Staying organized at the parks

[ArwenMarie]

In the fall, the app was totally useless for planning because it had so many ghost FPs or missing FPs. Did they fix that issue? I hope so!

I keep a spreadsheet in google docs, which I also had as an app on my phone. Every morning I would take a screenshot of the day and then use that as my phone's wallpaper. That way I could see my schedule without going all the way into my phone.

 

[kayemgi]

Wow, thanks everyone! Sorry I disappeared overnight, I wasn't expecting so many responses to my reply!

I'm a graphic designer, so there's my secret. I would be happy to share the files with anyone but you'd need to have Adobe InDesign to open them. Just message me if you do!

But if you only have Word, there would be a way to do this. Go into Page Setup and change your paper size to a 5x8 (that's a standard setting in Word, should be available to everyone), and make it landscape. Widen your margins using the rulers on the side of the application window. Create two columns with Format > Columns. Copy and paste or type whatever info you'd like to have in your booklet. Adjust your type size to be as small as you can read it.

For images, I just took screen shots and sized them down to fit, and rotated when needed. PCs will need to download something in order to take screen shots I think, but once you do it's very easy.

Then just print and assemble your booklet using plain old scotch tape. If you want to get fancy you can use double-sided tape too (I used both).

It probably won't look quite as nice as using the design software, but it'll get the job done and work just fine! I hope that's helpful to everyone who liked the little books. They are quite convenient for keeping in a pocket or a small bag, though they aren't waterproof. We didn't go on Kali and we didn't find this to be a problem anywhere else or in the rain we got caught in one day. They just get a little wrinkly if they get damp!

Oh and I am not old enough to be anyone's MOM so cut that out! (Ok actually I am, but not old enough for the kid to be on a Disney planning website!)

ETA: Oh, and the maps are from DIS user Robo! He has many awesome maps that he shares here on the boards.

 

[Minnie222]

I print out the tour plan of each day and have that small piece of paper in my pocket. I also write down the actual time and things that we do on the side, for planning next trip.

 

[smelton521]

In the fall, the app was totally useless for planning because it had so many ghost FPs or missing FPs. Did they fix that issue? I hope so! I keep a spreadsheet in google docs, which I also had as an app on my phone. Every morning I would take a screenshot of the day and then use that as my phone's wallpaper. That way I could see my schedule without going all the way into my phone.

According to a close friend who works for the consulting firm working with Disney on all the new technology of the last few years and upcoming, Disney admittedly screwed up the MDE app. Rather than use the consulting firm that built the new website, did magic bands, etc, they went the cheaper route on the app and farmed it out to a 3rd party. Obviously it was a disaster so they then had to spend a few million dollars to have the consulting firm that has done all of their other new tech re-write the entire app to fix all the problems. The latest update was the first major fix put out by the consulting firm so hopefully the problems from the fall should be history and the app should be more reliable now.

 

[kittyab]

I took a binder with me, but I wrote down our reservations for each day at the parks.

I left the binder at the resort. I had printed off maps, copies of menus, etc in the binder.

 

[flutterby3744]

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.

This is a real annoyance to me. I actually called WDW because I thought there might be something wrong with my reservations. Nope, just doesn't show up. It would be great if MDX was a one stop shop with touring plans etc.