Sept 15-24...do I REALLY need a "plan"?

[SomeSayImGoofy]

We're taking our first family trip to WDW in a month or so, and I'm wondering if a "plan" (as outlined in the Unofficial Guide) is all that necessary.

Is it true that the parks are much less-crowded at that time of year, and given the fact that we have the 7-day Park Hopper Plus passes, we should be able to do just about anything we like in those 9 days?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[splashfamily]

Even though attendance at the parks are down in Sept. it's a good idea to book some PS dining reservations. I like to know where I am eating that night and I plan our day around that. If you plans change for that day just call and cancel the PS.

 

[hulabird]

We go at the end of August and sometimes in September, we only make PS's for CRT and this year for Fantasmic for the dinner package. Other than that we don't make huge plans, we plan day by day, we hate being hemmed into something, and have to plan our time around PS's. We have never had a problem just walking in somewhere or calling for a PS the very day we want to go. Some people plan every thing they do, I hate it that way. We are more spontaneous. The crowds are way less than in other times of the year and kids being back to school really does help. This is why we either go end of August or mid September. I can see whee, during peak times you would have to have PS's, or at popular things like CRT. But even for CRT, I have always gotten it on my first try without fail, which leads me to believe it is because it is a slower time of the year. The last couple times we went my sister and I both called for CRT and both got it on our first trys.

PS's are good if you don't mind sticking to a set schedule, but at the time of the year you are going, you don't really HAVE to do them. The longest we had to wait when we just walked in to a restaurant w/o PS was 15 minutes.

 

[TJA]

We don't like to make specific plans and plan our days around them. We just play things by ear and it works for us. I suppose if you were going at a peak time, then plans would be in order. We've gone in September a few times and love it during that month. Yes, the crowds are low so you shouldn't have to worry about that. We don't normally make PS's anywhere because we go during slow seasons and can just be walk-ins. Also, it helps to eat meals at off times, such as eating your main meal at 4:00 or 4:30. You will be there long enough that you shouldn't have to worry about planning things. Have fun on your first family trip!

 

[2ndstar to the right]

Hi SomesayI'mGoofy!
I have to respectfully disagree with the above posters who don't like to make plans. If only for 1 reason. This is your first visit!! Congratulations!! You and your family are going to have a WONDERFUL time!!!!!!
For our first couple of visits we used the Unofficial Guide touring plans and they were excellent. We only waited in line for most things about 5-10 minutes. Out first trip was in October and it was not too crowded but it was immensely helpful to have a good plan on our first visit. We saw all the highlights and were able to eat at the restaurants we wanted to. It absolutely amazes me how much there is to do at WDW. We've had trips up to 14 days long and still didn't feel like we saw everything. Resolve yourself to the fact that like the song says "there is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done". It's true!
As veterans now, we don't make such detailed plans and can just sorta go and have a general idea of what we want to see. But I definately think you should have good plans for your first visit. Let everyone pick out all the things that they want to see and try and plan them into your schedule using the unofficial guide plans.
Make your priority seatings ahead of time. (you can always change your mind at the last minute.) This way, with a plan laid out before you, you will be able to relax and "enjoy the ride" instead of worrying about where to go and what to see next.
One last piece of advice, Make every effort to see Spectromagic, Wishes, Fantasmic, and Illuminations! These are some of Disney's best and should not be missed!! (p.s. although it is crowded on Main St. in the MK, Wishes is the most magical from there!
Good Luck with your planning and have a great trip!

 

[2ndstar to the right]

BTW, I just noticed your dates, we will be there at the same time as you! (Sept 16-27th) Staying at the Beach Club...maybe we'll see you on Main St.!!! (We never miss Spectromagic!)

 

[hulabird]

Everyone has their own opinions--it will all depend on how you like to do things-personally. Some people have to have things planned down to the last thing and some of us like to be spontaneous. Our style even when we went back for the first time after not being there for awhile was spontaneous. You will see that the lines are short and you can do more than you think you can in a day because of the less crowded parks. What I hate is deciding when I am going to be hungry in advance. I hate having to make PS's and then cancel them and remake them. One time we had PS's at Chef Mickey's scheduled for about 6 p.m. and ended up canceling because we ate a bunch of goodies throughout the day and we were too full. Just because it is your first time does not mean you HAVE to make PS or go hungry, that is simply not true. My sister went for the first time in 2002, with her DH and three kids (ages 3 and 6) and I advised them to only PS on CRT and wing the rest, which they did with no problem. The only plan they made was what park they would do each day. They also made a list of where they might like to eat in each park or resort. They did lots of popular restaurants with no problem by just going to the place when they felt like eating.

So my advice is do what YOU are comfortable with, none of us on this board can decide that for you, but PS's at that time are not mandatory and will not ruin your trip if you don't make them, if you were going at Easter or something, I would tell you differently.

 

[LuvTigger]

I don't think you really need a strict plan, but I would at least suggest doing some research (though it looks like you already have if you have the Unofficial Guide) if this is your first visit, just so you're familiar with what attractions and restaurants are in all the parks and you don't miss anything you really would've liked to do. Even though you'll be there for a good amount of time, it's possible to miss things.

Crowds should be very light, but be prepared for humidity and thunderstorms.

As far as PS goes, my last visit was in Sept., and we didn't make any PS and we were fine. However, we were only a group of 2 and tended to eat in off-peak hours. Depending on the size of your family and if you have your heart eating at certain restaurants, you may want to consider making a couple of PS's, esp. if you want to go to popular places like Cinderella's Royal Table.

I would also get familiar with which days offer early entry, which you may want to take advantage of, or you may want to avoid, depending on your personal philosophy. Also, you may want to at least have a general idea of where you'd like to go the night before so you don't spend too much time discussing what you're going to be doing on a particular day.

As long as you've done a little bit of research, I think you'll be fine. Have a great time!