in a joking phase! Progress is progress in my book!

Have you tried Mission: Space? I suffer from motion sickness myself and I did fine with it. The 3D effects bothered me a touch, but I just looked away from the screen and was fine. (I was Bonine/Dramamine free that day.) (I'd never, ever dare try the orange team - but DH did and loved it.) Are you able to do rides like Star Tours? If you can handle those, you should be okay on M:S. (Now that I say it, Murphy's Law will kick in. )

Oh, I can't wait to hear what your kids pick!

I'm too scared to try MS because if it does make me sick, then I'll feel sick the rest of the day, so it just isn't worth it to me. Rode star tours when I was younger and haven't been on it since! DH won't ride the green side because he says its for wimps, so he sticks strictly to orange. He has a stomach of steel!