Plan "your" trip based on you.

[Dads 2 Boys]

I've noticed some things over the few years here and on other boards and reading other books, etc............trying to plan a trip based on "other peoples data" is fruitless and most likely it will end badly. I see people asking for so much advice and then when they return, they post something how...."this didn't work, etc..."

Perhaps that's a general statement that doesn't fit but I'm not sure how to say it. Everyone's way of "doing Disney" are vastly different from trip to trip and person to person however I think too many people try to "can" their trip into a way that worked for someone else because they saw "The Smith's" trip went so well. That's not the way to do it. I've had perfect trips and not so perfect trips and although perfectly planned and flawlessly executed is possible....it is rare. All of my trips have been excellent in different degrees but we always based things on "our wants" and what we know what works for us. That's the key.

One thing that is uber clear......when asking for assistance, please remember: Generally, there are two types of people with knowledge, those that "know Disney" and those that "know how to do Disney" and they are far from the same.

 

[JIMINYCR]

People who have never been to WDW might try modeling another's trip because they saw how it went for them and they want to have a greater chance for the same success. I've never "copied" someone elses trip but I have viewed others trip reports and gotten great ideas from viewing their park travels. I know exactly what DW & I want to accomplish on each trip and every one has a different feel and goal in mind depending on the success or failures we had on the last one. Viewing another's trip plan only gives me ideas to jump start the thinking and shaping of my own individual plan.

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

I agree with what you are saying. My first trip to WDW was last year. I planned the trip I wanted to plan, changed up things during that planning time and even changed things on the fly while at WDW. I used the boards, YouTube videos, books and blogs for ideas or as a loose guide but came up with my own plan that I thought would work for my daughter and I. Every person enjoys different things and has different ideas of what is magical about WDW. The most important advice I was given is that you can't do everything in one trip so do the things that really matter to you. Which is what we did. This year we are going back to do some of the things we wish we didn't miss during our first trip, like Animal Kingdom. You should make your WDW trip your own!

 

[wannabeBelle]

Couldnt agree more!!! Also remember different people have very different expectations of what a trip to Disney is going to be for them. If you have one group who want to do all the thrill rides and another who is more into the shows, that is probably not a good matchup unless both groups are willing to give quite a bit. Another great option is to go off, do your thing at the parks and meet up for dinner or for a specific event you all want to do. Keep it flexible and communication is key!!! Dont be afraid to say "I want to do this" for fear of hurting someone's feelings. I tend to put out there what I want to do on any given day and if the wants of the rest of the group dont match up, I can do what I'd like and just meet up later. I find that it isnt offensive at all, as anyone who wants to come with me can, but if you have something else that you want to do, I wont be offended if you go and do it and we meet up afterwards. I am lucky in that I have a few friends who have very similar likes, (thrill rides, live music) so we are pretty comfy running around together. Marie