Detailed plan or wing it?
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| Wed, 04-18-2007 - 9:23am |
I've read quite a few posts from people who have their itineraries planned out to a T. I like a good plan of action, but do we 'need' to have details worked out? Or is it just more personal taste? I'd hate to NOT be doing something that needs to be done, you know?
We made our ADR for some character meals and one for a big group sit down. From there we decided which parks to go to on those days, but that's as far as it's gone. Our general plan is to hit the parks in the morning (we're early birds) and stay as long as the kids hold out, then head back to the hotel for a swim and relaxing, and then back to the parks for evening festivities. If the kids don't get cranky and tired, and if the heat is tolerable (July!!), we won't leave the park until we're done.
Am I crazy just to have a general idea of a plan, or do you all think I need more guidelines? I've even read posts of park plans - how people plan to move through the park, what time and place to eat lunch, have snacks, etc.! If this is necessary, I'm in trouble b/c I'm not that familiar with the parks.
I'm starting to freak a little!! Any opinions out there??!

I am a planner by nature. That being said I'll have our ADR's made exactly 180 in advance (for our Xmas trip) and I'll know which parks we will go to each day. I don't have a schedule of attractions that we'd do at particular times but I have made lists of must do attractions and ones that we'd like to do but wouldn't be upset if we couldn't do/see.
I went in late Aug./early Sept. with a group of 8 and we didn't have any planning except for our ADR's and I didn't care for it. Especially being a larger group I would have liked a little more planning to be done but that's just me.
Good luck!
Melissa
I think you need to plan only to your comfort level. Planning your trip should be FUN, not stressful! If you're freaking, that is a sign you are maybe over-planning or over-thinking a bit.
I like lists and spreadsheets. I like to have spreadsheets of park open and close times. I put on that same sheet the times for parades and shows. We map out which parks we'll do each day....but with my spreadsheet, it's easy to change our minds. You never know what the weather will force you to do! We still have lists of rides and attractions we want to hit for sure - things we haven't seen yet or really love.
My family has never made ADRs because we are not food people, and we don't want our meals forcing us to schedule too much. However, a lot of people go to WDW in large part for the meals, and they do things differently. Besides that, we don't leave the parks during the day (no park hoppers and no midday break), so we have plenty of time to just hang loose and eat when we feel like it. Not everyone enjoys the same.
See, you can't go wrong! If you know the basics and know the handful of things you absolutely don't want to miss in each park, I think you'll be fine and happy with just that.
Laurie in OH, mom to
Alex, 12 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10.5 years old
Audrey, 3 years old
WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006!
LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 1
Like Laurie, I make spreadsheets for myself and include what she does:
I too am an obsessive planner, LOL.
I'm a planner by nature, but my DH fights it tooth and nail sometimes!! I really like the idea of planning the first ride at each place. I also have Passsporter - great handbook! I'll type another new post about which rides to ride first - I think there are lots of Disney Vets to help out with that.
Thanks for the input!
Ciao-Lori
I have a spreadsheet that I do for myself and my clients. It's a very simple one page deal with the date, a section for 'todays' plans, Dining (and ADR #s!) then the park hours. At the bottom is the schedule for parades and evening shows.