How to plan enough? or too much?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2005
How to plan enough? or too much?
6
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 11:50pm

well a couple we know just got back with their 2 kids (8 and 5) and he (now I haven't heard from her) said it was horrible and he wished us the best! I had tried telling them about the meal plans, adr's, character meals, park hoppers, etc etc but they would have nothing to do with it, they went with a moderate hotel POFQ. They said their kids would just pick at food so they wouldn't do any meals, and when they got back they complained of long lines and told us make sure you buy those passes to get through faster?!? HUH! Did they really think they had to pay for a pass?? and maybe thier kids were so cranky because they never had one decent meal in 3 days?!? ARGH!!!


So how do I make sure I plan enough! Do you gals plan out rides you want to go on and the actual order of your days at each park? I don't want it to be the free for all disaster that our friends had but at the same time I don't want to micro manage our trip either! Can you really plan too much?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 7:53am

Well, I've been accused of being an obsessive planner, but this is what I usually do.

We plan what days at what park. Usually determined by how many days we have, how many days we want in each park, etc. We have ADR for one sit-down meal each day, and I have a rough idea of what counter service places (if any) we'll want to go to, just to avoid the standing around looking at each other with blank looks on our faces for a half and hour trying to decide where to eat thing.

For each park, I decide (with DH help, the trips are always a surprise to our kids, but they're little anyway) what rides/shows/etc are must-dos, and what we want to do, but won't die if we miss, and we try to make sure we get them all done. After that, we do what we want. We usually do take a break in the afternoon to swim/nap at the resort, and that has always worked for us.

Then there's the general stuff. Get a Times Guide when you get to the park to see what time the shows and things are that you want to see. Know about Fast Pass and how to use it (and that's it's FREE, lol), if you see your kids (or adults) are getting tired and cranky, take a break. Know that you will not be able to see and do everything in one trip, and don't try to.

I think if you have a step by step plan divided up in 15 minute intervals of exactly where you're going to be and what you're going to be doing, that's taking it too far. It won't work out exactly, and some of the fun is the unplanned stuff. When you happen to find a character when you don't expect to, that kind of thing.

It sounds like you've been doing your research, and I think you'll be fine. If you want, look at some attractions and decide what you don't want to miss, and plan around those things. If you don't want to, it will work out. We're going in May too, we arrive on the 25th. Have a great trip!

Steph

Avatar for cl_ktbugsmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 10:55am

Some people do well with a gung ho commando be in line for dumbo at 903, peter pan at 912, Philharmagic at 938, carousel at 1015, small world at 1021 type plan. That does not work for our family at all, but we're not that scheduled at home either so expecting it to work on vacation would be interesting to say the least.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-17-2005
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 4:55pm
we had our must dos for rides. we always tried to have a fastpass for a ride so we would get the next one as soon as we could. if we went by a ride that had little to no line we jumped on it. there was a few rides that we were right place right time and got right on with no wait. we were there during the first week of april which i think is a slow time.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2001
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 5:11pm

We went for the first time this past Aug. and had a blast! I can't imagine going to WDW and not having fun...the two just don't go together in my book!


Anyway, I had ADR's planned for each day as needed.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2001
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 6:49pm

Shelby,


The note cards are an EXCELLENT idea! I have created my week at a glance spreadsheet and yesterday did a daily spreadsheet (with more detail) but right now I am going to grab my index cards and get writing! THANK YOU!


I have the Passporter Deluxe (2007) and do want to write down the must do attractions (for me) and a list of attractions that I wouldn't be unhappy if I missed. Then when DH returns from Afghanistan I will have him do the same (thank goodness he'd be into that, lol).


FABULOUS idea. Thanks again!


Melissa






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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2001
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 8:31pm
You're welcome!! I had mine typed out too and instead of writing them, I just cut & pasted on to the cards. :) Glad I could help and have a great trip!
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