Trip Report Tips!

[jamal]

We are going next month and I want to write a TR when we get back, but would looove some hints and suggestions from you seasoned veterans. I get the basics of fact, humor, and opinion, but want to be prepared with nuts and bolts.
Do you experts take notes along the way?
Do you type in Word, then copy/paste?
Which share format do you use for pics?

What else?

C'mon, ZZUB, 1000thhappyhaunt, vettechick, etc. Help the rest of us.

 

[jedijill]

I only ask that you put it in one thread. I love reading reports but HATE searching for multiple parts.

Jill in KC

 

[TLinden16]

I usually do my trip reports by memory, but sometimes I'll jot down some notes at the end of the day.

I do usually type it up in Word, and then copy and paste it. I know sometimes if you take too long to post, it won't post at all, so I'd rather copy and paste it then risk losing what I've written.

I don't usually post pictures with my reports, but if I do, I'll put it on Image Station or something like that, and put the link in.

 

[lillygator]

don't have too many tips, but for our upcoming May trip, I have started my pre trip trip report in Word....I have 6 pages of agonizing over planning!! (and the codes)
I plan to take notes at the end of each day while enjoying a wine or two on my balcony!

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

I agree. One thread is better. That should be a law. Who rules the Land of Dis, anyway? Also... I had planned to write a trip report before we left. Taking a few notes is good. Just here and there. You don't want it to be the focus of your trip, though. Just note the funny things that people say, sometimes. Especially the kids. Plus... and this is perhaps the MOST important in helping you remember everything: Take a buttload of pictures. Of everything. Everything. That's the ticket. I think. I'm writing this trip report I'm on just a little at a time. A little bit every day. And I post it right away. My online picture host is Shutterfly. Easy and free. Hope this helps. Mel.

 

[Thumper's Tara]

I also agree on the one thread thing...I hate searching for multiple parts!

I work on my report in Word then copy and paste. I am a horrible speller, so I need Word's spell check!

Also, I recommend you take lots of pictures on your trip. It has helped jog my memory...especially because I stopped taking notes after the second day!

Good luck and enjoy your trip!!

 

[vettechick99]

Alrighty. These tips and $24.99 will get you an overpriced Disney tee-shirt.

1. Take lots of pictures! I definitely agree with 1000thhappyhaunts and Tara on this one. It helps you remember where you were and what was going on. Plus, we all need that visual Disney stimulation when reading your report.

2. Pack heat with Disney notepads. Claim that you didn't get any to a front desker. Then move to another one and get some more. Then ask every mousekeeper you see. You'll need to perfect your sad, pathetic face for this one.

Use these notepads to jot down notes wherever you are. They are cute, compact and say Disney on them. Who doesn't love that!? (thats my shout-out to Rachel Ray there)

3. Buy a digital camera. See #1

4. Write down everything! And I really mean this one. After 5 years in college and 2 BnG Festivals, my memory is shot. So I have to write down everything. And I mean everything! I wrote down what time I had my first cocktail (4:19 pm) and all my bartenders' names (Jennifer, Brian, Kelly, Camille, Leeanna, Bob, Sebastian, Caroline...).

5. Be organized. I'm usually not an organized person, but I'm more likely to do something if it's orderly. So consider bringing your laptop to download pictures or write your report. Buy or make a Passporter-type organizer. I kept all my receipts in there, which really helped jog the ol' memory. And you'll be less likely to lose or skip doing notes when you know where they are.

But I have to give one warning - this is like my 5th or something trip report (I did some on other boards). You are all gung ho about writing one now, but when you get back, it's really the last thing you want to do. For me at least. You have to work at getting excited about the trip again and what you want to share.

Good luck!

Oh, and when you write your report, include all the details you think are lame. Emotions, funny happenings, even the dang weather! We eat that up with a spoon!

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

2. Pack heat with Disney notepads.

Ha, ha, ha!

I'm bumping this sucker. So people will get the hint about putting their WHOLE TRIP REPORT IN ONE THREAD. Please. For the love of God!!!!

 

[vettechick99]

I think I'll put this as a link in the favorite trip reports thread as well.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Ha, ha, ha!

I'm bumping this sucker. So people will get the hint about putting their WHOLE TRIP REPORT IN ONE THREAD. Please. For the love of God!!!!

I disagree with this - I think each installment should be it's own thread WITH LINKS INCLUDED for each subsequent entry. LIke when reading your's or Vettechick's report, I hate having to go through a milllion "oh keep the reports coming" or "Vettechick, you're crazy, that reminds me of when me and Uncle Bob had a drink.....blah blah blah," type of posts in order to find the next installment.

So in summary, my preferred way of reading a trip report is several threads, but with links on the first post of each thread.

Also, this is easier to print them and read them on the train home Just my 2 cents though.

 

[1000thhappyhaunt]

LIke when reading your's or Vettechick's report, I hate having to go through a milllion "oh keep the reports coming" or "Vettechick, you're crazy, that reminds me of when me and Uncle Bob had a drink.....blah blah blah," type of posts in order to find the next installment.

See... I LIKE reading all the comments on everyone's threads. There's some good stuff there. I guess... to each his own, though. I understand it would be easier to print and take with that way. But, you know, this reminds me of when my Cousin George and I went to that bar on Manitoulin Isand...

 

[PrincessAurora]

I bring a journal and write notes 24/7. I am the anal retentive one. I have some pictures but those are mainly of food. In fact there is not one picture of me during this last trip because the only one with the camera was me and only picture of grumpy and two of tink. Everything else was food and "artistic musings"

All one thread. I tried the multiple threads in the past and, yeah, it kind of sucks.

I write in WORD when I get home and then cut and paste. It gives me some self editing time as well.

Remember your paragraphs. It's easier on the eyes to read instead of one whole block of text.

I know other swear by a camcorder. I can't afford one and the odds are the best things happen when you aren't recording.

Start writing as soon as you return to help keep those details fresh.

It helps to be descriptive or witty. No one wants to read "Drove to Pop, slept, went to Magic Kingdom, did stuff, ate stuff, Bobby walked into Goofy and fell down, had ice cream, took bus back to Pop, ate at Food Court, went to bed.

That's about it - go forth and create!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

See... I LIKE reading all the comments on everyone's threads. There's some good stuff there. I guess... to each his own, though. I understand it would be easier to print and take with that way. But, you know, this reminds me of when my Cousin George and I went to that bar on Manitoulin Isand...

Well of course you like to read the other people's posts, they are all praising and worshipping you - why wouldn't you read them? As long as the reports are funny and entertaining, I really don't care what format they are in.....I have an Uncle George who goes to bars, I wonder if they're the same guy?

 

[vettechick99]

LIke when reading your's or Vettechick's report, I hate having to go through a milllion "oh keep the reports coming" or "Vettechick, you're crazy, that reminds me of when me and Uncle Bob had a drink.....blah blah blah...

What, you're not going to praise me as well?

heehee

Actually, I know what you mean. It can get annoying not knowing where the next installment is. So I always label my parts...you know where the next chapter is and can jump to that page. I'd add in direct links to the exact post if I could figure out how to do that. And I will, if someone can tell me!

 

[BionicEar]

My only advice (and request) is that you break up the trip report in PARAGRAPHS. I've seen people write one HUGE trip report in one single paragraph, and for me, that's really difficult to read and it turns me off.

There's been many a good trip report I know I've had to stop reading because the author didn't take the time to separate it a bit in paragraphs. I get confused, lost and frustrated. So I stop reading. Could also just be the ADD in me.

I plan on bringing a notebook along on our trip, too.

13 more days! I can't wait....

 

[jamal]

Love the multi-paragraphs with spaces, too. OK , you are getting me going. I guess I'll really have to do this when we get back! Keep 'em coming.
Jamal

 

[hucifer]

I disagree with this - I think each installment should be it's own thread WITH LINKS INCLUDED for each subsequent entry. LIke when reading your's or Vettechick's report, I hate having to go through a milllion "oh keep the reports coming" or "Vettechick, you're crazy, that reminds me of when me and Uncle Bob had a drink.....blah blah blah," type of posts in order to find the next installment.

So in summary, my preferred way of reading a trip report is several threads, but with links on the first post of each thread.

Also, this is easier to print them and read them on the train home Just my 2 cents though.

I agree with this. And not just because my trip reports are written as separate installments!

Lately, I've been reading two wonderful trip reports...JSMLA's solo report and Vettechick's. I am enjoying both of them very much, but I find JSMLA's report easier to find and read. I would rather read separate posts than to hunt for each day's within one long thread...but Vettechick's is so darn funny, I am more willing to hunt for it.

Just goes to show that all of us have very different tastes in posting styles. But I wanted to defend Cindy's Mom on this one because she seems to be in the minority here.

As for tips...keep a little notepad on you and jot things down. Buy a Passporter. At the end of the day, transfer your notes into the Passporter. I use this method (and a ton of photos we took on vacation) as my diary when writing my report. Which I'm still writing since my October trip.

 

[labdogs42]

One thread is best. Zzub, 1000thhappyhaunt, and vettechick's are all in one thread and all you have to do to find the next installment is scroll through for the longest post! When I stumble on a trip report on the first page that is day5 of something or other I'm not inclined to attempt to find the rest of them. I also enjoy the "conversation" that takes place in between the installments, so I like that aspect pf the one thread. That's my 2 cents!

Thanks for the tips on doing a trip report. We'll see if I attmept one after my May trip!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Jotting down notes during the day helps me a LOT! I need to learn to be more descriptive with them, though, because sometimes I get home and spend forever trying to figure out what "goofy phone space picture" means (although I'm sure it made total sense when I wrote it down!).

LOTS of photo taking! I take my laptop with me and upload my pictures at the end of each day, with a separate folder for day 1, day 2, etc. If it weren't for that, I'd have no idea what I did most of the time!

If you just talk about what you did, it isn't going to be all that exciting. The way you felt, the funny things you overheard, the fact that the yeti made you scream like a little girl- those are what bring the report to life. "We got up at 8, went to MGM, and did TOT, RnR, GMR, and Muppets before lunch at Brown Derby" doesn't take you there with the author.

Breaking the story up into paragraphs makes it SO much easier to read! Ditto on decent spelling and grammar (everyone makes mistakes, but constantly misspelled words can make it hard to read.)

Have fun with it! Enjoy recalling your trip while you write, and people will enjoy reading it. You don't have to be falling-over funny or tearjerking heartfelt to make a good report- just hearing your story is interesting!

 

[BionicEar]

As for tips...keep a little notepad on you and jot things down. Buy a Passporter. At the end of the day, transfer your notes into the Passporter. I use this method (and a ton of photos we took on vacation) as my diary when writing my report.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a Passporter? I'm curious!