Originally Posted By mickeynewe Hi everyone~ I thought it would be fun to share some of our organizational/planning ideas! I love organizing for vacation and planning every last detail. Since I now have 3 different trips we are planning (in hopes of being able to go on one of them) I have papers scattered everywhere. So, I am going to be putting my organizational skills to work! I have created a cover sheet to go with my multiple reservations detailing each, along with cancellation rules, etc. so I don't miss any dates if need be. I have also arranged a spreadsheet for keeping track of all our Priority Seating (PS) reservations. I plan on going out this afternoon and getting a binder and pocket indexers to keep it all tidy. So, anyone have any ideas on how they like to organize and keep track of things?? Share your ideas!!
Originally Posted By ploeb909 Pocket calender! As your dates approch you can check to see if you need to cancel-keep the phone numbers with you, so if your out picking up kids from school etc. you can do what you need to do while you wait! Im a planner too. It drives my husband CRAZY!This is also a good time to check to see if there are any rate changes-be sure to keep your confirmation #s handy also. Good luck! P.S ask your locale Girl Scout for a pocket calender-they are selling them now, and these are perfect for the car or your purse.
Originally Posted By ssturgeo Like you Mickeynewe I am an organizer and a planner!! Actually, don't ya think that is half the fun! I have a book ( I have access to a binding machine that I can use any size spiral binding combs on). I started the book for my June trip, divided by Travel arrangements/Disneyland Hotel/Disneyland...divided by lands and Attractions (and after each attractions any "tidbits"...like the Golden Apple at Snow White/ Disneyland Shopping/Disneyland Dining...same with sections for DCA and DTD. For my November trip (NINE more days!!) I highlighted anything new (like all the holiday info) in Red....I also pulled some of the pages I used for the June trip since I knew I would not need them this trip. But, I have saved them, because I will put them back in for future reference for myself or anyone else. This trip I have let VP do a lot of my arrangments. They have been SUPER and it is so much easier than making phone call. after phone call yourself. My 13 year old granddaughter went with me in June...and is going again with me this Nov. trip. Saturday she was looking at the book, reading the new additions, and said "why do you have to do a book for everything"?? Good question...just the nature of the beast!! Like to be prepared...like to know as much as possible about things...like to be prepared...don't want to miss anything!!
Originally Posted By mickeynewe LOL...trust me, if I had a binding machine it would get some serious use! Just got my organizing supplies and after I am done here, I'm gonna start planning! I am only going to start on the "first" trip as far as all the "detailing/dining reservations" go, and if that one gets cancelled I will move on to Plan #2, and so on....
Originally Posted By ImTinkerbellsfan This is what I do for organization. I have a Disneyland Trip Planner Binder. It's one of those 3 inch ones. In it I have dividers forTrip Planning suggestions, Budgets, Packing Lists, Hotel Info., Resturant and Local Grocery Stores, Itineraries, DL and DCA park info.,Fun Facts, Hidden Mickeys, Disneyland Trivia, and Maps/Directions. I use it every year and a few things do change like the hotel info, itineraries, etc. It keeps me organized.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess I have paper folders with pockets and use them for all my trip stuff at my desk. I have a folder for each trip, right now 4 of them-lol-Disneyland, snow trip and spring trip and one pending for summer. In each folder I put the hotel confirmation, air reservations, dining reservations, tickets, maps, etc.. When we leave, I just grab the folder and bring it along. When we return, I throw out what I no longer need and then save the stuff I want in a "past" folder. For example, I have a 3X5 card with "DL Potties that don't have automatic flush" for dd that I've been reusing for 3 years! I can always go to the past trip folder and pull it out to use again. Also in the past trip folder are all the contacts for condo reservations, etc. and I try to use the same places over because lots of owners give us discounts for returning(eg. We do hawaii ever summer.) This works great for me because DH is always doing "stuff" to my computer and I have lost things in the past-lol. Now everything really important has a "hard copy" in my file folders. It's great to just grab and go. For trips with multiple destinations, I still use just one folder and just organize it by days and always bring a calendar with each day marked with the destination.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Going to AAA tomorrow to pickup my maps to add to my binder. Going to get an actual trip ticket (not that I can't drive there in my sleep) and a map of the LA area. lol...just because I can! My binder is actually turned out quite cute! How its organized: Cover - "Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide" [with cute graphics] and lists all the important phone numbers/emails for my credit card company, Disney Dining, Disney Reservations, and Vacation Planning. Table of Contents: Includes an index of the tabbed section and what info each section contains. Also list a short version of each reservation, reservation #, and the last day to cancel without penalty in red. Section 1: First Trip Reservation information in detail. Section 2: Second Trip Reservation information in detail. Section 3: Third Trip Reservation information in detail. Section 4: Priority Seating Spreadsheet Reservation List (anyone wanting a copy, let me know and I'll email it to you) Section 5: My daughters 2005-2006 School Calendar for future event planning. Section 6: Discount Pages/Deals Section 7: Ridemax Itineraries & Disneyland Operating Schedule Section 8: Currently Available for new additions So, can anyone think of anything I have forgotten? I don't do a "packing list" as I have that my memory after all the times we have been there. Our philosophy? Take it all! I also don't believe in listing medical information, etc. in case the book is misplaced....too much information! Section 1: Contains all the reservation information
Originally Posted By mickeynewe *sigh* I wish we had an edit button...gotta learn to proof read before hitting that submit button....
Originally Posted By ssturgeo Okay, I am printing these posts so my family and friends realize I am not the ONLY one!!!! Great tips too...I am going to begin designing a binder for "historical"...I too like having things I can just pull out for the next trip. Happy planning!! Sharon EIGHT more days!!
Originally Posted By potterphreak I have an awesome spreadsheet that I use, lists everything I need right at the bottom. My tabs are: Expenses Hotel Clothes to Pack Tickets Food (this includes food to pack and our daily "schedule" of where we *should* be eating in the parks-gotta take everyones advice, right?! LOL) Incidentals to Pack Boredom Busters Must Buy Schedule (includes our tour info and Priority Seatings) Special Stuff (which has to do with the baskets I ordered through the DL Hotel) I am loving this spreadsheet!! Someone on here sent it to me and I modified it until it was perfect for OUR trips. Also, I REALLY like those plactic check organizers (like the ones for coupons but longer), I divide everything up and distribute it through it. But I am so type-A micromanagerial anal about planning. LOL
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Today I went to AAA and picked up: The TourBook A TripTik California Map Southern California Map Orange County North Map Metropolitan Los Angeles Guide Map Don't really need them, but hey, they are good tools to add to my binder....and who knows....maybe we'll get creative and take a drive some time and explore! Yeah......right!
