Planning 18 months in advance...

[rufio]

I can't be the only one! My next trip is going to be in December 2014. I thought it was going to be in November, but looking at my school's breaks made me change my mind. I've been a little sad about the time between now and then, but last night I decided, "Hey! There's no reason I can't plan now, even if I can't ACTUALLY make reservations!" So here we go! 18 months out and I'm making decisions on which park to visit (with the help of Touring Plans) and where to eat.

What's the farthest out you've started your planning?

 

[KCheatle]

You're definitely not alone! I plan for my next trip while I'm on the current trip! "Oh! I want to eat there next time!" "Hmm...I'd rather do Epcot day 2 instead of day 4." "Next time, I definitely want to go to Tom Saywer Island", "I think we'll skip DTD next trip." etc. I make mental notes as I go, then when I get back I put all my notes together so when I actually book a trip, I have an idea of what I want to be doing and what parks I want to be in on each day before I make ADRs. It's always fun to plan

 

[rufio]

We came back 3 weeks on Thursday and we rebooked our villa last weekend for Easter 2015, so we're 21 months out!!!

We have to book so far in advance a) so we can have the villa we love its so popular &
B) probably the most important being able to save enough, as we live in England it takes about that long to save enough to come, it's cost abt $15,000 for the five of us, buys its worth it

Oh, wow! I'm going to enjoy not having kids for as long as possible! I wish we could book that far out, but because we're DVC members we can only book 7-12 months in advance (12 for home resort, 7 for any other resort).

 

[rufio]

You're definitely not alone! I plan for my next trip while I'm on the current trip! "Oh! I want to eat there next time!" "Hmm...I'd rather do Epcot day 2 instead of day 4." "Next time, I definitely want to go to Tom Saywer Island", "I think we'll skip DTD next trip." etc. I make mental notes as I go, then when I get back I put all my notes together so when I actually book a trip, I have an idea of what I want to be doing and what parks I want to be in on each day before I make ADRs. It's always fun to plan

Hahahaha! That's one way to do it!

 

[MinnieMous3]

Oh wow! A first timer! Well, you're definitely in the right place if you're looking for suggestions! What do you have planned so far?

I only have the basics planned at the moment and keep seeing posts about so many things that i hadn't even thought about, like cupcake lists!! I like the sound of that

We only have a short trip booked, 25th Oct-2nd Nov staying at Saratoga Springs. My basic plan at the moment is restaurants and events in the parks

I was thinking of doing the Pirate & Pals fireworks cruise maybe on the day we arrive. I cant book flights from the UK yet but think we will probably land around 3pm so wont have time to do much on that day so if the cruise is at 7.45pm we may be able to squeeze that in.

Then our basics (if they havent changed by 2014) are:

Hollywood Studios
Beauty & The Beast Live
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
Voyage Of The Little Mermaid
Fantasmic

Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade
Celebrate The Magic
Dream Along With Mickey
Wishes (or Hallo wishes)
MSEP
Move It Shake It

Epcot
The Garden Grill Restaurant
Illuminations

Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant
Festival Of the Lion King
Finding Nemo Live
Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade

I know we probably wont get all of this done as DS also has a list of characters and rides he wants to do and so Im not sure if we will bother with one of the water parks or just stick to the 4 main parks and try to get as much done as possible. We also want to eat at Chef Mickeys and maybe 1900 Park Fare and do MNSSHP.

I was even tempted to book 1 day at SeaWorld to do the Swim with Dolphins package.

Have i gone too far Is there anything you think is a must do? or anything i should leave out? What are your views on the water parks if we are only there for a week?

Thank you for listening to me waffle on

 

[Jessica Meier]

I constantly plan and think about what I want to do. This website makes it more fun for sure. You can type out a thread and get instant feedback. That's especially nice when your family thinks you are crazy for constantly thinking and talking about WDW.

 

[rufio]

I only have the basics planned at the moment and keep seeing posts about so many things that i hadn't even thought about, like cupcake lists!! I like the sound of that

We only have a short trip booked, 25th Oct-2nd Nov staying at Saratoga Springs. My basic plan at the moment is restaurants and events in the parks

I was thinking of doing the Pirate & Pals fireworks cruise maybe on the day we arrive. I cant book flights from the UK yet but think we will probably land around 3pm so wont have time to do much on that day so if the cruise is at 7.45pm we may be able to squeeze that in.

Then our basics (if they havent changed by 2014) are:

Hollywood Studios
Beauty & The Beast Live
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
Voyage Of The Little Mermaid
Fantasmic

Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade
Celebrate The Magic
Dream Along With Mickey
Wishes (or Hallo wishes)
MSEP
Move It Shake It

Epcot
The Garden Grill Restaurant
Illuminations

Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant
Festival Of the Lion King
Finding Nemo Live
Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade

I know we probably wont get all of this done as DS also has a list of characters and rides he wants to do and so Im not sure if we will bother with one of the water parks or just stick to the 4 main parks and try to get as much done as possible. We also want to eat at Chef Mickeys and maybe 1900 Park Fare and do MNSSHP.

I was even tempted to book 1 day at SeaWorld to do the Swim with Dolphins package.

Have i gone too far Is there anything you think is a must do? or anything i should leave out? What are your views on the water parks if we are only there for a week?

Thank you for listening to me waffle on

Hahaha! No, not too far. I think if you have a list of specifics you'd like to do you should try out TouringPlans.com, to be honest. I think it's $13 for a year, but you can create personalized plans for each day that are super helpful if you're on a time limit! The only thing I would say is that I've heard less-than-great things about The Garden Grill Restaurant (which is why I haven't been). It's definitely a restaurant for the atmosphere.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The worst thing about DVC is waiting til you're 7 months out to book (a resort that isn't your "home")! Did you make your ADR plans before you could actually book them? I'm thinking about making those decisions now... I'm so glad I'm not the only one that does this!

That would be frustrating. I have a few friends who are DVC and they've had similar complaints.

ADRs are a funny thing with me. I will plan them out well before booking, but I often get this crazy urge to add and shuffle. I've been pretty hands off (minus a few little changes) this time, but last trip...I had an Excel file full of my ADR plans...and in less than 24 hours- on day 180...I had already changed a few things. I don't know if I kept any of my original ADRs last trip. Still...the planning before day 180 is fun b/c it makes it a little more real when you're that far out.

 

[stevehousse]

Don't think your crazy for planning so far out! We got back from our last trip in May and started coming up with plans for our May 2014 trip about a week after we got home! LOL

Tht is until I received a pin code for free dining! By the time we had agreed to actually use it, 180 days was about 25-30 days in already, which made me nervous!

I highjacked my 2014 itinerary and tried to make ADRs and was able to secure everything except Be Our Guest! We plan to just do tht for lunch now. But since I was able to book everything, that really made our minds of goin through with our plans.

We are staying at All Star Movies in a preferred room with upgraded plus dining package!

 

[rufio]

That would be frustrating. I have a few friends who are DVC and they've had similar complaints.

ADRs are a funny thing with me. I will plan them out well before booking, but I often get this crazy urge to add and shuffle. I've been pretty hands off (minus a few little changes) this time, but last trip...I had an Excel file full of my ADR plans...and in less than 24 hours- on day 180...I had already changed a few things. I don't know if I kept any of my original ADRs last trip. Still...the planning before day 180 is fun b/c it makes it a little more real when you're that far out.

Haha! I do the exact same thing with ADRs! Even if I make them at 180 days, they're sure to change a few times before we actually go. I've even been known to change them around once we're on property!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I can't be the only one! My next trip is going to be in December 2014. I thought it was going to be in November, but looking at my school's breaks made me change my mind. I've been a little sad about the time between now and then, but last night I decided, "Hey! There's no reason I can't plan now, even if I can't ACTUALLY make reservations!" So here we go! 18 months out and I'm making decisions on which park to visit (with the help of Touring Plans) and where to eat.

What's the farthest out you've started your planning?

You are not alone!! LOL When my son was younger, we used to book trips 2 years each. (We would book our Fall trip for one year, and then decide on which week for the following year) I would even make up a pseudo ADR plan (allowed for our must dos and leave room for new experiences) My son may be alot older now, but I am already thinking of next year! LOL (I am still 4 months out for our 2013 trip!!)

 

[LucyK]

Since I follow Josh's park recommendations I can never change my ADRs too much so I research then well beforehand. I did have a case of the switcheroos last time and I was tempted to move my ADRs around but in the end I was glad I didn't since BOG became impossible to book.

 

[emcclay]

Go ahead and plan, girl! I am planning two vacations for my parents right now. One in January '14 and one in September '14! It's never too early to start planning

 

[GrimGrinningGhost15]

Ive been planning our Jan 2014 trip since Jan 2013! Its our first trip to Disney with out any family so I have been a little worried about doing everything right. The thing I have been most worried about is doing my ADRS before I know park times are and before we can actually book the whole package... since 2014 prices havent been released yet!! Spending the year planning is so much fun so far though, my fiance just had a birthday last week and I made it disney themed in thought of our trip! Mickey rice krispy treats dipped in chocolate, goofy laffy taffy, and a bunch of stuff from the disney store! Planning our trip is what keeps us from going crazy with our busy work/school schedules!

 

[Wikkler]

I suggest spending 12 days there.
This below is not in any order:

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Magic Kingdom
3. Magic Kingdom
4. Epcot
5. Epcot
6. Hollywood Studios
7. Animal Kingdom
8. Blizzard Beach
9. Typhoon Lagoon
10. Downtown Disney
11. Travel
12. Travel

Trying to split a day between two parks is too stressful for our family, but I suggest sticking to this plan for the days in order to maximize fun. You don't need to stay for Wishes, the Electrical Parade, and Illuminations for more than one day, so I suggest riding rides on the duplicate EC and MK days instead of watching those.

 

[Wikkler]

Of course, if you are only spending 7 days there, then I suggest doing:

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Magic Kingdom
3. Epcot
4. Hollywood Studios
5. Animal Kingdom
6. Water Park
7. Break Day/Travel

 

[rufio]

Of course, if you are only spending 7 days there, then I suggest doing:

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Magic Kingdom
3. Epcot
4. Hollywood Studios
5. Animal Kingdom
6. Water Park
7. Break Day/Travel

We never travel without park hoppers! Our schedule (as of now) looks like this:

1. Animal Kingdom/Epcot
2. Hollywood Studios
3. Magic Kingdom
4. Universal/IOA
5. Magic Kingdom/Epcot
6. Epcot
7. Animal Kingdom

Days with just one park have nothing scheduled for either the morning or evening so we'll just do whatever sounds good!

 

[bethymouse]

That's funny. We just got back, and we are thinking that might be the best time for our soonest return. And yes, I'm already thinking about that next trip, whenever it might be. Helps keep me somewhat sane.

Me 2! Trying to convince DH to take me for New Years 2014.

 

[bethymouse]

You are not alone!! LOL When my son was younger, we used to book trips 2 years each. (We would book our Fall trip for one year, and then decide on which week for the following year) I would even make up a pseudo ADR plan (allowed for our must dos and leave room for new experiences) My son may be alot older now, but I am already thinking of next year! LOL (I am still 4 months out for our 2013 trip!!)

I know I said I need a break from WDW, but I am slowly wanting to go back! Now I am trying to convince DH to take me New Years 2014. I know it's crazy then, but at least it's not hot! The only other time would be spring break time April 2014! Otherwise wait until Christmas 2014 or New Years 2015. I just can't do summers in Florida anymore. And I'm not even 2 weeks out from my last vacation!

 

[JillC LI]

I can't be the only one! My next trip is going to be in December 2014. I thought it was going to be in November, but looking at my school's breaks made me change my mind. I've been a little sad about the time between now and then, but last night I decided, "Hey! There's no reason I can't plan now, even if I can't ACTUALLY make reservations!" So here we go! 18 months out and I'm making decisions on which park to visit (with the help of Touring Plans) and where to eat.

What's the farthest out you've started your planning?

Same as you - about 18 months. I've started planning to take a trip to WDW earlier, but I've actually starting touring plans about 18 months out. I did, however, have to make some adjustments when park hours were released, but that's ok.

 

[Wikkler]

We never travel without park hoppers! Our schedule (as of now) looks like this:

1. Animal Kingdom/Epcot
2. Hollywood Studios
3. Magic Kingdom
4. Universal/IOA
5. Magic Kingdom/Epcot
6. Epcot
7. Animal Kingdom

Days with just one park have nothing scheduled for either the morning or evening so we'll just do whatever sounds good!

I apologize if this is a good strategy for you, as our family cannot handle spending a day in more than one park.