We're ALL mad here

[Stefien Quix]

All of things you listed are relatively simple and take up very little time.
I was on European cruise 2 months ago and I'm going on Canadian cruise next month. Disney World after that. Disney World is by far is the easiest vacation to research.

Look man, I'm not trying to have an argument with you about this, so why are you trying to pick one?

 

[cruiser21]

Look man, I'm not trying to have an argument with you about this, so why are you trying to pick one?

I'm not trying to argue with you. You started a thread I'm giving an opinion. If you only want opinions from people that agree with you your going to have a hard time on this board. It's generally not how these boards are.

 

[Stefien Quix]

I'm not trying to argue with you. You started a thread I'm giving an opinion. If you only want opinions from people that agree with you your going to have a hard time on this board. It's generally not how these boards are.

If you're coming on to post a contrary opinion to mine, I believe you'll find you've met the definition of arguing.

If you continue to post on the same post explaining how I'm misinformed, you are in fact persisting in the argument.

I understand that not everyone needs or will agree, I just don't understand what you're getting out of it in this particular instance. It's clear your approach if different than mine. Fine. But continuing to thread about it doesn't do anything for anyone other than perhaps satisfy your boredom or some enjoyment you might get from feeling superior.

 

[cabanafrau]

Totally agree, but my son still loves it. I don't like planning which park to do each day. Once I book my fast passes though I don't think about again until I get there. As far as ADR's I only book a couple. We always stay at an Epcot resort so there's plenty of dining options around there. Most of them you don't need an ADR.
You can plan out every second of your day or just go into and go with the flow. I prefer the later.

Poly was our home base for our visits. Using your fastpasses for the day tends to somewhat dictate your park decisions. I'm not unaware that some restaurant locations tend to have more likelihood of day of availability. We've become disenchanted with the offerings of Disney restaurants overall, particularly at the prices asked.

Frankly today's version of going with the flow in WDW is a farce that results in feeling like cattle being herded to either stand in line or wander an endless array of stores filled with the very same merchandise you found at the last shop and will see yet again at the next. It's precisely because it's not possible to organically go with the flow and enjoy at WDW the way we would very much like to that we have no desire to return.

Sincerely, enjoy. I hope you wring every drop of fun and joy out of your visits to WDW. It's unnecessary to attempt to school me in how to find what's no longer available. That ship sailed when crowds far outstripped capacity and Disney elected to invest in crowd management strategies versus expanding entertainment offerings.

 

[smiths02]

Anyone else's significant other ready to have you committed because you're in planning overdrive?

I've found that between sites like this one, TouringPlans plan calculators, the ability to book my ADR's 180 days in advance, my FP+ 60 days in advance, I've been in Planning Mode for the better part of this year. Tweaking, adjusting, adding, removing, re-adding.

My wife is tolerant, but I think she may be ready to be done with our trip before we've even started because I can't stop examining the trip from every angle!

My experience is that first your spouse will (lovingly) mock you. Example: "So we ride 7DMT at 11:05 and have a bathroom break at 11:12 followed by a 2-minute walk to our ADR at 11:17." Or causes you stress because s/he has failed to do the ONE planning thing required of them. Example: "What dates do I need to request off work again?"
But as long as I am able to go with the flow on vacation, my spouse appreciates it.

 

[Stefien Quix]

My dh likes not having to do anything for vacation, other than show up, so he likes me "planning". Which more or less consists of making a resort reservation, getting airline tickets, make some ADRs, get some FP. We don't necessarily even stick to those when we get there, we are more go with the flow.
As long as we have a resort room, and plenty of options of places to eat we are good. We will always find something to do/ride in a park so if we don't get the FPs we want its no big deal.
One exception was our last trip since it was just dh and me for our anniversary. I did plan more than I normally would.
I know that if I was married to an uber planner I'd probably have them committed though

OP, I hope your SO appreciates all your effort!!

She does! She just wishes I'd stop trying to include her in the planning efforts!

 

[Stefien Quix]

Poly was our home base for our visits. Using your fastpasses for the day tends to somewhat dictate your park decisions. I'm not unaware that some restaurant locations tend to have more likelihood of day of availability. We've become disenchanted with the offerings of Disney restaurants overall, particularly at the prices asked.

Frankly today's version of going with the flow in WDW is a farce that results in feeling like cattle being herded to either stand in line or wander an endless array of stores filled with the very same merchandise you found at the last shop and will see yet again at the next. It's precisely because it's not possible to organically go with the flow and enjoy at WDW the way we would very much like to that we have no desire to return.

Sincerely, enjoy. I hope you wring every drop of fun and joy out of your visits to WDW. It's unnecessary to attempt to school me in how to find what's no longer available. That ship sailed when crowds far outstripped capacity and Disney elected to invest in crowd management strategies versus expanding entertainment offerings.

@cabanafrau I totally get what you're saying. I'm wondering though, have you found something to replace it with?

 

[cabanafrau]

@cabanafrau I totally get what you're saying. I'm wondering though, have you found something to replace it with?

There's an entire world to travel. When we have the opportunity we're looking into exploring the Pacific Northwest. As far as a destination with a lot to offer in a smaller area where you can do minimal planning and wander at your leisure, Vegas has worked out to be a lazy, no brainer destination for us.

If you're referring to a theme park replacement, we had enjoyed DLR and hoped to get back there in the not too distant future. Unfortunately it doesn't look like we'll be returning before Star Wars tips the crowds into the completely bonkers range.

 

[tamerbelles]

OP, I totally get you! I'm the planner and my DH just goes along ... he makes me stop overthinking sometimes, which is actually helpful. LOL.

Going for three days can be super stressful, and I totally get where you're coming from as a parent wanting to make the entire experience "magical." Here's my advice to you: It's not about having great plans - it's about having realistic EXPECTATIONS.

The people who go for three days and come home miserable did zero research and had unrealistic expectations of what the parks would be like - crowds, heat, lines, etc. By planning, you have, by default, gotten a better idea of what to expect. I think the key is making sure your wife understands what to expect, too. She'll appreciate your planning once she sees what it's really like in the parks!

As the planner, you've got the right attitude: Something will, inevitably, go wrong. Focus on enjoying what little time you have on this trip ... and take mental notes of how to make it better next time.

 

[Stefien Quix]

There's an entire world to travel. When we have the opportunity we're looking into exploring the Pacific Northwest. As far as a destination with a lot to offer in a smaller area where you can do minimal planning and wander at your leisure, Vegas has worked out to be a lazy, no brainer destination for us.

If you're referring to a theme park replacement, we had enjoyed DLR and hoped to get back there in the not too distant future. Unfortunately it doesn't look like we'll be returning before Star Wars tips the crowds into the completely bonkers range.

Yeah, I was more referring to the latter. I've already got our world trips earmarked (I've mentioned I'm a planner right??) but imo, those are a different kind of experience. Casual exploration and discovery. Which, like you've described, you really can't do in Disney. Certainly not in a few days, with those crowds or at the prices they charge and not feel like you got ripped off. :-/

I'm thinking of looking outside of the Disney brand myself. My BIL is a big fan of the Great Wolf Lodge.

 

[cruiser21]

If you're coming on to post a contrary opinion to mine, I believe you'll find you've met the definition of arguing.

If you continue to post on the same post explaining how I'm misinformed, you are in fact persisting in the argument.

I understand that not everyone needs or will agree, I just don't understand what you're getting out of it in this particular instance. It's clear your approach if different than mine. Fine. But continuing to thread about it doesn't do anything for anyone other than perhaps satisfy your boredom or some enjoyment you might get from feeling superior.

If my opinion of planning a Disney World vacation differs from yours it does not mean I'm arguing. I actually only quoted you I believe once maybe twice. I did say a WDW is a vacation where you can plan out every second or you can go with the Flow.

There are a lot of posters that come to this board and do research. Maybe they would be happy to hear a differing opinion that Disney World doesn't have to take hours and hours of planning to have an enjoyable vacation. Never did I say you were misinformed or that I was superior...only that my approach to Disney World is different then yours.

 

[cruiser21]

Poly was our home base for our visits. Using your fastpasses for the day tends to somewhat dictate your park decisions. I'm not unaware that some restaurant locations tend to have more likelihood of day of availability. We've become disenchanted with the offerings of Disney restaurants overall, particularly at the prices asked.

Frankly today's version of going with the flow in WDW is a farce that results in feeling like cattle being herded to either stand in line or wander an endless array of stores filled with the very same merchandise you found at the last shop and will see yet again at the next. It's precisely because it's not possible to organically go with the flow and enjoy at WDW the way we would very much like to that we have no desire to return.

Sincerely, enjoy. I hope you wring every drop of fun and joy out of your visits to WDW. It's unnecessary to attempt to school me in how to find what's no longer available. That ship sailed when crowds far outstripped capacity and Disney elected to invest in crowd management strategies versus expanding entertainment offerings.

I did prefer the WDW of old. I can't say I miss rope drop though. We took a 5 year break from WDW. I took my son last year and are going again this year. We'll probably make one more trip when Star Wars land open.

Speaking of ships sailing we much prefer cruising now. Not that it doesn't require planning, but I like seeing new destinations. My trips to WDW now are kind of nostalgic and relaxing in a weird kind of way. My youngest is 14 now. I have a narrow window to enjoy WDW or DCL cruises before he's gone. WDW is not my vacation of choice, but like I said as long as my son still enjoys it we'll go when we can. My dh and older son are not going. They're pretty much over it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Frankly today's version of going with the flow in WDW is a farce that results in feeling like cattle being herded to either stand in line or wander an endless array of stores filled with the very same merchandise you found at the last shop and will see yet again at the next. It's precisely because it's not possible to organically go with the flow and enjoy at WDW the way we would very much like to that we have no desire to return.

Sorry, I call BS. Look at the post I had on page one. ZERO planning (other than park choice) until the day before. Still accomplished much of MK.

If it's important for you to wring every little bit out a trip, then yes, you need to plan ahead of time. But if you're ok with "winging it", and you won't be upset if you don't get to do 'x', yes, you most assuredly can "go with the flow". One thing I didn't mention is we were coming from off site. We didn't do rope drop nor stay until they closed. I think we were there from 9a-9p.

 

[DaddysPrincess]

I'm lucky to have a SO that's into planning just as much as me! In fact, that's what we're doing right now!

I'm kinda driving myself crazy tho since I've never done this before lol but I find planning vacations to be fun anyway so I'm enjoying the process.

 

[Kitty 34]

I planned, thanks to a LOT of info I received back in the day from these boards. Thanks to these boards I didn't over plan but the planning I did do was very successful in our trip planning. My family never complained ever that I over planned.

And yes I used the word plan a lot in this short post!!

 

[clutter]

Knowledge is power. Plans are meant to be ignored. (Unless there's a cancellation fee!)

I think it's possible to plan like crazy (I love the anticipation of a trip and looking at things over and over and over and over) and mostly wing it in the park. Seriously, 2 or 3 FP and a dinner reservation? To me, that's winging it. I can cancel dinner reservations the day before, and I can cancel FP at any time. Its one reason, other than habit from years of APs, I still invest in hoppers.

Best of both worlds. As for getting my money's worth - for me, being with my dd when all we had to do was enjoy each other and be silly - priceless.

 

[Stefien Quix]

I'm lucky to have a SO that's into planning just as much as me! In fact, that's what we're doing right now!

I'm kinda driving myself crazy tho since I've never done this before lol but I find planning vacations to be fun anyway so I'm enjoying the process.

Yes! I think this is an important point. I'm doing the same thing, but I am enjoying it too! It's not like it's making me miserable, and I think my DW is mostly just amused at how I'm handling it more than anything else

 

[cabanafrau]

Sorry, I call BS. Look at the post I had on page one. ZERO planning (other than park choice) until the day before. Still accomplished much of MK.

If it's important for you to wring every little bit out a trip, then yes, you need to plan ahead of time. But if you're ok with "winging it", and you won't be upset if you don't get to do 'x', yes, you most assuredly can "go with the flow". One thing I didn't mention is we were coming from off site. We didn't do rope drop nor stay until they closed. I think we were there from 9a-9p.

You call BS? WDW no longer provides the experience we want, we don't go. Why that offends you is inexplicable -- you after all are not being billed for it or inconvenienced in the least. I feel no need to explain or defend how I choose to vacation -- or my words. You don't know me, so how you feel free to tell me that I can find what i'm looking for at WDW is preposterous. You do understand that my opinion doesn't impact your ability to partake?

I also am known to "wring every last drop" out of a sunset, a fabulous evening with friends, the holiday season and a great hair day. Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, so I like to stop and savor the little moments. Maybe if you have time after you're done picking the nits out of a figure of speech you might explain why the idea of wringing every little bit out of a trip is wrong? Don't most people like to enjoy their vacations as much as they can?

 

[Spencer Wright]

I did not read through the entire thread, but I will suggest totally scrapping TouringPlans calculators, or any similar crowd calendars.

I am not saying there of no use, however there accuracy over the years seems to be waning, and it will really drive you crazy.

If you do not have a time in year in mind yet, perhaps get a couple suggested and post on here and see what others think!

Besides that, I love all aspects of planning!!

 

[sam_gordon]

You call BS? WDW no longer provides the experience we want, we don't go. Why that offends you is inexplicable -- you after all are not being billed for it or inconvenienced in the least. I feel no need to explain or defend how I choose to vacation -- or my words. You don't know me, so how you feel free to tell me that I can find what i'm looking for at WDW is preposterous. You do understand that my opinion doesn't impact your ability to partake?

I also am known to "wring every last drop" out of a sunset, a fabulous evening with friends, the holiday season and a great hair day. Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, so I like to stop and savor the little moments. Maybe if you have time after you're done picking the nits out of a figure of speech you might explain why the idea of wringing every little bit out of a trip is wrong? Don't most people like to enjoy their vacations as much as they can?

The only thing I'm calling BS on is the statement I quoted. That "going with the flow is a farce". You CAN accomplish a lot without majorly planning. I posted a prime example... 12 hours at MK, no FP booked until the day before, during the busiest week of the year.

If someone wants to plan, more power to them. If someone doesn't want to plan, that's fine too. It's the statement "if you don't plan, you will hate it/won't get anything done" that I think is wrong. As far as "wring every last drop", I was referring to those people who must do every ride, every parade, be there from rope drop until the final fireworks, and eat at a TS restaurant to "get your money's worth". THAT'S what I was referring to.

FWIW, where did I say I was offended?