Flexibility is key

[StevenRipley]

Well, as I massage our schedule for our trip to WDW during the first week of December this year, with all the recent changes I see more than ever that flexibility is key for a fun time at WDW.

Sure you have to plan, and you can believe I am a big planner, but one part of our schedule are all the "open" times we have built in.

For instance, if the recent park hour changes continue as is, on the day we go to Animal Kingdom we may be back at our resort (Boardwalk Villas, rented points from DVC member) by 5pm.

So what to do? Well, we can take advantage of our Park Hopper that night and go see Illuminations, or Fantasmic, or the Osbourne Lights. That will help with touring at those parks on the days we go there.

I am learning to love the flexible parts of our schedule as much as the planned parts.

And with 7 of us going, I have a feeling I am going to learn even more about flexibility by the time our trip is done! :>

S.

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[mikki.young]

Great idea

Flexibility is fun as well as practical. I book a couple of things and sometimes which park we go to is governed by which bus comes first

To quote an old disney song: Its fun to be free!

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Mikki Young
Intercot staff - DVC and trip reports
[email protected]

WDW 19 Trips since 1987
DLP 11 trips since 1992 including opening day
Disneyland California 1 trip
Tokyo Disneyland - not yet!

[PolyGirl40]

Great plan.!

I've been encouraging members to go by the current hours and if times increase, it will be a bonus.

I always leave some *free* time open. It feels much more like a vacation.

Happy Planning !

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Carol, aka PolyGirl40
INTERCOT Staff Member
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[This message has been edited by PolyGirl40 (edited October 27, 2001).]

[mpgirl]

We have had some of our most "memorable" and "magical" moments at WDW when we were not "on schedule". We make a general list of "musts" (must see or must do) then we just try to work our way through the list along the way. Have fun. One suggestion: bring/buy/rent 2 way radios for your group. We have found that it really saves a lot of wasted time waiting for others. With a group of 7 you are surely to break up and this makes it so much easier to keep up with each other (especially if you have teens) Just a thought. Have fun.

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mpgirl
LUV WDW!!!!

[txlucky1]

With the loss of early entry, do you think certain parks will still be more crowded on certain days such as Magic Kingdom on Mondays? I figure MK will still be crowded on Saturdays because of locals. Some friends are going in November and were unaware of the changes at WDW until I told them. They are not changing their itinerary even though it revolves around EE hours. I assume many people will go unaware of the changes and continue with their planned itinerary. What do you think?

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Travel is addictive...and I hate withdrawals!

[EvaBryan]

As I had mentioned in another forum - these cutbacks acutally matter very little to us while planning our upcoming vacation. Flexibility is a wonderful suggestion.

We are traveling in December when all of the resorts are decked out in all their glory. This gives us the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the decorations. We have also made dinner PS's at most resorts so that is coincides with our tours. We also need to do some Christmas shopping at Downtown Disney, which I don't think has cut back their hours.

We were never "schedule people" - we usually like to make a PS for lunch/dinner, pick the park and go. And our plans always change in mid-stream - it is much more fun!!!

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We're going to Disney World!!!!!

December 7 - 18, 2001
First Anniversary Trip
Sheraton Vistana Villages and Wilderness Lodge

[StevenRipley]

We have a day planned in which we split up, because we had different interests: 4 of us go to Blizzard Beach and 3 of us go on a holiday decoration resort tour (WL, GF, Poly); I am in the latter group, should be a blast. Then we all hook up later at the Magic Kingdom and do MVMCP.

We also have a totally free day on which we have planned nothing at all. Zippo. It will be fun to have a fancy free day, we can just go with the flow.

Everyone have a wonderful time on your trips!

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[TheInventor'sDaughter]

We have two days like this -- they are the days my husband is going to his trade show. On Wednesday, we have the Wonderland Tea Party at 1:15 p.m., but the rest of the day I think we'll swim or shop or something. On Friday, I have reserved a golf cart at FW for the day. Petting farm, trails, fishing ... maybe a ride on a canoe? I hope my 3-year-old doesn't stand up!!

I think flexibility is good as well. I have planned which park we are going to and when, but I think all you can do once you get inside the parks is enjoy yourself. Last time we went to MK, we didn't get to see even half our "wish" list, but we had a blast! Hanging out with two little girls at Minnie's house for a half-hour because it's FUN is just as important as making sure we see the parade (which we didn't ... we lived).

I will add, however, that the current changes make it impossible for some of us to just "go with the flow" right now -- especially those of us who had reservations at POFQ and Pop Century, or early opening PS. But I guess we have to be "flexible" in our planning as well!!

Have a great time!!

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1972, Orlando Campground; 1988-94, Orlando-area resident (frequent visits); 1992, PO; 1993, Dolphin; 1996, WL; 1996, D.Inst.; 1997, BW Inn; April 2001, Wild. Home; Nov. 2001, BWV & OKW; March 2002, AS Music

We go on...to the joy and through the tears
We go on...to discover new frontiers
Moving on...with the courage of the years
We go on...moving forward now as one
We go on...with a spirit born to run
Moving on...with each rising sun to a new day...