Why do people plan?

[AdamEfimoff]

I am trying to say everyone is different. Not everyone needs to plan or wants to plan . I am sick of these posts that everyone that might be different to you, is somehow stupid or bad because they are not you. I plan but I am sick to death of people think everyone should plan. Or they have a moral obligation

 

[lovethattink]

You'll find plenty of answers to that in the opposite thread, why don't people plan. http://disboards.com/threads/why-dont-people-plan.3514260/unread

 

[IrishNYC]

Fear of missing out.

 

[SgtTibbs]

You do you.

Plan, don't plan. It's all good in my book.

 

[JimmyV]

Because chaos isn't the most efficient or effective way to spend precious and hard-earned leisure time.

 

[mshanson3121]

I wonder how many will realize it's a rhetorical question?

But OP, the thing is, the minority always get dumped on. Its just the way this world works unfortunately. Anything outside of the norm is seen as weird, scary, a defect in neurotypical thinking

 

[agavegirl1]

There's a world of difference between planning and researching. By researching, you can decide how much you want to "plan".

 

[ChloesDaddy]

To ensure their trip meets their expectations. Plan too little and it sets the stage for disappointment. On the other hand, plan too much and it becomes drudgery (or perhaps an unproductive obsession, which is sometimes called a "hobby"). Both sides of the equation are adjustable. If someone only wants to do a certain amount of planning, then they need to adjust their expectations to be satisfied. Many of the posts we see about the need for planning are based on a given level of expectations -- either that of the subject in a particular case or the poster themselves. Stories about disappointed guests are by and large the result of expectations that exceed their level of planning, preparation or knowledge. I don't think people who espouse the need for planning are doing so from an attitude of superiority. They just understand that meeting specific expectations on a WDW trip requires it.

 

[Shanti]

I am trying to say everyone is different. Not everyone needs to plan or wants to plan . I am sick of these posts that everyone that might be different to you, is somehow stupid or bad because they are not you. I plan but I am sick to death of people think everyone should plan. Or they have a moral obligation

I plan because it gets my family the best results, but I believe that too much advance planning is currently required for a WDW trip, and that is an overall negative thing for the guest experience.

I love (not) how when I state an opinion to that effect (that ADR's shouldn't be bookable 6 months out, etc.), posters always reply telling me that it will never change and why they think Disney requires it.

 

[TexasPrincess1]

I feel more in control and like I have a purpose when I have a plan. I have heard that people like to have certainty and uncertainty in their lives to some degree. Planning gives me both. I also have specific needs and desires that I want to be met. Plus, it is fun to do the research and to discover new things!

 

[caroline1851]

I plan so that I don't have to pay thousands of dollars to wait in long lines.

 

[John Marecek]

Piece of mind. WDW was the least stressful trip I've had b/c I knew we had FP+ for all of the major attractions/M&G's (minus RR at DHS b/c we had TSMM), and ADRs at the 2 places we for sure wanted to visit during our 4 days, which we booked 4 months out. The rest of the time, open for whatever direction the day took us.

 

[BigAlsGal]

It's cool! Don't plan! No biggie! I think they're referring to people who walk up to BoG at 5:00 and say "Let's eat here tonight!" To invest say, THOUSANDS of dollars on a trip and NOT know anything about what you're delving into is a little ....unfortunate. But hey...it's your cash. Do what you want!

 

[CounselorX]

I wonder how many will realize it's a rhetorical question?

But OP, the thing is, the minority always get dumped on. Its just the way this world works unfortunately. Anything outside of the norm is seen as weird, scary, a defect in neurotypical thinking

The thing is, I bet most people don't research and plan, at least at the level as most people here. So, that would mean the non-planners are the "normal" ones and the planners are the minority. I know I see way more clueless people at the parks than I do people who are in-the-know, and often times, it results in the non-planners complaining and not enjoying their vacation.

 

[agavegirl1]

Planning helps but it isn't the "end all be all of solutions".....please check the last post on page four of my commando trip report...or read the the whole report...It is how a "commando planner plans WDW and how it really worked out". Page 4, my last post...lessons learned. Some of the lessons are obsolete since 2014 but the lessons are the lessons. Learn how much you "need" vs "want" to plan.

 

[Oswin]

I plan because I have nothing better to do at night after a long day of teaching practicum and classes. Sometimes I don't plan anything though and still have just as much fun as the trips where I obsessively plan.

 

[TeamH5]

1,000% agree!

 

[Aliceacc]

Why read threads that you KNOW will make you crazy?

Stay off the "Why don't people plan?" thread if you know that the majority of the people there think that planning is important. Their point of view isn't important to you. So don't let them (and, yes, I really mean "us"-- I'm one of them) make you crazy.

There's room for lots of different points of view.

But to answer your question: For us, a WDW vacation is a big expense, one we save up for. Planning gets us the most bang for our buck. We see and do and eat all the things we want to see and do and eat.

And I love a project. A WDW trip is heaven for those of us who really enjoy planning.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

It's your money and your time. Spend them any way you want. I don't care what anyone else does, as long as they don't complain to me!!!

 

[Delirium]

To maximize the amount of time I'm in a different part of the park than my mother-in-law.