So one of my "best" girlfriends just got back...

[C.Ann]

Interesting topic.. I found this board just before we went to WDW in Sept. of 2001 and went right into "planning mode".. Didn't get to the point of hour-by-hour activities, but gained SOOOO much info from these boards that made our trip more economical and a lot more fun.. Others in my party seemed a little put off with my planning, but mostly I think it was jealousy that I had info that they were unaware of..

Having said that though, all sorts of things went wrong that we had no control over.. 9/11 happened while we were there - a tropical storm kept us out of the parks for a day - and it rained, rained, rained throughout our entire 2-week vacation.. However, because I had done so much planning, it was fairly easy to change gears and make the necessary adjustments..

But you know what? Even with all of that planning, I came home to find there were STILL things that we missed..

We probably won't get back there again until December of this year - or sometime early in 2006 (have to wait for my house to get sold) - but I'm already taking notes and watching closely to hear what others have to say.. I won't fall apart - or go ballistic if plans have to change, but I also won't come home feeling as though I missed something that I could have seen or done, if only I'd taken the time to check into it....

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

This "friend" is so clueless that it makes me wonder if she can read! Apparently she refused to read ANYTHING - including posted parade times. I really can not imagine not ever looking for information. I wonder if she even got a map of the park when she got there or just wandered into FantasyLand and thought that was all there was?

Okay, so now I'm feeling guilty about making her sound so ditzy!

So, just for the recod, and mainly to ease my conscience, I'd like everyone to know there were lots of things that she did that were perfectly "normal"...I just highlighted the funny parts. She did have enough sense to realize there was more to the MK than Fantasyland (although, she DID call the MK "Disney World!")

Am I gonna have my "friend card" pulled? I guess I was just ticked off with her holier than thou attitude. This is ridiculous...she's the one who was rude, and here I am feeling guilty...*sigh*...I have serious issues!

 

[mybgirl]

Have A Nice Day , And On Your Next Trip , Plain All You Want

Take Care , And God Bless !

Mary

 

[Karibeth19]

After reading a few of these posts, this is what occurred to me: while those of us who do any sort of planning may not always do everything that is offered at WDW, at least we KNOW those things are available and have a good idea of how they work. We may decide not see Fantasmic, but at least we know that if we wanted to, we should be there an hour to hour and a half early to get a seat. We know we can eat in the castle, and how to go about getting the ever elusive CRT PS. We know that FastPasses are free, what days the parks are most likely to be crowded, what parks to attend (or avoid) for EMH, and that it WILL be HOT in the summer! We can then use that infomation to plan our trip, deciding what attractions we will or won't see, where we will or won't eat, and what days we will or won't attend each park. And, we all have a great time! However, those who chose not to do even the most basic planning, like the OP's friend, go into their trip ignorant of their options. Even though they may still have a great time, they probably encounter many frustrations, such as long lines, the inablitiy to eat at certain restaurants, not being able to find seats at shows, etc., that could have been easily avoided by spending an afternoon flipping through a guidebook.

I'm not an obsessive planner, by any means, but I do think some preparation is needed before any vacation, regardless of where you are going. The time I've spent reading guidebooks, and these boards, has greatly enhanced my experiences at WDW, and while I may not choose to do everything, at least I know it's there! For the amount of money a Disney vacation can cost, I think it's worth a little planning to maximize your enjoyment and minimize the frustrations, and like the OP, I have a hard time understanding why anyone wouldn't educate themselves about their destination, even just a little bit. The best example is the Sorrentino's on the Budget board! One question about a $16,000 package quote started a 20+ page thread planning that nice family's vacation, and they have saved a LOT of money and received some good advice in the process. They probably would have had a good time without help from the DIS'ers, but with the wonderful Disney education they have received in the past few weeks, I think their vacation will be just that much better!

 

[diathoney]

We go to Disney several times a year since we live close. I still plan every trip! It makes it more enjoyable when we're there. There's no "what do you want to do today?" followed by "I don't know what do you want to do?" Which drives me nuts!

We don't always stick with the plan if something else magical comes along and I don't plan hour by hour. I DO know which parks are EMH, park hours, special events, what rides are closed and have some PS for eating.

Our trips to WDW are very enjoyable - no hassle with plenty of pool time. I believe this is all because of the planning I (and now my DD too) do before the trip. Plus thinking about an upcoming trip -the anticipation - is part of the fun!

 

[lissawynn]

I planned obsessively on my last three trips, but I am an organized, planner kind of person anyway.
I'll be the first to admit that I need to relax a little when it comes to planning.
I know when we take DS on his first trip to WDW we're going to need to take into consideration the whims and schedule of a toddler. I'm just going to be excited to see WDW through his eyes for the first time.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Hello Everyone I just felt the need to join in on the discussion. Being a sponanteous person myself, I can tell you from experience that it pays to plan somethings in advance when going to WDW.
In July 2003 after listening to my older sister talk for "years" about going back to WDW I just couldn't wait any longer. I told her we're going and in six weeks time she had composited a list of things to do on this short planned trip of ours. Thank God for you all because my "Sis" had been reading the boards faithfully long before I came to them. When I took her list of PS's to our travel agent I thought her mouth was going to drop all the way to the floor! If I remember right "Sis" had 15 must do's listed. We were lucky and got in on the 7 for 4 Fairytale package and were able to stay for the first time ever at a Deluxe Resort( Animal Kingdom).
The following year we went again along with 6 other family members. Throughout the planning we often heard, " Why can't we be more spontenous?" "Why do you need to know that now?" But when it was all said and done, everyone was very grateful for all the prearranged planning.
Now my sister has an aquantance who knows she has been to WDW a few times ask her what all they should see during the 3 days they plan on being there? She took her some books, a video and gave her some valuable websites, to which the woman politely thanked her and returned them within just a couple of days.
Ok, I told my sister you just can't force it on people, they need to experience it for themselves!
I think she did good just to convert me! Now if I could only talk her into signing up on the Dis Boards and posting too!
Your all are the best! And I second " "

 

[LibertyLover]

I love planning our trips to WDW and my DH thinks I'm crazy. He loves going to WDW and has a blast but his mantra is "we can't plan anything with a toddler". I agree to a certain extent, but you have to at least have a few clues. But then there are people who couldn't get a clue if they smeared themselves with clue attractor, walked naked into a bunch of clues and did the sacred clue mating dance.

 

[Karibeth19]

But then there are people who couldn't get a clue if they smeared themselves with clue attractor, walked naked into a bunch of clues and did the sacred clue mating dance.

 

[Gymbomom]

Well for me it brings me just as much joy to plan our trip as to be on it!!

 

[candleonwater]

Karibeth19... I couldn't have said it any better! I am a OVERplanner... however, when I go to WDW, I wing it. I try to NOT plan much at all. Okay, so for this trip, we're staying at the Contemporary because that's where the church service is, but other than that, and Easter Breakfast PS's at Chef Mickeys I've not planned a single thing. Will we suffer for it? No, I don't think so. After this many trips we know WHAT we want to do, and when we want to do them... if something doesn't get done we won't regret it. Last year we "winged" it as well... found ourselves back at the hotel (AKL) in early afternoon with plans to head back to a park for the evening... NEVER made it back. We would have too much fun back at the resort.

 

[Sarahsal]

Karibeth19... we're staying at the Contemporary because that's where the church service is, QUOTE]
I e-mailed Disney last week and they told me there were still no plans for services at the Contemporary for this Easter, but that I could write back closer to the date to check again. Do you know something I don't?

Just received a follow-up e-mail that there will be services at the Contemporary this year!

 

[Mermaid02]

Ariel Wannabe... You tried to help her.... I guess her saving grace is that she has NO idea how much she missed. It's her loss.
I love the planning and anticipation almost as much as the trip.... I bet you feel the same way!!

 

[suevee]

Ariel Wannabe --Can I borrow your binder? My name is Sue and I too am a planner. That said, it seems I now have a lot to live up to! My friends took their family to WDW in 1999 and it was Just okay. They skipped the character meals because they didn't think it was a big deal. They changed their ressies from SoG to a Swiss Hotel in Kissimee. They ended up spending more time in the car, a bad room and crowds. Definitely no magic. Then they went with us in June, 2001. I planned everything. They are still thanking me. NOW mutual friends are going with us in Feb 2006. My friend Tony just told me last week that there is only ONE reason why he is taking his family to WDW and the reason is....ME!!!! It seems that Mike is still raving about the trip our families took in 2001 and Tony expects the same. Talk about pressure....In fact I am taking an unschedualed mini-trip in April 1 just to reconnoiter for the February trip. Poor me!!!

 

[disneylifer]

We plan for our WDW trips far more than anything else we do. Often, because of
different circumstances (weather, crowds, etc.) we end up drastically changing
plans (park days, shows, etc.), but we always start out with a fairly detailed plan which is rather uncharacteristic for our family.

I really think the reason that we plan for this trip like we do is because the planing itself becomes part of the whole experience and helps build the anticipation.

 

[llij]

I have to say that in all my trips to Disney, my most planned out trip ended up being the most magical trip!

 

[Bakerswife]

I will take a look at your binder too! I would love to be able to get the most out of our trip as well. I am hoping that because we are going in nonpeak season we will be doing OK. I still need to plan though! Still reading for all of the tips I can get.

BW

 

[Donalds#1Fan]

Ohh, I never thought of making a Disney binder...(I have the three hole puncher and the empty binder...ok I know what I am doing).

As for the issue with your friend. Well, I say hats off to you for not saying anything. I would have been a bit uncontrolable and would have probably taken my binder and fwapped my friend. Ok, thats mean I know, but since what I got from your message was that you *tried* explaining in words the fastpass(maybe I am wrong) and then she came back with a different perspective...interesting. Oh well at least you know what is really out there for you...I guess she'll learn in time and have to suffer some disappointment.

 

[Tiger Fan]

I've encountered people like that and you just have to brush it off . I've helped countless families from my church and friends and almost all are so thankful and many even bring me back goodies as appreciation for helping them plan. The best experiment I've had on the planning and non-planning route was when a family friend of my sister was going the exact same week as some good friends of our's. Well, we gave both families the same basic info and tips. They were even staying at the same on-site resort so this was very close to apples to apples here. The family that followed my tips came home telling us what an incredible trip and how the crowds were small and they rode almost everything and enjoyed several really great meals. The other family took all of our info and seemed grateful, but when they got to Disney they slept in and just didn't want to get up early on vacation. They also decided that they HAD to go to MK the first day (I had suggested another due to my research). Once they had gotten off schedule they just tossed aside all my tips and info. They complained about how crazy the crowds were and that they couldn't eat anywhere they wanted because the lines were over an hour and the PSs didn't work once they changed days around, etc. I just bit my tongue and told them I hoped they'd give it another try. Now my planning is not crazy minute by minute stuff, but more what day, what park and I do have PSs made for at least 3 meals out of a week's stay. We are always open to last minute changes due to how we feel, crowds, weather, etc. and I always inlcude tips regarding chaning and how to handle those. This just proved to me and many of my family and friends that it does help to plan. I also met someone once who told me they couldn't imagine spending 2 weeks at Disney (we were about to leave for a two week trip). They went on to say that there couldn't possibly be that much to do. I tried to explain that with 4 major parks, plus the water parks, DQ, DTD, etc. we could stay for a month easy. Their response was, well I knew they opened that new Epcot park, but I didn't know there was any others ! This was less than two years ago too, I just remained calmed and realized that so many people are just plain clueless! Shake it off and there will be someone else you can help
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[GoofyDisney]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...the sweet smell of vindication!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I received a call from my SIS and BIL...the ones I told you about who the BIL is super excited and SIS could care less...and they called me from the MK today to thank me for the tips about FP and all the rest. My SIS, who so totally was dragged kicking and screaming, is having, and I quote, "the time of her life!" She says to me, 'Did you know the POFQ has a slide?" I resisted the urge to say, "DDDDDDDDDDUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." I simply replied with a polite, "yeah, its great isn't it!"

I am putting my colored stick away. I have been redeemed!

P.S. More important to me that vindication, is the fact that I think she is feeling the Magic. And I know that is all that us planners, and super-planners and mega-planners, and advice givers truly want...is for ourselves and for those we help to feel the MAGIC!