Plan it out or go with it?

[tacomaranch]

Since it our first time, is it better to plan each day out in each park or just go with what happens?

Should we plan an arrival time in park, each ride or show in an order, meals at certain restaurants at a time? Or, should I just go with what happens, no demands?

What have you done that works?

Thanks, April

 

[pugdog]

BOTH.
First how long are you going to be down there? And when?
Some of the restaurants you will want to book before you go down. As far as shows and rides take it day by day. If your going during a season then there will be different things that you can also do.
I know that some people like to go comando at the parks and fill every minute with something but I like the more laid back relaxing trip.
So to each their own.
Give us the length and time of your trip and we can all give you a better idea of what you might want to do.

 

[Selket]

I am a fan of planning things out - especially if you have folks in your party with special needs. I really like Tour Guide Mike (http://www.tourguidemike.com). He has a lot of info on which parks to visit on what days for the least crowds and touring plans for different age groups/types of riders, etc. He leaves the evenings open for doing things more at your leisure (shopping, character autographs, fireworks, etc.). This works well for us.

 

[Forevryoung]

I am a compulsive overplanner (maybe it's because I have a small meltdown if I dont know whats going to happen next ).

Before I leave I make a plan of what park what day. I can then plan restaurants and CS ideas.

The night before we go to each park I take out my wonderful super-duper colored retractable sharpies and number out a plan directly onto a map. That way I know what number comes next and what my next few things are. We can skip something if we dont want to do it but at least it's in the plan.

Between Dis Boards, Getting to the parks semi early and the Unofficial Guide's touring plans, I have done a lot with minimal waits. I think THAT is the more important reason to plan.

 

[joanchris]

I would definitely plan to some degree......depending on when you go you may NEED ADRs for table seating at restaurants......otherwise you may have to wait a long time, be turned away or just have to do counter service, and there are too many reasons to NOT do counter service ALL the time......table service is good for breaks, better food, relaxing,etc.
Also, it's good to have an idea of what's at each park that you MUST do, the 5 things or so that each member of your party REALLY wants to do, and be sure to get them done, check times for shows, see when the best time is to visit certain attractions, get fastpasses for them etc. THat is info you'll find at Tour Guide Mike, on these boards, or in various guide books you can borrow from the library or purchase.
If you just "wing it" you risk not knowing what's there, missing key attractions, or doing things in the "wrong" order, and having to wait longer than you would have if you planned it out more.
All that being said, it's good to be flexible as well, we didn't do some ADRs we had planned (just remember to cancel if you plan to not show up), and missed a couple of shows and rides we had wanted to do as we decided swimming at the hotel was a better plan for that REALLY hot first full day there!
Good luck!

 

[tacomaranch]

We arrive late on the 29th and start Sunday morning with animal Kingdom. I thought to change it out because of the extended hours on the 30th at MK but we are already two hours behind florida time so we get up when we get up.

We only have three days: So far we have lunch reservations at Rain Forest Cafe at 11:15 Sunday for Lunch. That is all I have done.

I guess I had best get with it. Monday is suppose to be MK then Tuesday Disney Studios.

I really must get the ADR in order. Honestly, I don't know that having Hunter at a character breakfast would be worth it. He doesn't eat most of the time and he will see characters around the parks. More important is just being able to sit down and have a meal served, but again, Hunter won't sit long anyways.

Just 8 more days!