To Plan or Not To Plan?

[HydroGuy]

First, if someone wants to relax then a Disney park is not the place to go. Go to Hawaii and lie on a beach while sipping a Mai Tai.

Disney parks are the opposite of relaxation. They are about sensory overload. Thrill rides that immerse you and toss you around and get you wet. Music from all directions. Frequent laughter and screams. The smell of hot dogs and hot pretzels. Animation, Mickey Mouse and other characters, and other visuals. Parades. Ice cream stands. Fireworks. Explosions and loud noises.

Disney parks are not relaxing. They are exhilirating. Stimulating. Overflowing with energy.

OK, with that said there are some good posts here so I will not repeat but agree with a few points. If you do zero planning there are things you will miss. Here are a examples. I could come up with 20 similar ones if I took more time...

o Schedule a trip for Monday-Wednesday. You will not be able to see the hilarious and excellent Aladdin show at DCA any time of year. It only shows Thurs-Sun.

o Schedule a trip off-season on weekdays. You will miss Fantasmic and fireworks which show only weekends in off-season

o Show up with your young son at the Jedi Training Academy and just try and get him selected out of a hundred other wannabe Jedis. How disappointed will he be after he fails to get selected after three tries? With a little planning and your chances of getting him in to face Darth Vader are increased dramatically. See "Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

o Ignore FASTPASS or do not learn how to use FP. If someone would prefer to skip planning and wait in 60+ minute lines then that is up to them. I for one would like to learn enough so I can wait in the 10-20 minute lines and walk past the other people in the long standby line many of whom were just winging it.


Once or twice a month a thread gets started on this forum by someone who is "devastated", "bummed", "sad", "angry" or something similar because they had a big family trip and spent lots of money only to find out too late that they did miss or will miss something on their trip that they were hoping to do. A little planning could greatly increase the chances that they will have a better experience and which meets their expectations.

I agree with others that a base plan with some research behind it will help you experience more on your DLR trip. I also agree that a rigid plan can be a negative for some people in your group. So find out what works for you and go out and have fun!

 

[Hound 109]

Like another DISer said, I now understand the difference between a PLAN and a SCHEDULE. I don't see how a plan can HURT, especially if DH doesn't know about it, I just steer us in that direction. I'll seem ever wise and knowing (furthering my status as Queen of Everything ), and he'll think he's going with the flow. Ahhhh, once again, DISers, you have saved the day.

JustaKid....you are one cool DisChick who's got it all figured out.


Regarding WDW....I agree that those w/o a plan are setting themselves up for a disappointing vacation. At DLR it might not be as critical to "plan", but ironically, having a plan at DLR actually reaps MORE benefits than having one at at WDW (especially during busy periods).

This is because at WDW most people know the drill & most people are staying on site. At DLR most people are driving in from elsewhere & most visitors don't know the drill.....so those getting to the park early to tour & collect FPs reap tremendous benefits at DLR....even more than at WDW.

 

[Sienna]

I think there's a difference between having a plan and having a schedule. As long as you do your research, are familiar with the layout of the park and which rides and shows you do not want to miss, and follow some basic guidelines like using Fastpass (I just don't understand people who don't do this) and hitting the most popular rides first, you'll be fine.

I totally agree. Having a plan is a general idea of what you want to do that day, vs. a schedule which tells you what time and in what order those things will happen. I usually check the park schedules to see what shows and parades we might be interested in, as well as refurbishments, and create a general plan around that. If something's going down for refurbishments tomorrow, well then I need to make sure we do it today. If there's a parade tonight, but not tomorrow, and it's something we want to see, then we make sure we see it today so we don't miss out. It just depends on your comfort level - some people like to wing it, and some people like to know how every minute will be spent during the day.

 

[bumbershoot]

Like another DISer said, I now understand the difference between a PLAN and a SCHEDULE. I don't see how a plan can HURT, especially if DH doesn't know about it, I just steer us in that direction. I'll seem ever wise and knowing (furthering my status as Queen of Everything ), and he'll think he's going with the flow. Ahhhh, once again, DISers, you have saved the day.

Absolutely.



Our first trips back as adults were one-day trips with my brother (who generally knows everything, and when he doesn't, bluffs his way into people following along anyway) and SIL. They knew I had a Plan, and they made fun of me (including my husband!).

So I finally put the plan away physically, and went from what I remembered of it...when they would stop in the middle of the path and look at a map, I'd quickly *suggest* a ride that *might be good to go on if that sounds good to you*, and the suggestion would be agreed on. Etc etc etc. I steered with suggestions, we had a MUCH better time than if we'd just stopped in the path after every single ride trying to come to a consensus.

And the last day-trip I took with my brother...he'd finally figured out fastpass! Woo! Of course, he REFUSED to believe me that they'd take them after the time limit, but hey, that meant we actually went back to those rides and used them...which is different from when he's not along (we come home with SO many FPs it's not funny, b/c we rarely need them, generally forget to go back, and no one will take them from us when we try to give them away).


Anyway, my point is, having a plan and knowledge is good. That way if something doesn't work out, you know what might be good to do next, and odn't have to sit for half an hour figuring out what the Wants of the group are...you can just move on.

 

[Casken]

I planned some things and will be following a touring plan but I also don't want to over plan. Part of me likes to know what's happening and where I'm going but the other part of me likes to just go with the flow. The one thing that worries me about over planning is that if something does go wrong I'll be too stressed. It's a holiday after all and if I don't see everything.. oh well.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Between WDW and DLR this will be my 8th Disney vacation. We plan to the extent of knowing which park we are going to be at, while in WDW or what sit down meal we will have, but as far as anything else we go by the seat of our pants. I have never planned anything for DLR aside from our hotel and character breakfast. If we don't get to see and do everything it's ok...I know there is always a next time

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I went to DL in June for 1 day. I didn't really plan since I knew we'd be going back for another 2 day trip in a few months and it didn't matter if we missed a few things. The one thing I wish I had done for the June trip was spend a little more time researching food options. I didn't really enjoy the counter service meals we had that day, but didn't think there were any better options at the park. Then once I started looking at threads and trip reports on the DIS in preparation for the second trip I realized that DL does have some decent food if you know where to look.

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

I plan because I really love it. I don't share with my husband too much before the trip because he doesn't like that so much. I have a friend IRL that loves to plan too, so we obsess together.

I like to have a plan of what I want to hit and in what order just because I am like that. I don't like standing around. We do try to follow it but it's not a biggie if we don't.

I learned a lot from other Disers. I think it made a difference in my husband wanting to go back again. I like Hound 109's plan of Go Left. It worked well for us last time. Also learning how to use FP was really helpful.

We are going back again and I am trying to be less of a Commando but I still have a pretty good plan in my head.

 

[Mugglemama]

First, if someone wants to relax then a Disney park is not the place to go. Go to Hawaii and lie on a beach while sipping a Mai Tai.

Disney parks are the opposite of relaxation. They are about sensory overload. Thrill rides that immerse you and toss you around and get you wet. Music from all directions. Frequent laughter and screams. The smell of hot dogs and hot pretzels. Animation, Mickey Mouse and other characters, and other visuals. Parades. Ice cream stands. Fireworks. Explosions and loud noises.

Disney parks are not relaxing. They are exhilirating. Stimulating. Overflowing with energy.

OK, with that said there are some good posts here so I will not repeat but agree with a few points. If you do zero planning there are things you will miss. Here are a examples. I could come up with 20 similar ones if I took more time...

o Schedule a trip for Monday-Wednesday. You will not be able to see the hilarious and excellent Aladdin show at DCA any time of year. It only shows Thurs-Sun.

o Schedule a trip off-season on weekdays. You will miss Fantasmic and fireworks which show only weekends in off-season

o Show up with your young son at the Jedi Training Academy and just try and get him selected out of a hundred other wannabe Jedis. How disappointed will he be after he fails to get selected after three tries? With a little planning and your chances of getting him in to face Darth Vader are increased dramatically. See "Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

o Ignore FASTPASS or do not learn how to use FP. If someone would prefer to skip planning and wait in 60+ minute lines then that is up to them. I for one would like to learn enough so I can wait in the 10-20 minute lines and walk past the other people in the long standby line many of whom were just winging it.


Once or twice a month a thread gets started on this forum by someone who is "devastated", "bummed", "sad", "angry" or something similar because they had a big family trip and spent lots of money only to find out too late that they did miss or will miss something on their trip that they were hoping to do. A little planning could greatly increase the chances that they will have a better experience and which meets their expectations.

I agree with others that a base plan with some research behind it will help you experience more on your DLR trip. I also agree that a rigid plan can be a negative for some people in your group. So find out what works for you and go out and have fun!

i agree with this completely. it's so hard to find a quiet time of year at disneyland anymore (not like 8 years ago when we could basically have run of the park if we went on a weekday evening in january, february, march, etc.). it's pretty crazy crowded most of the year, so no plan can (and usually does) result in less time on rides, more stress at meals, and a lot more wasted time just standing around in line or deciding what to do next.

personally, i wouldn't EVEN consider wasting the time, money, or energy on a DLR trip if it was not pretty thoroughly planned. but that's just me...DH and i have 4 kids and having a planned schedule of what we're doing and when while in the parks saves us a lot of time and a lot of headaches. the kids have been doing it this way for a few years now too and the oldest ones agree that it would be pointless for us to "wing it" and then have to wait in 60-90 minute ride lines as a result. we never wait more than 35 minutes for any ride.

also, we know when to do meals so that we can actually find a free table (can you imagine standing around with your trays of food and kids and not being able to find somewhere to sit? no fun.)

now, if it was just DH and i, we might be willing to go with less of a schedule, but even then, neither one of us would want to wait in long lines. we're more about, ride-ride-ride, as opposed to wait-wait-wait, lol.

either way, i hope you and your family have a great time!

 

[JustAKid]

...I learned a lot from other Disers. I think it made a difference in my husband wanting to go back again. I like Hound 109's plan of Go Left. It worked well for us last time. Also learning how to use FP was really helpful...

Oooh, that sounds promising, but I can't find it! Can you link me to plan Go Left? Or Hound 109, if you happen to be reading this can YOU link me to it? Thanks a bunch!

 

[ashpinoza]

we are much the same. we dont plan more then what days we are going where. and thats only to make sure our rooms are booked. this feb we are doing vegas/dis/sw/and zoo. so we planned what days we will be at what but thats the farthest that goes. its good though, we have a son who will be 18 months when we go, so planning is too hard anyway, things are unexpected sometimes with toddlers. when my mom and i used to go, we completely winged it, again with the exception of knowing what days we were where, to book rooms.

 

[Hound 109]

Originally Posted by DorkyDisneyMom
...I learned a lot from other Disers. I think it made a difference in my husband wanting to go back again. I like Hound 109's plan of Go Left. It worked well for us last time. Also learning how to use FP was really helpful...

Oooh, that sounds promising, but I can't find it! Can you link me to plan Go Left? Or Hound 109, if you happen to be reading this can YOU link me to it? Thanks a bunch!

I don't know if i offered a "plan"....but i often suggest a strategy of going to the left side of the park first thing after picking up a FP at SM or Indy at opening (or immediately after MM). Especially if one wants to enjoy BTMRR (multiple times), Holiday HM, Splash (& possibly a ride on Pooh & a treat from Pooh corner) & then Pirates with no lines in the early morning. Plus the "left side" is so pretty & uncrowded early in the morning.

But any "plan" i might offer suggests being mindful of FP collection times & collecting them early & often.

 

[HydroGuy]

I don't know if i offered a "plan"....but i often suggest a strategy of going to the left side of the park first thing after picking up a FP at SM or Indy at opening (or immediately after MM). Especially if one wants to enjoy BTMRR (multiple times), Holiday HM, Splash (& possibly a ride on Pooh & a treat from Pooh corner) & then Pirates with no lines in the early morning. Plus the "left side" is so pretty & uncrowded early in the morning.

But any "plan" i might offer suggests being mindful of FP collection times & collecting them early & often.

My experience is that Obama voters have a tendency to go left first thing in the morning and McCain voters go right. Independents tend to head to the middle near Fantasyland.

 

[Hound 109]

My experience is that Obama voters have a tendency to go left first thing in the morning and McCain voters go right. Independents tend to head to the middle near Fantasyland.

I guess that would put me sitting on a bench next to the Mickey/Walt statue...munching on a corny dog.

hound <----hasn't liked a candidate since Teddy Roosevelt.

 

[JustAKid]

I guess that would put me sitting on a bench next to the Mickey/Walt statue...munching on a corny dog.

hound <----hasn't liked a candidate since Teddy Roosevelt.

I'll fly, if you buy. Sitting on a bench, eating with a total stranger, sounds better then making a political statement based on Disneyland paths.

On a side note, THANKS HydroGuy, now I'm going to be thinking that everyone in the park knows my political views and are judging me for them!

 

[debdreamsofdis]

My experience is that Obama voters have a tendency to go left first thing in the morning and McCain voters go right. Independents tend to head to the middle near Fantasyland.

I thought we were all writing in Mickey Mouse as our candidate!

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

I don't know if i offered a "plan"....but i often suggest a strategy of going to the left side of the park first thing after picking up a FP at SM or Indy at opening (or immediately after MM). Especially if one wants to enjoy BTMRR (multiple times), Holiday HM, Splash (& possibly a ride on Pooh & a treat from Pooh corner) & then Pirates with no lines in the early morning. Plus the "left side" is so pretty & uncrowded early in the morning.

But any "plan" i might offer suggests being mindful of FP collection times & collecting them early & often.

My bad calling it a plan. It is a strategy that served us well last time we were there.

We didn't have bad crowds on any of the days we were there but it did seem quieter on that side in the morning. And we were able to get a lot of rides ridden in a small amount of time.

 

[Hound 109]

My bad calling it a plan. It is a strategy that served us well last time we were there.

We didn't have bad crowds on any of the days we were there but it did seem quieter on that side in the morning. And we were able to get a lot of rides ridden in a small amount of time.

Isn't it nice in the early AM over on the left side??

The HM with no one in front of it. The New Orleans square area all to yourself. Strolling along the Rivers of America with no one in your way but ducks. Getting a cookie or pastry at Pooh Corner with no line. Plus you get to ride 5-6 rides with no wait...some that will have big waits later in the day.

Then i like to return later in the afternoon with FPs for Splash, BTMRR & Holiday HM (bypassing 55 min. standby lines) & also enjoying Pirate's Island & the Canoes (if they're open).

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

Isn't it nice in the early AM over on the left side??

The HM with no one in front of it. The New Orleans square area all to yourself. Strolling along the Rivers of America with no one in your way but ducks. Getting a cookie or pastry at Pooh Corner with no line. Plus you get to ride 5-6 rides with no wait...some that will have big waits later in the day.

Then i like to return later in the afternoon with FPs for Splash, BTMRR & Holiday HM (bypassing 55 min. standby lines) & also enjoying Pirate's Island & the Canoes (if they're open).

What I really loved was being able to get all those "must rides" done. It was especially nice because even when the big kids were on the "big rides" I was able to find stuff for my youngest to do with me. We did The Jungle Cruise while they were on IJA. We did Pooh x 4 while the others were on Splash. We were also able to run around without much worry of others.