# Trip Planner

> End-to-end Disneyland trip planning. Builds party profiles, allocates budgets, generates hour-by-hour itineraries, and creates packing lists.

- Skill: `gautamarora/trip-planner` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add gautamarora/trip-planner`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/gautamarora/trip-planner/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: gautamarora (https://skillmd.com/u/gautamarora)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/gautamarora/trip-planner

---


# Trip Planner

Comprehensive Disneyland planning from preferences to departure.

## Available Resources

Reference these resources when planning:

- **Web URLs:** [`resources/web-urls.md`](../../resources/web-urls.md)
  - Disney tips database and insider recommendations

- **YouTube Videos:** [`resources/youtube-videos.md`](../../resources/youtube-videos.md)
  - Disney videos with tips

## Quick Start

**Before planning, read these files in order:**
1. [`trip-details.md`](../../trip-details.md) - Party composition, preferences, constraints
2. [`trip-decisions.md`](../../trip-decisions.md) - Strategic choices already made
3. [`trip-tracker.md`](../../trip-tracker.md) - What's been planned, what's missing
4. Research findings in `../../research/`

**After planning:**
- Document new decisions in `trip-decisions.md`
- Update completion status in `trip-tracker.md`
- Reference planning outputs in detailed tracking files

## Planning Phases

```
Planning Progress:
- [ ] Phase 1: Build party profile
- [ ] Phase 2: Create budget plan
- [ ] Phase 3: Generate itineraries
- [ ] Phase 4: Pre-trip preparation
```

## Phase 1: Party Profile

Gather essential context:

- Party composition (ages, relationships)
- Height requirements check for each child
- Thrill tolerance levels
- Character interests by person
- Dietary restrictions and preferences
- Energy levels and pacing needs
- Must-do vs nice-to-have ranking

## Phase 2: Budget Planning

**Framework:**
1. Confirm total budget
2. Identify fixed costs (tickets, hotel)
3. Allocate remaining by category
4. Calculate daily spending limits
5. Identify splurge vs save decisions
6. Set emergency buffer

**Budget Categories:**
- Food (quick service vs table service)
- Lightning Lane passes
- Souvenirs
- PhotoPass/photos
- Parking (if not at Disney hotel)
- Snacks and treats

**Output:** Budget tracker with daily limits

## Phase 3: Itinerary Generation

**Planning principles:**
- Start with must-do experiences
- Layer in research recommendations
- Account for party energy patterns
- Build in flexibility and buffer time
- Balance different interests
- Respect budget constraints

**Hour-by-hour schedules include:**
- Meal reservations strategically placed
- Rest time for young children
- Lightning Lane booking strategy
- Show and parade timing
- Fireworks viewing plan
- Weather/closure backup plans

**Output format:**
```markdown
# Day X: [Theme]

## At a Glance
- Park hours: X
- Crowd level: X/10
- Weather: X
- Focus: [Day's priority]

## Schedule

| Time | Activity | Notes |
|------|----------|-------|
| 7:00am | Leave hotel | |
| 7:30am | Security/gates | |

## Backup Plans
- If [X] has long wait: do [Y]

## Dining
- Breakfast: [Plan]
- Lunch: [Plan]
- Dinner: [Plan]
```

## Phase 4: Pre-Trip Preparation

**Packing list:**
- Comfortable walking shoes (broken in)
- Sunscreen
- Refillable water bottles
- Portable phone chargers
- Small backpack or bag
- Autograph book (if meeting characters)
- Glow sticks for night (cheap alternative to light-up toys)
- Layers for morning/evening
- Ponchos (if rain expected)

**Countdown checklist:**

30 days: Book dining reservations, confirm hotel

7 days: Download Disneyland app, link tickets, check weather

3 days: Pack bags, charge devices, prep kids on plan

Day before: Confirm reservations, review Day 1 plan, early bedtime

## Integration with Other Skills

**Inputs from trip-research:**
Crowd predictions, weather patterns, booking windows, budget benchmarks

**Outputs to trip-helper:**
Daily quick-reference, budget tracker, reservations list, backup plans

## Success Criteria

- Complete party profile captured
- Realistic budget with tracking
- Detailed itineraries balancing priorities
- Packing list complete
- Plans flexible enough to adapt

## Trip Tracker Updates

**After completing planning, you MUST update trip-tracker.md:**

1. Check boxes for completed planning deliverables:
   - [ ] Day 1 itinerary → `plans/itineraries/day-1.md`
   - [ ] Day 2 itinerary → `plans/itineraries/day-2.md`
   - [ ] Quick reference guides → `plans/guides/*.md`
   - [ ] Budget allocation → `plans/budget/budget-allocation.md`
   - [ ] Packing lists → `plans/packing/*.md`
   - [ ] Reservations tracker → `plans/reservations/reservations.md`

2. Update the Planning section status:
   - If all planning files created: **Planning** ✅ Complete
   - If some files created: **Planning** ⏳ In Progress
   - If no files created: **Planning** ❌ Not Started

3. Update Phase 1 progress percentage based on completed items

4. Check if ALL Phase 1 deliverables complete:
   - If yes: Update Trip Status phase to "Ready"

5. Add entry to Recent Activity log:
   ```
   - YYYY-MM-DD: Completed planning phase (or specific planning items)
   ```

6. Update pending actions to reflect next steps (e.g., "Book dining reservations")

See [`trip-tracker-rules.md`](../../trip-tracker-rules.md) for complete update specification.