What Do You Think is the Hardest Thing About Planning a Trip?

[kvogel11202]

I agree with the poster who said asking others in the group what they would like to do, where they would like to eat, ect and being told they don't care. My group has done that to me, and now that it is all booked and paid for they are starting the "this better be a great trip, it's costing us a fortune" crap! Not my DH or my folks, because they know I plan a good trip, but the "newbies". Now my cousin and his wife went once when the MK first opened, and my aunt and cousin went a couple years ago, stayed offsite cheap, and booked no ADR's. Came back and has complained about what a terrible time they had ever since. No pressure! Of course when I start telling htem about stuff they just say "whatever, I'm just following you"! AAAHHHH!

 

[The Sweetness]

So far, for me, the hardest thing is waiting until I can make my ADRs on 12-2 I don't know how psycho I will go planning after that is over with For some reason, getting the perfect ADRs (both time and location as well as on the days I want) is STRESSING ME THE HECK OUT

 

[pigletforever]

trying to decide what to do with the dog. do we board her or have someone stay at the house? That and trying to get my family as excited as i am. They say they are but they don't show it.

 

[FanofG00fy]

Well, It use to be pet care for us. Fortunately a Pet Resort opened just 10 minutes from our house and we and the animals absolutely love it. Well, we love it, the animals put up with it. It's a little more expensive, but it's like a Disney resort compared to the others we have kept them at.

Now, it's trying to get the ADR's lined up. This one wants to go golfing, this one only wants to shop, this one wants to sleep in and stay at the resort, this one wants commando style. I told them give me supper. Let us all get together for supper. Oy! This one wants a steak but not on that night, this one wants chinese on the steak night, but refuses to eat at any resort, don't even mention character meal to this one, this one wants character meals, etc,.....

Thank goodness time is on my side right now , but only for right now....

 

[jarrdisney]

I think the hardest part is curtailing our eating expenses. We're foodies and enjoy the nicer restaurants in and around orlando so it's not easy to do.

For those of you that have a problem with relatives and newbies that don't enjoy wdw as much or feel the need to complain about costs/etc; I say leave them back home. It may be easier for some of you than others, but it's worth it in the long run. I have planned way too many trips to only feel like crap after people don't appreciate it. I now go to disney for myself and others that share the same affinity for it as I do.

 

[AdventureGuru]

choosing a time of year...we only go during value season...then you have to worry about weather condition and everything else...

 

[kvogel11202]

For those of you that have a problem with relatives and newbies that don't enjoy wdw as much or feel the need to complain about costs/etc; I say leave them back home. It may be easier for some of you than others, but it's worth it in the long run. I have planned way too many trips to only feel like crap after people don't appreciate it. I now go to disney for myself and others that share the same affinity for it as I do.

I agree, I told them that I am planning this trip for me, and that they are welcome to join us or not, it's up to them. I even showed them ways to save money. My aunt changed hotels, we were all staying at the Yacht Club, now she is at POR with her daughter. She kills me, complaining about the cost, but thinks nothing of going out to lunch or dinner most nights, and shopping all the time, spending hundreds of dollars on clothes her daughter doesn't need! I have no problem with walking away- see you at dinner. Everyone will have a passporter with meet times and reservations, along with a laminated card with all the places/times/ conf #'s! It's too much time and money to deal with any negative energy!

 

[disneyfansmandl]

I enjoy the planning process but we always book a year in advance. This gives us time to save the money and something to look forward to especially when work gets tough. Our airfare from Boise was $520.00 when we booked and now it is $1900.00!! I have never gone wrong booking early. As far as others are concerned, we gave up a long time ago trying to make everyone else happy. We basically invite everyone but say "this is when we are going and what we are doing" and politely decline when everyone says we have to change dates to accomidate them. It seems cold but keeps the peace with both our families. Finding these boards and all you great folks has really helped us out though so THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

 

[amylevan]

Finding someone to go with me....
I wanted to go at Christmas this year to see the Holiday decorations....DH said no way, he has no interest in going back until we have kids....my friend from college who I've gone 2x with doesn't have money....and I'll admit it, I'm too chicken to go by myself. Not because I don't think I would have a good time, but because of what friends/family would say...

 

[Caitsmama]

Finding someone to go with me....
I wanted to go at Christmas this year to see the Holiday decorations....DH said no way, he has no interest in going back until we have kids....my friend from college who I've gone 2x with doesn't have money....and I'll admit it, I'm too chicken to go by myself. Not because I don't think I would have a good time, but because of what friends/family would say...

OMG!!! GO BY YOURSELF!! LOL I know if i were in your situation, i would!!! Think of it.. You can do what you want, when you want!! Go for it!!

To the OP- the hardest thing for me personally, is planning on coordinating dining with what day we will be where, so we don't end up jumping all over the world! Then - most often, re-planning the dining, due to EMH or bad reviews! LOL

 

[disneygal33]

Animal care. I have 2 horses and 4 cats.

 

[Torontogal]

For me it is all that darn laundry, packing and ironing. Plus, when you come back from vacation - it is more laundry!

 

[themudd4]

Finding someone to go with me....
I wanted to go at Christmas this year to see the Holiday decorations....DH said no way, he has no interest in going back until we have kids....my friend from college who I've gone 2x with doesn't have money....and I'll admit it, I'm too chicken to go by myself. Not because I don't think I would have a good time, but because of what friends/family would say...

ok ok ok...I will go with you...lol...

 

[jimmytammy]

Finding the money to pay for it

 

[beck0321]

I've recently discovered that the hardest part is worrying about someone dying while you are on vacation (well at least when you have VERY sick family members at the time of your vacation). It sounds very depressing but it's a real concern and is worrying my very much.

 

[3in4kids]

The hardest part wasn't the money - I started planning two years ago so our kids could have their first Disney trip at good ages (5, 7, 9). The hardest part is not having been there as an adult to know what to do when, etc! I'm the solo planner for 5 people who are counting on me to pull it together for them and I"m afraid of goofing it up! Although, I think even if I went there with nothing but a credit card we'll all have fun, I just want to make sure we get all the high points in our 6 days!
We leave in 18 days so it's crunch time!
I do agree with the posters who said airfare was tough - I used to be a corporate event planner and airfare was always the make it or break it budget buster! We booked back in March for $230 PP -direct flight!!

 

[JenEeyore]

I don't mind the actual trip arranging part, it is the packing part- I'm famous for overpacking, but yet forgetting something important too. Somehow since we added the third person to our little family packing has exploded - how can little people need so much extra stuff? And then I bring everything down there and half of it goes unused (especially if I bring "diversions"). The other worst part is the unpacking -my suitcases take FOREVER to empty themselves (LOL).

Oh well, it is par for the course - you would think after going as many times as we have I would have everything totally down pat. Although kids go through so many phases I can never pin him down. Last trip I packed all his cute outfits since he is the center of every photo we take pretty much. He purchased a Peter Pan costume, and an AK "park ranger" outfit, and those are what is in most of our May pictures - why did I bother matching tshirts to shorts to socks?!

This upcoming trip (Nov) I'm making a vow: PACKING LIGHT! I'll let everyone know how that goes (yah right).

 

[Quinn222]

For me it's watching for codes and trying to get the best resort rate.

 

[NC State]

Alright, I really have to be honest here. The planning (annoyances and all) - I love every minute of it. The hardest part for me truly is the last two weeks before the trip when everything is done and I just have to wait - UGGHHH! That's where I am now - we have one week to go and it's killing me. Nothing to plan - nothing to confirm until next week. It's brutal but soooooo worth it.

You sound like ME! The waiting is killing ME!

 

[Alexis Green]

The planning of how the day goes is one of my least favorite parts, heh sorry guys! I'm NOT a planner, I love to just wing it and not have a schedule. I like knowing that I can stay at a place for as long as I want without thinking "In ten minutes I have to go over here and then drop over to there" Yet I know I have to plan or else we'll mostly likely run into nasty suprises. I do love to plan everything else though.