does too much planning ruin a trip?

[Eeyore2003]

Here is the deal - you plan like a banshi, then you plan some more, then you change your plans and modify ... you eventually get exasperated and throw your hands up in the air thinking, "We are screwed". All of this planning however is a learning experience. You start to internalize things at WDW. That knowledge in and of itself prepares you to be more flexible in your daily routine once you get there.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!! You need to know how to "change" when things go wrong. One time we were at EPCOT for EMH. (then called EE ), we were 15 minutes late, meaning we got in at 8:15. Went straight to TT, which at that time was the BIG headliner there. My DH and DS went on TT and by the the 8:15!!! the line was ONE AND ONE HALF HOURS long!!!!!!!!!! AND THEY WAITED!!! Well, it was one of those times I got a "little" peaved!!! They were instructed NEVER to wait that long again!!!

Anyway, because I had the info in my head, I knew that Typhoon Lagoon opened at, at that time I think it was 10:00 or so. I told them that we were now with the crowd and would be standing in lines the whole day. They protested with me all the way OUT of EPCOT saying, "Oh we'll do fine". This was also before FP, so there wasn't even salvation in that area.

I explained that we were going to TL and would come back tomorrow and get there BEFORE the park opened. We were there for the opening of TL, they got to do Shark Reef 3 times slowly and could have gone even more if they wanted with no line, ( I also knew to head straight there before THAT line built up). Then they went on slides and we ended a wonderful day at TL doing the wave pool. The day was relaxing, enjoyable, and fun. I don't think it would have been this way at EPCOT.

We went back to EPCOT the next AM, regular entry, but 45 minutes before the park opened, they got to ride TT with no lines, TWICE, and we went on to all the rest of the rides and breezed through that day too. It's the plan, but also mostly the knowledge you acquire planning that really helps when things go NOT as planned. AND it seems they always do!!!

BTW, they never doubted my judgement again!!!!

nataliesdaddy, I LOVE the "We're screwed" part. Happens everytime. I just get to the point where I never think it will work "AGAIN" and nerves kick in. Not when it's just "my family", but when we're taking people who've never been there and you want to share as much as you can, but still make it relaxing. You get to the point where you say, "This will never work!!!" So far (fingers crossed) we've done well, very well indeed and everyone has had a great time!!!

 

[Jodi3530]

---------------------------------------------
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!

21 months 1 week!!! My family will be at the world for the first time then!!! I thought I was the only one planning for that far out!