Vacation Planning spreadsheet

chic mama

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Aug 13, 2012
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we are heading to WDW with my family of 6 plus my dad and sisters and their kids (12 total). My sisters are wanting a spreadsheet that includes all of our travel plans, dining reservations/restaurant menus and DDP snack options, fast passes, daily plans etc. My sisters and their kids have never been to Disney and are feeling a little overwhelmed. Anyone have a sample document I could look at to get ideas for putting all of the trip info together? Thanks!
 
Here's mine from our 2015 trip.

Btw, this schedule was wayyyy too hectic, too much running around after FPs, and ADRs, and park hopping. For our upcoming April 2018 trip We are sticking with one park a day, breakfast or early lunch at our hotel (Poly) or GF, and a late signature dinner each night ( we are on the the DxDP).

Good luck!
 

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we are heading to WDW with my family of 6 plus my dad and sisters and their kids (12 total). My sisters are wanting a spreadsheet that includes all of our travel plans, dining reservations/restaurant menus and DDP snack options, fast passes, daily plans etc. My sisters and their kids have never been to Disney and are feeling a little overwhelmed. Anyone have a sample document I could look at to get ideas for putting all of the trip info together? Thanks!
Frankly, including ALL this information would probably be MORE overwhelming to her. I don't have access to the spreadsheet for my family, but all I listed was things that were at specific times, like ADRs, parades we need to hit, and FP+s. Even these things are liable to change, but any further plans are going to be a mess, especially with that large of a party. If you're planning out every minute, realize that not every person may want to follow the plan: you'll probably split up and come back together a few times, as well as change your plans completely for the full group. If they're overwhelmed now, you might be giving them too much information. Just give them a more basic spreadsheet or list each day of "this thing happens at this time. I'll be there. You can be there or not, up to you."

As for including potential snack credit items and menus: that's just too much. You're way overwhelming them with information. They can peruse the menus and decide what they want when they're actually at a restaurant. Most restaurants include things for pickier eaters if that's your concern, and an adult can always order a larger portion from the kids menu.

Let them know what a snack credit symbol looks like and they can decide their snacks as they go about their day. Let them know, value wise, they're going to want to use it on things over $4. And, if you're worried about keeping track of individual people's allotments on a shared plan, maybe print out punch cards or sheets they can cross off. Once you're there (and checked in to your hotel), show them how to view remaining dining credits on the MDE app.

Frankly, if they're even somewhat tech-users, most of this can be handled by signing them up as friends included in your plans on MDE (so they see FP+s and ADRs), and being sure they know what time major shows you're interested in are (fireworks, parades, etc). It can still be nice to have a basic every-reservation-at-a-glance spreadsheet, but if they're overwhelmed it might be easier to just see a bit at a time.
 
Frankly, including ALL this information would probably be MORE overwhelming to her. I don't have access to the spreadsheet for my family, but all I listed was things that were at specific times, like ADRs, parades we need to hit, and FP+s. Even these things are liable to change, but any further plans are going to be a mess, especially with that large of a party. If you're planning out every minute, realize that not every person may want to follow the plan: you'll probably split up and come back together a few times, as well as change your plans completely for the full group. If they're overwhelmed now, you might be giving them too much information. Just give them a more basic spreadsheet or list each day of "this thing happens at this time. I'll be there. You can be there or not, up to you."

As for including potential snack credit items and menus: that's just too much. You're way overwhelming them with information. They can peruse the menus and decide what they want when they're actually at a restaurant. Most restaurants include things for pickier eaters if that's your concern, and an adult can always order a larger portion from the kids menu.

Let them know what a snack credit symbol looks like and they can decide their snacks as they go about their day. Let them know, value wise, they're going to want to use it on things over $4. And, if you're worried about keeping track of individual people's allotments on a shared plan, maybe print out punch cards or sheets they can cross off. Once you're there (and checked in to your hotel), show them how to view remaining dining credits on the MDE app.

Frankly, if they're even somewhat tech-users, most of this can be handled by signing them up as friends included in your plans on MDE (so they see FP+s and ADRs), and being sure they know what time major shows you're interested in are (fireworks, parades, etc). It can still be nice to have a basic every-reservation-at-a-glance spreadsheet, but if they're overwhelmed it might be easier to just see a bit at a time.

I do agree putting EVERYTHING mentioned by OP would be overwhelming. I do find, however, having a spreadsheet with the park I will be visiting, ADRs, FPs, and special events (i.e. fireworks show) gives me a "birds eye view" of my trip

It also lets me reevaluate my plan (why am I going to AK 2 days in a row on an 8 day trip; I'm going to be eating steak 4x in a row for dinner with this plan) and fine tune the perfect trip. Until a monkey wrench hits while at Disney and half my plans go out the door. Haha!
 

Go to "thedibb.co.uk , has an excellent planner which includes the busiest parks for which days etc, very easy to put all your plans on , we found it a couple of weeks ago, makes things a lot easier
 
Here's mine from our 2015 trip.

Btw, this schedule was wayyyy too hectic, too much running around after FPs, and ADRs, and park hopping. For our upcoming April 2018 trip We are sticking with one park a day, breakfast or early lunch at our hotel (Poly) or GF, and a late signature dinner each night ( we are on the the DxDP).

Good luck!


Thank you so much! This is so helpful!! :)
 
Frankly, including ALL this information would probably be MORE overwhelming to her. I don't have access to the spreadsheet for my family, but all I listed was things that were at specific times, like ADRs, parades we need to hit, and FP+s. Even these things are liable to change, but any further plans are going to be a mess, especially with that large of a party. If you're planning out every minute, realize that not every person may want to follow the plan: you'll probably split up and come back together a few times, as well as change your plans completely for the full group. If they're overwhelmed now, you might be giving them too much information. Just give them a more basic spreadsheet or list each day of "this thing happens at this time. I'll be there. You can be there or not, up to you."

As for including potential snack credit items and menus: that's just too much. You're way overwhelming them with information. They can peruse the menus and decide what they want when they're actually at a restaurant. Most restaurants include things for pickier eaters if that's your concern, and an adult can always order a larger portion from the kids menu.

Let them know what a snack credit symbol looks like and they can decide their snacks as they go about their day. Let them know, value wise, they're going to want to use it on things over $4. And, if you're worried about keeping track of individual people's allotments on a shared plan, maybe print out punch cards or sheets they can cross off. Once you're there (and checked in to your hotel), show them how to view remaining dining credits on the MDE app.

Frankly, if they're even somewhat tech-users, most of this can be handled by signing them up as friends included in your plans on MDE (so they see FP+s and ADRs), and being sure they know what time major shows you're interested in are (fireworks, parades, etc). It can still be nice to have a basic every-reservation-at-a-glance spreadsheet, but if they're overwhelmed it might be easier to just see a bit at a time.


Thanks for your tips. The food has been a cause for anxiety as many people have severe food allergies, Crohns Disease, and Celiacs. Seeing a list of food/snack options is something everyone wants! My sisters are very type A personalities so they do want LOTS of information and everyone understands that things can change and people can choose to do their own thing if they want but everyone actual WANTS to stay together! :)
 
I use a daily planner sheet - includes FP+, rough timings for transportation, breaks, parades, suggested eateries (we are only doing 4 ADR's) and have printed off menus as appropriate.
 
Thanks for your tips. The food has been a cause for anxiety as many people have severe food allergies, Crohns Disease, and Celiacs. Seeing a list of food/snack options is something everyone wants! My sisters are very type A personalities so they do want LOTS of information and everyone understands that things can change and people can choose to do their own thing if they want but everyone actual WANTS to stay together! :)

they can just look on the Disney app at the food options as they are on their way to the restaurant. I cant imagine listing all the food/snack options ahead of time....that would take a book. I'm pretty sure every place in WDW has options for all types o allergies, so there will be SOMETHING available for them.
 
Hi Chic Mama,

Besides a spreadsheet I also create a large binder with plastic sheet inserts. Anything that I think I may want to reference on the trip I put in the binder in separate sections (Park Maps, Hotel Maps, Menus of restaurants I will be eating at, printout of all my ADRs (in case they vanish from MDE), travel documents (airline tickets), and copies of all personal documents (drivers licenses and passport, etc.).

Again, this helps me "get my arms around" the vast amount of info I'm trying to keep organized in my head or may want to reference.

Perhaps putting the menus in such a binder, and highlighting items of interest (and items to avoid) could help.
 
we are heading to WDW with my family of 6 plus my dad and sisters and their kids (12 total). My sisters are wanting a spreadsheet that includes all of our travel plans, dining reservations/restaurant menus and DDP snack options, fast passes, daily plans etc. My sisters and their kids have never been to Disney and are feeling a little overwhelmed. Anyone have a sample document I could look at to get ideas for putting all of the trip info together? Thanks!

I love allears.net for dining menus. They have everything and even will indicate a snack item. Maybe direct your family to the website and they can get an idea of what each restaurant serves. Then they'll know what will work the day of.
 
Here's mine from our 2015 trip.

Btw, this schedule was wayyyy too hectic, too much running around after FPs, and ADRs, and park hopping. For our upcoming April 2018 trip We are sticking with one park a day, breakfast or early lunch at our hotel (Poly) or GF, and a late signature dinner each night ( we are on the the DxDP).

Good luck!

This is a work of art.
 
I would have them visit All Ears and look at the menus. They can then make a list of safe snacks for each park and also look at the restaurant menus ahead of time to pick what to eat.
 
This is a work of art.

Thanks so much. But to be honest, I did not take into account the "vastness" of Disney World. The schedule I so perfectly choreographed really burned my family out by day 5. For my trip in April, we are having all breakfast/lunch at our home resort Poly or GF, a full day at the park, and then a signature dinner at about 9pm.
 
For menus, I would recommend Disney's app or website over All Ears. It's updated much more frequently.
 
Buy them each a passporter book, I have always liked the way you organize your trip info in the back.
 


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