Is an itinerary that necessary?

[PrincessDanielle]

I'm getting a little intimidated, is it really that necessary to plan out ahead of time everything to do and see? I guess we'd planned on getting the map of the grounds and just kind of wandering around all day. Is that a bad idea? There are a couple things I wanted to make a point of seeing, but as we know nothing at all really about Disney, we're just kind of winging it.

Are the parades and shows good? How long do they last? I don't want to be stuck watching some long show.

Ugh. We are going on the 22nd, and I'm getting nervous, it's so overwhelming.

TIA

 

[rachelpixiedust]

Don't get stressed! Otherwise you won't enjoy yourself!

Honestly, I would advise planning, especially since you're going in the summer when it'll be busy and warm and there will be queues a plenty! I'm speaking from experience as we got back from a week there two weeks ago (our 4th trip) and it was mega hot and mega busy!
Since you haven't been before, I'd advise you to get A Brit's Guide to Disneyland Paris or something similar as it's good to refer to for little handy hints & tips. Also, you should check out disneylandparis.co.uk as they have all the show & parade times on there.
I would advise making a general plan of what you'd like to do (you certainly don't need a totally regimented plan as if you were going to Florida) as if you just wander round doing what you fancy you may miss things you'd like to do (some shows aren't on certain days, the parades are at certain times and you have to seek out a good spot in advance for them etc), taking note of which rides are 'fastpass' rides and which things you'd like to do first thing in a morning when the crowds are less etc.
Some shows are 'don't miss' material -- motors action stunt show is incredible, and I have a soft spot for the Tarzan Encounter, but it's whatever appeals to you!

 

[wideeyes]

You don't really need an itinerary though I would do a little research to have an idea of what appeals to you and what shows you want to see.

 

[PrincessDanielle]

Thanks for your replies.

I had never even heard of these Fast Passes until reading this board. I still need to read up on what all they are/do.

Pretty much the only thing I know I want to see is Sleeping Beauty's castle, and maybe the Princess parade. I'm not that into the shows and parades, although I guess maybe the kids would be, in which case of course we would do them. I've read the Disney at Large website, but I'm still not convinced, so I'm worried about going on the rides.

Ugh, we should have skipped Disney and rented a bungalow somewhere for a week. This "vacation" is beginning to sound like a lot of work.

Off to read more FAQs! Thanks!

 

[tinkerbell36]

It's only work if you look at it that way! I think you will be very plesantly surprised when you get there - this isn't your average 'shows', the very atmosphere of the park is amazing, and you could easily go there and not go on any rides and have a great time - but DO go on them! I suppose it does depend what kind of a holiday you are after, but I couldn't stand the idea of lying on a beach for 2 weeks, and for me nothing beats this kind of holiday. Yes it can be tiring but it is absolutely worth it. Don't get stressed, it will ruin your - and your family's holiday. Relax and enjoy, trust us!!

 

[bob harris]

I started to make an intinery but gave up - the parks aren't that big and you can move from land to land very easily

if you have little ones take you own pushchairs (not double) - don't forget rain covers !!

bag a ride or fp for peter pan and soon as you can - the dumbo ride never dropped below 60 mins wait whilst we were there and we didn't do it - otherwise we did everything and buzz lightyear 5 times

 

[tinkerbell36]

Bob! Nice to see a new face

Yeah I agree - it is nice to have a rough idea of what you would like to do that day, but it is not the end of the world if you don't get it done. i find it handy to arrange to see a show or two and then vaguely plan your day around that, in terms of what time you will be in which lands or park.

But as Bob says, both are very manageable

 

[PrincessDanielle]

Thanks all. I wish Disney would have sent out an information pack or something when I made my reservations. It would be nice to be able to sit down with a map in hand and decide what we want to do and see, and where that exactly is at the park.

It sounds like Fast Passes are the way to go. I was planning on going to the park in the morning, then going back to the hotel for a couple hours around 2 or 3, resting or swimming, then going for dinner and maybe a couple more hours at the park. Does that sound unrealistic?

 

[AnitaCB]

It sounds like Fast Passes are the way to go. I was planning on going to the park in the morning, then going back to the hotel for a couple hours around 2 or 3, resting or swimming, then going for dinner and maybe a couple more hours at the park. Does that sound unrealistic?

That sounds fine - you don't need a cast iron plan because the parks aren't that big. Get the fast passes as soon as you can and then wander around. We went back to our hotel for a swim because it was so hot and busy and then felt refreshed for the evening which is when I think the main park is at its best. The princess parade was at 7.15pm and Fantillusion at 10.30pm when we went a few weeks ago but if you want a front row position you need to get near the castle a good hour before hand.
Have a good time!

 

[SandraVB79]

I have, up til now, never had an itinerary for DLP.
I also have never had one for DL. I had a schedule for what parks I would visit on what day at WDW, and didn't stick to that after 3 days. I still got to do what I wanted to do. Without being stresses that I didn't follow the schedule.

There is just one you have to keep in mind: the time schedules for the shows/ parades you want to see. If you don't keep those in mind, it's less guaranteed you'll see them.

 

[PrincessDanielle]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way my 3 year old will stand for an hour to secure a good stop for the parade. I'd like to try to see one or 2, if possible, I think the kids would like it.

My mother is coming with us, gets here from the US on the 20th. Maybe she can take my older daughter on some of the bigge

 

[PrincessDanielle]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way my 3 year old will stand for an hour to secure a good stop for the parade. I'd like to try to see one or 2, if possible, I think the kids would like it.

My mother is coming with us, gets here from the US on the 20th. Maybe she can take my older daughter (11) on some of the bigger rides, while we take our little one to something else.

Who am I kidding, I just want to shop, swim, and see Princesses.

 

[Torchy]

I have suggested to DLRP whenever I can that they should send out a copy of the park maps (the ones you get at the main gates) to people who book online, as part of a "welcome pack". The brochures are ok but not detailed enough.

Id also recommend the Brits Guide - ours is now so dogeared

 

[isma]

I don`t think it`s necessary to plan every step in advance but I would plan things like visiting Fantasyland first thing in the morning because the crowds there start to build very early. Maybe you can book a Fantasyland Breakfast?
We never secured a spot for Fantillusion one hour prior and we always found a good (well, not perfect because we couldn`t see all of the dancers but that wasn`t important to us) spot when we got there 30 minutes before.
I would also plan which ones of the fastpasses you would like to do and collect them before lunch time because they might run out very soon on busy days...
On our first trip we didn`t know anything about the parks, got our maps when entering and went from Land to Land deciding spontaneously on what to do, so we missed some things out but had a great and not at all stressing time!

Don`t forget to simply enjoy the Disney atmosphere!

 

[PrincessDanielle]

Thanks Isma. We have a character breakfast booked that I did at the same time I made our reservations. I don't know where that is yet though, it didn't say anywhere in the confirmation email. Someone else said that we would find that out at check-in. I'm going to call and ask just to make sure.

 

[NIK]

I wouldn't want to plan every second of my day but I do have a list of 'must see' things - I didn't do this on my first visit and it wasn't until my second that I realised how much I missed. It's worth making note of things you read about on here as I've found that when I get to the park I have no idea where to start and the maps are great but you end up running from one side to the other unless you have some idea before you begin.

 

[AnitaCB]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way my 3 year old will stand for an hour to secure a good stop for the parade. I'd like to try to see one or 2, if possible, I think the kids would like it.

They don't have to stand, you can all sit on the kerb. We got the kids some snacks and a drink before we sat down and played eye spy and the animal game to keep them occupied while we waited. Our eldest DD was 4 and the youngest was nearly 3. The CMs were also entertaining, dancing around and clapping while we waited!

 

[PrincessDanielle]

LOL I guess I'm used to what happens at a 4th of July parade...you sit down to wait, and someone comes and stands in front of you!

Im trying to hammer out some kind of plan with the husband right now. I think we're going to arrive somewhere around 11, if we leave at like 4-5AM. Oy vey. It's going to be some loooong days!