Stressful Or Stress Free!

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disneygirl76

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
real mad hatter said:
Well after reading all these planning trips today,people wondering have they done this,done that,got this,got that.Do you find planning your trip Stressful or Stress free.? ..I must admit I love the planning stages,so come 4 weeks before we leave,it's done and dusted..How do you find it.?;)
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Stress Free. I don't have the personality that allows me to just go by the seat of my pants. I need to plan and research and do my homework. I make lists and spreadsheets and make note cards. I love it. Every bit of it! I make my binder and it just brings me peace and calm and happiness. I know not everyone plans to the extent I do, but I do think having the info helps you have a better experience. I remember the first time going as an adult with out mom and dad. They had always planned everything. But this time, our honeymoon, I was in charge. And SO much had changed since I went with them. They didn't have to do deal with ADR's or fast passes. So when we were on our honeymoon, we winged it - a lot. If it wasn't for the amazing folks at Rose & Crown, we would not have had a place to eat on our first night. They took pity on us b/c it was our honeymoon and I didn't know. They were amazing which is just another reason why we love it there so much. After that trip - the planning began. We had an amazing time on our honeymoon but it was huge how much we missed!

I want to add this too - People tease me about this. All the time. But I have found one thing to be true - going to Disney for some families is a once in a life time opportunity. And if you had one shot at something, wouldn't you give it your all? Disney isn't something to just go and wing it. I implore my friends to take my advice - not because I am right but b/c I have knowledge and either use it or not but at least have it. For example, the family I nanny for took their two kids and started with Buzz at MK. And Charlie was freaked out! He was 2 years old, never been on a ride and he flipped by the lights and sounds and Zurg. I told them, if your kid has never been on a ride before, start with a Dumbo or a Magic Carpet, then ease into the other rides. But they didn't listen, he screamed on every ride they went one, and Charlie still is freaked out by all rides. I wasn't telling them this b/c I wanted to be right, but rather, because I wanted them to have the best Disney experience ever and a little bit of knowledge goes a long way. In the end, they spent all this time there, all this money, and literally went on like 4 rides.
 
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CamiLyn227

CamiLyn227

Well-Known Member
The actual trip planning is very stress free! Although, I do have the same dream at least once before every trip. I dream that I forget my camera. Apparently it is the most important thing.

But what I do get stressed about is leaving home. Will my dogs be ok? Is the house locked up? Will something happen at home while I am gone? Are my parents going to need me while I'm away? This year I set up a camera in my house that I can view from my phone. I hope this calms me down a little bit. Only 12 more days until my next trip!
 
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jw24

jw24

Well-Known Member
It's both, but more stress-free that stressful. I mean, I'm only speaking based on my solo travels to WDW but sometimes, I think dining is what I agonize the most because there are so many places because there are over 300 restaurants and eateries to choose from and you wish you could visit them all but you can't. But generally speaking, it's stress-free in deciding where to stay is simple either for personal interest though economic interests do win out sometimes, how to travel there (I have preferred airlines but I took the train on my last trip. Would do it again if only I had a sleeping car compartment and I'd be willing to pay more to avoid the hassle of airport security and greedy airlines.) and deciding when to go. (More so about when NOT to go to make it easier.) That's just me though.
 
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JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Stress FREE. :) It's a joyful enterprise. Heck, I've started my next plan the day after I've returned home. When I get home I think... What did I miss and what should I do next time? So the planning is either in my mind or being put down on paper so when the next trip is booked I'm WAAAY ahead of the game. It helps keep me thinking and dreaming about Disney AND if I continually bring up the details and remind the wife how much I love Disney, she breaks down and says,,,,, yeah go ahead and let's see if the budget allows it to happen. :D It works.;)
 
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Stellajack

Stellajack

Premium Member
In the Parks
No
Our planning now mostly involves the 1st day arrival plans; a.m.& p.m. EMH's, daily park break time, 1-2 ADR's; nighttime fireworks&laser shows.

We haven't tried to do a TS ADR per day in a very long time since we determined that most of the TS food is not much better than the QS counters and we no longer have to placate smaller ones with character meals.

We really do not hop very much anymore, with the exceptions being returning to the park in the late afternoon to do Illuminations and/or Fantasmic in the evenings (especially since Fantasmic is not available every night).

Our plans are pretty much made when the calendar is released for our visit dates; so, I would say we have opted for the stress-free Disney visit.:)
 
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disneydudette

disneydudette

Well-Known Member
I think I know "too" much... and therefore planning has become quite a difficult experience! I can talk myself into something (Resort, ADR, etc) and talk myself right out of it, literally minutes later!

I find I stress just before booking with our resort choice... once booked, the stress shifts to how the days will break down... and after a rough itinerary, the ultimate stress of ADRs consumes me until the overall vacation is "perfect".

Bottom line... I LOVE planning Disney Vacations... but for the few days of intense planning (resort choice, park days, ADRs, and overall itinerary) I definitely feel the "Disney Stress". I changed my entire Fall trip (new week, new resort) on Wednesday afternoon... and by Thursday evening our week itinerary and 10 new ADRs were completed.

Stressful? For a day or so. Worth it? Absolutely. The downside of quality planning? 114 days till arrival...
 
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StarWarsGirl

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I've been so many times that me (and my parents) know what we're doing. Going on a trip with my bff this winter, my first trip without my parents, so guess who's doing most of the planning (hint: not the BFF who hasn't been in 4 years). I'm not really stressed, just get the few ADRs we're doing, Dad is getting the airline tickets since he can get the best deal, checking hours, stress-free really.
 
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Cindee75

Cindee75

Well-Known Member
Stress free once we arrive and enjoy the hard work. I stress over the things of the moment. Before I booked ADR's I stress a little over my choices because DH is a "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda guy and tells me to do "whatever, just make sure one day has good steak.":cool: Then when I got those done all was good. Now I am a little excited about when to buy flights. We are looking at flights on Delta - while I am a morning person and will take the first flight out I worry about getting everyone up and over the border (from Ontario to Detroit) for the earliest flight. I told DH right now we have 3 choices - early 7:45am, 10am and 12:10pm - he said "whatever". I think I'll give it another month and go with the cheapest. If he doesn't want to plan he can live with what I get.:p
 
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Doombuggy13

Doombuggy13

Active Member
Planning Disney Vacations has become my hobby, I love it. Never stressful because I look forward to planning something different every year. We, as a family discuss what we want to do on what day, where we want to eat, etc. We are a Disney Family! Always will be! This year I'm keeping a promise to my 3 boys who love Harry Potter. I have conceded and agreed to take them to Universal this year. Mainly, because they are all tall enough to ride almost everything. Let me tell you, planning something other than a Disney Vacation is stressful. As soon as we get back from Universal this summer I'll be booking our next WDW vacation for fall 2014 at our beloved Port Orleans Riverside!!
 
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coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
The stress has started, not for our summer trip, but for October. We booked a few months back and got our party tickets for Friday and Sunday October 18 and 20. Have never been there at that time and its going to go fast since its just a long weekend. Now my sister and her family as well as my parents decided today they want to come down. Of course they have all year, but just happened to pick the same time. Dont get me wrong, I don't dislike them, but for heavens sake, let my vacation be stress free. And having them there adds major stress!!!
 
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Disney Shib

Disney Shib

Well-Known Member
Stress free is the way to be. Pack a bathing suit, a pair of walking shoes and money. And make sure you don't forgot the annual pass. Other than that, anything else you need is right there.
 
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JillC LI

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
The only stressful moment is when you are online at 6am or on the phone at 7am trying to get all the ADRs you want. Other than that, all planning is fun fun fun!
 
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Mrs Potts

Mrs Potts

Member
Normally it's pretty stress-free for me, but for this last trip there was quite a lot of last-minute stress because things kept popping up in the days before we left. It wasn't anything related to the trip, just this person needed my help with something, several scheduled last-minute meetings that I had to attend, teachers giving surprise tests when the kids were supposed to be exempt, that sort of thing. Next time I think I'll just avoid going immediately after the kids get out of school and we should be fine.
 
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