1. The Prequel – Planning, planning, and planning: a control freak’s heaven

[marias]

The Team:
DH: Long suffering one (42)
DD: Beautiful, amusing and very so slightly stroppy (9 going on 19)
MIL: Sexagenarian
FIL: Sexagenarian
Me: Planner, worrier, pessimist (35 – almost)

This holiday had been intended in some form or another for about 7/8 years. It started as a huge family trip with the hopes that both sets of parents, brothers and sisters would all be able to tag along. Unfortunately my Father had a stroke in 2002; my sister was and still is undergoing fertility treatment, DH’s sister felt her son was too young and his brother had just taken a new posting (shortly to visit Iraq). So it dwindled to MIL, FIL, DH, DD and Me.
We booked the fly-drive with Virgin as soon as they had prices and arranged also to stay overnight at the Crowne Plaza, Manchester, whilst arranged to rent a villa for the fortnight separately.
By the time Xmas 2003 had arrived planning was at fever pitch, but in the midst we managed to snuck in a surprise visit to Lapland for DD (who is just on the cusp of no longer believing in the great man himself). It was around this time that we found the Brits Guide to Orlando and WDW and all previous plans were ditched. We spent many a happy night hashing and re-hashing the fortnight’s activities. On January 1st when we should have been nursing a hangover we could be heard shouting “we are going on holiday this year” and to mark such a momentous occasion we booked for Discovery Cove and lightened our wallets in the process.
In March we reserved places at the SeaWorld Makahiki Luau and then in April we booked the all-important 5-day hopper plus park tickets. It was in May that I discovered the Dis Boards and from then on was logged in daily for advice, tips and if I’m honest just the whole holiday atmosphere. It was lovely to be connected to like-minded people. I even caught sight of a few plan-aheaders just like me. As we approached the 6-week deadline I cascaded all the plans I’d carefully made to the rest of the party who thankfully were as happy to ‘fall in line’ as they were to leave the prep to me – bliss, free-reign to plan away.
As the holiday got closer so I wrote more lists; things to do, things to pack, things to tell the neighbours, more things to do. In the end I was carrying more pieces of paper with notes on in my bag than anything else.
I had been counting down the days on numerous calendars (and a little Mickey Mouse on my desktop telling me down to the second) but the day the tickets arrived (exactly 2 weeks before departure) was
when it all fell into place and the final countdown begun (for anyone that can remember the song – hum along now


Maria

 

[KayleeUK]

and I did start singing along

 

[Miffy2003]

You can't beat planning

 

[squitty]

the final countdown begun (for anyone that can remember the song – hum along now

LOL I did

 

[Tartan Tigger]

Planning is so much fun isn't it.

Onto part 2.

 

[MazdaUK]

Glad its not just me who's a planning nutter

 

[fizz13]

So with you on this one. Planning is well underway for 16 mths time. Great first part, off to find the rest..

Claire

 

[mandymouse]

I think that being a 'Disney planning nutter' helps when you belong to the Dis (thats why we all get along so well)

 

[wicket2005]

You sound like me, I have got a countdown of the computer and my calendar shows the exact days. Part of the fun of the holiday is the planning. I too have lists, going to be digging them out shortly to do the packing.

It was a shame not all your family could go. On our first holiday my parents and sister came with us. It was a very special time.

 

[marias]

That is what is so great about the Dis Boards - you can indulge and let your planning genes go wild

 

[Minniespal]

Can't wait to read more.