Better to have a detailed plan or just wing-it??

[kaa1187]

I have a mini binder (roughtly 8"x5"), which fits in my bag easily-didnt want to lug a big one to Disney lol

 

[kaa1187]

Thank you everyone for your input & suggestions!

 

[seus-mouse]

It sounds like you have it down!
You'll have the information to make the best guess for the moment. Basic plan and then add unexpected things...odd big crowd from nowhere, unusual blob of weather just for your planned moment, the sun burn in unexpected places, blister where there should be none...etc...nothing says slow down in the upper Animal Kingdom during a freak 95 degrees like realizing you lost one whole tread from one of your Teva sandals!

We plan all year long, squirreling away bits and bites of info for the trip. It helps to have these when the plan meets the pavement.

Have a great time,

Holly

 

[kaa1187]

Thank you Holly!!

 

[Lori77]

I agree with doing what works for your family. If you are generally structured, then have a structure, if not, then don't! Or you can change it up and just have a plan and be flexible.

I have a general plan when we go, which takes into consideration park hours, and our ADR's. But there have been many times, due to the weather forecast changing, we've had to switch things when we arrived. For example, extended rain on a water park day, etc. Don't panic if that happens!

Also, traveling with kids can change things. It is best to have the child guide your next steps. My son when he was roughly 2, needed more breaks than I had anticipated, and then once my nephew got sick when he was 2 because he was overheated and tired.

I've learned that mapping a plan is good, and that relaxing and food are the two biggest needs for our family. We will never see everything in one trip, and that is ok! It just gives me more reason to go back!

 

[sjv919]

I agree with everyone else that it depends on your family's style.

Personally, we don't like to have an insanely detailed plan. We plan which park on which day, book dinner, and the night before we hit the park we pick which rides are top priority and based on that we pick the direction we're going to walk in at RD. Works like a charm for us. We generally get everything we want done and go with the flow of the direction we picked to walk in.

 

[imltpth]

I get excited by what's right in front of me in the parks, so I like to make a notecard with the must do list for each one. I'll use that to pick a general direction, but then it also reminds me of anything I wanted to see or do that I may have forgotten.

 

[Kristine316]

In Sept, no need for a detailed plan. We are going for 2 weeks in Sept and plan on winging everything but a couple of meals. ADRs for restaurants kills your ability to "wing it" for some places if free dining is available.

I respectfully disagree with this, even though September is one of the slower times of the year, it is still busy enough where a guest needs to be somewhat prepared in my opinion.

I sort of think this September will be much busier than what we have experienced in the past.

The pattern has been that WDW is busier and busier every year and traditionally slow times are no longer the sweet spots they used to be.

Of course people need to vacation the way they choose and if winging it is the way a person wants to travel, that is their perogative. However, OP asked our opinions and my opinion is to be prepared and definitely have the ADR's booked.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Plan or no plan, what's missing in this thread is that the people on these boards are generally very well informed. To "wing-it" on here means that we are very well informed and we can go without a "written" plan, we can adjust our plans on the fly, or we can just go and avoid the crowds b/c of experience.

My advice (to newbies) is have a very detailed plan, but more importantly... Be informed before you go. Take virtual trips in your mind. Have a plan, but know what you will do when your plan takes a detour.