Who DOESN'T make itineraries when they go?

[sunkissed212]

I see all these threads about people's itineraries for their trips. I think that this is a great idea for some people but I've never had a planned out "schedule" of my trip to WDW.

Am I in the minority?

When we used to go as a family (mom,dad,2 brothers and me), we would get up in the morning and discuss what we wanted to do for the day, or maybe we'd do it the night before. I mean, we had a "plan" but we didn't necessarily have to STICK to it. If we changed our minds, that was fine...we didn't miss out on anything.

I think that this must have all been before all these Priority Seating things (since I just heard of that all before my trip this year) (FYI-my last trip before 04 was in 94).

I don't know, I guess that I'm just the kind of person that likes to fly by the seat of my pants while I'm on vacation and do things spontaneously (as much as possible that is) and I just can't get into planning my trip out by the hour like some people do.

I'm not knocking anyones ideas or ways of enjoying their vacation, if it works for you...go for it!!!

 

[safetymom]

We never used one. We would discuss what everyone wanted to see and worked from there. If it was busy we skipped it and would try it later.

 

[boucheresq]

this is our first time no itineraries - other than PS's for dinner and two illuminations cruises, we're doing whatever our heart desires - I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Big V]

I plan out on what days as to which park we are going to. But since we go for two weeks, if the weather is bad one day we'll just skip a park on that day and go shopping or resort hopping.

 

[Tabetha]

We don't have a hard and fast itinerary, other than a PS for Valentine's Day and my birthday, and plans to go to The Spirit of Aloha and HDD.

I think the only "itinerary" I've got set up is a surprise carriage ride before the HDD, and our "alone day". He's going golfing, and I'm going horseback riding and to the spa.

Things are weird, cause Wishes and Spectro are only playing during the first few days of our trip, so we have to "make time" to see that.

Ok, mini-itinerarian here....

But once we're in the park, we don't follow any set plan.

 

[Chuck S]

We only plan and book "must do" things, like Candlelight Dinner Pkg or MVMCP, or a PS at lunch time if we think the parks will be unusually crowded. Other than that, we pretty much plan nothing for our trip, and always have a great time

 

[aesalsa]

I plan PSs sometimes (one a day) and I try to figure out which park to go to on which days. . .no set plan as to which attraction to see first, etc. I do have to work aroung the Spectro and WISHES schedules the first full week of February of '05; we want to see them (a MUST)--Spectro and Wishes are being shown on separate nights during out trip . So I might be a "mini-itinerarian," too!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I make one!! My DH always makes sure I leave enough time for him to pee!!! I'm not that bad, I do however have a plan on what days at which parks, usually two days no parks and PS one a day . . . usually!! I ask each DD what restaurant they ABSOLUTELY CANNOT MISS. I schedule those first and go from there. As far as rides, we "wing it" once we get there!! See, I'm not as bad as DH would like everyone to think!!

The first time we went (1994) I knew NOTHING about WDW. We had NO plans and missed A LOT!!! I just make sure that will NEVER happen again! I do a pretty good job too, if I must say so myself!!

 

[jennymouse]

I make an itinerary because it's fun to do and I agree that it's mostly due to shows, PS's and such that you have to book. I don't plan which attraction we'll see and when, but I do plan which park or which day, then the PS's so we won't have a PS at a restaurant across the World from where we'll be. Usually the evenings are more planned due to dinner PS and shows and the days, while I have them planned, we're more apt to just wing it.

 

[sconstantz]

We don't really have a written itin. I do a lot of up front planning. I find out what days are early openings for which parks, and steer clear of them (we usually stay off site at a timeshare).

I know what parks we will visit on which days. I know which attractions are must do's, and have those planned for certain times so we have easy access. I will usually make some PS's for a couple of meals throughout the week.

I will also look for little clues for which characters, and work those throughout the week.

My family scoffed at me for spending so much time researching before our first trip with DS. Not anymore!!! Now they bow down and beg, (beg I tell you) for me to do the planning. And I am a gracious queen, so I oblige.

some of the perks: DS was picked to open AK; DS was in the parade: DS was picked to be in Lion King Show; DS got to see Cinderella on a quick planned trip without ressies for breakfast!!! Learned on these boards that Cinderella will *sometimes* make an appearance at lunch. So we went for lunch, and viola, there she is. I could go on and on. Family has learned!!!

Shelly : )

Leaving 1/7 for another week in Magic!!!

 

[mhingher]

I think it's best to plan a little bit, like it was mentioned on another post- you can end up missing things! I'm going in March with friends who have never gone, so I'm trying to at least guide them as to what days I feel will be less crowded in certain parks, what shows to see, what PS to make, etc. Sometimes I get carried away though!

I can't wait for March 5th!!!!

 

[GoldenOldie]

I never have an itinerary. I might make a PS or two for a meal but that's about it. The rest is done when and where the mood hits us.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I decide which parks on which days, based on how many days I plan to spend in each park (with some open time to return where we want) and if we want to go to EE or avoid it.

When we're actually in the parks for a day I don't decide on a specific order of rides and attractions for the day. I have been enough times to know what gets busy first, which are better saved until later, etc. We then try to go in a logical order to avoid backtracking too much for shows, etc, but that doesn't always work out.

For our first couple of trips we did have more of a plan since we'd never been before, wanted to accomplish a lot and had lots of people to please.

T&B

 

[dopeyone]

no itinerary at all, we decide the night before or the day of on where to go. if we made an itinerary and for some reason couldn't stick to the schedule, i would become very frazzled! i think i'd become so consumed with sticking to the schedule, that i'd not be able to enjoy myself.

 

[WWTBAMFAN]

We have been too many times to need itnerary. I usually have the goal of getting onto the hot seat at Who Wants to Be a Millionaire=Play It and after I accomplish that goal, I will hit the attractions that have open since last trip or other attractions of interest. Since WWTBAM-PI does not start its first show until around 11 am, I can hit AK or another park before heading over to MGM.

 

[chimera]

No itinerary for us! We usually decide on the drive over which park we're going to. Since we go about every other month, we can be kinda casual about it!

 

[TDC Nala]

I no longer have itineraries. used to, in the old days.

 

[mel64]

I had an itinerary for our last two trips. DH about went nuts. I am trying my best not to plan one this year. I break into a cold sweat everytime I think about going without one.

 

[sters]

I love to plan, so I usually have multiple itineraries! It's just fun! I like to know that I can maximize my time. However, the plan ineritably changes because of weather or unexpected pleasures. You have to allow yourself to alter The Plan or you end up missing the magic. I'd be very stressed out without a plan.

 

[DebbieB]

I have an itinerary with which parks we are visiting on which days (we usually do one in the morning/afternoon, come back and relax, then another one at night). Inevitably, I will switch it around a little while we are there. I'm not as hung up on it as I used to be. On our trip earlier this month, I realized the second day that I did not plan a daytime trip to Epcot! That's when we do Future World plus walk all around the World Showcase! Our last day was open (our flight wasn't until 6:30pm), so I put MGM in for that day and Epcot for the day I had MGM.