Help a superplanner tone down to make a trip more MAGICAL?

[willonlyflytodisney]

Hello everyone!

Okay... so I'm having a bit of planning withdrawal...

Let me explain. The last time I was heading down to the World, it was me, my parents, and my (now-ex) BF. In the months before the trip, I did everything I could to make it absolutely spectacular. Of course I made a huge planner to make sure everything went smoothly, but eventually, I got a little carried away...

It started with me spending a few nights on eBay, buying a gift for each of us for when we got to the hotel - little chatchkeys (spelling?) and such. But, there were a few things I saw that I thought my family would like, so then it became a gift for every day of our trip. Then, I wanted to keep it a secret, so I wrapped them all and hid them in my suitcase... then I thought it would be nice if it seemed like they were coming from WDW, so I wrote letters to each of us for each day of our trip from different Disney characters. Of course, no letter would be complete without signatures, so I went on a website that collects the signatures of the characters and copied them and signed all the letters from the characters, themselves. Of course, my parents hadn't been to WDW in years, so I made a newsletter for each day, explaining what park we were going to, what the best rides in the park were, and some fun tips (that of course I got from the DIS) and secrets to look out for. You see where this is going...

It was a lot, I'll be the first to admit it. Unfortunately, our trip was during that cold freeze in January and it was about 35 degrees every day - it even snowed! My parents were so obsessed with how cold it was, that no amount of magic seemed to matter. It was so depressing because I had worked so hard to make the trip extra special.

Either way, here I am, a couple years later, sans boyfriend, and going down to Disney with a friend at the end of the summer. I decided that WDW is magical enough as it is, and that I need to tone down my planning so that we can just enjoy the parks for what they are.

Obviously, I made a planner because, well, its me, and I couldn't hold back. But, as I said at the beginning of this post, I'm having a bit of planning withdrawal!!!!

So, I turn to the DIS to ask if you do any SMALL projects or things to make your trip extra special that maybe aren't as crazy as my past ideas?? Or even if you have any advice for this superplanner to calm herself?? HELP!!

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

The only planning we ever do is to make one list. This is a list of rides we MUST ride, rides we WANT TO ride, and rides we COULD ride. That way, everything is covered. You could do the same with restaurants, shows, or activities outside of the parks as well.

Also, my mom had a lot of fun making magnets to put on the door for each day. Just a printed picture on a sticky magnet sheet will do just fine!

 

[ToddyLu]

I totally get where you are coming from. With me it is like I carry decorations with me and then whip them out on my unsuspecting guests for their room. Luckily this is just family and they know me (the house with 4 Christmas trees kinda girl). I have made Mousekeeping envelopes which we always forget to use. Then my Lime Green Mickey Head tags that I sheepishly hide on the third day of the trip because I haven't seen any others. My excel Spreadsheet that every one gets a copy of and is certainly expected my all traveling folks now.

Now I have gotten into making Disney Music CDs for people making a trip. Friends who recently traveled in Oct--sent their girls a Hallowishes and Halloween Music CD. I have Christine's Kidani Village, Olivia's Princess CD, Christian's Party CD, The Stewart's Disney CD, Shawn's CD of music from DHS, Craig's CD of park music. I am currently working on Mirrien's CD of EPCOT.....when will it END...oh and I even sent my friend Saintstickets a CD representing music based on his Trip Report here....

His CD cover was Mickey in a Saints Football Uniform...yes, I Googled it and it does exist. I even found a pic of a Stormtrooper (BIL is a huge fan) with a faint Mickey standing behind him.

Hey!! Anybody here want a CD?? Huh? Anybody?

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Right now, I try to limit myself to one creative project per trip outside of the regular planning (hotels, adrs, etc.). Now, if I had children, that would be different, but I am a young, single adult, and I travel to WDW quite frequently with my family - no kids.

The past two trips, I made us autograph books because we still enjoy character meals. However, I didn't really felt like the book was appreciated by my sister... she even left it behind one day we had a character meal! And the trip before was with my friends and one of the girls never used her autograph book for only one character's signature... not appreciative at all!) So this year, I am not doing the autograph books.

For our upcoming trip, my mother and I are making string bags with Mickey Mouse appliques that you can change the bow on. We're planning to have a different bow for our MMs everyday (red white and blue for 4th of July!). It's kind of difficult to explain.

For inspiration, I look at Etsy. However, I will never buy from Etsy because they don't have Disney's permission to sell these licensed characters. You can make your own, but you cannot sell!

If you want some more ideas for projects, go to the Creative DISign boards!

 

[ToddyLu]

I think the first step for us is admitting...we DO NOT have a problem.

 

[minnie mum]

I think you have to be genetically predisposed to Disney obsession. I'm sure that one day they will identify the offending gene. Until then...spreadsheets, custom Tshirts, planning binders, door magnets, packing lists, photo tips.....
AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I just cant help myself!

 

[LoriH91]

I made matching shirts for every member of my family (7) for every day we were there! 10 days worth!! Although, I really loved that & would probably do it again. I spent a lot of money on junk that we didn't end up using, though. I haven't started my planning notebook, yet, but the CD sounds fabulous!! We're driving this time, so I really need some music for the road!

 

[glamfish500]

I think I'm doing custom shirts too. We're going for our honeymoon and don't have kids to buy for in advance. I'm going to buy the iron on transfers for my printer. I figure making shirts in advance will be a good money saver too, I will be less tempted to buy expensive shirts while we're there. I'm hoping that my FH will be a good sport and let me make him a couple of shirts too.

 

[SIMJUN]

We don't plan much at all, other than some ADR's. We have a general idea of which parks we will do each day, but are always flexible.

About the only "project" I have undertaken was two years ago when I made passports for World Showcase for each of us as we had thought it might be fun to "drink around the world" on New Years. I was pleased with the passports, and was going to surprise everyone with them, but then forgot to pack them

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

ADR reservations and leave it at that. Remember you are on vacation not running an event planner business. If you spend more time on all this planning whats the meaning of vacation because you are busy makeing plans, buying presents, making sure to follow a schedule. Vacation is about having fun and relaxing not over planning and stressing. Just go with the flow and not over plan.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

The only planning we ever do is to make one list. This is a list of rides we MUST ride, rides we WANT TO ride, and rides we COULD ride. That way, everything is covered. You could do the same with restaurants, shows, or activities outside of the parks as well.

This is exactly what we do. However, I am a crazy planner when it comes to frequent flyer points and moving them around to get our airfare free . But other than that, the experience of being there is thrill enough for me.

 

[idoeyes1]

I haven't even gone on my trip yet and wonder how I am going to handle not planning a Disney vacation when we get back. I might be mildly obsessed with checking the boards and different sites to make sure everything is still how I want it. Some of us are just into planning, accept it and HAVE FUN!!

 

[willonlyflytodisney]

Thank you to EVERYONE for your support! I guess I just have to admit that I am a superplanner and will always be one! It always gives my trips an extra bit of magic, and so I think this time, I'm going to focus on room decorating!

It will be nice and subtle and its something my friend and I can do together. I can wait until I have kids to surprise for all the other ideas swimming in my head!

Thank you again to all, and good to know there are more of us out there!!!!