Questions for the planners

[monymony3471]

Our first trip we had adr's for the Hoop Dee Doo. That's it.

The second trip I had several character meals planned, and knew what days we'd be where.

This trip I'm a walking talking billboard for WDW. I know so much more now than ever.

I eat, breath, sleep, think Disney constantly. I'm making plans, re making plans, when does it stop? I've been planning for 2 months and we don't leave until November 23.

How long did it take you to plan your last trip? I feel like I'm in a constant state of planning.

I have each day like a time line. What we want to ride when we should eat, when we should wake up when we should go to bed. Am I over doing it? I'm trying to make this really special and trying to experience things we haven't done before. I don't want to get there and get a brain freeze and forget all the stuff I hoped to do with my family. Cause I've done that.

I think with a plan we will have the boys get haircuts instead of blowing it off like last time and regreting it later.

My husband looked over my shoulder the other day and was surprised to see the lenghts I've gone with the planning. He made a comment but I blew it off because deep down I want to hear him say, "Honey you did good. That was a great trip you planned for us. I'll never forget it."

 

[AllyCatTapia]

awwwwwwwww I'm like you as far as the hubby part. He better appreciate the planning!


Well, I dont know. People do make fun of those who plan "down to the minute"...I know which rides we want to go on, and , thanks to TGM, I know the best ORDER to do them in to avoid lines (as much as is possible in July!)

So I am a planner, too, and I know that some can't relate. But I just don't want to waste time in lines for rides we won't like. Why bother. Also, we have very few days planned at the parks, financially limited- so we really do have to be

EFFICIENT

and whats so bad about being efficient. Now I don't have MINUTES planned out. Because thats setting you up for disppaointment and disillusionment. But I do have a list and an order that we plan to follow. I have ADRs. Thats about it.

 

[dimoe]

I am in the planning stages for our second trip to disney. So for the first trip I started reading the boards about a year and a half before the trip. I still havent stopped reading every day almost. I plan what park which day and my adrs too. I agree with you this time around there are some rides we wont waste our time with. Last time we missed some we want to really catch this time.
My hubbie said last time and tells everyone my wife is a great planner thanks to her we had an awesome trip.
I also booked through a u.s. travel agency and ppl cant believe how much money I saved us. He is always bragging and it makes me feel so good.
I am always finding new stuff and getting the scoop and then sharing continually with my family. The newest there is a group of ppl that are going to decorating their window and doors at pop. They organized boxes for pickup at the front desk when they arrive to decorate with. I have been telling eveyrone and looking for ideas too.
So go ahead and plan away but remember to have some flexibility incase it needs to change or you feel you need some time time for relaxation or down time for the children.
Have a great trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diane

 

[cworld]

I'm having the same struggle. We're almost 2 years away, and I'm starting right now. I started the moment my wife said, "Why don't we..." bang I was off. We've been so many times that there's really not a lot for us to plan. We know the drill. But I'm still hooked. I'm obsessing.

But it's a good obsession.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I consider my plan a work in progress until we have come back home from the trip

Seriously, I love planning and am addicted to these boards. I have my plan, but it always changes slightly (except my meals, I really thought those through before the 180 day mark so as far as I am concerned those are set in stone).

DH pokes fun at my planning, but his mom was as bad as me when he was a kid (in the days before the internet- she relied on Birmbaum and calling CRO and asking billions of questions!) so he understands the value of a well planned trip.

Just the other day he was talking to someone who just came back from their first trip crabbing about how all they did was stand in line for hours, they didn't see much of anything and couldn't eat anything because they didn't have reservations. He asked if they had planned anything and they said no, they like to play it by ear.

He re-told me the story and kissed my cheek and said "Thanks for making sure Kyle's memories (DS) are as perfect as mine were!"

 

[tina&jefffromtoronto]

Yeah I definitely put myself in the planning category. The first 2 trips we hardly booked anything (I think we made 2 reservations-1 ea. trip- but the same day!). This trip has been totally different. I find I'm enjoying the planning more then I thought I would. I am a little worried about disappointment this time due to over-anticipation but I'm also happy that I've made a list of all the things I really want to do this time around so I'm hoping we won't come away feeling we missed something.
Now I'm starting to think about my family's trip for my Dad's birthday- and its not until 2008!

 

[MinnieGi]

I plan, rework my plan and then make alternative plans! We leave in 12 days for our first ever summer trip. Some days I have two alternative plans depending on the weather. I also want to optimize my time as well as I can since I know it will be sooooo hot and we will only be in the parks in the morning and for a few hours in the evening. I like hitting a park and knowing the show time schedule before I get there - everything just runs smoother for us!!!

On our trip after DS was born and only 5 months old, I did not get to do the detailed planning I normally do and although we had a good time we just felt like we jumbled everything and we did not get to do as many activities. While on that trip DH actually told me he really liked when I had our days planned out in detail and apoligized for ever making jokes about ALL the planning I do!!!

 

[monymony3471]

Soooo I'm not alone then. I thought I just turned into a plan-a-holic.

We need a smily just for us planners.

 

[shyjade]

Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I'm an obsessive Disney Planner."

Seriously, my DD8 just rolls her eyes whenever I bring up anything Disney these days because that's all I've talked about for the last 3 months. But in the end, I know it will make our trip much better because I did my research. I've been MANY times (growing up in FL), but not since 2001. I've never been to AK. I've never stayed at a Disney resort! I've never been on Space Mountain....needless to say, I've been often but never truly experienced it.

In my obsessive compulsive efforts to get the right balance of fun & relaxation on our upcoming 3-night trip, I've created a handy-dandy notebook. I took a 3x5 index card spiral booklet (50 pages of index cards spiral bound). I typed up all my "notes" on 2x4 mailing labels, and assembled them in the notebook accordingly. For example, first I have a page with our flight info (times, flight #'s, etc.) and then notes about the resort (activities we want to do, pool hours, how to bypass the A/C, etc. I have all our ADR's listed including dates, times & confirmation #'s. Then I have notes for each park, broke down by sections/lands, in the order we plan to tour (e.g. - WS pavillions in order). I include any info I think will be useful including tips to avoid long lines, where to watch fireworks/parades, where to find a Dole Whip, etc.

Yes, I've re-made the notebook 3 times now as I continue adding some things & deleting others! But it's fun, and I know when we get to Disney I won't FORGET something that was important to us to see/do!

 

[ssleblanc]

This is the first time I've planned at all - in the past I've always been VERY play it by ear, with NOTHING planned.

I haven't been since I was pregnant with my oldest (he's now 7) - I don't think they had the Dining plan back then (at least not like it is now, maybe something else). But we didn't have trouble walking up and getting TS meals (off season of course).

But, a lot has changed (ADR's are pretty much a must, especially since there is free dining while I'll be there) ... and the biggest reason for my obsessing is that it is my kid's first trip - and we won't have nearly enough time to do everything I'd like to do. So I'm trying to make the most of our trip. I'm also going to be there for work, and having to make sure that the things *I* want to see my kids experience are done while I'm at the park with them. Two of our 4 days I will be working a 1/2 day at a convention at Coronado Springs.

I've known for less than 2 months that I was going, and just confirmed 2 weeks ago that my kids would definitely be going with me. Since then, I've been a planning fool. Obsessed with list after list after list (and thanks to all of the enablers here at DIS that made it all possible ).

 

[Karnak]

I plan my days at the parks to be free of stress, free of fast walking, and free of backtracking all over the park.

How do I do it? Like this ... (1) Make a list of the attractions you wish to experience; (2) Using a park map, plan your route through the park, taking into account starting times for the shows you wish to include; (3) include in your plan the counter service eateries, or make reservations for the table service meals you want to stop for, making sure they are on your route without backtracking; (4) Allow plenty of extra time between attractions. If you get ahead of schedule, ride something twice, or people watch. If you plan well, you will not get behind.

It takes some effort to note and plan for show starting times (especially at the Studios and Animal Kingdom), but smart planning will make you glad you made the effort.

Never get in a rush. Use your past experience in the parks and plan for those things y'all enjoy the most.

Enjoy.

 

[aviva5675]

I think my family appreciates my obsessive planning (other vacations weve done too!), and make fun of me a little. The planning is almost more fun than being there!

I think its important to have a plan -- ADRs, what rides you want to go on and at least a rough order to see them in. Im trying TGM this trip and will sit down soon with his plans and really rough out an order to try and go thru each park. Your kids are small enough (and Grandma old enough?) that you need to be able to be flexible if it doesnt work out to plan- people get tired and cranky, want to ride something twice etc. I would have a plan, probably be sure to get FP for the most important rides, and/or go right away in the morning, then try and follow the plan as best possible without anyone going postal and you flipping out in frustration.

I did our ADRs 179 days out- so that tells you what I think about that. Like someone else posted- those are written in stone unless someone becomes violently ill! But thats just me- I dont in anyway want to worry about our dining reservations, or have to try and decide while there where to go.

 

[ainmama2001]

My husband saw me print out a character graph, and then get out a highlighter and then put it in a sleeve protector in a binder for our last trip. He said he was going to have to stage an intervention. I planned a 9 nine day trip for a family of 9 ranging in age from 3 to 85.

 

[scoolover]

If you are only looking for appreciation - sorry. I am the same way when planning and all I get is laughed at (not with) by everyone from people at work to whomever is going. I tell myself that I do it for me even though a "nice job" would be great every now and then.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I
I did our ADRs 179 days out- so that tells you what I think about that.

I called 5 minutes after opening on our 180th day and wasn't even making a CRT ressie!!!!!! The agent actually asked me about CRT when I said I was done with them all saying that is usually all he gets that time of the morning!

 

[tmt martins]

I just returned on July 2nd and on the 3rd I started my new excell spread sheet for our Dec trip .

I made some voice record notes on Adr;s DW wanted to try and things DD wanted to fit in with the resorts and MVMCP.

We also hope for a small 3 or 4 da trip in Oct.

I just made my Ressie for June 07 as well as it's my 11 month mark set my calender for the 7 month to try to switch and the 180 out for Adr's . Got to love the Cell that can link to Outlook.

I'm not really playing any sports now and I don't start coaching DD's Soccer for a few more months so I got time to spare.

 

[Lizziejane]

I too am an obsessive planner! For us, a trip to WDW only happens every 4 or 5 years so it's a big deal and I want the biggest bang for our $. We all know that without a plan, you can waste a lot of time and money at WDW so why wouldn't everyone become an extensive planner?!

My problem with next years trip however is that my kids are now young adult males. What if they won't go along quietly with the plan?!?!?! They may freak at the character meals (so not cool for an 18 and 20 year old guy), and I really have no idea how they'll react at the P&P Party! But I figure all I can do is build the plan, they may then choose to participate or not...their decision. However, I know what I will be doing, day by day, park by park, ADR by ADR....!

 

[Mom24Princesses]

I began in Dec. 1995 planning our July 1996 trip and I have never stopped. It amazes me that I still discover things I never knew about. After 03-04 (21 days on site AP year) I try to seek out at least 2 or 3 things to surprise my family with. Last trip (June 04) the highlight was the Magical Family Tour on/for DD#2's 11th Bd. It ended with her sitting next to Pater Pan for Mickey's Philharmagic. It was great for our family (4 girls 4 to 13 when the oldest loves Peter Pan and Tink) I am going crazy now trying to plan our meals. Girls picked 4 Epcots for sitdowns!!!!!! AND I need the Extra Magic Sechedule for next June to make it work. (I avoid the Extra Magic Morning Parks!!!) OH another highlight was when we arrived first at the gates of the MK and were selected to open the park!(July 03)

My husband has told me several times how happy he is with my planning. Our June 04 9 night stay at CSR was fantastic and he let me know and he thanked me for our DCL trip in April. If I did not over plan we'd have never saved all that $$$$

I have had PS (old days) at least once that we skipped because we could not/did not want to make it. BUT that was before the plan. On the dining plan we'd skip CM but not TS!!!

DH takes his 8th graders (Middle School Band) every year but he uses a travel agent. One thing he does learn from this is a lot of basic knowledge. Shortcuts, out of the way places, EVERY restroom on property, first aide. He has been more than 15 times with school groups. He has a lot of opinions about the CS eating places because they get the meal coupons. He can make them stretch.

I do not feel any guilt over my Disney planning. I see it as trying to get the most for my family.

 

[Melwood23]

uh...I have 470 days till my next planned trip...and I have been busy planning every part of it since over a week ago when I made my decision...


Heck I usually start planning my next trip, as many others have, as soon as I get to WDW