Family not in love with all my planning?!

[DRDISNEYMD]

~LOL. This thread was so fabulous until someone chimed in attempting to shame planners about making plans for their loved ones -- *who don't want any part of the planning* and really appreciate that that someone else is not lazy and has the initiative to do all of the planning for them -- it really is a labor of love.

~I'm feel extremely fortunate that my DH and children appreciate me and what I do. They totally trust my judgement and for them it really is going with the flow.

~The "drill sergeant" comment is so silly and childish to me. I have no shame in saying that this is my vacation. We work hard and play harder. There is absolutely no sleeping at Disney, you can sleep on the way plane ride to Disney and on the plane ride back home! I do all of the work and all they have to do is wake up in the morning.

~With that said, we are all natural early risers. My children have long learned and are accustomed to the benefits of arriving at the parks early. It feels different, the parks are empty, the air seems a little fresher & cleaner. They know and appreciate the difference between entering a park at 1PM --mobbed with crowds and getting a few rides in on arrival day -- and arriving early at rope drop and seizing the entire day! They *love* it -- and do not want to tour any other way. And, I am rewarded when I see everyone having the time of their lives.

~We always sneak away to Bora Bora, Paradise Island, Honolulu and other little secret getaways for 3 days or so and just sleep in and do nothing -- but this will *not* happen at Disney. It just won't.

~So, planners unite & plan on! You don't ever have to feel ashamed for doing so -- we do this because we love our family and love to spoil them, and we want nothing more but to see them happy and enjoying themselves at Disney.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

My family mocks my planning too. Is this REALLY necessary, it can't be this complicated. . .i finally lost it.
"You can't handle the truth! Son, we vacation in a world that has FP+ and ADR's and those things have to be planned by people with type-A personality. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Aunt Sylvia? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for "going with the flow" and you curse the 17-page spreadsheet. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Being up at 6am on 180+ 10, while tragic, probably saved a reservation. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves time! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that computer. You need me on MDE! We use words like "pin code", "FP+", "touring plans". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent making something magical. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a person who rides, and eats TS, and sleeps on property under the blanket of the very plan that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a laptop and log on to Dis. Either way, I don't give a magical disney day what you think you are entitled to!"

They leave me alone now.

 

[luvthemouse71]

iIt's one thing if your family is ok with the crazy and the spreadsheet. But, when you have someone stating that their husband gets aggravated with the OCD planning and has refused to go before, that's a problem. When you have people stating that they "won't allow" their spouse to sleep in, that's just messed up. Your spouse is an adult.

I see the some of the uber planners and their families on vacation and it rarely ends well. Someone is invariably going to snap. Then the tears, swearing, and throwing things starts. Ok, that can be entertaining for someone watching but it sure looks unpleasant for the people in that family.

The uber planners should realize that not everyone likes to be run into the ground on vacation, particularly if they work outside of the home and have to be on a schedule in their daily life. A little consideration goes a long way.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~My family does not "know" about the details of the planning and they don't want any part of the planning but they know I make all of the plans -- and there is nothing wrong with this. They are very grateful when they are walking on ride after after ride -- and when we walk into a restaurant and are immediately seated when others are being turned away.

~We always hear people around us complaining about the heat, crowds and long lines -- and we just quietly smile to ourselves. It makes my family feel so special. We work those parks we like own them.

~My family is so grateful that they don't ever have to wander around bored, lost and hungry in the hot heat trying to study a map just to wait in a another long line. Different strokes for different folks. This is what works for us -- we just don't like to be miserable.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

My family mocks my planning too. Is this REALLY necessary, it can't be this complicated. . .i finally lost it.
"You can't handle the truth! Son, we vacation in a world that has FP+ and ADR's and those things have to be planned by people with type-A personality. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Aunt Sylvia? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for "going with the flow" and you curse the 17-page spreadsheet. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Being up at 6am on 180+ 10, while tragic, probably saved a reservation. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves time! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that computer. You need me on MDE! We use words like "pin code", "FP+", "touring plans". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent making something magical. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a person who rides, and eats TS, and sleeps on property under the blanket of the very plan that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a laptop and log on to Dis. Either way, I don't give a magical disney day what you think you are entitled to!"

They leave me alone now.

~LOL! This is just fabulous! We need a sticky for this to make it the "Official Disboards Planners Anthem!" I hereby nominate ~evilqueenmindy~ as our leader -- I couldn't top this ^^^ if I tried.

 

[mouseaddicts]

As the name implies, we are all "MouseAddicts" in our house! DH is the one that introduced me to the Dis in the first place! I'm so thankful that we plan together!!!

Yes, we have color-coded spreadsheets. How else do you hit 23 attractions on July 4th with a pool break in the middle of the day?!?

The kids have been "raised" to understand Disney planning. They look forward to the spreadsheet (I've trained them well!). They know there's no such thing as "sleeping in" at WDW. We are a RD family and have enjoyed BTMRR 7 times in a row on July 4th as a result.

A few years ago, we went to Washington DC for vacation & took my BFF with us. I had a spreadsheet for the whole trip & she just followed along with a "where are we going next?" attitude. The next year, my DD (16) went back to DC with a friend's family for spring break. They didn't plan a single thing in advance! NOTHING! She came home with "mom - THANK YOU for planning such awesome trips for us! I had to tell their whole family where we should go and what we should do every day."

When the kids were younger, they simply didn't understand what went into the planning. Now, they are getting it. While on the phone hitting redial at 7 AM to get our trip booked for FD, my DS (14) looks at me and says "do y'all always go through this every time we go to Disney?" "Yes, son, we do."

After reading all these posts about spouses/family members that just don't want to hear it ...... I definitely consider myself VERY lucky ...... but I'm still joining the uber-planner group! Without each other, we simply couldn't get it all accomplished!

 

[AandJsMommy]

DH is supportive of my planning. In most other areas of life, he's actually a more OCD planner/organizer than I am. For Disney, he just wants to go and "do stuff," but he appreciates going in with a plan. He also said he's glad we can pre-book FPs now instead of just getting them in the park. DD7 is also a bit of a planner. She wants to know what we're going to do and in what order.

The problem is my parents. They're going to be with us for 3 out of 5 days. They refused to buy tickets in advance because they were afraid they'd get sick or something and not be able to go. I tried to convince them to buy tickets at DTD the first evening they got there so I could at least set up their FPs before we go to the park the next day. Mom objected that DTD is so big, and she doesn't know where to go. At least our first day is AK, so there aren't a ton of FPs to juggle. All they really want to do there is ride the safari. I'll have at least a little bit of time to get their MK and Epcot days figured out.

Well, my parents managed to buy tickets in our hotel lobby the night before we're going to the parks, so we got online tonight to try and get their FPs set up. It has not been fun. First, I had to call tech support just to let me set up their FPs, even though I had added their tickets to my account. Then they can't get the same times as us for certain things (because they waited until the night before to get their tickets). Then they can't make decisions on other things, like whether or not they want to ride Test Track. They also failed to tell me about a few key things that would have been extremely helpful in my planning. Like my mom is on a new medication and gets dizzy very easily - even Dumbo is too much spinning - and that Dad wants to leave the park by around 4 each day. I have been trying to discuss our plans with them for months, and they couldn't mention these things?

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

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 would try to explain to them that we are going to one of the most crowded vacation destinations in the country. In order to enjoy it as much as we can we need to make a lot of plans in advance. Explain to them that there are a tremendous amount of excellent dining experiences to be had but we have to make reservations 180 days in advance if we want to enjoy them. There are certain rides we are all want to experience but in order to do that we need to book our FP+ way in advance so we all get to ride the rides we want to while we are in the parks. and etc... etc... I think if you let them know that when you go to a place like WDW the more planning you do in advance will mean less stress once you are there enjoying the magic the better off you all will be.

 

[fla4fun]

It seems like a lot of people on both sides of the issue assume that "planning" equals hitting the parks at rope drop and staying until close and riding every single thing you can. Planning just means creating the type of trip your particular family enjoys, using the tools and information available. For me, I plan down days where I don't go to the parks at all. For example, my trip next month has a couple days with absolutely no park plans at all. I am staying at WL and I have a fairly new camera with some brand new lenses and I want to spend at least a day photographing the resort in detail. I have also planned to sleep in, planned my FP+ for the time I expect to be in the park, and plan most nights to be back in my nice, air conditioned room for a good night's sleep. That is how I prefer to vacation, so I have planned it that way. I will say, it's much easier to plan solo trips than to have to plan for a family or group .

So whether your plan is to see it all, or your plan is to relax and refresh, it's all good.

 

[Mikie]

My family mocks my planning too. Is this REALLY necessary, it can't be this complicated. . .i finally lost it.
"You can't handle the truth! Son, we vacation in a world that has FP+ and ADR's and those things have to be planned by people with type-A personality. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Aunt Sylvia? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for "going with the flow" and you curse the 17-page spreadsheet. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Being up at 6am on 180+ 10, while tragic, probably saved a reservation. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves time! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that computer. You need me on MDE! We use words like "pin code", "FP+", "touring plans". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent making something magical. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a person who rides, and eats TS, and sleeps on property under the blanket of the very plan that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a laptop and log on to Dis. Either way, I don't give a magical disney day what you think you are entitled to!"

They leave me alone now.

Awesome!! Shall we call this "a Few Good Mouseketeers"? Surely the best use of movie soliloquy ever! The question is, how did you squeeze in the time to be so witty between updating your spreadsheets and making/coordinating your park t-shirts?

Wish I could find an emoticon for applause!

 

[Momof2Singers]

I also coordinate my clothing to the park! Doesn't everybody?!

My daughters always plan for Animal Kingdom, that makes it more fun, nothing crazy, just an animal print top.

They are wearing dresses to Hollywood Studios, I know they will change pretty quick, but want to be in the 50's polka dot dresses when then go to 50's PT, we will have shorts in the backpacks and will probably use them

It may be our last trip for several years, or could be our last, with one going into her Junior year in college, you just don't know if that opportunity will come again, she is a music major, who knows where she will be, and I have been on Amazon today finding Tiara's to wear to CRT, again, nothing too special, but something to commemorate the occasion since my youngest (15) has never been.

We are older parents, having both of them in my 40's so its not as easy as it was when they were younger...or was it ever easy...do not want to relive those strollers