Planning ahead...how to convince others?

[sherreis]

We're going to DW the week of Thanksgiving. DH thinks I am absolute fool for planning ahead. Like, trying to figure out which park/which day. I signed up for TGM and I am reading through everything. For those of you with co-travellers who don't believe in pre-scheduling, how do you convince them, besides them standing in lines for an hour while you're already done and back at the pool?

 

[mking624]

You can always do your research and let him be content without his researching. You can always use the first day to just kind of wing it, and if he realizes that it would have been better to have a plan...just whip yours out.

 

[bleeps]

Well, I'm sure you'll draw a lot of advice, but here's what I'll say.

Your DH can either choose to hold tight to his own opinion, or be swayed by the many, many of us on this board who visit WDW regularly and will say from personal experience: plan, be able to eat at the places you want to eat at the times you want to eat, and get the most out of your $$ by getting to do and see the things you want to do -- or, don't plan at all, wing it, and deal with being frustrated not being able to do and see the things you want to do and don't expect to eat at many sit-down restaurants at reasonable meal times. It's that simple.

The other aspect: do you enjoy the planning? Are you having fun thinking about your trip? To me (and my DH now understands and appreciates this, too), I am getting that much more enjoyment out of the $$ spent because I have a BLAST planning our trips.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We are going the week after Thanksgiving with extended family. SIL and her husband don't want to plan at all. We at least convinced them to make ADR's, but her husband crabbed during the whole discussion of where to eat what day and which meals we will all eat together etc.

I already have my plan (which I consider a work in progress until we actually get home- things are always subject to change!) and will not be deterred by the non-planners in the group. They can tag along or do their own thing!

Have fun!

 

[Amyrlin]

My OH was the same the first time. So I quietly planned, then when he started to see how busy the parks were how difficult it was to get the tables he was very pleased I had planned. Now he helps witht he planning

 

[amyminzey]

Let him know that in order to assure a table-service/sit-down meal, you have to make reservations pretty far in advance; therefore, you need to know which parks you'll be at which days, etc.

 

[Dolce27]

My OH was the same the first time. So I quietly planned, then when he started to see how busy the parks were how difficult it was to get the tables he was very pleased I had planned. Now he helps witht he planning

I have previously read several posts such as this one from Amyrlin. I say continue to plan and when he makes a comment, just give him a smile like 'you know something that he doesn't' (which you do!). He will continue to think you are insane until you go on your trip. When he actually sees for himself how large the place is, how crowded it is, how full the restaurants are and he realizes that things are going smoothly because you know which attraction has the shortest line at that particular time of the day and you (well, and him) are able to walk into a restaurant and be seated with your ADR's while others sit waiting and hope for a table some point that night and when you know where the best spots to watch parades or nighttime shows are..he should come around. Good luck with your planning! Planning is so much fun IMO

 

[firkat]

Years ago my DH was the same way. He kind of looked at all the planning as a tool to hold him down, to force him to do things planned far in advance that would rob him of his vacation spontaneity. However, after a few trips, he learned that it is more of a guideline and not written in stone. Without a plan, we seem to go in circles without much direction. With a plan, we see more, do more and have more fun! No doubt about it! He will live and learn!

 

[Miller1412]

My DH teased me mercilessly when we went over spring break 2005. I had researched, planned, made a schedule, you name it. Hours of work went into it. Once we got there and he saw the extent of the crowds and the fact that we never waited longer than 10 minutes to see anything...he was a little more humble.

Now I am lauded as the Disney Guru planner of my family. He's even referring friends to me for information.

I love the planning. It's part one of the magic for me!!

 

[Amyrlin]

I can tell what did it for my OH. I 'suggested' a restruant to eat at, ('Ohana), the ADR was at a busy time, so when we got to the resturant I sort fo walked slolwy until he saw the waiting people and as we went to the podium he heard epeople being told it would be more than an hour wait. He is a person that HATES queuing and he is saying we better go somewhere else, where else is near otherwise we might as well wait.

Well, I had the ADR and within 10 mins we were seated. I had timed it so we would see Wishes from the restruant, or as a back up if he ate quickly go to the beach. When he realsed a little planning got us that meal without a wait and to see the fireworks he started to change his mind

I love the planning and like to talk to him about thing, but this year he went onto TGM and did a schedule for us. The funny thing is we are there for 2 weeks and I had already done a plan but he wanted to do one so I stayed quiet, his was almost the same as mine. As far as he is concerned he did most of the park planning, I mereley tweeked it a bit

He'll change his mind when you are there

 

[Moonpie]

We're going during Thanksgiving too, and we were shocked to find out that many dinner reservations were already booked! That got my fiance started on helping to plan our trip, and he scheduled everything!

 

[Eeyore2003]

You are CERTAINLY not planning too early. If you really want to make him realize all your work, "plan in" some "let's see what's it's like without planning" time.

My family used to doubt me, not any more.

On one trip, my FIL, who was "sick" of doing stuff "my"way, went out on his own with my then 12 year old while we all took an afternoon break. Well, they came back hot and tired (in August) having gone on ONE ride in 1 1/2 hours. He never breathed one complaining word the rest of the vacation.

 

[head mouse]

I signed up for TGM and I am reading through everything./QUOTE]


Whats that?

 

[sherreis]

I signed up for TGM and I am reading through everything./QUOTE]


Whats that?

TGM is Tour Guide Mike (he's the sponsor of this board). He has a website (that you need to pay for) and he helps you set up your itinerary for your trip based on how he expects crowds to be at each of the parks for when you're there. His banner is at the top of this page. I also have learned a tremendous amount here on these boards in the short time I've been planning this trip. A lot of people seem very happy with his site.

--Sherri

 

[sherreis]

I told DH about some of the things that some of you said while we were eating dinner tonight. He didn't argue as much. I guess the "proof will be in the pudding" when we're able to see alot more than anticipated, being a holiday week. He absolutely hates lines, as well as not being able to stand for prolonged periods of time.

Regardless, I'm proceeding with planning and hopefully, my brother won't open his mouth anymore and make fun of me to DH. My brother used to live in Orlando and his in-laws still live there so he visits DW quite often, and, him and SIL think they know everything about DW.

Moonpie - just wondering, since I plan on making my ADRs in the next few days (figuring out which TS meals we'll be eating since we're most likely not doing the DDP), what ADRs could you not get???????

Again, thanks so much for all of your encouragement!