Staying organized at the parks

[glvsav37]

2 words

Google drive


I have my spreadsheet with ADRs and conf numbers. Even though MDE has it too I can't want to rely on MDE being stable through the whole trip

Then I can load up park hours matrix, any notes or important things, and with the GD app on my phone I can access it at any time.

 

[seenellie81]

I created tiny booklets for each park with relevant info: the date we planned to go to that park, park hours for that day, the predicted crowd level for that day, our FP+ selections and times, ADR locations and times, a list of our must-do attractions, character meet locations & times (that we were interested in), trivia and fun facts (to pass the time waiting in lines), and relevant maps (parade routes with the best spots to see it, F! seating areas, etc.). I also included screen shots of our FP+ reservations & ADRs in case of technology problems, but luckily we never needed those.

Here's what they looked like, they were about 3x4" in size:

ETA some screen shots of the info inside:

You did an amazing job on those! I am in love with them. I use a full page sheet with the same info on it that you have but i love the book idea. Thanks for sharing!

 

[CatesRDisneyFans]

I created tiny booklets for each park with relevant info: the date we planned to go to that park, park hours for that day, the predicted crowd level for that day, our FP+ selections and times, ADR locations and times, a list of our must-do attractions, character meet locations & times (that we were interested in), trivia and fun facts (to pass the time waiting in lines), and relevant maps (parade routes with the best spots to see it, F! seating areas, etc.). I also included screen shots of our FP+ reservations & ADRs in case of technology problems, but luckily we never needed those.


Oh my gosh, I love these!!!

 

[flutterby3744]

I created tiny booklets for each park with relevant info: the date we planned to go to that park, park hours for that day, the predicted crowd level for that day, our FP+ selections and times, ADR locations and times, a list of our must-do attractions, character meet locations & times (that we were interested in), trivia and fun facts (to pass the time waiting in lines), and relevant maps (parade routes with the best spots to see it, F! seating areas, etc.). I also included screen shots of our FP+ reservations & ADRs in case of technology problems, but luckily we never needed those.

Here's what they looked like, they were about 3x4" in size:

ETA some screen shots of the info inside:

Now THAT'S impressive!

 

[niffer5150]

I use 3x5 cards with each dated, which park we will be in, reminders for anything special we wanted to do, adr info, and closing time. If needs be, I also write down instructions on how to get to anywhere else we may be headed. IE, leave AK @ 4pm, take AKL bus to boma, take bus after to DTD, then boat home. That way even if I get sick or whatever, my husband and kid can go on and not end up lost, stranded, or starving. I use tripit on my phone too as a back up.

 

[kathie859]

I used to be a have "everything on paper and carry it with you" sort of WDW visitor; however, in January I used the MDE experience for 8 days and it was wonderful. I'll use it again at the end of this month

In addition to having your ADR #'s, FPs--you have real "wait time" info. Very handy!

 

[sharonped]

Even when my kids were little, I had them wear kid-size fanny packs with smallish water bottles attached. They were small enough to keep on all day, even when in rides, but big enough to carry their own pressed penny/quarter tubes, small snacks, and whatever (for us: non-screen) items they wanted for entertainment in lines. They had little keychain flashlights attached for nighttime entertainment. I also had them wear dogtags around their necks with our names and cellphone numbers on them. My youngest needed them twice when he wandered off. I didn't want them carrying backpacks that they would have to take off and inevitably forget on rides. It worked well for us. Last trip we did carry phone, extra charger and small printed out back-up paperwork in just a ziplock so it wouldn't get wet. Less is better for us; and I just got tired of being the Family Sherpa. Hope you have so much fun!

 

[hhill]

This all great info. The thing about the phone is that your battery will die so a charger or extra battery is a must. I plan on doing that and just using MDE or my screen shots. I will print my touring plans and bring that paper each day in a pocket.

 

[MickeyorBust15]

I used to be a have "everything on paper and carry it with you" sort of WDW visitor; however, in January I used the MDE experience for 8 days and it was wonderful. I'll use it again at the end of this month

In addition to having your ADR #'s, FPs--you have real "wait time" info. Very handy!

So for those of you saying to use MDE, does it keep track of FP+, ADRs, etc?

 

[BubblyTrip]

I created tiny booklets for each park with relevant info: the date we planned to go to that park, park hours for that day, the predicted crowd level for that day, our FP+ selections and times, ADR locations and times, a list of our must-do attractions, character meet locations & times (that we were interested in), trivia and fun facts (to pass the time waiting in lines), and relevant maps (parade routes with the best spots to see it, F! seating areas, etc.). I also included screen shots of our FP+ reservations & ADRs in case of technology problems, but luckily we never needed those. Here's what they looked like, they were about 3x4" in size: ETA some screen shots of the info inside:

I wish you were my mom!

 

[CarlaLovesDisney]

I've actually recently started designing pages for Disney planning binders for the Disney Etsy people out there, but kayemgi is making me feel really, really, inferior right now

 

[fabulousfive]

Mostly just my phone for the app, but also printed our itinerary from the Disney site just in case the app was down and we needed to have ADR proof or something like that. I also keep track of the itinerary and all important numbers in the notes section of my phone. I'm pretty organized with the important stuff, yet fairly minimalistic with the presentation.

 

[agavegirl1]

I have a spreadsheet. It is many pages long. When I get the official park hours which would be two days ago, I tweak my plans. There is a master plan page and a color coded page for each day. I self-laminate the daily plan and carry it in my waist pack with my cell phone and minimal other stuff.

 

[doctornick]

So for those of you saying to use MDE, does it keep track of FP+, ADRs, etc?

It does, but annoyingly it does not keep track of "other" reservations with Disney like BBB/Pirate's League or a Fireworks Cruise. I made a reservation at Harmony Barbershop for our next trip and can't be linked to MDE.

 

[guinness408]

I have a spreadsheet. It is many pages long. When I get the official park hours which would be two days ago, I tweak my plans. There is a master plan page and a color coded page for each day. I self-laminate the daily plan and carry it in my waist pack with my cell phone and minimal other stuff.

This sounds incredibly organized!! I'm impressed. Thought I was organized with my 1 page excel spreadsheet! Do you do a tentative ride/ show time plan for each day? That's probably what I'm lacking.

 

[hhill]

I wish you were my mom!

Hahahah me too!

 

[Sabbysuburbia]

Great ideas! Last year I typed up or copy and pasted all kinds of important info on my PC at home then uploaded those files to Evernote. Love Evernote!!! Just a great way to keep it all organized and in a separate spot from the mde app. And it's a cloud system so we could access it from phones, iPads and computers.

 

[ZoZo]

I have a regular cell phone, not a smart phone. I ended up going "old school" when keeping track of my FPs and ADRs. I simply brought some index cards (4"x 6") and hand-wrote the info on them, once index card per day. [I also wrote down some reminders of what I wanted to see at each park, so I wouldn't forget.] I also brought some extra cards so that I could make a new card if my plans changed. I also brought a plastic "sleeve" (also 4" x 6") to keep the cards organized and dry.

I have to say, it's much easier to have a smart phone in the parks! I was able to go on MDE at night on my iPad, back in the hotel room, but it would have been handier to have a smart phone.

 

[2Tiggies]

Those books are damn nice!

I usually print out my plans (about the size of an index card) and then go get them laminated at kinkos. Then I put in a single punch hole and attach the cards to a key ring. I carry this in my bag. Makes the list easy to find and waterproof in case of rain/Kali River Rapids.

I also use index cards because I just have our park days and any reservation numbers and times on there so don't need the space. I don't even laminate them; I just slip the one for each day into one of the clear holders that come on / for FP's to hang on lanyards and have it attached to my bag with a carabiner hook.

kayemgi, those booklets look amazing! What program did you use for making them?

 

[michsig]

I created tiny booklets for each park with relevant info: the date we planned to go to that park, park hours for that day, the predicted crowd level for that day, our FP+ selections and times, ADR locations and times, a list of our must-do attractions, character meet locations & times (that we were interested in), trivia and fun facts (to pass the time waiting in lines), and relevant maps (parade routes with the best spots to see it, F! seating areas, etc.). I also included screen shots of our FP+ reservations & ADRs in case of technology problems, but luckily we never needed those.

Here's what they looked like, they were about 3x4" in size:

Those are so cute! Love the idea. For me, I prefer using my cell phone - but these came out great!