What have I done?

[Biscuitsmom31]

I was reading a post on a different board earlier today and someone giving a trip report mentioned having to hurry to make their fishing appointment and pony ride. Does this mean in order to get a pony ride or go fishing you have to make a reservation??-FOR FISHING?? I'm sorry but that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Suddenly I experienced a moment of clarity. Touring plans, priority seatings 90 days in advance... insanity! I am the only assistant for five attorneys and my vacation is the one time when I'm supposed to relax and "get away from it all". Instead, I've placed myself right in the "middle of it all". I'm working harder at my vacation than my job! I've spent $5,000 to cause myself more stress. I wish I had spent the money on a vacation to Yellowstone or something more peaceful. What was I thinking? (Please convince me that I haven't made a horrible mistake)
I haven't been to WDW before, maybe I will not hate it, although I fear I will.

 

[MMLong3996]

I was reading a post on a different board earlier today and someone giving a trip report mentioned having to hurry to make their fishing appointment and pony ride. Does this mean in order to get a pony ride or go fishing you have to make a reservation??-FOR FISHING?? I'm sorry but that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Suddenly I experienced a moment of clarity. Touring plans, priority seatings 90 days in advance... insanity! I am the only assistant for five attorneys and my vacation is the one time when I'm supposed to relax and "get away from it all". Instead, I've placed myself right in the "middle of it all". I'm working harder at my vacation than my job! I've spent $5,000 to cause myself more stress. I wish I had spent the money on a vacation to Yellowstone or something more peaceful. What was I thinking? (Please convince me that I haven't made a horrible mistake)
I haven't been to WDW before, maybe I will not hate it, although I fear I will.

This is a joke, right?

There are THOUSANDS of people vacationing at WDW at the same time. Of course, you must make reservations for things. You may get lucky and find what you're wanting to do or where you're wanting to eat, at the last minute. But I wouldn't take that chance if it were a priority of mine.

The boats you fish on may require a reservation b/c there aren't enough to go around. SO, just list the things you want to do and make reservation for the important ones!

I'm a local, so we only do things that require a reservation a few times a year but I always make them...90 days out.

 

[Memph1s]

Does this mean in order to get a pony ride or go fishing you have to make a reservation??-FOR FISHING??

You do not need a reservation to just fish on your own. I am sure they were referring to a guided fishing excursion on Bay Lake in a boat. Rest assured you can do all the relaxing you want at the campground. The parks can be hectic especially around parade and fireworks times but you don’t have to get tied up in the panic of finding the perfect spot. We just go with the flow and do what we want. We are locals and can go when we want so we don’t feel the pressure of seeing and doing it all on a once in a lifetime trip. I see people getting so worked up over the most insignificant things in the overall scheme of their vacation. Just relax and don’t seat the small stuff.

 

[risy]

Children's pony rides do not require a ressie. Horseback Riding does.

 

[Swimnoid]

Don't get too stressed. You will love the campground. Are youstaying in a cabin or an RV or what? We love FW because it IS so peaceful but still in the middle of the action. We have never been too into the whole make reservation thing and have never been disappointed but it seems with the free dining and dining plans that will come to an end. Just go and have a great time. I wish I was going!

 

[Whosemom]

(I am hiding behind plexiglass as I write this...throw all the tomatos you want )

I think you can get a really scewed view of things hanging out on these boards. We have been to WDW probably ten times, and barely planned a thing. We show up with a rough idea which parks we want to go to on which days, but even that's flexible. When it comes to a bunch of reservations and stuff - UGH! I like to take off my watch for vacation, not be MORE tied to it.

Just make the PS for things you MUST do, like if you really want to go to a certain restaurant, or a character breakfast or whatever. We have never signed up for any of those, and still see plenty of characters. (the buffet at MGM, and the rotating restaurant in Land at epcot are good for this) Generally, when we get to a park, we stop by the sit down restaurant we want for the day and make ressies then. ONCE we didn't get to eat at the castle. You have to be willing to eat at odd times is all. But thats a given on vacation for us anyway. Big breakfast, supper around 3, evening snack...

Read up on what special events they may be having when you are there in case there is a "must see" Pick the couple of most important things at each park, plot your course around them, have fun. You might miss something, but if you hae fun you might go back! If you try to go at it like a to-do list and not miss something, you'll still miss something, and be miserable in the process - charging along like an army, and missing the "moments"

When we go I read everything like I was going to plan, and we have seen some cool stuff that I wouldn't have known about otherwise, but I refuse to make a detailed plan.

The other way is good too, if thats your style. But its not mine - and it doesn't sound like its yours either

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I guess I just had a "moment"! I've heard so much about the crazy crowds and personally I don't find the idea of fighting crowds in the heat with 4 kids to keep track of while helping my wheelchair-bound husband to the bathroom etc. to be a relaxing break. I actually was not complaining about planning and making reservations, I was complaining about the masses of people that make this sort of planning necessary. Sometimes I just get tired of dealing with people (anyone who has ever worked with public knows where I'm coming from). Apparently I was having one of those days when I originally posted. Hopefully I won't be feeling that way when we are there!

 

[spoon full of sugar]

While I can relate to your feelings about "masses of people", remember to me, you and your family are just more of the "masses", as my family is to you. Sometimes we forget that. So be kind. And have a great trip!

 

[grace sea]

My husband & I stayed ay the cabins last Feb, right around presidents week . While we were there, my husband made a kids fishing trip reservation for the same day. They were the only 2 kids in the boat. They had a great time & caught about 9 sunnies. Like the other poster said, don't worry. My only feeling is that Disney World is not a place for people who want to be left alone by others. It can get crowded, but you will alos find some of the most happiest people. Good luck. You will love FW. Very quiet & peaceful.

 

[goofy'sgal]

Not sure what you are used to, but FW is way different. I am a loan officer for 3 Credit Unions, and stay busier than anyone else I know. However, we count down the hours until our next trip. FW is a really relaxed place to be. make your reservations for the things that are most important to your trip, but also take the time to walk around the property and look, it makes the office far, far, away. (Only check messages on the cell, never answer the office!!!)

 

[Tadsgirl]

, I was complaining about the masses of people that make this sort of planning necessary. Sometimes I just get tired of dealing with people (anyone who has ever worked with public knows where I'm coming from). Apparently I was having one of those days when I originally posted. Hopefully I won't be feeling that way when we are there!

I had the same fear going last year. Honestly, the crowds are not that bad if you time things right. If you stay light and not stick to a rigid schedule, it will be fine.

 

[geniegirl]

Dont stress - last year I went with a plan and by the first day the plan was gone. You do what you can - see what you are able to and the rest well it will be there the next time. There will always be things that you do not get to do but leave the stress at home and take all the excessive planning with a grain of salt and do what is best for you. If you go without any plans your trip will still be fun - how could it not be!!!!!