Vacation Planning Binders???

[disneygirl1977k]

Good Morning everyone,
I read some posts the other day on some of you who have made up Vacation Planning Binders.....this sounds like so much fun and I was wondering if anyone who has one of these could give me some tips on starting one and what information you guys have included in yours???? My husband and I are taking our 2 year old for the first time in August and I am so excited and just wondered about getting a binder together?? Any advice would be great.....also do any of you know of any good websites or planning software that is good to use to get printouts on? Thanks everyone and have a magical day.......

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

I highly recommend getting a Passporter. They are awesome!! Gives you comprehensive info, and you can also store room keys, etc. in the pockets!! Hope this helps.

 

[disneygirl1977k]

Thanks so much Stephanie, Just ordered mine online from Amazon......Appreciate the advice.....Thanks again.
Kristy

 

[BamaTigger]

Well, since you got a passporter, you dont need my "go to walmart speech" LOL

But things you can do are...

organize your park days,
print great info off these boards and other internet sources
park maps
park hours
restaurant menus
character greetings
PS meals

since you are going with a little Simba, then you will have lots to put in your passporter! Things that I couldnt help you with cause I have no little Simba!

But last nite I started doing my index card binder with all the great park tips that I want to look for.

I also have everything that I told you above in my Tigger binder, for I dont have a passporter. But I still love my binder!


Have fun planning!!!!!!!!!

 

[Grants Mom]

I got a 3 ring binder.(not going again until late 06 or early 07). Any thing I see on the net that I think I would want to remember I print out and stick in there. I have a passporter from our 01 trip and loved it. Just waiting until next year to buy our next one. But you can get divieders to dived up your infor that you want to put in there. Make different sections:
Lodging: (get everything together that you want to know even if you want to compare palces)
Eating:
The give one for every park.
You can even go as far a getting those plastic covers that you would use to protect a report of something that is also capable of putting into a 3 ring binder. Then the day you leave for the park, put your important information in it and there you go.
Might save money for those who do not want to get a book like the passprter. Really it like making your own.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Passporters are awesome!

I keep ms word files in my Disney folder on my computer with lists-

* things to pack
* things to do
* must-eats (mickey bars!)
* Hidden Mickeys/secrets/little things to look for
* Photos to take, things to video tape
* Resort request notes (ie 3rd floor, this building, etc.)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but hopefully that will help!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I've had a binder since our first family trip in '98. I keep a lot of the things listed above, but also have one of those zipper cases inside (not exactly a skinny pencil case -- it's larger, made of nylon with a clear window on the front and 3 holes punched w/grommets). I keep our money envelopes, Disney Dollars, park passes, etc. inside it.

Then, when we're finally getting ready to go on the trip, I add all of our confirmations, airline tix, etc. and just throw it in my carry-on. That way I have everything I need in one spot and can leave the binder at home.

 

[Kimickey]

I use my passporter and my three ring binder. On the front cover where you can slide in a full 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. I print on photo paper a collage of our pictures the previous year trip

In my three ring binder I have several divided sections: It's my Disney Continutity Book

1. our online printed air line itineraries
2. any tips I get from the Dis
3. my pre-trip check list (i.e packing list, house cleaning check list, before we leave house hold check list etc...)
4. our PS reservations numbers sheet
5. our vacation intinerary
6. mousekeeping envelopes
7. our Tiffany Towncar confirmation page
8. our package information that I recieve from our travel agent

Anytime I need any information I refer to my book, it keeps all of our paper work in a nice neat order. Each year I look forward to starting a my book over again, it's fun filling it up.

If you'd like, if you PM me I can send you my worksheets that I used to add to my book to get you started.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Kimickey-I love your collage idea!

 

[anabelle]

Kimickey-I love your collage idea!

I second that. It is beautiful.

Also, Passporters are great BUT....
I think that they are too heavy.
I found that I was just taking out what I needed for the day anyway. So I got a cheap $5 dollar binder from Walmart. It fits 4 x 6 index cards, has a note pad, a cell phone pocket and a side pocket that will fits fastpasses, receipts and tickets. I am creating my own itieneraries, and such on 4 x 6 cards. It is light so I can take it with me.

 

[Grants Mom]

If you'd like, if you PM me I can send you my worksheets that I used to add to my book to get you started.[/QUOTE]


What is PM mean? I am new at all this and not up on the language. I would love to ask you a few questions. First what software program did you use to make that collage of photos. I love it. I am wanting to do something along the same lines with other photos I have. Plus I love your binder Idea and would love to get more info from you.

 

[chevitz5]

the best resource available for planning your trip, in my opinion, is www.Tourguidemike.com . My WDW binder is full of info I copyed into a Word document from TGM. All of his tips and info is up to date and he even sends out daily updates! You do have to purchase his services, but I think it is so worth it! I purchase TGM for every trip we schedule and then just edit the info I already had from previous trips.

TGM also has some great tips on making up daily schedules for the parks. I read (and reread) all the info and then make up our daily schedules basied on his samples and recommendations for what park on what day. All of this is in my binder too.

However, when the time comes for the trip - I print on half sheets of paper my daily "schedules", park tips, show tips, etc. and then laminate them. I color code the pages (blue = MK, green = AK, etc) and then punch a hole in the top corner. I attach them with a metal circle thingy (I don't know what they are called). Then each day, when we are at WDW, I only take along the pages for the parks we will be seeing that specific day.

Enjoy the planning!