Do you really need to plan that much?

[jsmla]

Planning is part of the fun, but I would be interested to see how many people actually follow the minute-by-minute variety. I'm guessing when a plan is that inflexible, it goes out the window at some point. It simply isn't possible to maintain a minute-by-minute over the course of a week or more, and you miss so much by not letting the magic catch up with you........
I'd love to do a study to see if they're also the ones having nightmares, pre-trip panic and family mutiny!

We were basically minute-by-minute planners with a twist or two. We planned strictly only for the mornings and we avoided the park criss-crossing. Although we had to take our trips in the summer we gave ourselves the luxury of time, usually somewhere between 12-14 days. So, a typical trip would have two Epcot mornings, two MGM mornings, three Magic Kingdom mornings and one Animal Kingdom morning. We were always there for opening, the EMH morning if possible.

So, here's a typical Magic Kingdom morning OC style.

(To keep this long post from getting even longer I just have an outline here. In reality I had a ride by ride itinerary.)

Arrive at the Magic Kingdom for EMH
7:30/8:00-9:00 (the morning EMH used to be the Extra Magic Hour and 1/2)
Tour Fantasyland's big attractions except for the Teacups and be at the Fantasyland entrance to Liberty Square for 8:55
9:00-11:30 (or so)
Tour Frontierland's biggies and ride the Jungle Cruise.
Get outta Dodge

On a second MK EMH morning we'd do basically the same sort of thing hitting Tomorrowland and the Teacups during EMH and then Toontown for it's opening

These schedules, while not truly flexible, gave us plenty of time for "non-itinerary" stuff like bathroom visits or re-riding Dumbo. We never stood in long lines (usually 5 minutes or less) and everyone got a chance to to something they loved. After a nice swim or nap in the room we were ready for all the smelling of the roses and capturing of the magic that Disney could throw our way that evening. No nightmares, no panic and no mutinies. DH wasn't over the moon about the whole WDW thing but his idea of a great family vacation is backcountry camping in the Tetons and even he got an absolute thrill out of passing all of those hot, sticky masses in line as we made our way back to our nice, cool resort.

 

[clonetothebone]

I planned everything last trip based on UG Touring Plans and used them as guidelines. First trip we went I had no idea how big WDW was and found that we wasted a lot of time trying to decide what to do next or if it was too far to go do something else and come back.

As far as a specific touring plan..step by step...I would say this is unnecesarry but studying the maps and gaining an understanding of the parks layout and which attractions you need to que up early is important.

Like others have posted...next trip I will plan specific days in the parks based on EMH and ADR's and may go as far as to which area of the MK on certain days but that will be it. After you have been there a couple of times it is much easier.

 

[pepperw23]

Hi everybody! I have read many posts about some major planning. Now, I think planning and saving money is always a good thing, however, I think you can almost overdo it. I read somewhere about somebody saving 3 minutes walking to a ride 1 way vs another? 3 minutes? Come on now....I just know what I want to ride and what I want to see. Somebody always told me KISS keep it simple silly!

Mr. Mike

No me. The only major planning I did was my ADR's. I just planed what I wanted to eat and if we were somewhere else when it came time then we would just simply head that way. We didn't want to plan right down to what park at what time etc... It worked out well for us.