In previous posts detailing how we plan our Disney trips, I’ve mentioned spreadsheets that I’ve created. I have three of these spreadsheets for every park: Attractions/Rides/Shows, Food and Restaurants, and Merchandise. These spreadsheets break each park down by their neighborhoods and detail what can be found within that category in said neighborhoods. It is often as simple as a bulleted list with my—typically, admittedly, scatter-brained—reflections or thoughts on the matter.
For attractions, I list Lightning Land priorities and detail my approach on how to Rope Drop and utilize the Lightning Lane system within the park. I also give a final evaluation on the matter: do you really need Lightning Lanes to get by in the park?
For restaurants, I classify each as their categories—quick service, table service, etc.—but I also specify where you can get coffee and where you can mobile order, two resources that are paramount for my ability to survive the park! I’ve highlighted in pink indicating restaurants I highly recommend. If something isn’t highlighted, that doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t recommend it; it’s highly more likely that we just haven’t gotten to eat there yet. For instance, I knew when I revised the Epcot list that people were going to judge me for not “recommending” Le Cellier, but it’s just that we haven’t gotten there yet! We have our entire lives to go to Disney, and we’re not trying to do everything all at once!
For merchandise, I specify what they tend to sell at that location and where the store is physically located.
From there, use them as you see fit! I usually comb back through them when I’m planning to host someone at Disney. For instance, we’re hosting my mother-in-law for a second time this summer. I’ll look back over them and consider the new additions to the parks since she was last there and also what we didn’t quite get to last time.
This specific example has caused me to think of another aspect I want to mention: I’m going to go through and update these about once a year. Things are changing at Disney! There’s new things coming all the time, so I’m going to do my best to keep them as up to date as possible!
But for now: happy planning!
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