Do we really need an itenerary?

[lisagirlyUK]

Hi,

there are 7 of us going to Orlando for the first time. We are going in August and dont know where we are staying yet as we are allocated a villa on arrival. We also have 2 cars between us to use.

What I wanted to know is do we need to have an itenerary? I have the Brits guide 2004 and we have alos bought our 5 day disney ticket and the 5 park flexi ticket as well as 2 dinner shows. My family reckon Im being a control freak and we should just play it by ear but Im worried we might miss out on something. However, if we have bad weather or if any of us fall ill, then the interary will be out the window.

Any advice on what we should do?

Thanks

 

[Minnie Mare]

I suggest that you do have an itinerary. I check out what the parks offer before we travel and do a "soft" itinerary to include what we do not want to miss and plan my days around PS's and ressies for the shows. I do not however feel like the itinerary is cast in stone and if we decide to skip something or do something else it's OK. I think of it as a personal guide. There is so much to see and do and it could get overwhelming if you don't have some kind of game plan. That's just my opinion, so many people approach WDW in different ways.

 

[UKDEB]

I'm in complete agreement with Minnie Mare. As a minimum, I would make a list of your "must-dos" and a note of the Disney Park Early Entry days (avoiding these is the single best way of avoiding the worst of the crowds).

Planning and creating an itinerary are both part of the fun for me, but we rarely stick to it once we're there. Often we wake up and fancy doing something completely different. The itinerary does allow us to keep track of what we've done and what we'd still like to do.

The first time we went back in 1992, I definitely went over the top with the whole 'blitz it' thing and realised afterwards that I'd forgotten to take time out to enjoy myself! These days we make sure we soak it all up - the wonderful weather, the amazing theming of the parks and resorts, the 'just being there'.

So I guess my advice is to go ahead and draw up your plan as an enjoyable exercise in itself, but don't let yourself get stressed if it all goes out the window once you arrive in Orlando. You WILL be going back! I thought I was taking my one and only trip of a lifetime back in '92, but I'm currently planning my 10th (and 11th!) trips.

 

[Hilary]

Another vote for an itinerary of some sort!

I do remember being told before our first trip to Orlando that I should have some idea of the things we wanted to do - otherwise we'd waste a lot of time thinking rather than doing things. I didn't 'get it' at all, and only knew that we wanted to visit all of the Disney parks and both USF and SeaWorld (not much of a plan really!).

It wasn't until we arrived and appreciated the enormity of what was on offer that we understood a bit of planning would be helpful. Luckily, the Virgin rep who sold us our tickets took pity on us and drew up a plan then and there. We're still grateful to her and wonder whether, if we'd been left to wander aimlessly around for ourselves, we'd have enjoyed it as much as we did - and made us want to keep going back.

As a first-timer, I'd suggest not getting too bogged down with specifics, but just a more general idea of what's on offer in each of the parks to give you an idea of where to head each day - especially important with a largish group who will all suggest different things, given the chance!

Good luck!

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Planning and itinerary making are all part of the fun!!!

We usually have planning nights (and days) - where everyone gets together and we begin to make plans - from the making of the reservations, to planning the days in the parks and what dining reservations we need to make. It is great fun!!

Cath

 

[RUSHBURY]

Hi

My friends - there are usually 9 of us - think I'm 'MAD' and a 'CONTROL FREAK' with my planning and organising etc - BUT - every night I get asked 'so what are we doing tomorrow then?' - so I'd go with an itinerary of some sort - must do's etc but remember to keep some time for relaxing too - after all you are on holiday!

Have a great time.

Helen

 

[lisagirlyUK]

I think what I will do is basically use the guide in the back of the Brits Guide 2004 and stick to the parks on the lightest days in there (which probably wont be very light in August). Would say, sticking to the parks during the week, then relaxing and shopping at the weekends make sense?

Thanks

 

[UKDEB]

I prefer to shop during the week. Needless to say, all the locals do their shopping at weekends.

 

[vernon]

Another vote for having some sort of "soft" itinerary. I would say that you could "lose" a little of the control freak label by asking everyone to contribute to the itinerary by making suggestions/comments on any must do activities for them.

As with many things much is to do with the presentation, if you put it as a way of making sure that no one gets to the end of the holiday saying " I only wanted to do X and I never got to do it" it may help the others see the value of planning to ensure that everyone gets to experience the things that they are most keen on.

 

[keswick1uk]

We have had a huge coincidence happen. A family from our school, in fact our sons are in the same class, are going on exactly the same flights as we are. Well, since finding this out the boys have become firm friends so we are going to meet them out there for one day in Magic Kingdom (their sons birthday).

In order to plan that day we are getting together over a pizza and a few beers.

So, Lisa, why don't you use your planning as a great excuse for a pre-holiday get together?

 

[matty624]

I know everyone else says you need some sort of itinerary, but I have to admit, we've never bothered, and still had a fantastic time.
I suppose if it's a once in a life time trip you'd need to pack in as much as possible though. Also, if there is alot of you, or more than one family, you'll need some sort of plan to avoid falling out with each other!
We avoid the water parks at weekends, otherwise make sure you know when parks are suppose to be 'quieter', although having been in August 6 times, there is never a quiet time!
Ian

 

[lisagirlyUK]

After discussion with my family today, we have decided to put together a kind of theme park synopsis sheet. eg, name of park, how long to spend there (such as WDW take a full day at a park). For full details please see my posting - Park Synopsis.

I'd appreciate if anyone could give me any park details. Like I said, I have never been before so we dont even know what is in the parks!!!


Thank you

 

[Katies Dad]

Best thing we ever did was to take the advice from the boards, and all you wonderful people... do an itinery, you will be so glad you have a plan, otherwise, you could waste a lot of your holiday.

 

[Chicago526]

If you don't mind taking a tip from a Yank...

August is unbelievably hot and humid in Florida. Whatever you plan each day, plan to leave the park and head back to the hotel for naps and/or swims, or just a break, sometime in the afternoon. My mother and I usually got to the park around opening, left the park at 2PM and returned after dinner, around 6 and stayed until close. We'd have melted away otherwise. This is especially important if you have kids under 10 in your group, they really need the break.

I hope you enjoy Disney and the US!