# Trip Research

> Research for Disneyland trip planning. Searches web content, analyzes Reddit discussions, extracts YouTube transcripts, interprets crowd calendars, and synthesizes findings into actionable recommendations.

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

---


# Trip Research

Gather and synthesize information for Disneyland trip planning.

## Required Resources

**IMPORTANT:** Before starting research, review these resource files:

- **Web URLs:** [`resources/web-urls.md`](../../resources/web-urls.md)
  - Disney tips database (filter for `"park": "disneyland"`)
  - Insider recommendations and strategies
  - Pre-vetted web resources

- **YouTube Videos:** [`resources/youtube-videos.md`](../../resources/youtube-videos.md)
  - Curated list of helpful planning videos
  - Transcript extraction instructions
  - Recommended channels and topics

These resources provide pre-vetted, high-quality information sources for research.

## Quick Start

1. **Read trip context files:**
   - [`trip-details.md`](../../trip-details.md) - Core trip facts and constraints
   - [`trip-decisions.md`](../../trip-decisions.md) - Existing strategic choices
   - [`trip-tracker.md`](../../trip-tracker.md) - Current research status and gaps
2. Review required resources in `resources/`
3. Extract research questions from trip-tracker.md
4. Extract YouTube transcripts for video content
5. Access Disney tips database
6. Execute web searches with focused keywords
7. Cross-reference sources for accuracy
8. Generate actionable summary
9.  Update trip-tracker.md with research completion status

## Research Topics

- Best rides for kids
- Crowd calendar interpretation
- Lightning Lane analysis
- Dining reservation timing
- Character meet-and-greet schedules
- Ride wait time patterns
- Height requirements and rider switch
- Seasonal events and entertainment
- Weather patterns
- Budget optimization

## Research Workflow

**Phase 1: Information Gathering**
- HIGH PRIORITY: Extract YouTube video transcripts (see below)
- HIGH PRIORITY: Use Diseny tips database
- MID PRIORITY: Search for Reddit threads and parse HTML for insights
- LOW PRIORITY: Use web_search for blog posts, articles, official sites
- Look for recent data (within 6 months)

**Phase 2: Source Analysis**
- Evaluate credibility (official > expert blogs > forums)
- Cross-reference conflicting information
- Note booking deadlines and time-sensitive actions
- Identify research gaps

**Phase 3: Synthesis**
- Organize findings by category
- Create priority tiers based on party preferences
- Highlight budget considerations
- Note seasonal/timing factors
- Generate recommendation summary

## YouTube Transcript Extraction

Use the `summarize` CLI to extract transcripts from YouTube videos:

```bash
# Basic transcript extraction
npx -y @steipete/summarize "https://youtu.be/VIDEO_ID" --youtube auto --extract

# With markdown formatting
npx -y @steipete/summarize "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID" --extract --format md
```

## Output Format

```markdown
# [Topic] Research Summary

## Quick Takeaways
- Key insight with source
- Key insight with source
- Key insight with source

## Key Findings
[Details organized by category]

## Priority Recommendations
1. High priority (with deadline)
2. Medium priority
3. Nice to have

## Budget Considerations
- Cost breakdown for key decisions
- Money-saving tips

## Sources
- Source 1 [URL]
- Source 2 [URL]
- YouTube: Video Title [URL]
```

## Best Practices

- Prioritize official Disney sources for reservations, hours, pricing
- Use Reddit/forums for insider tips and real experiences
- Use YouTube transcripts for detailed walkthroughs and recent trip reports
- Cross-reference crowd predictions from multiple sources
- Note when information might be outdated
- Consider party-specific factors (ages, heights, interests)
- Flag areas requiring real-time verification during trip

## Trip Tracker Updates

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

1. Check boxes for completed research deliverables:
   - [ ] Best rides for kids → `research/rides-for-kids.md`
   - [ ] Crowd calendar analysis → `research/crowd-levels.md`
   - [ ] Weather forecast → `research/weather-forecast.md`
   - [ ] Dining options research → `research/dining-options.md`
   - [ ] Character meet schedules → `research/character-meets.md`
   - [ ] Tips resources → `research/amadad-disney-tips.md`
   - [ ] Youtube Videos resources → `research/youtube-video-tips.md`

3. Update the Research section status:
   - If all research files created: **Research** ✅ Complete
   - If some files created: **Research** ⏳ In Progress
   - If no files created: **Research** ❌ Not Started

4. Update Phase 1 progress percentage based on completed items

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

6. Update pending actions to reflect next steps (e.g., "Run trip-planner skill")

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