The unneccessary planning and scheduling

[minnie mum]

I don't get it. I saw one woman who had their schedule set to the minute that they are going to get in line for Dumbo and how long it will take them to get on the ride and off(like that is really going to happen) I don't understand why people can't just enjoy it as it comes.

I have been going to Disney World almost every year since 1980 when my parents first started taking us. We have NEVER had a set schedule except for dinner show reservations, have NEVER done a single rope drop and I don't think there was a single trip that we didn't do everything that we wanted to do.

I can understand having a playbook to go by, especially if this is your first or only trip to the World, but many of those who do this crazy planning are repeaters.

It is obvious that you don't "get it". That's fine. Feel free tour the parks your way, but have the courtesy to let other people tour their way. If you don't understand why some people are more comfortable having a touring plan, detailed to the degree that they see fit, then ignore them. But kindly be respectful enough to refrain from calling them insane or crazy.

I've been going to Disney World since 1975 and have ALWAYS had a touring plan of one form or another. What exactly is your problem with that?

 

[georgina]

Some people would think it is 'insane' or unnecessary' to go to Disney World every year since 1980! We're all different and enjoy our Disney trips in different ways. I don't plan that extremely, and rarely make dining plans ahead of time, but planning what to do and see is part of the fun for me.

 

[photo_chick]

I don't get it. I saw one woman who had their schedule set to the minute that they are going to get in line for Dumbo and how long it will take them to get on the ride and off(like that is really going to happen) I don't understand why people can't just enjoy it as it comes.

I have been going to Disney World almost every year since 1980 when my parents first started taking us. We have NEVER had a set schedule except for dinner show reservations, have NEVER done a single rope drop and I don't think there was a single trip that we didn't do everything that we wanted to do.

I can understand having a playbook to go by, especially if this is your first or only trip to the World, but many of those who do this crazy planning are repeaters.

Does what they do affect you in any way, shape or form? Are they forcing you to conform to their schedule? IF not then what business is it of yours?

Just an example of why one might have a detailed daily plan.... if you have a a kid who needs routine and likes to know what is going to happen having a plan laid out can help them. It can mean the difference between a magical day at the park and a total meltdown before 10am.

 

[wdvak]

The rhetoric and word choices used by many on this board can be a bit dramatic, I don't see why we are slamming the OP for her opinion and word choice when many will say that those who don't plan, make ADRs, etc are CRAZY and stupid.

I've seen the extreme time planning increase over the years, but if that is your thing, great. If you are not a planner, great. If you go to or don't go to rope drop, great. Just be happy that you are experiencing your vacation your way and know that others are just as happy with their vacation.

We come the the Dis and express our opinions and get others take on things. We have a good time gathering ideas and info and discussing somewhere we like to visit.

 

[jjl181]

I plan my vacations months in advance. My husband thinks I'm crazy! Lol. But I actually enjoy it. For me, it saves me from stressing later if I have a plan, but I also schedule days with no schedule! (If that makes sense! )
And we go every year around the same weeks each time. I like to have a plan of attack but can not do minute by minute. If my DD wants to see a certain character and I can avoid an hour wait by going at a certain time of day, I plan for it.
We certainly could go and spend every day 'going with the flow', but I have found that my family for all their commentary enjoy that I know what is going on. On the other hand I know others that don't plan at all and have a fabulous time. To each their own!

 

[luvmy3]

I didnt see the OP before the edit and while I wouldn't call the person insane, since I don't know them personally. However, I think planning down to the minute is insane.

 

[Delirium]

One time I didn't plan for my Disney trip and ended up in Nebraska.

 

[Micca]

I think for a lot of people the planning is fun. I used to do a highly scheduled plan and tour the parks commando style, but I don't any longer. I'm completely reserving judgment on the whole FP+ thing until I start thinking about a trip after the whole process is rolled out.

 

[kajs22]

One time I didn't plan for my Disney trip and ended up in Nebraska.

 

[princesslover]

The rhetoric and word choices used by many on this board can be a bit dramatic, I don't see why we are slamming the OP for her opinion and word choice when many will say that those who don't plan, make ADRs, etc are CRAZY and stupid.

I've seen the extreme time planning increase over the years, but if that is your thing, great. If you are not a planner, great. If you go to or don't go to rope drop, great. Just be happy that you are experiencing your vacation your way and know that others are just as happy with their vacation.

We come the the Dis and express our opinions and get others take on things. We have a good time gathering ideas and info and discussing somewhere we like to visit.

This.

I think some who are commenting negatively on the OP's post may have forgotten that they are not immune from judging other's behaviors, particularly newbies who are the opposite and don't plan enough. I have seen it with my own eyes on here. I guess it's not good when it's the other way around though.

 

[Rosebud123]

I'm a huge planner when it comes to Disney. That's not to say we don't change our plans on the fly if that works best for us at the moment, but we get way more done and have way more fun when we're not standing in lines for hours each day.

We went to a local water park for the first time last week and spent so much time standing in lines because we didn't know which rides to do first. We all had a blast but I know it would have been even more fun if we had a plan.

 

[bkb91]

I personally enjoy planning. I plan our trips pretty extensively. I've used RideMax and touringplans and have had a great time when I use them in the parks.

I enjoy the planning because I feel like its the beginning of my vacation. I love finding what days to go to what parks based on crowds, and which ADR to make based on what I'm doing each day... I love doing the research and planning.

I don't find myself insane for doing it. It's something I enjoy, and want to do so I can make the most out of my trip that I'm paying a lot of money to go on.

With that said, when I am in the park, I know that not everything goes as planned and to not panic when things go awry.

 

[juliebug1997]

We do the ADRs and we choose which parks to do on which days, but that's it. However, I do a lot of research. I read the DIS, I buy the travel books. I don't want to spend the kind of money I spend on a Disney vacation and not have knowledge. My dad used to plan out the vacations in our family when we were younger and it sure made a difference on the days where we had a plan as opposed to the days where we (read: he) would just drive until we (again, he) was too tired to drive anywhere. We ended up in awful places and always left early the next day.

On my first trip to Europe, I didn't plan at all. I just went where the tour guide took us and then didn't have a single clue as to what to do during the free time. It wasn't always the best experience and I had a miserable time in a couple of beautiful cities. I swore the next time I went back that I would have a plan and, when I got to return, my experience was much better.

My point: there's nothing wrong with having a plan. You might need to modify the plan or completely throw it out the window, but having a plan in mind at least gives you some knowledge about what to expect and what you might want to see and do.

 

[mom2rtk]

We do the ADRs and we choose which parks to do on which days, but that's it. However, I do a lot of research.

I've described myself the same way. I go into the trip with a park planned for each day, and my ADRs set. But from there nothing is really set in stone. I research here, not so I can plan which rides to do in which order, but so I can make informed decisions on the ground on the day of our invasion...... errrr..... visit.

 

[juliebug1997]

I've described myself the same way. I go into the trip with a park planned for each day, and my ADRs set. But from there nothing is really set in stone. I research here, not so I can plan which rides to do in which order, but so I can make informed decisions on the ground on the day of our invasion...... errrr..... visit.

A good plan of attack is key to a successful battle, er, vacation.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I take several trips a year. Europe earlier this summer was very planned

Disney is someplace I am lucky enough to get to quite often. As a result I don't really plan. If FP+ means what I fear then.... I will just quit going. No, I don't want to plan all rides and meals 6 months out. Heck I am going mid August and booked that trip Friday.

 

[Peachkins]

I've described myself the same way. I go into the trip with a park planned for each day, and my ADRs set. But from there nothing is really set in stone. I research here, not so I can plan which rides to do in which order, but so I can make informed decisions on the ground on the day of our invasion...... errrr..... visit.

This is exactly how I plan things as well. We don't do park hoppers, so we pick a park for each day and sometimes do a DTD day as well. We try to pick our ADRs to line up with the parks we'd like to go to. I like planning, but I would drive myself (and my husband) crazy if I tried to do a schedule with much more than that info, but for those who plan that way, glad it works for you.

That said, I have seen to-the-minute schedules here that actually set a time for bathroom breaks. That, at least to me, really is insane.

 

[Postal68]

That said, I have seen to-the-minute schedules here that actually set a time for bathroom breaks. That, at least to me, really is insane.

that is what I was referring to.

 

[magicbob]

I don't get it. I saw one woman who had no set to the minute schedule. She doesn't know when they are going to get in line for Dumbo or how long it will take them to get on the ride and off. I don't understand why people can't just enjoy it as it's planned.

I have been going to Disney World almost every year since 1980 when my parents first started taking us. We have ALWAYS had a set schedule including dinner show reservations, have ALWAYS done every single rope drop and I don't think there was a single trip that we didn't do everything that we wanted to do.

I can understand having no playbook to go by, especially if this is your first or only trip to the World, but many of those who do this crazy non-planning are repeaters.



The above is not a true story. Just illustrating that uber-planners might feel equally confused about other people's lack of planning.

 

[monty]

I am going to risk the flames and defend the OP.
I too saw the post yesterday that she is referring to and I also thought she was way over planning and there was something about her post that just seemed 'odd'. Her post went something like this:
9.47 line up for Dumbo
10.02 get on ride for Dumbo
10.05 finish riding Dumbo
I can't remember what her actual question was and interestingly enough I can't find that post this morning, which makes me think it may have been a troll and the post has since been deleted?