TIP: Using Google Calendar and Android phone for schedule

[twitch]

Anyone doing this with their Android?

I've got my phone set to sync with GCal. I've set up 3 separate calendars (transportation, events, and eating). This way, I can map out our trip in general terms (or get as specific as I want).

I'm using the "All-day" events to show which parks we'll be in... and the description field on those events to identify rough strategies/guidelines for the day.

I'm creating events for hard items (ADRs, parades, shows), and using the description field to enter ADR #s.

I've put flight and transportation information in, including flight numbers and confirmations.

This all gets synced to my phone... and my phone carries a local copy for use even if I don't have a data connection to the cloud.

I'm sure someone else has already done this, but I thought I'd share it for those who haven't thought about another way to use your smartphone in the park!

 

[twitch]

Ooh.... I'm also going to create an all-day event that simply lists hours and crowd levels. That way, if we decide to switch plans, we have all that information at our fingertips.

 

[bonoriffic]

Just don't rely on your phone too much. The directions google navigation gave were awful. Twice it sent us down restricted Disney cast member only roads and really likes for you to enter Epcot parking to cut through to the exit. Or to enter and do a U turn, not realizing you have to pay to enter where it is telling you to go.

 

[Renwoman]

I'm using my Droid phone extensively to help organize our trip. I'm also using Google Calendar to put in which days we are attending which parks and special events and ADRs we are attending. It is a good way to keep confirmation numbers and additionally to that I have added links to menus or special information.

I'm also using Tripit for hotel and airline confirmations. This application will automatically pull reservation confirmations from your e-mail (if you set it up this way) to create an itinerary for your trip! If you are making all your reservations online (vs. phone) this is a very, very handy app. I found this after I put extensive info in my google calendar. It will also export the information to a calendar so it could be used in conjunction with google calendar for instance. (I'm not exporting, because I don't want to double up appointments.) I wish I had found this sooner!

I've got WDW Lines on my phone which I am hoping will be very useful to get an idea of ride waits.

The other thing I have been doing is saving handy information in google docs. For instance, I have a document for the Magic Kingdom and in it is tips or hints for the park including the "plan of attack", best snack values, best quick serve restaurants, etc. I've just started to do this and may find that dumping all this information in the google calendar event will be better.

I'm a bit of a tech junkie, can you tell?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I'm using google calendar and tripit for our trip as well, but I have an iPhone. I also have the UCT app and unlimited 3G, so I'll see how that works. -- Suzanne

 

[twitch]

Just don't rely on your phone too much. The directions google navigation gave were awful. Twice it sent us down restricted Disney cast member only roads and really likes for you to enter Epcot parking to cut through to the exit. Or to enter and do a U turn, not realizing you have to pay to enter where it is telling you to go.

Good point. Fortunately, I'm staying onsite and using disney transportation!

 

[twitch]

I'm using my Droid phone extensively to help organize our trip. I'm also using Google Calendar to put in which days we are attending which parks and special events and ADRs we are attending. It is a good way to keep confirmation numbers and additionally to that I have added links to menus or special information.

I'm also using Tripit for hotel and airline confirmations. This application will automatically pull reservation confirmations from your e-mail (if you set it up this way) to create an itinerary for your trip! If you are making all your reservations online (vs. phone) this is a very, very handy app. I found this after I put extensive info in my google calendar. It will also export the information to a calendar so it could be used in conjunction with google calendar for instance. (I'm not exporting, because I don't want to double up appointments.) I wish I had found this sooner!

I've got WDW Lines on my phone which I am hoping will be very useful to get an idea of ride waits.

The other thing I have been doing is saving handy information in google docs. For instance, I have a document for the Magic Kingdom and in it is tips or hints for the park including the "plan of attack", best snack values, best quick serve restaurants, etc. I've just started to do this and may find that dumping all this information in the google calendar event will be better.

I'm a bit of a tech junkie, can you tell?

I hadn't thought of using google docs... but I've found I can put quite a bit of information in the description box... just the little things to jog my memory about what I'm hoping to see each day, tips about particular events, etc.

I'll look into tripit the next time I'm traveling... thanks for the tip.

 

[branv]

I'm using my Droid phone extensively to help organize our trip. I'm also using Google Calendar to put in which days we are attending which parks and special events and ADRs we are attending. It is a good way to keep confirmation numbers and additionally to that I have added links to menus or special information.

I'm also using Tripit for hotel and airline confirmations. This application will automatically pull reservation confirmations from your e-mail (if you set it up this way) to create an itinerary for your trip! If you are making all your reservations online (vs. phone) this is a very, very handy app. I found this after I put extensive info in my google calendar. It will also export the information to a calendar so it could be used in conjunction with google calendar for instance. (I'm not exporting, because I don't want to double up appointments.) I wish I had found this sooner!

I've got WDW Lines on my phone which I am hoping will be very useful to get an idea of ride waits.

The other thing I have been doing is saving handy information in google docs. For instance, I have a document for the Magic Kingdom and in it is tips or hints for the park including the "plan of attack", best snack values, best quick serve restaurants, etc. I've just started to do this and may find that dumping all this information in the google calendar event will be better.

I'm a bit of a tech junkie, can you tell?

I just got my android last month, and am LOVING Trip It! But I don't use it just for air/car/cruise/insurance, it also has all my ADR's and my park plans/info. The ADR emails WDW sends forward and format perfectly to Trip It

 

[chartle]

Just don't rely on your phone too much. The directions google navigation gave were awful. Twice it sent us down restricted Disney cast member only roads and really likes for you to enter Epcot parking to cut through to the exit. Or to enter and do a U turn, not realizing you have to pay to enter where it is telling you to go.

This is the case for a lot of GPS units on Disney Property.

During a band trip our bus driver, who drives back stage a lot, said that you can't rely 100% on a GPS system on WDW property. Mostly because most systems don't know about gates and guards.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I love Tripit too! I am using it on my android. I am generally tech challenged and would love to make all these color coded spreadsheets etc but it would prob take me a day to figure out how! Tripit was easy for me, have all my ADR times and conf numbers, airline confs and hotel (really helpful since I am insane and doing a tri-split for this trip lol).

I did find a cute mickey head countdown widget for my phone though!

 

[postesf]

I just checked out tripit... VERY COOL!!! I hadn't seen this or heard of it before...THANKS DIS! I just forwarded all my ADRs and confirmations and it is very neat. I think this will be very handy!!!

 

[NHDisneyKid]

I KNEW I wasn't using my Droid to its fullest potential!

Thank you for these tips! Now I have a full itinerary on my tripit app and a mickey countdown widget

Any other suggestions? Am I pushing my luck?