OT: Will Planning Always Be Like This?

[Maggie Ann]

I don't get it. When I has planning for my wedding day 6 years ago, I was so laid back. Groom - check; church - check; dress - check, the rest was just a party. Did some research, picked reception hall, flowers, etc. with such ease. Everything was set months before the wedding with no problems. Now my worries are - should we have breakfast with Cindy or dinner with the Fairy Godmother. when should we go to BBB, what to do/not to do. When to go ... on so on.

This is my first trip in almost 30 years and it is all very new to me. Please tell me that it gets easier after the first trip once you have your blue prints set up, I don't think DH recognizes me anymore

Happy Planning!

 

[Aliceacc]

This is my first trip since 1990, so I'm right there with you.

RIght now I'm in the midst of trying to find a good airfare. The cheapest ones I'm seeing (for next August) seem to consistently be from Newark. So an early flight would mean a night in an airport motel (we're on LI) Even with the cost of the motel, the $139 airfares well beat out the $220 I'm seeing from Laguardia or JFK or the even more expensive ones from Islip. I'm checking EVERY day and I know I've lost my mind.

We won't be able to afford this again for quite some time... my trips to Lake George are a piece of cake to plan!!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Sorry to say it...but it only gets a little easier! The one good thing in planning after you have been there once (especially once with the kiddos) if that you can learn from all your "mistakes" on trip one!!!! We have learned 1) that our idea of "slowing down" at the parks is still too fast paced for DD, that 2) 6pm dinner ADRs do not work for our family, that 3) DD who would live at our local zoo if we let her HATES AK because after you get done with the safari and the river rapids, there really isn't much exciting for her. 4) that no park (at this age) competes with the MK so you really need to spend most of your days there, and 5) that 4 days isn't enough with kids...that 6 days isn't enough with kids...so we'll be trying 8 next year

 

[Maggie Ann]

This is my first trip since 1990, so I'm right there with you.

RIght now I'm in the midst of trying to find a good airfare. The cheapest ones I'm seeing (for next August) seem to consistently be from Newark. So an early flight would mean a night in an airport motel (we're on LI) Even with the cost of the motel, the $139 airfares well beat out the $220 I'm seeing from Laguardia or JFK or the even more expensive ones from Islip. I'm checking EVERY day and I know I've lost my mind.

We won't be able to afford this again for quite some time... my trips to Lake George are a piece of cake to plan!!!

Hi Aliceacc,

I see that your post was at 5am this morning.... we're on the same page

Those prices seem pretty high. About 2 months ago we purchased our Jan. tickets with Jet Blue from JFK. I had to wait a few weeks before the dates we wanted came up. I looked at Jet Blue after reading your post earlier and saw that they are taking reservations up to the end of April (or there about). Initially the price of our tickets were $99 each but I waited about another week or so because I still had to confirm the dates and surprisingly the price went down to $84 by the time we purchased. Grant it, January is a "value" month but hopefully you will be able to get a good deal too. Good luck! I would say don't stress but ....

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Maggie Ann]

Sorry to say it...but it only gets a little easier! The one good thing in planning after you have been there once (especially once with the kiddos) if that you can learn from all your "mistakes" on trip one!!!! We have learned 1) that our idea of "slowing down" at the parks is still too fast paced for DD, that 2) 6pm dinner ADRs do not work for our family, that 3) DD who would live at our local zoo if we let her HATES AK because after you get done with the safari and the river rapids, there really isn't much exciting for her. 4) that no park (at this age) competes with the MK so you really need to spend most of your days there, and 5) that 4 days isn't enough with kids...that 6 days isn't enough with kids...so we'll be trying 8 next year

Thanks Tnkrbelle565,

Well I guess a little easier is better than not at all. Your Top 5 List was awesome, it addressed some of my worries and will help our planning alot.

Thanks again. Enjoy planning your trip!

 

[TheDizMom]

Trust me it does because the next time you will kind of know what everyone is in to and what they are really wanting to do again. It is hard the first time because you are just learning all the ins and outs and there are so many new things it's hard to decide who, what, where, when and how . Right now it's a pain but it will all be worth it in the end because you'll be able to have a great time . You're also thinking about what several people want instead of just the and groom > You really want everyone to have a good time so it's a bit stressful the first time out. Just remember the more you do ahead of time the less stressed out you'll be and the more fun you will have . Next time you'll know what restaurants and attractions are your favorites and you'll have a head start on the planning .

Have a great trip !! I am soooooo jealous!!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi Aliceacc,

I see that your post was at 5am this morning.... we're on the same page

Those prices seem pretty high. About 2 months ago we purchased our Jan. tickets with Jet Blue from JFK. I had to wait a few weeks before the dates we wanted came up. I looked at Jet Blue after reading your post earlier and saw that they are taking reservations up to the end of April (or there about). Initially the price of our tickets were $99 each but I waited about another week or so because I still had to confirm the dates and surprisingly the price went down to $84 by the time we purchased. Grant it, January is a "value" month but hopefully you will be able to get a good deal too. Good luck! I would say don't stress but ....

Have a wonderful trip!

Dumb question, but that's round trip?

I think my biggest problem is that I simply don't know what constitutes a "good fare"...what price should I jump all over?

The DINGS I see from Southwest are in the $80 range-- each way. So that $139 Continental round trip from Newark is looking better and better.

 

[Elmo888]

Dumb question, but that's round trip?

I think my biggest problem is that I simply don't know what constitutes a "good fare"...what price should I jump all over?

The DINGS I see from Southwest are in the $80 range-- each way. So that $139 Continental round trip from Newark is looking better and better.

For fare info, I check farecast.com. It has been helpful in determining what is a good price and what isn't. If you are going within 3 months, they have a helpful buy/wait/price is going up/price is going down estimate. It is like the stock market.

The other web site that I find helpful is farecompare.com.

I just wanted someone, anyone, to tell me what a good price was, so I understand how you feel.

 

[Elmo888]

I don't get it. When I has planning for my wedding day 6 years ago, I was so laid back. Groom - check; church - check; dress - check, the rest was just a party. Did some research, picked reception hall, flowers, etc. with such ease. Everything was set months before the wedding with no problems. Now my worries are - should we have breakfast with Cindy or dinner with the Fairy Godmother. when should we go to BBB, what to do/not to do. When to go ... on so on.

This is my first trip in almost 30 years and it is all very new to me. Please tell me that it gets easier after the first trip once you have your blue prints set up, I don't think DH recognizes me anymore

Happy Planning!

We went with kids for the first time last January, and I am planning another trip this January (DDs will be 3 and 7). So far, it has been easier. I have everything set, I know what I want to spend, I know how to research (from resorts, to restaurants, to airline prices, etc.), and I know what our needs are. I don't know if the anxiety leading up to the trip will be less, but it sure seems like it will.

I am changing some of our days a bit (skipping the nap on some days because it took DDs so long to fall asleep last time and DDs will be older) and most of our ADRs are at different places than last time, so there will be some new factors. But, even if I am completely wrong about everything, I certainly feel more comfortable and confident! We were and will be flexible, and we are still at Disney!

Just like anything else - just decide something and go with it. It isn't necessarily going to be perfect, but it certainly isn't going be the wrong choice. Your family will still have a great time. And, as I pointed out to DH, DD7 isn't going to miss what she isn't aware of!

 

[Maggie Ann]

Hi Aliceacc,

Sorry my bad, it's $84 each way.... sorry for any confusion. I see Elmo888 sent you some websites for fare comparisons, hopefully it can help you get a good deal. I'm adding them to my favorites for future references as well.

Have a great night!

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks Maggie,

The more I look at it, the less likely I think it will be that anyone will beat that $139 out of Newark-- that one IS round trip. Even with taxes and fees, I could get the 5 of us to Orlando and back for $700.

Of course, if I wanted to leave early(and I do!), it would probably mean $100 for an airport motel. So I'm up to $800. And then there's getting to and from Newark. I'm not sure I would want to impose on someone (who is comfortable driving a minivan-- that pretty much means one particular friend) to get the 5 of us to NJ.

Hmmmmmmmmm...