Do I need a plan?

[rosiejo]

Brit's guide is far far superior to the unofficial guide. It is good honest information written by a Brit in Orlando for Brit's going to Orlando, What more does a guide book need??
QUOTE]

Oh I love the unofficial guide - it goes into much more detail than the Brit's Guide - although I think the Brit's is great for newbies - wish I'd had it my first trip. I skipped the Disney stuff but found the eating and shopping bits v useful - and the stuff on Busch Gardens. Nope for Disney info I'm sticking to my unoffical guide - even if it does weigh a ton!

I did pick up a copy of Ultimate Universal - or something like that - and that's a really good book to find out more about IOA and USF.

You really do need a plan though - even if it's just where on what day - you can play around with it when you get there if there are weather issues etc but without a plan you'll miss out on loads!

I'm struggling to cram everything into a two week stay - so that my family can see everything - then I'm looking forward to the third week when it will be just me and my new DH and we can bomb around doing the stuff we missed without worrying about pleasing everyone else - but I'll still plan that one too - the fun is in the planning after all :0)

 

[wicket2005]

My first bit of advice would have been to buy The Brits Guide to Orlando which you have done.

My second would be to look at the quietest day guide at the back of the book and make a note of which parks are quietest on which days. I would double check this info on the website because I believe Disney's late night openings for their own guests may alter this info.

I would then make a list of where you want to go. As a first time visiter I would recommend you visit all of the Disney parks plus the 2 Universal and Sea World. Then work out which are the best days to visit them.

Cross reference them with tips given in The Brits Guide.

I always use the Brits Guide to plan my itinery, it makes it so much easier. Tips like how to go around each park are also given, which work.

I too am also buying the 14 day pass to Disney and also a flexpass for Universal/Islands/SeaWorld/WetnWild for 14 days, both often unlimited access and the ability to jump from park to park. They also are good value for money.

 

[paulh]

We plan plan plan but it can change day by day depending on the weather last aug we went in aug and as the huicane had just hit we dident go to busch the first few days we would sawp days around depending on the weather .Ther are certien things we do like go to tony romas on a monday night for all you can eat ribs (drooling thinking about it),eat at the outback have icecream at gharedilies (never spel it right)have a snack at earl of sandwich,eat at rainforest(we on the discount program)have fun and enjoy ourselves
Paulh

 

[carolfoy]

I agree with most points here, I think having a plan of the park hours, EMH, and an idea of when the shows/parades you want to see are on and have a few spare days to fit in shopping and the water parks.
MOST IMPORTANTLY enjoy yourselves, Planning can be one of the most exciting things. Get everyone together and sort out their 'must do' things so everyone gets the most out of it.

 

[Rosie]

I have just received my personalised Brits Guide Itinerary - haven't read all of it yet as its quite a big document. On first look though its worth the £10.00.
One week until we go
I'll let you know if a plan is a good idea when I get back.
I know half a dozen people who are also going for a first visit next week and who haven't planned a thing
I like to plan and I like to research and discuss, some people just like to take it as it comes - I think anticipation is half the fun.
Rosie

 

[cazzie]

I received my Brits guide today in the post so I shall be spending a happy hour or two reading later.

 

[slinky101]

hi, cazzie, think you will be out of action for a few days with the brits guide not just a couple of hours, i still can't put mine down and have read it from cover to cover, I somehow think that reading it will make my holiday come quicker!

 

[stal]

I usually have a rough plan but don't tend to stick to much of it once we are there!

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I've been so many times that I don't feel the need to rush around seeing EVERYTHING.

So for this trip, my itinerary will be planned around all my PS times. I'll be around whichever park I am eating in that day. For my resort dining, I'll just hop on a bus or monorail. I'm not too fussed at all.

So my plan is, eating times, Fantasmic dining package, Keys to the Kingdom tour, and then wing it. If I feel too hot and tired I will go back to my room for a while. Of course, I'm going solo so I only have to please myself, much easier!

 

[daveyoghurt]

I think that an element of planning can really improve your holiday, I always like to have an idea of which parks will be busiest on a daily basis. Also, I like to know which are the main rides that will get busy and do those immediately, this often means you can get to ride a couple of times, with preferred seating before they get too busy.

If you arrive at the park at opening time, again, you get to do the rides before the park gets too busy. I think if you go into too much detail, you remove some of the enjoyment, I've lost count of the number of times I've seen kids being yanked away from a character bawling because the parents want to move on to the next attraction.

So I guess I'm recommending to do some basic homework, but don't overdo it!

 

[Susie]

I received my Brits guide today in the post so I shall be spending a happy hour or two reading later.

Hi Cazzie! Let us know what you think of The Brit Guide to Orlando. I loved it and took it with us and read up about the park we would be visiting the next day so that it was all fresh in my mind. We thought it was well worth the money.

 

[cazzie]

I love the book it has so much info in it. I read some last night and then read some more when I had my morning cuppa in bed and have nearly finished it this afternoon. I shall now have to start from the beginning though to try and work out some sort of stratergy for the parks. After reading the book I can see why so many of you have some sort of plan I can't begin to imagine how big these parks are.

I ordered my tickets for the parks yesterday and I must admit it is quite strange to feel this excited about a holiday

 

[wicket2005]

I must admit it is quite strange to feel this excited about a holiday

You have every right to be excited because you are going to experience something you have never ever experienced before - it is just out of this world. There is nothing to compare it too in this country.

I am excited too now and I have to wait till July to go and I have been before - so this must tell you something about the holiday you are going to experience!

I don't need to say have a fantastic holiday - you will without a shadow of a doubt.