It's A Vacation..Not A Challenge..

I am just waiting for this day also!!!! Go ahead...SURPRISE ME!!!!!

There in lies the rub! We all get it - the planning, the ADRs, the research, all so we can have a relaxing trip. I know many people who think you buy tickets and it all should "just work". My family has come to understand that all that fun in the sun, wonderful food, etc is carefully planned so that it is effortless there!
Now we have two friends (basically newbies) going with us, who just told us "plan it for us because we haven't done this before" (they would've bought tickets each day at the gate - isn't that what you do?)

So now they saw the "feeding frenzy" thru me to TA, and saw how many different resorts our TA had to move around to get us the deal in a place we like (lots of emails that you ignore until she says CONFIRM!), the ADRs, and then in July they will sit with us and help choose FP+, so they are beginning to realize the need for planning. (You should have seen the look on their faces when we said FREE DINING and handed them the menu from Narcoossee - they thought we were joking!)

So a surprise that is pre-planned - yes! Throw me to the wolves and punt....there will be a lot of buying happening once we arrive!

I think that you need a plan four trip or you are going to run out of time just wandering around and standing in lines, or waiting to eat not getting much done

Which is exactly what we and our friends did on our first trip to WDW. Imagine four adults who don't know their way around all saying, "What should we do now?" And everyone responds, "I don't know, what do you want to do?" Never again.

I must admit I've even planned trips that I've never taken.
Sometimes if the bug hits me, just a bit of wishful planning (and board lurking!!! ) really helps!!

I'm a planner, but I think the trick is not to stress if you don't get to do something you've scheduled (except obviously ADRs which will cost money if missed). First time down to the nth degree, 2nd time bit more relaxed, this coming one bit more planning (less ADRs) Sept/Oct less so.

Since our friends going with haven't been to Disney as a family since it was only MK (there was that one choir trip where they spent 1/2 day in Epcot and thought they hit the hot spots...LOL..and he thinks the show at Canada still plays "Oh Canada") soooooo with their permission, we booked ADRs, and set up the park days, and July 18th I will be up getting FP+ in place. It will feel comfortable and easy because the only thing left is to ENJOY!!!!!

But to paraphrase my DH, we seem to have more fun when there is more "doing" without the stress and long lines, etc. And that happens because of what happens in the 6 months prior to going! But if someone said, we are leaving tomorrow, I do have my to go bag ready!

The planning is half the fun! I'm not what you would call a "motivated" person, but when I'm planning a WDW vacation? I suddenly turn into a drill sergeant....one with color coded spreadsheets and reams of checklists. And as far as I'm concerned, vacations ARE a challenge....to pack in as much fun stuff as possible! I can sit around and do nothing at home for free. In my meticulously planned WDW bubble; I can ride rides, eat amazing meals, drink whatever I'd like (and always have a ride "home"), make memories with my DH, and know that we're getting our money's-worth.

Here, here!

Not typically a "huge" planner but at Disney I feel it's a must in some ways, especially with ADR's for what days to correspond to shows or fireworks we want to see that night/day as well. That's really the only thing I look at when planning our trips. If a show is only on a particular night, then are ADR's will most likely be in that park for that day as well.

It can take some planning but in the end I am always glad we did it and it just makes everything go that much smoother when we are actually there. Work it out before you play it out

Yes! What this post says! Plan, but be able to adjust.

My late wife, Jan, and I made about 57 trips to the World since they opened in 1971. Each trip about 4 to 5 days. We never planed anything and only made dinner reservations about a half dozen times and always had a wonderful time. I have watched my kids, my grand kids and now my great grand kids do the same and love it. I have been to every resort in WDW many times and have only gone to one park in all those times and only twice. That was the Magic Kingdom.
Joe

57 Trips is amazing Joe!

BUT NO PARKS!!!!!

Yes no parks and they were very happy!

I couldn't imagine not going to the parks but everyone's Disney vacations are different. That's what makes disney so unique
Do you have a favourite resort Joe?