tips for keeing organized

[adamtraci]

Seems like there is a lot to keep straight (dining locations, times etc) as well as just keeping autographs, tickets etc safe.

I've read some posts where people use index cards to keep organized.


Please share how you guys keep organized while at WDW.

 

[mufasa0505]

I make a spreadsheet that includes all park hours and EMH hours, dining ressies as well as confirmation #'s and anything special we're doing (tours, etc.)

I have a Mickey Mouse folder that I use for every WDW trip that I put my confirmation printouts in, in the order that I will use them. Airfare-DME/car rental-DVC res, so on...

 

[Perditamarie]

I'm doing index cards...one for each day w/confirmation numbers, parade times, park hours, snack places I want to try, etc. I also have 1 card that is an overview of our park and dining plans for the week. My husband thinks I am crazy!! I also store autograph books in a large ziplock in my bag or bottom of the stroller.

 

[java]

I bought a Passporter 3 years ago. Really thinking what's the big deal. I've been so many times what's it going to do for me.

Well I LOVE it. so much so that I bought the leather one.

But really it's the pockets that I love. Each individual pocket in the binder has places for all the information you need. You could just buy the pockets and use your own binder.
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/0966899434.aspx

 

[TheDizMom]

I make an itinerary with an excel spread sheet. I make it like a calendar and then I plug in what our plan is for each day including where we are having dinner, what time and the reservation #, plus anything else I want to remember for that day. At the bottom I put our Disney reservation number, airline reservation number, flight numbers and times and all pertinent phone numbers (Disney reservation numbers for booking and ADR's, resort number, airline number etc.). Anything I want to make sure I have or remember goes on that sheet. It's easier then index cards since everything is on one piece of paper and folds up for easy carrying. I then keep one copy in the little envelope Disney sends with all your reservation information along with all airline stuff, one copy in my purse, and one in the carry-on bag, that way if I loose one I have another as back-up. I can't tell you how easy it makes things and I refer to it regularly. It worked for our first trip and when we had our grand gathering everyone in the family got one so everyone knew what was going on each day and when. It just works slick .

 

[anewmac]

I'm doing index cards...one for each day w/confirmation numbers, parade times, park hours, snack places I want to try, etc. I also have 1 card that is an overview of our park and dining plans for the week. My husband thinks I am crazy!! I also store autograph books in a large ziplock in my bag or bottom of the stroller.

I read on another thread someone doing this and then putting the index cards in a 4x6 photo book, one of those thin cheap ones like you can get from walmart for about $1. I am doing with mine.

I also read but not sure that you can at your resort have them print up a list of your ADR with confermation#'s for you. This is a back up to be used, if someone could conferm or deny that would be great.

What Im doing is putting the parks' hours and days on a spreadsheet with my adr's and printing it out and putting it in a sheet protector then using a magnet to hold it to the door so its in plain sight. Also I found on the creative dis that someone made a check list for everyday. Sunscreen, KTTW, hats, poncho's etc. SO you dont get halfway to your destination and think crap I forgot something. Im going to laminate that at Staples for cheap and then have a wipe off pen to have the boys check everything off in the am so we dont forget anything. That will be my kids job! LOL

 

[dbarker]

I use the index cards and the Passporter. I laminate the index cards, punch a hole in them and keep them on a caribineer.

 

[mamabear2]

For a recent grand gathering, my dad gave everyone two laminated business cards. On one, all of the parks hours (including magic hours), parade, fireworks times were listed. On the other business card, the front side had all of our dining reservations and the back had everyone's cell phone numbers. Everyone stored them with their park tickets.

For another grand gathering with lots of family members on their first or second trip to Disney World, he also created four additional business cards -- one for each park. On each one, he listed what to ride first, and then made another list of "don't miss" attractions. On the back he listed some of our favorite counter service restaurants and a very brief description of what they served. VERY helpful when taking a big group who isn't familiar with the parks.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Wow! I do a lot of research, but just put everything in a notebook or folder (with an extra copy of any ADR #s in my wallet, of course.) I usually review the folder again on the plane down, but I don't carry it to the parks - just a map or list from it each day.

 

[timzagain]

I keep it simple - a plastic document wallet with several pockets; one pocket for dining, one for touring plans, one for accomodation info (we split our vacation between 2 hotels last time), etc.

ADR's - I printed a list and kept it in my wallet; my sister also had a copy

It worked well - I kept all the papers together; at the end of the trip, I was able to pass on information to assist a friend who was planning her Disney trip

When I got home, I was able to put useful info together in a spreadsheet to guide the planning process for any future trips. The document wallet is now empty; ready for the next trip planning exercise.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

I type everything (park hours, ADR's, must-do attractions) into a word doc, then break it up by day and reformat to 4x6 index cards. Before we leave, I print them out and put them in my Passporter.

 

[Disneymoon]

I use the index cards and the Passporter. I laminate the index cards, punch a hole in them and keep them on a caribineer.

I use laminated index cards too. My DH thought I was crazy last time, but it really helps to have all your information neat and accessible at all times.
Here is what I included:
-must do attractions for each park
-ADRs
-Park hours for each park/day
-Daily intinerary
-Travel times

 

[srwarden1928]

I print up the touringplan(s) we intend to use for that day to take into the park. (I print at home but I have known what I need for months now.) I write my ADR# on that days plan. I have my entire itenerary in a word file and will print that up also, which includes all the ADR #s and the reservation #. I also will print up directions to supplement the GPS.

 

[luvsJack]

Wow! I do a lot of research, but just put everything in a notebook or folder (with an extra copy of any ADR #s in my wallet, of course.) I usually review the folder again on the plane down, but I don't carry it to the parks - just a map or list from it each day.

Me too, except for the reviewing on the plane down (I'm terrified to fly)! I look over it every morning right before heading out the door. I keep my ADR#'s in my cell phone. That's it.

The first trip I lugged around my Passporter, and print outs of the touring plan, and little cards with all the CS dining choices in the park of the day and all that. I carried it, just never really looked at it . All the info such as park hours, parade times, show times, etc. are on the maps, never really had a need to have it on something else to carry..

 

[sohappy]

I use an excel spreadsheet during the planning stage, then I use my blackberry while I am in the World.

 

[Mom2ChinaGirls]

Great question. Thanks for sharing ideas.

 

[hillview]

We put the autographs books in a ziploc bag with 2 pens to keep they dry/safe.
/hillary

 

[NiniMorris]

Obsessive? yes!

I put everything from the planning stage on my Outlook calendar on my laptop (which is going with us to Disney!) (I have set up a special Disney countdown calendar!). I put everything for each day on an individual index card. I have a spreadsheet with all the timing info to help with the planning stage. I have a gi-normous notebook with important pages (like menus) in plastic sleeves (has about 150 plastic pages in it right now!). I use passporter. As a final step all the info will be put into my pda/phone with alarms set for each ADR to go off 30 minutes prior (so we have plenty of time to get to the right restaurant!) All of the important info will also go in a document to be stored in my phone as well!


Overkill???? Sure, but that is party of the fun! And don't worry...I haven't planned every minute. I have a disabled son, so touring plans for us include which park which day to start at and where we have our ADRs. The rest of the 'planning' is fly by the seat of our pants. Or more accurately, how Damien is feeling that day!

Have fun planning!!!!!

Nini

 

[amor18]

Obsessive? yes!

I put everything from the planning stage on my Outlook calendar on my laptop (which is going with us to Disney!) (I have set up a special Disney countdown calendar!). I put everything for each day on an individual index card. I have a spreadsheet with all the timing info to help with the planning stage. I have a gi-normous notebook with important pages (like menus) in plastic sleeves (has about 150 plastic pages in it right now!). I use passporter. As a final step all the info will be put into my pda/phone with alarms set for each ADR to go off 30 minutes prior (so we have plenty of time to get to the right restaurant!) All of the important info will also go in a document to be stored in my phone as well!


Overkill???? Sure, but that is party of the fun! And don't worry...I haven't planned every minute. I have a disabled son, so touring plans for us include which park which day to start at and where we have our ADRs. The rest of the 'planning' is fly by the seat of our pants. Or more accurately, how Damien is feeling that day!

Have fun planning!!!!!

Nini

all your information are really good!we are going on aug,and want to try the index cards. let see if works out

 

[adamsup]

the passporter is a good way to keep things organized