Family not in love with all my planning?!

[Mikie]

What?! Not everyone in the world loves to scour DISboards, read tip guides, subscribe to every Disney blog out there, talk about strategies with total strangers 7+ months in advance?

I'm going in October with extended family vs. our usual immediate-family-only trip. My Dad and I are all about DIsney planning, little-known "nuggets" and researching. Some of the others can get interested in the conversation for a bit, and a few including my DH, mom and 6yo son! are already tired of hearing it!

Despite not being asked to DO one single bit of planning, they are tired of even being in the room when the topic comes up (and it ALWAYS comes up!

I know they are frustrated with the feeling that ADRs FP+ and touring plans make it all seem so structured and more like a workday than a vacation. HOWEVER, I also know they'll be darn glad I did all this planning when we go and have a great time!

I'm going to need tips on how to use a touring plan without letting them KNOW I'm using a touring plan, or they'll revolt. THey'll totally "go with the flow" if they think I've just come up with an idea on the spot, but probably rip a plan out of my hands if I bring a printed one

Maybe I'll have it printed in miniature on the backs of my sunglass lenses

Anyone else travel with family who's not *quite* as invested as you are?

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm going to need tips on how to use a touring plan without letting them KNOW I'm using a touring plan, or they'll revolt. THey'll totally "go with the flow" if they think I've just come up with an idea on the spot, but probably rip a plan out of my hands if I bring a printed one

I'd be leaving them to their own devices and following the TP by myself. Meet up later and compare who got more done.

 

[Patricia F]

I am a details person. My husband and daughter - not so much. My husband has a saying - "Where, when and how much". So I'm leaving them out of the detailed plans and they are going to follow my lead when were are there - what park, what rides, what meals, etc.

So they will have the fun of it all and I will be the one sticking to my plan and we'll all be happy!

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

What?! Not everyone in the world loves to scour DISboards, read tip guides, subscribe to every Disney blog out there, talk about strategies with total strangers 7+ months in advance?

I'm going in October with extended family vs. our usual immediate-family-only trip. My Dad and I are all about DIsney planning, little-known "nuggets" and researching. Some of the others can get interested in the conversation for a bit, and a few including my DH, mom and 6yo son! are already tired of hearing it!

Despite not being asked to DO one single bit of planning, they are tired of even being in the room when the topic comes up (and it ALWAYS comes up!

I know they are frustrated with the feeling that ADRs FP+ and touring plans make it all seem so structured and more like a workday than a vacation. HOWEVER, I also know they'll be darn glad I did all this planning when we go and have a great time!

I'm going to need tips on how to use a touring plan without letting them KNOW I'm using a touring plan, or they'll revolt. THey'll totally "go with the flow" if they think I've just come up with an idea on the spot, but probably rip a plan out of my hands if I bring a printed one

Maybe I'll have it printed in miniature on the backs of my sunglass lenses

Anyone else travel with family who's not *quite* as invested as you are?

Yes, I get what you are saying. I to have been planning with some very extended family and I couldn't get them to even let me know the top 3 rides they wanted and even had one in the family that was ready to cancel the whole trip because of all the info we were asking him to decide on months before his trip. Me and another family member are just kind of making the plans with our best knowledge of the rest of the group and are going to use lead them through the day.

 

[photo_chick]

My experience has been that non planners get overwhelmed easily and freak out about being "over planned". My husband hates to hear the planning so I just don't tell him about it. When we're at the park he's happy I've done it because he benefits.

Keep the TP on your phone. Just tell them you're consulting ride wait times.

 

[gorjus121]

I'm going to need tips on how to use a touring plan without letting them KNOW I'm using a touring plan, or they'll revolt. THey'll totally "go with the flow" if they think I've just come up with an idea on the spot, but probably rip a plan out of my hands if I bring a printed one
?

I have spreadsheets for my days, events, reservations...my family thinks I'm nuts, but that got them BOG and the FDP in the same night. They were thrilled in the end.

We used a touring plan for AK and MK on our first family trip with the grandparents. I knew on these two days we were going at rope drop if not earlier for a breakfast ressie. We have young boys and I knew the grandparents weren't up to anything crazy. The touring plan was helpful and only my husband knew. I had them printed but I looked them over the night before and pretty much used my phone app and memorization. I stuck to the touring plan for the first half of the day and it worked out perfectly but still gave everyone a chance to choose what they felt like doing. I got GREAT tips on how to start and we got a lot in in the first 2 1/2 hours. Touring plans definitely helped me but I don't think I could stick to a whole day. Good luck.

 

[MinnieMouse100]

I'm a big planner too and on our last trip we brought my parents and they were worried that I had "over scheduled ". But once we were there they were the ones always asking me "what's next". I think non planners need us planners sometimes

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

What?! Not everyone in the world loves to scour DISboards, read tip guides, subscribe to every Disney blog out there, talk about strategies with total strangers 7+ months in advance?

I'm going in October with extended family vs. our usual immediate-family-only trip. My Dad and I are all about DIsney planning, little-known "nuggets" and researching. Some of the others can get interested in the conversation for a bit, and a few including my DH, mom and 6yo son! are already tired of hearing it!

Despite not being asked to DO one single bit of planning, they are tired of even being in the room when the topic comes up (and it ALWAYS comes up!

I know they are frustrated with the feeling that ADRs FP+ and touring plans make it all seem so structured and more like a workday than a vacation. HOWEVER, I also know they'll be darn glad I did all this planning when we go and have a great time!

I'm going to need tips on how to use a touring plan without letting them KNOW I'm using a touring plan, or they'll revolt. THey'll totally "go with the flow" if they think I've just come up with an idea on the spot, but probably rip a plan out of my hands if I bring a printed one

Maybe I'll have it printed in miniature on the backs of my sunglass lenses

Anyone else travel with family who's not *quite* as invested as you are?

~I do *all* of the planning and my plans are executed in such a way where it feels as if there are no plan(s) at all -- it's seamless & it flows effortlessly.

~I don't burden my family with any aspects of the planning -- but I do ask for some input to incorporate something for everyone in the itinerary -- they are not aware of most of the details. I do have to keep track of time and everything else but it's done mentally -- any notes, adr's or fp+ times for the day are easily accessible on my phone and kept out of sight! I just *love* to plan, it's half of the fun for me!

 

[Mikie]

I'm cracking myself up thinking of months of this coming up:

DH: are you on another "inappropriate" web site again?
ME: No! What are you talking about?! Ewwww!
DH(checks over my shoulder): yep! DISboards again! You need help!

 

[asmit4]

I have traveled to DW with family who REFUSED to book anything-including ADRs. My mom and I got so tired of waiting in lines for 2 hours for PP at 1pm after they ALL slept in til noon.

We had already rode PP at 8am (RD) on our own because we followed my TP. Then we'd head on over to hang with the loser family and wait in horrendous lines during 90 degree days. It SUCKED.

I will never forget though when my BIL attempted to give 50 bucks to the rose and crown to 'buy us seats for dinner'.....UMMMM.....It did NOT work and he was pissed. Meanwhile- I came to the rescue with an ADR that I had booked secretly KNOWING this would happen. PAYS to plan ahead huh?

 

[BlondeAppetit]

I can totally relate. I have resorted to sneaking in time to research at work!

Share with us your plans!

 

[Arden01]

What?! Not everyone in the world loves to scour DISboards, read tip guides, subscribe to every Disney blog out there, talk about strategies with total strangers 7+ months in advance?

I'm going in October with extended family vs. our usual immediate-family-only trip. My Dad and I are all about DIsney planning, little-known "nuggets" and researching. Some of the others can get interested in the conversation for a bit, and a few including my DH, mom and 6yo son! are already tired of hearing it!

Despite not being asked to DO one single bit of planning, they are tired of even being in the room when the topic comes up (and it ALWAYS comes up!

I know they are frustrated with the feeling that ADRs FP+ and touring plans make it all seem so structured and more like a workday than a vacation. HOWEVER, I also know they'll be darn glad I did all this planning when we go and have a great time!

I'm going to need tips on how to use a touring plan without letting them KNOW I'm using a touring plan, or they'll revolt. THey'll totally "go with the flow" if they think I've just come up with an idea on the spot, but probably rip a plan out of my hands if I bring a printed one

Maybe I'll have it printed in miniature on the backs of my sunglass lenses

Anyone else travel with family who's not *quite* as invested as you are?

Yep, same here. We are going with extended family in August. They all through I was "crazy" when I booked ADRs at 180 days and said we should wait until we were closer. I went ahead anyway an we've got some great restaurants at great times now bc of my planning. The funny thing is that this is my first trip and some of my family have been to WDW before but still didn't want to plan. I have a spreadsheet with days planned out and they all say they don't want to even look at it. I figure they'll appreciate it when we're in WDW.

 

[kiramay]

Our last trip my dh didn't quite understand the amount of planning I did. But after we were able to ride everything we wanted without standing in line more than 30 minutes over the busiest holiday weeks of the year, he was incredibly appreciative.

For our next trip I've been talking about it a lot more so he's aware of all the planning (as are the kids). And this trip is requiring more planning because of the prescheduled Fastpasses now (versus last trip's "run to get them" strategy).

Good thing I love all the planning!!!

 

[agavegirl1]

~I do *all* of the planning and my plans are executed in such a way where it feels as if there are no plan(s) at all -- it's seamless & it flows effortlessly.

~I don't burden my family with any aspects of the planning -- but I do ask for some input to incorporate something for everyone in the itinerary -- they are not aware of most of the details. I do have to keep track of time and everything else but it's done mentally -- any notes, adr's or fp+ times for the day are easily accessible on my phone and kept out of sight! I just *love* to plan, it's half of the fun for me!

This is what I do exactly. By the time I actually get to the World, so much of the plan is committed to memory that for those with me, it feels as if it is not a "plan". This trip, my DBF has caught me on my computer more often and found a preliminary spreadsheet lying around. He thinks this is crazy overkill and wanted to know why we can't just "wing it" like last time. What he doesn't know is that we didn't "wing it" last time. I did the same type of planning. I just hid it better. He was very grateful for the low wait times and the amount we were able to accomplish and complimented me for "knowing so much about WDW" so we could do it.

 

[married2mm]

Hi op!

Just thought I'd pop over to your thread!
Planners unite.

 

[Mikie]

Hi op!

Just thought I'd pop over to your thread!
Planners unite.

Hi! I tried to condense my post into the other similar one, but a conversation got going here too

"Planners Unite!" The rallying cry for my WDW support group!

 

[nharding20]

Wow! This is our family scenario. I do all of the planning before-hand and ask for lots of input/opinions. DH, DS 14 and DD 11 kinda shrug and say 'whatevs' a lot of the time, and I get bummed out that they aren't as 'invested' as I am. We leave in 15 days and DH and I just got into a tiff over his lack of interest in all the plans. Basically, he told me he will NOT plan a vacation, but is glad that I do...

I can't help it. I'm OCD. They put up with me, and I'm learning to put up with them. Everyone wins in the end when everything goes off without a hitch and they all get to do their favorites rides/restaurants/attractions.

(.... do they even know how much effort this all takes?.....)

 

[epsmith921]

Maybe there's a middle ground? Let the family make/not make advance fastpass plus reservations and just meet once a day for a family meal?

I feel like we could have disney addicts meetings here! Anyway, share your planning here with folks who get it.

 

[elaine amj]

My family doesn't really care for all the planning. They do however enjoy not having to think and just ask me, "what's next". If you are dealing with extended family/friends, just keep your intense planning under the radar. They will quickly get overwhelmed and most JUST DON'T WANT TO KNOW.

When I travel anywhere with my friends, they quickly designate me the "planner". Most times though, I don't actually show them my hour by hour plan of everything we are going to do that day. We do something and then when someone says, "what shall we do next?", I suggest the next item on my list. And so on. If someone says, "let's ride Carrousel next" and it's 10am in the morning, I say, "lines are short at most of the major stuff right now. How about we ride xxx first before lines get long and come back to Carrousel later tonight. Carrousel never has a line." They usually say "yes"

That said, if someone insists on Carrousel, I immediately (and quietly) reshuffle the plans in my head to make it work. If that means giving up something major, I will say something like "if we do that now, lines at Space will be 1-2 hours long and since we have xxx ADR, we might not be able to ride it. Do we want to do that?" . Sometimes, the other person will say "yes", so be prepared for that

One time I had the Safari planned for the late afternoon. My son begged and begged and begged to do it in the late morning. I tried everything above and he still wanted to do it. So I quickly shuffled everything else in the day and we did it when he wanted. He was happy so I was happy.

While I plan to the minute, I also make sure I'm flexible about it and will reshuffle the plans as needed. One reason for my intense planning is that I also know all the other options and reshuffling really isn't that hard.

I do have one friend who wasn't absolutely crazy about my "plans" though. We went to Cedar Point together and it just about killed him to walk past empty rollercoasters to do the headliners at the beginning of the day. Even though we waited in much shorter lines than his norm, it was his perception of things that counted and he would have preferred to do things randomly and wait in longer lines. (in that case, I was not willing. I was no drillmaster and I gave him many outs to split up, but he wanted to hang out with us mostly so we mostly did things my way lol!)

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

Planner here too. I actually enjoy it like the rest of us on this thread. My family has come to the point they just pack and go and when we arrive at the resort, they say "Okay what are we doing?" LOL they rather stay out of it and personally I like it that way. I ask them to pick a couple of necessary dining options and then I take care of the rest, where we will be on what day, etc.