what percentage of people do you think DON'T plan their trip?

[jemilah]

My sister and neice are going either the 23-24 or 30-1 and don't even have the hotel reserved! OMG I already have November 30th trip reserved! Yes I overplan but I seem to get more done and enjoy my trips more then others I know. We have a balance of two days pretty planned and 2 that we go with the flow , but still following the great things I have learned here , such as Hydroguys fastpass tips. without those tips we just could not do all we do on our trips.

 

[avalon451]

I am leaving on Saturday for DL with my 5 year old. Our first trip together. I've been twice on daytrips but it was more to just come and look, not for all the rides.

And last weekend I realized I have lost my Unoffical Guide. I am freaking out because I haven't read about all the rides yet to figure out what we can do. We have 5 day passes and are staying across the street at the Fairfield. I've made reservations at Ariel's already, printed daily schedules, have an idea of which areas will be best for us.

How important is it to have this book, do I buy another one? I have a 25% off coupon for Barnes & Noble I could use instead of buying the Wicked CD (we are going to the musical on Tuesday!!!).

Thanks in Advance.

Hydroguy's tips on the top of this board (it's a sticky thread) are as good as the Unofficial Guide for getting you around the parks with a minimum of waiting. Just read through that and you'll know what you're doing!

If you want a complete overview at your fingertips of each ride, restaurant menus, etc. Allears.net is fabulous : http://www.allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/dl.htm

Have a great trip!

 

[davidsprincess]

Last year when we went we went with DH biological family and they planned everything from flights to number of days at DL. We didn't have a say in anything. ( and none of them had ever been there before either!)Because the trip was so disorganized DH and I decided to go back again this year because there was so much that we didn't see. This time we are going for 5-7 days at DL and we will spend a lot of that there during the week (instead of 2 days at DL on a very busy weekend ) I am so glad that I found the DIS, it will help us to see everything and if we do it right, more than once. It is important to plan, but it is also important to go with the flow, especially when you have a little one.

Also, expect the unexpected. Something will and usually does go wrong somewhere along the way on the trip.

 

[IndyBride]

It depends on the size of group going as to whether we plan. Usually if it is
10+ people we break up and meet for lunch or dinner. If it is smaller we usually have about 3-5 steps planned at a time. If it is just me and DF we don't plan much other than food. Of course, we have rarely gone when it is crazy busy so that helps! But, it's fun to plan, it builds the excitement!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

If it is just me and DF we don't plan much other than food. Of course, we have rarely gone when it is crazy busy so that helps! But, it's fun to plan, it builds the excitement!

That's what we do. We just book the hotel make PS's for food. And that's it! We say, "I want to go on this!" and may or may not do it.. Either way we have fun..

 

[avalon451]

I know a lot about Disney, but I don't know what Tigger Tales is. Please advise!! THANKS!!

Tigger Tails are a treat you can get at the sweet shop right by the Winnie the Pooh ride, up in Critter country. They are wickedly sweet. I loved the first couple of bites but then got a little gagged out! Then I ate another one next day.

They are marshmallows on a stick, dipped in caramel, then dipped in an orange creme candy coating, which is then drizzled with chocolate, giving it a "stripey" Tigger look.

I have a super cute picture of my DD5 eating one, but I still haven't figured out how to post pictures on here, though I keep trying!

 

[Alby]

I think when they talk about non planners, they are talking about those people who just walk up and buy a ticket and walk in. I know we have alot of Canadians, UK and Aussies here but do we see many other countries? And I know there are tons of foreigners who visit. And that doesn't count our fellow countrymen who just show up.

Well, I am from Italy and, like some people here on the DIS well know (hi Hound! ) I've been obsessively reading nearly everything on these boards and finally (leaving in 2 days!!! ) have a complete and detailed plan for my first visit to California and DL!
I think it's more a matter of personality than nationality. I admit language can be a barrier, though.

Anyway, I think that people - with - no - plan, especially first timers, miss half the fun even before their journey starts!

 

[dbanzai]

I would say I go every time without a plan, if you are talking about solely what you do in the parks. About all I plan when I get there is that Tomorrowland will most likely be my first stop for Space Mountain and/or Nemo, and then I do whataver looks like it will have a short wait. Also maybe I'll make a PS dining reservation, but work my way around it.

I do more planning before the trip though, to the point that I try and figure out which days will be least busy and to see it there's anything else I want to do in the Anaheim/LA region when I make my plans.