What to do?

[disneyfreak202]

I officially booked my hotel (even though we aren't even sure our dates are set in stone), As of now we will be traveling October 31st-November 7th. I went almost the same exact dates this year. We still have a bit until we can make ADR reservations or anything else.

However, I want to be planning now, so I want to know, what do all of you usually do to pass the time and plan while you wait for ADRs, FP, etc.

 

[sharonabe]

I officially booked my hotel (even though we aren't even sure our dates are set in stone), As of now we will be traveling October 31st-November 7th. I went almost the same exact dates this year. We still have a bit until we can make ADR reservations or anything else.

However, I want to be planning now, so I want to know, what do all of you usually do to pass the time and plan while you wait for ADRs, FP, etc.

I would print out this years park hours with EMHs and parade/fireworks times too and start looking at where I want to be on which day. Also start perusing the menus to see where you might want to eat and putting those on the schedule as well. If you're thinking about a dining plan, do some math now, but keep an eye on the dining plan board to see what happens with the addition of alcohol to see if that changes anything for you.

Also keep coming to the DIS, so you are abreast of all changes and happenings. Remember Toy Story Land opens in the summer, so you'll want to know how to navigate all of that before FP+ comes up for you.

 

[KenHutch]

Since I have to get the approval of a lot of picky people. First I pick the hotel (usually around the 365 day mark). While waiting on ADR's I put together a list of potential restaurants and tell everyone to YouTube these and check the menu's on AllEars and give me input Yay or Nay and why. Tomorrow is my 180 day mark and I will book the restaurants. Then I play a little game waiting to see who whines or complains first that I did not give them any input. I will change reservations (if I can get what they want, I won't cancel anything fast). I do this until FastPass day, after that everything is set in stone.

 

[PSUGuy]

I create a calendar in Word for each trip. We already have Board Walk reserved for 9 days next Oct., and I'm checking Dollar and Alamo almost daily. As I make a reservation, I put the confirmation number in the calendar on the day appropriate, in the case of rental cars I usually reserve early then cancel and re-book as better rates come out. My window for Southwest won't open until sometime after Feb 8, I book the flight as soon as rates are released.

We go during Food&Wine so I start looking for Eat to the Beat concert acts late Winter early Spring by going to the websites of acts that have performed in the past, often the info will be there before Disney releases. Naturally I post the acts in the calendar on the days they perform.

Several websites have info on crowd levels and info on park opening times and EMH. Since 2005 we've chosen to avoid EMH parks and so we schedule which park to hit based on that, expected crowd levels and park opening time of 9 am. All this goes in the calendar, I keep checking to make adjustments if things change. The only exception is that we usually arrive at BW early so we go straight to Epcot, this year it was an EMH park the day we arrived but went there anyway. The first 'ride' we hit each year is shown below.

After this it's ADRs and FP+ choices, unfortunately both windows open on a weekend so instead if going to our cottage where we have no land line and cell service is spotty we'll have to stay home to make those. This keeps me occupied between visits ro WDW.

Bill From PA

 

[RustManFan]

Well we went the exact dates you mention above this year. We have no additional trip to WDW or DL planned at this point since my DD, DS and I are going to vacation in Scotland in September 2018. That trip is taking all my planning time at this point!!

I also keep a travel spreadsheet which shows when, where and who went on various trips over the years. Have to update that for 2017.

In between Disney trips we sometimes pull out the old photos from other trips. I visit LOTS of websites to learn as much as I can. Since we do NOT go every year we always have many changes to discover. I hadn't taken my DS to WDW in 18 years so much was very new to him!

I also make sure I keep abreast of refurbs and closings so no one will be suprised at the last minute. For example, we knew long ahead that TGMR would close before our recent trip. Also that Splash Mt wouldn't be operating when we were there. Helped with planning our FPs!

My DD and DS are grown now but they have never wanted to hear much about the planning process during the time leading up to the trip. Only involved my DS at the point where he had to pick FPs.... (it was only him and me and this recent adventure)

 

[Wild4Walt]

Research - I make a loose schedule of how many days we'll be there, how many breakfast, lunch and dinners that will be. Then I check the menus, read reviews, check youtube and tripadvisor and just dream....