Please tell me it's true...

[Big Wallaby]

There was a day when woke up to a text message from a former member of this site, and that person was pissed off that someone was complaining on one of the boards that a poster there was complaining about the Monorails not allowing people in the front.

I created a new account from which to post, because I did not want it to be associated with my account there. Like some of my posts here, it was long and drawn out. However, it calmed everyone down from attacking the OP, and it got to the point where, if you were to see the thread, the last two pages or so really show how neat a community Board X can be. Maybe not always, but when it really, really counts. Except, perhaps for that one person who called my actions out of line and then would not explain why.

But then, I understand they are known for doing that all the time.

It was interesting, just now, to go back and reread how people responded to what I said.

[seeing_eye_child]

I don't get how people think that planning every detail 6 months + is a relaxing vacation??

:( But....but.....but....I LIVE to plan!! Lists and calculations and spreadsheets and research and and and...it's all so much FUN! And if I DO plan all those details 6 mo out, then I won't be an SG standing at the podium at Le Cellier demanding a walk-up! Or hogging 4 ADR's because I refuse to decide which park I'm going to!

*sniffle*

[GaTechGal]

:( But....but.....but....I LIVE to plan!! Lists and calculations and spreadsheets and research and and and...it's all so much FUN! And if I DO plan all those details 6 mo out, then I won't be an SG standing at the podium at Le Cellier demanding a walk-up! Or hogging 4 ADR's because I refuse to decide which park I'm going to!

*sniffle*

Glad to see that I'm not the only one that thinks planning is half the fun.

[TeamUBR]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one that thinks planning is half the fun.

I actually enjoy planning too. But as FUN, not a mental illness.

Some of the folks over there take extreme to a new level.

j

[PatchOBlack]

Regarding trip-planning when going to a Disney park:

I've seen this come up a number of times here. Some folks say that planning the day out ruins the fun. Others say that, without a plan, you are setting yourself up for disappointment when you aren't able to do everything you want.

I'll admit, I lean more toward the latter than the former. That's not to say you have to have each moment scheduled down to the second. Just that, unless you can come back to the parks more or less anytime, if you do have particular things you want to see and do, making a plan will increase your likelihood of actually seeing and doing them. For example, I know that if I want to hit any of the newer and popular rides, I better be at the park at the opening and/or hit the FastPass machine. The last time my brother and I went to Disneyland (more years ago than I would like to admit), we did have an actual written plan of which rides to go and such. Did we stick to it? More or less, mainly in the morning, but we allowed ourselves flexibility when it got later in the day, when the crowds got heavier.

I guess, to sum it up, there is no harm in planning out your stay well in advance. You don't have to, ether, though if you are only there for a limited time, you are going to need to be more flexible regarding what you end up doing.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I actually enjoy planning too. But as FUN, not a mental illness.

Some of the folks over there take extreme to a new level.

j

the only thing I "plan" is what park we are going to each day. The only reason is to coordinate any dining. Then we get up (late for us)(hey, we are on vacation!!!) and go have fun.

we have even cancelled dining reservations!!

[PatchOBlack]

the only thing I "plan" is what park we are going to each day. The only reason is to coordinate any dining. Then we get up (late for us)(hey, we are on vacation!!!) and go have fun.

we have even cancelled dining reservations!!

Like I said, there is nothing wrong with the "wing it" approach, as long as you clearly understand that it may mean having to forgo doing certain things. For example, if you want to go on Star Tours in the middle of the day on a summer weekend, you can, but it is pretty much a given that it is going to take longer due to the additional crowds than if you go there in the morning.

Basically, I'm not saying ether method will mean you will have more or less fun. Just pointing out that each has there own set of strengths and weaknesses.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Like I said, there is nothing wrong with the "wing it" approach, as long as you clearly understand that it may mean having to forgo doing certain things. For example, if you want to go on Star Tours in the middle of the day on a summer weekend, you can, but it is pretty much a given that it is going to take longer due to the additional crowds than if you go there in the morning.

Basically, I'm not saying ether method will mean you will have more or less fun. Just pointing out that each has there own set of strengths and weaknesses.

well, experience from work has taught me that if you over plan, you are going to be disappointed when things don't come together.

I look upon vacation as just that. no pressure to "make" a certain attraction by a certain time. we just take in the parks in a leisurely way. if something is too busy, and we don't want to wait, we can always come back later in the day, or in a few days for that matter.

we have even been known to leave the park and go back to the hotel for some down time, then go back in the evening.

the idea is to relax, not engage in some sort of high tempo operation!

I think a lot of SG's are born from the commando method of visiting the aprks.

[PatchOBlack]

well, experience from work has taught me that if you over plan, you are going to be disappointed when things don't come together.

Yes, if you rely too heavily on "following the plan" as being your ticket to happiness, to the point were you are unable to cope with any change, then that is just going to end in tears. However, there is a difference between simply having a plan, and slavishly following it.

I look upon vacation as just that. no pressure to "make" a certain attraction by a certain time. we just take in the parks in a leisurely way. if something is too busy, and we don't want to wait, we can always come back later in the day, or in a few days for that matter.

Again, there is nothing inherently wrong with the "casual" approach to touring the parks. However, not everyone has the luxury of being able to come back in a few days. In my case, it is years between visits to Disneyland. As such, simply going "I'll ride this next time I'm here" isn't really an option. So, in that case, having some sort of plan before hand helps me to make the most of my trips, and avoid missing doing something I wanted to do.

we have even been known to leave the park and go back to the hotel for some down time, then go back in the evening.

Nothing says you can't schedule some downtime, or even adjust you plan on the fly.

the idea is to relax, not engage in some sort of high tempo operation!

"Relax" is a relative term, and once again, having a plan doesn't equate to having to synchronize watches and move in formation to each way-point at exactly the precise time.

I think a lot of SG's are born from the commando method of visiting the aprks.

And I can see how a lot of SGs would come from not doing any sort of planning ahead, then complaining about how they weren't able to do something ultra-important to them because they couldn't get to it. SGs will tend to be SGs, no matter what method they use.

[Kylara]

Patch, I agree that it is not a bad thing to have a plan. Some people's personality is that they would not be able to relax without one. But some of the people at Board X, Y and Z go way overboard. They have things timed out to the minute and god forbid one of their touring mate wants to use the bathroom...their whole day is ruined.

Having a plan is not a bad thing...not realizing even the best laid plans go wrong at times is...that slavishly following the plan that you mention. There does seem to be a number of people at those boards who do that and then cry that their entire trip was ruined....and usually to the closest CM to try and get something for free.