Does anyone just "wing it" anymore?

[4theloveofdisney]

Years ago, I never knew that the Disboards existed or even that there were websites out there about Disney except for Disney itself. Consequently, we took our WDW vacations without much knowledge - and had a great time without any sort of plan in our heads. We didn't know about ADR's or Fast Passes or "best days". Imagine that! Today, I consider myself somewhat of an expert on Disney and while our trips now aren't scheduled in stone, we do try to get some ADR's, take advantage of FP's, best days and so on. It does help things to go a little smoother and we utilize our time a bit better as well. Sure there are days that the schedule goes out the window but at least I had fun planning that schedule!

 

[Daxx]

We usually get PS for a dinner or two before the trip and wing it for the rest. Matter of fact, we generally don't make any plans or do the whole "commando" thing.

However, this vaca., we booked all of our meals in advance b/c we're doing the "free dining" pkg. in Aug. The CRO person who booked our vaca. said that we should book PS's as quickly as possible as we might not get our choices. So, last night, I booked almost all of our PS seatings. We'll def. hold tight to three of those times as one is a b-day meal at Chef Mickey's, another is breakfast at O'Hana's and the other is Hoop-De-Doo Review. The rest we can cancel if we want to. I didn't book some of the days since I figure we can wing it and see what happens!

 

[jswalker1981]

Since my GF and I stay off-site, we have to see which days don't have a morning EMH, and we go to the parks on those days. We try to get there early enough so we don't have to wait too long in lines for our favorite rides. I normally just plan out the first couple of attractions that we see, and then by then, we just wing it. For instance, I went last weekend, and we went to AK on Friday because they had no morning EMH. The first thing we did was got to EE, get a FP, and then wait in line. I also wanted to ride Dinosaur, but a CM gave us FPs for Flights of Wonder, so we grabbed a FP for Dinosaur, and then went to FOW. In MK, we normally hit Frontierland first, since we can just walk onto Splash and Thunder Mtn. But after that, we do what we want, whenever we want. But we do keep an eye on FP return times, i.e. Peter Pan and Space Mtn. When we go to any park, I have an idea of what I want to do first, after that, it is whatever we come across.

 

[jann1033]

we always make adrs and usually know what park what day, since we go to emh we go on those rides first ( duh,) but other than that we don't usually plan things out much.. i do think if you haven't been in a long time or never been, i wouldn't wing it...to much to miss. pre dis boards i read tons of guide books pretrips but i do that any vacation we take( we call that "detail oriented" instead of the more uncomplimentary term with the initials a.r.)

i think it would be hard not to make adrs now unless you really don't care where you eat ( which is not me) since that is the 'Disney" way , it makes it hard for those who want to "rebel"

 

[pepperw23]

I love to plan, but I also love to wing it a little. As the years go by, I notice more people have every meal and every day planned to the minute.

I like to leave a couple days open to do whatever comes up.

Anyone else wing it some?

All I plan are our TS meals, and how we will get there. I plan out the most logical parks for whatever TS we will be at that evening or morning, but I also figure in the "lets go somewhere else factor" and try to figure out the best way to get to each of my TS meals from each park. That frees us up pretty much. My family said they do not want to feel tied down on vacation, I am good with that, as long as I know I have a ressie for chow time.

 

[diswedwish]

Phew! Reading this made me feel much better Former commando-style planner, but this trip it's just my mom and I. I do have some ADRs - but not every day, and 2 tours lined up. But I was starting to get the shakes since I feel no desire to plan out our days. Desire to spend time here, yes, desire to plan every second as I used to, no. I thought maybe there was something wrong with me

 

[Jen_in_NH]

DH and I aren't much for planning. About a week before or so, we look at which park is open when, times for fireworks, etc. We get a general idea of which park on which day, which is all subject to change.

I've never made ADRs until the day before, and never have a problem. We usually go at pretty quiet times, though

Jen

 

[kaelarad]

We wing it as well for the most part. We do make ADR's and are aware of EMH, especially the morning ones as we love being in the parks early in the morning. We like to wander and figure out what we want to do as we go along. We do a little more planning for our Christmas trip, only because it is a busy time for the world.

 

[loriandmatt]

for our first two trips i was the oober-planner. now that we have a general knowledge of what days are good for what parks and other "basic" rules, i don't plan as much. especially for the few years between 2001 and 2005. last year (and this year too) though, because of the free dining plans, if we want to eat at a certain place we really have to plan ahead and make ressies. the restaruants fill up with the free dining plans.

- lori

 

[Glorydaz]

ok, I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I love planning!! and on most of my previous trips, I had it all down to a tee - which park, which section, which rides...thankfully, in my "wiser" years, I am learning the pleasures of "winging"...also becoming a DVC member gives me the breathing room that I don't have to accomplish Everest first time out! seriously, I'm learning to slow down, smell the roses ( or whatever) and relax...

but Disney doesn't always let you do that, depending on when your visits are planned....I always make ADR's now because if I don't, I won't get to try any of the restaurants I want...and yes, I thoroughly enjoy a good sit down meal! I'm also learning the ways of the FP because there are certain rides I just love! and it would be a sad day to see me crying in the middle of the park because I can't ride EE or Soarin' ....

these days, I'll plan a park around my ADR's..but I'm free as to deciding what to do inside the parks....only a very few rides are musts and then again, there's always the next trip! ( penciled in already - thank-you)! oops, that's considered planning, isn't it??!!

 

[ilovemcbride]

I almost always wing it. The only thing I plan is my dinner at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. I'd rather wing it than plan for months and then something happen that screwed my plans up.