Do the Un-Planning sorts blow your mind?

[dsmith]

Timeshares, DVC included, do not fit well with those that won't plan ahead.

I agree. I think that's why almost everyone here is a planner, it's in the DVCer's blood.

I'm going to have to print this entire thread and show it to my family so they know there are others like me and I'm not crazy!

 

[kathleena]

Originally posted by marley
Nancy:

that is just too funny! I have the EXACT same worksheets in my Excel file! I also keep every years trip specific worksheets so I can let friends know the things my kids liked and disliked at ages 3, 4 5, etc. and to remind myself what worked and didn't wor

Marley

Marley - I think in the PMO world that is called "Lessons Learned" hahahaha. Don't you do that after every project? I guess I keep that part in my head - I delete my plans after each trip and start new ones.

And I have to say - when I'm travelling with adults, I don't plan what I'm going to do in each park - just have a schedule so we get the most of our time for early entry, parades etc that people want to see. And often times we are off schedule and do something else. It's those times that I know that I just love the planning and who cares if it comes out that way or not. We are not obsessive about seeing everything because we know we are going back. We just always have an idea about where we will be for the day. My friend Pat and I love Illuminations and want to see it 3-4 times each trip - each time from a different spot in WS - but our DHs see it once and dont' care if they see it again. Ya know, ya gotta go with it then.

AND - when I travel with the grandkids - then we have more of a schedule because they have more things they "have to see", allotment for pool time daily etc.

And Disney Enthusiast:

My husband would tell you that you don't! hahahaha I have learned not to tell him any plans until the day of.......

 

[arminnie]

Ok, I have to admit that I am not a big planner. I think it goes back to when I traveled to Orlando on business 5-6 times a year. I bought an AP, but I was never sure if I would be able to go at a certain time. After all my company was paying my way and work responsibilities came first.

Some of you have mentioned planning skills developed on the job. For many years I did strategic planning so I guess I also wanted a vacation from planning.

But here is probably the main reason I don't plan a lot (notice I did not say NO planning) - I often travel solo and I always travel when it is not crowded. That makes a huge difference. As one person in non-peak times I can usually get into anything. I do make a PS but usually the day I want it.

As a retiree I am now going several times a year. I do spend a fair amount of time planning where I am going to stay, car rental, airfare, etc. I am a new DVC owner (SSSR) and already have 3 reservations for 2004.

I did buy my MNSSHP and MVMCP tickets ahead of time and did CP dinner with PS. Of course my Christmas trip was when I had my appendix out and missed almost everything I had planned. I am going to AKL for a week (Jan28-Feb4) as a make up trip but I am really just going to take it easy.

I've been to WDW more times than I can remember and thought I was quite a pro until I started reading DIS boards this past summer. I have learned so much!! Thanks to all.

I think I would start planning in a hurry if I started not being able to do the things that I wanted to do!!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

I'm definitely crazy! I even plan the quiet times like: 1:30 go back to resort for a swim, take nap, get ready for dinner at 5..... or stroll around the BW, when you get to the BC sit on the swing on the beach and watch the boats go by. I do stop to smell the roses....but I make time for special moments and schedule them on my spreadsheets!

Because I've been going during the slow times, I must schedule the special things like Spectro, because the parade may only happen once or maybe twice while I'm there. If I just go w/ the flow and hope I catch it, the odds are I won't. So even during the value season, I found some planning must be done.

My BIL wouldn't have even known about the Hoop de Doo if it weren't for me scheduling a PS. And he ended up loving it and so did the kids. They dug their heals in about my PS, but they certainly did appreciate it later. All in all I guess they were glad I helped out. Otherwise I don't think the 8 of us would have gotten seats quickly at some of the restaurants. And we had to get my PIL to sit throughout the day to rest. They wouldn't have been able to walk the next day if we did counter service. So the PS's got us all together at least 2 times a day for some rest and nourishment. I did highlight the attractions the kids would enjoy, but let my BIL's family go on their own until the next PS where we would all meet up again. I wasn't a total control freak. I tried really hard to behave myself.

Now I know why I became a DVCer. LOVE to plan! And maybe I can relax a bit now that I am going every year. I was a lot like that PP said. I felt this would be my last time and so I'd better get it all in NOW.

 

[pmcpmc]

I plan is what flight we are taking and where we are staying.
After all we don't have the American obsession with work hard play hard.
What Dvc has allowed us to do is relax and do what we want when we want or not.
I am always amazed by the frenzy i see in the bwv pool as people rush to lunch or head out to dress for dinner.
AH well that's us Irish for you.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Nancy: I don't believe it! You sound like a DVCer planner's hero to me. I do love my life. At least I own at DVC, have 2 great kids and husband, and I get to plan like I want. I just have to tighten up my skills a bit more like you have done. Take care!!

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Brigitte -

Your family sounds like my inlaws! We invited them to come down for the weekend we will be there (we will be there M-Tues) and they had the nerve to tell us that they think our kids are too little for WDW, that age 7 is about perfect!

Hello! I won't even go into how crazy they are, not to mention the kids have already been there and loved it and I was a College Program kid and sort of know my way around! Anyway, we said we'd invite them again in two years when we go, since then the kids will be "old enough!"

I've already decided that when they do go, if they stay with us, they do not get to dictate the schedule! I am in charge of my own domain! Should be pretty enjoyable with that attitude, huh?

 

[mom2rb]

The rule in my house is I have to have 1-2 days (depending on the length of trip) with nothing planned. I also am not aloud to show my husband my note book with all of our PS confirmation numbers, what is going on that day at each park, flight info and town car service. I can tell the kids who we our going to eat with and they can tell Daddy about it but if I start his eyes glaze over. Then the morning of a free day he gets up and asks me what we are going to do.

 

[Deemarch]

I am a planner, too. I love you guys!

Talking with my mom last night about PS for our trip this coming Christmas...I don't even have my ressies yet...It's too early!

Hope to have all of the info I need to make the decisions about PS by Sept. hahaha

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Minnesota Chill - Where'd they come up w/ that age? I think the "experts" base that on what the young kids can remember. But we took my son when he was 8 mos. old and he slept in the restaurants and we took him in the pool and he did great!!! He remembers nothing, but we still have some treasured moments w/ our family... and that is all that matters!

This time, I think we will spend a lot of time in the pool since he loves swimming so much.

And deep down, I know that our son remembers the feelings of Disney. If I keep taking him and talking about Mickey, he is already growing to love it as much as I, even if he doesn't remember much. It's the whole package...the feeling you get inside.

 

[gopherit]

Ahh, so based on the responses to my OP, I am amongst friends, then!

My family just laughs at my obsession. I am not a project manager (nor have I played one on TV), but I am a research chemist, and the "science" of vacation planning is just too conducive to spreadsheets! I have several of my own, LOL, showing everything from expenses to PS to what parks / events for each day, etc. I too try very hard to make sure there's time to stop and smell the roses / pastries / whatever! In fact, that was one area my dh really teased me about last trip -- I always strategically put in "free" days (labeled on spreadsheet as "DWYW" or "Do What You Want" days) -- dh calls them "DSDS" or "Deliberately Scheduled Days of Spontanaiety", haha. I am actually a fairly leisurely person, but dh and his brother had great fun in the parks saying in a mocking voice, "OK, PEOPLE! LET'S MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE IT! WE'RE ON A SCHEDULE HERE! SNOOZE YA LOSE..." as they would dramatically thump the spreadsheet du jour. I don't do all this planning for make our days commando style -- rather, I do it so we DON'T attack the parks that way! Each person in our party is asked prior to the trip to list a certain # of things they really want to experience (a ride, a show, or a meal -- whatever! THe # depends upon the days of the trip .. although usually, the number is 3, even on a 12 day vacation!) The trip is then planned to insure everyone gets their "favorite" choices granted, and is reminded that the pace is meant to be pleasant, so anything they get to see in addition to their requests should be considered gravy, and whatever we miss is just one more reason to come back for another trip! Almost every park day is divided by a "non-park" day, and every other non-park day is a "DSDS" (as dh calls it!) day, just to insure that the tempo isn't kept too frantic!

I know I appreciated every morsel of info my sister ever gave me about WDW with kids -- and she preceeded us in DVC ownership by about 7 years. When we then became members and took my SIL,BIL and their son, they basically let me do all the planning -- and they did appreciate it, and said as much. For this next trip that they will join us, they will probably make a few more of the choices, simply because they are starting to get their "WDW-legs" under them and have ideas of what their family would like to see/do. And that's fine by me! I just want everyone to enjoy it as much as I do! The irony of it all was when SIL remarked to MIL that she didn't think I had a very good time on our last trip because I was constantly planning things and coordinating stuff... ummm, ok, but that's the very stuff that makes it a vacation for me!

I think what bugged me about my colleagues' trip to EPCOT is that they didn't really even give EPCOT a chance, and no doubt think "huh, yeah, we went, what's the big deal about it?" Good grief, they didn't even stick around for Illuminations.

Excuse me -- I think I'm gonna cry again!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

That is just how I do it gopherit! You are always so much more eloquent than I. But you are amongst friends! We all have the planning bug... just a matter of degree.

PS Your little Princess is just darling!

 

[rocketriter]

Gopherit's habit of asking each person to list a small number of don't-want-to-miss favorites is great. It helps people focus on practical goals so they have specific things to look forward to and don't go home disappointed. We do something similar ourselves.

Another thing we do is have a "town meeting" the night before we travel in which we comfortably discuss "ground rules" for people's behavior on the trip. The kids have as much input into these ground rules as the adults do, and they're different every time. Last visit my 7-year-old DD asked for "We help keep each other safe." Oddly enough, it came in handy when we got ready to plunge into heavy crowds and she knew she could count on a hand to hold--including that of her 10-year-old brother, who might have gotten squirmy about hand-holding if he hadn't already bought into the ground rule. Other ground rules that have come and gone depending on circumstances have included "Nobody sleeps with the light on if somebody else is sleeping in the same room," "If somebody says they're tired, take it seriously," and "Nobody has to carry other people's souvenirs." I type these up and post them in our room when we travel. We all gain a surprising amount of comfort and security from knowing we can invoke them if things get out of hand.

It's another form of project planning that uses soft skills rather than scheduling, and I did learn it on the job. (Good grief, I too have done project management and I still keep up my PMP certification. Is that a requirement to join DVC?)

 

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by Dean
Timeshares, DVC included, do not fit well with those that won't plan ahead. In general, 11 months out or more is best but as long as one plans, and acts, by 7 monhts; they will usually be ok. Anything less is asking for trouble.

Oh I plan WHEN I am going to go and make the ressies at 11 months out, I just don't know exactly where I'll be Wednesday at 2:47 pm.

 

[kathleena]

The last trip I took, with DD and DGD8, DGS5 and DF10 - we had everyone vote on the rides they wanted to do. Except for me, I planned the "tour". I listed all the rides in each park, they could all vote for a certain number (since no way could we get to all) and then the kids could all choose one ride per park that they could be the "boss" of. Meaning - when we went on it - they could choose who sat with who etc. We got to all the rides that 3 or 4 people voted for and then separated for the 1s and 2s.

BUT - the kids all had to promise not to ask all day long - when are we going here, are we going on this etc. We told them we would tell them once in the AM and then just not answer them if they asked again. They learned fast and we didn't get nagged all day long.

I like the ground rules thought process. Goes right in line with my two big ones - the living room/kitchen area is a "safe zone" and no one cries or argues in it - they go to into the bedrooms. And everyone leaves their back packs and shoes along the wall in the front hall.

And, I don't know where I'm going to be on 2:47 on Wednesday either. It's not about timing and schedules - it's about making sure important parts of the trip are considered. Like getting to see Spectromagic in the off-season - something I know so well!

 

[Forever a Princess]

First I have to say that we're not official DVC members yet. We haved payed the earnest deposit on a resale for VWL and are waiting for Disney to review the contract.

With that said I belong to the club of those that plan their trips for Disney.

I use Legal pads to plan the itin and the Passporter.

If anyone would like to share their Excel spreadsheets with me I would be on Cloud 9.

I'm still trying to get over the family that is taking THREE days to drive from Lincoln, Nebraska to get to Disney World and then going to CC before arrival.

We live in Omaha which is about an hour west of Lincoln. We have thought about driving but DH and I could not stand a drive that long. We want to get to Disney and we want to get there yesterday. LOL. To each their own.

Planning is almost as much fun as the trip. That way when we get there we can relax and enjoy.

 

[tiberius]

I find every trip we take is a little less pre-planned than the last one. Of course, our Disney experience allows us to do as much with little planning than we could with a lot of planning on the first trip.

One element of every trip we have had is to have a planned "down" day for pool swimming, resort hopping, Downtown Disney shopping, etc....(Last trip we had a morning breakfast at Chef Mickey's, poked around at the Contemporary, then toured each monorail resort one at a time.) Also, on the last day everyone can pick at least one (more if time allows) ride/show they want to see that day--no matter which park.

 

[gopherit]

Originally posted by Disney Enthusiast
That is just how I do it gopherit! You are always so much more eloquent than I. But you are amongst friends! We all have the planning bug... just a matter of degree.

PS Your little Princess is just darling!

Thanks -- and I should note, her name (like your little dumpling in your sig picture) is Caroline! She certainly thinks she's a true princess (or at least she has her 2 older brothers convinced!). Plus, she's got the title all to herself -- she's the first girl in dh's family in over 50 yrs, and only granddaughter!

(She was SUPPOSED to be "John"... but surprise! Somehow I can't see naming the child in my sig picture "John" NOW, can you?!? God laughs in many ways -- and when our dd comes sashaying into the computer room dressed like this, I laugh right along with Him! She's a hoot!)

To the poster who makes "rules" -- ooooh, I like that. We did a parenting class recently where they discussed making ground rules for the family -- and printing them out and posting them. Trouble was, I wanted the rule "No Running in the house"... DH broke the rule the first night. Hmppph. Never thought of making ground rules for vacation -- but guess I'd better make sure first that they are rules DH can abide by!

 

[rocketriter]

I'm happy that a couple of posters have liked the "ground rules" suggestion. I just want to emphasize that during the town meeting, we don't adopt a ground rule unless everyone can get behind it. I don't "make" the rules. The whole discussion is very cordial and supportive, and anyone can propose a rule for consideration. Once everyone has bought in, then anyone can remind anyone else to follow the rule and as long as they do so with a modicum of respect it doesn't trigger a battle.

The poster whose family came up with the idea that the kitchen is a safe zone where nobody cries or fights got it just right.

I actually took a photo on our last trip of the ground rules posted in our room at WL. When we shared the rules with a Kids Night Out babysitter on the night that my wife and I had a "date," she was delighted, too.

Looping back to the original thread topic, we tightly plan about 2/3 of our days--and about 2/3 of each of those planned days. But we try to leave a number of times available where our paths could fork or we could all pile back to the hotel for a swim and snooze.

 

[lenshanem]

I've noticed the more I go, the less I plan. Don't get me wrong, I'm still very complusive, but as I see the DVc years ticking by I think I'll plan less and less with the excpetion of booking the actual room.

it also amzes me how little some peopel know when they get there, I've heard many times peopel going thinking MK WAS WDW and didn't even know about the other parks. Amazing, but true. Or they think contemporary is the place to stay, don't even know about the other resorts at all.

I have a friend who went and I asked her if they did this or that and she told me no, didn't know about it or even worse there was a line so we dind't try it! Bascially, if there was ANY line. She missed out on so much ans still doesn't get it.