Does anyone "not plan" their trips ever or sometimes?

[lucincia]

For most vacations, no matter to where, I always OVERPLAN. I read up everything on it. Get all of the opinions and angles. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Basically a fanatic - my wife avoids me when I am in that kind of mode

But, once we get on the road/plane/whatever and on our vacation, the plan is put on the backburner. Other than some non-changeable ressies we may have booked (like show tickets), everything is in flux, and I don't mind. But, since I have "overplanned", I can casually work the group back into the "plan groove" at a convenient time without stressing everyone out. And since we overplanned and have the knowledge, we are more confident with the changes we make on the fly in the middle of the vacation, without having to second-guess our choices.

Sometimes you have to plan in order to relax

 

[marcyinPA]

I'm a planner. We've been so many times now, though, that I don't really make a daily itinerary. I do plan meals (so I have PS's for TS meals) and generally we go to whichever park is nearest the place we are eating. I also plan the resort in advance. Other than that, we go w/ the flow.

I do have friends who "wing it" when they go down. They'll book their hotel about a week in advance and then take it as it comes. No ps's for meals or anything. I don't think I could be that flexible!

 

[yeaitspootie]

I used to plan for every day, but now I believe that it's just better to do your own thing and go on the spur of the moment. Now granted, I'll plan the nights I'm staying and where I'm staying and how I'm getting there, but other than that it's all circumstance. However, if you go during a crowded time, I think it's best to have a game plan, cause things can get a little crazy in summer

 

[ufgator]

The only thing we plan is booking the resort before we leave. We usually decide a week or two before we go. We live 2.5 hours away and go a lot so if we miss something, we'll be back. Plus, we're familiar with WDW and we don't have kids yet so we don't really need to plan.

 

[miksad]

Hi!

We've been to WDW 33 times, and are going down January 26-30th for our 34th. I plan extensively, and we even make our own guidebook for each trip (it's a great way to remember the trip as well). Nothing is set in stone, of course, as Disney is always wonderful for experiencing the moment and enjoying the surprises. However, I do highly recommend that you make advance reservations well in advance and any tours, etc. that you might want to do. Just 95 days to go!!!!

 

[Leota]

For most vacations, no matter to where, I always OVERPLAN. I read up everything on it. Get all of the opinions and angles. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Basically a fanatic - my wife avoids me when I am in that kind of mode

But, once we get on the road/plane/whatever and on our vacation, the plan is put on the backburner. Other than some non-changeable ressies we may have booked (like show tickets), everything is in flux, and I don't mind. But, since I have "overplanned", I can casually work the group back into the "plan groove" at a convenient time without stressing everyone out. And since we overplanned and have the knowledge, we are more confident with the changes we make on the fly in the middle of the vacation, without having to second-guess our choices.

Sometimes you have to plan in order to relax

I could have written that. It's exactly me. I do the same thing no matter where we are traveling to. I feel better knowing about my destination, then it lets me relax & go with the flow.

 

[wdwfan26]

We normally go on vacation for 9 days. The first 4 or 5 days are planned so that we can do everything in the least possible time, i hate those lines. The last half of the trip we do and go wherever and whenever we want. Usually hopping on the first bus we see.

 

[maxiesmom]

I bow down before those of you who can go to Disney without a plan!

Me, not plan?

 

[bwv4me]

I "plan" for dinner every night. Ususally in EPCOT, but at least one in MK. I decide which parks to do based on what I think my kids might like best. I am very flexible and don't feel the need to be in a park when the ropes drop, nor do we need to close them down. I have even changed dining ressies once down there when we change plans.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We have never been planners. Just wake up and decide what park we are going to that day. Haven't used TS restaurants before because we never know where we are going to eat so we don't have ADRs. We've never had a trip that we didn't enjoy and I kind of feel sorry for the people that put themselves on such a tight schedule that they are more concerned about getting somewhere at a specific time, than just having a good time.

However, we have made a couple of exceptions for the trip we leave for on Wednesday. 1) Have ADR's @ Raglan Road the night we arrive because we got one of the Clear Channel certificates. 2) Must go to Magic Kingdom on Thursday because DS really needs a haircut and has been holding out for Harmony Barber Shop.

 

[DVCajun]

I think that once you're a veteran you can wing it. I make PS's for the restaurants I want, then just wing it after that depending on our mood that day. I think newbies need to plan to be able to get the most out of their trip.

 

[bwv4me]

However, we have made a couple of exceptions for the trip we leave for on Wednesday. 1) Have ADR's @ Raglan Road the night we arrive because we got one of the Clear Channel certificates. 2) Must go to Magic Kingdom on Thursday because DS really needs a haircut and has been holding out for Harmony Barber Shop.

2 questions:
What is Raglan Road? I've been many times and don't know what this is!
And why do you need to do MK on a Thursday in order to get a haircut? Isn't the barbershop open every day? (Perhaps we have just hit it right!)

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Raglan Road is the new Irish Pub that opened in Downtown Disney.

We want the haircut on Thursday because we arrive late in the afternoon on Wednesday and Harmony will be closed by the time we get there. This is a "must" for the first day as I don't think I can handle the hair much longer (no pun intended--LOL). He's been using this as an excuse not to get a haircut for weeks now.

 

[sugermouse]

Yea we don't plan much either. We used to, but its now pretty pointless. It sucks because if you stick by a plan, you kinda rob yourself of the freedom of the vacation. YOU CANT PLAN FUN!

 

[bwv4me]

Raglan Road is the new Irish Pub that opened in Downtown Disney.

We want the haircut on Thursday because we arrive late in the afternoon on Wednesday and Harmony will be closed by the time we get there. This is a "must" for the first day as I don't think I can handle the hair much longer (no pun intended--LOL). He's been using this as an excuse not to get a haircut for weeks now.

Thanks for the info. We got DS's haircut (age 16 months) there in August. I miss the old location and set up!