Oh duh, thanks, I should have thought of that !!! 
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My trips have often had “wild cards” thrown in: I have work related events and no one will give me the actual schedule until 20 days out, my family, unbeknownst to me is going to be in Orlando on my perfect park day, I only have 2 days total at the parks, etc. This had helped me have a fresh perspective to just enjoy what you can and not worry about the rest. Because I have just never had the control.
On the other hand, trip planning is my stress release. I don’t have to have that SDD FP, I don’t need it, but dang, it sure is a rush when I get it.
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The only highly sought after rides we went on was 7DMT. We have little kids and did things we could all do together. So yes you can have a wonderful time without those things. And we aren’t an every year family looking like two more before we get back. And we are still happy with our trip.
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I totally agree with you and was thinking the same thing while considering whether to stay onsite or offsite in 2020.
Is it worth paying onsite prices just so we can ride FoP? And by we I mean everyone BUT me because the motion sickness keeps me from riding. And DH would rather ride Navi with me than FoP without me. And the kiddos won’t be fussed one way or the other. I mean, if I got a day of FP that would be great but not really necessary.
I used to be a huge couponer going after the deal and got a lot of pleasure from that almost like a gambler might feel when winning at the casino.
I also think that a Disney trip has become similar for many people: getting the most deals and FP makes a segment of the population feel better…it generates an emotional response.
I’ve recently gone back to work and working about 60 hours a week. I no longer chase the deals. I shop two places where I can order online and pickup my order. The deals aren’t important…my time is.
At Disney you either spend time to save money or spend money to save time. I used to be the first and now I’m the second.
I think it’s an age thing, too. In my younger years, spending the time wasn’t a big deal. Now I’m 12 days away from my oldest granddaughter turning 14 but I can remember holding just after she was born like it was yesterday and my time is much more valuable than the money.
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That is brilliant.
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So, yes?
That’s a photo of Sully. But here’s a photo of me. See the resemblance?
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Why would I NOT want to do the newest rides and attractions, though? Of course that’s what I want to do most. If we are just happy with what’s been, why even hope they build new stuff anyway?
The whole reason I even started thinking about a fall 2019 trip was to do TSL which is new since our trip, and MVMCP which is new-to-me.
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I’ve noticed that in myself – I was excited when I got the PPO Be Our Guest and other ADRs. And I really like optimizing things. As long as it’s just making the pre-trip planning more fun it’s fine, and I know that personally once I’m on vacation I can go with the flow.
All of it’s new to me (except the stuff that is same as DLR before 2001) but I want to experience as much awesome as possible while still having fun.
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Anyone else use the Disney Serenity Prayer?
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the close attractions with short lines,
to realize that the some rides are just too far away,
and give me the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one park at a time,
enjoying one attraction at a time;
accepting that forced 14 hour family death marches are a pathway to divorce
and that afternoon pool breaks are not a horrible wast of time, but a necessary thing that puts kids and spouses in the right frame of mind to enjoy the next park
And that no one will be able to walk anywhere if I schedule 3 character buffets in a single day.
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I think if you haven’t done it, then of course optimize to meet those goals/expectations.
But for us, FoP isn’t that important anymore as we’ve done it a few times. SDD, though, I’m really hoping for that one. But if I don’t get it, I’m not going to be as bothered about it as I was a few years ago.
Oh thank you! I need to print this and read it for the next 38 days.
I had to re-frame my thinking on planning also.
Instead of getting upset that no one wants to contribute any input on the trip.
Now I see it as the planning I am doing is a big magical gift for them and should be looked at as a surprise party.
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I love your attitude, buuutttt…On my trip in May, there were so many rides I was disappointed in. If it weren’t for the newest and greatest rides I don’t think I’d go back. We had GREAT family time & memories with my kiddos, but WtP, Peter Pan, Figment, Little Mermaid, Nemo and It’s a Small World were boring as HECK! (along with others) Rope dropping the headliners and Fast Passes made the trip so much better.
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I knew it was coming!! 
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Yes, and that’s when we find FPP for later in the day! I would not go on those without small kids (with the exception of PP once per trip). If the kids enjoy them, I will go on them. I enjoy them for nostalgia reasons since I remember them from being a kids myself, but it does take away some of the magic when you see them through adult eyes. And if you never rode as a kid, I think something like IaSW could be terrible. When I’m older, I’ll ride them to remember the trips now when my kids are small.
But I definitely am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel where I can take my kids to Ohio for a long weekend and hit Cedar Point and Kings Island. I would much rather ride big rollercoasters with them, and only have to drive 3 or 4 hours instead of flying.
Edit: But if you ever badmouth Splash Mountain, I will get out my torch and join the @jflafond_869328 mob and burn the witch 
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Splash Mt, BTMRR, Space Mountain and RnR are classics that can do no wrong! (I consider RnR a classic because I’ve ridden it at 3 different Disney parks)
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What is the third park? I know about HS and DLP.
Your question confused me until I went back and looked at what I had typed. I did NOT mean 3. WDW and Disneyland Paris are the 2, like you said. My bad.
Speaking of not stressing/overplanning, my husband & I were on a trip to Paris in 2007 (before we had kids) and on the day we were supposed to wake up and visit Versailles, we said LETS GO TO DISNEYLAND INSTEAD! No planning, had a blast, rode RnR 
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