The planning stages or being in Disney World

IMO you can't beat actually being in WDW.

But, I do love the planning stages almost as much. It certainly does last longer and doesn't fly by like the actual vacation. The planning stages are also completely full of possibility and potential as opposed to the actual trip. There are no oppressive temps, downpours, blisters, endless lines, grumpy travelers, crying children, or wrecked plans....you know, reality, while you're planning.

I much prefer being IN WDW. I also LOVE planning, but there's a point usually where your planning is done and then you're just waiting (and talking to all you fine folks of course). Now I'm just super excited to get there and have fun.

Anticipation is awesome. But the best time of all is the day we arrive. We're there, and everything is still ahead of us. It combines the anticipation and actually being there.

Yup, exactly what CCP said!

I think I enjoy the planning equally as much as actually being on vacation in general.

I actually don't enjoy the planning at all. I like the anticipation of going to WDW and thinking about what I want to do while I'm there, but with ADRs, FP+ and usually only having short vacations (5 days or less), the planning is just too much work. I really prefer "spur of the moment" type traveling. If I wake up and feel like going to AK, then that's where I go. But now I have to know in advance which park I'll feel like going to on which day and what I'll feel like eating at night, etc. Once I'm inside the bubble, though, I'm in my happy place.

Yea, there's no way planning beats the first step into a park. I get so giddy with excitement!

Love being at Disney. There is no beating that but I love the planning. I start the day we get back and when I have had a bad day I work on my next Disney vacation. It always cheers me up to plan another adventure at Disney.

I like both equally. Now that we are DVC I really don't stress "as much" about when our next trip will be. I will always be looking for new things to see and do and with all the announcements this weekend, I think I have lots of planning to do in the future!

But I agree, there is nothing that beats driving onto property!

I have to say that planning and the actual trip are pretty even in my book. I love the planning and all that comes with it (checking dates, looking for deals, tweaking my spreadsheet...), but arriving in one of the parks is still a great feeling!

Sorry but being there just tops the cake for me!

I love the planning stages and the first day we arrive! As everyone said, you have the entire week to look forward to. Then, I get depressed when it's the last day!

I agree that being there beats it all. But I do LOVE the planning. And because we only go once a year the planning keeps me from going stir crazy between trips which is important.

If you want to add to the anticipation of an upcoming trip, visit this site of course but stop by the mall, go to a Disney Store and look around, soak it up knowing you will soon be there.

I love both!! I get really into the planning and anticipating all the fun, but I have to agree that getting my first glimpse of the castle is just magical. Nothing really beats being 'home'

Exactly that. Not sleeping the night before, sitting in the airport and then, when the plane takes off and we know we're on the way! That first sight of the welcome arch...

Never really thought there'd be a topic about this. In my case, I think I enjoy being in the parks rather planning for it though you could argue that your enjoyment of being in the parks maybe contingent on your planning. I mean, those who don't plan are typically the ones that end up hating the Disney parks and having a miserable time there. Those who do plan, are the ones who enjoy the park experience better because they at least are able to combat "unexpected" negative surprises and they have flexible schedules.

Still, I think being there and utilizing the five senses in the parks, hotels and the entire Disney bubble is a better feeling than just looking at pictures or posts, booking reservations online or making phone calls for the trip.

I agree that nothing tops being in Disney. I think I like the first half of the holiday best because I'm not worrying about going home. I do enjoy the planning, but I think because we don't get to go as often as we'd like, my planning can stretch on for two years, which gets frustrating after a while when I just want to be there. What I need to do is find fun Disney activities to do between my trips to keep me going! It's still two months till our next trip and I'm getting to the stage I just want to be there now! My next countdown is for my fastpass + day, which is nine days away now!