The joys of Planning the Vacation

[eporter66]

My wife is the one who convinced me we should join DVC about 7 years ago. I love Disney, so that was not the issue, I just never thought a time share was something I would want to have. After much discussion, I gave in and now I am so happy we did, but the funny thing is, once we became members, my wife left everything up to me. She just wanted to make sure we would be going to WDW.

So - I must say the one thing I really get into is planning the vacation. I love that phone call to member services to check availability, and then figure out where we want to stay. Then do everything from the flights, rental car, restaurants, what parks what days, special events. You name it, it's up to me. My wife may make a suggestion, but basically goes along with my plans.

So, the first part of the fun is just about over, our plans are all made. Since we have been going almost every year, the vacations really are enjoyable, as we dont go commando through the parks. Most people would think we would be sick of Disney, but it is almost more enjoyable each year. We know our way around very well now, and yet always find something new, or things we have never noticed. It truly is a relaxing vacation.

So - we have a few things going we have never done before (MNSSHP & Sea World), trying a few new restaurants (Whispering Canyon / Yak & Yeti) - so now all that is left to do is get down there and enjoy. I will look forward to planning next years vacation as soon as we get back!

The only problem we really have is getting out of some habits. With all the choices we have for dining, my daughter and wife like to hit a few of the same places everytime. I am fine with it, but at the same time there are so many places we have never tried, it seems like we should go all new, but they always get me to book a favorite or two. So - might as well go with the flow...

 

[Goofy DVC]

You just described me and our DVC to a T. I've been doing all the planning since 93, and I love it. My DW and DDs just go with the flow for the most part. Every once in awhile they'll throw in their 2 cents.

 

[robertdangelo]

We are the same way! My DW & DD(2.5 years old) love Rainforest Cafe' so we do it every trip! My DD had been to DL once and WDW twice. We were there three weeks ago & did T-Rex as well as Rainforest Cafe'.
I start planning our next trip as soon as we get home... planning is half the fun!

 

[eporter66]

We are the same way! My DW & DD(2.5 years old) love Rainforest Cafe' so we do it every trip! My DD had been to DL once and WDW twice. We were there three weeks ago & did T-Rex as well as Rainforest Cafe'.
I start planning our next trip as soon as we get home... planning is half the fun!

That's funny, because our DD (now 6) also loves the Rainforest Cafe', and we have gone to either DTD or the Animal Kingdom Restaurant on our last 4 trips for dinner. It has become a "must do" each time we go.

We tried T-Rex last year, which was really cool inside (just like Rainforest), so I am not sure which one she will pick. The first time we went in, I think she was 2.5 years old, and she was not thrilled with the thunder storm. She has been fine since that first time.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We are new to the DVC world and so far and I am loving every minute of it. We are planning our first trip home in May (not to our home resort but to the BCV). I too love calling member services to check for availability and so far so good, I have been able to switch out our BLT studio to BCV studio with no problems and then I just got off the phone with MS because we want to add on more dates and I was able to add another day on with no problems again.....thank you to the DIS members who said to call right at 9am . I will be calling back tomorrow so I can add on one more day (hopefully). As far as planning is concerned, my DH and I share the responsibility. Of course he won't make the calls but he loves to figure out park days, places to eat, activities, etc....he is as much of a Disney nut as I am and gets really excited when he finds an activity or place to eat that we haven't tried yet (we love to try out something new each time we visit, it keeps it fresh to us), of course we have our favorites that we have to go to each time we are there, but we do add in a couple new ones too. I believe that the planning stages is one of the best things about a WDW trip, the anticipation and the excitement is so worth it. Its funny, my family and friends know how much I live to plan out WDW trips therefore they always call me for help with their own vacations

 

[eporter66]

I believe that the planning stages is one of the best things about a WDW trip, the anticipation and the excitement is so worth it.

I agree, I dont mind being the planner, tracking our points and making the plans. It keeps the vacation alive, and exciting prior to going. I also called member services today for a room request, and yesterday to get tickets for MNSSHP. I may try for one more restaurant ressie, although we do like to do things on the fly, and have had luck getting reservations where & when we want them.

You look forward to the vacation for the 11 months once you make the reservation, so the planning just keeps it on your mind. All that is left now is our countdown to WDW.

 

[medic318]

Love doing the planning too, except the air travel part. We leave tomorrow am for a week there, our 1st as members. We try to do 2 or 3 restaurants we have been too, and 2 or 3 we haven't to balance it out. I am going to miss the buffet in Germany this year though.
Best part is when we come back i get 3 week, and then start planning next year.

 

[bub]

Sometimes the planning is the best part of the trip. When you make plans, you imagine the best: perfect weather, low crowd levels, good moods. Often on the actual trip, reality sets in! I read somewhere that planning a trip extends the benefits of a trip - it's good for you.

I love planning Disney trips, even after almost 15 years as a DVC member. We started with toddlers and now visit with teens, so lots has changed in that time in terms of activities. We do have some favorites, such as Spaceship Earth and dinner at Boma, but we also enjoy trying new things: on our last trip, we enjoyed the easy (non-spinning) side of Mission Space and dinner at Kona Cafe.

One of the best things we have learned to do is to ditch our plans when necessary. When the heat and crowds and running around get to us (we usually visit in August) we take a day to hang by the pool, rent boats, see a movie and just relax. DVC makes it easier to do this because we know we will be back.

 

[Greysword]

Planning the vacation (and even banking points) is like playing with our toy! I do most to all of the hard lifting (understanding the rules in detail, tracking seasons, estimating point costs for various options, tracking ride/event closures, crowd and weather reports, special events at WDW, etc). My wife and DD tell me what they want and I make sure it happens. I even search for Disney related programing on the Travel channel and DVR the programs to get usin the mood (or around the holidays).

The result of all of this and my addiction to the DIS; My name is Chris and I am a WDW planning Nazi . You vill follow ze plan or bad things vill happen (apologies for the cliched accent). I generally create an overall plan and sort of "heard" the group into visiting one park over another on specific days (based on current intelligence on weather, crowd levels, and events). If a deviation occurs, then it gets exciting as I need (or at least feel the need ) to create a touring plan on the spot to maximize time, ensure important rides are rode, and everyone has a good time (much like Clark Grizwold ).

In the end, I have become the go to guy for information and scheduling at WDW, and everyone seems to have a good time and accomplishes everything they want. Of the family and friends, I have not yet had a complaint, so thats good...right . Of course, I think I drive my wife a bit batty .

 

[Hunclemarco]

I like the planning as well, not only for myself, but for others as well if they welcome the suggestions. The only part i'm not fond of is the airfare...can never seem to find good deals from Syracuse, NY.
We try to do different things on each vacation, as well as see the "ole faithful's". One time we'll see all of the shows we hadn't seen before, another time we'll try new restaurants, and so forth. There was a post a while back where a family had taken different pictures of people "Jumping"...a unique way of photographing their trip. There are so many ways that a Disney trip can be unique, and planning for that is just as fun. I also learn alot reading trip reports from others here on the DIS

 

[robertdangelo]

I like the planning as well, not only for myself, but for others as well if they welcome the suggestions. The only part i'm not fond of is the airfare...can never seem to find good deals from Syracuse, NY.

We're in Rochester, NY and usually get a direct flight to Orlando... either Airtran or JetBlue. We have done JetBlue the past two trips & got $124. round trip for our trip last month.(we booked airfare in Feb.) We had direct flights both ways & 1st checked bag was free. We have done Jetblue last two trips to WDW... Airtran now charges for chcked bags... hopefully that will change as Southwest is buying them out.

We met a couple from Syracuse that was flying out of Rochester because it was cheaper.

 

[Coach81]

My wife and I both plan, and we really enjoy it..

 

[ILuvMulan]

If you had told me in 2007 that in 2010 I would be planning 4 Disney trips at the same time I would have told you that you were out of your mind. But thanks to DVC that is exactly what I have done this year! I love planning every little detail. My husband and kids usually want to try a favorite resurant (usually O'hana) but we always try something new each trip. For our trip in a couple of weeks we are looking forward to several new resturants and on our trip in April we did the Behind the Seeds tour and had a wonderful time. I hope there never comes a time when we can say we have done it all!!!

 

[kikiq]

I hope there never comes a time when we can say we have done it all!!!

I don't think there will ever be a time anyone can say that. I just booked a last minute trip that doesn't include a lot of park time. But I did notice we can take golf lessons...hmmm...something new. Plus it's something we would like to learn to do.

 

[ILuvMulan]

I don't think there will ever be a time anyone can say that. I just booked a last minute trip that doesn't include a lot of park time. But I did notice we can take golf lessons...hmmm...something new. Plus it's something we would like to learn to do.

You should try it! My son took a lesson in 2009 and has a tee time for our up coming trip as part of his birthday celebration. He really enjoyed it. I can't wait to plan some fun "grown-up" activities for our 20th Anniversary trip... thinking about the Keys to the Kingdom Tour...

 

[papertraveller]

The planning can get obsessive. We joined DVC last year and have taken one trip to our home resort so far. But at this point in time I have four trips booked and planned, with another one in the wings for the end of 2011. I'm juggling two timeshares, which sometimes makes my brain hurt, but so be it.

DH is comfortable leaving the heavy lifting to me. I'll consult him about the airfares I find, but he lets me plan the ADRs and other stuff. He's pretty confident that the plans will all be to his liking. (Hey, what's not to like about travellling all day only to find yourself basking at the top of California Grill?)

Truly one of the best things, however, is that the trips now allow us to tour at our leisure. This last trip was only our third trip to WDW, and we made a point of trying new things. DD was thrilled, and the fact we had to do Haunted Mansion repeatedly was just part of the fun. Oh yeah, and seeing almost an entire day of American Idol Experience only left us in awe of the talents of our fellow park-goers.

There is still so much that we have not done. My big fear is that events such as Food & Wine and MNSSHP will now be so much fun, that we'll be trying to slot those journeys into our future plans now too!

 

[Hunclemarco]

We're in Rochester, NY and usually get a direct flight to Orlando... either Airtran or JetBlue. We have done JetBlue the past two trips & got $124. round trip for our trip last month.(we booked airfare in Feb.) We had direct flights both ways & 1st checked bag was free. We have done Jetblue last two trips to WDW... Airtran now charges for chcked bags... hopefully that will change as Southwest is buying them out.

We met a couple from Syracuse that was flying out of Rochester because it was cheaper.

Thanks for the information! We've also flown out of Rochester. Our next trip we'll be flying out of Elmira. Just found excellent prices, but lots of "tag on optional fees", and they fly into Sanford, not MCO. Still waiting on the flight information for our May trip.

 

[eporter66]

As our DD gets older and we cannot pull her out of school, I am hoping to plan a few adult trips. I dont think she will be too happy about that, so that may mean two trips a year

One thing we did a few years back was to be down in WDW for the PGA Tour stop. We saw it when it was sponsored by both Hertz (I think late 90's) and Funai. Now it is the Childrens Miracle Network, and it is in November - That was a blast.

Two vacations I want to plan, is a golf vacation with a few buddies, and to do Spring Training, see the Braves on site, play a little golf, and hit a few other Major League clubs in the area. My wife has been down twice to do Half Marathons, so I figure I have a trip or two coming my way!

 

[tgropp]

I start a spreadsheet and plan everything. I have been doing this since 1989 and have everything from where we did end up going to how much each trip cost. When I look at the cost, I sometimes want to erase this file before my wife sees it

 

[BEASLYBOO]

. When I look at the cost, I sometimes want to erase this file before my wife sees it

I shutter to think of the fortune I've spent at WDW since 1972, but you know what, it's been worth every penny and even much more so since buying into DVC.

I love to plan, so my family let's me plan and organize our family reunions at Disney every three years! I so enjoy it, of course I realize it can be a bit obsessive but hey, someone has to do it!