Anyone addictided to planning things?

[Stinky2u4u]

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[madelinesmum]

Me too! I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I've spent hours looking at the websites for RNR, TOT and HM and get so excited.
I have researched to see which days are busy at which parks and try to plan accordingly. I am also trying to book dining experiences that we've never done and my goal is to eat at every table service in the "world".
A day is not complete without a visit to these boards reading other guest/fans insight and stories.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I would say a great deal of those on the DIS boards are in the same boat. Planning is almost as much fun as the trip itself ... as long as you don't become totally inflexible. Sometimes the unexpected happens and it throws all your plans off!

But looking at rides, interesting resorts or deciding how BEST to spend your money is a good thing! Have fun!

 

[lapeen2]

COMPLETELY and PATHETICALLY! The first thing I did when I found out we were going was make a trip planning spreadsheet

 

[01Sweetpea]

Huge obsessive planner here. I have my 3" binder filled with printouts of park hours, park info, ADRs I want to make, parade time, fireworks times, etc.

DH laughs when he walk by the computer because he knows I am on some type of Disney site.

 

[Quasi123]

I love to plan too! It really gets me into the Disney mood.

 

[dominia_1979]

I'm a neurotic planning FREAK!

My husband tells me I'm not normal, but he thanked me after his first trip to WDW with me because we were able to do everything we wanted to because I had planned it to a "T"

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Oh, good! I'm not the only one. I've been planning for like 2 years and we finally have the money to go. I'm constantly on the web, looking at pics and new info and I also have a binder full of info just for disney and my trip. I can't wait to go this December!

 

[disneycutie84]

Another addicted planner over here.
I am finding myself most obsessed with choosing table service restaurants! I keep looking at the menus and pictures. Its so fun!
I think it makes a trip that much more worth it when you have invested time in making it special.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I think you'll find a LOT of good company here. I like to plan also. Disney trips, other vacations, parties, camping weekends, Penn State football weekends... you name it, I will enjoy planning it! Lists, lists, and more lists. A folder of historical data on parties... how many people, party supplies purchased and how much was used. Actually that stuff is pretty useful, I refer to that folder every time I plan a party.

Also, if you plan on having a high school football team over for dinner, I can tell you about how much food you will need. And it's a LOT.

 

[i<3Disney]

I love planning

 

[deltachi8]

Planning trips are a close second to actually taking them - I am a planning freak and this board just feeds the obsession.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Ditto!

 

[glavine47]

I am addicted to planning also

 

[jordancej]

Yup, i right there with yall. But i think i've just burned myself out on the planning. I'm a total over planner. When i booked my trip, (last minute trip) I was eye balls to eye balls planning everything, first the ADR's which i didnt think i was going to get, in which i got all the ones i wanted. To all the parks rides planning, to what clothes i will be wearing on which day. I've been making tye die t-shirts for the trip, to working on my halloween costume.... just been busy, busy, and i still have 4 weeks to go.... i think i'm burned out right now.

 

[Redbudlover]

I am a total planning freak also. I love to plan alternate trips, then more alternate trips. I am sure I have drive CMs to tears as I change and then change my ressies and ADRS over and over as I make new plans! spreadsheets a stack of plans a half inch deep now and still going.....

 

[Karnak]

Let me say upfront that the following plan is NOT a "Commando" park touring plan, there is no rushing around at any point; and there is plenty of time to "Smell the Roses," if that's your thing. This method allows for plenty of time to relax and see each park at leisure, with very little backtracking but includes the attractions you want to see most. In short, it eliminates any possible cause for feeling stressed.

HAVING SAID THAT ... HERE'S THE PLAN ...

Have on hand: A copy of Sehlinger’s “Unofficial Guide,” and maps of each park.
Web access to: WDW Official Site, and the Steve Soares Site for show times.

1. Use the guide book to determine the best times of the year to visit. I buy an annual pass, and plan my visit so that I can use the pass for at least two visits. For example, visiting the second week of December with a new pass; and using the pass again during the last week of November or first week of December of the following year, before the pass expires. (Then repeating this schedule during subsequent years.) This saves on admission prices and usually gets me a resort room discount as well.

2. Make a chart, using the Disney web site, writing down opening times, closing times, parade and big show times (Fantasmic, IllumiNations, etc.), and AM & PM extra magic hours for each park during the days I plan to be there. I also note the days for the Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. (I make this chart on one sheet of paper.) I then determine the park most likely to have the smallest crowd for each day of the week, using my chart as well as the Info. in the Guide Book. I avoid parks with extra magic hours.

3. I make a list of all the attractions I would like to experience for each of the four parks, noting the time it takes to do the attraction (Info is in the Guide Book), as well as anticipated queue waiting time (always allowing more time than I expect the wait to actually be), adjusting for fastpass time savings when practical. (Examples from my planning chart for the Magic Kingdom: Haunted Mansion 9+21, Tiki Birds 16+14, Pirates of the Caribbean 8+27.) I also allow plenty of time to travel from location to location in the parks. (Example: Stroll from Jungle Cruise to Transit Authority:25 minutes.)

4. Using the park map I plan out a route that will take me to each attraction on my list, avoid backtracking, use fast passes only when such use will not make for long backtracking, include meal stops (one hour each), on my planned route, and allow for visiting attractions during parade times while not crossing a parade route. Where show times are needed (for the Studios and the Animal Kingdom especially), I use the Steve Soares web site.

5. The only things left to do now are to make my room reservation; and having planned where and when I’d like to eat, I make table service reservations where needed on the very first day Disney will accept meal reservations. (I have never had any problem with this at all.) I also order my ticket for the Circus at Downtown Disney, if I plan to see it during the current trip; a Christmas Party ticket, and any meal reservations that involve special seating such as the Christmas Processional or Fantasmic!.

NOTE: I usually spend five nights on site, arriving at about 11:00 am on the first day, and staying at my resort until I can move my luggage into my room. Then I use the remainder of the day at Epcot. The next full four days are used for each of the four parks, with an extra long day at the Magic Kingdom ending with the Christmas Party. I never park hop, and I never take a break in the afternoons. (But my days are well planned, and I’m never in a rush. Easy does it for me.) This plan gives me extra time at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, as well as a full day at the Studios and the Animal Kingdom. The day I visit the Animal Kingdom is also an excellent evening to visit Downtown Disney.

Works for me.