PTR for the planning obsessed....Updated 11/5 We're home now.

[jordanyosh]

…..under the cover of my trip binder that is. Here she is!

Lots of PTRs will show you their binder’s cover but today I’m showing off some of what is inside. My binder is divided into 6 sections:
1. Itinerary
2. General Info
3. Resort
4. Dining
5. Transportation
6. Lists

In the Itinerary section I have my excel spreadsheet of my master schedule. A master schedule helps if you need to make changes on the fly during your vacation. In the columns it has the date; crowd levels & best/worst parks from UG and TGM; main activity for that day; breakfast; lunch; dinner; then a column for each of the parks’ hours and note about EMH’s.

Then I have numbered tabs 1-10 for each day of the vacation. Info included here are my Day by Day plan sheets from mousemanager software.
Here’s what it looks like:

Then I either have my written out Plan of Action (if it’s a non-park day) or my park touring plans printed out from touringplans.com (I have the subscription)….here’s what one of those looks like:

In the General Info section I have stuff like notes on best viewing spots for Wishes; info on recreation at FW campground; the Disney outlet stores in Orlando; UPS store locations (in case I need to ship home my shopping!); list of grocery/drug/Target stores with directions; and a few maps of other resorts that we will be visiting.

In the Resort section I have a colored map of CBR; my room cost comparison spreadsheet; and notes on other resorts. I’ll update this section with more information on our resort once I have booked it and committed to it.

In the Dining section I have a spreadsheet that compares prices; a list of snacks that I want (I’ll do a post of that list later); a summary of all our dining plans printed out from mousemanager. Then I have all the notes of when I priced out every meal that I was considering! I have gone back to it several times now. I have my original notes when I made my ADR’s (even thou I have the ADR #’s in several locations already. I printed out info and directions to the Cheesecake Factory….(yum-o), just in case. And I have the 2007 Food & Wine Festival booth menus. I will be updating and ocd’ing the new menus when they come out in September. And this year I’m planning on printing menu’s…mostly so I’ll know what’s available for DS (who will be 1 ½ yrs.old at the time).

In the Transportation section I have the print outs from mousemanager for our Flight and rental car details. Plus my print out from my confirmations from Southwest and National (plus Dollar as my back-up). I have directions to the resort from the airport with a stop at Target (we’ll have our GPS with us, but better safe then sorry with technology.) And I have all my notes from looking for rental cars.

The Lists section includes: a to-do list; packing lists; pre-Disney shopping list and our grocery shopping list for when we are in Orlando.

Well there you have it….under the cover of my binder. It really helps me keep organized.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Everything still OK where you are? I heard that there was a tornado or something like one that destroyed several houses north of us... We have some flooding going on right now - about 3 inches of water in part of our basement. DH is on his way home from work since I can't lug the shop vac up the basement stairs when it needs emptying.. somehow we don't have a sink in our basement... PM me if you don't want to get too specific about geography on your PTR. Amy

 

[MRYPPNS]

Everything still OK where you are? I heard that there was a tornado or something like one that destroyed several houses north of us... We have some flooding going on right now - about 3 inches of water in part of our basement. DH is on his way home from work since I can't lug the shop vac up the basement stairs when it needs emptying.. somehow we don't have a sink in our basement... PM me if you don't want to get too specific about geography on your PTR. Amy

We're fine here, thanks for thinking of us....it actually hasn't really rained heavy since before noon. I haven't had the tv on all day so I didn't know about tornado's. UGH about your basement....hopefully DH will get it under control.

 

[DisMomAmy]

We're fine here, thanks for thinking of us....it actually hasn't really rained heavy since before noon. I haven't had the tv on all day so I didn't know about tornado's. UGH about your basement....hopefully DH will get it under control.

He's come home and gone already. He dried up the basement and went back to work. Luckily he wasn't travelling today - he usually is. The flood watch ends at 5 so we should be OK at this point. Our basement is sort of crooked and we've come to expect water down there so there wasn't really anything that could be damaged in that part. We were just afraid it would spread to the whole basement. Did you watch the news yet? Channel 9 has been news all afternoon. Really bad damage all over the state - especially in the lakes region.

 

[trixiequilts]

Okay, many have said it before, but I'll say it again...that binder is incredible! You would be appalled if you saw my Disney info right now! My "binder" is a tote bag and I've use about 7 different sizes and colors of paper for my notes. It's a downright ugly situation! Tonight that is going to change. Thanks so much for showing us your binder, it has made planning mine so much easier!!! I also started with Mouse Manager, seems great so far. I make ADRs tomorrow (for most of my trip), that will solidify the 16th version of my plans...for now...

 

[Bamadisdreamer]

We can share info as we get closer....do you know where you are staying yet?[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the delayed response still not caught up though! We are sadly staying offsite. The reason for that though is the actual reason we're able to go, we're staying in a friends condo for FREE

 

[DisMomAmy]

We can share info as we get closer....do you know where you are staying yet?
Sorry for the delayed response still not caught up though! We are sadly staying offsite. The reason for that though is the actual reason we're able to go, we're staying in a friends condo for FREE

Don't worry it really isn't bad staying off-site! We have always done that. Even after a weekend trip with my mom in April, where we stayed at Pop, we have still decided to stay off-site for our next trip. It can take you just as long to get to a park by Disney transportation as it does by car, depending how close you are able to stay. The biggest hassle is walking to and from the parking lots over and over, especially if you have a stroller to collapse. But my kids love the parking lot trams too - it's like another ride for them.

 

[Native NYer]

How is Liam liking the countdown calendar?

 

[MRYPPNS]

Okay, many have said it before, but I'll say it again...that binder is incredible! You would be appalled if you saw my Disney info right now! My "binder" is a tote bag and I've use about 7 different sizes and colors of paper for my notes. It's a downright ugly situation! Tonight that is going to change. Thanks so much for showing us your binder, it has made planning mine so much easier!!! I also started with Mouse Manager, seems great so far. I make ADRs tomorrow (for most of my trip), that will solidify the 16th version of my plans...for now...

Thanks! You know how Home Depot gives those free classes on Saturdays like how to build a dog house? Maybe I'll have little 'trip binder' workshops in my kitchen!

Sorry for the delayed response still not caught up though! We are sadly staying offsite. The reason for that though is the actual reason we're able to go, we're staying in a friends condo for FREE

FREE = GOOD!

How is Liam liking the countdown calendar?

I don't think he has noticed it yet.....it's way above his eye level on the backside of the bathroom door. Basically that countdown calendar is for me

 

[MRYPPNS]

Quote:
Originally Posted by DisMomAmy
Everything still OK where you are? I heard that there was a tornado or something like one that destroyed several houses north of us... We have some flooding going on right now - about 3 inches of water in part of our basement. DH is on his way home from work since I can't lug the shop vac up the basement stairs when it needs emptying.. somehow we don't have a sink in our basement... PM me if you don't want to get too specific about geography on your PTR. Amy

MYRPPNS wrote:We're fine here, thanks for thinking of us....it actually hasn't really rained heavy since before noon. I haven't had the tv on all day so I didn't know about tornado's. UGH about your basement....hopefully DH will get it under control.

Well I think I spoke/wrote too soon. By 2pm it had stopped raining and the pavement was actually starting to dry off. Liam and I headed out to go grocery shopping. By the time we were checking out, it was pourng again. By the time our groceries were bagged, it was like a monsoon. I ran like a fool out to my car, got soaked it the process of getting Liam into his carseat and the bags into the back. By the time I got belted in, the rain let up. We drove the 10 minutes home. There we had a surprise.....and not the good Year of a Million Dreams kind of surprise. I stopped dead in my tracks (really the tracks of the SUV) at the bottom of our driveway. At the top of the driveway about 30 feet of a dead tree had fallen and was perched on the roof of a little shed and the power line. Thankfully the powerline didn't snap. After a round of calls between me, DH (at work) and the electric company it was decided it was safe for me to go in the house. We didn't lose power so that was a good thing. A few hours later (there was a lot worst damage around the state) the power company came and got the tree off the line and fixed whatever they needed to fix. I'll admit, I was

All is well now....we've been busy getting the house and yard ready for our annual cook-out on Saturday. Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Well I think I spoke/wrote too soon. By 2pm it had stopped raining and the pavement was actually starting to dry off. Liam and I headed out to go grocery shopping. By the time we were checking out, it was pourng again. By the time our groceries were bagged, it was like a monsoon. I ran like a fool out to my car, got soaked it the process of getting Liam into his carseat and the bags into the back. By the time I got belted in, the rain let up. We drove the 10 minutes home. There we had a surprise.....and not the good Year of a Million Dreams kind of surprise. I stopped dead in my tracks (really the tracks of the SUV) at the bottom of our driveway. At the top of the driveway about 30 feet of a dead tree had fallen and was perched on the roof of a little shed and the power line. Thankfully the powerline didn't snap. After a round of calls between me, DH (at work) and the electric company it was decided it was safe for me to go in the house. We didn't lose power so that was a good thing. A few hours later (there was a lot worst damage around the state) the power company came and got the tree off the line and fixed whatever they needed to fix. I'll admit, I was

All is well now....we've been busy getting the house and yard ready for our annual cook-out on Saturday. Have a great weekend everyone!

I was worried about you with all of the crazy weather reports yesterday. I am glad all is well!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks! You know how Home Depot gives those free classes on Saturdays like how to build a dog house? Maybe I'll have little 'trip binder' workshops in my kitchen!

I'll bring cookies!!!

There we had a surprise.....and not the good Year of a Million Dreams kind of surprise. I stopped dead in my tracks (really the tracks of the SUV) at the bottom of our driveway. At the top of the driveway about 30 feet of a dead tree had fallen and was perched on the roof of a little shed and the power line.

I am so glad that you and your home are both fine!

Have fun at the cookout tomorrow!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I was worried about you with all of the crazy weather reports yesterday. I am glad all is well!!

I'll bring cookies!!!





I am so glad that you and your home are both fine!

Have fun at the cookout tomorrow!

Thanks! DH had a mess to clean up in the driveway but we're good.

 

[AURORA73]

You have my dream binder! It is incredible. I am a crazy planner and getting close to your level of incredibleness. Is that a word? I am just amazed at how many people plan and create binders and books. I am glad I am not the only one. I plan trips that hopefully one day I will go on. I have my next trip to WDW all planned out. Started planning the day we got back from the last trip, of course. I just need to figure out the dates, arrange the time off of work and find someone to go with me. My Ultimate Disneyland Birthday trip has been planned for a year in my head and in the pile of papers sitting on my desk and is now going into a binder. That trip is happening in December this year, hopefully. I may have to copy some ideas from your binder.

Loved the countdown too. Can I come live at your house? Countdowns, planning itineraries, making binders, creating Mr. Potato Head parts lists, etc, etc, etc. It's a dream!

 

[MRYPPNS]

You have my dream binder! It is incredible. I am a crazy planner and getting close to your level of incredibleness. Is that a word? I am just amazed at how many people plan and create binders and books. I am glad I am not the only one. I plan trips that hopefully one day I will go on. I have my next trip to WDW all planned out. Started planning the day we got back from the last trip, of course. I just need to figure out the dates, arrange the time off of work and find someone to go with me. My Ultimate Disneyland Birthday trip has been planned for a year in my head and in the pile of papers sitting on my desk and is now going into a binder. That trip is happening in December this year, hopefully. I may have to copy some ideas from your binder.

Loved the countdown too. Can I come live at your house? Countdowns, planning itineraries, making binders, creating Mr. Potato Head parts lists, etc, etc, etc. It's a dream!

and Thank you
.....isn't planning half the fun???? I hope to get back out to Dinseyland once they finish all the up grades to DCA.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sorry to hear about the tree, but glad everything turned out OK. What a mess it is out there all over the state. We are in Rockingham county. Apparently many people lost power here, but somehow we managed to keep power throughout the whole thing. Sounds like you might have been in the same boat.

Have a fun cookout today. Looks like a nice day.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Error post see below for Art of Disney

 

[LegoMom3]

*breathing hard like I just ran a marathon*....

Ok....haven't read it all yet, but I'm getting there....

Because I'm enjoying it and it's nice to know I'm not the only one who spends this much time and energy in the planning part of a trip!!!

Alright, I'm goin' back in...!


.

 

[TarzansKat]

Heidi, I love the artwork! Being an artist, I'm very interested in this kind of stuff and love looking in all the little galleries...I actually bought a painting in China on one of our trips, but I digress.

I love these Disney touches in your home.

 

[MRYPPNS]

About a month about my DIS friend LL and I were chatting about the Disney Art Gallery in DTD. We love the art but it's too expensive for us. Then I think I suggested buying posters instead, as that is what I do. I have them framed and matted once I get home. I thought I would show you a couple.

This one hangs in my bathroom....my Mickey Mouse themed bathroom.

This one hangs in our downstairs office. It will get a better location once we get the addition to the house done. . It's a really cool piece and you could spend hours exploring it....and I have! There are hidden Mickey's (you may be able to see the one in the moon) and not so-hidden Walts. And as a bonus, bits of it glow in the dark. I didn't know that for years after I owned it because it was in a hallway in my old house and never got enough light to activate the glow in the dark paint.

A word about the last piece and the next piece. They are over-sized and cost a mint for matting (and framing) because of it.

This next piece is not a poster and wasn't bought at WDW but I love it and wanted to share it with you.

To give you a frame of reference on size....it hangs over our queen size bed and it's just as wide as the bed. This is an signed original copy (I don't know the correct term but it's like those Andy Warhol copies he did in his "factory"). I saw the original on a cruise ship auction. They were starting the bidding at $800....too rich for my wallet. So when I got home I checked online and found this copy. $88!

I have one more poster that is framed but it wasn't done well and I don't really like it anymore....really not that interesting....so when we are down there in October I'm going to look for a poster of the same size so I can replace it.