How much do you plan?

[kdibattista]

I personally plan out what park we do on what day and secure all the necessary PS.... that's it. I thought that was pretty good planning (at least it seems to work for us) but I have heard of people planning every 5 minutes!!!! I'm not saying that's bad but I'm just curious how much planning everyone else does.

Again.... I hope nobody takes offense... I'm just curious!!!!

 

[Micca]

I'm a recovering park commando After nearly 30 trips to the world, I am finally at peace that "we will be back, and it won't be too long". This really takes the edge off and requires less planning. Next trip I'll be making fewer PS's than ever. As for park days, I'll try to shoot for the less busy days, but it's not critical

 

[eeyore0062]

I try to plan, because we can get so much more done that way. My parents went this past week and absolutely refused to plan anything. They did let me get them a PS for 50's Primetime, and it was a good thing they did.

They wouldn't get to the parks until about 11 am... by then when they got FP's they couldn't use them until late in the afternoon. Restaurants in which they would have liked to eat wouldn't take walk up guests. Personally, it was driving me crazy! No organization whatsoever. We have found from experience that if you go during crowded times, it is absolutely essential to plan ahead... then if you have to make adjustments along the way!

 

[danny1649]

Think to visit WDW without a general plan can be a bad experience.You will miss so much you could've seen with a basic plan in place.

 

[minnieandmickey]

I know which park which day and have done all my ps ressies. I also plan out which way we will start out at the parks, but do not do the this ride at this time situation.

 

[Dan Murphy]

First trip was well planned, which park for the day, PS's and special things (luau, parasailing, Illum cruise, etc). It was with family and our first trip. With the help of the DIS, our 9 day trip worked beautifully, not too rushed, did everything, did a LOT, even though again, it was our very first WDW. Now, on my solo trips (still having a hard time getting family back, LOL) I tend to try and have an idea of what park, a few PS's and keeping up with lots of DIS meets Never did do the ride planning thing.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by eeyore0062
I try to plan, because we can get so much more done that way.

You hit the nail on the head!
When we went on trips before I "understood" Disney , we didnt do much planning at all. It seemed we were always stumped for what to do next, we didnt hit the show times right and missed a lot. On my honeymoon, we spent 1 whole afternoon walking around MGM looking for a place to eat lunch where we didnt have to wait 3 hours to get in.
Once I started becoming a planning psycho, everyone laughed at me...but after touring with me (my mother and my nieces, even DH) they agree it works!

In 2 weeks we are going with our neighbors. The parents havent been in 16 years and the kids have never gone. We had them over last night to go over some stuff and well, at first I was embarrased to show them how Im planning our touring. They probably went home ROFL at me, but they will see.

I voted for the last choice in the poll, but I actually dont have it down to 5 minutes...Im between the second to last & the last choices....but I sure hope those kids can hold it.

Oh and I should add for our Dec trip, I wont do as much planning because im expecting huge crowds and its just our family who will have just gone a few months earlier, so Im taking that trip to relax more...but talk to me in 3 months.

 

[feenie]

I plan like crazy leading up to a trip but tend to relax once we are actually there. Our rule tends to be, if there is a long line, we can ride it later. Of course we go at the slower times of the year, or we would be walking around all day looking for something to do!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Money is tight for us, and we want to make the most of our trip. I went a few times and didnt plan and found that while it was nice and calm, I missed most of the rides and didnt have as much "fun"

 

[Disneymoon04]

I know what park on what day and have made PS... if I do any more it usually doesn't work out anyway

 

[swankybeth]

We plan which park on which day and do our PS's before we leave. But we always know that our plans are subject to change and if we don't feel like doing something, we just won't do it even if it means cancelling a PS or two.

 

[Tiggery]

I tend to just have 1 or 2 PS made and thats it. Other than that i dont plan which park which day etc, but what i do do is read up on everything so that when im there i already know which ride is being rehabbed, which ones to get fastpasses to, what i should do early in the day and which can be done anytime etc.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

we plan - which park which day - I go to wdw site, cut and paste every ride and attraction on paper so my daughter and I can review together and DD checks off what she wants. We prioritize her list by putting a 1) for MUST DO Rides, 2) for Want To Do rides, 3) Would Like To Do but if we don't have the time its ok rides, and 4) Rides she does not want to do under any circumstance. Then I correlate that list with a list of fast pass attractions, a list of E-ride night attractions, and a list of EE morning attractions, and with maps of the various parks. That way I can establish a plan of attack to get the most of what my DD wants to get done - and I also get PS's - sometimes if I can only get a PS for a certain day then I adjust what park on what day due to that. Alot revolves around what she wants to do and how the PS's come in. I mean if I get a PS for Monday at CRT, then that is where we go regardless of it being EE day at AK.

That way we got a ton of stuff done this last trip... I mean we were averaging 14 activities per day and still leaving the parks at roughly 2pm