Daily planning

[50sjayne]

I just got back from a trip to Palm Springs with my parents and my daughter and her husband. I've gotten kind of used to really planning out our family vacations with husband and son...I think that with as busy as it's going to be when we go I need to do some really intensive planning this time--arrival time, order of rides and events...I don't know--
How much planning do you guys do as far as daily activity goes when you are actually there?
I realize sometimes rides and such don't comply with a schedule, but for us having some good structure really adds to a pleasurable trip. I never get all military on them-- if they want to do something I don't, we split up, that's ok. But I think I'm going to really want to have the show schedules down and such.
Just thought I'd put it out there, since I haven't seen it discussed much.

 

[Peri]

We go to DL 2 times a year or more. Each time, when available, I print out the park calendars for our dates. Then I pencil in our dining plans (if anything special). We discuss "must sees" and note ride closures. We always enter at rope drop and usually have the first three rides in mind but are flexible. Then we would do "an area".

For example, we are going in few weeks and have the calendar, etc. On our first day, which is early entry, we will go straight to Fantasyland, ride Dumbo (child with us), Pan, then the other FL rides including Matterhorn. We know we are there at a very low attendance time and should be able to complete that area in an hour or hour and a half. Then we will go to Tommorrowland and see Eo, Startours, buzz, etc - ride space or get fast pass if busy. No particular order, and may come back later.

We have PS lunch at Celebration BBQ. The afternoon - probably back to the hotel to rest then into the park in the evening - not sure exactly what.

The next day is Cal Adventure - toy story mania and soarin' = the rest is at it goes.

We will see both the Celebration parade in DL and the Pixar parade in DCA - no fireworks during our visit.

The rest of the plan is very flexible - of course we won't miss New Orleans Square, and Adventure land. We have three days to "spend."

We are two adults, granddaughter, 5 and other granddaughter, 1 and a half. I cannot remember ANY trip where I didn't see everything I wanted to - most things more than once. - Over the years the visit length has had to increase, however, as more rides are added and as crowds are more dense.

 

[50sjayne]

Yeah we were going to go 3 days until I found the 5 day tickets on Last minute travel for $158. The trip with my parents was fun but they had nothing planned and we ended up wasting a lot of time. Well, the daughter and husband just really wanted down time as she is going to school full time and he is working quite a bit. Anyways people have different ideas about how a vacation should be. For me Disneyland really isn't a vacation--it's an experience. My son is high functioning autistic and just does better with structure. My husbands family will be there at the same time as we will this time though so I'm kind of wondering how that's gonna go. I know for a fact they eat breakfast at Mimi's every day before the parks....they've been going for years and don't really get into it like me. I know every bit of news and construction about the park and how to do everything right. Actually the more micro planning I do, the more relaxed I'll be so I think I'm just gonna go for it. Just wish Disney would comply already with the schedule.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm an uber-planner, but never plan out rides. We plan meal times & places, if we're going to see a certain type of entertainment & what park we're starting at....after that it's ride & see what we want. We do try to ride Peter Pan first on every trip but since we're going in the middle of summer & not using a MM on our 1st day....not sure how that will work out.

 

[Gisele]

Welcome back!

I hope that you had a great time.

I too like to keep in mind ride attraction closures, and the like. As well as crowd pattern trends, the weather, and shows that I might like to at least try to see.
I try to be at Disneyland at or before opening, then go to get a FP for Indy. I like to collect them through out the day. Then I visit the pirates and the mansion, then Indy. I spend most of my time between New Orleans Square and Adventure land. I do venture to the Matterhorn, before doing so, I will go to BTMRR and the petting zoo. That is essentially my itinerary. I love to attend Jose's show too, and go on safari with the Jungle Cruise. At some point I will eat at the Blue Bayou, or elsewhere.
I think it is a good idea to have some semblance of a plan too. Because otherwise, one can lose time. Oh I like to do other things too, but the above are must do's especially pirates and the mansion.