Crazy Planner needs a push

[ogorchock]

So, I absolutely love planning our Disney trips--ressies, resort, touring plan, etc. I sometimes wonder if I like planning more than being at Disney! Now I'm frustrated because we're going to Washington DC in June and I just can't get in to planning it. Every time I start looking at all of the museums, monuments and things to do I give up and find myself back on the DIS board. It's not that I don't want to go to DC, I just can't figure out where my planning gene went. Suggestions?

 

[kpadalik]

LOL, you sound exactly like me! Our vacations usually involve cruises and Disney. Since we live in FL, I don't fly. I haven't flown in years and haven't rented a car in over 10 years. We are going to a wedding in Kansas this summer and decided to extend it and make it our vacation for the year. After a few days celebrating the wedding, we are going to go to Kansas City for a couple days, then on to St. Louis for a few more days (and the 4th of July!).

Anyways, when it came time to start planning...I couldn't get excited about it. It's new territory for me, and I was certain that I would make a bad choice in hotel, restaurant, flights, etc. Believe it or not, I turned to the boards. I found several threads about Kansas City/St. Louis and got lots of great ideas. After reading those, starting my own thread with some questions of my own, I am now excited about our trip! I've booked what I think are great hotels, have some places that are must-eat and must-see, and our plans are really coming together. And I'm glad that our kids are getting to see a part of the country that doesn't involve cruise ships and Mickey! They are really excited to go on this trip and are looking forward to all the things we have planned!

Have you done any searches about DC here on the boards? Maybe that will help you get started and get excited about it? I have been to DC (about 15 years ago), and it was one of my most memorable vacations. It's on our list of places to visit and bring our kids.

 

[minnienmickey]

Have you considered searching groupon or living social for deals on restaurants and entertainment in the city you are planning to visit? I love starting a vacation knowing I already saved money.

 

[ssawka]

The problem with planning any trip other than to WDW is that it does not require as much planning. Even on DCL, other than picking any excursions or special meals, there really is not a lot of planning.

Even at DLR (from what I've heard), you really do not need to make ADRs and the parks are so close together that you just "go with the flow".

DC is much the same. You need to pick a hotel and figure out transportation, but other than reading about a few restaurants, there is not a whole lot of planning. If you have any questions about where to stay, eat, etc. post them. There are quite a number of DISers that live in the DC area.

 

[pigletto]

I think what becomes an issue for me is that I am so familiar with Disney and the ins and outs of planning those vacations. When it comes to anywhere else, the research is fun but the amount of information is completely overwhelming. Even narrowing down where to go is huge. Try trip advisor forums for hotel and activity suggestions. Also, because I have been looking into DC and Williamsburg myself I know if you do a google search with those terms and "Disboards" it will pull up past threads from here with TONS of information on hotels and activities. It seems it's a popular vacation destination other than Disney on these boards as well.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

OP thank you for posting this - I'm in the same boat (except looking at late July). Other posters thank you for the info / encouragement. I need to take the plunge and start planning!!

If anyone has specific suggestions I have a photographer husband who would probably love all monunents/ memorials and a 13 year old DD who probably would not love the museums except the fashion area of the Smithsonian.

We'd be driving up. I went to Washington as a kid but don't remember any logistics.

suggestions very welcome!!

 

[ssawka]

I think what becomes an issue for me is that I am so familiar with Disney and the ins and outs of planning those vacations. When it comes to anywhere else, the research is fun but the amount of information is completely overwhelming. Even narrowing down where to go is huge. Try trip advisor forums for hotel and activity suggestions. Also, because I have been looking into DC and Williamsburg myself I know if you do a google search with those terms and "Disboards" it will pull up past threads from here with TONS of information on hotels and activities. It seems it's a popular vacation destination other than Disney on these boards as well.

Tip: if you add site:disboards.com to your google search, google will only provide results that appear on disboards.com. You can do that for any site.

 

[pigletto]

OP thank you for posting this - I'm in the same boat (except looking at late July). Other posters thank you for the info / encouragement. I need to take the plunge and start planning!!

If anyone has specific suggestions I have a photographer husband who would probably love all monunents/ memorials and a 13 year old DD who probably would not love the museums except the fashion area of the Smithsonian.

We'd be driving up. I went to Washington as a kid but don't remember any logistics.

suggestions very welcome!!

Yes I do have a suggestion!! I have read several recommendations for the "Monuments by Moonlight" tours! I think one of those tours (or recreating it on your own) would provide some fantastic photo opportunities.

 

[ogorchock]

My SIL loves in DC and suggested the Marine Corps Evening Parade. But, don't tell anyone else because not a lot of people know about this.


The Evening Parade is a marvelous display of planning and precision formations held weekly throughout the summer. This parade is held at Marine Barracks in Washington DC, which is the "Oldest Post of the Corps." Marine Barracks has been used for many events since the early 20th Century including Presidential inaugurations and other special celebrations. The formalized parades at Marine Barracks began as reveille drills and maorning muster parades.

 

[rocknroll]

I don't know if you have kids, but if yes, my planning with my boys for the Washington DC area a couple of years ago involved a lot of activities and places that was going to be part of their social studies and history classes.

They actually got caught up with the idea of "live" history and we also had a great time planning our trip.

 

[DESKRoberts]

DC is by far my favorite place to vacation to. I cannot wait for my kids to be old enough to go. But I am a history teacher. There are so many things to see and do there. I totally disagree that there is not much to plan for DC. While it is is likely too late to get tickets if you haven't looked into it already, you should contact your US Senator and Congressman for tickets to the White House, tour of the Supreme Court, and Capital building. These are all free tours, but it is very difficult to get tickets. The Capital Building you might be able to get into without going through your representatives, but there is a lot more you get to see if you are on one of their tours. A lot of the tours need to or should be booked in advance in order to avoid long lines (especially in the summer when crowds are heavier).
For the PP who asked about photo opportunities the monuments at night are gorgeous. Especially Lincoln and Jefferson. Washington's estate- Mt Vernon has a lot of interesting things that would make for good phots IMO. And Arlington Cemetery would make for some very moving phots.
I could go on and on.

 

[Luvchefmic]

USMC silent drill team is a must see..sorry been a few years can't give you exact location ..bing or google is your friend also agree with the monuments tour, Arlington Cemetery, so much to see
Mount Vernon too, my DD was married there spectacular !
May not be able to do White House though haven't they cancelled tours ?

 

[ogorchock]

Has anyone done the Washington DC, Legends Tour that shows up on Groupon?

 

[bopper]

We go to Washington DC because all we need to do is book a hotel and drive...no planning necessary!

Not sure how old your party is but we did a Segway Tour of the momuments (through "Segs in the City") and it was the highlight of our trip.

Contact your congressperson like was mentioned (go to their website and there should be a contact number for their staff for stuff like this)...they can get you a reservation for the capitol tour so you don't have to wait in line. Ask what else they can get you...I think also you can get tickets for a Gallery Tour (see the actual room where Congress meets).

The Indian/Native American museum has an awesome cafeteria if you like food that is a little different.

Also get a guide book for DC from your library...it probably comes with a map. Use it to look up times of all the museums, etc.
We had teenagers and were staying in maryland so trying to get everyone up and out the door took longer than I would like so we ended up having half a day because many things close at 5:00.