Post -Trip Report. Photos on page 9 and 10 - 4/29/2010-05/02/2010

[rpmdfw]

Here's one for you JSG....

My DP just informed me that his co-worker asked him about what to do at Disney, because he is taking his new bf to Disney in 3 weeks....

No, they are NOT making reservations, or anything, just flying by the seat of their pants....

ACK!
OK, well, I hope they have fun.

Oh, come on!

My first two WDW trips (one solo, one with just another person) were complete "wing it" adventures and we had a BLAST! Never had any problems eating where we wanted (including Brown Derby as a walk in at 12:15pm) or getting into the attractions we wanted. All with not one bit of planning.

Y'all need to stop acting like the "planned to death" route is the only way to have fun!

It works for you, great. But diffrent strokes for different folks!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Oh, come on!

My first two WDW trips (one solo, one with just another person) were complete "wing it" adventures and we had a BLAST! Never had any problems eating where we wanted (including Brown Derby as a walk in at 12:15pm) or getting into the attractions we wanted. All with not one bit of planning.

Y'all need to stop acting like the "planned to death" route is the only way to have fun!

It works for you, great. But diffrent strokes for different folks!

FIRST of all, how LONG AGO were those trips? Things have changed!

SECOND, have you seen the price of airfare? For those of us who aren't local, a plan is mandatory. It is too expensive to get there and run around in circles like a headless chicken.

Can the planless people still have fun? Probably. Will they end up wasting a fair amount of time? Probably. It isn't really a "show up and wing it" sort of destination, but I am sure people do that all the time.

 

[rpmdfw]

FIRST of all, how LONG AGO were those trips? Things have changed!

SECOND, have you seen the price of airfare? For those of us who aren't local, a plan is mandatory. It is too expensive to get there and run around in circles like a headless chicken.

Can the planless people still have fun? Probably. Will they end up wasting a fair amount of time? Probably. It isn't really a "show up and wing it" sort of destination, but I am sure people do that all the time.

Both of the trips I mention were while I was living in Dallas and paying for airfare. So I know that flying ain't cheap.

And while it's been a few years, it hasn't been all that long ago. It was in the time of Priority Seating and fastpasses.

And I don't think "showing up and winging it" wastes any time per se. We sure never felt that way when we did it. Like I said, we had a blast. Even when we decided to bring the whole family out to Orlando, other than buying LaNouba tickets we made no real plans and got into everything we wanted to do with a group of nine.

It's really not that big of a deal. Truly.

 

[Sphyrna]

I normally strike a balance between planning and winging it. The planning seems to have lessen as I've been visiting more frequently. If it's someone's first trip or they don't go often I think planning is a very good idea. Me, I've been there many times and have done everything. It won't make or break my vacation if I miss something. But I also have the experience to not miss the big things by getting there early, using FP's, etc. I'm surprised I haven't really done any planning for this year. I have my resorts booked but that's it. I still have to book my flights! I don't have any ADRs or schedules (other than the standard Gay Days park schedule). I'll start figuring things out now that it's getting closer.

 

[Crashdown]

My trips end up like that, Sphyrna. I get so excited at home and the planning is just part of the fun. Then we wind up doing this or that when we are finally there. We rarely make ADR's cause they are complicated and we still end up eating where we want most the time. The plans are great to have but after having been so many times I've lost track, I kinda have any "plans" in my memory.

And if we go with Children most plans go by the way side, I always a 'little' bad when the nieces and nephew start crying "mommy, why does Uncle Theo keep screaming "FALL BEHIND, GET LEFT BEHIND!!!!" I'm serious they had better keep up... The can rest or sleep back in Dallas.

 

[Gypsybear]

Y'all need to stop acting like the "planned to death" route is the only way to have fun!

It works for you, great. But diffrent strokes for different folks!

LOL, Rob, since you don't know the individuals in question, I'll give you this one....but knowing what I know about them, it's NOT going to be a fun trip...I can hear all the complaining now...."too many people, lines too long, too hot, etc..."... he's a chronic complainer...that's why I sure didn't want to give him any advice, because I know that no matter what I tell him, it won't change his experience at all...

I'm still with JSG....plan it out...and trust me, I still leave plenty of "free time" with nothing planned for "winging it"...but there are some basics like, oh I don't know, booking a hotel, etc, that one should usually try and take care of before a trip...

 

[franandaj]

The places I want to eat totally require that I make ADRs, perhaps a few could walk in, but I'd rather make the ADRs and plan things. I'm just that way...

I hope that you two have a great trip! Perhaps we will run into each other when you come to CA for Gay Days! In the meantime enjoy WDW on your first trip together!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

What I meant by people without a plan wasting time was that they will likely have to walk up to several restaurants to find seating, or they will spend more time waiting for a table than they would with an ADR. Since people are convinced they HAVE TO have a dining plan the restaurants are more crowded. Or theoretically crowded because you have the boneheads who book ADRs at 6 different restaurants for the same date and time and never cancel any of them. They will have to take time to sort out things like how the Fast Pass system works, and if they don't arrive early it's a safe bet they will be standing in some pretty long lines. It is more effective to plan before you leave home so you have the info you need to navigate the parks.

I agree that some people go with no plans whatsoever and they have a great time because they don't know any other way. If they never realize what they missed, then that's cool. Or if they are they type who will be back frequently and don't really care that they missed stuff, that works, too.

Other people will come back disgruntled because they had no idea what they were getting into.

As vast as WDW is, it really is beneficial to have a rudimentary plan.

 

[soulmates]

Mark, day after TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I"m WAY excited for you guys!!

Chris

 

[rpmdfw]

Mark, day after TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I"m WAY excited for you guys!!

Chris

I'm excited too! Cuz we're meeting them for drinks!

 

[zeitzeuge]

Mark, day after TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I"m WAY excited for you guys!!

Chris

Thanks honey! I'm SO excited I can barely sit still. Steven's busy away, schmoozing new clients, looking for new tile artizans, cocktail parties, etc. Hope he relaxes enough at night so he won't over do it. I told him to soak in the tub and have a bubble bath every night.

I'm going to pack tonight. Been working on a list of attractions and shows to see at AK. Epcot, we already know what we want to ride and then of course there's walking around WS. MK, we're pretty sure we already know what to ride and what to avoid. We should have plenty of time to do everything at MK with no problem. It's the other two we have to plan out a little more then normal for us.

As far as eating, we normally don't do the formal sit down places. We grab a quick bite here and there and tend to "snack" a lot instead. I've even looked up a few places for that.

Just so difficult when you know DL and DCA like the back of our hands.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

That's how I feel about DL! I don't really want to go to DL, but some friends were trying to talk me into it. I looked at some of the threads on the DL forum and I just couldn't wrap my head around it. I think when you are really familiar with one park it is hard to transition to the other.

You guys will have a terrific time!!

 

[wallyb]

Have a great Time Z!

 

[ConcKahuna]

You boys have a great time! If I get my check so I have gas money, I may swing out and say hi!

 

[zeitzeuge]

I'm excited too! Cuz we're meeting them for drinks!

Woohoo! I'm sure we're going to need a few drinks after being on our feet all day.

That's how I feel about DL! I don't really want to go to DL, but some friends were trying to talk me into it. I looked at some of the threads on the DL forum and I just couldn't wrap my head around it. I think when you are really familiar with one park it is hard to transition to the other.

You guys will have a terrific time!!

Thanks honey! Can't wait to get back and go to lunch and tell you all about it.

Have a great Time Z!

Thanks Wally!

You boys have a great time! If I get my check so I have gas money, I may swing out and say hi!

Hope we get the chance to see you too!

 

[PghLybrt]

Planning vs. winging it

We do both. If it is just the 2 of us, we usually plan.....nothing!
However if I am going with people I plan everything! I want to make sure they hit all of the musts. I guess I know I will be back so it is not big deal and it forces me to do things I might not otherwise do!

As for air... it is crazy right now, except I did find roundtrip (no stops) for 210 round trip! I didn't think that was bad at all! ( of course it is for November.... LOL)

 

[soulmates]

I'm excited too! Cuz we're meeting them for drinks!

Jealous, WAY jealous!! Enjoy it!

Thanks honey! I'm SO excited I can barely sit still. Steven's busy away, schmoozing new clients, looking for new tile artizans, cocktail parties, etc. Hope he relaxes enough at night so he won't over do it. I told him to soak in the tub and have a bubble bath every night.

I'm going to pack tonight. Been working on a list of attractions and shows to see at AK. Epcot, we already know what we want to ride and then of course there's walking around WS. MK, we're pretty sure we already know what to ride and what to avoid. We should have plenty of time to do everything at MK with no problem. It's the other two we have to plan out a little more then normal for us.

As far as eating, we normally don't do the formal sit down places. We grab a quick bite here and there and tend to "snack" a lot instead. I've even looked up a few places for that.

Just so difficult when you know DL and DCA like the back of our hands.

Your SO going to fall in love with DW! I've been to both, several times, and my heart is in DW. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the weather is good. I know you'll love meeting up with your fellow DISers, always fun. Do you have a packing list? I'm SUCH a list person. Steven is smart, do business right till the end so his mind is occupied! Bubble baths are the best, especially with a nice glass of wine. Can't wait to see your pics from the trip and read your TR!

Great big hug from me to you!!

Chris

 

[Sphyrna]

"FALL BEHIND, GET LEFT BEHIND!!!!"

 

[zeitzeuge]

Jealous, WAY jealous!! Enjoy it!




Your SO going to fall in love with DW! I've been to both, several times, and my heart is in DW. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the weather is good. I know you'll love meeting up with your fellow DISers, always fun. Do you have a packing list? I'm SUCH a list person. Steven is smart, do business right till the end so his mind is occupied! Bubble baths are the best, especially with a nice glass of wine. Can't wait to see your pics from the trip and read your TR!

Great big hug from me to you!!

Chris

I never prepare a packing list. I guess from my years of traveling to two cities a week for work, I got use to knowing exactly what I need. For 4 days, I know what I need. Already have done the laundry, pulled out all of the Disney tshirts, etc. I'll be done in about 20 minutes.

 

[soulmates]

I never prepare a packing list. I guess from my years of traveling to two cities a week for work, I got use to knowing exactly what I need. For 4 days, I know what I need. Already have done the laundry, pulled out all of the Disney tshirts, etc. I'll be done in about 20 minutes.

20?!!