DisneyJade
Two decades on the DIS, lurking and learning
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2002
I don't know if this has been suggested on the boards, but I wanted to share my method of planning for folks feeling overwhelmed by all the "paperwork." 
I bought three books for our WDW trip. well, I started with one, but still had questions, so bought another which referenced another book, so bought that one and well, you get the picture. Anyway, I found each of the books excelled in different planning areas (dining, maps, ride summaries) and no ONE book would suit me for the whole trip.... SO I MADE MY OWN!!!
I bought a very small 1" 3-ring binder and a cheap hole puncher. Then I got to work tearing out my favorite pages, punching holes and building my own planning guide.... in the order I WANT, with only the information I NEED. Then, I used the inside pockets to store park tickets, plane tickets, confirmation letters and emails, discount coupons, etc...
I even typed up some planning pages of my own with all my confirmation #s, telephone #s, "to do" list, packing list and mini-itinerary. Then, when I have to make changes, I can just print up a new page and replace the old one (instead of having messy writing and scribbles all over a page).
I know it sounds a little time consuming, but it's really helped me pass the days until our trip (only a month to go!!)
I hope this helps someone!! Let me know what you think. Does anyone else do this?
-Jade
p.s. If anyone's curious, here are some tips for hacking away at the books I used: Unofficial Guide and WDW for Couples -- Just bend back the binding and carefully pull pages (large chunk at a time breaks away cleaner... only glue holding the pages in) For the Passporter, I tore out the pages and pocket-pages and trimmed off the edges with scissors before I punched the holes. For passporter maps, I trimmed the fold-out part (on the right when opened) a little shorter than the left, so it doesn't get bunched in the binder.
I bought three books for our WDW trip. well, I started with one, but still had questions, so bought another which referenced another book, so bought that one and well, you get the picture. Anyway, I found each of the books excelled in different planning areas (dining, maps, ride summaries) and no ONE book would suit me for the whole trip.... SO I MADE MY OWN!!!
I bought a very small 1" 3-ring binder and a cheap hole puncher. Then I got to work tearing out my favorite pages, punching holes and building my own planning guide.... in the order I WANT, with only the information I NEED. Then, I used the inside pockets to store park tickets, plane tickets, confirmation letters and emails, discount coupons, etc...
I even typed up some planning pages of my own with all my confirmation #s, telephone #s, "to do" list, packing list and mini-itinerary. Then, when I have to make changes, I can just print up a new page and replace the old one (instead of having messy writing and scribbles all over a page).
I know it sounds a little time consuming, but it's really helped me pass the days until our trip (only a month to go!!)
I hope this helps someone!! Let me know what you think. Does anyone else do this?
-Jade
p.s. If anyone's curious, here are some tips for hacking away at the books I used: Unofficial Guide and WDW for Couples -- Just bend back the binding and carefully pull pages (large chunk at a time breaks away cleaner... only glue holding the pages in) For the Passporter, I tore out the pages and pocket-pages and trimmed off the edges with scissors before I punched the holes. For passporter maps, I trimmed the fold-out part (on the right when opened) a little shorter than the left, so it doesn't get bunched in the binder.
