He’s back. The Healthy Dad is back. (Sometimes the Healthy Dad is hard to find. It’s a bit unnatural for Dad to be talking healthy.) So, just where did we leave off so long ago when we were talking about Healthy Habits on Saturday? Let’s see …
How can this be stressful? - Photo by Express Monorail
I think we were talking about Dad’s 10 steps to a Stress Free Vacation. If I remember right, we were ready for the step about Planning. I’m a bit excited about this one because … because, I’m a big planner when it comes to Walt Disney World vacations.
Now I know that some of you are ready to turn off your computer or are shouting … “I’m on vacation, I don’t want to have to stick to a PLAN. Yuck. Why can’t we just get up whenever we want and go to whatever park that fits our mood, eat when and where we want, park hop, and just do what we want? Come on Dad guy, what’s wrong with that?”
Let me just say, if you don’t mind waiting hours in lines, if you always want to eat hamburgers and hot dogs, if you want to take a chance at missing the best things Walt Disney World has to offer, then go ahead. Don’t plan. Just go and have a marvelous time. It will be OK. (I’m not even going to throw in the condescending “Don’t come spewing about how your trip was horrible whenever you get home.” I wouldn’t stoop that low.)
So, Dad why is it important to have a plan?
Good, you’re coming to your senses. Here’s why it’s so important to have a plan. Walt Disney World is unlike any other vacation destination in the world. Over 15 million people visit Walt Disney World every year. On an average day the Magic Kingdom has around 50,000 guests. The other parks are between 30,000 and 45,000 per day. EVERY DAY. At 11 am almost every day there is an hour long line for at least one ride in every park.
The average visitor to the Magic Kingdom (Disney’s statistics) visits 9 attractions. NINE. Less than 10. There are about 40 attractions in the Magic Kingdom which means the average guest sees one quarter of the park. And that doesn’t even count some of the magical extras that are all around..
Another reason it’s vital to have at least an outline of a plan is to make Dining Reservations. I know I discussed Advanced Dining Reservations for a couple of weeks but it’s a great part of a Walt Disney World vacation. We’ve seen lots of times when we are waiting to be seated that guest come up and ask how long the wait is for a table only to be told there won’t be any available. It happens all the time at almost all of the Table Service restaurants. There are several where you absolutely won’t get in without an Advanced Dining Reservation. It would be a shame to miss some of the great restaurants at Disney World just because you don’t want to have a plan.
The healthy thing about planning is it takes away stress. When you make a plan before you leave and everyone knows what the plan is, you don’t have the bickering that happens when Bobbie want to go swimming while Jenny wants to ride Dumbo. This is true of any vacation. It’s important that everyone knows what is expected every day. What time will the alarm go off tomorrow? Are we going shopping or fishing? When was that tee time?
Dad thinks planning is essential. So much so that I’m going to spend at least this whole week talking about it. On Monday, Dad will be touting his and Mrs. Mom’s Magic Kingdom plan for the Palooza and as the week goes on we’ll talk about the other parks.
Next Saturday, we’ll talk about working on a plan as a family. You won’t want to miss that (or anything else Dad writes.) Have a good week.
PS. Dad’s Healthy Habits Support Group is still going. Come on over and join us.
