Anybody not plan their theme park strategy?

[miamimama]

I've been to Disney 10 times or so, and never really planned my strategy - but most of those times I wasn't spending as much money as I am this trip (BWI, dining plan, park hopper+, etc.) I've done my ADRs for dinner, but as far as the days go, does anybody else just remain flexible and see what the day brings?

 

[FanOfStitch]

I never plan. The only time I plan anything is if I have an ADR (which is few and far between). Even then, my only plan is to be at that park at that time. Other than that, my DS12 and I just wake up, decide where we want to go and we're off. If we decide we want a TS that day, we stop at guest services and see what's available. It's not for everyone, but it works for us.

 

[BeckWhy]

When I went in 2002 with the cheerleaders.. I had no strategy.. .couldn't really.. cuz the parents would come along and say "Ok time to leave now."

When I went in 2004 the only strategy I had was what parks on what days. This year it will be what parks on what days and the time our ADRs are.

 

[ReggieB]

I too have the ADR's, and I know which days I will be at which parks, but beyond that...not that much planning. DH & DS5 wouldn't stand for it. I do try and guide them towards areas first thing, but it's not always fool proof! I do read all the advice though, it's there if I am allowed to get away with it!

 

[Amirah95]

I didn't plan our Anniversary trip w/o our DD vacation. It didn't feel good...I was wishing I had a plan.

 

[WillCAD]

I never plan a durn thing. I don't even make ADRs, unless I'm planning a meet or a special occasion.

Going with the flow can be terrific, but it only works if you know WDW well enough to avoid the typical problems. Knowing the average crowd patterns, which rides are most or least popular, and the times of day or days of the week when each park has it's heaviest or lightest crowds, are all vital knowledge to decide where to go and what to do.

It's also helpful if you can be flexible. If a restaurant you like is all booked up for the evening, you have to be able to move on and come back later. Getting in at off-peak times can also help.

Many times I have gotten to a park in the morning only to find it mobbed. But being flexible, I simply moved on to another, less crowded, park. Park hopper passes come in real handy for this.

Flexibility and spontinaety are great, but the best way to enjoy them is to be forewarned and forearmed.

 

[milmore104]

I don't plan anything except certain "hard to get ADR's" and evn then we don't plan a day in that park. We get up in the morning and lay out all the park maps and what evr one DD picks we head to. If we have an ADR somewhere else we leave and then head somewhere else after. We are really laid back when it comes to which park on what day. The only thing I really make sure of if parades. We usually go during "low" season and some shows aren't on everyday so I do make sure I'm aware of that and that we see the ones we what to!

 

[Mamu]

No planning here either, maybe a few ADR's.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

Just ADR's and what park the first few days. That's about it!
We know which rides we want to ride and which shows, but there's no strategy to it.
It works for us, we always get lucky and walk into some magic along the way!

 

[Boater]

Because we do swat team visits we never plan.
We're only there 3-4 days at a crack, we just love to wake up and say what do you want to do today.
We're never in a park before 11 and rarely stay past 5.
The only thing planned is one ADR to Jiko.

 

[DisneyObsessed]

We never plan anything more than a few ADRs. We literally take each minute as it comes. To me, that's what a real vacation is all about. Life is all about schedules. I don't want anything to do with schedules on vacation.

 

[Taratink]

The latestplan is to have pick 2 parks to pick from each day. I usually only plan adr's for dinner so we can be a little flexible. Our first trip I planned nothing and that was bad. Our 2nd trip I over planned and my DH didn't like it. This time I planned lightly and we always have option A or B. We will see how this works.
Tara

 

[MICOL]

We always have a basic plan on each day. It works so we that we see everything without rushing around and we did not miss one ride or show last week and the parks were pretty busy.

 

[Nancyg56]

We had a basic plan. Which park, ADR's for one meal, and where to start in the park. After that we just enjoyed the day. It worked for us, but I'm sure that we did not "maximize" our park time. Okay with me, because we were on vacation.

 

[traciedee]

My kids are amusement park junkies. We have never had a plan, but I have heard WDW is pretty overwhelming (especially in June) with out some sort of idea of what you are doing.

So my plan is to do my homework, kind of know whats up and go with a semi plan. I am picking my days based on TGM, and going to hit the hot spots first thing in the am, and leave early afternoon to hit a water park or pool. Evenings we will head back to a park, DQ or hang at the hotel and order pizza. I only have adr's for Chef Mickey, H&V for Fantasmic, Prime Time for lunch and Sci-Fi for a snack. Also have plans to order Giordanos Pizza and hit Beaches & Cream for a kitchen sink.

 

[Leota]

It depends on the trip. If it's a busy season, I plan a bit more (which Park on what day for part of the trip & an ADR for dinner every night)
If it's a quickie trip (5 days or less) I don't really plan anything unless I'm having a splurge dinner.

But, I have been many times & am obsessed with reading about WDW so I know how to best maximize my time without even thinking about it anymore. I also don't sweat "Doing it All" because I know I'll be back again.

 

[Selket]

I love the non-planners - I try to wave to them as I stroll by in the FP line.

I just remember seeing these poor folks, in August, in an hour plus long line for RnRR thinking....why? why? why do this to yourself on vacation? They looked miserable, the kids look miserable....

I think there are lots of folks on these boards who go often enough that they don't need to plan anymore - they pretty much know the drill - what works and what doesn't. And some folks go in slow times and you really don't need much of a plan then either. If you don't vacation at WDW often or are going for the 1st time with children, etc. then I think planning is essential to having a good time.

But hey...someone has to stand in those lines right?

 

[jwann]

My 2 cents....
We've been several times (usually for several days at a time) and each time with the kids. The first few times we went we had touring plans and had a blast! The next few times we went and planned which parks for which days, made ADRs, but didn't make a touring plan -- after all, we were experts and didn't need one, right?? Well, we are now planning another and looking back at all our trips, our most RELAXING and easy-going trips were the ones we had touring plans for. Sort of oxymoronic, right? We'll be planning our trips from now on.

 

[Boater]

I just remember seeing these poor folks, in August, in an hour plus long line for RnRR thinking....why? why? why do this to yourself on vacation? They looked miserable, the kids look miserable....

First flaw in your plan....................going in august
Go in the off season when planning isn't required and Fast Passes are useless.

 

[shafke]

I plan on what parks we would like to hit on certain days but we are flexible in terms of changing the plans.

For example... we did CRT one morning and planned on making a day of the MK. We were out of there by noon because the crowds had gotten ridiculous... this was end of Apr on a Sunday. A quick trip to Epcot and the day was much more manageable.