I have always planned my trips to Disney. I have planned them with so much effort and time into where I want to go, ADRs, ride closings, and EMHs. The planning part has been almost just as fun as getting down there and enjoying the trip I worked so hard on.

Now my boyfriend has given me a trip to WDW for my birthday and is not allowing me to plan any of it!!! He doesn't think ADRs are necessary so he hasn't made any... His last trip to WDW was over 5 years ago... I told him ADRs are important, but he doesnt believe me.

Letting go of planning is making me CRAZY!!! I actually booked 3 ADRs but haven't told him yet... oops! We are going during vacation week, so I think they will be important to have since I could barely get any times as it is...

I am soooo excited for this trip but find it hard to give up the planning aspect of my trip! Someone help me relax and enjoy!

When are you going?

If you continue to 'not plan' this is going to be a different kind of trip for you, and if you go into it knowing that and not expecting the same thing, it may help. If you really want to eat TS, you're going to be eating at off-hours and at the not-so-popular places. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. I have yet to eat at Marakkesh for a regular meal, but I'm looking forward to the first trip I can fit it in. But I would try to get a same-day ADR as soon as you figure out where you'd like to eat, if you want to do TS. Even that makes a difference in wait time/availability.

I say just make ADRs behind his back. Then when he tries to go eat that day and realizes everything is booked suggest the place you have the ADR for and you check in. Or just say you really feel like eating at that place that day. He will have no idea. Just make sure you suggest the park you have the ADR for. If you realize you won't be able to go to the restaurant you have the ADR for just go to the bathroom and call to cancel.

My boyfriend was stubborn like that too until he finally came with us and realized how busy it was. If your boyfriend says "wow we aren't going to be able to eat anywhere!" Just say you saved the day and tell him.

Perhaps he is bluffing and has booked an ADR for every day of your trip!

I have always planned my trips to Disney. I have planned them with so much effort and time into where I want to go, ADRs, ride closings, and EMHs. The planning part has been almost just as fun as getting down there and enjoying the trip I worked so hard on.

Now my boyfriend has given me a trip to WDW for my birthday and is not allowing me to plan any of it!!! He doesn't think ADRs are necessary so he hasn't made any... His last trip to WDW was over 5 years ago... I told him ADRs are important, but he doesnt believe me.

Letting go of planning is making me CRAZY!!! I actually booked 3 ADRs but haven't told him yet... oops! We are going during vacation week, so I think they will be important to have since I could barely get any times as it is...

I am soooo excited for this trip but find it hard to give up the planning aspect of my trip! Someone help me relax and enjoy!




I have NO advice because it would make me nuts too. Just try and relax and just love him for trying. ;)

We are going at the end of April vacation week.
I actually called and made 3 ADRs just in case!
4/23: San Angell Inn, 7:30pm
4/24: Yak and Yeti, 6:15pm
4/25: Crystal Palace, 4:40pm

He hasn't told me the exact dates of our trip yet, so since he said "end of the week" I booked these dates. I can either cancel them or use them depending on what happens!

Now I just have to sit back, relax, and get over the fact that I have no idea what date I actually head to Disney World! crazy!

Perhaps he is bluffing and has booked an ADR for every day of your trip!


He could be bluffing! But just in case he's not, I booked my own ADRs... Although I did think that maybe he is just more amazing than I thought an already took care of dinner reservations!

Only you can decide which would be the worse situation - getting to WDW with no ADR's, or making them behind his back and springing them on him while you're there. Depending on his ego (and it sounds like it's a pretty healthy one!), the latter might not have such a good outcome, if he's embarassed by your pre-planning without his knowledge. If I were you, I'd have a big ol' sitdown talk with him, letting him know both the need for ADRs and your need to be involved with the planning. Good luck!

There are two other possibilities.

1. Maybe he wants a completely fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants trip where you decide what to do whenever you feel like it. We've done this at WDW a few times, and we only had ADRs for the one or two things we really knew we wanted to do like breakfast at the castle.
2. He wants every day to be a surprise for you.

Either way I'd say sit back, relax, and enjoy whatever "his" trip brings.

The planning part has been almost just as fun as getting down there and enjoying the trip I worked so hard on.

Have you told him that the planning is part of the fun for you ? Or have you just approached it from the angle of, "YES, WE DO NEED TO MAKE ADRs!"

If he understood how you enjoy the planning (not just that you think it's necessary, and he doesn't), maybe he'd lighten up & let you do some of the things that ARE fun for you--even if they're not fun for him.

(I happen to agree with you that planning a trip is part of the fun of the trip :))

People who are not familiar with the new need for ADRs since the dining plan started just don't understand the stress involved with not having any. It used to be okay with making plans the day before or day of as to where to eat. No more! Since not having any ADRs is causing you justifiable stress, than yes, make them and say so when needed or talk it out now. Which ever makes you more relaxed, cuz no trip to WDW should cause stress, especially one that is intended as a gift.