Grand lurker finally speaks and humbles himself into asking for help

[khwaja1924]

I've been monitoring this board for about two months, while planning my trip. I'm hoping to drive down, with the family (DW, DD8, DS6 & DD0), around Mar/Apr 2010. I hope to spend about 11 days in the world. This will be the first trip for the entire family (I went about 30 years ago; don't remember much).

I haven't made any payments yet. But, I have gathered more information than a military batallion going on a mission. I've browsed all the sites, including this board, read multiple UG books and other books, and engrossed myself in the planning process. Yet, I can't pull the trigger to buy the MYW tickets or book my lodging (my research suggests I should stay offsite).

I'm afraid I will turn into the "commando" touring dictator, for my family, during this trip. So, I had to come out of my shell and ask you all for help, in distracting me from all this planning. I think I'm going overboard (Disney 24x7) in the minutiae of planning. Is this normal? Do I need psychiatric counseling? What's happening to me? And, why can't I finalize my plans and make the payments?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Dani C]

Welcome Home!

Seriously, many of us go "overboard" in planning. It can be for many reasons. We enjoy it! Also, there is that feeling of wanting to be prepared for whatever may come your way (going to Disney can be overwhelming if you are unprepared). Relax, enjoy planning your vacation and learning all that the world has to offer.

Just try to remember that while you are planning for everything that you could anticipate happening during your vacation, you are going on vacation. That said, plan away, but keep many of your plans flexible (noting the ages of the children). You never know when you may need to (or want to) return to the room to take a break, (which is actually a benefit to staying on property as you can easily go back to your room and then come back to the parks later in the day) and as you are thinking of staying off property you should plan ahead for this possibility.

Whatever you decide and whenever you choose to visit, make the most of your vacation and record as much as you can with photos/video as your children will only be young once and you will want to capture the magic as they begin a relationship with Disney that can last a lifetime.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Welcome!

I think it is normal to plan and plan your first couple of trips. I know I did! We've been five times, and I've been much more relaxed the last two times. Don't get me wrong... I still get my ADRs and know what park on what days.

With your kids ages, I would definitely plan the mornings. That's when you will get the most done. If you want to eat sit down meals, make sure you make ADRs. If your 8 year old likes princesses, make one for the castle (at exactly 180 days out) or Norway.

I would be flexible in the afternoons. Don't overplan. With our evenings, we tend to do night shows every other night, so we aren't up late every night.

I've never stayed off site, but I am trusting your research. That said, I love the resorts and having transportation. Sometimes my DH or myself would take our younger one back while the older ones stayed in the park.

Above all, take the time to enjoy!!

 

[josh0208]

Welcome!

Just like you and many others, I go way overboard on the planning. My family just sits back and let's it happen. I think they are just happy to know that I'm taking care of everything and know that we are going to have a wonderful vacation.

I have been to WDW 4 times and have always stayed offsite. Each time, we rent a private pool home about 10 minutes from the grounds. I always go through www.greatrentals.com. We stayed at a 3 bedroom home in a gated community for $800 (a week!). It was a beautiful home that met all our expectations. I think it was a toss up of what the kids liked more...the parks vs the pool!

This time there are 11 of us going and we are fortunate to now have friends that have offered them pool home 10 minutes from the grounds when we go in April 2010. It is a huge savings for us.

I wish you the best in planning...enjoy it! Before you know it, the trip will be here. I just called Disney this morning to book the Albatross Cruise for the boys. The WDW staff is amazing when I call each time. It makes it so much nicer.

We are all here to help if you need it!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

You're asking the other asylum inmates to make you feel less crazy?

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

If it's your first trip and you plan on seeing only Disney parks I would highly recommend staying on property. With the deals going around now you can really get something for a similar cost than staying off site.

Also, be sure to check out the Give and Day Get a Day program Disney will run next year!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

I gotta second the idea of staying on property. I think it's worth it.


As far as your over planning obsession, you'll get no sympathy here. We are all suffering from the same illness.

Lastly, the reluctance to take the plunge and make ressies, buy tickets etc is a symptom of your over planning illness. When you realize all the things that you might want to consider in planning your trip, the idea of "locking your self in" with specific reservations can be stressful. But, alas, there is hope. Disney is familiar with the symptoms of our illness and handles the constant changes with good humor.

So, go ahead, reserve. Then reschedule. If you think this is tough, wait till your 90 day window comes up

 

[wrighter]

Welcome to The Jungle!

We've all been in your shoes - don't give it too much thought. You're no more crazy than the rest of us on here, which isn't saying much I guess.

Before our first family trip I did the exact same thing that you are doing. Here's the trick: Don't label it as "overplanning." Just consider it to be "gaining knowledge."

Seriously. Put a stake in the ground and make the BIG ressies - at the very least secure your lodging so you don't miss out on an option or two. And then everything else can just be knowledge. I thought I was borderline whacko before our first trip - and then during the trip I realized that all that information was so useful and it made our trip so much better! Just because you have all this information doesn't mean you have to go crazy with it - just file it all away so you can go with the flow while you're there!

Plan a thing or two, and then roll with it. And have a GREAT trip!!!

 

[Joyful3Heart]

You're asking the other asylum inmates to make you feel less crazy?

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Darcy03231]

For your first trip I also recommend staying on-site. Maybe one of the All Stars Family Suites?

 

[Perditamarie]

Welcome to the DIS!!!! Think of it this way....you will be a font of information and all of your Disney knowledge will bubble up when the time comes!

I would also recommend staying on-site if at all possible -- after your long drive, let Disney do the driving for you! Don't be just driven by cost when considering lodging -- there is something priceless about being immersed in Disney for your trip! Also, it will be crowded w/Spring Breakers, and you'll already be on property!

Here are some hotel considerations:

Value - Pop Century

Moderate - Port Orleans (check out trundle beds in Alligator Bayou if each girl needs their own sleeping space)

Deluxe - Beach Club

Maybe you are not ready to book if you are overwhelmed by the pieces of your package. Consider calling for a quote on just a room, room w/base tix, and full package (room, tix, dining). Then just think about them if you are not ready to book.

I HEARTILY recommend you avoid the weeks around Easter at ALL COSTS -- it is jam packed crazy-busy.

Happy planning!!

 

[DisneyNutMic]

Yeah you are nuts.................and so am I. Our last trip, I made a binder. I kept all documents relating to the trip together. I had a tab made for each day of the trip. I kept all ADR info together by date. I even typed it all out so that it was easy to read. It was the first time I had really gone "overboard" like that even though it was my 36th trip to the world. And when my husband left me 3 weeks prior to our trip (telling you this because my book saved me) and his parents were scheduled to go with us and refused to stay home, my little book saved my life. I didn't have to think about anything and it's a good thing because my mind was certainly NOT on ADRs and ride lists at that moment in life. And while it wasn't the greatest trip obviously, my son had a blast and that was all that mattered at that moment.

 

[squirrel]

I have been to WDW four times now and I'm working on plans for the fifth. I have only stayed on WDW property. To me the benefits of Magical Express and the hassel of not driving in a new city are worth it to me. I have also been going during Free Dining and even though I wouldn't pay for the DDP, I do enjoy not having to pay for all the meals. I would never go to all the TS meals if I wasn't on the DDP. Don't forget to add in the price of parking when you figure out the cost difference.

I can't help you with why haven't you booked yet. I have already booked the bounceback for next year. I know the first 6 months will take forever, but then the time will fly by.

 

[DVC Sadie]

You're asking the other asylum inmates to make you feel less crazy?

Thanks for the laugh and truer words were never spoken.

 

[clutter]

Sorry, you didn't research well.

1) Unless you are forced to by schools, you do NOT want to go spring break. If school is a factor, go in the summer.

2) You do not want to stay offsite.

Seriously, an 11 day trip will give you more than enough time to do it all. So pick your time, book your trip. Pick a park for each day. Set your priorities for the trip overall. Fantasmic? Wishes? Soarin'? Toy Story Mania? Pick which park day will take care of which priorities, fill in the rest of the day with everything else.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

So, go ahead, reserve. Then reschedule. If you think this is tough, wait till your 90 day window comes up

I THINK it changed to 180 days as of this week. So, don't forget to research the restaurant boards.

 

[itJeff]

Hi. My name is Jeff. I'm a Disney-Vacation-Planning-Aholic. It's not a sickness, it's a way of life.

For our first trip, I was just excited that we were going. My in-laws were footing the bill. I looked at the Disney web-site and knew what the rides were that we wanted to do. Then my MIL heard about this book. It was supposed to tell us everything we wanted to do in WDW. So, two weeks before the trip she went out and bought "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World", gave it to me and said "Read this and tell us what we're supposed to do." That was the worst things that could have possibly happened.

I started reading, and realized ... "There's so much I don't know! I must learn it all." So, I almost read the thing from cover to cover in three days. I took notes about everything, and started putting together the perfect plan.

At this point in the story I should let you know that not everyone in my family is a planner. Quite the opposite, really. My FIL is a play-it-by-the-seat-of-yer-pants kinda guy. Needless to say my plans didn't fly very well with everyone. Luckily, there wasn't a great need for a terrific touring plan, because the crowds were really low when we went (september 2001).

But, because I knew "everything" we were able to make informed decisions that helped us out most of the time. We had made a couple of ADRs which helped alot.

For our second trip (also funded by aforementioned in-laws) I wasn't nearly as stressed out about the planning. But, I did plan the heck out of the trip. And we had a great time with low crowds, so no need for a great touring plan. We had all our ADRs planned out and had some great character meals (with free dining the first year it was offered).

Next year we're going in June (without the in-laws) and I'm a little worried about the crowds. Should I get really serious about touring plans? Should I have some good plans to use EMH in the am, then hop to a park that won't be crowded? Should we add another day to the trip, because I can't seem to get everything we want to do to fit in 7 days? Will I need to book my ADRs 180 days in advance? (definitely)

So, as you can see, you're perfectly normal.... whatever 'normal' is. I was able to decide on a package and book it. Even though this is the third trip for me, it's the first I'm paying for out of our pockets. So, I can understand your reluctance to book and pay. I would be overwhelmed if I had to do that without having been there recently. The first time we went I kept thinking "This might be the only time we get to go to WDW". Now, I'm already planning in the back of my head that we'll go back again in 2013!

My advice is to do what your budget allows for. Even if you can't stay 'on site' there are places that are really close. With 11 days you'll have time to see A LOT, even if you don't see it all. But, you can always go back in 2 or 3 years and do some more. Do your research and have a plan, but be flexible. Sometimes things don't go the way we plan (I don't understand that either... can't the rest of the world get their act together? ). But, having done your research you'll know how to handle most things that get thrown at you.

Good luck, and Welcome to the DIS!

 

[khwaja1924]

Sorry, you didn't research well.

1) Unless you are forced to by schools, you do NOT want to go spring break. If school is a factor, go in the summer.

2) You do not want to stay offsite.

Seriously, an 11 day trip will give you more than enough time to do it all. So pick your time, book your trip. Pick a park for each day. Set your priorities for the trip overall. Fantasmic? Wishes? Soarin'? Toy Story Mania? Pick which park day will take care of which priorities, fill in the rest of the day with everything else.

1- It is definitely related to schools. My wife would never allow me to take the kids out of school, for more than a couple of days. Regarding the summer, my wife goes away to London for the summer, with the kids. So, this summer is out of the question. I could plan for the summer of 2011; but, that is too far out. The kids are getting older, and the longer I prolong it, I feel the kids are missing out on the Disney magic.

2- Offsite reasons: my mother may be joining us (she has not confirmed, yet). If she does, then I will have to get two rooms or a suite (3 adults and 3 children). On Disney property, this may be cost prohibitive to me. Offsite, I can better deals on 2-bedroom places. I'm planning to stay in the Windsor Hills resort area, which has claimed to be "2 miles from Disney".

However, after hearing so many of the veterans on this board adivising me to stay onsite, I am seriously re-considering onsite lodging and will start researching, more agressively, about my onsite options and costs.

Your advice is greatly appreciated and will definitely be used in my planning. Thanks.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I plan and plan and plan and plan and get there and 80% goes out the window. I do think it is a good idea to have a plan but be just be flexable. WE love to stay onsite. It just gives that much more to the experience.

 

[khwaja1924]

You're right.. I keep forgetting this is a VACATION..this is a VACATION.. I have to get this implanted in my head.