does too much planning ruin a trip?

[aphasia83]

I thought I was a planner, before I found the DisBoards! Now I see I'm a lot more easygoing than most (here, anyway!) about my trip plans. But here's the deal:

I am going to Disney for the first time in 12 years, since I was a child. I really don't remember much of it, so it will be like the first time ever.

Part of me wants to make use of the touringplans.com pre-made plans for Disney parks, because I want to see the sights and not waste my day wandering around aimlessly. But then again, it makes me nervous because this is a HOLIDAY, it was supposed to be laid-back and enjoyable, not a "lets fit as much as we can into one day" sort of thing.

Also, my boyfriend is my travel partner, and he is completely about the laid-back "do what you want to do in the moment" sort of attitude. Over-planning would just kill the holiday for him.

So what do you suggest? Has over-planning taken the magic out of your Disney holiday? Do you think I would be better off to use the touring plans as a guide, and then just take things as they come?

 

[MommytoMJM]

We go often, so take this with a grain of salt....but we have found overplanning to really cause trouble for us. We have much more fun if we take things as they come....

 

[nataliesdaddy]

I thought I was a planner, before I found the DisBoards! Now I see I'm a lot more easygoing than most (here, anyway!) about my trip plans. But here's the deal:

I am going to Disney for the first time in 12 years, since I was a child. I really don't remember much of it, so it will be like the first time ever.

Part of me wants to make use of the touringplans.com pre-made plans for Disney parks, because I want to see the sights and not waste my day wandering around aimlessly. But then again, it makes me nervous because this is a HOLIDAY, it was supposed to be laid-back and enjoyable, not a "lets fit as much as we can into one day" sort of thing.

Also, my boyfriend is my travel partner, and he is completely about the laid-back "do what you want to do in the moment" sort of attitude. Over-planning would just kill the holiday for him.

So what do you suggest? Has over-planning taken the magic out of your Disney holiday? Do you think I would be better off to use the touring plans as a guide, and then just take things as they come?

Yes, I believe it could if you are not flexible

 

[cocowum]

I would just go with the flow and have a wonderful time.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

aphasia8 - you are soooo right!!!

When I planned my first Disney cruise, I planned so much that it took the magic away. Everyone in my family was sitting there saying, "wow - look at that" while I'm thinking to myself, "yeah, ok that is right where the Disboard said it would be"....

I've planned, read and now I'm gonna sit back and enjoy the anticipation!!!

 

[KarenAylwood]

IMO, don't plan, but KNOW what you want to do. I mean, research Disney pretty well ahead of time (stuff you know you'd love, stuff BF would love). It won't just get you excited but you'll know something instead of "wandering aimlessly".

I agree that lots of planning can ruin a trip and that you should go with the flow... but just have an idea of where that flow is actually going...

Have fun!!

 

[jaysmom4285]

I think that some basic planning can make your trip much more enjoyable, but you don't have to map out every minute. At a minimum, we check park hours, determine which parks we'll go to on which days and how early we plan to arrive, make note of parades/fireworks that we want to be sure to see, and note which attractions are a must so that we can get those done early, before crowds arrive. If you want to eat at any particular full-service restaurants, PS's are a good idea, especially if you're going at a busier time. That way, we aren't overscheduled, but there's enough focus in our plans so that we can be sure to see what we want to see, and also just be able to tour at a leisurely pace and do whatever moves us at the moment sometimes. It also helps to be able to accept that, unless you have a very long vacation, you just won't be able to see and do everything on this trip.

 

[Selket]

There is probably a "golden mean" - just the right amount of planning. And some folks need more planning than others. I certainly planned less when it was just me and DH. Having 2 young kids - one with many medical needs - I do much more planning. It also depends on what time of year you are visiting the parks - crowded or not? And also depends on how often you go...perhaps a DVC owner or folks who go one or more times a year would just go with the flow more, not be as anxious to see as many things, or already know when to do what and not have to think about it.

You can overplan and underplan but I've been more miserable when I didn't plan, hit large crowds and wasn't able to see what I wanted.

 

[lab_girl]

I think that some basic planning can make your trip much more enjoyable, but you don't have to map out every minute. At a minimum, we check park hours, determine which parks we'll go to on which days and how early we plan to arrive, make note of parades/fireworks that we want to be sure to see, and note which attractions are a must so that we can get those done early, before crowds arrive. If you want to eat at any particular full-service restaurants, PS's are a good idea, especially if you're going at a busier time. That way, we aren't overscheduled, but there's enough focus in our plans so that we can be sure to see what we want to see, and also just be able to tour at a leisurely pace and do whatever moves us at the moment sometimes. It also helps to be able to accept that, unless you have a very long vacation, you just won't be able to see and do everything on this trip.

---------------------------------------------
Thank you!...I too have been debating how much to plan (scary since we R not going until 2007) I have copied out your 'quote' and thanx to DISboards I will know all of the 'ins-and-outs' and time and money savers before I get there!

 

[Dementia]

I agree with Jaysmom and Selket. Since you haven't been in 12 years, it'll be hard NOT to feel the magic (I can relate we don't get to go so often either), so I don't think you can overplan. Like has been mentioned my suggestion would be simply to make a list of what you absolutely MUST see, and take it from there. Also, I would suggest making use of things like kidswitch (if you have kids) and fastpass, and time savers like that, which will help cut back on a lot as well.

 

[Woodcourt]

We are not really big planners, and are pretty laid back, but for the past few trips, we have picked where we wanted to eat and worked our schedule around that. Last year when we went, we planned some days and others we left open...we wasted SO much time walking around on the days we had no set plans for dining. We walked ALL the way around the world showcase just reading menus and could not pick a place. We decided that from now on, we will do what we have done in the past which is get our meals set at the places we do NOT want to miss and plan the parks accordingly. Hope that helps. You will enjoy being there regardless of what you do, I am not a touring plan person, but like to have some structure

 

[iluvpiglet]

My sister Kirstin'sMommy is a big planner of all of our trips so far. She gets the touring plans and they really work. They tell you which rides to ride in what order and there are little or no lines when you ride them. As you are getting off the ride, the masses are getting in line to ride. You should take advantage of these guides especially if you're going at a busy time.

 

[aphasia83]

Thanks guys, as usual you have been incredibly helpful!

I am actually going next week, it's a pretty last minute trip (had about a month to plan, but it was during exams, so really I have this one week to plan!)

I am a person who takes FOREVER to decide what to eat, so I will know now to decide ahead of time. I agree, some planning is necessary, but now I can see that I should be careful not to overdo it!

 

[Meggie Pooh]

I think that as long as you have a basic plan, and an idea of what you can't miss (both attraction and food wise) that is pretty good. I look at park hours and what not, but more often than not, we just end up getting on the first bus that comes along! I have found that some of the best memories from all my trips have come when we didn't plan every second out. I think that keeping to such a strict schedule would stress me out! I know that there are certain things that I don't want to miss, we do those, then everything else is just bonus fun!

Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

[Eeyore2003]

This thread has some of the best advice I've seen. Yes, I think you can overplan and by that I mean that you aren't enjoying your time because you are so focused on "what to do next and where to be etc" and making everyone in general, including yourself miserable (been there done that). Not relaxing or fun.

But you can also definitely "underplan" and agree with the poster that admitted to the "wandering" around in a lost fashion. Been there done that too. Not relaxing or fun.

DisneyWorld is HUGE and if you don't have some background info, some ressies made, and a general idea of parks and rides, you'll be lost in the dust. Not relaxing or fun. So somewhere is a happy medium and with following at least some type of planning, your day will be much more relaxing and fun.

 

[HenDuck]

That's our basic strategy.

We research as much as possible about things we want to do, see, eat. We make sure to know when to go to which park and when to stay away. We make special plans for certain days, like character meals, shopping trips, etc.

Then we pretty much go with the flow given the above considerations. We have a preschooler in our group and a couple of people who don't know what the word "plan" means, , so we have to balance each person's idiosyncracies.

I think overplanning can only hurt your trip if it gets in the way of having FUN which is the whole point of going to WDW anyway, yes?

Anyways, great thread. Thanks!

 

[disney junky]

So much of overplanning is not thinking you have enough time to see everything. Now that we stay longer, it's easier to walk away from a long line knowing that you can come back later. As mentioned before, the fast passes have made a huge difference IMHO.

 

[Mainebound]

I think planning is fun, and there is no such thing as overplanning for those who enjoy it. However, your attitude towards sticking to the plan when actually on your WDW vacation matters a lot.

If you tend to get anxious, upset, and/or irritated at deviations from your plan, then it is probbaly best not to plan too much or at all. However, if you are like me, and take such deviations with a grain of salt (I have two preschoolers -- this is my life!), then you get all the fun of doing the planning, with the benefits of using the plan, and none of the problems with sticking to a plan which circumstances have conspired to make imperfect.

 

[Shagley]

I think it depends on the person whether or not overplanning can take away from the fun. I always overplan, but to me, planning is part of the fun.

When we go, we will have a touring plan that tells us the best time for each of the rides. But, once we actually get there, I am not a nazi about sticking to the plan. we may find that it is not as busy as I had planned for, and then the plan will just be a general outline.

Personally, I have more fun if I have some sort of schedule (not a strict one but an idea of what I will be doing next), I get nervous if I just wander without a plan. On the other hand, there are many people who feel stiffled by a schedule and would rather "play it by ear" (get it...play it by EAR ).

Just do as much or as little planning as makes you happy, and have a great trip

 

[ValerieK]

Thanks guys, as usual you have been incredibly helpful!

I am actually going next week, it's a pretty last minute trip (had about a month to plan, but it was during exams, so really I have this one week to plan!)

I am a person who takes FOREVER to decide what to eat, so I will know now to decide ahead of time. I agree, some planning is necessary, but now I can see that I should be careful not to overdo it!

DH hates the 'over planning' of trips, so I just have a general plan of what parks we are going to, I try to make my PS's and then have a list of must-do's. I just make sure we get to the parks at opening and take the time to do more than just rides.

We are going next week also. See you there.