Are you the only planner in the family?

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'll admit it, I love planning our trips. I seem to be alone in that regard in our household, though. I'm not asking for enthusiasm, but a little beneficial feedback would be nice!

"I'm going to start booking restaurants, do you have any you want to add to the list?" "I don't care. You know what I like."

"Should we get the Premium Annual Passes again this year, or get the regulars instead? How many times do you think we'll do water parks?" "Whatever you think is best."

"Do you want to upgrade to a two-bedroom this summer and invite such-and-such, or would you rather save the points for a Halloween/Christmas trip?" "I'm up for either."

I swear, one year I'm going to find a 3 a.m. flight with 4 layovers, request a garbage can view, and book us 14 nights in a row at the same restaurant just to make a point.

What level of cooperation do you get in the pre-planning?

 

[Reddy]

none except to be told to add another day since he could get the time off
we do quick service except for 2 character breakfasts so I don't have as many problems as you do & we only go once a year (actually this year will be our second trip)

 

[goofy370]

We are in the same boat! I plan everything and they take it for granted. We did go on a trip with extended family that I didn't plan anything and afterwards I was told they like it better when I plan it out. No one liked it when they asked me what we were doing today and I said I don't know go ask grandma. lol.

 

[AKLFan3]

I swear, one year I'm going to find a 3 a.m. flight with 4 layovers, request a garbage can view, and book us 14 nights in a row at the same restaurant just to make a point.

What level of cooperation do you get in the pre-planning?

I had to laugh at the above statement.

I LOVE planning for all Disney trips. It tends to be just my mom and I vacationing together, but she does like some input. However, I am the one who actually prints out an itinerary on Excel, complete with color coding, all dining reservations, a list of items I want to purchase and attractions/parades/entertainment we cannot miss. I enjoy every minute of it. The three times we have stayed in concierge level, I actually don't plan as much because concierge is supposed to do that for you. I just really enjoy doing all of the planning myself and talking about it several times over the months leading up to the trip.

 

[Brian Noble]

I own the trips on land. She owns the trips at sea. We find it easier if there is only one "planner". While we might each infrequently ask for input, mostly we are The Last Word on trips we own.

 

[twinklebug]

I am the only planner, but in that the other 2 planners are kids I do frequently get input from them. Doesn't mean I listen to them

 

[quirty30]

I'm a single mom, so I have to do the real planning. But my kids definitely have opinions and input as to where we stay & eat, in fact, they're quite opinionated. I'm pleased that they help with the decisions.

 

[rentayenta]

I am the only over planner in the family. They will all chime in but once we are close to the trip. I start planning 2+ years ahead of time. I'm looking into Aulani for our 20th in 2013, mentioned it to DH, and he just laughed.

 

[DVC-Don]

My wife plans trips also.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

I read the title of post and started laughing hysterically before I even read your post. MY DH and DS provide no input (OK, maybe nodding their head) when asked what to do. I am a HUGE planner, but I really like to do it. So far, I am thrilled to death that I get to plan every detail without any interference from them But it has worked out great, because I do know what they like and it is so rewarding to plan every single detail and see in their faces that they really did have a good time.

But I LOVE your idea of the 4 layovers and the garbage view. I wonder if my DH and DS would even notice (or have enough guts to complain)

On a side note, my planning is so bad that my son honored my DH and I as his heros in a school speach and one comment he made about me is that I am such a planner I make everyone back for a vacation a month before we leave

 

[Chellymouse]

I swear, one year I'm going to find a 3 a.m. flight with 4 layovers, request a garbage can view, and book us 14 nights in a row at the same restaurant just to make a point.

What level of cooperation do you get in the pre-planning?
__________________
I am laughing my backside off! this is hilarious! It's just DH and I also, but my DH isn't as bad. He puts in his 2 cents when it suits him..No dear, I don't want to eat at Chef Mickey's, yes we really NEED to do SWW....but most of the time, I get a nod or a whatever you want.

 

[DenLo]

DH and I plan together. We each try to convince each other to try such and such so give and takes occur. And DH does most of the spreadsheet work in relation to our points. I do it in regards to our itinerary. I usually do the ADRs and we split on making DVC reservations. When one of us makes the DVC reservations and the ADRs then we then can get a print out from WDW website which shows both. I do like that new feature under MyDisneyVacation on the WDW website.

By both of us getting involved in the planning we have hours of enjoyment before we ever leave home.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I do all of the planning, but I LOVE it! If I try to get input from my family, they say I talk about Disney too much. So I go ahead and decide everything myself. Then when we are there, if I so much as hear one tiny complaint, I'm quick to bring up the fact that they had a chance to have a say but chose not to.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I guess I am lucky because DH likes to help plan out our trips. I am the one that does a lot of the research (thanks to the DIS of course ), but he puts a lot of input on where he would like to stay and where he would like to eat. Usually his part is the base of our planning and when I see something that I think would be fun to do or a place we have never eaten before, I put my 2 cents in and he usually agrees since he loves to try anything new. My DH also goes as far as being in charge of our binder that we take each time, he is in charge of printing everything out and getting it organized. Funny thing though, he never used to be like that when it came to our trips (before we had kids), but once we decided to go regularly and become DVC members...he has really stepped it up a notch

 

[moredisneyplease]

i'm the only planner but i always ask for the kiddos opinion

 

[starry_solo]

I plan everything for the trip for myself and sis. Whether it's to DLR, WDW (1st time in May 2012!), or somewhere overseas. All she gives me is the dates she can get off from work!

 

[rmonty02]

I definitely do all the planning. I force my DH to give his opinion on things before it's too late. He did say something really nice on our DL trip last week..."just do what she says and fun things will happen!" I loved that level of cooperation

 

[tara98]

I do most of the planning as far as the Resort, and daily parks, activities. I must admit, DH usually does the ticket purchasing (both park and flights). I also must admit.... I like doing the daily planning.. It gets me MORE excited for the trip to go through all of the details in my head..

 

[auntsue]

I do all the planning in this household. We discuss it but DH just goes with the flow and we always have a great time.

For the first time ever, the kids (nieces and nephews, 23+) have planned a trip for themselves and their SOs. They were going to stay at Pop but I offered to rent them enough points for three studios at a big discount so they're thrilled to be able to stay at the BWV, especially since they're used to staying at the Yacht Club, the Poly and the BWI pre-DVC. (I wonder who spoiled them!) The youngest one has done all the planning and whenever he calls to talk about the trip, he goes on and on about every minute detail. I get such a kick out of him. Today when he called to tell me that the January EMHs were out, he said, "I think I got all of my OCD Disney planning from you, Aunt Sue." I just had to laugh. I can't wait till January to see how well everything goes. He's really done a great job!

This was the first time I've ever had to take a backseat in planning and it was hard to let those reins go.

 

[Starr W.]

DH and I kind of split the planning, he does the "big picture" and I do all the grunt work. Or as DH puts it, he's strategic and I'm tactical.

I call MS and make the reservations, which means I have the 11/7 month windows in my blackberry. I look for the flights.

We discuss the places to eat and I'm the one who makes the ADR's.

I'll ask the kids about resorts, as long as they are staying on site they are okay. I don't have to ask about places to eat, because I know their responses. TS in Epcot? Rose & Crown will be the answer.

With having DVC, Wyndham points, plus 2 full week timeshares, I keep track of all that. I used to just keep it in my blackberry, but DH kept asking, so I have the running totals of points/weeks taped on the frig. Also a calendar of confirmed/planned trips.