Yes, my DH thinks I'm nuts. I spend hours planning and creating a color coded itinerary with park hours, touring plans, parade/show schedules, ADR's, resort info, etc... You get the idea.
He NEVER complains when we're zipping thru those lines without long waits or enjoying a great viewing spot for fireworks!
I am totally a planner too. I photocopied maps of the parks and took them with me in my fanny pack. I had all the restaurants picked out. I knew every ride, what ones would be good for each person with us (kids, a 80 year old grama, a scaredy cat, and a few others)
We went with my in-laws who are totally fly by the seat of your pants kind of people (not at all like me!) and they thought I was totally anal.
But-my grandma said it was the best most organized trip she had ever been on! She had been to Disneyland 6 times and said I showed her the most!
Yes I am! For each trip or destination I consider I have a 3 ring binder that is color coded and each time I see something of interest for that destination I simply put it in the coordinating binder. My best-friend's family went to CA this past April and they did not do any pre-planning and they spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to do and how to get there not my idea of fun. My friend now tells me that she will have to come with me on vacation next time instead of her family becuase I'm so organized!
You mean like developing an Excel spreadsheet that shows how much everything will cost (approximately) and subtracting that from your base amount so you know how much extra stuff you can buy; figuring out how much each hotel room is going to cost in March for a trip in November based on how much rooms were in past years; using another worksheet on that spreadsheet to figure out in 15 minute increments where you will be on which day (haven't quite figured out how to figure in bathroom breaks though ); naw, I don't think thats obsessive.
I forgot to add: Of course, the plans are great but I don't unpack them. "We figured the (plan) was just some sort of guide anyway"
Yeppers! Another planner here. In our family I am "logistics" and my brother is "tactical". I plan everything and make reservations...etc...etc...etc...then DB makes them happen. Mom just follows happinly along....happy to not have had to have done anything!
Memos in 3 ring binder....then cut and pasted into PDA for carrying around the parks!
I really like the planning part...you will note our countdown timer! Yep...but guess what...we have rooms reserved I bet some people think I am nuts...but I have seen times when people wanted to go to WDW and couldn't get rooms on site....several weeks in advance. So call me paranoid....but got rooms for our "celebrate Brenda's Divorce....Mom's 65th Birthday.....George's College Graduation" trip!
So nice to know I'm not alone. I bet I spent 15 hours this weekend researching vacation pool homes and various neighborhoods. Still not close to a decision, but I'll know all about them before I send my deposit.
Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!
Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE