Confessions of an obsessive planner... Let the countdown begin!!

[-Hope-]

Is Karen insinuating that she fabricates the truth a little to Rey? Say it isn't so!!!!

I think of it more as that she knows him well enough to know what parts of the truth he'd rather not hear.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

OH???? Is that it? Ok, let's go with that!!!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Yeah, that's it!

OMG, I just typed out a huge ramble and then decided not to. It must be the coffee this morning! I refuse to bog down Hope's PTR with my rambles as well!

 

[-Hope-]

I'm okay with rambling... but if I don't get off the DIS I'm going to be late for co-op so you'll have to ramble to yourself.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Oh.....now I want to hear the ramble.......post on your ptr, Karen!!!! I love your rambles......(it's better than doing financial reports.....)

 

[lexmas]

All the plans! I need to get started. But, any free time I have I'm reading other people's PTR's, so that won't happen.

Anyway, I think it's a little ambitious, but I wouldn't say it was impossible. If you had little kids, then I'd say no way, but since your kids are older and perhaps willing to go all out all morning, then I think it's possible, as long as you're planning on being in the park until 1 or 2 at least. If you can't fit it in, you can always do it when you go back that night, I would think.

 

[Charlefours]

I know exactly what you mean--I am struggling with getting DH to comprehend that I don't want to just show up and wing it all. I really want to have an idea of things we would like to do and see, but I am not going to be so crazy that we cannot go with the flow and such. Plus, I know that my DMIL or DGM will try to take control. They are more than welcome to do their own thing if they are not happy with what I have planned. Honestly, (time for my confession) that is what I am most concerned about on our trip. DH's parents are planning nothing and letting me do all the work. DGM and DBF each have their own opinions on what they like to do while at Disney. My Dad and DBIL are go with the flow so they are the least of my concerns. DMIL have people at church telling her what she needs to do when but that is their opinion so I keep telling her we have different ideas from them (especially since it is coming from a couple who have no kids, nor the desire to be around children). Ugh!! Sorry to lay that down but I feel a little better just admitting it all!

Pulling the sword--I hope you have time. It is one of the small things but it makes a great photo op! I think you will be surprised on how much you are able to get done. With the low crowds we hopefully will only have to use a FP for the really popular, bigger rides. I think the thing that will slow my family down more than anything is how hot it is going to be!! :scared3: I think as long as you do not get so focused on getting from Point A to Point B then onto C, you will be good to go.

 

[DrMomof3]

My DH likes to plan - the night before. I have a hard time with that but I've learned to go with it. I try to have a general plan (long) before our trip and then let him change things up (as long as it doesn't mess up my general concept). We go to Disney often enough (4th trip in 3 years) that I don't feel the need to do "everything."

My only critique of your MK plan is that Astro Orbiter is one of my kids' favorite rides. The view is awesome - especially in the evening. They would ride that thing over and over again if we'd let them!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

All the plans! I need to get started. But, any free time I have I'm reading other people's PTR's, so that won't happen.

Anyway, I think it's a little ambitious, but I wouldn't say it was impossible. If you had little kids, then I'd say no way, but since your kids are older and perhaps willing to go all out all morning, then I think it's possible, as long as you're planning on being in the park until 1 or 2 at least. If you can't fit it in, you can always do it when you go back that night, I would think.

Reading other people's PTR is planning- it's just the research phase.

I think the kids will be so happy and excited to see and do everything that they'll be raring to go. If not then I guess we'll try to do a few things that evening.

I know exactly what you mean--I am struggling with getting DH to comprehend that I don't want to just show up and wing it all. I really want to have an idea of things we would like to do and see, but I am not going to be so crazy that we cannot go with the flow and such. Plus, I know that my DMIL or DGM will try to take control. They are more than welcome to do their own thing if they are not happy with what I have planned. Honestly, (time for my confession) that is what I am most concerned about on our trip. DH's parents are planning nothing and letting me do all the work. DGM and DBF each have their own opinions on what they like to do while at Disney. My Dad and DBIL are go with the flow so they are the least of my concerns. DMIL have people at church telling her what she needs to do when but that is their opinion so I keep telling her we have different ideas from them (especially since it is coming from a couple who have no kids, nor the desire to be around children). Ugh!! Sorry to lay that down but I feel a little better just admitting it all!

Pulling the sword--I hope you have time. It is one of the small things but it makes a great photo op! I think you will be surprised on how much you are able to get done. With the low crowds we hopefully will only have to use a FP for the really popular, bigger rides. I think the thing that will slow my family down more than anything is how hot it is going to be!! :scared3: I think as long as you do not get so focused on getting from Point A to Point B then onto C, you will be good to go.

The heat has me worried too Stephanie! It's one of the main reasons I have that break scheduled in the middle of almost every day.

I completely understand about the worries about keeping everyone happy but still getting to do what YOU want. I've traveled with my parents and with my in-laws and while we always have fun and I love them all it can be trying at times. Hang in there and stick to your guns!

My DH likes to plan - the night before. I have a hard time with that but I've learned to go with it. I try to have a general plan (long) before our trip and then let him change things up (as long as it doesn't mess up my general concept). We go to Disney often enough (4th trip in 3 years) that I don't feel the need to do "everything."

My only critique of your MK plan is that Astro Orbiter is one of my kids' favorite rides. The view is awesome - especially in the evening. They would ride that thing over and over again if we'd let them!

Amanda

Sounds like a good compromise you and dh have going with the planning.

Thanks for the Astro Orbiter tip! I thought that it would be similar to Dumbo so no biggie to skip- I'll have to keep that view in mind. Maybe if we're rushed and need to skip it we'll save it for the evening or even the evening of the party.

 

[DrMomof3]

Astro Orbiter is much more fun than Dumbo. It's faster! (Not scary fast but definitely faster than Dumbo). You take an elevator up to the ride so you get a great view! My then-5 year old decided that he's too old for Dumbo but he still loves Astro Orbiter.

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

That's great to know- thanks so much Amanda! :

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ok, first off, you should do peter pan right after Dumbo. The FP machines won't be open that early, I don't think, so you should just get right on (this has been my experience both times right after RD) and get it done in case they don't open the FP machines during the hour or so you are in Fantasyland but the lines start to grow, do you follow?

Also, just a tip, even though you may not want to follow it. (I didn't!) When we went the first time, by the time we walked over to the tea cups, Savannah & I were excited to get on them. Mary Alice said NO, we have to go on Tomorrowland Speedway first and then we'll walk back over here (it's not far) and that annoyed me, but I understood pretty quickly. The speedway can get a long line but the tea cups really won't at that time of the morning. IF you can get your kids to do the speedway first and then the tea cups, it might be a good idea. The line will grow quickly for Speedway!

I think it starts to get ambitious after Tomorrowland. I think after Tomorrowland it will be lunch time. If you finish lunch by 12:30 or 1pm, that really only gives you an hour until you want to take your break and I'm not sure with the distance between the Adventureland rides you can do all 4 of them AND ride the train back to the front in an hour. I do think you can be done around 2:30 or 3 with this plan, but you might need to do some of these things in the evening. I think it's a great idea to end with Splash and take the train to the front of the park though...I'm stealing this idea!

 

[-Hope-]

What about this-

• Dumbo
• Peter Pan
• Pooh
• Speedway
• Teacups
• Snow White
• Philharmagic
• Carrousel
• Sword in Stone Pic
  
  Then walk back through castle/hub to AL
• Jungle Cruise
• Aladdin
• Pirates
• Lunch at Pecos Bill's
• Splash
• WDW Railroad back to MS

Then take an earlier break so we'll be ready to head back to the park earlier and do Tommorrowland:

• Astro Orbiter
• Monsters Inc.
• Buzz Lightyear
• TTA
• Dinner @ Cosmic Ray's
• Spectro/Wishes

I don't have Haunted Mansion on here but we could do it first thing on party night (we plan to be there at 4) since the only thing we have planned from 4-7 is Tom Sawyer Island.

Is HM going to be too scary on party night? (My kids are big chickens ) It's just so stinkin' far out of the way from everything else we want to do. We could just do TSI and HM on this evening and do Tomorrowland on party afternoon between 4 and 7.

 

[-Hope-]

After writing it all out and reading through again I'm leaning toward this revised morning schedule with TSI and HM in the evening before Spectro/Wishes and save Tomorrowland for party afternoon. I want feedback on this though- we'll have 3 rides and a short show to do in about 2-3 hours (I'm hoping to be there by 4 but wanted to be realistic and say at least by 5). I realize we could still do some things after the party starts but I don't want to crowd out too much of the fun party stuff. So I'd like to be at least close to being done with the 'regular' stuff before the party officially starts at 7.

Seems like a good plan to me but I need your expert DISer opinions!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

As far as HM being scary, if you do it on party night, do it right when you get there at 4pm. During the party (or after 7pm) the CM's will be dressed up with painted faces that make them look scarier. If you do it right when you arrive and it's still light outside and their faces aren't painted, it should be better for them.

I REALLY like this new plan for you! I think it fits your kids really well, these are the things they will enjoy! I do think though that you will have PLENTY of time to do HM as well then on your way into Frontierland!

 

[-Hope-]

Okay, so then the question becomes which evening schedule- We'll do Tomorrowland (AO, BLY, TTA, MInc.) one evening and Liberty Square (TSI and HM) the other. Do you think it matters which evening for either one? On the first night we'll do Spectro and Wishes. On the second night we'll be riding Dumbo during fireworks and will watch one of the parades.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hmmmm...well, the things you have on your Tomorrowland will take more time than TSI and HM. I don't think you should take TOO much time on the party night for regular touring, so I vote for Tomorrowland on your MK evening and then TSI right when you arrive at 4pm on party night and then HM as well. This will still give you plenty of time to do party stuff and ride anything you missed the first day as well as riding Dumbo during Wishes and seeing the parade (see the LAST parade...10:30 usually...it's less busy!)

 

[-Hope-]

Hmmmm...well, the things you have on your Tomorrowland will take more time than TSI and HM. I don't think you should take TOO much time on the party night for regular touring, so I vote for Tomorrowland on your MK evening and then TSI right when you arrive at 4pm on party night and then HM as well. This will still give you plenty of time to do party stuff and ride anything you missed the first day as well as riding Dumbo during Wishes and seeing the parade (see the LAST parade...10:30 usually...it's less busy!)

Thanks! I think I've got it!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Then walk back through castle/hub to AL

Just a heads up as well on this, you may NOT be able to go through the castle, it is often closed off for shows throughout the day. It's open at rope drop, but then is blocked off about 30min to an hour later for a show. So, just keep in mind you may have to go around anyway, but it's not a big deal, you will come out near Hall of presidents, HM, and then head right into Frontierland.

 

[-Hope-]

That's good to know about the castle- I still want to save FL for last in case anyone gets too wet on Splash (doubtful but you never know) so we'll just take the bridge across from Hall of President's and Liberty Tree Tavern into AL.

So, the revised plan:

Wednesday September 29- Day 5: Magic Kingdom
rope drop, S breakfast @ ASMu

Fantasyland
• Dumbo
• Peter Pan (FP)
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (FP)
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Mad Tea Party
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures
• Cinderella’s Carrousel/ Sword in the Stone Pic
• Mickey’s Philharmagic (FP

go across bridge in front of Liberty Tree Tavern to AL

Adventureland/Frontierland
• Jungle Cruise (FP)
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• CS lunch @ Pecos Bill's
• Splash Mountain (FP) (if we want to do again get regular FP for the evening)
• WDW Railroad back to MS

back to resort to relax/swim, when rested catch bus back to MK

Tomorrowland
• Astro Orbiter
• Monsters Inc. Laughing Floor (show)
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (FP)
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority
• CS dinner @ Cosmic Ray’s
• Spectro/Wishes from MS
• get S from MS bakery for tomorrow’s breakfast