What's your planning system?

[Jacquellie]

How do you collate all the information and advice given here to actually use when you're 'in the field' and to plan your vacation? For planning my wedding I made a spreadsheet - there was so much to think about, so I'm thinking I need a system.
For example, just read an invaluable thread about 'play areas' where you can just let kids run free and let off steam. The fountains at Epcot was suggested, and many others. Now I'm thinking "how am I going to remember all this when I'm there?' It would be great if I had a slick system to help me in any given situation. What do you guys do?

 

[KCheatle]

I have an ongoing list on my desktop at work that includes everything from "Random things to pack" to "sites to see" to "Hidden treasures." As I read things on here that I think are interesting, I open that document and add notes or websites. Then a few days before my trip, I open that document with my hubby and we figure out what of those things we want to bring/see/do and then I bring that paper with me on the trip. For example, I noted the character meet and greet at HS before Fantasmic!, which I didn't know about previously to my "sites to see" list. I've also got some interesting little recommendations from others - highly recommended food/snacks/drinks, hidden mickey's, etc. - in my "hidden treasures" list.

I also have a spreadsheet for our entire trip that has what park we'll be at on what day and when our ADRs are. I try to plan for travel time because, by nature, I'm terrible at taking into account travel time. So, I try and lay it all out realistically so we know what we're dealing with. I won't bring the spread sheet though. What I'll do is program into my phone the times I think we need to be leaving the park to get to our ADRs or give myself 30 minute warnings if I'm in the park where we're eating. It's just a lot more fool-proof to have it on my phone.

 

[docdebbi]

I make a little daily schedule with attractions, meals, snacks etc for the day. I create it in excel and then make pocket sized one for everyone in my group. I am quite insane though.

i resent that deeply..........since i do the same thing
except mine are all laminated- case of rain or wet rides

 

[jdnetone]

I use a Excel spread sheet with color codes and Multiple sheets I name the sheets Notes, To do’s before trip, Meal Plan & Reservations, Air Fare and added cost, and Itinerary. This has help keep everything together in one file.

 

[lunchbox1175]

I don't do all that much... I check for EMH for each park for when we are going, then make ADR's accordingly to maximize time in parks, other than that, we just wing it each morning, we may or may not stick to the original plan, so we don't get too detailed, we just make sure we make our ADRs.