Trigger Happy Planner!

[LisaDKG]

As it says below, we went to WDW the past 2 years and are making the pilgrimage to the Homeland this Sept.
This time last year I was up to my spreadsheets in TGM, ADRs and MNSSHP tshirt designs. I basically spent my summer fine tuning my touring plans and dreaming about my perfect trip (which did turn out pretty perfectly - all thanks to me Me ME! Who doesn't gloat when it all comes together in a glorious ball of Disboard perfection?)
We did have fun, but can I tell you how EXCITED I am to be heading back to my beloved DLR? Visions of beignets and tigger tails have been dancing in my head since I booked.
BUT!
Planning for DL this far out from our trip is...um... a little...dare I say...unfulfilling?

I can't make any PS' until I'm 60 days out, there are no park schedules available and I was so excited to download ride max and play that I laid my money down before realizing that my subscription actually expires before I can plug in the actual dates of my trip!

Am I missing something I should be focusing on to best use my talent for überplanning this early in the game? Can anyone help a frustrated planner out?

 

[ironpig70]

i know the feeling we have tickets and a hotel on hold for november and i'm not even eligble for vacation till august at first it drove me nuts but what i have been doing is coming here and finding threads on food or rides and the such and subscribing to them or cut and paste into a notebook. i have been to wdw once and dlr 3-4 times so i have an idea why you need to plan out wdw so far in advance but dlr i feel you can almost do on the fly if you've been before.

 

[ballarinamom]

YOu could prepurchase your meal vouchers if you are planning on any character meals from Getaway Today. You can start buying Disney Dollars. Look over allears.net to plan your meals. Etc... There are lots of things you can do. I'm in the same boat!! I just spend my time cruising thru the DIS!!

 

[Jenn1116]

I agree it is fustrating trying to plan so far ahead when schedules aren't even out yet and PSs can't be booked. I just spend my days on the DIS trying to help others, collecting great info, and planning future trips beyond the next one!!!!

Mind you, I've never even been two years in a row, let alone multiple trips in a year. But what's a girl to do when there's so much waiting to plan the details of her next trip?

 

[LisaDKG]

Hey!
I just checked, and the Sept. hours are out on the Disney website! That's something to celebrate right?!! (Or maybe they always were and I just missed it? Well, I'll celebrate finding it! )
How soon do they post the schedules for Fantasmic etc.?

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Hey my fellow Calgarian,
You're just bored 'cause it's rained for the last 3 days!! And wishing you were in CA where its nice and toasty warm and they aren't forecasting SNOW!!! I know, I'm in the same boat!

I can't offer much but sympathy....I too am planning another future vacation, but we can't be sure right now when, or for how long, or who, or even how much?? The only question I can answer right now is WHERE - DL, of course!!

I have definitely been bitten by the bug, and know where you are coming from. The only things I can think of are:
- make a list of your "must do" things - you wouldn't want to get home and remember you really wanted to bring back a case if Tigger Tails, but forgot in all the excitement (and if you just happen to give me a call when you get back to Calgary with said Tigger Tails, we could share them together and remenisce about DL....NO???....ok....had to try..... (I just ate my last bite from the ones I brought back from our trip...they taste better AT disneyland, tho!)
- Put together a packing list so nothing gets forgotten (being that this is not your first trip, however, you may already have this!)
- put together a list of anything you might have done differently last time, or anything you wished you hadn't done, etc...also talk it over with family members - they may have certain things they wished they had done/not done as well (again, speaking from experience....)
- Make a list of the photos you want to take (wishing I had done this, however I am also an obsessive scrapbooker, and I am lamenting all the pics I forgot to take while there - darn - just gonna have to go back....)
And finally, make a list of all the lists you made so when you misplace/lose any/all of said lists, you have a master list with which to track down the original list....savvy? see - I'm even starting to talk like Cap'n Jack!!

Hi, my name is Carmen, and I am an obsessive compulsive listmaker and addicted to DL and the DIS!

 

[mom4princesses]

I am with you. My trip is in December. But don't feel to bad because I'm in sunny AZ and it has been raining for 2 days. But we love it because just a few days before it was over 100. But I have the kids involved in earning Disney dollars and snacks at the park. Our family has Jones (last name) bucks the kids earn to trade in for different things. So we made a DL list. It has MM rice treats, ice cream, etc. for so many Jones bucks. They love it and it gets them motivated to do more around the house than just the everyday chores they have to do. That makes me happy. Not only are they helping but just as excited about going as I am.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... I just checked, and the Sept. hours are out on the Disney website! ... How soon do they post the schedules for Fantasmic etc.?

I think the Sept schedule will be posted in July.

Last Sept, Fantasmic was shown on Saturdays and Sundays. Here is the calendar for Sept 2007:
http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-dlr2-200709.asp

 

[LisaDKG]

i feel you can almost do on the fly if you've been before.

Don't even suggest such a thing (although I think you're probably right!)

You could prepurchase your meal vouchers if you are planning on any character meals from Getaway Today.

I'm ON IT! Thanks!

I agree it is fustrating trying to plan so far ahead when schedules aren't even out yet and PSs can't be booked. I just spend my days on the DIS trying to help others, collecting great info, and planning future trips beyond the next one!!!!

I guess I could always start dreaming up a DCL trip! That would put me over the planning EDGE!

Hey my fellow Calgarian,
You're just bored 'cause it's rained for the last 3 days!! And wishing you were in CA where its nice and toasty warm and they aren't forecasting SNOW!!! I know, I'm in the same boat!

Doesn't it seem a little unfair that we've had winter for..oh...how long has it been?...8 MONTHS? Doesn't every Calgarian deserve a trip to Disney?

(and if you just happen to give me a call when you get back to Calgary with said Tigger Tails, we could share them together and remenisce about DL....
Hi, my name is Carmen, and I am an obsessive compulsive listmaker and addicted to DL and the DIS!

I would totally share a case of Tigger Tales with you!

But I have the kids involved in earning Disney dollars and snacks at the park. Our family has Jones (last name) bucks the kids earn to trade in for different things. So we made a DL list. It has MM rice treats, ice cream, etc. for so many Jones bucks. They love it and it gets them motivated to do more around the house than just the everyday chores they have to do. That makes me happy. Not only are they helping but just as excited about going as I am.

This is an awesome idea! Thanks!

I think the Sept schedule will be posted in July.

Last Sept, Fantasmic was shown on Saturdays and Sundays. Here is the calendar for Sept 2007:
http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-dlr2-200709.asp

Another helpful blast from the past (you helped give me hope for an open HM during my trip!) Thanks!

 

[popsicle123]

Instead of the meal vouchers, which are not that good of a deal, I like to buy the Disney Gift Cards. Shipping is free and they are accepted almost everywhere in the park except for some of the small food carts. You can also of course buy merchandise with them. I think it is the best way to prepay some of your trip.