Trip Report Tips!

[labdogs42]

A Passporter is a guidebook. You can find them here Passporter . I got one for my upcoming May trip and I think it is going to be great!

 

[abcboys]

Ok. I am not a seasoned veteran just a long time lurker. I love reading these disney boards. The only thing I hate to see is everyother word an abbreviation. I was reading a report the other day and could not hardly keep up becaus I was trying to figure out what all the abbreviations stood for. I would at least type the whole word out the first time and then use abbreviations thereafter for the same thing. (rides, hotels, attractions, etc)

 

[Mumbler]

These are all great tips, I agree with the paragraph spacing. I don't print these off so trying to read a huge single spaced paragraph can be really difficult on a monitor that's a foot away (no finger to follow along).

I also really like the abbreviations comment. Especially when I was new to these boards I would spend 15 minutes just trying to figure out what the H E double hockey sticks someone was referring to when they would type BTMRR. Why would someone scream like a girl on BTMRR????!!! These things would keep me up nights!! No kidding!

I really respect those of you that go through the time and trouble of writing a Trip Report(TR). Since I know that I couldn't/wouldn't be able to completely follow thru - so THANK YOU!!!

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

These are all great tips, I agree with the paragraph spacing. I don't print these off so trying to read a huge single spaced paragraph can be really difficult on a monitor that's a foot away (no finger to follow along).

I also really like the abbreviations comment. Especially when I was new to these boards I would spend 15 minutes just trying to figure out what the H E double hockey sticks someone was referring to when they would type BTMRR. Why would someone scream like a girl on BTMRR????!!! These things would keep me up nights!! No kidding!

I really respect those of you that go through the time and trouble of writing a Trip Report(TR). Since I know that I couldn't/wouldn't be able to completely follow thru - so THANK YOU!!!

BTW... I scream like a little girl on MK's BTMRR, SM and DS's RnRC and ToT. But I REALLY scream on IASW.

What are "paragraphs"?

I have to add, again, the BEST tip is: Take LOTS of pictures. They will twig your memory. Don't take too many notes. Enjoy your trip to the fullest... then others will, similarily, enjoy your trip report.

Labdogs... I HOPE you write a TR after May! TTFN, Mel.

 

[Kay7979]

I really agree about using paragraph breaks. It is daunting to look down through a hundred lines of unbroken text. So much so that I am tempted not to read it at all.

I have written only one trip report and made the mistake of doing so before I had read a bunch of other people's to see what readers expected. I was used to doing brief reviews of resorts I had stayed at, and no one writes a novella for those sorts of websites! Now I understand that readers want what feels like a short story. I suppose a person could simply make it all up and as long as they captured the sense of being there, and readers would enjoy it just as much. So, I guess the best tip is make the reader feel like they are there, seeing what you see, feeling what you feel, and living the experience with you.

 

[kimwim8]

I prefer the trips on one thread, and love when the OP puts the new installment in the title (like vettechick99). To me, it couldn't be any easier.

When I wrote my trip report from December, I took a notebook with me and made notes at the end of the day before going to sleep. That way, it was fresh in my mind (I have no memory skills whatsoever). OR if something really good happened that I wanted to make sure to note that night, I'd just tell DH to remind me later. He's good like that.

I agree with the pictures too, lots & lots of pictures. I put them in my report because I am a visual kinda person. I always go into the trip reports that advertise photos first. But that's just me.

Great thread idea BTW...

 

[kpk89]

I think it probably helps to actually WRITE it. I have 2 trips in the past year, and haven't written them yet. It makes it hard for people to read them.

Oh and yes paragraph breaks are good, especially for people trying to surreptitiously read at work -- makes it easier for them to find their place again after slamming down the laptop screen when the boss walks by.

One last thought -- it MAY help to have a cool screen name. Or maybe the name BECOMES cool due to a wildly successful trip report. Your thoughts on this, Vettechick99? 1000thhappyhaunt? ZZub?

Actually just thought of something else -- since we're using VC99, HH, and ZZ as examples here, readers love a theme. Like VC's is the boozin', HH has the random (albeit super entertaining) asides (is that really a theme?) and ZZub does that thing where he thinks Disney is luring his cash out of his pocket. We love that!

 

[vettechick99]

Actually just thought of something else -- since we're using VC99, HH, and ZZ as examples here, readers love a theme. Like VC's is the boozin', HH has the random (albeit super entertaining) asides (is that really a theme?) and ZZub does that thing where he thinks Disney is luring his cash out of his pocket. We love that!

Thanks, kpk! And great point about the themes. The very first (funny) trip report I read was on the Reader's Clubhouse way back like 6 years ago. It was by a guy named grimgrinningghost or something. Everyone called him grimmy or grimey. Anyway, he went with some girl (a friend) named Michelle and she shopped all the time. It was so hysterical because she was always shopping.

Ok, so now that I'm reading what I wrote, it probably doesn't sound funny, but it was. So just take my damn word for it.

Anyway, long story short, great point, kpk!

 

[Disney owl]

my tip is to read a few others before you start writing yours

looking forward to reading it

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

One last thought -- it MAY help to have a cool screen name. Or maybe the name BECOMES cool due to a wildly successful trip report. Your thoughts on this, Vettechick99? 1000thhappyhaunt? ZZub?

Actually just thought of something else -- since we're using VC99, HH, and ZZ as examples here, readers love a theme. Like VC's is the boozin', HH has the random (albeit super entertaining) asides (is that really a theme?) and ZZub does that thing where he thinks Disney is luring his cash out of his pocket. We love that!

I don't think our screen names are particularily cool. Well... ok... Vettechick's is. And did you know NOW there's a mrvettechick99? Now THAT'S cool. I also like the "theme" aspect to a story. Any story, in fact. Theme is a good thing to have. For a book. Movie. Yada. That's a good tip. I think.

mrvettechick99!!!!!! Too funny.

Also... may I refer you all to a thread called "The Whirlwind Trippers Husband's Reports"... both #1 and #2. They are quite enjoyable. What a nice guy he is, too. Nice family all around. Plus... his wife writes one for every trip as well. Which is also a cool thing 'cause you get two versions of the same Disney experience. She's his "straight man". The Straight Eye for the Preacher Guy. What am I doin'? I gotta be working right now.

 

[nicolemarie]

vettechick99, happyhaunts, zzub - ALL AWESOME!! And props to Whirlwind Trippers because they are from my "neck of the woods".

My question - maybe I'm missing something - but I get vettechick and HH screennames - what is Zzub?

But I do love me some Zzub...the Epcot comparison to Jr. High is about the funniest thing I have EVER read!


ETA - Duh - It's Buzz backwards, I'll betcha!!

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

ETA - Duh - It's Buzz backwards, I'll betcha!!

Tcerroc. kniht I.

 

[SamIAm21]

What do you do when you write out a trip report and barely anyone reads it? Do you spiff it up a little or just leave it as it is? Do you try to change it to a more catchy title or is that just the boards way of letting you know it stunk?

 

[lillygator]

how about pretrip planning reports (gonna start a trend here!)as well as trip within a trip report? I was thinking of posting my May planning report which will include this weekend's ESPN quickie...leading into the Flower and Garden show trip!


Too much?

 

[vettechick99]

I love reading pre-trip reports, but so many people will write one and then not write the report. I've seen it time and time again. My heart can't take the disappointment anymore!

So maybe write the pre-trip report after you come back, but before you post the rest?

 

[lillygator]

oh man! I was just about to post it!! Well it will be including our trip tomorrow and I promise I'll finish it!

 

[frankenpooh]

I'm a grammar snob. I won't keep reading a trip report that has egregious spelling and grammatical errors. I just want to edit those things, not read them!

I like big words, too. Can you tell?

 

[vettechick99]

oh man! I was just about to post it!! Well it will be including our trip tomorrow and I promise I'll finish it!

If you really, really promise! Cross your heart and hope to die, or we'll stick a big white thumb in your eye????

OK, then. We look forward to it!

 

[jamal]

I don't think our screen names are particularily cool. Well... ok... Vettechick's is. And did you know NOW there's a mrvettechick99? Now THAT'S cool. I also like the "theme" aspect to a story. Any story, in fact. Theme is a good thing to have. For a book. Movie. Yada. That's a good tip. I think.

mrvettechick99!!!!!! Too funny.

Yes, this is my favorite all-time screen name! mrwettechick99! I smile every time I think of it!

I could never write as long a report as some have, but I just love reading them.

It's coming...
The Fixer