You have your flight and hotel booked, you've purchased your park tickets and maybe even started your packing list. But there is still one more thing you need to think about: scrapbooking. With a little planning, you will capture all the right pictures and stories, making it easier to scrap those wonderful Disney memories when you get home.

Pick a Format

Are you going to do a separate album for your trip or just a couple layouts? Will it be a mini album, 8" x 8", or 12" x 12"? Depending on what you decide, you may need to do a lot of planning, or just a little.

If this is your first trip to Disney, consider doing a whole album. There are many photo opportunities in the parks that will easily fill up an album. A whole album requires more planning but when scrapping the trip, you'll be able to thoroughly relive the memories.

If you have been before, consider just a few layouts summarizing the highlights and special moments. For this format, pack a camera and a notebook and just go with the flow!

Determine Your Must-Have Photos

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Your child's (or your) favorite Disney Characters
• Group photos in front of the parks
• Standing in line
• Action shots from the rides
• The parades
• Fireworks (you might want to pack a small tripod)
• Eating special treats
• The shows
• The castle

Park Essentials

Be sure to add these items to your backpack:

• If you have a small, but good, point-and-shoot digital camera, bring it. You don't want to be lugging around a DSLR all day, trust me. If you are planning on bringing a DSLR, try to limit yourself to just one multipurpose lens.
• If your children are old enough to operate a camera, give them a disposable camera to use, and capture their viewpoint.
• Don't forget a small notebook to write down the day's happenings while it is still fresh in your mind. Also, don't forget to ask your kids what they thought of the day, and what memories they think are the best.
• It's crucial to have a spare battery and memory card.
• A handy but oft-forgotten item to pack is a Ziploc bag to save small mementos from the park, i.e. ticket stubs, stroller tags, receipts, etc.

A Few More Tips

• Disney is ginormus! Study the park maps before you go. The better plan you have, the less tired your legs will be at the end of the day.
• Look for special moments during the day and try to take a picture to support it.
• Put the camera away, or hand it to your significant other and enjoy the fun! (And get some pictures of yourself.)
• If you want to use Disney-themed products on your pages, be sure to check in the Disney gift shops.
• Take advantage of the professional photo opportunities as well. The photographers now give out plastic cards with a code which can be used later to view and purchase the photos from the Disney website.

Hopefully with a little planning, and these tips, you will not only have a great vacation, but you will also walk away with lots of great pictures and stories to tell. And remember, if you do miss that all-important shot, it is okay. You can still scrap the story, or better yet, you can get the picture on your next visit.