Anyone else feel like they overplan?

[HelloMimi]

I'm definitely in the over-planning camp, but I've never thought it was a bad thing. I really enjoy the planning aspect of our trips, and my sisters appreciate that we don't have to walk as much or stand around asking, "What do you want to do next?"

On our last trip, I planned out our MK day in 15-minute intervals, and we got SO MUCH done. Nobody complained about pacing, and we actually ended up with extra time. The next day at Epcot, I didn't have a solid plan, and it felt like we wasted half of the day walking around aimlessly. We also missed a FP since we weren't paying attention to our time.

I'm using a spreadsheet for our next trip, but since it'll be our third time at WDW, I'm loosening up a bit and planning in 30-minute intervals.

 

[behindthegossip]

I shot myself in the foot by overplanning too early!! I look back at the first draft of our touring plan (and yes, my planning spreadsheet has tabs, formulas, conditional formatting lol) and it's almost nothing like it is today. I think overplanning in itself isn't too bad, it's when you do it too soon and have to do it again and again and again.

Any chance you'd be open to sharing your spreadsheets? They sound lovely

 

[megster1123]

Any chance you'd be open to sharing your spreadsheets? They sound lovely

I can send you the sheet once I get home from work via DM if you like

 

[behindthegossip]

I can send you the sheet once I get home from work via DM if you like

I would love that, thank you!

 

[DisneyCAL]

The last trip I planned down the last detail. It was the best trip yet! The time before that I had plans but was with a party pooper and they threw out my plans....worst trip ever (as in didn't even get to the park until 11am and didn't get on our first ride until 12:30, and had to leave around 4pm with overly tired toddlers). So sometimes overplanning can be a necessary thing. That doesn't mean we got to everything on the plan but it certainly did us good with regards to number of rides experienced and better food choices and way less waiting around. I'd say don't worry about it.

 

[amyy]

yes!! And I usually end up canceling some of the dining once we get there for whatever reason. We were there last week and we followed through on one ADR. Because of being tired, waking up earlier, weather etc we cancelled other plans. Booking in the morning we were able to get into the pizza place in Italy, booking 30 minutes or so in advance to the new place in Morocco on the water, walked in and were able to get a table at Sci Fi and one of the sit downs at the Swan and two at the Dolphin (the last two are kind of hidden gems). I am sure we ate some place else but I can't remember. We didn't even get to some of our fast passes for different reasons. t part of the plans. We did not have park hoppers so I did plan out which park each day. A great trip!! But I know I will over plan again the next time, but I never plan beyond some ADR & fast passes

 

[Delilah1310]

I am a planner but my family hates to plan. So I make a whole bunch of plans and basically keep them all in mind and we wing it but sometimes they like my planning and all the work I do. It helps keep my mind occupied but I'm also super flexible, I don't care if they just want to wing it.

I am also a serious overplanner, with spreadsheets galore, but I'm also totally willing to abandon it on the fly - because I feel like because I planned and read various posts and forums and what-have-you for 100+ hours (only 100, lol, who are we kidding), I'm making informed decisions.

Like, I'm not spontaneously going to decide to go ride Space Mountain at 1PM without a FastPass because I know better - but if we pass something that has a short wait, I can decide to go do that even if it's not on the schedule, or if we end up with surprise free time (which happened a lot to us last year because the parks were so dead in September) - I don't have to sit there googling what my options are or walking the entire park to find something. I planned to know what my tools and resources are, so that I'm making the most of my time in order to be able to do some of the more spontaneous stuff.

these posts totally nail my thoughts on the "over-planning" concept.
I like to think of it as being prepared, not over-planning.
I have an idea of a Plan B, C or D in case Plan A falls apart ... or the family changes their minds.

Plus for me, its just fun to keep reading and considering and planning things as a way to keep up the excitement about the trip!

 

[suswa]

these posts totally nail my thoughts on the "over-planning" concept.
I like to think of it as being prepared, not over-planning.
I have an idea of a Plan B, C or D in case Plan A falls apart ... or the family changes their minds.

Plus for me, its just fun to keep reading and considering and planning things as a way to keep up the excitement about the trip!

Yes this! The more I know the more easily I can adapt our "plans" or add something in if we have to adjust due to weather. I have no clue what I will do once this trip is over...

 

[agavegirl1]

Hi, I am a self confessed overplanner. My last trip in 2014, I had my usual color coded spreadsheets with daily printouts. I learned something about the best laid plans. I actually wrote a trip report about lessons learned and adjustments required. I can't really summarize it here but it isn't too terribly long, includes photos of the daily spreadsheets and is basically called "A commando does WDW". The link is in my signature and I did learn a lot about making adjustments to both the plan and my expections.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I think planning the trip is half the fun, but I sometimes feel like I am OVER planning and wish I could be more spontaneous.

Anyone have any tips to balance the obsessive plan freak in my head and my desire to throw caution to the wind?

Nope! Especially not these days!! With so much in flux, I feel like all time I spent planning was worth it, especially just coming off our 11-day trip (ended today!) -- our first trip in the heat and crowds of August.

All worth it. Including planning ahead for special things like Star Wars Dessert Party, Ferrytale Wishes Cruise, Early Morning Magic, and the incredible Sense of Africa tour.

Not to mention knowing enough to be able to switch plans on the fly based on "conditions on the ground" that day! This is really the most important part for us.

 

[Stefecatzz]

Instead of planning, watch a good WDW vlog on youtube like See Ya Reel Soon or search for another one similar. It's helped me get my mind off over-analyzing the trip & get my Disney fix, also.

 

[behindthegossip]

Instead of planning, watch a good WDW vlog on youtube like See Ya Reel Soon or search for another one similar. It's helped me get my mind off over-analyzing the trip & get my Disney fix, also.

I will have to check this out, thanks!

 

[shh]

I plan down to the day (which park in am and which we'll hop in pm) all based on nighttime EMH and a few general guidelines (days MK is busiest, etc). I'll plan our DS night and reserve dinner there. I'll book all the FP+s at 60 days. But that's pretty much it. We don't do any other ADRs and aren't interested in the character meets, so that simplifies a lot. It's all QS for us. Other than our DS night, we usually like to grab a TS dinner outside the bubble.

 

[lawboysam]

Yes this! The more I know the more easily I can adapt our "plans" or add something in if we have to adjust due to weather. I have no clue what I will do once this trip is over...

You'll start planning your next Disney vacation, obviously!

 

[DisneyNewbieDad]

HI. My Name is Vicki. I'm an overplanner. lol I will take some tips too....although there is something to be said to getting planning tips for how to not overplan...

Hi Vicki!

Vicki, that was great!

 

[Praying Colonel]

We've gone so many times now that I'd like to just do a general "not a touring plan" plan with an overview of where we're going and what we're doing that day. I tried that 1 day and DW was not happy--which was weird because she's definitely a free spirit who doesn't like to plan. But she likes the idea that I've done a plan. She doesn't like wasted time. So I always put together a full touring plan for the day even though I don't think we really need one now.

 

[DisneyNewbieDad]

Kip here, I am an overplanner and proud of it!
The good part is I overplan the beer from GG too.

Kip, I think you're in the wrong addict forum! Just kidding

 

[DisneyNewbieDad]

these posts totally nail my thoughts on the "over-planning" concept.
I like to think of it as being prepared, not over-planning.
I have an idea of a Plan B, C or D in case Plan A falls apart ... or the family changes their minds.

Plus for me, its just fun to keep reading and considering and planning things as a way to keep up the excitement about the trip!

Delilah, I think you put a finger on it for me as well. I do get excited when I plan, so while there is some stress it really is fun to plan

 

[cosmicmommy]

I can send you the sheet once I get home from work via DM if you like

Count me in as one who would love to see your spreadsheet. I am an over uber planner too. I am currently on my "G" draft of my touring plan. I am not a total newbie, but it's been 18 years since I went, so it's like I am.

 

[Jfsag123]

I love the planning and could probably be tagged as an over planner. However, I also love the spontaneous moments at Disney - big part of the magic. My own compromise that I've worked out is this: I very specifically plan the first couple of hours of the day after rope drop, then just make loose plans for the rest of the day that we may or may not stick to. Accomplishing a lot in the early morning rope drop time allows us to feel as though, since we've already gotten to see so many attractions, the rest of the day is gravy. It has worked nicely for us.