I moderate several Disney Itinerary forums, and we often get questions from folks about how to plan the 'perfect' Disney vacation. They get so stressed about making a mistake that will ruin the trip, that it paralyzes them. Or, they worry that they won't know the 'perfect' place to sit, to stand, to be to experience the 'perfect' Disney magic.
Even though I own and operate a Disney planning business, I agree that too much or the wrong kind of planning does no good for anyone. And, although I believe you to plan empty spaces for Magic to grow and be experienced. I don't believe you can plan the exact spot or time where it will materialize.
My friend Pam, who authored a 'Disney on the Cheap' guide wrote this responce. I though it was... 'perfect'.
“Try to remember this is only one week of your life (or 10 days, or two weeks).
Nothing that happens will be life changing, it is just a vacation. Those "once in a lifetime" vacations only happen on TV. Real families aren't perfect enough to live up to hype like that.
Because it is simply part of your life, it will be similar to everything else that happens on a daily basis. In other words, if your hubby gets grumpy when he's hungry at home, he'll do the same on vacation, but it'll probably bug you more. If one of your kids has trouble sleeping when they're excited, it'll happen at Disney (in spades!). If you have trouble with achy feet after a long day at work, Disney is likely to leave you with blisters and such.
I think it's really tough to not get frustrated and depressed when things like this happen, but you'll always be ahead of the game if you can simply relax and go with the flow.
And sometimes, magic happens in spite of it all. Not because we've planned for it, but just....because. Not life changing TV-show-perfect magic, just kindness from a stranger, the happy smile on your kids faces when they discover they like a new food, or a hug from your hubby because he appreciates all your hard work. In fact, the magic may be so tiny you don't even realize it happened until you're back to your regular life and something reminds you - and you get a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.
THAT's why we go to Disney World, and why it really doesn't matter where we stay, what we eat, or how we plan our day as much as it matters to relax and let those good things happen -- even as your feet are killing you, your husband is complaining about being hungry, and your kids are walking around like zombies with too-little sleep.
My theory is that these good things do happen to drama queens or jaded folks who feel entitled to things because "I paid a TON for this trip!", but they're too wrapped up frustration to notice the magic. How incredibly sad for those people and their kids - surrounded by this beautiful place, staffed by caring and wonderful people, and still not able to take a step back and simply be HAPPY.”
