Anyone else create a schedule????

[dyna]

WDW is a must plan trip. I don't plan as much now as I did a few years ago but I been a few times now and know that if I want to do Soarin to get there early and get my fast pass it not something I'm likely to forget.

Way back in the mid 80's DH had the bright idea of goin to WDW we did not plan and we did not have a very good time either visit because we had no plan and more or less did things as we came to them. I remember goin into the land to eat lunch and DH saying look the line for the land ride not very long lets go do that. We was in line for almost 3 hours.

After that we did not return to WDW till 98 and I would not have went then had it not been for the internet and MY PLANNING. I just wish my older DD's had the fond memories of WDW as their younger sis. OH wait she has lost her long term memory and doesn't remember ever being there either. That's another story tho.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

I have detailed plans prepared, but they are only for a base and we are very flexible. I also include information on the plans that may be helpful like we may be planned to be at Magic Kingdom, but I will also put the other parks hours down just in case. I find it especially important for things that can only be done at certain times like the Spectro parade which is sometimes only offered on certain nights. My children love to get their own copy of the plans also.

 

[MomofKatie]

The worst part, at least the part that shows how commando I am, was that I had to use a little "P" on the grid to show when we "might" have time to relax by the pool.

OMG, Michelle! When I first read your post, I thought the little p's on your spreadsheet meant- ahem- potty breaks! I thought, "Wow! She is a really disciplined planner!"- I can just see you with your family telling them to hold it another 40 minutes because "we have to follow the schedule!" Glad to find I read it wrong and you really meant POOL breaks.

I am a cumpulsive planner, too. I have had our 8 day/7 night trip planned out practically hour-by-hour for about 3 months now. DH does this every time he sees me poring over it, tweaking and fiddling,

 

[2nd childhood]

I have a three ring binder I keep all my information in such as park hours, reservations, driving directions, tips, menus ect. My teens think I'm nuts, but I always assure them that if I didn't go through the trouble (or in my case fun) of researching they would have not been able to enjoy all our previous trips.
There is so much to do and if you don't have some since of order you're only cheating yourself out of some great opportunities for even more magical memories. My 4 year old on the other hand just loves to watch the Disney DVD they sent in the mail. He gets so excited and that just fuels my craving for more memories to be made on our next trip
Unixadm I looked at your Itinerary and we're going to be there at the same time. Hope the weather cooperates. We've never been in September before.

 

[leanne11]

i use a spreadsheet and break everyday into 3 parts,
am, list all ps. #'s and where to eat or maybe inroom, then what park that day and how do we get there
lunch, lunch p's# and where to eat usually followed bt relax and swim back at hotel
pm what evening park and what dinner plans, then what nightime show or firework show...
of course i plan on being flexible also..if a park is too busy

schedule away.....

 

[buzzmom3]

Yeah, we're all crazy!! I'm so glad I found the DIS, now I'm crazy but in good company. My DH thinks I overplan but he'll be glad when we sit down to dinner without a hour wait.

 

[HappyLawyer]

yes, i do my family loves to know what, when and where, i think it makes it more ogranized and more exciting so we can make the most and maximize our time.

 

[DisFlan]

We use a calendar in MS Publisher. I compress it to the time we'll be there instead of showing the whole month. I've found it works better than Excel for us. (And it's super easy.) I can put in park hrs, parades, dining, golf and all ressie, travel and rental car info day by day. And I list pertinent phone and cell numbers. It can also be personalized and prettied up with Disney graphics. This isn't a minute by minute schedule. We don't do touring plans.

Then I print out copies for everyone and put one on the fridge in our villa with a magnet - last time it was a Nemo magnet. (My little niece loves it. She pulls it down to her height and asks, "What am I gonna DO today? Is it POOH day?) We can all go our own ways during the day and know when to meet up for meals, parades or whatever. It's just one page, so it can easily be folded and carried in a pocket.

DisFlan

 

[Grumpy126]

Thanks for posting your program! Very nice set up. I'll play around with it.

 

[ImMarcik]

I have gotten a 3-ring binder and dividers with numbers. 1 is for day one etc. I made a really cool disney page for the cover. I am planning on printing all kinds of maps and what rides to ride, plus making a page for each day with which park and our ADR's. I am loving my book. My family thinks I'm nutty but they will LOVE that it is all planned.

 

[danny1649]

Is a good tool to help you enjoy and mke the the most of your WDW visit.We always have one and remain flexible enough not to get stressed out.

 

[disneymom225]

I love this! Of course, I am a Disney planning junkie so maybe I am not the best person to judge. DH mocks me all the time (but has GREAT vacations b/c of it!). I think it seems reasonable if you have lots planned and want to keep everything straight. Great work!

 

[purplern]

I make a schedule too! Our last trip I started planning about 1500 days out! Everyone thought I was crazy but all of a sudden it was here!!!
You're not nuts but in good company!

 

[CarolynNC]

We use a calendar in MS Publisher. I compress it to the time we'll be there instead of showing the whole month. I've found it works better than Excel for us. (And it's super easy.) I can put in park hrs, parades, dining, golf and all ressie, travel and rental car info day by day. And I list pertinent phone and cell numbers. DisFlan

That's what I do. I also include recommended best/worst parks, EMH info, my park choice of the day, and my 'must do' attractions. If I finish up early or my chosen park is too crowded I have all the info I need to decide where to head next.

-

 

[bevemjake]

BluOrchid,

I just wanted to say that we have very similar schedules for the same time frame. Plus we are staying at POFQ and arriving the same day!

Maybe we'll see you!

 

[tiggersthebest]

Yes I create a schedule- but I do mine in Word to add disney clip art easily that coordinates with things on the schedule! Yes I am addicted to Disney. I don't schedule the rides because I have a particular system for the parks that works for me for as far back as I can remember- hopefully it still will!!!

5 1
Proud to be a Christian
Too many times to list as a kid
Once I “grew” up:
1997 Fort Wilderness (summer); Coronado Springs Christmas
1999 Wilderness Lodge (Spring); Fort Wilderness Christmas/New Years
2002 Polynesian
2003 Caribbean Beach
2004 Took a break after having a baby
2005 Going to Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Back to Poly!!!

 

[Amyality]

Not crazy, SMART!!!!! I keep a spread sheet divided into 4 parts:

Date Parks Details Notes

The "details" section includes, dining Confirmation numbers or plans and states any scheduled events (my husband always does Dive Quest).

In the "notes" section, I do a morning itinerary only. This gets us to all our most desired rides/shows then we can chill out and have lunch then maybe ride a FP ticket and do some character meet and greets. Then we go back to the hotel and swim in the pool and freshen up for evening activities.

At the bottom of the spreadsheet, I keep all Flight info, and important phone numbers.

My DH mocked me the first time we went to Disney but, he changed his tune quickly...pretty much by dinner time the first day! He was originally very resentful that I was structuing his vacation because, he likes to be spontanious. Well, now he is upset with me if I don't have PS confirmations two months out from the trip...well, it will be 90 days prior now that they have changed PS!

I am known in our inner circle of family and friends as the "Disney Queen"! A title I have earned and am proud of!

 

[bigmac5]

Not only are these schedules great for this visit they are so helpful when planning subsequent visits. especially if you make notes on what worked and what didn't. Also I am having my kids keep a journal. They are so much fun to look back on--and my, how many little details we forget.

 

[poohpcgirl]

I make a plan too. I got a planner from someone else here on the DIS. I can't remember who. But it has sheets for Parks, Dining, transportation, etc. If anyone would like it, PM me and I will email it to you. I think a plan is very important, but not too strict. I have only been once before and this is my DH and DS first trip. I wanted to make sure they had a good time and they see everything they want. I love planning. It has given me a great hobby. But, after the trip... I am not sure what I will do....

Maybe plan another trip!!!!!!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Buh-wa-ha-ha-ha! You are indeed crazy, as are most of us here on the Boards! It's the Pixie Dust--interferes with rational thought. BUT, who are they gonna call crazy when you are having a good time at WDW, seeing everything you want to see, eating when you want to and where you want to because of your ADRs, etc.?! Huh!
Must say my family thanked me again and again for all the planning that went into our June trip--avoided the crowds, saw everything, rode everything, ate everything...
Yea, we're crazy. Crazy like a fox!

Enjoy your trip!