Anyone else frustrated when planning?

[KAMommy]

Okay, I know I tend to overplan, but honestly I am stumped as to how you would even begin to plan. We are going to the parks in October (100 days exactly today...yeah ). Anyway, in only 10 days I have to start making my ps calls. BUT there are no park hours posted. Even if you guess at park hours there is no way to project the EMH's, as they seem to follow no pattern known to man (I thought I had it, but they change in late August). So whether you want to hit the parks early, or avoid the EMH park, there isn't a way to know where that is by the time you need to make ps calls. AARRGH!!!

Oh well, it is WDW so it is really impossible to have a bad time. I guess I will just decide where to eat and then work my parks around that...but the type a in me knows that is just backward!

 

[SamanthaL]

It IS backwards! I used the EMH hours before they changed them for the summer hoping that they put them back. Its the best you can do! I am going the end of October so hopefully, even if I do have to change some PSs they won't be all booked so early. Good luck to us both!

 

[PCFriar80]

I know this may not help you, but I read an article about vacations in general and things that can ruin a good time. The top ones were too many picture taking opportunities (ie. you have to take a picture of everything and everywhere you go), therefore missing out on enjoying it yourself. Second, was overplanning. A major stress factor...have to be here then, have to do this now, etc. Takes away from spontanaity. Just telling you what I read. My suggestion, do some planning but don't overdo it. Give yourself some "wiggle room" and "down time". Good luck and have fun! BTW We're counting down to the F&W fest on 10/23!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Yes!!

My 90 day window starts tomorrow and it's driving me nuts, too!

Plus, my dd's birthday will be our 5th day there, and I really want to have lunch at CRT that day. Of course, we'd certainly be happy with any day. We'll start calling tomorrow, but even if we get it the first day, we'll be calling every single day, trying to get as close to her Bday as possible, and (hopefully) cancelling earlier AR's. Of course, we can't wait till that 5th day and risk not getting in at all. Then the dinners and not knowing where we'll be and when! Argh! Yes, I'm frustrated, too!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I used the EMH hours before they changed them for the summer hoping that they put them back.

That's what I wanted to do, too. I know I saw those hours somewhere, but now I can't find them. Where are they?

Thanks!

 

[Mysteria]

Welcome to our nightmare!

It is very hard to plan without those hours. It has been a source of frustration for me a few times.

Myst

 

[KAMommy]

PCFriar,

I know compared to most people I vacation all wrong! I love the planning mode, though. And (believe it or not) I actually don't get really stressed if the plans don't work once I am in park. I think I just love the anticipation. To each his own!

Oh, and as for pictures, on our cruise I took over 700!

I can really appreciate how my way would ruin others' vacations though.

 

[KAMommy]

That's what I wanted to do, too. I know I saw those hours somewhere, but now I can't find them. Where are they?

Thanks!

I need those too - that would help a bit.

 

[Windy City Heather]

This is my biggest pet peeve about Disney. I just went thought it. I made my PS last week. I will be ready to change them next week when, hopefully, the September hours come out.

I wrote Disney to compain about it not that one person is going to do a whole lot.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I dont usually get frustrated-I LOVE planning trips to WDW!

 

[Michael_Npt]

Stephanie and I just sat down tonight to begin planning for Oct2-8 and I don't know what to do without the hours. Help!!

 

[Michael_Npt]

It IS backwards! I used the EMH hours before they changed them for the summer hoping that they put them back. Its the best you can do! I am going the end of October so hopefully, even if I do have to change some PSs they won't be all booked so early. Good luck to us both!

What is a EMH?

 

[princess aurora]

To be honest though October is "off season" for Disney and I would not stress out over the PSs. There are plenty of restaurants and they can't all be full on the day you want them. That's why we like the hopper pass. We may be in one park all day but go to another park for dinner and fireworks.

As for the EMH I use UG as a guideline:
http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

Scroll down to find the Extra Magic Hours Schedule and the Calendar for Crowd Levels Best/Avoid Parks. It is not that big a deal to switch a PS once you get to there. Guest Services can do it for you as soon as you arrive or you can can do it from room. We even found when we went in Sept 2003 that we could make a PS at a restaurant the same morning we entered the park. Also don't forget others are doing the same thing so there are cancellations all the time.

Hope you have fun and maybe we'll see you there?

 

[eeyore45]

This is the site I'm using

http://www.touringplans.com/GuideUpdates05.html

I think it was intercot that had history hours... and someone at the DIS posted a CM saying emh night hours never change... (which we of coursed all )

 

[gonga]

You can't obsess and over plan, it is a set up for failure and disappointment.

What if It's raining or a ride is down or your feet are sore or whatever? You cannot plan for the unknown. I think this is the reason why everyone looks so miserible in the parks, trying to keep up with the plans. In trying to see everything, you also miss a lot.

This is what I plan...the flights, the limos, book the same room at the GF, a few dinners, and park hopper tix. Other than that, who cares...we let the day decide. We discuss what we might want to do every morning over breakfast. WDW is not as big as you think or as it appears to be. Just relax and remember it's fun...make it a vacation, not a job.

 

[SeattleMark]

That's exactly why I use TourGuideMike. I don't have to stress over things, plususing his advice I know we'll never wait in lnes more than 10-15 minutes, even during high season. We've used his advice the last two years and it's worked fantastic. We'll never do Disney without it again, it made such a huge difference.

The best part is that he not only gives you sample touring plans, but also the "why" behind each step, so you know how to adapt when things change. Unlike the ste-by-step things that don't give as much explanation.

www.tourguidemike.com

 

[frannn]

We are arriving 10/7, and the new hours will be putting a monkey wrench in our planning. I'd like to do CM dinner on a Sat, but don't want to miss Spectro. I'd like to do CP and CRT lunches on MK EMH day, but I'm not sure when that will be. I think it is important to plan well inadvance for my family. Otherwise we all sit around going "Duhhhhhh" because we have a hard time making decisions and pleasing everybody.

 

[princess aurora]

That's exactly why I use TourGuideMike. I don't have to stress over things, plususing his advice I know we'll never wait in lnes more than 10-15 minutes, even during high season. We've used his advice the last two years and it's worked fantastic. We'll never do Disney without it again, it made such a huge difference.

The best part is that he not only gives you sample touring plans, but also the "why" behind each step, so you know how to adapt when things change. Unlike the ste-by-step things that don't give as much explanation.

www.tourguidemike.com

Are there any "sample" plans to view first before I shell out $21.95???