Decided - virtually no advance planning of holiday this time

[kevin harrison]

Short of a couple of Character meals and Discovery Cove, for the first time we are flying without concrete plans.

I have a list of EMH days and will avoid Disney on the park specific days, but that's the sum of my plannng.

I couldn't bear the plan of having a regimented fortnight again, I have enough days in the week where I have to be somewhere at a specific time, going to give it a try this time..

Thoughts?

 

[natalielongstaff]

As a compulsive planner i think you are very brave, im sure you will be fine

 

[Dimplenose]

This is more or less how we're going this time. I have 3 ADRs (including a Fantasmic Dinner Package) and one night at RPR booked. We're staying at ASMu and I have a list of EMH and we're going to see how we feel on each day.

This year DS(18) and DD(15) are old enough to have some time on their own (but together) so we should all have a more restful time than in 2005 when I had a "Plan" that I was determined to stick to .

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Go with it - if it makes you happy.

Me, I like to plan but DH says it makes the holiday go too quick - so I just tell him the night before what we are going to do

 

[Pegasus928]

This is the total opposite to what is happening with us this time.
Every other time we have gone we have never had a plan for each and every day. We have literally just got up in a morning and decided to do what we felt like doing - or had a chat the night before and gone from there.
This October however we have planned most days, even splitting them into morning, evening and night. The reason for this is we are going with my sister, her hubby and DS(5) and she has given us a list of things she wants to do and in order of priority.
When looking through it we found that the only way we could help her to do what she wanted was to have a plan. It goes against out normal holiday but we want to make sure she gets everything out of it she wants.
I'm sure you will love the laid back approach though. As you say it's probably the only time of year you don't have to run to the clock so make the most of it.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I fully agree Kevin.
We never plan, just relax and go with the flow.
Holidays for me need to be totally unorganised.

 

[Gooldy]

I also feel the same kevin, started with BIG plans for every day, then joined the dis realized that there was soooooooooo much more to do and not enough time to do it in. So after feeling overwhelmed I've decided to do the EMH, the best days for each park etc and discovery cove as my only plan. The rest is how we feel in the morning


Enjoy however you plan or not!

 

[juju216]

Short of a couple of Character meals and Discovery Cove, for the first time we are flying without concrete plans.

I have a list of EMH days and will avoid Disney on the park specific days, but that's the sum of my plannng.

I couldn't bear the plan of having a regimented fortnight again, I have enough days in the week where I have to be somewhere at a specific time, going to give it a try this time..

Thoughts?

Hi Kevin, we never plan our time in Orlando and have visited for the past 5 years.
We were not expecting to go on holiday this year, due to shortage of cash, but approx 5 weeks ago in a mad moment, we booked to return to Florida knowing that we won't be doing any Disney parks (sob) but will be visiting Seaworld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica, together with Universal studios and IOA.
The kids, DD11 an DS8 were overjoyed just to be going back to Florida and because we have done Disney for the past 4 years, they are just pleased to be able to at least try a different Florida experience.
I can't imagine planning all meals and parks, as some days the kids have had enough of the heat and crowds and it's nice to be able to have the freedom not to be stuck to specific times for meals.

Everyone has a different expectation of what they want their holiday to be, and it's all about what suits you and your family

 

[gemmybear83]

I'm the same - have my ADRS planned, and MNSSHP, and apart from MK first morning we have made no plans and we may decide to Sea World when we are there I joined Tour Guide Mike and it was too much for me, I prefer to make it up as I go a long and relax (but obviously avoid EMH )

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I agree completely Kev, we rarely plan past the first couple of days and like the flexibility that gives us, planning is fun but we would only change ours anyway.

 

[PudseyChancer]

planning is fun but we would only change ours anyway

Couldn't agree more Johnny, I think the only planning as such we'll be doing for ours next year will be the odd mealtime, seeing as we're on the dining plan. On previous holidays I've had a basic plan set out, but the holiday I enjoyed the most was the one that was 'off the cuff', so I see no real reason to change back to a planned vacation.

 

[joolz1910]

Interesting concept. I am a compulsive planner which is why I'm on these boards, despite our first trip to WDW not being until 2012. Having said that, I try to avoid planning for holidays - I try to go well-informed but avoid a strict itinerary. I think I would ruin the holiday if I really planned as I would find it hard to 'stray from the path'. When we went to DLRP, I compiled a mental list of 'must-do's' and then went with the flow.

 

[gemmybear83]

Interesting concept. I am a compulsive planner which is why I'm on these boards, despite our first trip to WDW not being until 2012. Having said that, I try to avoid planning for holidays - I try to go well-informed but avoid a strict itinerary. I think I would ruin the holiday if I really planned as I would find it hard to 'stray from the path'. When we went to DLRP, I compiled a mental list of 'must-do's' and then went with the flow.

Thats basically what we do. I remember last seeing a fmaily armed with touring plans just reading the plans and darting from attraction to the next, and never looking up to enjoy the parks! It was particulary sad as we visited in January and there were next to no queues and no need for a touring plan.......

 

[wayneg]

We have a planner printed, it contains ADR's a DISmeet and cruise dates. Probably the most unplanned holiday we have ever done.
This trip is going to be eating, drinking and relaxing, 25 nights of Zero stress.

 

[joolz1910]

Thats basically what we do. I remember last seeing a fmaily armed with touring plans just reading the plans and darting from attraction to the next, and never looking up to enjoy the parks! It was particulary sad as we visited in January and there were next to no queues and no need for a touring plan.......

I am picking up tips on these boards, I will read the guide books and then decide on what I think my family will enjoy. The best advice I have seen from the 'veterans' is to avoid trying to do everything. And to have 'rest' days.
I don't want to be one of those mums barking at tired kids.

 

[joolz1910]

We have a planner printed, it contains ADR's a DISmeet and cruise dates. Probably the most unplanned holiday we have ever done.
This trip is going to be eating, drinking and relaxing, 25 nights of Zero stress.

Take me with you. Please.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I fully agree Kevin.
We never plan, just relax and go with the flow.
Holidays for me need to be totally unorganised.

Agreed.

We did a planner but it usually goes pear shaped after the first day (with children it's unavoidable)..That said its good as you change your mind once there anyway.
So sounds to me like a great idea.

 

[paulh]

Prior to doing ddp a few years ago we would plan but use it as a guide it was never set in stone,as were early risers (well me would be up making a coffee at 6.30am first week then 7pm second week)
With the arrival of the DDP both free and paid made planning more essential than before, but again its only the meal that's set not what were doing that day, as that can change with weather ect.
I do enjoy planning as i find that once i1am there i am more relaxed than if we didn't have a plan in place
everyone is different hpoe you have a nice trip plans or no plans
Paulh

 

[TheBlundells]

I thought we were the only ones on these boards who didn't have a plan!

 

[loobylou44]

We don't usually have much of a plan either, just - avoid EMH, have one nice table service booked and have a list of must do's. However we are going 14 - 28 Dec this year, so we are planning a little bit more as it will be busier than February when we usually go!