Newbie here.... Making my Vacation Binder! HELP!

[MommaJenn]

Hi Everyone! I just recently came across this board and OMG I am SOOOOO EXCITED and overwhelmed at the same time! My husband and I have decided to surprise our kids next year with a huge vacation to Disney. We plan on going for around a week, maybe slightly longer, not sure yet. I am a huge organization person so my first thought was to make a binder. Once I started googling and searching on pinterest I found SO many things. I already designed a binder on Zazzle. I need help with everything else! I am so overwhelmed I have no idea where else to go. My next step that I am having trouble with are the dividers. I know I can make them but I really don't want to spend a ton of money buying scrapbook stuff just for that (which I admit, I went to Michael's last night and over $50 later I don't even have everything for dividers!).

Anyone have a go to place for their binder supplies?! HELP!

 

[siskaren]

Office supply store.

 

[Heidi K]

It might be too late for this, but I recommend just buying a Passporter. It's a guide book, but set up like a binder with lots of worksheets that you can write in.

I don't really have any ideas for binder supplies, though.

 

[Bubblegum1286]

We used a vacation binder for our last trip this past summer, and it was a lifesaver. We included packing lists for each member of the family, broken down into the items stored on top of the van and the items IN the van. We put the kids' clothes in gallon-sized ziplock bags and labeled each day so all they had to do was pull out that day's clothes and they were set. We created an itinerary for each day of our trip. We printed out maps in case GPS wasn't working or failed us. We printed out contact numbers for the ticket people (we bought tickets through Get Away Today) in case I got to the gate and something didn't work right. We printed out the information regarding our hotels, any confirmation emails I received from any hotel or travel website (we used Travelosity.com for some of our hotels). We printed out reservations for the parks- the Bippity Boppity Boutique, our breakfast with Mickey, our restaurant reservations in the park, etc. We had EVERYTHING in there. I can't tell you how easy it made our trip. We brought my mom and my brother with us, and my mother marveled at how smooth and enjoyable and carefree the trip was because of the organization efforts I poured into it. My husband is a travel consultant at a tour and travel company, so my ideas all came from what I've seen him do. I figured if it works with his large groups, it can work for our family. Of course, our itinerary wasn't down to the minute like his are for those big groups, but every bit of planning paid off tenfold. Good luck with your binder! It was so fun making it.

Oh- I'll also add, if you're driving, scout out rest stops, bathroom breaks, and gas stations long before you leave.

 

[mickey1968]

There are a couple of great, but older, threads with pics on making your Disney binder. I prefer just buying one of the Disney-themed scrapbook pads and cutting full sheets to size.

Here are a few links:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/my-disney-planning-binder.2115381/

http://www.disboards.com/threads/planning-binder-book-pics.2461150/

Also, there is a section of the DisBoards where people will make free dividers and t-shirt designs etc. for you and you just print them at home. You probably saw similar on Etsy or just by googling.

http://www.disboards.com/forums/creative-disigns.105/

And a whole scrapbooking forum too! - http://www.disboards.com/forums/scrapbooking.123/

Hope you find something you like!

 

[princesskaycee]

Binders are so much fun! I print a lot of stuff off of planning websites and if I'm not near a printer, I pin them for later. For supplies, I would recommend going to an office supply store like someone else suggested. Get detailed, but also remember that you don't HAVE to stick to the plans you made. Don't stress yourself so much about sticking to an itinerary that you don't enjoy your trip! Sometimes the best memories I've had at Disney have come from spur of the moment decisions.

 

[scrhsa]

I love my binder!! And when you are done it makes a great keepsake. I am very limited in stores in my area(very rural) so I bought most of my stuff at walmart or used what I had from long days past of homeschooling and scrapbooking. Very simple, very cheap. I used the clear plastic sleeves to keep my loose papers in and just your basic dividers jazzed up with what I already had. Again, very simple and very cheap. I remember being confused in the beginning. I didn't think I would every figure it out. But you get into it and you find what works for you. Don't get discouraged if yours isn't looking and coming together like everybody else'. Find what works for you! I rearranged/changed my SO many times. Now I have my system and its perfect for me Have fun!!!!!