REALLY Love The "planning" Stage of our Disney Trips

[MIKETFROMRI]

There is so much to love about a Disney Vacation. No doubt actually being at Disney is #1 for everybody. But that time at Disney usually last for us anywhere from 8-12 nights, which is awsum but for me ( and most of us) the "planning" usually takes up my time every day for a year! I'm start the day we get back and try to get dates set up first. Figureing out best 10 day 2 week period. When's best for my wife? Shes a nurse and works every 3rd weekend so we plan around that( forget about asking for a weekend off she is scheduled to work). Im a teacher so anytime in summer is good for me.

Once we figure out the dates we wouldlike to go, the search for air fares start, although we usually fly SW so its just matter of waiting for their summer rates to post.
Ok so now we have our dates and just waiting for air rates. Once thats settled its the biggie...what resort will we stay at? That usually changes 6-10 before I finally decide. What discounts are there today? What rates can I get with teacher/nurse discount at swan/dolphin? This year I have the AP which I used this past summer so I'll be able to get AP resort rates if want to.

Saving money is a year long plan to....
Do we want to stay whole time at Disney or go to Universal/sea world? Do we want to start our vacation at Universal and end at Disney?
Rent a car for these trips or use Tiifany's townecar service.

Well as you know its just 365 days of Disney Planning and I LOVE it!!!!

 

[JillC LI]

I agree wholeheartedly with this post (although I focus more on my park and dining schedule in the planning stages than the things you listed). In fact, I have been assisting a friend in planning her upcoming FIRST ever family vacation to WDW, and it has been nearly as much fun as planning my own! I just wish I could hide in her suitcase and go on the trip with her! LOL.

 

[whitney37354]

We went to WDW in June 2010 for our first & only family trip. DD is asking when we can go again for her birthday "we can go the second week of June" (same time we went last time)! I hinted to DH that we could go for our 40th birthdays in June 2013. We already have our vacations plans for 2012 & we could save up for two years to go. I'll even give him three days at Universal (never been there) before a few days at WDW! I wish I could get him to agree so I could start planning now! I am a planner & love to have lists going in my notebook...

 

[WendyWDW]

I'm the Disney planner in my family. I started creating a day by day trip schedule years ago when our kids were small so we would not waste time trying to decide what to do once we got there. It avoided the inevitable disagreements about who wanted to do what on which day. And, of course, when making dinner or event reservations, it helped to know where we would be from day to day.

Now that our kids are adults, I still make a schedule when we all go to Disney together. They actually get a big kick out of getting a copy of it via email a couple of weeks ahead of the trip. We're all so busy with our own lives, it helps get them excited and motivated. :sohappy:

 

[lighteningqueen]

I almost plan so much I get tired of it but cannot wait to go. The first year we went in 2007 I was over the top. Even made the whole family laynards with our schedule where and when we eat and what park the park times and contact number in case one of us were hurt and could not tell someone who our family is to contact them. Silly I know but think about it. If you were hurt there, who would know who your party is if you were going solo on a ride etc. I even had the ressie numbers on the laynard lots of info on one tiny neck. My son in law got to teasing me after the 8th day, Then the next year I did it again but made his huge like the size of a clear folder and laminated it and hung it on a laynard ... Of course he didn't wear it.. But this next trip I think I will tease him and tell him since you made fun of them in the past you don't get one. But really I have to have one for everybody. Even the newest little one who is 2 will have one in Jan. Just makes it easier.I love the planning even if we couldn't go I would do one anyway and hope for the best..

 

[lbrad]

LOVE planning my Disney trips!
I'm emersed in Disney & smiles :sohappy:

 

[TRIFORCE89]

The planning stage is a major event in my family.

Pick which days to go to which parks based on park hours and entertainment. Where to start in each park and where to end, where to be at certain times to make sure you see the parade. Where to eat. Book dining reservations. Decide beforehand what we may want to skip over in order to avoid arguments later.

You have to do these things properly lol In the end we see pretty much everything. I know people who go at 2PM, use a park hopper and just bounce between the parks, go for a day or two (mind you, again, starting in the afternoon), and they return and say there's not much to do or it's too kiddie. It's frustrating to hear.

 

[Susan Savia]

Planning is half the fun. Our February 2012 trip is pretty much settled now and so we are 'planning' a Halloween visit in 2012 now. It's something we've always wanted to do, but never did. Figuring out the best week to go, which night to do the party and we want it to run into the Food Festival by a day or so. We don't go as far as to time out each single place we'll eat at, or ride we'll be on. Once inside the parks whatever happens, happens.

 

[nngrendel]

Planning is AWESOME! I am THE Disney Planner in our family and I read read read read and try to find new things to do each visit.

Matter of fact I will be booking a trip for my wife and I this Friday!!! :sohappy::sohappy:

So the planning has already started. I have a CD in my truck that I have already started listening to which has music from around the parks so I can go ahead and get in the Disney spirit. Our trip isn't until Sept 2012 but just knowing that we have booked the stay is exciting.

I will continue to plan our activities and I am ultra excited about this trip as its our first trip without the kids!!! I have many dining options that we need to hammer out before our magical 120 days out to start making ADR's. I will be marking that on the calendar.

Speaking of Calendars, I have one behind my desk on the wall that shows the entire year and just purchased the 2012 calendar. I will mark each day with how many days until Disney and post each day on the "How Many Days For You" thread.

So.....

• Make decision to visit Disney Check
• Chose Dates Check
• Chose Resort Check
• Book Vacation
• Pay off Vacation
• Save Money!!!
• Choose Dining Options
• Make ADR's
• Plan Park visits
• Leave for Disney!

 

[bgraham34]

I love the planning stage as well. It is such a blast. I get a trill everytime one of my dining reservations are made.

 

[Disney_Belle]

Planning is so much of the fun. And as excited as I am for the trip, I get a little sad inside because the planning is over (but once I put the DME tags on my bags and we're heading to the airport I'm over it lol!).

It is a blast. And the best part is you can plan on so much levels - a little bit or you can get extensive with spreadsheets, itineraries and all that fun stuff.

 

[Fable McCloud]

I think the planning part is one of my most favorite things about a Disney vacation!