When does amazing become to much?

[RllngRckBrw]

Just a little background on what made me ask this question:

We are normally at Disney every other year (or in cases of extreme hardship, every three years). When we go it is generally 5 or 6 days. Due to other vacation obligations and desires, we expect that this will be the last trip for a minimum of 3 (probably more) years. Due to this we decided to go all out. We booked 9 days (3 MK, 3 HS, 2 Epcot, and 1 AK) during free dining. We upgraded to a Moderate resort (got Caribbean Beach due to free dining) because we have only been able to swing values in the past. We are attending Food and Wine, MNSSHP, MVMMCP, and hopefully (I am checking several times a day for a cancelation) Wishes Dessert Party. Got ADRs at 180 days ( BOG, Chef Mickey's, Plaza, Mama Melrose, Sci - Fi, Hollywood and Vine lunch, Garden Grove, Tempan Edo, and Tusker house lunch).

I am not necessarily looking for feedback (although it is always welcome) where is your breaking point. When does doing as much as possible become to much? Have you hit that breaking point? If so what caused it? I don't feel like I am to that point but I see myself walking the line between "best trip ever" and absolute insanity.

 

[JennyDrake]

IMHO when vacation becomes A Quest, or a checklist, or something you study on so much your family thinks you've enrolled in a night class--it's too much.

Vacations are supposed to be enjoyable and I know FROM EXPERIENCE that hastening The Crew to experience anything and everything! magical in one trip and hurry up to the next attraction and BTW You ARE having fun??? Right????

Build in some down time and enough cushion that if you want to ride Star Tours 5x in a row--you can.

Also, more than once I've been when someone in my party (including me) wasn't feeling totally up to par. Don't set your agenda so full and your hopes so high that you will resent slowing down.

YMMV.....

 

[kmb584]

IMHO when vacation becomes A Quest, or a checklist, or something you study on so much your family thinks you've enrolled in a night class--it's too much.

Vacations are supposed to be enjoyable and I know FROM EXPERIENCE that hastening The Crew to experience anything and everything! magical in one trip and hurry up to the next attraction and BTW You ARE having fun??? Right????

Build in some down time and enough cushion that if you want to ride Star Tours 5x in a row--you can.

Also, more than once I've been when someone in my party (including me) wasn't feeling totally up to par. Don't set your agenda so full and your hopes so high that you will resent slowing down.

YMMV.....

I 100% agree. On our most recent trip I had to sit down and have a talk with my aunt regarding the above. Because she lives only 1 1/2 hours from WDW she frequently joins us on our vacations, a fact that I love as I'm closer to her than anyone else (aside from DD), but she's the big boss at her (as in, founded and owns) biotech company and often takes that role on vacation. It drives me insane and I reached the breaking point this trip.

When I'm on vacation, I'm on vacation. I schedule all of our ADRs and FP+ and keep us on schedule with those but everything else in between isn't scheduled whatsoever. If DD wants to ride IASW 4x in a row, fine. If I want to do HM before heading to BTMRR, fine. On our 1st Epcot day I had TT scheduled for myself and DD, my aunt and grandmother scheduled for Soarin'. They were at the same time so we went one way, they went the other, and the FP+ was a little bit backed up at TT. No big deal, right? Wrong.

It took us about 30 minutes to ride and my aunt called my phone 7x in the span of 10 minutes wanting to know where we were. She left some downright rude text messages.. "I'm waiting here with Gam and I don't think it's right that you're not answering and just leaving us to sit here" and other various things. We were riding TT! I'm not about to answer my phone. On the walk over to The Land she called another 3 times and then spouted off similar spewings once we did get to where they were. She thought we should have been done "well before us" and waiting for them.

I reminded her what time dinner was that night, wished them a good day, and took off into the WS with DD. I was about to blow my top and didn't want to cause a scene, so separating ways for the rest of the day was the best decision I could have made.

 

[pjhootch]

I have noticed I can give in to a desire to "top" my last trip. This hasn't really been a problem for me with Disney trips, but regular vacations. I think everyone draws their own "I'm over it" line in a different place. It isn't hard to go from "this is going to be great" to "I don't need to do that again any time soon".

I totally agree with the PP that said be prepared for the unexpected. In 9 days with all that stuff going on, there is bound to be a day someone crashes and burns, whether from exhaustion or a bug or too many treats.

Unlike many folks on these message boards I can really get Disney burn out and experience sensory overload. We often take a beach day in the middle of our trip and get away from Orlando. We often do a day at Universal, although it isn't down time, it is just mouse less.

It really is dependent on personality, but the more I try to cram into a vacation, the less enjoyable I find it in the long run. It can be hard to strike a balance.

 

[photo_chick]

Our last trip had us in the park for 9 days. We learned that is really 1 day too many. We didn't enjoy that last day at MK because we were all ready to go home. So much so DH and I considered just packing up and going home early.

 

[Sydnerella]

If you are asking then I would say you are thinking you might be there. I get it... We go there for bdays, even Easter... After a certain point we plateau and the special is less special when given/taken is large doses. I totally understand not going for a while and trying to do many things when you can. But making some of those park days "free" and allowing for arrivals whenever and downtime to enjoy the moderate resort will help to balance the amazing plans you have made. We often find the non planned events to be the surprises that we enjoy the most versus a party or Pirates League or CRT... Impromptu goofy parent dance competitions at DTD can be the highlight of your family's year and knowing this will help you from planning yet another amazing experience during your trip.

After all, Enough IS as good as a feast according to Mary Poppins

DH usually makes me take clothes out of the suitcase and ADRs outta the line up with logic and reason similar to the above. There is always a point of too much. But I do tend to start at "too much" then back off from there. It also helps with expectations. How many times can I expect my kids to be thrilled to be up and happy at the party, BBB, CRT, on less sleep than normal and in the WDW bubble.

Enjoy - and no worries, looking on the bright side with 9 days, I'm sure you will have time to chill in between the planned amazing stuff and experience unplanned amazing stuff.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Well, I say plan it all then you can cut some things if you decide to as you see how things are going. I don't know if you have kids or not, but if you do, they will surely want down time at the pools. I remember a Mom laying into her family at HS a few years back, it was only 11:30 and they were asking to go back to swim. She started shouting at them: "I didn't spend $1,000 on tickets for you to want to swim in the pool". Well, who was having fun that day? Surely not anyone in that family.

We always try to schedule some down time at the resort because it is just so fun to chill and relax together. Or, our most favorite is spending a day or two at the water parks. They are awesome and some of our very best days ever at DW have been our days at the water parks. Favorite memories of mine. And, they usually open a bit later which means more sleep in the morning -- there are no FPs to plan and no ADRs to worry about, just lots and lots of fun!

Another method our family of four has adopted is this: Before our trip, each family members gets to say what their top three things are that they want to do on the trip. When the day or time comes for those things to happen, we will say "this is one of Mom's top three things" so that everyone knows they need to rally with a happy attitutde when it is someone's "top three".

Finally, friends of ours just went for their first trip ever in December. My friend booked special events to the hilt and they were only there 5-6 nights. She asked me one day "do you think I should plan a family photo session at the Poly beach?" I was like NO! I point blank asked her, "would your kids rather be riding Buzz or posing for photos?" When she got back, I asked her if she regretted not doing the photo session and she looked at me and said, "WHAT was I thinking????" She said there was no way they would have fit that in and were glad they didn't plan for it.

Good luck! Your trip DOES sound amazing, but I think going with the flow will make it perfectly magical!

 

[Pkltm]

We find that an ADR everyday us too much for us, we often go 2 weeks and at the end are ready to come home. We are going in November for 11 days but we are foregoing table service actually switched to a value as we want to experience food and wine. W also are attending the MVMCP and doing the 5k.

My advice us know the limits of your family and if need be be flexible!

 

[mousefan73]

Just a little background on what made me ask this question:

We are normally at Disney every other year (or in cases of extreme hardship, every three years). When we go it is generally 5 or 6 days. Due to other vacation obligations and desires, we expect that this will be the last trip for a minimum of 3 (probably more) years. Due to this we decided to go all out. We booked 9 days (3 MK, 3 HS, 2 Epcot, and 1 AK) during free dining. We upgraded to a Moderate resort (got Caribbean Beach due to free dining) because we have only been able to swing values in the past. We are attending Food and Wine, MNSSHP, MVMMCP, and hopefully (I am checking several times a day for a cancelation) Wishes Dessert Party. Got ADRs at 180 days ( BOG, Chef Mickey's, Plaza, Mama Melrose, Sci - Fi, Hollywood and Vine lunch, Garden Grove, Tempan Edo, and Tusker house lunch).

I am not necessarily looking for feedback (although it is always welcome) where is your breaking point. When does doing as much as possible become to much? Have you hit that breaking point? If so what caused it? I don't feel like I am to that point but I see myself walking the line between "best trip ever" and absolute insanity.

My breaking point is when even though eveything is awesome, I just want to chill and watch TV in our resort room and take a swim; or I dont feel like going to XX Park but we have to as we have a ADR there. I can see this being a risk since you are there for 9 days. Maybe plan in some half day parks. Either AM or PM


Just curious do your days overlap the Halloween and Xmas party?? that might seem a bit too much for me

My advice.. I have only heard (this fall will be our first MSSHP) that the crowds are lower on these night. We booked one party and this I am planning on using to ride our hearts out if most rides are walk on. Seeing that the crowds SHOULD be lower and you are in the fall ( lower season) I question the need for the Wishes party.. Unless you are dessert fan ( AND they are not THAT great) you dont need this party to give you breathing space near the HUB.

But your trip sounds like ours.. also 9 days with water park option. We only have 1 party, no food/wine ( would LOOOVE that) and no wishes party.

To not overwhelm. take the days leisurely.. Commando for 9 days will do alot in. By being there so long, you have the luxury of taking things easy and still getting alot done. Especially if on party nights the lines are shorter.. I would allocate most of your MK time at these parties. and use the rest of the time as non-planned.


And as some one already mentioned... plan a day or two with out any ADRs.. This really makes a difference. Especially if you dont have park hoppers.. you can decide last minute which park and eat. You have QS anyways and esp. in Epcot you will often get a walk up table

 

[Wendybird55]

I think you need to distinguish between time spent on vacation and how much you do during that time.

For me, I feel like I'm never away long enough on any vacation! The longest we were at Disney was 10 days. I enjoy longer trips because I feel the first half of the trip or so you're kinda rushing around trying to see and do everything and also winding down getting into a the vacation mode and comfort of your surroundings. Then by the time you're nice and settled in a ready to take it easier you only have a day or so before it's time to go home!

I think 9 days is a nice time to be there. The things you are doing sound fun, but give yourself the time to relax and just enjoy. I find as the trips goes on we tend to plan less and be more spontaneous. If we were supposed to go to AK on day but feel like going to DHS we do that...If we get tired of eating big meals in restaurants every day we cancel one of our ADRS and do CS...(just need to make sure you cancel ADR in time not to be charged missed fee). Or if we thought we wanted one restaurant and decide we'd rather try another I see if I can change the ADRS.

I enjoy longer trips and it sounds like you have a wonderful one planned. Plus I also enjoy booking special things to do such as you...just give yourself the time to relax and remember you don't have to rush as much because you do have the time. And be flexible. You'll have a great time...and chances are on this trip when it's time to go home you'll be OK with it as you'll feel you had enough time to relax, have fun and enjoy yourself away from your every day life.

Have a great trip!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We went to Disney for almost 6 weeks in 2013. We did a few days in the parks, left for a 4 day Disney Dream Cruise and came back to the parks for almost another 5 weeks. We absolutely loved it and didn't feel it was too much. We could have stayed longer! We come from Australia and it's a long commute (25 hours from take off to touch down) and expensive flights (average $2000-$2500) We we always stay for 3-4 weeks.

We stayed "off site" at a DTD Hotel that still had access to EMH. We would often head to DTD after the parks (we only have adults in our party)

We would often sleep in and get to the parks around 11am or even later especially if the parks were open later (A few days MK had 2am closes so we didn't get to the parks until 1pm) We preffered to stay later than rope drop.

If we didn't feel up to going to the parks, we didn't. One day we decided to hit DTD, have lunch, walk around, Disney Quest. In the late evening, we headed to MK for MSEP, Wishes and some rides (park was open until 1am)

We booked one ADR almost everyday to make sure we ate something other than burgers and fries (or popcorn and Mickey Bars - the temptation is real)

 

[dimndgal1]

Just a little background on what made me ask this question:

We are normally at Disney every other year (or in cases of extreme hardship, every three years). When we go it is generally 5 or 6 days. Due to other vacation obligations and desires, we expect that this will be the last trip for a minimum of 3 (probably more) years. Due to this we decided to go all out. We booked 9 days (3 MK, 3 HS, 2 Epcot, and 1 AK) during free dining. We upgraded to a Moderate resort (got Caribbean Beach due to free dining) because we have only been able to swing values in the past. We are attending Food and Wine, MNSSHP, MVMMCP, and hopefully (I am checking several times a day for a cancelation) Wishes Dessert Party. Got ADRs at 180 days ( BOG, Chef Mickey's, Plaza, Mama Melrose, Sci - Fi, Hollywood and Vine lunch, Garden Grove, Tempan Edo, and Tusker house lunch).

I am not necessarily looking for feedback (although it is always welcome) where is your breaking point. When does doing as much as possible become to much? Have you hit that breaking point? If so what caused it? I don't feel like I am to that point but I see myself walking the line between "best trip ever" and absolute insanity.

EDIT: Outdated info

My only reservation with your plan is that it makes little concession for life (as some PPs have pointed out) and is lots of park time. Doing the late night parties usually means a sluggish start in the AM. YOu didn't say how old your kids are... but even the most stalwart kid will likely melt down doing that much. Also, if you will be there for Halloween/Christmas overlap you might catch the tail end of some crazy heat or even hurricanes... my fear is you have little room for the unexpected.

Are your park days taking into account doing the parties? Do you plan to do a park in the AM and then hit the party? That's a looooooong day and if you are planning on doing a park the next AM, very little time to recharge. Also, I'm not sure you would need 3 MK days if you are planning two hard ticket parties as well.

Last trip was our first trip above 4 days (6 night, 5 day). We did 4 park days and one resort day in the middle. DH was not thrilled - he thought it was a waste of time... until we were there and NEEDED that down day. It was so amazing to have a day to just do nothing!!! We wandered to DtD, walked into T-Rex for lunch, swam in the pools LOTS, and just took it easy. Now, we build a day like that into every trip... to recharge, to relax, and to just enjoy a slower pace.

Even if you are expecting a gap of time between visits, I don't think you need to fill you have to overfill this trip to make it 'last' until the next. In fact, since you are planning to go again in the future, I would make this trip about enjoying the parties and F&W v. trying to hit tons of ADRs and fill every minute. I'd recommend not doing parks the morning of a party and definitely anticipating a late start after a party. We are doing MNSSHP and plan a resort day following the party with a nice lunch at Sanaa and lots of pool time. Use the day following a party to explore what you otherwise wouldn't see at the parks.

Just my $.02 but I'd hate for you to put so much thought and hope into a trip and have the stress of trying to make it the most amazing trip ever ruin the actual experience. I know how easy it is to overplan but I also learned from going with little ones that sometimes the best trips are the one where you step back and build in some time to do nothing!

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Just a little background on what made me ask this question:

We are normally at Disney every other year (or in cases of extreme hardship, every three years). When we go it is generally 5 or 6 days. Due to other vacation obligations and desires, we expect that this will be the last trip for a minimum of 3 (probably more) years. Due to this we decided to go all out. We booked 9 days (3 MK, 3 HS, 2 Epcot, and 1 AK) during free dining. We upgraded to a Moderate resort (got Caribbean Beach due to free dining) because we have only been able to swing values in the past. We are attending Food and Wine, MNSSHP, MVMMCP, and hopefully (I am checking several times a day for a cancelation) Wishes Dessert Party. Got ADRs at 180 days ( BOG, Chef Mickey's, Plaza, Mama Melrose, Sci - Fi, Hollywood and Vine lunch, Garden Grove, Tempan Edo, and Tusker house lunch).

I am not necessarily looking for feedback (although it is always welcome) where is your breaking point. When does doing as much as possible become to much? Have you hit that breaking point? If so what caused it? I don't feel like I am to that point but I see myself walking the line between "best trip ever" and absolute insanity.

~I plan the most perfect, detailed itineraries for Disney -- and I have yet to see one plan materialize -- it just doesn't work out in that way!

~Disney rides go down left & right and then there's inclement weather, among other unpredictable events. Due to technical difficulties and weather, it took us three vacations just to see F! It took two vacations for us to see MSEP. There's still a ton of stuff, that I have made plans to see and experience but haven't. You never know when Disney will take a ride off line for refurb or whatever.

~For me, planning is fun. I plan, plan & plan some more -- but I know the chances of seeing and doing it all are nil. I make plans but we are prepared to just go with the flow when we want to.

~Of course, there are the must do's which can be easily accomplished -- all the other stuff is just gravy. If we get to it fine, if not it's no big deal. Relax & have fun!

 

[EMode]

FWIW, I don't think Wishes Dessert Party bookings have been released for the fall. I could be wrong but it usually is a 60 day release v. the standard 180 (there is a thread where they keep watch on dates so that might be worth looking into).

It has changed, the dessert party can now be booked at 180 days.


OP, for me it becomes too much when it becomes work and not a vacation. We are a go with the flow family so having ADRs and the thought of booking rides 2 months in advance already seems like too much for me.
Our last trip to WDW was probably our last for awhile and we just went with the flow. The only must do's we had was an ADR for BOG and the dessert party, other than that we just made sure we enjoyed the time we had there, sometimes that mean staying in the park all day, sometimes that meant lounging by the pool for most of it. We are so busy hustling around in our daily lives that when we vacation we don't want to worry or stress about getting it all done. We've always had an amazing time.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We went all out on a trip once for personal reasons and it was awesome. Ten days, tons of add-ons, flew first class, etc.

I think your plan sounds amazing! As long as you build in enough rest time each day, I bet you will have a blast. Go for it and enjoy!

 

[olwyngdh]

There is a fine line between over and underplanning. DD29 had previously thought I drove myself (and everyone else) crazy with my planning, but then planned her wedding, 1/2 marathon, and honeymoon last January. She now gets it and called frequently and apologized for giving me "I don't care, whatever you want to do" answers in the past. I am starting to plan for our next trip (yes, I know we are more than a year and a half out) because it is going to be, ummmm, difficult. It is going to be my husband, DD12, and me, DD29 and her husband, and my two best friends, one of whom has never been to Disney and the other who hasn't been there since before Epcot opened. I am forcing them all to do some research and give me a list of three things they want to do and three restaurants they want to eat at and I will do my best to accommodate as many requests as I can. We do not allow my husband to plan trips--he is in logistics in the Army and plans troop movements and, although he would find all kinds of cool and interesting things to do, and I could probably get him to spring for tours if he did the research and planning himself, we would have to kill him and dump his body in bay lake for the gators dinner because he would have a schedule and all must comply at all times!! I plan certain things--this park, this day, this dinner ADR and now these FPs--everything else is go with the flow. We are already telling people that we hit the parks rope drop to kick you out but they are not required to do the same.

 

[SM101]

My sister, my daughter and I are talking about doing on a longer stay with my daughter of about 2 weeks next year. I like the idea of going for a longer period of time but with LESS scheduled things each day so we have more time to just go where we feel like it rather than where we have to be.

If it's vacation, I like a sit down meal every day so I'll make ADR's for the harder-to-get places, but leave a couple days open. I don't really like burgers/fries type CS so I'll have a list of other options to eat. I'm only getting a 10 day park ticket so I am working on a list of possible activities for the times we aren't going to be in the parks ~ it's not things we HAVE to do, but just an easy reference for things that are available to do (for example, movies at DTD, things to do at various resorts, things to do in Orlando off-site as we'll have a car).

I'm having my daughter and sister make a list of things they really feel they HAVE to do and another of things they'd like to do but wouldn't feel bad if they missed this trip. Then we'll work on scheduling the can't-miss things.

We will probably do a villa so we have a kitchenette and laundry access as well as a little more room to spread out. I'll bring some crafts/board games/books/DVDs so if we just feel like hanging in the resort room or if the weather is bad that day, we're covered.

There's just no way we could go commando for a full 2 weeks - the idea is just to take it much easier and go with the flow.

 

[dimndgal1]

It has changed, the dessert party can now be booked at 180 days.


OP, for me it becomes too much when it becomes work and not a vacation. We are a go with the flow family so having ADRs and the thought of booking rides 2 months in advance already seems like too much for me.
Our last trip to WDW was probably our last for awhile and we just went with the flow. The only must do's we had was an ADR for BOG and the dessert party, other than that we just made sure we enjoyed the time we had there, sometimes that mean staying in the park all day, sometimes that meant lounging by the pool for most of it. We are so busy hustling around in our daily lives that when we vacation we don't want to worry or stress about getting it all done. We've always had an amazing time.

Thanks for the info -- I don't know how I missed that!

Also agree with this poster - pick some 'must do's and make sure to hit those but I really think taking some time to veg and relax will make the trip more enjoyable for everyone!

 

[GillianP1301]

When is "too much" will be different for everybody. Two years ago (first trip with DS along) we did a week with 6 park days. It was not enough for us. Last year we did 2 weeks in Florida (1/2 off site, 1/2 onsite) with a total of 7 Disney Days and 7 days at other local attractions (including the beach). To me, that was perfect. This year, I only have the time to do 9 days with 7 day park tickets but with more ADRs then we usually book.

We love to be active during our vacations and too much down time usually works against us, but that's my family. Having said that, we are not at all commando. We pick a park, head there after breakfast and stay until someone is too tired to be enjoying it and then head back to the resort for swimming, arcade, etc... Some days that is not until supper time, some days it's right after lunch.

I plan the crap out of a vacation, complete with attraction to attraction touring plans and I do that because I enjoy it. But, I also have no problem at all tossing the plan out the window as soon as I get there and just going with the flow.

I think if you get to the point where moving away from your plan causes you stress, then it's too much. I think if you plan to the point where it is causing anybody in your travel party to not be able to enjoy the trip to it's fullest, then it's too much.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

My breaking point is when even though eveything is awesome, I just want to chill and watch TV in our resort room and take a swim; or I dont feel like going to XX Park but we have to as we have a ADR there. I can see this being a risk since you are there for 9 days. Maybe plan in some half day parks. Either AM or PM Just curious do your days overlap the Halloween and Xmas party?? that might seem a bit too much for me My advice.. I have only heard (this fall will be our first MSSHP) that the crowds are lower on these night. We booked one party and this I am planning on using to ride our hearts out if most rides are walk on. Seeing that the crowds SHOULD be lower and you are in the fall ( lower season) I question the need for the Wishes party.. Unless you are dessert fan ( AND they are not THAT great) you dont need this party to give you breathing space near the HUB. But your trip sounds like ours.. also 9 days with water park option. We only have 1 party, no food/wine ( would LOOOVE that) and no wishes party. To not overwhelm. take the days leisurely.. Commando for 9 days will do alot in. By being there so long, you have the luxury of taking things easy and still getting alot done. Especially if on party nights the lines are shorter.. I would allocate most of your MK time at these parties. and use the rest of the time as non-planned. And as some one already mentioned... plan a day or two with out any ADRs.. This really makes a difference. Especially if you dont have park hoppers.. you can decide last minute which park and eat. You have QS anyways and esp. in Epcot you will often get a walk up table

Our days do overlap both parties, we planned the trip specifically to catch both. Good point with the Wishes party. We have only been to WDW during busier times on previous trips. We are only planning on commando on our AK day so we can get the whole park in one day. We do have ADRs each day but we plan to have late starts to our day most f the time. I was thinking of reserving our FP+ around dinner so we aren't tied on getting there earlier if we want to hang by the pool longer. Normally we are an on the go family and tour from opening to fireworks with no hotel breaks. Our pace in the parks is usually pretty relaxed tho.


BTW my boys are 12 and 5.