Let’s Talk About the Types of Disney Planners
Last month, a viral TikTok showed a mother in hardcore Disney mode.
The woman scheduled an itinerary for her family that included, well, everything.
You can watch this 62-second exercise in precision here:
@brookeraybould Magic Kingdom EARLY PARK ENTRY STRATEGY! But first, only 2 more days to get the discount for “A Mom’s Guide to Disney World,” the 200-page guide I wrote to help moms plan Disney! Comment the word “MAGIC” to get the link to the guide (a sneak peek) and use code “MAGIC2023” for $10 off at checkout. EARLY PARK ENTRY TIME NOTES: 5:00 AM Wakeup 5:15 AM Workout 7:00 AM Book UBER 7:15 AM Leave @fsorlando in UBER 7:30 AM Arrive in front of Disney’s Contemporary Hotel 7:30 AM Walk to Magic Kingdom using walkway! 7:35 AM First in line at kiosks 7:45 AM Enter park + Main Street US is open! Note: snap a photo in front of Cinderella’s Castle while park is empty. 7:50 AM Line up to rope drop Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 8:20 AM Rides are OPEN to start riding! … and we stayed all the way til 8:15 PM! MAGIC KINGDOM GENERAL NOTES: We rope dropped Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This is the only way to get on this ride without a line without paying. Next, we rode Peter Pan, It’s a Small World and Ariel. Fantasyland was finished and the park had barely opened. If Seven Dwarfs has a sign that says 75 minute wait when you rope drop. Ignore it! The line is actually short if you get there early, they just default to that sign. Our first Genie+ Big Thunder Mountain was then ready to ride at 10:15 AM. TRON is incredible, and now makes Magic Kingdom one of our fave parks! Skipper Jungle Canteen for dinner – food was amazing; ambiance was … okay. … And we SURPRISED the kids and decided to do EPCOT on Monday! Check my stories tomorrow! For those asking, we stay at the Four Seasons @fsorlando and love it!
This is me when I watch the TikTok:
Many commenters aren’t as impressed as I am. They think that this person has sucked all the fun from a Disney vacation. Are they right?
How much planning is enough for Disney trips? And which type of Disney planner are you?
Grab Your Keys and Go
Many of my friends have read my Disney work over the years and rely on me as a resource.
In a few extreme instances, people have texted me from the parks and asked what they should do that day.
Folks, if you’re doing that, it’s already too late.
Still, as challenging as the thought is for some of us to imagine, a few Disney tourists simply grab their keys and go.
They don’t need to plan visits at their local theme parks. So, why would they behave any differently at Disney?
Personally, I view this particular approach as a recipe for heartbreak.
Vacationing at Disney isn’t like spending a day at Six Flags. There’s a lot more nuance involved…plus, you know, tens of thousands more tourists.
Still, if this sort of vacation appeals to you, it’s definitely doable at Disney.
My lone suggestion is that you read MickeyBlog daily so that you know all the best pro tips and park hacks for your visit.
Otherwise, you’ll look back at the end of your day and wonder why you only rode a handful of things.
Even worse, you’ll probably feel frustrated that you spent so much time standing in line.
If you fall into this category, I sincerely admire your spontaneity, but I won’t be subscribing to your newsletter.
I’ll Book a Flight and a Hotel Room, Nothing More
Now we’ve entered more familiar territory.
Many of us have taken a Disney trip wherein we didn’t plan much, instead expecting that the Most Magical Place on Earth would take care of us.
While this approach comes with a few downsides, the plus is that you enjoy tremendous flexibility.
This is what I describe as the “happy to be here” Disney vacation strategy.
Yes, you’ll lack anything like an Advanced Dining reservation, but you can make up for that by using Mobile Ordering and Table Service to Go instead.
Depending on which park tickets you purchase, you may find yourself stuck at a single park, but that’s not all bad.
You can focus more by staying where you are and achieving everything you want.
Personally, I prefer a bit more planning than this level, but everyone’s different!
I Can Pay My Way into a Better Experience
Before the advent of Disney Genie+, guests could lean hard on FastPass reservations during park visits.
That same strategy applies, but it’s no longer free. Still, when you haven’t scheduled an extensive itinerary – or any at all! – you should buy the service.
In doing so, you’ll ensure that you experience several attractions during your park day. Also, you won’t wait in line as much.
You can also gain better access by staying at an official Disney resort, which you should do anyway.
Similarly, when you book a stay at a Deluxe Disney resort, you’re entitled to Extended Evening Hours twice a week.
That’s the equivalent of a Disney after-hours event that you receive for free as a bonus for booking a Deluxe Disney hotel.
Then, we have the after-hours events themselves. Presuming that you are willing to purchase ahead of time or roll the dice while you’re there, these events are spectacular.
You gain access to a Disney theme park at a time when it’s otherwise closed to Disney guests. You’ll accomplish sooo much more during these events!
I’m a Fairly Detailed Planner
Here’s the category where I fall nowadays.
I no longer book every possible second, but I still prefer having a strong plan for what we’ll do each day.
For this reason, I lament the fact that Disney Genie+ doesn’t accept advanced reservations. That’s madness to me and encompasses the 7 a.m. Struggle.
Disney could make mornings easier for guests. It simply chooses not to do so.
Planners like myself must analyze any number of potential factors and then make peace with the fact that days don’t always go the way you prefer.
Still, when you’re a detailed planner like me, you know where you’ll eat every meal.
You also possess a strong idea of how you’ll attack the parks each day as well as when you’ll take your breaks.
Personally, I find this level of planning the sweet spot at Disney right now. But I must confess I once fell into a different category…
I Can Tell You Where I’ll Be on 2:06 PM on November 14th!
This one probably counts as the most relatable to me.
While I’ve grown better about planning during the pandemic, I had been someone who would meticulously schedule vacations.
Seriously, family and friends grew weary of the conversations we’d have about plans for particular park days.
When Disney allowed guests to book FastPasses up to 60 days in advance, I planned out entire weekly itineraries. That’s not hyperbole.
This tactic comes with a surprising amount of downside as well, especially now.
Let’s say that you build an entire itinerary around a handful of Lightning Lanes.
Since you cannot book those ahead of time, what happens if you’re unlucky during the reservation phase?
I’ve had this happen when the virtual queue that’s “no problem to book” sells out right in front of me.
I’ve also had experiences wherein a ride closure absolutely wiped out my planning.
We spent hours waiting for the reopening of a Lightning Lane that cost money and thereby missed restaurant reservations. So, there’s definitely a danger of overbooking.
That’s why you should do yourself a favor and speak to one of the agents at MickeyTravels.
These Authorized Disney Vacation Planners can set you up with an itinerary that fits any kind of vacation style we’ve discussed today.
They’ll book anything you like, and they won’t charge a dime for their services!
You’ve got nothing to lose and a dream vacation to gain when you use MickeyTravels!
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Feature Photo: Disney