How far do you plan?

[rottie155]

So, I've been planning like crazy for our March trip to DLP and was wondering if I have actually lost the plot and making the holiday a bit too regimented or if everyone else does this?!

I usually "go with the flow" when it comes to DLP trips, but then I always come home thinking 'damn, I never got to do this that and the other', so this year I decided to start actually do some planning...

This got me wondering, how far do you all go with your planning? Just the meals? Shows? Rides? Timeslotting your days?

 

[joolz1910]

I have 3 kids, so for my last trip I compiled a list of 'must do's' after a lot of advice on here and then went with the flow. I let the kids decide on the itinerary for each day but subtly coaxed them towards the must do's.

 

[rottie155]

I have 3 kids, so for my last trip I compiled a list of 'must do's' after a lot of advice on here and then went with the flow. I let the kids decide on the itinerary for each day but subtly coaxed them towards the must do's.

I think there will be a lot of coaxing on our visit too... The best part of DLP is if you don't get it all done in one trip, you just HAVE to go back

 

[loladelorean]

Well, its weird...with both our recent trips I have obsessively planned and planned again, especially with meals, and fiddling around with time slots etc.
But once I get there, I am so relaxed and happy that I don't care that much what we do! When our plan to go to Walts was thwarted, Mum thought I would freak out but nothing bothered me when we were in the magic.
Still think planning is half the fun though thinking about every detail of the trip passes the time while counting down.

 

[mommy2ash]

i enjoy planning everything out but i have never once stuck to a plan once i got there. i think in five trips i only once managed to make all my meal reservations lol. no actually i missed the plaza gardens the last time so i have never made them all lol

i cant stick to a day by day plan but i do make a mental list each day of the things i would like to get done

 

[Ware Bears]

We always have our meals planned and booked before we go and these are planned to allow us to see the parades at least once if not twice.

However once there we're very flexible and just take it as it comes although it's very easy to be like that when the shortest trip we've done has been for 5 nights. It will seem very strange going for only 2 nights next May and I have to realise that I just won't get to ride/see everything! I'll just have to book another trip for the following year!!

 

[sweetlovin']

This is my first DLP trip and I am planning for my April trip. However, I go to Disney World anywhere from 2-5 times a year and I plain every trip down to rides that we must ride first. I actually have Magic Kingdom down to where we have finished all the rides by 2pm on a day when we get there for the opening.

All meals and parks are planned ahead of time in according to Disney's calendar. That is when I have 5-7 people with me. When I am just with 1 child on a individual trip, I let the child pick the restuarants ahead of time and then let them pick the park and the rides of the day.

I have never been on a trip where my plans haven't changed and I truly don't mind. It will never be set in stone. I just like to be as prepared and as knowledgeable on the events, times, days shows and restaurants as possible.

 

[otwidalepda]

I planned for the must do Meet and Greets and the average timings for each queue. I got a list of all the rides people wanted to go on and then planned a route along the rides and the shows/parades/characters so that everything could be covered.

BUT leave further planning to anything that may go wrong. For example, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster broke down when we where there and the queue for Tram Tour was longer than expected so it worked out on that point.

I cannot do 'go with the flow' and hate the phrase. I ALWAYS plan but it was still amazing fun because to the rest of my family they felt like it was just do what seems right but really I had a hidden agenda !

Also, I got everything we wanted to do covered in two days including parades, rides, shows, characters, the lot!

 

[DLPdaft]

I thought I'd be into military-type planning for our trip in March (same time as you I think Rottie). Its our first trip where we are there for a whole weekend, with 2 children . However, I've still only got a few notes made of where we might eat and when, where we might avoid the worst of the crowds etc etc.

 

[rottie155]

It sounds like I am not the only one who's going to be planning like crazy for March!

Lola, I actually imagined you would be a bit more military-styled in your planning ~ in a good way of course

mommy2ash I think you hit the nail right on the head there in my case too, I have visions of planning like mad for our trip and then getting there seeing something happen and the whole thing will go out of the window

Warebears that's how I started off, I was thinking should I just sort out a meal or two next thing I knew I was listing things down and everything

Sweet, otwid and DLPdaft I think the three of us are the most organised people in Disney I just have a vision of walking through Disney in full army kit, itinerary in hand and motioning my parents along because they are falling behind schedule! To be honest DLPdaft, I am currently at the same stage of planning as you - possibilities for dining and proposed times... I think once Disney releases it's March opening hours things could change about a bit though...

It's really interesting reading all of your thoughts and planning processes

 

[kizzabel]

I am so deighted reading this thread!! im not the only one!! DP thinks im a planning freak (hes a clean freak so we're matched in our OCD)

Im off in march too and always have a good idea of where we'll eat as it works out best and there wont be any traipsing around like our last trip (felt like i was in the nativity - there was no room in any inn!! eventually got fed in the steakhouse - worth the wait).

So we arrive on Tuesday, do BBWWS that night, then Walts for late lunch on the Wednesday followed by a cocktail tasting mission, Cafe Mickey on Thursday and Annettes i reckon for late lunch Friday before we go home.
Ive also written our what we havent done. We aim to do ToT, Autopia (to see what the fuss is about), Tram Tours and Crush. Theres more but no need for details lol!!

I also did a timescale for planes, trains, check ins and what times we expect to eat.... I think ive found my calling - organising stuff!!

When it doesnt go to plan or if we go off plan it doesnt get to me either. Its nice to know what we need to get done! Did i meantion my notebook and pen are the 1st/most vital things packed!!!

Hope everyone has brilliant trips... whether they do to plan or not

 

[rottie155]

I am so deighted reading this thread!! im not the only one!! DP thinks im a planning freak (hes a clean freak so we're matched in our OCD)

This was exactly why I had to ask how everybody else plans - we're in this together Kizzabel - we're not planning freaks, we just like to be extremely EXTREMELY organised in life