am I crazy for not having a game plan?

[pepe of ohio]

Without a plan.....we've been doing it for years....it's amusement parks, nothing out of the ordinary..... we've never used a tour plan, crowd counter etc in all our 45 trips and still managed to have a great time and see what we want....

I subscribed earlier in the week but have not had time til now to chime in...

There is a difference in doing it for years with no plan and going for the first time with a bunch of people you possibily feel like are depending on you to show them a great time.

Even in our earlier years, we never plotted or planned other then which park we're headed to....we don't plot and plan or layout spreadsheets or subscribe when we go to say, other parks like Busch Gardens or Cedar Point...again it's an amusement park.....go back in years and read posts...hardly any planning going on.....now with the internet and these forums, all the little extra pixie dust and secrets came out and it's I want everything.....no...you can do WDW, without a plan and 3 ADR's a day and have a great time....you'll never see it all or even come close but it's alot less stressful just doing the parks as you come to it than worrying aobut a time schedule and spreadsheet.....all I'm saying, it's not necessary to have alot of plan to have a great time..

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I don't think a spreadsheet based plan or to the minute itinerary is necessary (that wouldn't be a vacation for me ), but WDW is so huge and there is so much to do and so many people that it will make your trip much smoother and pleasant to at least do some research and have an idea of what you want to do each day. I recommend becoming familiar with the park hours for the time frame you will be in WDW, become familiar with the maps of each park ahead of time and have an idea of what your family's "must do" attractions are, learn about the fast pass system and how to use fast passes efficiently, and lastly if you want to do any character/table service meals or dinner shows you definitely will want to make your reservations when the 180 day window period opens up because dining reservations book up fast, especially during free dining. I think wanting to have a relaxed approach and enjoy the atmosphere is all good, but a little research goes a long way. Have a magical trip!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

There is a difference in doing it for years with no plan and going for the first time with a bunch of people you possibily feel like are depending on you to show them a great time.

You are right about wanting to show people a great time! I love being able to guide the trip, but I always find out where people are interested in eating and such, and how many days they want to stay in each park so we have a general guide to tell us where we should be which day.

Even in our earlier years, we never plotted or planned other then which park we're headed to....we don't plot and plan or layout spreadsheets or subscribe when we go to say, other parks like Busch Gardens or Cedar Point...again it's an amusement park.....go back in years and read posts...hardly any planning going on.....now with the internet and these forums, all the little extra pixie dust and secrets came out and it's I want everything.....no...you can do WDW, without a plan and 3 ADR's a day and have a great time....you'll never see it all or even come close but it's alot less stressful just doing the parks as you come to it than worrying aobut a time schedule and spreadsheet.....all I'm saying, it's not necessary to have alot of plan to have a great time..

I don't think planning means we are planning every single minute. How is that possible? You never know what's going to happen at Disney. However, I know what day I am going to BBB b/c I need a reservation for 4-6 girls, and you can bet that day I'm eating at the castle, so I have my reservation for that day as well. I plan what parks I am going to, where our table service for the day will be, and what time that will be. Other than that, unless we have to take in a show like Fantasmic where I want to get the Fantasmic Dinner package, I just have the times of everything else listed in my phone. That way if someone wants to take in a parade, I can peek in my phone and find out what time it is. I don't think there is a possible way to plan every minute. Having my ADR's, my confirmation numbers, and times for parades and shows gives me a lot less stress than not knowing what's going on at all. It doesn't mean I want everything, it means I want to get the most for my money, and it is hurting exactly no one for me to carry times and confirmation numbers in my phone.

I don't think a spreadsheet based plan or to the minute itinerary is necessary (that wouldn't be a vacation for me ), but WDW is so huge and there is so much to do and so many people that it will make your trip much smoother and pleasant to at least do some research and have an idea of what you want to do each day. I recommend becoming familiar with the park hours for the time frame you will be in WDW, become familiar with the maps of each park ahead of time and have an idea of what your family's "must do" attractions are, learn about the fast pass system and how to use fast passes efficiently, and lastly if you want to do any character/table service meals or dinner shows you definitely will want to make your reservations when the 180 day window period opens up because dining reservations book up fast, especially during free dining. I think wanting to have a relaxed approach and enjoy the atmosphere is all good, but a little research goes a long way. Have a magical trip!

Again, minute to minute is a bit extreme, and I don't know how it's possible to be honest. I agree with everything else you said though. We know what parks we want to go to months ahead of time b/c we don't get hoppers, and we have to plan our ADR's. We always plan our trip for free dining b/c we love it so much! The only things we have strict schedules on are our table service for the day, Fantasmic, and BBB. Other than that, once we get into the parks we sort of wing it based on what we want to do. Fastpasses are so important to the day going smoothly. I love evening EMH b/c we go wherever we want, whenever we want, and the park is beautiful and empty.

I don't look at Disney as just an amusement park. If I did, it would be really hard to spend between $6,000 and $20,000 a year on a trip. It's a whole world. I love planning it. I love planning projects with my kids. I love experiencing everything I can there. I can't do everything, no one can, but I can plan to try new things on every trip. If I hadn't planned our 11 day trip in May, it would've been much harder. I think I will have to plan less when it's just my husband and I, but for now...with up to 16 people, I HAVE to plan and manage a lot of reservations. I love it though.

 

[jacksmom]

I would have some sort of plan!

 

[mmmagic7754]

Without a plan.....we've been doing it for years....it's amusement parks, nothing out of the ordinary..... we've never used a tour plan, crowd counter etc in all our 45 trips and still managed to have a great time and see what we want....

Best tip I can give is get some park maps and become familiar with the layout and attractions you don't want to miss...know your eating establishment before hand...check out restaurant menus before getting there and make your decisions....eating isn't hard at WDW, plenty of places, prices and types....we're not TS people and prefer grab and go food.....

Big tip from us, and we're early morning people....get to the parks as early as possible....alot can be done in the first bunch of hours before the late risers get there...but you're traveling at a slow time of year...but you never know, so touring should be a breeze...pick a park, if staying on site...we like the parks with EMH's, and travel in one direction and take in each attraction as you come to it...we never criss-cross a park to get to attractions......

A vacation is for relaxing and enjoying...not over planning and stressing...

You can't do it all but will get most accommplished and there's always another trip to pick up where you left off or missed....enjoy the landscapes, and the magic and just being in the world....

Couldn't have said it any better!!! When you show up for the first ride on your list and there is a 90 minute wait time things just seem to get worse from there on. Take advantage of anything with a short wait time. We like to leave MK around 2pm when it gets really crowded and take boat or monorail to one of the resorts for lunch.

 

[dizzi]

Couldn't have said it any better!!! When you show up for the first ride on your list and there is a 90 minute wait time things just seem to get worse from there on. Take advantage of anything with a short wait time. We like to leave MK around 2pm when it gets really crowded and take boat or monorail to one of the resorts for lunch.

Well thankfully with these boards and previous to the boards and previous to these boards books and old maps, i have only one time been more than maybe 10-15 minutes behind and that was with the TOY STORY ride in the Studios, had no idea it would be so crowded, BUT we have a plan for that and it is a vote to see if we continue on with the plan or deviate from the plan andpick back up where we would be when done the wait.

One other time we were a little later than planned to Beauty and the Beast...it is a joke in our family to this day my kids were little and i so much wanted to have MY PERFECT SEAT for this show.... but they decided in our shopping down the street..... which was in 2, 15 minute increments, last minute to make sugar candy straws which took longer than allotted and i missed my seat.....we have pictures of these straws and any time we see straws like this we laugh at me missing out on my seats.

See even on a plan you can have unplanned fun memories to last a lifetime!!

 

[UndercoverMama]

we have counter service meals, and I haven't booked any ADR, nor am I planning on it. My kids are a little older, so I don't think we need any character meals. And sit down restaurants are pricey since there are 6 of us. I worked a ton of extra shifts to pay for the vacation and I am working a few more shifts for spending money. Not going to kill myself working when we already get free meals.

I'll look at the plans, but I think we are just going to play it by ear. We do want to see the parades and fireworks, so I'll make sure to check that out.

You seem to have it figured out Our first trip when we got there we checked the EMH schedule, and figured out our weeks outline based on that. We never worried about rides we "had" to do or worried about what fireworks/parades were when. We took each day as it came and had an awesome vacation.

I have turned into a bit of an obsessed planner but it is because the planning is actually a lot of fun for me.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I have turned into a bit of an obsessed planner but it is because the planning is actually a lot of fun for me.

Haha! I am glad you said this. I love the planning. It's not a burden for me at all. I think people get a bad idea of what we do when they read "spreadsheets" and such. Any spreadsheets I have are simply to track spending, compare price scenarios, and notes about things we liked, disliked, loved, and hated. That way when I am planning a trip 5 years from now, I can look back and find what I need. I don't plan every day, all day for a whole year. I do however spend a short period of time almost every day looking at our schedule for ADR's and which park we are planning on going, or looking up some tidbit of info I might need. It just keeps my head in the Disney game, and I really enjoy it.

 

[supernova]

I don't think planning means we are planning every single minute. How is that possible? You never know what's going to happen at Disney.

See point below.

Again, minute to minute is a bit extreme, and I don't know how it's possible to be honest. I agree with everything else you said though. We know what parks we want to go to months ahead of time b/c we don't get hoppers, and we have to plan our ADR's.

And yet people do it, year after year. Maybe a new person who wants to know what their going to do once they get there. What infuriates my mind is when regular visitors start planning out every second of their trip. Go to the Trip Planning threads and see for yourself. It is absolutely happening.

I don't look at Disney as just an amusement park. If I did, it would be really hard to spend between $6,000 and $20,000 a year on a trip.

It is. And just because someone wouldn't spend that much on a trip to a Six Flags or Busch Gardens park, doesn't mean it's any different that spending it on a Disney amusement park trip. We super-fans have deluded themselves into thinking it's more than a theme park. But it's not. It's just fancier.

 

[Alesia]

And yet people do it, year after year. Maybe a new person who wants to know what their going to do once they get there. What infuriates my mind is when regular visitors start planning out every second of their trip. Go to the Trip Planning threads and see for yourself. It is absolutely happening.

Why do you care how much other people are planning? I make extremely detailed touring plans because I enjoy doing it. It's like working a puzzle for me. We don't always follow them exactly as written, but I like having them. For us, it helps eliminate the whole "What do you want to do?" "I don't know. What do you want to do?" routine, which I hate.

Different people plan to different degrees. Some people like to plan every detail, some people hate the idea of any kind of plan at all. Most people fall somewhere between the two extremes. There's no right or wrong way to do it.

I can't understand why it infuriates you that other people don't vacation exactly the way you do.

 

[supernova]

Why do you care how much other people are planning? I make extremely detailed touring plans because I enjoy doing it. It's like working a puzzle for me. We don't always follow them exactly as written, but I like having them. For us, it helps eliminate the whole "What do you want to do?" "I don't know. What do you want to do?" routine, which I hate.

Different people plan to different degrees. Some people like to plan every detail, some people hate the idea of any kind of plan at all. Most people fall somewhere between the two extremes. There's no right or wrong way to do it.

I can't understand why it infuriates you that other people don't vacation exactly the way you do.

Like you, I too am a Disney "veteran", though it's clear to see which of the two camps you fall into. Otherwise it wouldn't have struck such a nerve.

I'll be at Disney World from Dec 11-15. Here's my well-though out agenda:

Dec 11 - Land, concert at the Amway Arena 3pm, maybe Mickey's Christmas Party
Dec 12 - Maybe visit some resorts, then visit the outlets and who knows what else.
Dec 13 - Walk from Villas at Wilderness Lodge over to TTC, monotrail to Epcot for the morning, Character breakfast at 10:30 at Magic Kingdom, then Animal Kingdom, then Hollywood Studios
Dec 14 - Universal Studios, then maybe Christmas party if I'm in the mood and didn't feel like going on Sunday
Dec 15 - Walk over to DTD from Saratoga Springs, then maybe resorts or shop in Orlando until I drive back to the airport for my 9:30 flight

Honestly, that's it. Five days, one single ADR, and that is the crux of my touring plan. If anyone out there actually BUYS touring plans, I am willing to sell this one for 13-cents. Though please take note that, by that time, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra ticket from Sunday will have already been used.

Point is, once you've been there once, maybe twice, is there a need to plan out every single move you're making? On Tuesday, I know I'll be seeing all four parks. Not sure what time I'll be at each park, outside of needing to be at MK in time for breakfast, and truthfully it doesn't matter. I'm not sure which day, if any, I will be at the Christmas party, so I haven't purchased a ticket. One ADR and only the loosest of agendas. And I arrive in less than a month. Should I be concerned? Of course not. Am I going to have any less of an enjoyable time than those who feel the need to chart and graph their entire trip, beginning to end, and they've been there nine times so far? I don't think so.

 

[Alesia]

Like you, I too am a Disney "veteran", though it's clear to see which of the two camps you fall into. Otherwise it wouldn't have struck such a nerve.

I'll be at Disney World from Dec 11-15. Here's my well-though out agenda:

Dec 11 - Land, concert at the Amway Arena 3pm, maybe Mickey's Christmas Party
Dec 12 - Maybe visit some resorts, then visit the outlets and who knows what else.
Dec 13 - Walk from Villas at Wilderness Lodge over to TTC, monotrail to Epcot for the morning, Character breakfast at 10:30 at Magic Kingdom, then Animal Kingdom, then Hollywood Studios
Dec 14 - Universal Studios, then maybe Christmas party if I'm in the mood and didn't feel like going on Sunday
Dec 15 - Walk over to DTD from Saratoga Springs, then maybe resorts or shop in Orlando until I drive back to the airport for my 9:30 flight

Honestly, that's it. Five days, one single ADR, and that is the crux of my touring plan. If anyone out there actually BUYS touring plans, I am willing to sell this one for 13-cents. Though please take note that, by that time, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra ticket from Sunday will have already been used.

Point is, once you've been there once, maybe twice, is there a need to plan out every single move you're making? On Tuesday, I know I'll be seeing all four parks. Not sure what time I'll be at each park, outside of needing to be at MK in time for breakfast, and truthfully it doesn't matter. I'm not sure which day, if any, I will be at the Christmas party, so I haven't purchased a ticket. One ADR and only the loosest of agendas. And I arrive in less than a month. Should I be concerned? Of course not. Am I going to have any less of an enjoyable time than those who feel the need to chart and graph their entire trip, beginning to end, and they've been there nine times so far? I don't think so.

You didn't strike a nerve, I just find it odd that you insinuate that there is something wrong with wanting to have a plan. There are as many ways to vacation as there are people and there is certainly no right or wrong way to do it.

 

[supernova]

To further prove my point, there is a thread in this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2137278) section where someone was asking for a template to be used on index cards to help them plan/organize their trip. There are 33 pages (not RESPONSES, PAGES) of people following that post with "Can I have that too?" Am I expected to be believe that every single one of those people in the 33 posts is going for their very first time? C'mon. At what point is it really necessary to dip into your pocket, pull out a stack of index cards, and figure out what hour, minute, and second you were scheduled to be arriving at Animal Kingdom?

 

[Alesia]

To further prove my point, there is a thread in this section where someone was asking for a template to be used on index cards to help them plan/organize their trip. There are 33 pages (not RESPONSES, PAGES) of people following that post with "Can I have that too?" Am I expected to be believe that every single one of those people in the 33 posts is going for their very first time? C'mon. At what point is it really necessary to dip into your pocket, pull out a stack of index cards, and figure out what hour, minute, and second you were scheduled to be arriving at Animal Kingdom?

Right, but what you're not getting is the fact that some people enjoy doing that. They aren't doing it because it's necessary, they're doing it because they want to. They feel that it improves their vacation. I understand that not everyone wants to plan their trips to the extent that I do. I also understand that there are people who plan even more obsessively than I do. There's no wrong or right way to do it. Why do you fell that everyone should vacation exactly the way you do?

And, to answer your last question, I don't think most people follow their touring plans to the minute. It's more like a safety net. It helps you organize your thoughts and see what you need to skip if you do find yourself taking longer than you anticipated. Some people are just wired that way. We like to be able to see a plan in writing. I find going without a plan just as stressful as you would find going with a plan. We're just wired differently.

I certainly wouldn't say that my way is better than yours. What works for me works for me, and what works for you works for you. Why do you keep insisting that your way is better than mine?

 

[supernova]

I never said my way was any better or worse than anyone else's. Just far less looney. Guess we can just agree to disagree.

 

[dizzi]

I never said my way was any better or worse than anyone else's. Just far less looney. Guess we can just agree to disagree.

REALLY....

LOONEY????

Come on....given that there are so many people wanting that index card system, why would you consider it looney. Obviosuly those that plan more than you are not looney just use a different part of our brain than others who dont. We see things differently than you or others like you. There are many reasons that we all do what we do.

Some of the reasons we as planners may think it is important to plan are wide ranged from, not wanting to waste a minute of our precious time, to saving money, to feeling like this is the way we can as parents or siblings or children..... show others the best time possible with all the knowledge we have about our favorite place on earth.

Others who don't plan, and feel planning is not for them or LOONEY, give to others and themselves in different ways.

NONE if it is wrong...although i think you must be LOONEY for not planning
( no i really don't, that's a joke) Its just what makes the world go round.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

And yet people do it, year after year. Maybe a new person who wants to know what their going to do once they get there. What infuriates my mind is when regular visitors start planning out every second of their trip. Go to the Trip Planning threads and see for yourself. It is absolutely happening.

It is. And just because someone wouldn't spend that much on a trip to a Six Flags or Busch Gardens park, doesn't mean it's any different that spending it on a Disney amusement park trip. We super-fans have deluded themselves into thinking it's more than a theme park. But it's not. It's just fancier.

I can't believe it actually infuriates your mind that people are doing something they love. It really is not something that should be a blip on your radar to be honest. My vacation is my vacation, and I will plan it how I want to plan it. You cannot tell me that you would be able to just wing it with 14 people on 4 different reservations and dining plan with table service meals almost every day for 10 days. It just doesn't happen. Please don't trouble yourself over my vacation plans.

P.S. If I wanted to go to an amusement park, I'd head on over to Cedar Point or Geauga Lake. Fact is, I like the overall experience...relaxing at the resorts, boating to DTD, shopping, rides, meals, characters, fireworks, parades, etc... I will get none of that at my local amusement parks.

Why do you care how much other people are planning? I make extremely detailed touring plans because I enjoy doing it. It's like working a puzzle for me. We don't always follow them exactly as written, but I like having them. For us, it helps eliminate the whole "What do you want to do?" "I don't know. What do you want to do?" routine, which I hate.
Different people plan to different degrees. Some people like to plan every detail, some people hate the idea of any kind of plan at all. Most people fall somewhere between the two extremes. There's no right or wrong way to do it.
I can't understand why it infuriates you that other people don't vacation exactly the way you do.

Speak it sister! I don't understand it either. If someone else wants to pay for my trip, then they can plan or not plan my vacation however they want to. Since I am paying for it, I will plan until I feel the details are all taken care of.

Like you, I too am a Disney "veteran", though it's clear to see which of the two camps you fall into. Otherwise it wouldn't have struck such a nerve.

I'll be at Disney World from Dec 11-15. Here's my well-though out agenda:

Dec 11 - Land, concert at the Amway Arena 3pm, maybe Mickey's Christmas Party
Dec 12 - Maybe visit some resorts, then visit the outlets and who knows what else.
Dec 13 - Walk from Villas at Wilderness Lodge over to TTC, monotrail to Epcot for the morning, Character breakfast at 10:30 at Magic Kingdom, then Animal Kingdom, then Hollywood Studios
Dec 14 - Universal Studios, then maybe Christmas party if I'm in the mood and didn't feel like going on Sunday
Dec 15 - Walk over to DTD from Saratoga Springs, then maybe resorts or shop in Orlando until I drive back to the airport for my 9:30 flight

Honestly, that's it. Five days, one single ADR, and that is the crux of my touring plan. If anyone out there actually BUYS touring plans, I am willing to sell this one for 13-cents. Though please take note that, by that time, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra ticket from Sunday will have already been used.

Point is, once you've been there once, maybe twice, is there a need to plan out every single move you're making? On Tuesday, I know I'll be seeing all four parks. Not sure what time I'll be at each park, outside of needing to be at MK in time for breakfast, and truthfully it doesn't matter. I'm not sure which day, if any, I will be at the Christmas party, so I haven't purchased a ticket. One ADR and only the loosest of agendas. And I arrive in less than a month. Should I be concerned? Of course not. Am I going to have any less of an enjoyable time than those who feel the need to chart and graph their entire trip, beginning to end, and they've been there nine times so far? I don't think so.

Oy! It sounds to me like you are taking exactly no kids with you. I am taking 8 kids and 6 adults who go to Disney to act like kids. I would NEVER do 4 parks in one day! What???? Now I am in the planning stages right now, so I don't have exact times for my meals yet, but will have them nailed down in a couple months. Here's what mine looks like:
10/18/12: Either fly in on this date or drive in on the day before, not sure yet. Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic Dinner Package at Mama Melrose 3 reservations split into groups of 5,4,and 5, Fantasmic at 7:30 (hopefully)
10/19: Magic Kingdom, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for 6 girls, Cinderella's Royal Table reservation for 14, and MNSSHP
10/20:Animal Kingdom, boat to DTD for dinner at T-REX, reservation for 14
10/21: EPCOT, Akershus Princess Story Hour Breakfast reservation for 14, Open schedule the rest of the day, but still at EPCOT
10/22: Magic Kingdom EMH (as predicted by Touring plans), O'Hana at the Polynesian reservation for 14
10/23: Hollywood Studios, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater 3 reservations split into 4,5, and 5
10/24:Open schedule, whatever park we want, and possibly Chip and Dale's campfire at Wilderness: extended family leaving the 7 of us to go elsewhere.
10/25:Hollywood Studios: 50's Prime Time reservation for 7
10/26: EPCOT: Le Cellier (we hope)
10/27:MK with no reservations
10/28: Epcot: Teppan Edo

I don't think that's an overly planned schedule b/c there are a lot of places that we can do whatever we want. We just know where we are going, and where we are eating at a certain time. It is a necessary thing for us seeing as we have table service (which we love) nearly every day. There's nothing wrong with that. Maybe I am just less judgemental b/c I don't care how you plan your vacation b/c it's yours. Just back up off of how I plan mine. I have a large family that I enjoy spending time with. You may not enjoy making t-shirts with your family, but I do. My kids look forward to it, so I do it.

To further prove my point, there is a thread in this (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2137278) section where someone was asking for a template to be used on index cards to help them plan/organize their trip. There are 33 pages (not RESPONSES, PAGES) of people following that post with "Can I have that too?" Am I expected to be believe that every single one of those people in the 33 posts is going for their very first time? C'mon. At what point is it really necessary to dip into your pocket, pull out a stack of index cards, and figure out what hour, minute, and second you were scheduled to be arriving at Animal Kingdom?

Why do they only get to use index cards on their first trip? Is this a rule you've made up? I made a set (I didn't use a template) for my last trip that just told me what our reservations were, the confirmation numbers, and who had to sit in what group b/c of the entitlements being split onto 4 different reservations. It was important for me to be able to say: "ok, you have two adults and two kids on your KTTW, so pick any two kids to sit with you." It had to be done that way b/c of the different ages and dining entitlements. I took all the confusion out of the process by doing this, and it was, in fact, very helpful to pull out my LAMINATED (ooh I knew you'd love that.) index cards and see how we needed to be split. Out of our 8 kids going, this year all but two will be considered on the adult plan, so it makes a difference who they sit with. If you don't use the dining plan, which I see you don't, you wouldn't know what it takes to sort it out. So yes, I do use my index cards, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE laminating them and putting them on a keyring!!!

Right, but what you're not getting is the fact that some people enjoy doing that. They aren't doing it because it's necessary, they're doing it because they want to. They feel that it improves their vacation. I understand that not everyone wants to plan their trips to the extent that I do. I also understand that there are people who plan even more obsessively than I do. There's no wrong or right way to do it. Why do you fell that everyone should vacation exactly the way you do?

And, to answer your last question, I don't think most people follow their touring plans to the minute. It's more like a safety net. It helps you organize your thoughts and see what you need to skip if you do find yourself taking longer than you anticipated. Some people are just wired that way. We like to be able to see a plan in writing. I find going without a plan just as stressful as you would find going with a plan. We're just wired differently.

I certainly wouldn't say that my way is better than yours. What works for me works for me, and what works for you works for you. Why do you keep insisting that your way is better than mine?

You are very, very right. My way may not work for someone else, but their way won't work for me either. That doesn't make it wrong.

I never said my way was any better or worse than anyone else's. Just far less looney. Guess we can just agree to disagree.

How can you call other people looney? Just because we don't see it your way we are looney? I think you have no concept of what it takes to tour with a group. I see no mention of other people going with you, so you can pick up and do what you want. I'm sure I could do that too, but I take other people's feelings into consideration b/c it is their vacation too. I consider 4 parks in one day looney, but I never would've said that to you. How can you treat people like that and think it's okay?

REALLY....

LOONEY????

Come on....given that there are so many people wanting that index card system, why would you consider it looney. Obviosuly those that plan more than you are not looney just use a different part of our brain than others who dont. We see things differently than you or others like you. There are many reasons that we all do what we do.

Some of the reasons we as planners may think it is important to plan are wide ranged from, not wanting to waste a minute of our precious time, to saving money, to feeling like this is the way we can as parents or siblings or children..... show others the best time possible with all the knowledge we have about our favorite place on earth.

Others who don't plan, and feel planning is not for them or LOONEY, give to others and themselves in different ways.

NONE if it is wrong...although i think you must be LOONEY for not planning
( no i really don't, that's a joke) Its just what makes the world go round.

I can't believe he said that! Why even be on the Disboards if all you want to do is trash other people? I for one enjoy hearing how other people do things to see if I can draw from their experiences or maybe help them draw from mine. I must be looney b/c I don't judge other people.

 

[TheWog]

I don't think planning means we are planning every single minute. How is that possible? .

Our TA/Friend plans it down to what time to take bathroom breaks.

I say have an idea of what the highlights are you want to see. Get an idea of park hours and utilize EMH and FastPass as best you can. Sit down restaurants are a preference thing. If you want that experience then you need to plan, if you are fine without then there are dozens of other options.

 

[supernova]

I don't think that's an overly planned schedule b/c there are a lot of places that we can do whatever we want. We just know where we are going, and where we are eating at a certain time. It is a necessary thing for us seeing as we have table service (which we love) nearly every day. There's nothing wrong with that. Maybe I am just less judgemental b/c I don't care how you plan your vacation b/c it's yours. Just back up off of how I plan mine. I have a large family that I enjoy spending time with. You may not enjoy making t-shirts with your family, but I do. My kids look forward to it, so I do it.

Why do they only get to use index cards on their first trip? Is this a rule you've made up? I made a set (I didn't use a template) for my last trip that just told me what our reservations were, the confirmation numbers, and who had to sit in what group b/c of the entitlements being split onto 4 different reservations. It was important for me to be able to say: "ok, you have two adults and two kids on your KTTW, so pick any two kids to sit with you." It had to be done that way b/c of the different ages and dining entitlements. I took all the confusion out of the process by doing this, and it was, in fact, very helpful to pull out my LAMINATED (ooh I knew you'd love that.) index cards and see how we needed to be split. Out of our 8 kids going, this year all but two will be considered on the adult plan, so it makes a difference who they sit with. If you don't use the dining plan, which I see you don't, you wouldn't know what it takes to sort it out. So yes, I do use my index cards, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE laminating them and putting them on a keyring!!!

You are very, very right. My way may not work for someone else, but their way won't work for me either. That doesn't make it wrong.

How can you call other people looney? Just because we don't see it your way we are looney? I think you have no concept of what it takes to tour with a group. I see no mention of other people going with you, so you can pick up and do what you want. I'm sure I could do that too, but I take other people's feelings into consideration b/c it is their vacation too. I consider 4 parks in one day looney, but I never would've said that to you. How can you treat people like that and think it's okay?

I can't believe he said that! Why even be on the Disboards if all you want to do is trash other people? I for one enjoy hearing how other people do things to see if I can draw from their experiences or maybe help them draw from mine. I must be looney b/c I don't judge other people.

I'm not trashing anyone down, sweetheart. I'm questiong what I would otherwise view as madness. You're right. Your itinerary isn't on the verge of insane as you haven't started putting in times for arrivals at parks. I know it's important for some people to plan out all of their meals, so maybe times for that would be relevant. But it looked flexible enough to me so far. Not sure I don't expect times to start creeping in there over the next nine months, though.

Yes, it's crazy to do four parks in one day. Looney? You bet your life it is. But it's fun. I've gone done to Disney World at least once, sometimes twice, every year since 2001. By now, I don't mind if I miss something because the line is too long. Am I going to pay for the honor of consulting someone else's touring plans and crowd estimator right now for next my trip next Christmas to ensure that I don't miss out on Peter Pan because the line might get too long? No, of course not. Let's not be ridiculous.

 

[dizzi]

Well, MY ITENERARY THAT I PUT ON INDEX CARD AND HAVE COLOR CODED
Would NEVER EVER, EVER, have 4 parks on them in one day...

That my friend is just LUDICROUS

But i will tell you one of my kids had a fascination with public restrooms for a couple years and every one we passed he had to go in and pee....NOW THATS LOONEY,

SO on my Itenerary for those years, YES I DID HAVE BATHROOM BREAKS...
And i am serious!!!!