How do you go about planning your day?

[geminimagk]

(Disclaimer: I'm new!)

I see some people with very detailed accounts of their day: Grab a FP here, ride this and that, use the FP, grab different FP, watch this show, eat that...etc etc etc.

This seems very intimidating! How do you even go about planning all those details, for someone who doesn't know the park inside and out? My kids are 6, 3, and 17 months. We will have grandparents helping us.

Any advice? Thank you!

 

[Susie63]

Wish I could help you. We just stand at the end of Main Street and say left or right. Majority rules. Make sure you grab a map when you enter.

 

[Khokhonutt]

(Disclaimer: I'm new!)

I see some people with very detailed accounts of their day: Grab a FP here, ride this and that, use the FP, grab different FP, watch this show, eat that...etc etc etc.

This seems very intimidating! How do you even go about planning all those details, for someone who doesn't know the park inside and out? My kids are 6, 3, and 17 months. We will have grandparents helping us.

Any advice? Thank you!

There's probably as many ways to plan a day as there are people on this board. Most likely more. I think a fair mount of the posts you see (like the ones you describe) are based on lots of experience in the parks and/or based on published touring plans. There are also books and websites and apps dedicated to touring plans. Check out touringplans.com & ridemax.com for examples. Things like whether you plan to park hop or not, whether you plan to rope drop or not, which time of the year, what day(s) you plan to visit that will impact all of those plans.

If you're real new to the whole thing, I'd start with this thread, that's a sticky at the top of this forum: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! There's a ton of helpful information there, to get you started.

 

[geminimagk]

There's probably as many ways to plan a day as there are people on this board. Most likely more. I think a fair mount of the posts you see (like the ones you describe) are based on lots of experience in the parks and/or based on published touring plans. There are also books and websites and apps dedicated to touring plans. Check out touringplans.com & ridemax.com for examples. Things like whether you plan to park hop or not, whether you plan to rope drop or not, which time of the year, what day(s) you plan to visit that will impact all of those plans.

If you're real new to the whole thing, I'd start with this thread, that's a sticky at the top of this forum: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! There's a ton of helpful information there, to get you started.

Thanks! I'll have to look into some published touring plans and such.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I'm planning my first DL trip but am a WDW veteran from the days when WDW planning was more like DL planning.

My approach is sort of a balance between winging it and having every moment scheduled. First, I plan to get to the parks a half hour before they open. If you're taking a long trip, there's room for lazy mornings, but you will get the most done without stress in the first two hours. With little kids, you'll want to make a nap plan of some kind, even if it's a stroller nap. Also, make sure you read about rider switch passes for rides the little ones can't ride.

Then figure out what you really want to ride/watch by reading about them online. This is fun, not work, IMO. Study a map online just enough to generally know where everything is (without going crazy and memorizing the map) and then grab a map when you enter.

Have an idea whether each must-do falls into the following categories: (1) The lines get long fast -- ride when the park opens. (2) The lines are never terrible and/or the attraction takes forever, so don't rush there. Good for when crowds get crazy. (3) Fastpasses are available but go fast -- have one adult take everyone's tickets and grab a FP while you maneuver kids to their first ride. (4) Fastpasses are available most of the day, so grab these later. You can use touring websites to read about each attraction and figure out which category it fits into. Have an idea where you're going first, but then be flexible for the rest of the day. I think there's an app that will tell you wait times, if you want to avoid walking across the park to check.

 

[Epek]

I find the people who plan their days like you describe are the type of people who are super organized and get a thrill out of that planning. If you are intimidated by that, don't even try! You will ruin your trip before it even gets started. As people have already said, good ideas are to familiarize yourself with the fast pass system and the rider swap system, since not all of your children will be able to ride everything. Also, determine what your family cannot miss and if those attractions are likely to be very busy or not, so you can prioritize them. Most of all, don't stress! It's no fun. You can still get a ton done with minimal planning. Just being here puts you steps ahead of many other park guests.

 

[mom2rtk]

We usually have a rough outline of which shows we want to see on which days. That sort of drives which park we start at and hope to end up at. We don't really plan our rides any more specifically than saying "let's head to Space first". The rest all just sort of happens. And I love it that way. Put the DL app on your phone so you can see FP return times as you go about your day. When you're in the area, see what has FP available, see what the return times are, and go from there.

You do need a basic understanding of which rides are best done at rope drop, which rides tend to have a lot of down time, that sort of thing. But the beauty of DL is the ability to be spontaneous!

 

[ParkHopper1]

That level of planning always seems to lead to way too much undue stress IMO. I just set some goals of what we wanna accomplish and just fill in the rest in between with the flexibility to adjust to actual conditions or opportunities as we go.

We 100% maximize Fast Pass strategies to its fullest extent but even that requires a lot of flexibility based on where you are and return times.

 

[ludari]

My planning is I do not plan and I just go with the flow but I have the luxury of being an AP and being a local. However for those that don't share this benefit I suggest if you can take advantage of magic mornings if you are staying on property than do so. If not, starting your day as early as possible and head over to those rides that usually will get busy before noon such as Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, etc., and use fast pass whenever possible. Maybe have one or both of the grandparents reserve a spot for you all for the parade (keep in mind the new policy regarding holding spots for the parade). That's about it off the top of my head. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Khokhonutt]

Thanks! I'll have to look into some published touring plans and such.

It's funny, I posted my original reply, then had to step away for a bit. While I was out I was thinking I really wanted add a couple caveats to my original reply. Many of the posts since mine have touched bases on what I meant to post. That is, don't let the touring plans lead you down a path that doesn't work for you. They can be great as a guide if you really don't know the parks and have no idea what you want to do or when. But as others have said, you want to be careful that you do what's right for you and your kids to have a good time. Don't feel like you have to maintain a fierce pace to have fun. Many of our favorite trips to the parks have been the ones where we slowed down and enjoyed wandering around and noticing the details.

 

[22Tink]

Outside of particular shows we want to see and one or two ADRs, we don't do much planning at all. It's pretty easy to just go with the flow at DLR and DCA with the parks being so close together. It's even easier now with the app that lets you see wait times and fp return times without having to run all over the parks. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Jedi Mouse]

My best tips are:

1. First plan out anything you want to do with a fixed time (shows, meal reservations, parades, etc.) or any must do's for the day.
2. Have a playbook of your first 4 or 5 things to do. That gives you something to focus on early and gives you time to assess crowds, kids energy levels and other factors.
3. Use the app to check wait times and FP return times. You can do this as you follow your initial plan.
4. Be flexible, especially as the day goes on.

 

[mummabear]

So I have a calander that has opening and closing times as well as parade and firework times.
I book any ADRs, BBB ect, and that is in the calander.
I have a list of things we want to do this May have things like:
-try the cotton candy cocktail at Cove
-Must ride space on x day before it closes for GG overlay
-try Route Beer float in Carsland
-Alice musical chairs at Caseys corner.
-Go to Trader Sams-must do before 8pm because of the kids

Then that's it. We rarely rope drop (we are in a 3-5 hour time difference)
I go with the flow while we are there while trying to make our goals happen, some trips there is some goals left for next time...

 

[ehrawn]

(Disclaimer: I'm new!)

I see some people with very detailed accounts of their day: Grab a FP here, ride this and that, use the FP, grab different FP, watch this show, eat that...etc etc etc.

This seems very intimidating! How do you even go about planning all those details, for someone who doesn't know the park inside and out? My kids are 6, 3, and 17 months. We will have grandparents helping us.

Any advice? Thank you!

Given the ages of your kids, don't over plan. I made the mistake of tackling the Park like I did pre-kids and it was miserable. Children need more rest, more food, more impromptu experiences than adults, and, trust me when i say that the happier they are, the happier you will be.

Here's how I balance things. Always always always start at opening, get the slow-loading & popular rides done in the first few hours, and then change your focus to children-led experiences. All decisions about what to do next should consider the children's needs and desired. Kids too tired to stay for a Parade? Fine. Kids scared of Mickey? Fine. Kids want to listen to the Band play instead of rushing to meet a FP window? Fine. It's not about maximizing your money's worth; it's about maximizing the kids' enjoyment.

 

[agamble]

Children need more rest, more food, more impromptu experiences than adults, and, trust me when i say that the happier they are, the happier you will be.

LOL! Bring snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. It will keep your little ones happier.

 

[Malcon10t]

I am another "let it flow"... When we have my granddaughter (she is 6), it is usually based around what she is wanting to do. We will hit the park just after opening, and then after a sign of relief, will decide what to do. We do try and work the park in a circle, so we aren't racing across the park a dozen times, but basic plan will be "Wanna ride Thunder?" and head that way, or "Want to see the band play?" So much to do, so many choices.

Let the kids make the decisions there. Over planning won't work with your age group.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... -Alice musical chairs at Caseys corner...

At DL this happens at Refreshment Corner (just in case others go searching and cannot find it listed under another name).

Another vote for going with the flow. We'll have a general plan and always have a back up plan, but, after that, anything goes. A big part of the joy of DLR for us is being in the moment and letting the magic happen in ways we didn't plan. If there are specific things we want to do, we make sure to get the entertainment schedule at the turnstile and go over it quickly (circling the shows, parades, attractions, etc.) that we want to see so that we can schedule our day. Also, the OP knows her family best so she can figure out what kind of touring style/mix of styles will work best for all 3 generations in her group. Some kids work best on a more strict schedule (that was our oldest). Others thrive at a more relaxed pace (youngest! You can imagine how hard it was to juggle both kids' styles when they were little!). And the grandparents might enjoy a blend of both styles. Basically, there are really no wrong ways to enjoy DLR. The only truly wrong way is to make everything so stressful that no one enjoys the magic.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I am usually an uber planner. The first time we went I made two notebooks. In one I had printed off every menu (with pricing) from allears.something or other and put them in divided sections in the notebook. The other binder had many sections, including maps, planning pages for each day, entertainment schedules, lists of every ride and height requirements, you name it. I know. Insanity abounds.

I lugged the binders in the first day and looked at the park book maybe twice. The menu book never left my scooter basket. Who has time to lead through binders when there is so much excitement happening all around?!

So, the books lived in the hotel room the rest of the trip and we winged it. It helped that the research familiarized me with things, but otherwise was a colossal waste of my time.

Now, we plan which day we want to start in which park and wing it from there. We know the must do's and what we can skip.

I do still create a spreadsheet to keep track of ADRs and times of specific things we know we want to hit. I also include park hours so they are easy to find. I mainly do this because I have very little short term memory, so constantly have to look things up. However, as the Disneyland app gets better, I am having to use the spreadsheet less.

 

[agamble]

We are in the choose a park and go with it group. We plan to get to the parks before opening each day and then I generally have a plan for what area we will go to first and what show we might see that day. But once the day goes on it's too hard to plan ahead. The waits get long and are sometimes sporadic as things close and reopen. So we may just look for a ride that has a short wait.

Our first day this trip is a Sunday (a first for us). We plan to go to Disneyland first and go directly to Fantasyland. We'll probably skip Peter Pan at that time due to queue length and opt for Alice and Dumbo as our first rides. The plan is to do all/most of Fantasyland (saving Small World for later probably) the first 60-90 minutes and then go over to Toon Town (opens an hour after park opening). That will get us through our morning. We will leave around noon and at least DH and I will be going to church. Then we'll return later that evening and the only definite plan we have is to see the Main Street Electrical Parade. We'll see how that goes as it is the last night it's scheduled to show. Monday the plan is to start in Adventureland and work our way through that side of the park. And Tuesday we'll start at DCA and probably get FP for RSR and go to Toy Story. After that it's very up in the air at the moment. We will be in the parks until Friday and will have APs so we will start our days at the non EMH park each day.

 

[Winnowill]

I had a plan last Friday. We were going to be some of the first in line for HSM, and then I had a plan for doing other headliners after that for the first hour. We got to the rope (that day they had the rope at the end of Main Street, right before Plaza Inn, rather than one per land). Well, my friend and I were at the rope with our two little blonde girls (ages 7 and 8) dressed identically in the blue dress from the live Cinderella movie. Some BTMRR CMs were getting a few people to ride before official opening, and they chose our girls. So that was the end of the HSM rope drop plan. We rolled with it, because - pixie dust! We did HSM later with FP. It's all good. If you're there at rope drop, and you know what you're going to do next, that's really all you need.