Is part of the fun of a WDW trip the planning?

[artemis908]

My dad's wife asked me a few days ago why I do so much planning for our WDW trip and if it gets annoying have to plan things out so far ahead of our trip. I told her that for me, part of the fun of our WDW is the planning. In fact, I would say for me, 30-40% of the fun is in the planning. There is so much anticipation as we countdown to the trip and thinking about the rides, the restaurants, the hotels, the rooms, everything. It last far longer than the actual trip, which is then done in a matter of days and you're left with disappointment. At least with the planning, it lasts for months! Does anyone else feel this way?

 

[Robo]

Does anyone else feel this way?

Look at my post count.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Uhhhh......heck yeah!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

My dad's wife asked me a few days ago why I do so much planning for our WDW trip and if it gets annoying have to plan things out so far ahead of our trip. I told her that for me, part of the fun of our WDW is the planning. In fact, I would say for me, 30-40% of the fun is in the planning. There is so much anticipation as we countdown to the trip and thinking about the rides, the restaurants, the hotels, the rooms, everything. It last far longer than the actual trip, which is then done in a matter of days and you're left with disappointment. At least with the planning, it lasts for months! Does anyone else feel this way?

It used to be for me. Once they added pinning down actual ride times, that put it over the top into the frustrating chore category for me.

 

[Alesia]

Absolutely!

 

[nat8199]

Definitely!!! Whenever I need a distraction from my life I plan Disney. Between here, touring plans, and my spreadsheets there is always something to think about that is less frustrating that my kids/school/budget/house.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Since I can't actually BE there all the time, I might as well make plans for the times when I will be there. Heck yeah, I love planning.

 

[snowwhite84]

Yes! I would say planning is at least half the fun for me, it makes my trip experience considerably longer. Now, if you are not someone who likes planning, then I could see it not adding to the joy. But for me, I really enjoy it!

 

[Fam of 4]

YES! It is so much fun! Almost like a giant puzzle.

 

[jenthern]

It would be for me, except I usually go on short notice and there's always something. To plan for. This time, we booked about 8 months out. I got great airfare prices so I don't have to worry about that. We're renting an rv so I don't have many adr's to make. I've already made the one we really want to do this time. I mean, I guess I could plan menus for our grocery delivery...

I'm 3 months away from being able to book fast passes. Someone please tell me how to do more planning!

 

[Accident]

No for me, but missing something interesting because we just showed up takes away from the fun.

 

[mchelle77]

Completely. I can't imagine handing this fun over to a TA LOL My SIL and her family went to MK for a single day before we were all cruising this past April and I did a touring plan for her just because it's fun for me! I would plan for people even though I don't get paid. I'm a night owl who sleeps in most of the time, but I was happily awake yesterday for my ADRs.

 

[Jfsag123]

Love the planning! I don't even mind the planning specific ride times in advance. The only thing that sometimes makes it frustrating for me is the fact that Disney often makes last minute changes to the schedule, prompting me to have to rearrange some of the meticulous planning I've done.

 

[ThistleMae]

I've been planning this trip since last November for this November. I love coming in here and reading about all the anticipation about when free dinning dates are going to be released. Then, how people are switching resorts when it does come out. Then, the ability to make dining reservations....and on and on. It keeps me going through the year. Yes I LOVE IT! Frustration and all. It's like I've been involved with Disney all year long, even though I'm not there yet. Oh, and then we buy pins on Ebay to trade....and decorating magic bands! It is just endless....the amount of planning that you can find to do. Honestly, I don't know how people don't plan for Disney. FP+ coming up next....October 21st! Can't wait!

 

[dmc6469]

Oh yes it is the fun part. I love it. I’ve been planning for about 6 months now and we still have 3 ½ months to go. My sister and my cousin call me the travel agent of the group. I’m the one with the full time job (they’re both retired) yet I’m the one who has booked all the ADRs, doing the FastPass+, got the tix, got the memory maker and is keeping the itinerary up to date. I love it.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Absolutely! I love planning! It's really fun!

 

[PSUGuy]

It's not only fun, it's profitable too. I'm on my third rental car ressie, down to $202 for 9 days and some hours and I'm looking to get a cheaper and later SW flight home and this weekend it's FP+ time.

Bill From PA

 

[bc7ate9]

Yes! A travel agent would have to pay ME to take the planning part of the trip away from me!

 

[gem21]

Agreed! It helps spread the magic when you can't be there! And when I'm having a bad day it's fun to come online and read the boards or go into MDE!

 

[artemis908]

When I told someone I was up at 5am to book my ADRs they thought I was crazy! But I didn't even get all of the reservations I wanted, so they don't realize how necessary it is. My FIL got mad at us during our last trip because we had an open day planned with my husband's grandmother for a day but she canceled and wanted to reschedule to the following day and I said we couldn't. We had park tickets, ADRs that were under 24 hours away, stuff that we couldn't just cancel.

That's why I told my husband that if he ever invited his family to join us that we'd make our plans and tell them what they are and if they join, I add them to ADRs, if not we just go out on our own. My parents were WDW planners so they know how it goes, but my husband's family doesn't get it. They just think I am crazy