Overwhelmed with planning already

[Disneytwinz]

I've learned alot of Disney terms and read many a Disney vacation book, I'm having fun with it yes, but I still feel overwhelmed with the planning process. I just don't understand what to plan first and when. I hope that makes sense. How do you figure what restaurant you are eating at in which park and which parade is going to be where etc. when you have no clue on dates and times? I know this must sound really dumb. Dh says just wing it, but being 'the' planner I know that's just not possible. We are 4 months into planning and that went fast! Just from reading this site I have post it notes surrounding my computer monitor, twice!! Please help.

 

[carone0318]

This is what I do:

Determine what restaurants I want to eat at. Then I look at which parks have the EMHs and if I want to attend. Then I set my schedule up based on the park hours. There are some exceptions. My first day regardless of what day we arrive, I must go to MK. I personally don't feel like I am at Disney until I step foot into MK, so the first day we are eating at LTT. I also know from previous experience that my kiddos don't like early morning ADRs, so any character breakfast we go to is not before 9:30-10am. Also won't schedule an early breakfast if we are going to EMHs at night the day before.

Realize that we go every year and I think that also changes how you look at things. I am not worrying about missing anything, because if I do go to something this year, I will the following year. I think if this is the trip of a lifetime, it will be harder to plan and more overwhelming.

 

[cjnix29]

First of all, take a deep breath!!! Here is what I do...I take a look at the restaurants, and see which ones I think I want to eat at. Some of them have been booked so I find a few more. I try to plan which parks and which days, but sometimes it depends on when I can get an ADR. I don't usually make that many ADR's but this year with free dining, I made sure I got the ones I wanted. I dont' worry about EMH, I think the parks get too crowded on those days, so I usually go to a part that does NOT have EMH. There are so many things to do at the resorts and at DTD, that I don't feel the need to be at the MK or any other park at midnight! It really all depends on your family and preferences. Don't stress out too much about it. There are plenty of places to eat, and you won't starve! Be flexible, and remember...you are in Disney...how bad can it be?! The happiest place on earth!!!

 

[mtpalmer]

You mentioned you didnt know dates and times if you go to the Dis home page you can find schedules with dates and times for early opening and late closing times for each of the parks... there is also schedules for the parades, fireworks and events held at Disney parks...As for restaurants on the home page you can find a list of each restaurant at each park with some idea of the menu and prices...check out the dining forums lots of good ideas there...hope this helps...

 

[coruth4]

Have you checked out the TGM site? His advise is fabulous! He breaks down which days are best for which park and why. I used his advise for my first trip - and it was a great success. We went in July and had no problem with lines - are longest was about 15 mintutes - which if we had followed his advise more closely never would have happened.
Many people have sadi they think is site is overwhelming - but he breaks it down how to work through his site - and it really is a piece of cake. There is TONS of information on it and well worth the investment. It was far better than all the books I bought!
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

First I read all the menus on allearsnet.com I picked my top 7 counter services and my top 7 table service meals.

Then I looked up EMH hours for all the parks and set up a calendar for myself so we could avoid those parks that have the extra hours. We are hoping to avoid the crowds.

Then I set up a worksheet for which parks on which days (depending on if I could get ADR's or not).

So now we have a plan for which restaurants and which parks to do. But just to be safe, we got the park hopper option so we can be flexible.

 

[BuzzBelleMom]

I was you two years ago. Six months before the trip I was having a nervous breakdown. I wanted it to be special because it was the first time DD, DS and I we going. DH had been there before.

DH prohibited me from planning more than once a week. That way I could actually live my life!

Remember that you need to have fun, too. Do you know what you want to do? Do you know what you don't want to do? Start there by weeding out the 'unwanteds' (for example I get dizzy very easily, so no spinning teacups or the like.)

Best of luck and take it slow.

 

[caegan]

All of the above advice is great.

I know some people fine the Tour Guide Mike website to be a little confusing and intimidating. I personally think the Unofficial Guide is really helpful. In it, they have info. on what parks to go to on what days, general info. on the rides, restaurants, and resorts, and sample touring plans (which my DH and I found VERY useful!)

Basically, have a general plan for where you will be what day and possibly even a detailed plan for each day, but don't sweat it if you stray from the plan. Use the plan as more of a guideline -- if it's working, great. If it's not working or there's something else (i.e. a parade) that you hadn't planned for, scrap the plan! You can always pick up where you left off after the parade or whatever is finished.

I also think the park hopper option is really helpful.

Have a great time! Remember -- you're going to the happiest place on earth!

 

[Bunchkin]

I like to plan things by reading things here on the DIS and in the Passporter Guide book. Like others have said, I decide on which park on what day based on their operating hours and if they have EMH. Some parks I like to avoid on the weekend, so I take that into consideration as well.
I then look at where we would like to dine whether it be at a TS or CS. I look at the menus at allearsnet.com. Then I'll make any ADR's based on that.

So first set my dates then worry about ADR's or any other extra planning.
We also schedule in days we are off from parks. We explore our resort, go swimming, go to FW to do the pony rides/ petting zoo/ HDDR for dinner, shopping at DTD, etc.

Remeber to relax and not worry to much. It's impossible to plan everything to perfection! That's why you are allowed to go back for more fun!!!

 

[Disneytwinz]

Ok I finally figured out how to get back to this thread. I do appoligize for being so late in reading. I thought I had lost my question or it didn't go through.

 

[Disneytwinz]

This is what I do:

Determine what restaurants I want to eat at.

Ok I have our list of restaurants. I need 6. I'm sort of stuck between two of them. If we use a TS for early lunch we'll use CS for a bite to eat later if we are hungry. I have for TS;
Chef Mickey
50's Primetime Cafe
Whispering Canyon
Crystal Palace
1900

One I like the atmosphere better and the other we like the food better according to the pics and reviews;
Liberty Tree Tavern
O'Hana

I know that there are alot of charactor eats in there...we don't mind. I think the kids will love it. However, we will be celebrating our anniversary one night so I want to choose one for that night and do something special.

Then I look at which parks have the EMHs and if I want to attend. Then I set my schedule up based on the park hours. There are some exceptions. My first day regardless of what day we arrive, I must go to MK. I personally don't feel like I am at Disney until I step foot into MK, so the first day we are eating at LTT.

This was exactly my thought, to go to MK first day but I think we will be arriving around 12 pm so I added park hopper tix. So now I'm thinking since we arrive later to go to whichever park offers the EMH that night, eat and hit a parade or else eat and get to what we can and then swim and crash. Free day= no rush. Yea right.

Realize that we go every year and I think that also changes how you look at things. I am not worrying about missing anything, because if I do go to something this year, I will the following year. I think if this is the trip of a lifetime, it will be harder to plan and more overwhelming.

We ::cough:: are already planning a trip for 2009, and another with just Dh and I when the kids are a little older.

 

[Disneytwinz]

First of all, take a deep breath!!! Here is what I do...I take a look at the restaurants, and see which ones I think I want to eat at. Some of them have been booked so I find a few more. I try to plan which parks and which days, but sometimes it depends on when I can get an ADR.

That's where I was stuck. Why doesn't Disney have the EMH listed sooner? We are booked for May and I think they are on January so I guess I have 3 mos. to wait. Toooo long! I guess it's all in their selling strategy and alot of planning. It makes it hard to figure what to book sooner. I plan on trying the EMH, we have park hoppers as well because I wanted to cover all bases. If it doesn't work out we will go back to out resort and swim. But I have to try it.

I don't usually make that many ADR's but this year with free dining, I made sure I got the ones I wanted. I dont' worry about EMH, I think the parks get too crowded on those days, so I usually go to a part that does NOT have EMH. There are so many things to do at the resorts and at DTD, that I don't feel the need to be at the MK or any other park at midnight! It really all depends on your family and preferences. Don't stress out too much about it. There are plenty of places to eat, and you won't starve! Be flexible, and remember...you are in Disney...how bad can it be?! The happiest place on earth!!!

You are right and thanks for your and everyone's advice! I am loving this board.

 

[Disneytwinz]

You mentioned you didnt know dates and times if you go to the Dis home page you can find schedules with dates and times for early opening and late closing times for each of the parks... there is also schedules for the parades, fireworks and events held at Disney parks...As for restaurants on the home page you can find a list of each restaurant at each park with some idea of the menu and prices...check out the dining forums lots of good ideas there...hope this helps...

Thank-you I see the parade hours up to February listed. I will keep checking back. I do believe we will be there for the flower and garden if it's held every year.

 

[Disneytwinz]

I was you two years ago. Six months before the trip I was having a nervous breakdown. I wanted it to be special because it was the first time DD, DS and I we going. DH had been there before.

DH prohibited me from planning more than once a week. That way I could actually live my life!

Remember that you need to have fun, too. Do you know what you want to do? Do you know what you don't want to do? Start there by weeding out the 'unwanteds' (for example I get dizzy very easily, so no spinning teacups or the like.)

Best of luck and take it slow.

I have nothing set in stone as far as what we want to do just yet. I have mentioned that we need to each choose a few attractions that we definitely don't want to miss. (They won't I'm sure) I do have a few of my own. I'm 'the' planner. We are going to just take our time and love what we see. I've been reading the Dis board and I'm finding alot of helpful advice. Yes it takes alot of my time. Most of our vacation will be planned with the family in mind, but I am on the look out for something very special for Dh and I on our anniversary night.

 

[Disneytwinz]

All of the above advice is great.

I know some people fine the Tour Guide Mike website to be a little confusing and intimidating. I personally think the Unofficial Guide is really helpful. In it, they have info. on what parks to go to on what days, general info. on the rides, restaurants, and resorts, and sample touring plans (which my DH and I found VERY useful!)

I do have the 2002 edition, it is falling apart from reading it so much. I have to get my hands on the 2007 edition because things have changed so much.

Thanks so much for easing my mind and all the helpful advice!

 

[Disneytwinz]

We explore our resort, go swimming, go to FW to do the pony rides/ petting zoo/

Is this just for the guests staying in the resort?

p.s. I love your signature picture