To Plan or Not to Plan?

[TinyLolitaBunny]

I am curious as to how many of us plan out every little detail of our trips!

I have seen on here a lot of people actually plan which rides they will/wont do, and even in what order! To me that's a lot of planning, but a lot of people (at least my family) think I plan too much myself! So I am curious to see what is the majority? Do most people overplan? Underplan? What parts do you plan? How do you plan?

It's all very fascinating to me.

Thanks!

 

[NC State]

I plan what park we visit each day with ADR TS. Once we're in the park we just take our time touring. We keep in mind of the times of parades and firework shows so we don't miss them.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think it is good to have a basic plan and be prepared. But I think some take more fun away than they realize when they plan every detail. Something is bound not to meet their needs at some time or another. The more detailed planning, more likely the plans will unravel.
ADRs are good. But just pick a specific park or area, and have a few highlights or must do's planned. A back up plan does not hurt.
After that, enjoy!

 

[beattyfamily]

I plan just about everything out so that I have a game plan BUT we often go off the plan. It is not set in stone.

Only some things are a given, others can be changed or canceled.

 

[my2boys1821]

I plan just about everything out so that I have a game plan BUT we often go off the plan. It is not set in stone.

Only some things are a given, others can be changed or canceled.

I'm the same! I have been planning EVERYTHING! What rides in what order, What parks, what days, what times, ADR's. The works. But I am not an exact follow by the book so if we go out of order on something or want to take longer at something else, we will. I just love the planning, it's like a hobby to me.

 

[traviesojmt]

I plan what parks we will go to on any given day. I also plan all of our TS meals each day. I also plan what days we will see Spectromagic, Illuminations and Wishes. Once we are at the parks, we really don't have a set plan. We usually go for 10-12 days, so that makes for a more leisurely time while at the parks.

 

[bicker]

I think people who don't plan at all are just simply doing themselves a disservice. It's like, for any other vacation destination, booking your flights, but leaving choosing a hotel until after you arrive at the destination. Silly.

By the same token, I was mentioning this to my wife this morning: People should acknowledge that, for the most part, planning and reality are two separate things. The purpose of planning isn't to plot out what you will do, but rather to have gained enough knowledge and understanding of the choices, from the process of creating and adjusting the plan, so that when you're there, in the parks, you can make more efficient and effective choices, in the moment.

 

[Evil Queen]

I picked the 1st choice, but I don't plan out every ride, attraction, show we will do. I just plan on what we will do first.

From experience and being on the boards I've learned alot.

MK-we head to Fantasyland first. We use to turn left when we first entered, but by the time we would get to FL, it was too crowded for us and lines too long.

So, I will do that much planning on where to head first, but I don't map out what we do. I still do a rough draft, but we never really follow it. I do it more for the fun of planning a trip.

I DO though plan on what park & on what day we will do it. Also, based on experienced and tips I get here. I don't use any of the tour guide systems.

 

[Iluvpooh&mickey]

People should acknowledge that, for the most part, planning and reality are two separate things. The purpose of planning isn't to plot out what you will do, but rather to have gained enough knowledge and understanding of the choices, from the process of creating and adjusting the plan, so that when you're there, in the parks, you can make more efficient and effective choices, in the moment.

I agree with you completely!

I have planned everything from ADRs to what order to ride attractions. I understand that everything won't go exactly as planned. I will be touring with my 3 kids (6, 6, 1.5) so I know that there will need to be some adjusting as we tour.

 

[danny1649]

At WDW = good experience

 

[ely3857]

I plan loads & loads before a trip but I am really doing it so I can be flexible if something crops up or changes



Jodie

 

[cdntourguide]

I plan for the parks, parades and evening shows like Wishes and Fantasmic. During the days in the park, I just go with the flow. Sometimes I luck out and can go on a particular ride three or four times in a row (especially POC, HM, BTM)

 

[denecarter]

The purpose of planning isn't to plot out what you will do, but rather to have gained enough knowledge and understanding of the choices, from the process of creating and adjusting the plan, so that when you're there, in the parks, you can make more efficient and effective choices, in the moment.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus... I just love to plan.

 

[HayGan]

We plan which parks on what days as well as ADRs but that is a much planning as we do. I think it all depends on when you are going as well. We go in value season and the lines are very short (if they even exist.) If we were going in peak season (not that we ever would) then I would definately have more of a plan in place (which areas/rides first, etc.)

 

[MinnieM21]

I go with the flow and don't plan anything. I hate planning and I don't like following a plan. It would drive me absolutely crazy.
If I feel like going to Epcot(which is all the time), I go to Epcot and if I want to go to the Magic Kingdom, I go there.
The only thing we have planned this time are 3 ADRs for dinner (all at 7pm) at Epcot. We're going in June, so we have to have the ADRs if we want to eat at our favorite restaurants. (Marrakesh, Chefs de France, Alfredo's) On our last trip, we had one ADR for our 4 day trip.

 

[MelanieC]

I plan which park on which day so I can plan the restaurants we go to. Other than that we go with the flow!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I know that the first thing we will do on Friday May 12th is hurry to AK and go on EE, after that, it's just enjoy Epcot's Flower Show.

Usually, I do know what park we will be in on any given day and we have been known to change parks for the night fireworks/parades. That's the planning.

Bobbi

 

[mejo]

We don't plan anything, We don't plan when we get up or where we are going from there. We have even been known ot decide what park to go to by which bus arrives first or how many people are in line for a bus. To me, that is the magic of disney, it just being there for me to enjoy whenever and however I want.

 

[IDoDis]

I planned which parks we'll visit on which days so that we're not in the parks that everyone else is in! This will save us hours of standing in lines. I also plan where we'll eat our sit-down meals each day (based on which park we're in) and get those ADR's made. I also like to plan which rides we'll visit first and which ones we'll grab fast passes for, again to get those done before the lines get too bad. Aside from that, we will go with the flow for the rest. Doing that much will be well worth it. I use Tour Guide Mike's service for park planning days (which parks to go to and which to avoid).

 

[kima86]

we only plan on which parks we'll go to each day to decide where we want TS at each park in order to call for ADR. We've had more when we're leisurely strolling through the parks, just taking everything in!