OK! How many of you are nuts like me?

[maxtomsmom]

My family thinks I'm crazy!!!! They're probably right, but that's beside the point. How many of you out there plan and replan your WDW itinerary many times? I like to plan for it all. I do it for any vacation that requires extensive sight seeing. I feel WDW is no different. Parks, character meals, dinner reserv; down time, what in case it rains, etc... You get the point. My DH and DS 5yrs. see me on the computer and yell, "NOT AGAIN!" I can't help it, I'm a teacher and a control freak by nature (when it's possible, I do have a DS whose 2. He truly does rule our roost.)

I'm on my fourth draft for Dec. and will continue to make changes. I have to plan for a magical gathering with other family members this time which takes more work. I didn't hear any complaints last year when we went. DH had such fun that he stated I've should have been a TA. He said the same thing when we to Paris & Bermuda. Now mind you, I don't do this for every vacation. When we visit the NJ shore, it's the most unplanned vacation. That's the way we like it.

So how many of you are out there?

 

[fan_of_small_world]

You are SO in the right place!

I joined the Dis Boards a few months ago and I'm so happy to have found other nuts like me too!

Personally, I've changed hotel reservations 4 times (the last one thanks to the Disney Visa package that came out last week), flight reservations twice, my ADR at the castle for the princess meal 3 times, and our schedule of what park on what day too many times to count LOL!

 

[LubsPoohBear]

i did before my first trip now im on too trip 2 and i can't seem too make up my mind..... only thing i know for sure is that i will have my LGMH when i go... getting them wed. lol happy planning

 

[tacomaranch]

With 1 month and 1 day today. I made my DH sit down with me to discuss dining plans, which parks on which days, and which fireworks and shows. He did ok and acted like it might matter. So I have each day planned for dining, parks and fun.

But with all plans the DS could have meltdown and all bets are off. I have to be fexible and go with what happens. All the planning in the world can be changed by a small little boy.

Have fun!

 

[mamato2princesses]

Every night, before bed, I go over my itinerary. Rewrite, make little changes, etc. DH doesn't want me to talk about it, because he says I'm taking all the fun out of it, and he won't be excited when we finally do go (July '07). Finding this place has been a dream for me. Other people who are as excited as me, and so full of information. Any question I have I get answered here. I'm going to miss you guys when school starts up . Maybe I can get on during my prep time or before school starts .

I can't wait til July...I can't wait til July...I can't wait til July...

 

[TinkNH]

I resemble these remarks!
I have planned out the days including the time to set our wake up calls for! DH thinks I am insane..but this is the first time we have taken DD and I want to make sure we see all the "must do's" as I know it may be a few years before we get back again!
I have it written out, stored on the computer, and each days itinary written on LAMINATED index cards to keep in my bag. I was a teacher too...perhaps that has something to do with the planning I also need stuff to keep me busy cause I am so excited for the trip!!!

 

[LaraK]

I find that picking up one of my guidebooks and reading the same passage for the 100th time gives me a sense of enjoyment that only others like us understand. The planning is part of the fun, it draws out the pleasure. I am getting ready to book our next trip in a month or so and am already starting to read, and post, and everything else. We're thinking of April (I have to figure out when spring break season is over)

 

[henrylovespooh]

I plan, plan, plan! Once the trip is booked, I'm on this site non-stop and reading guidebooks to get info on things we haven't done and restaurants we haven't eaten at.

But I also acknowledge that things always come up and I might have to change the plan. Once we get to WDW, I don't hold everyone to the reservations I've made, etc. If something comes up, we roll with it.

My planning has resulted in my non-patient DH never having to wait more than 15 minutes in line for a ride for for a bus at WDW. The longest we have ever waited to go on the Dumbo ride is 10 minutes. We always get to eat at the restaurants we like because I make ADRs. Having never gone before we were married, I made sure he had a good time the first time so that we would be assured of going back. Now he wants to go every year.

 

[maxtomsmom]

I knew I wasn't alone. This site is the best. I was a lurker for a while last year and finally joined last month. I say, "Keep planning, keep hoping, keep going!"

 

[Dizneydaz]

I like the planning part ALMOST as much as the actual trip. I do make ADRs but I don't necessarily plan every day out. I know that things change and we won't spend our entire 10 days on Disney property. My mom requires us to get off property at least a few days (I know-she's crazy ) so I know that a few of the ADRs I made won't hold.

I do find these boards addictive though. But also extremely helpful. . We wouldn't have the great times we have had at WDW if not for this board and www. allearsnet.com

I even "cut and paste" (onto 8 1/2" x 11" paper that I fold in half) the menus for the restaurants we are going to, or may be going to, to get my mom (and DD6) excited about the food. How sick is that?

Keep on planning! You know, even if they complain about it at least you know that you're saving time and money by being obsessed!

 

[mytwinklestar]

LOL Had to smile reading your post and those in agreement that responded. My husband USED to think I was over-the-top with planning our Disney trips. NO longer. He does occassionally moan when he wants computer time and sees that I am Dis-ing again. However, when it comes time for the trip, he is most thankful that many of the details are all worked out. I am the index card carrying, map in hand, ressies made, turn-left-here (going to the left for shorter lines), Mom who plans out the entire stay. I have to say that we are much more flexible now that we have been a few times. No one likes to be too rigid when living the Magic. But, having a plan - that could change - is so much better than not having any direction. You will surely miss out if you don't do your homework beforehand. I commend you. Smile as your family shrugs you off now... when they are living it up... taking it all in... with a tour guide mom... they will thank you. I promise. You go girl!

 

[WhoLetTheMouseOut]

Don't feel bad. Our itinerary is always a WIP! (Work in progress. . .).

 

[Smileybug]

Isn't it the best feeling in the world when others understand you?! I don't feel so alone anymore!! I hate to say that I stress (that sounds bad) it's stress in a good way (the excited kind). I plan, re-plan, think, and re-think each trip. I actually think that the excitement grows with each trip!!

 

[mousiemom]

You are so normal on this board! You have to have a plan when in disney! I keep my itineiary in my computer because we always go the same amount of days and this one has worked out for us every yr. My sisters went w/us on the last trip and one day they went to a different park than us and they were totally lost. They said,"we needed you to tell us what to do next" That made me feel so good! My work pays off. I love to plan and make lists. They all make fun, but appreciate it!

 

[WAHMto5]

I am the EXACY same way I have to say that the first year we went to WDW, I did not plan and it was horrible! We missed soo much, had no ADR's and couldn't eat anywhere we really wanted to and I felt stressed most of the trip. Now that I plan everything ahead of time, it is GREAT!! Everyone in the family has soo much better of a time and even DH thanks me for making it soo smooth!

 

[bubba]

Plan away ! We went to WDW in May - DH. DS(8), DS(3),My Mum and I. I am a planner ! I planned the heck out of this trip. Didn't have detailed touring plans for each day, just which park we would be in, which rides/shows were musts, where we would eat and any ADH res#'s. My mother, who is a seasoned traveller, just told me that this was the smoothest vacation she had ever been on. We didn't have to worry about anything. Everything was jotted down in my little Mickey notebook. Because it was all planned out ahead of time, we could relax and enjoy the moment, not have to figure out what we would do next. We did veer from the plan a couple times, but it worked for us. Have fun with the planning !
Laurie

 

[theprincess]

Good I am not alone!! We leave in 4 days and I still want to change some things around~my DH will kill me!!