I guess I really AM the most compulsive planner I know!

[missypie]

There is another lawyer at work who is so ORGANIZED and compulsive that she puts me to shame (and I admit to being very organized and compulsive). I remembered that last October she took her family on the Ultimate Disneyworld Vacation...stayed at the GF. I thought that after all the planning I had done, she - if anyone - would have some pearls of wisdom to pass on to me that I hadn't thought of.

Amazingly, she admitted that they didn't bring any rain gear and had to buy ponchos in the parks. She also admitted that she didn't make any PS but were lucky to be able to walk into the character meal at the GF.

I am disillusioned...I was sure that she was an even more compulsive planner than I am. So now I know that I'm the most compulisive Disney planner of anyone I know. I'm glad I at least have company on the DIS!

 

[disneyworldgirl]

Hello. My name is disneyworldgirl, and I'm a compulsive planner.

My DB and I are planning on going to WDW in Sept. 2006, and I've already made a rather detailed itinerary for each day of our stay. So far, I've included every attraction/ride/show that we want to experience, as well as the restaurants we want to visit, whether or not we need PS, and what times we'll be eating.

Now I'm adding in transportation time, attraction waiting times, and attraction duration times (making sure that we'll have enough time to do everything we want to do before we get there, and that we're not running around willy-nilly at the park and missing out on anything). I'll also be factoring in afternoon nap time (we don't want to completely wear ourselves out-- besides, if we go back to the hotel around midday, we won't be fighting the crowds that tend to build in the late morning/early afternoon hours; we also won't be running around during the hottest part of the day).

After I get all that printed out, I'll be transferring the info onto 3"x5" index cards that I can carry in my fanny-pack (one for each day of our visit). I'll also be having them laminated before we leave so that they don't get soaked on the water rides.

We've decided to drive to WDW (as you can see from my profile, we live in Southwestern PA), and we'll be taking 3 days to get there. So I've printed up addresses of the Motel 6's where we'll be staying, and driving directions and maps to guide us on the route.

I've also created a to-do list and several packing lists; one for the things we want to keep in the car during our trip, one for the clothes and other essentials we'll need once we get to WDW, and one for the items we'll need to take into the Motel 6's with us (we don't want to be dragging 4 or 5 suitcases in with us everywhere we stop, so we'll be packing enough clothes and everyday essentials for 3 days into 1 mid-sized bag).

I have all of our anticipated expenses printed up, including hotels, gas, food, ticket prices, souvenirs, and an emergency fund for any unplanned expenses. I'll also be creating a spreadsheet to help keep track of costs so that we don't go overbudget.

My DB's aware that I'm working on the itinerary, but he has no idea just how indepth everything is (not yet, anyway). He's not much of a planner, so he's content to just sit back and let me take care of all the details. It sound's like alot of work (and it is), but I love it! The more vacation planning I do, the closer WDW seems to be!

 

[emsamom]

I also am a compulsive planner. We are going in July--already have a folder packed with itinerary stuff. But, I just booked for Easter 2006 and am already starting that itinerary!!

 

[Goofy4Disney]

And here I was thinking I was all by my little lonesome in planning a trip for June 2006! Ha! Glad to see others are planning for next year too!

 

[MickeyMacks]

Hello. My name is disneyworldgirl, and I'm a compulsive planner.
...
My DB's aware that I'm working on the itinerary, but he has no idea just how indepth everything is (not yet, anyway). He's not much of a planner, so he's content to just sit back and let me take care of all the details. It sound's like alot of work (and it is), but I love it! The more vacation planning I do, the closer WDW seems to be!

Well, you sound just like me, and I'm not going until December! But have you reached the point yet where you suddenly realize, hey, I may have already spent more hours PLANNING this trip than I'm actually going to be spending BEING there????

(Cue the Twilight Zone, er, Disney Zone spooky music...dee-dee dee-dee, dee-dee, dee-dee...)

 

[disneyworldgirl]

I think about that everytime I start another planning project! What can I say-- I'm addicted to Disney!

 

[rabyoga]

Hello, my name is Robin and I'm a complusive planner. We should start a support group.. Oops, that's what DisBoards is all about. I'm 3 days away from our Disney World trip. I have my iternary plus 2 other alternate ones(just in cause). I also have put down what rides we will do and avoid, places to eat, etc.
It's good to know that I'm not alone. Although, my family thinks I'm a bit crazy. My motto for our trip "Maximum benefits, maximum fun!"

Robin
3 days until I visit the Mouse in his House where I'll sing:
"Oh, Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine.. You blow my mind. Hey, Mickey!"

 

[we3disneygo]

I too am planning my Sept.2006 20th wedding anniversary trip!!!! glad im not the only one-

 

[YEKCIM]

Like many of you, I made up cards on my PC (using MS Publisher) for each day and laminated them for durability. My cards included critical info such as park opening and closing times, any PS numbers, parade/show times, and a "must do" list and a "might do" list, somewhat in order of preference and georgraphy. I gave my wife, who is not a big Disney fan, a duplicate set, as well. To my surprise, she shifted into "Commando" mode and set off to make sure we checked off each and every item on the list, which is not really what I'd intended. Instead, I viewed the attractions list as a flexible guideline, not a boot camp exercise. Anyway, we found the cards to be a very valuable tool in two respects: First, in order to come up with such a system, you are required to think and plan; second, having something printed to refer to helps keep you on track, more or less, and minimizes wasted time.

~YEKCIM

 

[caitycaity]

i think planning is as fun as the vacation.

 

[luvmyfam444]

OH MY~~~ I"M BEHIND!!!!! WE leave in 5 days & I have NOTHING planned...a few things laying out to pack & the snacks bought but THAT"S IT!!!


we've always just "winged it" when we've gone anywhere on vacation-including WDW....

Disney worldgirl and others...will you share any of your info?????

 

[babar41]

I thought I was the only one. I spend a year planning, making spreadsheets, time tables... Everyone in my family thinks I'm nuts! I am... nuts over Disney. When we arrive at the airport I pull out my binder and open it to page one... all the airline information. Page 2 is car rental. I don't put the daily schedule on cards, instead they are in the binder and I pull out each day and fold it up to fit in my pocket. Each day starts with what time we are getting up, when we are to be in the car, where we are eating breakfast complete with time and PS# (the menu has already been selected from the menu section of the binder! Also the cost of the meals including tip.), when we are back in the car and when we will be at which park. I too include ride duration times, walking between attraction times, nap times... and even "free time" where we can do what ever we want. It ends with what time we go to sleep.

Truth is while I do all this planning, and most of the time we stay on schedule, I am not so obsesive that the schedule can't be modified or even thrown out the window if we want. Planning our trip is so much fun for me and what helps me make it through the year till we go back.

I think we need to organize a CPA group (compulsive planners anonymous).

 

[cheshirecat74sc]

LOL! I was afraid I was the only one with detailed itinerary spreadsheets and lists of rides with the order we'll go on them! I love it though - planning is one of my favorite parts of going to Disney. My husband just shakes his head when I tell him I already have the itinerary planned for our next trip, which we haven't even scheduled yet.

Sharon