Planning using Ipod touch!

[ginnymack]

I got an ipod touch for Christmas and I think it is definitely going to replace my folder that I took on our last trip!

I have not purchased the new e-ticket app yet, but I probably will. Although with no wi-fi in the park, it will be a little less useful once there. Hopefully, by mmy Dec trip the entire world will be wifi, but I am not exactly holding my breath!

So - for when there is no wi-fi available I am planning on using the following apps -

WDW Maps - for maps (duh!)
Read It Later - to grab a screen print of Steve Soars site and WDW Times app (If that works!)
File Sharing - to turn my ipod into a usb drive so I can copy my planning spreadsheets and my RideMax chart right onto my phone.

Anyone else have any good ideas for what to do if no wi-fi is available?

And if wifi does become available anything I should add? (I already have Lines, and WDW Wait Times, and WDW Secrets)

 

[emacek]

Just got back from a trip (week between Christmas and NY)

Without wifi, my touch was not tons of use once in the park.

I had it loaded with my ADR information, my touring plans, etc and it was nice to have but I preferred to use the printouts I had rather than taking out the touch. We used it to play games (or in my case study since I have a flash card program on it) while in line.

The most useful app was elines which requires a wifi connection--we were constantly consulting it (one of our group had an iphone) and inputting data into it.

Having said that, I love my touch. But if I wanted to use it in the park I would piggyback it on to a product like Verizon's mifi in order to stay connected.

Elyn

 

[Chrisbeary]

There is a WDW dining app that I used for our trip in November. It lists menus for the restaurants at Disney World. It also tells which restaurants are on the meal plan and how many credits it uses. I used it for planning out table service meals before we left and for looking at quick service meals while at the parks so we could decide where to eat. I loved it.

 

[ginnymack]

I got that app as well! It is great, because it not only helped me select restaurants, but figure out of we were better off on the dining plan. It is one of the few apps that does not require you to be online to use. I would recommend this to any touch users as well!

 

[flipflopmom]

Love the dining app, too. The have a place to input your ADR's, with conf. numbers. Big help.

We used the air sharing a lot to download our plans for the day, worked like a charm! I also like the WDW secrets Notecasts. There are some hidden mickeys, "secrets", etc. It was pretty interesting to pass time in lines.

 

[ToddyLu]

I used Ispreadsheet to move my excel spreadsheet for disney trip into my Iphone. (I think I had to turn it into a google document to get it in my phone..but it did work) It required a bit of tweaking and was a little hard to follow due to the size of the screen...but it didn't require Wifi and I had all my info. I liked the Dinning APP, too...very nice.

 

[ginnymack]

I am using the "File Sharing" app to do the same. It allows you to put documents directly onto your phone - I have tested spreadsheets, word docs and pdfs. Down side is that you cannot edit - it is read only. Therefore no hyperlinks work. (I had this gread idea to do a touring plan and then hyperlink the attraction to another worksheet with fun facts, etc about it - oh well) ispreadsheet does not have that functionality either.

I thought File sharing may come in handy for things besides trip planning as well.

Also, I have "Read it Later" that I am going to use to save copies of Steve Soares website so I will have all of that info at my fingertips without needing to have wifi.

 

[ToddyLu]

Once I got my excel spreadsheet into the app I have been able to change it in any way I like. In fact I went to the one I used back in Nov after posting here today and changed the dates for our trip this year without any problem.

 

[AJRitz]

I'm only just starting to enter some information (we're taking our first WDW trip in October), but I downloaded an app called Mouse Memo that is looking promising. It has a very simple interface for tracking dining and entertainment/event reservations, travel info (including flights, ground transportation, and hotels). There's a nice, but simple, Restaurant information database that can pull menu info from AllEars.net when you do have a net connnection, and at least gives you a list of basic info when you don't have a net connection.

I guess I'll see how useful it really is in practice in a few months, but so far it looks good and easy to use.

 

[ginnymack]

I have seen Mouse Memo and it does look helpful!

I am torn between just sticking to one spreadsheet and putting it on my ipod vs using some apps. I love the apps idea - I like new "techie" things!, but I am starting to think a spreadsheet with a worksheet for every event may be easier - I can edit on my desktop and just copy it over when I am ready to go. I love , love , love my touch, but I am a full size keyboard kinda girl!

 

[flipflopmom]

I found loading info via airsharing was the way to go. It had what I wanted to know, my notes, tips, etc. I did one for each day, one for each park, and one spreadsheet for the week. It was really, really helpful..

 

[ginnymack]

I just checked out Air Sharing and it looks very similiar to the File Sharing app that I use. I also have a new app called Gogo Docs that lets you access google docs, but I think I like file sharing better....

 

[DisGirl23]

I realize this isn't necessarily a World specific app but, have you checked out Packing Pro? I love it because you can create different packing lists for multiple trips and it has a great catalog of items you can add from. It's broken down into categories (clothing, pre-trip checklists) and you can create your own as well. For instance, I created a shopping list for it as well. That way when I'm at Target or wherever, and I check my Packing Pro and see what else needs to be purchased (shampoo, poncho, snacks, etc), and pick up here and there. Beats carrying around a beat up piece of paper or a bulky notebook for months! Helps the checkbook as well. Then as I pack them away, I can check them off and it keeps track of else needs to be done.
I love having my list on me at all times so it's easy to add to it if need be. For me it was worth the couple bucks!
Just a suggestion...

 

[ginnymack]

I gonna get on that DisGirl23! Thanks!

 

[ginnymack]

I am taking Robo's maps with me! I have a free app called "Read it Later" that I had planned to use to save a copy of Steve Soars website, but I realized that I can also use it to reference Robo's really cool maps when I do not have wifi available in the parks. If you go to his website www.stitchkingdom.com/maps and click on an individual map you can click on a direct link to the map. Just flag it to "Read it Later" and then when you open the Read it Later app the map is sitting there waiting for you - even if there is no wifi around!

 

[enchanted_moonstone]

I've been looking through apps that might be helpful, and found one that tells you the wait times on rides... does anyone know if these times are anywhere near the actual wait times?

 

[ginnymack]

Unfortunately, they will not be much help for touch users, as you need wifi to access. So unless Disney "gets with the program" in terms of wifi availability in the park we are out of luck. If you have an ipone it is another story...

As for the reliability - I have heard mixed things, since it relies on user input you can get very accurate (or not0 info. I have checked out touring plans "lines" mobile website. It is based on historical information and may give a better "average".

I am a bit wary of wait times in general, though. They can flucuate so quickly based on what is going on at other attractions (when shows exit) etc...

 

[wendylovesdisney]

There is a WDW dining app that I used for our trip in November. It lists menus for the restaurants at Disney World. It also tells which restaurants are on the meal plan and how many credits it uses. I used it for planning out table service meals before we left and for looking at quick service meals while at the parks so we could decide where to eat. I loved it.

Which app is this? I need a name to get it... Thanks!