cdndisneymum
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2010
Do not be sorry! I am SUPER crazy too; I am going to try to copy your spreadsheet idea for our holiday...thank you for sharing your craziness
!!
!!
Is anyone else crazy and love it?
- Thread starter nat8199
- Start date
BlueStarryHat
South Philly Girl
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2013
We plan park days and restaurants-luckily my sister and I are the ones taking the trips and we are Old Disney Bats so we talk about it incessantly even when a trip is not in the offing (we go every two years). We are *CRAZY* crazy about it, to the point where nobody else in the family will hear the word "Disney" without making a quick getaway. I don't do a spreadsheet but I *do* make an itinerary to print out, and another printout with our FP+ times even though my sister always has them on her phone.
elaine amj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
Haha - my color coded spreadsheet is even more manic. I'm still debating with myself how much of it I am going to share with my brother and SIL. I worry that what is calming for me will be too overwhelming for them.
I go a little crazy when I get there and having a spreadsheet (or even a scribbled out list) grounds me. Also, I like knowing what I can do and how doing A will affect whether I can do B. We tried aimless wandering for one day in DLR and after a bit, my family was fed up with not knowing what was going to happen next and rebelled. I had to stop for 2 mins to scribble out a quick touring plan and we were all happy campers again.
My big problem is I take on too much pressure to make the trip perfect. If someone asks for a change in plans, I start frantically trying to "make it happen" - which as we all know, can be super challenging for rides like 7DMT or FEA. But then I get stressed and am constantly refreshing the app, detracting from the day. Also, plans whirl around my head continuously and I spend a wee bit too much time trying to optimize them - which can be a bad thing when I'm AT the parks and supposed to be enjoying myself.
I go a little crazy when I get there and having a spreadsheet (or even a scribbled out list) grounds me. Also, I like knowing what I can do and how doing A will affect whether I can do B. We tried aimless wandering for one day in DLR and after a bit, my family was fed up with not knowing what was going to happen next and rebelled. I had to stop for 2 mins to scribble out a quick touring plan and we were all happy campers again.
My big problem is I take on too much pressure to make the trip perfect. If someone asks for a change in plans, I start frantically trying to "make it happen" - which as we all know, can be super challenging for rides like 7DMT or FEA. But then I get stressed and am constantly refreshing the app, detracting from the day. Also, plans whirl around my head continuously and I spend a wee bit too much time trying to optimize them - which can be a bad thing when I'm AT the parks and supposed to be enjoying myself.
LuvMyEAR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2009
[QUOTE="....But then I get stressed and am constantly refreshing the app, detracting from the day. Also, plans whirl around my head continuously and I spend a wee bit too much time trying to optimize them - which can be a bad thing when I'm AT the parks and supposed to be enjoying myself.[/QUOTE]
So sorry that the planning effort can weigh heavily on you. Planning is good, and it does prevent that aimless wandering. It's another reason all are tolerant and even comfortable with my obsession. But we are just as comfortable throwing any or all plans out the window at any time and letting our feet take us where our interest (and energy!) dictate.
Our mindset has evolved, and my carefully crafted plan has become a default. It provides data on crowd level, shows, etc which frees us from trying to figure things out during our actual vacation. But if someone says "SQUIRREL "....off we go!
So sorry that the planning effort can weigh heavily on you. Planning is good, and it does prevent that aimless wandering. It's another reason all are tolerant and even comfortable with my obsession. But we are just as comfortable throwing any or all plans out the window at any time and letting our feet take us where our interest (and energy!) dictate.
Our mindset has evolved, and my carefully crafted plan has become a default. It provides data on crowd level, shows, etc which frees us from trying to figure things out during our actual vacation. But if someone says "SQUIRREL "....off we go!
RealBlast3
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2012
I love this thread! I am in awe of all your beautiful and colorful excel spreadsheets! LOL I am too lazy to go into all that detail but I just love everyone's innovation!
I do plan and over plan and re-arrange constantly, you really have to, but I just have a fairly simple and rather drab typed email that I print out with all my reservations and fast passes for each day of my trip. However, how's this for overly planned and scheduled - I also plan out each of my outfits for each day of the trip down to the color-coordinated socks and have reminders in my email as well, like, "Dress dressy today, going to California Grill"
And I love, love love the My Disney Experience App, which makes it so easy to keep my schedule afloat as well. I still print out a paper copy of my email, and cut it up into pieces for each day of my trip and bring along just the note for each day with me. Just in case the App is down and sometimes it's quicker to fish it out of my pocket to see what my next fast-pass is.
And yes, I agree, that I am open to slightly abandoning plans if something more interesting comes along, someone mentioned a squirrel earlier in the thread...I did follow a couple of rabbits once at Epcot LOL because seeing two at once really excited me.
And yeah, going to Disney without a plan would be a nightmare.
I do plan and over plan and re-arrange constantly, you really have to, but I just have a fairly simple and rather drab typed email that I print out with all my reservations and fast passes for each day of my trip. However, how's this for overly planned and scheduled - I also plan out each of my outfits for each day of the trip down to the color-coordinated socks and have reminders in my email as well, like, "Dress dressy today, going to California Grill"
And I love, love love the My Disney Experience App, which makes it so easy to keep my schedule afloat as well. I still print out a paper copy of my email, and cut it up into pieces for each day of my trip and bring along just the note for each day with me. Just in case the App is down and sometimes it's quicker to fish it out of my pocket to see what my next fast-pass is.
And yes, I agree, that I am open to slightly abandoning plans if something more interesting comes along, someone mentioned a squirrel earlier in the thread...I did follow a couple of rabbits once at Epcot LOL because seeing two at once really excited me.
And yeah, going to Disney without a plan would be a nightmare.
bbjunkie
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 3, 2015
AdamEfimoff
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2015
What is the crazy part to do with this discussion ?
Natt8199, I believe you have found your people haha!
I'm the same... maybe not down to the half an hour but I definitely love to plan it all... even if we rarely wind up actually following the plan. It's a pre-trip ritual!
I went a few years ago for the first time in maybe 15 years. I overplanned. Didn't have a spreadsheet, but had an idea of how the whole day would go. It didn't work out as I planned (between adult family members and nephew) and I just was on edge about not doing everything I wanted.
Went last February with less plans. I planned a park in the AM at rope drop with ideas of maybe 2/3 must do's. Then the three FP in the afternoon at another park with 1 or 2 other things we'd like to do. Then an ADR in there somewhere. Got to do everything plus much more.
For me, option two worked the best. I get why people break down the whole day, but I get too annoyed when things don't work out as planned, so I said I won't do that anymore.
I am crazy though. I've been planning a January trip for a couple months. Every day I think of little things I can change to make it better. Then, I usually end up back where I originally was. I overthink it all way too much, and that's with only planning less than 10 must do's per day (am rides, fp, adr, extras rides/shows if time, and park closing shows).
Went last February with less plans. I planned a park in the AM at rope drop with ideas of maybe 2/3 must do's. Then the three FP in the afternoon at another park with 1 or 2 other things we'd like to do. Then an ADR in there somewhere. Got to do everything plus much more.
For me, option two worked the best. I get why people break down the whole day, but I get too annoyed when things don't work out as planned, so I said I won't do that anymore.
I am crazy though. I've been planning a January trip for a couple months. Every day I think of little things I can change to make it better. Then, I usually end up back where I originally was. I overthink it all way too much, and that's with only planning less than 10 must do's per day (am rides, fp, adr, extras rides/shows if time, and park closing shows).
Kelly Sullivan
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2016
I got a similar reception when I posted about my excitement for my trip. Kinda rained on my parade and put a splash of cold water on my excitement since my family was tired of my obsession. We just hit the 180 day mark and I'm making ADR's for day three today and hoping they are the right ones. Today is MK planning day and I'm still torn between restaurants because we haven't tried any of them.
Your spreadsheet is awesome. I'm going to have to try that to simplify. I planned our days touring the parks counter clockwise by area and I was drawing a diagram to show my husband my thinking and why I was planning that way etc and he just rolled his eyes and said as long as he had someplace to sit down when he got hungry and all his favorites were on the list he didn't care LOL.
Have fun and happy planning!!!
If you want crazy try this. I'm planning a Disney vacation for 11 people (Parents, partner, sisters, nephews) and as a way of getting all the information in one place I have taught myself coding and am building a website for them.....
Is that crazy?
Nancyg56
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2005
I am a planner, but not to that level. I keep a spreadsheet for our dining and park days and approximate times, but that is about it until I have to add my FP. It helps to see when our meals are so I can book the passes around them.
When we first went back to WDW my sis il was with us, and she used to go with a Disney Planning Obsessive person who lived and died by Tour Guide Mike. Holy headache! They had never been to a parade or stood in character lines, that was the best attraction times. Anyway, we all were there to experience Disney through my DGD's 4 YO crystal blue eyes, and on Day one I got caught up in that pace...for all of less than 30 minutes until my DH called me aside and put his size 12 foot down. Not only was I trying to drag my family from place to place, but the responsibility on a little girl!!!! Lesson learned!
I make a plan which is pretty loose now. But I used to map out our day but as soon as we stepped foot into any given park we knew which direction we wanted to head in and then tossed the plan out. I had FP for MIne Train three times before I ever got on it. Something better came up so Mine Train waited. I think that planning can be a helpful tool, especially for people who have not been or who are used to DLR. If you use the plannign tools you can get an idea of park layout and size, which can prepare you for the expanse that the WDW parks and WDW resort encompasses. I don't advise adhering to that sheet like it is a life reserved on the Titanic though. I have seen the remnants of those folks as theyexit the parks and they dont look happy to me.
When we first went back to WDW my sis il was with us, and she used to go with a Disney Planning Obsessive person who lived and died by Tour Guide Mike. Holy headache! They had never been to a parade or stood in character lines, that was the best attraction times. Anyway, we all were there to experience Disney through my DGD's 4 YO crystal blue eyes, and on Day one I got caught up in that pace...for all of less than 30 minutes until my DH called me aside and put his size 12 foot down. Not only was I trying to drag my family from place to place, but the responsibility on a little girl!!!! Lesson learned!
I make a plan which is pretty loose now. But I used to map out our day but as soon as we stepped foot into any given park we knew which direction we wanted to head in and then tossed the plan out. I had FP for MIne Train three times before I ever got on it. Something better came up so Mine Train waited. I think that planning can be a helpful tool, especially for people who have not been or who are used to DLR. If you use the plannign tools you can get an idea of park layout and size, which can prepare you for the expanse that the WDW parks and WDW resort encompasses. I don't advise adhering to that sheet like it is a life reserved on the Titanic though. I have seen the remnants of those folks as theyexit the parks and they dont look happy to me.
elaine amj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
Very much like those wedding websites!
Kelly Sullivan
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2016
I was inspired by the OP and made a spread sheet! YAY! By doing that I was able to visually see how much I was trying to cram into one day, so was able to stretch things out a little to allow a little more breathing room for my family 
I look at it as not a must do list but a guide that will make our day go smoother. To allow us the time to do the things we want to do. Our last trip was alot of zigzagging across the park to use our fast passes because we didn't plan accordingly. lots of wasted time and miles
I look at it as not a must do list but a guide that will make our day go smoother. To allow us the time to do the things we want to do. Our last trip was alot of zigzagging across the park to use our fast passes because we didn't plan accordingly. lots of wasted time and miles
Shellyb84
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2015
Oh yes I love my spreadsheets. I have to keep everything organized or I'll forget all the things I want to do. I love love love the planning part. I just plan the days and most important things we want to do in the day but then leave plenty of time to go with the flow also. Some people don't get that planning and going with the flow can go together!
LisafromIndiana
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2017
At the moment I feel like a kid waiting on Christmas because our 60 day FP window doesn't open up until April 2.
The suspense is killing me...and my Fiancé who is damn sure I'm crazy! Lol. He's a good man for putting up with me and even took me to see Beauty and the Beast last night so I could get my fix.
I'm 40 and by far the biggest Disney junkie in the family. So, you keep on planning with your spreadsheet, I'll keep my tinker bell notebook handy, and hopefully we all have a magical trip!
The suspense is killing me...and my Fiancé who is damn sure I'm crazy! Lol. He's a good man for putting up with me and even took me to see Beauty and the Beast last night so I could get my fix.
I'm 40 and by far the biggest Disney junkie in the family. So, you keep on planning with your spreadsheet, I'll keep my tinker bell notebook handy, and hopefully we all have a magical trip!
luvgoing2disney
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2007
If you are crazy then I am as well. To me the advance planning g is part of the fun. Of course I realize many things will change and I will need to update my plans and spreadsheet but that's ok.
On my spreadsheet I include the park hours, parades, fireworks and special events for each park, even those we do not plan on going to on a particular day. This way, should my plans change at the last minute I will have that at my disposal
On my spreadsheet I include the park hours, parades, fireworks and special events for each park, even those we do not plan on going to on a particular day. This way, should my plans change at the last minute I will have that at my disposal
nat8199
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2012
I am crazy and love your crazy too! I currently have 3 different sheets going, Snacks and where we will find them, the itinerary for the entire trip, and a packing list. Some people may say it's nuts, but my kids love that I have everything we want to do together and organized. We don't follow step by step (the itinerary) but mostly do and that way we don't miss or forget to do/go somewhere we wanted to. At the end of the Disney day, my mind is mush and I need all the help I can get!
Snacks and where to find them is brilliant!!!! I have one tab for quick service that covers what to order where and which to avoid, but I hadn't thought about snacks!! I am going to add a tab now.
JadeDarkstar
Dis Veteran Pirate dragon mom
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2007
I love the spreadsheet and am going to do one now Thank you for that idea. My pen paper keeps changing I've gone through 3 notebooks for my Disney planning already from starting last year in Aug. LOL, I am also a creative writer, so I keep notebooks everywhere, and sometimes Disney stuff is just what I was writing for days at a time.
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