Compulsive planner trying to reform...how to go without making a plan!!!

[IvyandLace]

My name is IVY, and I'm a compulsive planner. I've been known to print out daily schedules, laminated, with maps. I usually pour over restaurant menus, photos and the Unofficial Guide multiple time prior to any WDW vacation. By the time I enter the gates of WDW, my daily schedules have been redone numerous times, and all meal PSs are scheduled to the "nth" degree.

*deep breath* I love to plan. HOWEVER, my last trip (April/May 2004) was a trip alone with my MIL...and I was "scarred" enough to desire another WDW vacation alone with DH...WITHOUT a plan. Yes, folks! You heard me right! I had gotten to the point where I was SICK of being the "tour" guide...of ALWAYS having to be thinking a step ahead of everyone else, gauging people's enjoyment/hunger/weariness/etc. I want to go to WDW and feel...free...to do whatever I choose. My DH has actually challenged me by saying that I could NEVER go to WDW without a plan...and this along with my desire for freedom from plans, has inspired me to TRY not to plan my next trip to "the World" from August 4-14. DH is a teacher and is a typical work-a-holic during the school year-because of this, he wants to just "chill" at WDW. We are PAP holders and will be making the most of visiting water parks, DisneyQuest, and PI.

I guess what I'm asking is this: Can I actually "get away" without a plan in the summer?? Should I make a general plan for each day in order to make PSs...OR should I just close all the guidebooks, pack my bags, and enjoy my trip with the knowledge I already have? I'm very nervous about going to WDW without any sort of schedule...help!!

*biting fingernails to the quick at the thought but almost ready to try* IVY

 

[RyMickey]

I think (especially going in the summer) it is necessary to plan a little. You need to decide whether you'll be doing EE or not. The other thing you need to plan is PSs. If you want a good meal, you should make a PS. Other than those two things, wing it. You'll have fun not worrying about everything.

RyMickey

 

[mrsR123]

This trip without DKs I have very little planned. I have three PSs for dinners in lovely places where my little ones would only fidget. We're going to Epcot one day,and that's all we know. I'll post upon return whether i'll allow myself to do this again!

 

[billybaruch1]

I guess what I'm asking is this: Can I actually "get away" without a plan in the summer?? Should I make a general plan for each day in order to make PSs...OR should I just close all the guidebooks, pack my bags, and enjoy my trip with the knowledge I already have? I'm very nervous about going to WDW without any sort of schedule...help!!

LOL. Ivy, the answer is yes. I haven't been there in the summer, but consider this:

1. You got the challenge, now go for it. What do you have to lose?

2. The guidelines are for first-timers; you already know what you like to do.

3. Listen to RyMickey regarding the PS's.

4. If there is a crowd or a line, vacate the premises immediately. I mean, to enjoy yourselves, go where the people ain't.

5. Don't be the "tour guide." Be the "answer person" who reveals the best way to get from here to there only when his/her listeners want to know.

6. Go with your DH's suggestion. Have fun!

 

[lentesta]

I like RyMickey's advice. I'd add that if you planned your first two or three hours in the park, you'd be much happier. It doesn't require much more than 'I should see these four or five attractions first.' While every attraction has its merits, there's an obvious benefit to riding Dumbo at park opening rather than two pm.

Have fun on your trip!

Len

 

[MsLeFever]

I guess the real challenge will be to make the little plans that will make your vacation fun (like PS) but not to let those little plans snowball into micromanaging. (As a micromanager myself I know it will be a challenge!)

I look forward to hearing about it.

Barbara

 

[canwegosoon]

Since it is just the two of you, and you have been there before, I think that you can let it go. Have your husband pick the parks , and make the PS. Once you get to a park you can decide spur of the moment to go on a favorite ride, or do something new. Prove him wrong....you can do it. Do your shopping and have it sent back to the gift shop, so you are free to keep exploring. Think "Treasure Hunt"

 

[lilpatty19@aol.com]

I always go with no general plan i sometimes just pick what park to go on what day but thats about it and i don't always stick to it..so go have fun take no map or itinerary and have a good time...you'll be surprised how much you can do without a schedule!

 

[MrsG]

I, too, am a compulsive planner. If I don't have a plan and I miss out on something I go back to planning again. Since you've been to WDW so many times, and have a plan in your head already (ofcourse you do) I would only recommend that you make PS as you don't want to berate yourself if you can't get into a resturant you want because you didn't plan. What I've found is that to go cold turkey without planning doesn't work. Everyone else might have a great time but inside you're worried.

1. Try to take the first bus that arrives (that will really throw DH). Don't panic. You know what to do once you get inside the park.

2. Make PS from your room instead of before you leave home. This way, you sort of know where you might be that day. Plus, it is much easier to get PS for 2.

You can do it! And you may find you actually LIKE it!

Good luck!

 

[wannabee princess]

I admire the ability you have to even consider going with no plan based on the planner that you are!

I do agree about the PS's though unless you will be happy eating counter service or waiting hours! I just met someone last night who was at DisneyWorld last week (they have gone every year for 9 years) with no PS's!! They were given wait times like 4 HOURS for Sci-Fi!

I think you could make PS's for one meal a day, and then just try to "wing" it as far as everything else. In fact, you could even wait until you arrive at a park in the morning, go to guest services and then make a PS for that day. We have done this before with good results. You may not get the "exact" time you want, but if you are flexible in the time and maybe even not just a specific restaurant, this could be a way to go.

 

[Nickunited]

Sure you can! I mean before you go plan which days you are going to which parks - this way you can make any PS's that want to, but when you get to the park, just walk in the direction that most appeals to you. You will find new things to do, enjoy, and maybe even new traditions.

You might find a new place to eat that was not on your "Plans" previous years. Go for it! The best things are those that are stumbled upon.

I go every year and the only thing I plan prior to leaving for my trip is which night to do Fantasmic (PS NEEDED) and which morning to do Chef Mickey's (Another PS Needed) - the rest of my trip is on a "Whim". At night we decide where we want to go the next day - its fun!!!!!

 

[my3princes]

I used to plan every second of our trips, but quickly learned that with more than a couple of people you cannot realisticly stick to the plan. That was four trips ago. Now I usually have an idea of which park we will go to each day, and make a couple of PSs, but that is it. Going with the flow is a much more relaxing vacation. This trip there will be 8 of us for the first week and 6 for the second. We have planned which park we will go to for the first week since my neice will be with us and we want to give her a taste of each park (we will also do Blizzard Beach and Busch Gardens) that's 6 days and 6 parks. The second week I have a couple of PS (the rehitching ceremony for our 12th Anniversary), but I couldn't even tell you what we will do on any given day. I guess we'll see how much we get done in the first week and hit favorites and missed attractions during the second. My kids will set the pace and we will all have fun. Now if I could only not have to plan the pretrip packing and such...

 

[DizBelle]

I think that the only potential problem with your plan of not planning (and you thought you didn't have a plan ) is that of meals at table service restaurants. I think it is very wise to make your PSes ahead of time to minimize waiting. The only thing required for you to accomplish this is to decide which parks you will visit on which day. That way you can make PSes for restaurants in that park.

I do not think that doing this will classify you as a compulsive planner for this trip.

 

[chancellor]

I never plan much. There's a difference between having a "plan" and having "experience." Once you've been to the parks enough times, you know when is a good time to do certain things, how to get around, how to avoid first-timer mistakes, etc. You can use that knowledge once you're there without actually having a plan, and have a much more relaxing time. You can also not worry about missing something, since you've probably already seen it or can catch it on a subsequent trip (which will, of course, be unplanned ).

The only time this non-plan plan backfires on me is PS's. I've spent several evenings walking around World Showcase trying all the restaurants to find an opening (we always seem to end up in France). So I agree with those who say to make that your only planning move (other than making your resort reservations, of course). I would also point out that if you miss your PS, it costs you nothing, you can always find somewhere else to eat, and somebody behind you ends up with a shorter wait.

If you RELAX, you will actually have a better time.