How far do you go into planning?

[YorkieMommyKandis]

We are 15 days away from our trip and I am getting nervous! I have been planning this trip for about five months now and I guess I just want everything to be perfect since we don't usually go on expensive vacations. Even though I have our restaurant ADRs, park tickets, and days planned for what park to go to on which day, I still feel like there's something more I need to be doing. I was just wondering how much planning (if any) everyone does before leaving?

 

[Smileybug]

We are going on the same day!! I hope you and your family have a very magical time!! I think I'm an ultra planner. But it just helps to pass the time at home. I used a small 10 page photo album (black with white polka dots and red ribbons) to put all ressie and ADR #'s in. I also have my itinerary in here with a few notes on each park. Each day has it's own page(front and back). I used my Disney scrapbook supplies to decorate each day. (really cute) Even though I consider myself to be an ultra planner...once we go into the parks we just use the itinerary as basically an outline. Nothing is written in stone other than ADR's. Especially this trip. It will be just my hubby and me. We are going to take the time to really look at things. I'm really looking forward to taking Main St. at a slower pace.

 

[daMomma]

We really don't make many plans. In fact, this is the first year that we made ADRs. We have been to Disney enough times to know what we want to do and what we don't need to do again. The only reason why we made ADRs this trip is because of DDP. Since so many people take advantage of DDP it has become difficult to make reservations in the morning for that evenings dinner. We have always made our plans based on the weather for the day and any special activity that is going on in the parks. This year I have planned out our days based on our ADRs. I really believe that you can over plan. I think if you plan too much you run the risk of being disappointed when things don't go as you have planned. Relax and start thinking about your packing needs. Have a great time on your vacation.

 

[YorkieMommyKandis]

We are going on the same day!! I hope you and your family have a very magical time!! I think I'm an ultra planner. But it just helps to pass the time at home. I used a small 10 page photo album (black with white polka dots and red ribbons) to put all ressie and ADR #'s in. I also have my itinerary in here with a few notes on each park. Each day has it's own page(front and back). I used my Disney scrapbook supplies to decorate each day. (really cute) Even though I consider myself to be an ultra planner...once we go into the parks we just use the itinerary as basically an outline. Nothing is written in stone other than ADR's. Especially this trip. It will be just my hubby and me. We are going to take the time to really look at things. I'm really looking forward to taking Main St. at a slower pace.

Hey you picked a great week LOL! I think my planning style is probably like yours. I used a 1/2 inch binder to plan with pocket dividers for each day. I have an itinerary with where we are going each day and our ADR #'s listed. In the pockets are all our tickets, park maps, etc. I agree about nothing being written in stone, as I really think I would drive my DH (and probably myself) crazy if I were like that about it. It is probably just my DH and I going as well, although my parents are still deciding (how are these nonplanning people my parents??). Well I hope you have fun on your trip...maybe we will see you there and not even know it!!

 

[YorkieMommyKandis]

We really don't make many plans. In fact, this is the first year that we made ADRs. We have been to Disney enough times to know what we want to do and what we don't need to do again. The only reason why we made ADRs this trip is because of DDP. Since so many people take advantage of DDP it has become difficult to make reservations in the morning for that evenings dinner. We have always made our plans based on the weather for the day and any special activity that is going on in the parks. This year I have planned out our days based on our ADRs. I really believe that you can over plan. I think if you plan too much you run the risk of being disappointed when things don't go as you have planned. Relax and start thinking about your packing needs. Have a great time on your vacation.

You are 100% right. I think I am getting myself too worked up and if I don't calm down I won't have any fun at all. I do need to do some packing and maybe that will help me feel "ready".

 

[pepe of ohio]

We do very little planning, we do not like to be tied to an agenda with alot of ADR's. We've been to WDW over 38 times and know basically where we like dining and base our day to be in the dining area park to save alot of travel. We can flop days and ideas depending on weather and crowds. To us if a park we chose for the day is crowded we hop to another and pick up our dining issues at the new park. Without dyed in the wool plans we can be spontaneous and change on a whim. We don't need sheets or cards, we follow no attraction plan but just stroll at a leisurely pace around all the parks. We're never in any hurry because of some ADR or time schedule and always return to our resort for a dip and recharge. I guess its going with the flow and not against. We stay 8-12 nights and thats plenty of time to see and do and play and relax without excessive plans.

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

I don't plan at all execpt for my ressies. I just go and have fun. I think if you plan to much into to it, it starts feeling more work than it's worth (if you know what I mean). I go early and ride the rides that I want to and the rest of the day I spend just walking around and doing what ever. I'm sure I could do alot more if i planned, but that is way I do things. Thats my 2 cents worth.

 

[jenseib]

I have found it so much less stressful for us if we do NO planning. We may decide which parks to go to, but that can change too. And then jsut go where we want. I used to try and hit everything in one area at a time, but later found that with kids it's better to go wit hte flow and if the ywant to walk across the park to another ride, then it's better than fighting and making everyone miserable. I do have that planning gene in me though, so I have to give it up for more pleasure and peace.

 

[DizneyNutz]

We do very little planning, we do not like to be tied to an agenda with alot of ADR's. We've been to WDW over 38 times and know basically where we like dining and base our day to be in the dining area park to save alot of travel. We can flop days and ideas depending on weather and crowds. To us if a park we chose for the day is crowded we hop to another and pick up our dining issues at the new park. Without dyed in the wool plans we can be spontaneous and change on a whim. We don't need sheets or cards, we follow no attraction plan but just stroll at a leisurely pace around all the parks. We're never in any hurry because of some ADR or time schedule and always return to our resort for a dip and recharge. I guess its going with the flow and not against. We stay 8-12 nights and thats plenty of time to see and do and play and relax without excessive plans.

Because this is our theme now. Wondering if you are DVC'ers? We find that now we can relax and enjoy everything as it comes, knowing that "the good lord willing" we will be back to enjoy it again If Not, he has provided us a gracious plenty

 

[whogirl'smom]

I planned so much ahead my husband asked me one night if I had even planned his bathroom breaks!

 

[byoung]

Hope you have a great vacation.

 

[LauraAnn630]

Just make sure you know what everyones favorite is in each park.
Do them first. So they are not complaining later.

I didnt realize my husband was interested in some attractions I wasnt interested in. I found out after we got home! Then I felt bad. After all
he paid for everything!